Minerva watched as Malcolm danced Hermione across the room. The one year old was giggling madly in her happiness. They were attending a Ministry sponsored event in celebration of the improvements in the Ministry of Magic. Isobel and she had backed quite a bit of legislation in the past couple of months and the results had been astounding to say the least. The neutral families were putting forth legislation to maintain magical traditions and Minerva supported all of those efforts with the exception of the betrothal of children.
She had shown the wizarding world that she supported their closely held beliefs and could support changes to make their world better. Charles Potter had been a great allie in the Wizengamot and had managed to gain support from the more traditional purists. While they didn't share the same opinions regarding Muggleborns or educational values as she did, they did want Magical Britain to flouish. And flouish it did!
More and more shops were opening in Magical communities and Halfbloods and Muggleborns were being hired based on work ethic instead of their blood status. Minerva financially backed many of the stores although not many people were aware of that. She had been horrified at the vision of the other timeline Harry had showed her. She would do whatever it took to ensure Hermione nor Harry would end up in that situation again.
"Dance with me Aunt Min," John cried as he dashed across the room to his favorite aunt.
She laughed musically before nodding her head and dancing with her nephew. She had been pleasantly suprised on how well the boys had taken to Hermione. She was afraid they would be jealous of the attention she showed the baby but it was for naught. They adored Hermione just as much as they did her. They would always make time to spend with Hermione each visit and encouraged the girl's crawling, walking, speaking as much as she did.
As Minerva danced her nephew across the room, she heard a loud explosion, smelt a weird smell and then fell into darkness
Minerva McGonagall McGregor woke up in intense pain. Her hands were bound tightly above her head and a whip of sorts was lashing her back painfully. She bit down on her lip to keep from crying out in agony. A mad cackling from a feminine voice followed by the taunting, "Glad you're finally awake Professor."
Bellatrix LeStrange she realized and felt her heart sink. She had been captured. Please let me be the only one she silently prayed. She feared for Dougal, Hermione, the boys, her family and friends. "You could of just sent an Owl if you wanted to speak with me Bellatrix," she finally ground out.
Bellatrix sent another painful lash across Minerva's bare back before responding. "Your recent efforts in the Wizengamot has caused our cause a setback. You knew what would happen to you when we got our hands on you."
Minerva turned her head towards the witch. "The changes taking place won't be stopped by my death," she said firmly. "Magical Britain is flourishing now and the other Houses won't stand while your lot destroys it."
Bellatrix smirked at her. "They will when we take control of the Wizengamot," she taunted. "Lucius is calling a special meeting as we speak and without the Ravenclaw House votes being there, we will take control and undo the damage you caused."
Minerva looked at the witch suprised. The attack at the Ministry had been solely to capture her and prevent her from attending the Wizengamot sessions. She closed her eyes and sighed in frustration. All of their hard work would be undone quickly without the Ravenclaw House votes.
"The Death Eater bastards called a special Wizengamot session for today," Charles Potter raged. "Without Ravenclaw House votes, the neutral families will be swayed easily."
"That was their intent all along," Isobel said frustrated. "They knew they had to remove Minerva from the picture to gain control. Dougal is unable to take control of the House and Hermione is too young."
"They will be in for a rude awakening," Lily Potter said confidently. "Minerva insisted on making sure Hermione and Harry would be cared for and kept together if something happened to one of us. James will be able to act as regent to Ravenclaw House. Isobel can you have Hermione dressed in Ravenclaw House robes and at the Ministry of Magic?"
"Yes," Isobel replied with a tight smile. While she was terrified by Minerva's disappearance, she wouldn't allow her grief to prevent her from protecting the work Minerva had invested into their community. "Robbie can stay with Dougal, Robert and the children."
"I can't," Robbie said determined. "We have a tip on the location they are keeping Minerva at. Malcolm and I are going when the Wizengamot starts. They should have less wands available then."
"Severus will stay with Dougal, Robert and the children," Isobel corrected, hoping rising in her chest. "Lily, Sirius and Remus will go with you boys."
"Why Lily," Charles Potter asked confused. "She calms the children down quickly."
"Because Minerva might need a female," Dorea Potter commented. "Minerva has been missing for over a week. What do you think has happened to her?"
"Bloody hell," Charles cursed as he walked to the window. Minerva and he had been friends for decades and it hurt to think of the witch being tortured. He hadn't even allowed the thought of rape to cross his mind. He sincerely hoped she hadn't been touched like that.
