Chapter 68
Two days later
Standing at the McGonagall home I glance at my family before knocking on the door.
Robert Jr opens it smiling at me "Hi Aquila" he says smiling before running back further in the house yelling about us being here while leaving the door open.
Smiling I walk in seeing seeing Mr. McGonagall reading a paper "Hello Mr. McGonagall" I say bowing slightly.
He puts his paper down coping my bow greeting us before motioning to the seat "I was told we are having a meeting before dinner to discuss marriage".
Nodding I move to the couch sitting down as Minnie and Mrs. McGonagall join us while Mother, Father, and Walburga move to sit down as my brothers and their wives take Vela outside to the back yard.
"I should clear up somethings first Sir, I'm a courting child, Walburga gave birth to me but because of some crimes that my birth father committed, my parents adopted me passing me off as their child to protect me and her, that's why all three are staying for this"
He nods looking to Mrs. McGonagall for guidance "they're here for dinner and to discuss expectations on a marriage contract, it's to make sure that both sides are happy with the marriage".
"It's a tradition, we no longer use magically binding contracts it just to make sure we both understand what the other wants" I add.
He nods waiting "we would like following our families traditions of star names or after saints" Father says placing the contract and quil down.
"How does that work?" Mr. McGonagall asks.
"Either based on when they're born or what star name feels right, it's only the first name so middle names can be after someone or what you like" Mother answers.
"I named Aquila with Aurora for a middle name because she's my beautiful light" Walburga says placing her hand on my back.
Keeping my face blank I see Minnie laughing silently "is it possible for any child they have to come to church with us?" Mr. McGonagall asks.
"I have no problem with it, I want them to learn about their muggle heritage as well" I answer leaning forward to add it to the list.
"I just want Minerva to be able to do what she wants with her life and not be forced to give up learning or working if she wants" Mrs. McGonagall says softly.
I nod turning the list to her pointing out a line "Minerva will be allowed to continue her studies as long as she wants or work if she chooses, should she wish to continue her studies, Aquila Black will cover the costs of anything she needs for the lessons".
Mr. McGonagall leans forward pulling it to him reading it over "you already added what you promised when you asked for permission?" He asks sounding slightly shocked.
"Yes Sir, a Black keeps their word"
Nodding he pushes it back between us settling into his seat "typically there is a dowry payment made, do you want to do that?" Father asks.
"That's meant to show you can provide right?"
"Yes" Father answers.
Mr. McGonagall nods looking at me "I know she can provide for Minnie and any future child but even if she lost all the money she has, she has proven to be a hard worker, I may not understand that world but I can recognize a strong work ethic"
Looking at Minnie I smile seeing her twisting her ring around her finger unconsciously.
2 hours later
Finishing the meeting I smile taking Minnie's hand kissing it before going outside to see what everyone's doing.
Looking at Hagrid he sits with Robert Jr climbing on his back while Olympe looks around the yard.
Cyg stands talking with Malcolm while Dru plays with Vela "is the meeting done? I'm hungry" Olympe says walking over to me.
I nod motioning to the house "Olympe, I told my Mother what your diet currently needs and she promised to make sure something was available that you could eat in case you can't handle the dinner" Minnie says.
"How was your dinner with your family?" Minnie asks me.
"Aunt Dorea and Euphemia brought their husbands, it turned into a challenge that I won" I answer shrugging.
"Aquila, Olympe, and Walburga tried to hide in the bathroom" Dru says rolling her eyes "she ended up burning Irma's garden when trying to intimate them".
"I tried Dru, but he endangered Olympe and her baby, I wasn't letting it go" I grunt glaring at her.
"They married Charlus and Fleamont Potter right?" Ms. McGonagall asks coming out.
"Yes Ma'am"
She makes a disgusted face for a moment shaking her head "Still arrogant and rude?"
I nod feeling Father touch my back "she protected Olympe and scared them then told them they had to pay back their loans from us or she's taking everything till it's paid back, and told Charlus to get a job and start paying for living in one of the Black's properties or he has to get out".
