Minerva McGonagall McGregor smiled brightly as she left the Wizengamot. She and her mother had taken their seats during this particular session. They had worn their most prestigious robes with their crests proudly on display. Minerva had inwardly smirked as she noticed the pureblood bigots' faces when she was given a place of honor as Lady of Ravenclaw House.
While new members weren't allowed to introduce new agendas to vote on, they were allowed to vote on them. Minerva had convinced Lord Charles Potter to bring forth the Children's Act of 1978. The legislation would bring forth change on how muggle raised children would be treated when abuse and/or neglect was ongoing. The proposal would allow children to be removed from abusive homes and placed with a wizarding foster family.
"Who do you propose will take in all of these children?" Lord Avery asked indignantly. Murmurs sounded throughout the chamber at the question. It was obvious many purebloods weren't willing to take in the children of lesser blood.
"I will," Isobel McGonagall volunteered. Gasps of shock filtered through the chamber. Isobel had met Minerva's gaze and received a proud smile in return. "My children are grown and I have no work to distract me from helping those in need. I have the time and resources to foster children that need to escape abusive situations."
"Thank you Lady McGonagall-Ross," Lord Potter commented. "House Potter shall also house those that need to escape from abusive situations. If the legislation is approved, I would be willing to keep a list of families willing to foster children."
"And what of the cost of said children," Lord Nott said.
"House Ravenclaw will donate 1 million galleons to cover educational costs for the children to attend Hogwarts," Minerva volunteered. Sounds of shock and disbelief filled the chamber.
"1 million galleons," Nott sputtered.
"Yes," Minerva said unfazed by the amount. "House Ravenclaw will support our founder's educational beliefs and we are prepared to offer the substantial funds needed to do so. Surely there are others willing to support our society's future?"
"House Longbottom will pledge 50,000 galleons for medical care of any children removed from abusive situations," Augusta Longbottom informed the room.
Minerva smiled as house after house pledged funds and the legislation was pushed through. Lord Potter had managed to add a clause in the legislation that if the wizarding families adopted the children in their care, the educational funds would still be available to them. He had also volunteered Minerva to oversee the newly established educational fund which she graciously accepted. She would have a vault started at Gringotts just for this purpose.
"I wished I could have seen their faces when you pledged a million galleons," Malcolm said as he put the special edition Daily Prophet on the table.
Isobel had insisted on a family dinner after the Wizengamot session. She had tasked Robbie with ensuring Dougal was present and demanded Malcolm to keep Robert company. She was still unable to be at ease since the attack on Caithness.
"I thought Nott was going to faint," Minerva answered with a grin. "Augusta Longbottom hounded him until he offered funds for the medical fund."
Robbie laughed out loud. "That's hilarious," he cried. "Nott's as pureblood bigoted as they come."
"Dougal you probably should keep a tighter hand on your galleons," Malcolm teased. "Min will financial break you spending money like that."
Dougal grinned at his brother-in-law before admitting, "I have no worries. That wasn't even an entire percentage in the Ravenclaw vault."
"Not a percent!" exclaimed Robbie. "How bloody rich are you?"
Minerva smirked at her brother. "House Ravenclaw could out spend any wizarding family in Britain and not blink an eye," she answered. "Dougal and I are making plans on updating Hogwarts with some of the money."
"And building a library in the Magical world," he reminded his wife.
"And building a library or two," conceded Minerva.
Robert let out a whistle. "You two have mighty big plans. Are you going to include your books Dougal?"
"What books?" Minerva asked as she looked puzzled at her husband. "The ones at the farm?"
Dougal frowned at his father-in-law. Robert was one of the few that knew his secret. "I hadn't managed to tell Min about those yet," he said.
"Sorry Dougal," Robert said sincerely.
"What books," Minerva asked again.
Dougal tucked a curl behind her ear and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "Best to show you I think," he said. "Apparate us to the farm?"
Minerva frowned then gripped his hand and turned on the spot soundless. "How does she manage to do that so quietly?" Robbie complained.
"She's more powerful than us," Malcolm offered. "It took me decades to even admit that to myself but it is the truth."
"You both didn't show accidentally magic until you were three years old or so," Isobel said. "Minerva wasn't even a day old before she summoned books, played bagpipes and had the family cat doing her bidding."
"Honest?" asked Robbie.
"She used to soften me up by playing the bagpipes," Robert said with a chuckle. "As the song would end, she would float a book in my hand to read to her."
Minerva and Dougal arrived at the farm within moments. Dougal led his wife to the study and smiled at her. "I have been trying to find a way to broach the subject but I am not a boastful man," he offered. "I don't farm the land because I found something that I like to do more."
Minerva tilted her head in confusion as he looked at the bookshelf. He moved a couple of books from the shelf and pulled a hidden lever. She watched amazed as the bookshelf parted and revealed a hidden room. "Go on," he said with a smile.
Minerva walked in and noticed a small room. In the center was a desk, a comfortable chair, a typewriter and paper and pens. One wall had a small shelve against it filled with books. All of the books were authored by D. McG. She looked at him sharply. "You wrote these?" she asked amazed.
Dougal looked embarrassed before nodding his head. "I enjoy writing," he offered. "One of my navy friends was visiting me and saw the first book. He begged me to let him read it and I did thinking he would laugh at it. His brother worked at a publishing house and made me an offer. I accepted it and then started the next and the next one again."
"May I read them?" she asked hopeful.
Dougal walked to his wife and kissed her passionately. "You may," he whispered. "Read them in the order they are published though."
"I will," she said as she grabbed the first one from the shelf and headed towards the bedroom. "I will start on it tomorrow. Right now I plan on drawing a steamy bath and relaxing. You could join me if you desire." Dougal always desired to see his wife naked and followed behind her quickly!