Isobel McGonagall knocked briskly on the door a few hours after breakfast. Minerva opened the door and greeted her with a hug, suprising the older witch. "What's with the greeting lass?" Isobel asked with a smile.
"Thank you for meddling Màthair," she whispered sincerely.
Isobel burst out laughing at the unexpected answer. "That's what mothers do," she answered with a grin. "That's a lovely ring dearest." Isobel moved Minerva's hands closer so she could get a better look at it.
"Dougal held on to it all of these years," Minerva whispered, emotion thick. "He never gave up hope."
"He loves you," Isobel reminded gently. "Anyone with eyes could see that."
Minerva smiled at her mother and led her to the living room where Dougal was reading a biography. The man might be a farmer but he loved to read. "Morning Isobel," he greeted politely.
"Dougal," she returned as she settled into a single chair. "Welcome to the family."
Minerva smiled at her mother and then pressed a kiss to Dougal's cheek as she settled down beside of him, invading his personal space as she did so. He chuckled at her but accommodated her just the same. "How did everything turn out last night?" Minerva asked her mother curiously.
"All of our neighbors survived and memories were adjusted except for Dougal's and little Mary Brown," Isobel answered.
"Mary is a witch?" Minerva raised her eyebrow in suprise. "Her father won't take that well."
Isobel sighed sadly. "I will be keeping a close eye on her. She has shown some accidental magic and her father has given her fearful looks. If there is one instance of abuse I will get her out of there."
Dougal looked suprised at the notion. "Parents actual harm their children because they have magic?"
"Afraid so love," Minerva answered sadly. "People fear the unknown then they lash out in their fear. I see it every year at the school and try to help but there's not a lot of places for them to go. Most magicals won't accept children who aren't family or who come from non magical parents."
"That's shameful," he said.
Isobel nodded in agreement before continuing her tale. "There were nine Death Eaters killed last night and ten that were captured and taken to the Ministry of Magic to await trial. Two of my brothers were among the dead. Apparently slain by me."
"Màthair," Minerva said in sympathy.
"There's no doubt they were trying to rid Magical Britain of me and my line," Isobel said tearfully. "Malcolm discovered I was never officially disowned by my grandfather when I married your father. My brothers were trying to end my line before I claimed my inheritance."
Minerva stared at her mother in suprise at that. "Your Grandfather named you his heir? Are you going to claim the lordship of House Ross?
"I am," Isobel said determined. "That will be another light vote in the Wizengamot. Hopefully we can make a few changes to protect muggle raised children."
Minerva nodded her head in agreement. "When are you going to Gringotts?"
"When I leave here," Isobel said. "I want you and Dougal to accompany me. You need to register your marriage officially and add Dougal to your vault."
"I need a marriage certificate to do that," Minerva said with a frown. "I will have to go to the record department at the Ministry for that."
Isobel smirked at her daughter before producing a muggle marriage certificate. "Malcolm may have charmed your father to believe he performed a wedding ceremony between you and Dougal before the attack. It explained why we were all present."
Minerva stared at her mother wide-eyed. "He didn't," she asked in disbelief.
"It was the only way to prevent the Aurors from wiping Dougal's memories," Isobel revealed. "Your soul bond wasn't fully completed at that time. Malcolm asked your father's permission before he did it."
Minerva smiled brightly before tugging Dougal up. "We have to get ready," she exclaimed excitedly before dragging him towards the stairs.
"Minerva," Isobel said. She floated a tiny box to her daughter. "The clothing you kept at home."
"Thanks Màthair," she replied before dashing up to the bedroom to get ready for her trip to Diagon Alley.
Minerva McGonagall McGregor sat back in her seat and stared at the Goblin before her in disbelief. "Dougal is a squib?" she asked for clarification.
Axeblade grinned at the stunned humans before him. "Indeed he is," he confirmed. "From a rather prestigious line as well."
"Which line?" asked Minerva curiously as she gripped her husband's hand reassuringly.
"Ravenclaw," the Goblin revealed. "Your husband is from a very long line of squibs on his mother's side of the family. The line was thought to have died out hundreds of years ago by the Ministry but the Ravenclaw vault refused to open. The vaults security will always hold if there is another heir."
"Ravenclaw," Isobel repeated shocked beyond belief. "Is Dougal the only heir to that line?"
"He is," Axeblade answered and then focused on Dougal. "Your marriage to Minerva will allow you to claim your heritage; however, Minerva will have to be the one to attend to all formal business within the Ministry."
"Why," he asked confused.
"The Wizarding World is in the midst of a blood war," the Goblin answered. "Purebloods or those that can trace both parents to magical parents at least three generations want to control everything. Isobel is a pureblood who was disowned for marrying a muggle or someone with no magic. Minerva is considered a halfblood because one parent is magical and the other is not. Those in charge want to eradicated all blood traitors and Muggleborns, those born to muggle parents, and use halfbloods as slaves."
"That's disgusting," Dougal commented.
"I told you the wizarding world is vicious," gently reminded Minerva.
"Your wife has more clout than most halfbloods due to her position within Hogwarts and her Mastery status," Axeblade clarified. "If you claim your Lordship, Minerva will be untouchable by the pureblood bigots. The Ravenclaw line predates the Sacred Twenty Eight and has more votes in the Wizengamot."
Dougal looked at his wife and silently asked her opinion. "Dougal will be claiming that Lordship," she answered for him. "Those votes will help change the Wizarding Britain for the better."
"You heard the lady," Dougal said as he kissed his wife's hand.