DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Harry Potter series; only Esme, Urwin, and Weston (for now). If I did, Fred and Dobby would still be alive.

CHAPTER ONE – BACK TO SCHOOL

It's always a strange experience whenever you return to your school. Especially when you're now thirty four years old, married, and your son is a student at said school. Except now, I'm no longer thirty four and feel very middle aged, divorced, and my son is no longer a student. I think.

I love Urwin very, very much. He is my reason to keep smiling, to keep enjoying life whilst I still can, to live every day with a brand new goal. Keep Him Safe.

It always hurts so much when I watch him leave on the Hogwarts Express every summer to go and spend it with his father. In some ways it's probably good for him to be around a muggle now and again, but I feel like he is unprotected there. Weston knows what he's doing, but I still feel insecure about the lack of magic surrounding the small two up, two down, terraced house.

Especially now what with everything that's happening...

Two weeks ago, the daily prophet finally announced what we all already knew. That Aminah Riddle had somehow escaped Azkaban. They don't know whether she had help, whether He Who Must Not Be Named old followers had decided to move on from his death, and now worship his daughter, but she's out there... somewhere at this very moment...

And she wants Urwin...

. P . A . R . A . G . R . A . P . H .

The school bell rang loud and clear, as the children began clearing away their cauldrons, and potions books.

"Essay. Friday. Where to find gillyweed, its purpose, and how Harry Potter used it in the Triwizard Tournament 7 years ago." I told them.

I sighed slowly, as the last pupil filed out of the classroom, and then collapsed into my chair, my head in one hand.

"Esme?" I heard a knock on my door.

I looked up and saw Minerva McGonagall lower her fist from the old oak wood.

"Oh, hi there," I said quickly, leaping to my feet and smoothening out my skirts.

"Oh you poor dear..." Minerva remarked caringly.

I looked to the floor, scuffling my shoes against the scratchy tiling.

"Don't worry, he's probably safe with his father-"

"How do you know though..." I interupted in, lifting my head.

She wavered, and looked away.

"I don't, but Weston knows about Aminah, and I'm sure he's doing his best."

"Why isn't he back at school by now?" I asked myself, though Minerva was kind enough to reply.

"There might be some kind of delay. Besides, it's only Tuesday, he's only two days late."

I nodded, and then sat back down at my desk. I looked over at the photo of my baby boy, only six months old, cradled in my arms.

It had been such a magical day. Weston had taken us out to dinner at a posh restaurant, and we ended up ordering some strange Chinese dish that smelt horrible; we could only manage a few mouthfuls, and the next day we has both been sick.

Urwin had loved every moment whilst we were there; the attention from the waitress, the little bottle of warm milk brought to him by the chef himself, his nap in the back of the car whilst myself and Weston watched the stars together. It had been perfect.

"If he's not at school by tomorrow evening, I'm going to Weston's myself." I said.

"Esme, don't you think-"

"I need to do this Minerva..."

"Who will take over the potions classes?"

"Get Snivellus to do it, I don't care. Minerva please, let me do this!" I pleaded. "I'll be gone for one day, that's all. I can use the flu network, Weston has a fireplace. Please!"

Minerva turned, and faced the door, ready to leave.

"My decisions made Coarse, you're not leaving Hogwarts."

. P . A . R . A . G . R . A . P . H .

Only a quick chapter, as time goes by and the story develops, I will make them longer, but for now it's this.

What do you guys think so far? I was really surprised at how quickly a comment came through so thank you for that. Don't forget to leave suggestions for the story. How do you want Esme and Minerva's relationship to be? As you can see from the name 'snivellus', you can already see that her and Snape aren't the best of friends.

Talk maybe later in the week, for now my fingers need a rest.

'Have courage and be kind' Cinderella

xxxxxHG22xxxxx