Chapter two

The following day Poppy explained to Harry that Remus will be alright, but he won't be conscious for a few days. He had been hit with multiple spells at the same time, so with the healing and potions, which will keep him unconscious so he has time to heal. While he had been sitting beside Remus, some of the DA carried in another person, a person Harry thought had died, Severus Snape. Harry stood with Michael and Cho while Madame Pomfrey worked on his many wounds, aunt Mini stood beside Harry. He had whispered to her about Snape, how he didn't really kill Dumbledore but would explain later. Once it was known he was going to live, Harry and Minerva left the makeshift hospital where Harry explained Severus' role. Minerva wrote while Harry spoke, then sent her letter off to Kingsley to work on making sure Severus wasn't punished, but if he needed proof there was a memory at Hogwarts he could see.

It was two weeks after the death of Voldemort that the funerals began. Remus was a mess as he held his son while he buried his wife, Harry and Andromeda on either side of him. Harry also attended the funeral for Ted Tonks, Colin Creevey and Lavender Brown. He spoke with Colin's parents and Lavender's parents. The Browns knew who Harry was both being magical, Dennis Creevey had explained to his parents who the saviour was and how Colin hero worshiped him. Harry offered his condolences but also told the Creevey's that Colin had been a good friend. Harry did like Colin and considered him a friend, even with how annoying the younger wizard was, always taking Harry's pictures, he stilled like the boy.

Harry loved spending time with his aunt Mini, she was telling him about the family and what she remembered about his father as a child but also what she knew of him as a student. Harry filled her in on everything he had done while away with his friends, but he also told her about the abuse he went through with the Dursley's. She felt guilty, Harry could see it, so he tried to reassure her that what she did was for the best and safer, for Harry and for her. Harry was always concerned about Hermione and Ron as Voldemort and his death eaters all knew they were close to Harry, so they were always in the most danger. They both knew what could have happen if Voldemort found out that Minerva McGonagall was Harry Potter's great aunt.

One thing Harry and Minerva said, they believed Albus could have kept Harry at Hogwarts from the time his parent's died. If anyone found out, most would believe whatever Albus told them. Minerva could have raised Harry, like she wanted. Minerva was not surprised to hear that because Albus always made Harry return to the Dursley's, he came to hate Albus. He said even though hate it a harsh word, he just couldn't help how he felt, not when it came to Albus Dumbledore, and the decisions he had made about Harry's life. Minerva understood, she may not hate him, but she did end up disappointed in the man.

'Have you been thinking about what you might like to do now Voldemort is dead?'

'I know I don't want to be an auror like I thought, maybe it was what was going on that made me think that would suit me. You might find this hard to believe, but I really enjoyed potions when Slughorn taught, it was a bit hard with Snape. I get why after seeing the memory because I do look like my father even if I think he could have found a way to be a better teacher. Maybe I could really concentrate on potions and do something with that.'

'Well when you come back to do your last year, Horace will be continuing as the potions teacher.'

'I'm not sure how I feel about that. Could I come back? I feel too old now.'

'Harry, you must finish your education. Imagine this, you do very well in potions and go for a job at St Mungo's where potions masters make all the potions needed for patients. Without your O in your N.E.W.T.s they would not even look at you. You do want to have some type of career until you settle into family life.'

'I'm not going to have a family apart from you aunt Mini. If you think of my life and how I've lived, I could never go through losing more people even with him gone. So I'll dedicate my life to whatever I decide to do.'

'You aren't even eighteen yet even though you will be soon, maybe that will change once you're older.'

'Um, okay, there's another reason why family isn't going to be in my future and I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable with me, or make you want to have nothing to do with me.'

'That will never happen, but explain what you mean?'

'After Dumbledore died, when I was at the Dursley's for those couple of weeks I did a lot of thinking. There wasn't much else I could do. I thought about when I dated Ginny Weasley, to me something was never quite right. At first I thought maybe because she was Ron's sister, or because he was always around when Ginny and I were together. But when Dumbledore told me something personal while we were watching memories that's when I began to think more about this. I started to think about that a lot and I realise why I didn't feel right with Ginny.'

'Albus told you he was gay, so you believe you are?'

'It's not really gay or straight, but I know I prefer men. I sort of tested myself, I would go for a walk around Little Whinging and deliberately look at pretty girls and good looking boys. I found the boys were who I liked looking at, so I think I'm bi. I dated Cho and we had fun even though it didn't end well and that was mainly down to Umbridge and what was going on. But thinking about girls or boys, it's boys I see myself snogging now and it's boy's I began to dream about,' Harry blushed, 'Maybe that means I am gay, I don't know. So you see, if I end up with a bloke it means no kids even if I get into a relationship. But are you okay with me, being with a man?'

'Harry, I have nothing against same sex relationships. I met Albus' partner before he died, I know a few gay men. If you are bi, then you are the first I have met, but I wouldn't rule out you being gay. But now something I think will shock you, something you never got a chance to learn about the magical world. I know you could never really concentrate on anything else due to what was always going on, so this is information you would not have found,' Minerva smiled at her nephew wondering how he would take this next bit of news.

As soon as Minerva finished explaining, Harry sat there with his mouth hanging open. He could hardly believe what he was hearing, but he heard his aunt explain that wizard pregnancies were common in the magical world. A certain potion given before sex changed the inside of the man's body to a woman's. The only different was that they needed a caesarean to deliver the baby.

'Blimey, it's a wonder Hermione never mentioned this. Maybe she did but I wasn't listening, which happened a lot.'

'Those books are in the restricted sections as we did not want more students falling pregnant that we already did, usually because they forgot to perform the contraceptive charm. But now you know it's possible for same sex couples to have children you might change your mind when you're older.'

'Maybe, but are same sex relationships accepted?'

'Yes, just like any relationship, why do you ask?'

'There not in the muggle world, there's still a lot of people that believe it's wrong. It is slowly changing but Vernon often said they should be shot, a lot of muggles don't like gay men.'

'You don't belong to the muggle world, you are a wizard, so you can meet someone, be seen together like any other couple and it's quite normal.'

Harry grinned, 'It's good to have someone wise and knowledgeable to teach me things I never had a chance to learn before.'

'Thank you and I will continue to teach you if you wish. But I would like an answer regarding your education. Are you going to return and do your seventh year?'

'I might, so Snape is going to be headmaster again?'

'Yes, I had a meeting with Kingsley and the governors, we believe that Severus should remain headmaster after the lengths he went to in saving the lives of all the children, not to mention you. I was asked, naturally, but I prefer to teach, I do not want to run this school, full time, not unless I have to. You're an adult now Harry and you know the truth, I think it's time for you and Severus to put the past behind you. Show him that you are Harry Potter, your own man, a remarkable and very brave man, not just James Potter's son.'

'I could, I just don't think he can. He was always comparing me to my father, even before he really knew me. How is he anyway?'

'Recovering slowly, his voice will take the longest to heal. Now, you have been here for weeks, you only left to attend the funerals and twice to see Remus. Why don't you go visit your friends, I'm sure they miss you.'

'Yeah, but I've enjoyed my time with you. Until we started talking I never realised how much having a family made me feel. I want to ask one thing before I go out for a while, about staying here. Okay, if I come back to finish my education I want to know if I can stay until then?'

'I thought you wanted to get your own place?'

'I did, I still do, but not yet.'

Minerva gazed across at Harry and realised why he wished to remain in the castle until students returned, he wanted to remain close to her.