Minerva McGonagall McGregor made good on her promise to Dougal and purchased a space in Diagon Alley for a library. They worked during the weekends when she wasn't on duty at Hogwarts to clean it up. They filled it up with various bookshelves, tables, chairs and cubicles. The shelves were filled with books and magazines separated by categories. Dougal was proud of the Muggle section and made sure his entire collection was there even if no one other than Minerva knew he wrote them!

Minerva hired a widowed witch, Abby Bishop, with three children to feed as an employee. She and Dougal found it was hard to not help others when the chance presented itself. "Who came up with the name?" Robbie asked laughingly.

Dougal and Minerva shared a look before shrugging their shoulders and smiling at him. McG's Adventures In Tomes was a suprising name for a library especially the first library in Diagon Alley but they liked it. They also liked that it paid homage to Dougal's pen name.

Dougal spent a lot of time at the library. He had learned how to use the Floo and found that he had just enough magic with his soul bond to Minerva to use it. Dougal was standing near the back when he saw the same young wizard come in, take a book and sat quietly in the corner. The dark-haired man was pale and seemed to have a lot on his shoulders. Dougal grabbed a law book from the shelf and moved to sit across from the young man. "Hope you don't mind if I sit here," Dougal said politely.

"You own it," the young wizard said matter-of-factly. "You can sit anywhere you chose."

Dougal chuckled before replying, "I might own it but I was raised to be polite." He held his hand out, "Dougal McGregor."

Suprised, the young wizard shook his hand. "Severus Snape."

"Pleasure to met you Severus," the old man said with a smile.

"You certainly don't act like an airoscrat," Severus said curiously.

Dougal laughed out at the notion. "I grew up a poor farmer," he answered honestly. "I leave all of that Ravenclaw House stuff to Minerva."

Severus smiled at the older man. "What are you reading?"

"Ridiculous laws that need to vanish from existence," the older man answered. "Ravenclaw House apparently has votes in the Wizengamot."

Severus smiled at him. "I would suggest page 294," he offered with a grin. "Professor McGonagall was behind the Children's Act of 1978, wasn't she?"

Dougal winked at the man before turning to the suggested page and read it. "The bastards still believe they can sell off their daughters to the highest bidder?" he asked doubtfully. Severus nodded his head and watched as Dougal started to take notes. Several minutes later, Dougal glanced up and noticed the younger man started back reading his own book.

Dougal and Severus became fast friends much to Minerva's suprise. The older man encouraged Severus to rise above the shortcomings from his childhood and be a better man than his father's example. Severus still hadn't figured out how the man managed to get him to speak of his childhood when he refused to do so with others. Dougal also encouraged him to find a way to apologize to his dear friend Lily.

Severus looked forward to the meetings he had with the older man but kept the relationship private. He was a Slythrein afterall and didn't want to diverge too much to his associates. Severus was being actively courted by the Dark Lord but he didn't want to join his ranks. Severus saw how wrong the pureblood bigots were and wanted no part in that madness. He focused on earning his Mastery in Potions but he had to avoid politics there because his Potions Master was a supporter of the Dark Lord's.

Severus checked his watch again and frowned. Dougal was late to their meeting. The man never was late. They were supposed to have lunch in a little cafe in an out of way area in Diagon Alley five minutes ago. He saw a couple of known Death Eaters drag someone covered by a cloak in an alley. His heart clinched painfully when he recognized Dougal's shoes.

Severus knew if he let them take Dougal out of Diagon Alley then the man would die. He couldn't allow such a beacon for goodness to be ended. He drew his wand and moved to the Death Eaters and engaged them. Severus cringed when he realized the LeStrange brothers were the ones he was engaging with. Severus remembered Dougal's last farewell to him, "Make me proud Severus. You have all the makings of a great man if only you act on it!"

"I will make you proud sir," Severus said as he sent a series of spells towards the Death Eaters.

Robbie rushed into the Great Hall during lunch time startling everyone. "Min you need to get to St. Mungo's now," he yelled for all to hear. "Get your arse in gear!"

"Dougal," she asked as she stood, stepped on her chair and jumped effortlessly across the Great Hall table and ran towards him. Her pregnant belly slowed her some but not as much as others expected it did.

"Death Eater bastards attempted to grab him in Diagon Alley," he revealed. "His friend stepped in to help him but he was still hit in the crossfire."

Minerva looked at Albus and yelled, "Bend the wards!"

Albus looked confused but did as she requested. She grasped Robbie's hand and apparated right out of the Great Hall. "How did she do that?" gasped Rolanda Hooch.

"She's carrying the Ravenclaw heir," Filius Flitwick reminded. "Founder's heirs can apparate within Hogwarts' wards if the Headmaster bends the wards."

"Let's hope Dougal pulls through," Poppy said. "Minerva needs him."

Minerva cried happy tears as Dougal opened his chocolate eyes up. "You're awake!" she exclaimed happily. "I thought I lost you."

"What happened," he croaked out as he finally managed to open his eyes and searched for his wife.

"Two Death Eaters ambushed you and attempted to take you from Diagon Alley," Minerva explained. "It was a good thing Severus was meeting you. He saw them dragging you out and intervened. He saved your life and rid Magical Britain of two of the most horrible Voldemort supporters at the same time."

"He killed them? Is he okay?" Dougal asked, concerned for his friend.

"He will be," Minerva whispered reassuringly. "I had to claim financial responsibility before St. Mungo's would treat him. We really need to look into those laws too. Why would they think it would be smart asking for payment before actually treating someone is beyond me?!""

Dougal smiled at his wife. "I think of Severus as a son anyways," he answered. "We will start researching ways on correcting that. When can I escape this bed and go check on our boy?"

Minerva smiled brightly at that. "I shall go find out!"