"Ariana says Aquila got one of the Weasley boys to leave her alone, she called him a lazy gold digger" Minnie adds smiling.
"Someone needed to say something about that, there's always one like that" Mrs. McGonagall says chuckling.
Looking to Mr. McGonagall I see him watching her with a happy look at seeing her no longer feeling cut off from her home "is there a way for Isobel to be around more of her friends?" He asks looking to my parents.
"Yes, she could join us for tea" Mother says.
"That's code for all the ladies gathering to gossip" I say rolling my eyes smiling.
He nods smiling slightly "a lady needs her time to sit around and gossip with friends, now Aquila you're finishing school next year, do you know what you want to do?"
"Outside of my responsibilities as head of house I plan to keep trying to make changes for the magic world but I want to teach at Hogwarts as well, I'm also trying to get approval for a few muggles who have magical children to help teach at the Squib school that's opening next year. I think they would be better teaching them about how to live and survive in the muggle world then a witch or wizard, they never get use to magic helping with everything so they can relate to them more then a muggle born or half blood can"
He nods frowning "Squibs are like muggles born to magical parents right?"
"Yes, they have a magic core that's blocked so they can't use magic, but can have a magical child or grandchild" Minnie says.
"I was invited to study at Durmstrang Institute" Malcolm says looking at his plate.
"Durmstrang is known for having the best students with DADA, many go on to be highly respected Aurors or unspeakables" I say smiling at him.
"What about that guy Grindelwald, he went there" he says frowning.
Shrugging I look to Father for help "every school has had students that embarrass them but you can't let that stop you from looking at the whole school, it's a respectable school with a long history of Aurors and Unspeakables. Hogwarts is probably sending you there because they are unable to teach you what you need like Durmstrang Institute could and Aquila is still a student herself, her teaching you wont help and you need a Master that can make sure you're knowledge is accepted".
"But Aquila could pass in second year and everyone knows she's powerful after that battle and fight with her brother" he says like he's defending me.
"Yes, but she's still a student and not supposed to teach students she could get in trouble for teaching you, that's why she teaches in the ROR and it's kept quiet, many things she's taught you are things you shouldn't be learning about yet without a Master" Mrs. McGonagall says quickly.
"We could always practice together and I can show you new stuff still, but this way if someone finds out they will assume it's two Apprentices helping each other study and we won't get in trouble" I add.
"Do you think Robert will go to Hogwarts?" Mr. McGonagall asks.
I smile watching the boy holding out food to the cats whispering "Yes, but if he keeps showing a special gift with creatures Dumbledore may try to transfer him to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic or if he shows a gift for being an alchemist".
"I thought Hogwarts was the best wizarding school" he says frowning.
"Non, it's not" Olympe says quickly.
"Hogwarts is the best.."
"Beauxbatons is best" Olympe says jumping in glaring at me.
Groaning I rub my forehead hearing them laugh.
"Hogwarts is best for certain things but other schools have a better understanding of different things" I say ignoring Olympe trying to interpret me.
"There's also the school pride that causes disagreements with what school is best, they all claim it and are not completely wrong, they're best for certain things" Mother says as Olympe glares at me.
"The alchemist Flamel went to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic they're also the first school that took students with Creature heritage as well" I add.
"Like Olympe? She's half giant like Rubeus" Mr. McGonagall asks.
Groaning I watch as Olympe gasps standing up "I am not half giant, I am large boned I have never been so insulted" she rants in French waving her hands around while talking before rushing out with Hagrid chasing after get.
"Giants have a hard time, yes she's half giant it's clear but she refuses to accept it and gets upset if you hint that she is, they've been targeted out of hate many times. She says she's large boned, it's best to go with it because not everyone is proud to be a creature. It's one of the things Aquila wants to change so creatures have a chance with out fear" Minnie says softly seeing her Father's confusion.