I walk down the familiar pathway cautiously. Even though Voldemort is dead, some of his followers are still free. I feel like I should be happy that the war is finally over, but it just doesn't feel right. Too many of my friends have died because of the war. All I want at the moment is to be left alone, to escape all the stares and cries of the people mourning the loss of loved ones.

I step off the last step, still thinking about all the good people who have died. I walk forward one step and stop. Someone had beaten me to the lake. It's a girl, even at this distance I can tell. She's standing at the edge of the lake, staring at the water moving just in front of her shoes.

I realize that I've been standing here for what seems like hours, but only minutes, before I walk down and stand beside her.

Neither of us speak. She watches the water, me, the wind. I think that I've been through a lot in the last seven years, but compared to what she's been through, I can't really complain. Slowly I uncross my arms and lower them to my side. I pause for a second, thinking if this was such a good idea, but I decide it is and move to hold her hand.

She looks at me, but I continue to watch the leaves move from the wind. Slowly she turns back to the water and I feel a small squeeze of my hand. I tighten my grip in return and stand silently, still holding her hand in my own.

Hearing her uneven breathing, I turn to face her for the first time and see the tears rolling down her cheeks. Carefully I pull her into my arms and hold her as she cries.

'I've never seen her cry before.' I think. 'She must trust me a fair bit if she's crying in front of me.' Soon her body stops shaking and I start to pull away.

"No. Please."

I hesitate at her almost silent plea, but I pull her back and hold on to her tightly.

I hold her securely for what feels like forever, before she pulls back and wipes away the tears. She laughs and looks at me.

"Thank you Harry." She says.

I smile and shake my head. "We all need someone to cry on Professor."

"Minerva." She says and turns back to watch the water again.

I blink. That was a surprise I didn't see coming. "Ah, Min-Minerva?"

She turns around and holds out her hand with a smile. "Minerva McGonnagall."

Taking her hand firmly, I shake it. "Harry. Just Harry."

Her smile widens and I can't help but smile in return. This was the beginning of something great.