James Potter walked into the Wizengamot session in his finest robes; however, instead of the Potter crest he wore the Ravenclaw one. Hermione McGregor was in his arms in Ravenclaw House robes as well. Murmurs errupted throughout the room as he walked onto the floor. "I have certified paperwork from Gringotts that lists me as a regent to Ravenclaw House in the event Minerva McGonagall McGregor is unavailable to attend the meetings," he proclaimed as he held a paper up.
Albus Dumbledore read the paperwork quickly and winked at James Potter before announcing, "The paperwork is in order. Please take your seat Regent of House Ravenclaw!"
"No one in their right mind would allow someone other than an heir vote for their House," bellowed Lord Nott angrily.
"We are not here to discuss what one house would do or not," Lady Longbottom interrupted. "The Head of the Wizengamot approved the paperwork so James Potter is entitled to vote for House Ravenclaw. Can we get this session underway?"
Lord Nott sat down frustrated as Lord Avery stood and put forth his petition although he seemed to realize it wouldn't be approved with James Potter acting as House Ravenclaw regent.
Minerva groaned painfully as her bindings fell away from her and she fell into Remus Lupin's protective arms. Lily conjured a blanket to cover her nakedness and quickly did so. Minerva passed out, from exhaustion or pain they didn't know. "Get her to the cottage," Malcolm said. "Ruth is on standby. We will take care of the rest of these bastards."
Remus nodded sharply as he headed back towards the entrance with Lily following behind him. They made it out of the secured compound easily and apparated straight into the cottage. "Don't touch her," warned Lily as Dougal saw her. "We don't know what all they have done to her. Ruth, where do you want her?"
"Bedroom," she answered as she grabbed her bag and rushed up the stairs. She shooed everyone out but asked for someone to fetch Poppy Pomfrey since Minerva had extensive damage.
Within 20 minutes, Poppy was there. Ruth and Poppy worked tirelessly for hours on the battered witch. The only time they had left the room was to give Severus a list of potions they needed. He left with Robbie to collect what he had made and started brewing what he didn't have made.
In the early hours of the morning, a weary Ruth and Poppy emerged from the bedroom and was surrounded by concerned family and friends. "She will be alright eventually," Ruth offered as she sat down near her husband and allowed the dam she erected around her emotions to break. She cried silently as she buried her face into his chest and clung to him.
"Poppy," questioned a nervous Isobel.
Poppy sighed as she sat in the available chair. "She was tortured severely," she answered bluntly. "Lashed by a whip, beaten with a club, carved by a blade and raped." She ignored the gasps of horror and continued on. "The cuts made from the whip were to the bone and resisted our efforts. It seems it had been cursed but we finally managed to treat them. The injuries from the club ane blade were easily fixed but the internal damage was the hardest to fix."
"Why," Lily Potter asked.
"She's three months pregnant," Ruth sobbed out. "We couldn't give her the normal treatments or she would have miscarried."
"The baby is fine?" asked Isobel as she gripped Dougal's hand in silent support.
"Yes," Poppy answered. "That's why it took so long. We had to heal her injuries without causing harm to the baby. She would have cursed us both if we had!"
"Thank Merlin," Robbie said, relieved for his sister.
"Minerva will recover but it will take some time," Poppy said. "She will have to limit her activities for awhile. You will probably need to drive her to the castle daily. She won't need that walk every day."
Dougal nodded his head as he tried to keep his tears at bay. "Anything else I need to know," he asked.
"Minerva is carrying twins," Poppy said with a smile. "Twin boys. She will tire easily and probably need more assistance. I would suggest Isobel stay with you until after the boys are born. Not only can Isobel cast what magic will be needed but Minerva will need her emotionally as well."
Isobel looked at Robert who just nodded his head. She glanced to Dougal who nodded his head as well. "Robert and I will gladly stay as long as we are needed," she answered. "Any other issues I need to be aware of?"
"They must have tomented her," Ruth said. "She kept mumbling about Hermione."
"We shall let Hermione be the first she sees when she wakes up," Isobel said matter-of-factly. "Dougal I shall have to kick you out of your bedroom."
"Whatever Minerva needs," he whispered emotionally. He was struggling to keep his emotions in check. His heart physically ached for his soulmate and he desperately needed to see her, see her breathing, to reassure himself she was indeed alright.
Hermione sleepily apparated to her father's lap and hugged him tight. "Momma home," she asked.
Dougal pulled the girl near and kissed her forehead. "Momma is home but she needs her rest right now," he whispered as he hugged his child close.
"Momma hurts," she said knowingly. "I help Momma." With that, the girl apparated her father and herself out of the room.
"Where did they go," Sirius asked suprised.
"To Minerva," Isobel said calmly. "Excuse me a minute," she said politely as she moved towards Minerva's bedroom.