A/N: SURPRISE! Admit it, you were worried weren't you! Thank you to everyone who PMed and reviewed me to get my butt working. Life got very busy, but here we are, the next part of this. I tried to answer as many questions as you guys had in your reviews as I could, feel free to ask away. I'm not overly happy with how this ended up, but we have to get through this bit before we go back to school. As you will see, the canon needed to be tweaked a little to fit with what I wanted, but mostly, as with the other stories, I tried to keep it as close as possible.

Age of Healing won't be too far behind (I hope) so keep an eye on EmPoweredBeing's facebook page for updates.

As ever, the amazing Spin has done a wonderful job in making this readable, accommodating my terrible lack of self-editing and various sex changed my characters had :/ yes it's as weird as it sounds.

Enjoy! Oh, and note the title change :D

-0-

Harry woke up feeling exhausted but smiled despite this as he felt Minerva's arms tighten around him.

"Good morning mo mac [my son]," Minerva said quietly, kissing his forehead.

"Hi," he said with a happy sigh.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Not really," Harry admitted. "I'm feeling a little tired."

"I'm not surprised," Minerva chuckled. "You were kicking around all night."

"Really?" Harry asked, astonished that he didn't remember waking up in a film of sweat with his heart beating rapidly like usual.

"Really," she smiled. "I managed to head off most of them, but you have a lot of nightmares balachan [little boy]."

"Thanks Máthair [Mother]," he said, snuggling into her embrace.

"Harry, I -" she sighed, making his head rise with her chest. "I am so sorry, for not realising. I am sorry a linbhin [my child]."

"It's okay," he whispered.

"No, no Harry, it's not. I should have paid more attention to you. I should have checked on you, talked to you more. I am new at this, as you know, but I should have more sense than that. And for that I can only apologise."

"I knew you were busy," he said sadly.

He had known it, and had not begrudged the time Min and Albus spent fighting an enemy he'd brought back into existence. He just wished he could do something, anything to help.

"But not too busy for my son," she replied, cupping his cheek and raising his eyes to meet hers. "I need you to be honest with me from now on, because I cannae promise it won't happen again, but you are mo mac [my son] and that means you can tell me anything. So next time tell me, okay?"

"Seadh Máthair [Yes Mother]."

"You are getting better at that," Minerva chuckled. "I like the sarcasm you're developing."

Harry laughed, feeling the tension lift from his shoulders.

"Do you think we can spend the day together today?" Harry asked, his ears burning a little in his embarrassment.

"I think we can spend the next few days together," Minerva whispered, kissing his forehead again. "And then, I think in light of what has happened, we stay at Grimmauld Place for a while."

"Really? That's Sirius' house isn't it?" Harry asked.

"It's the Black family residence," Minerva nodded, "but at the moment it's acting as headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix."

"What's that?" Harry asked, moving back so he could listen to his mother's dulcet tones as she started her story.

"Well, during the last war with Voldemort, there were a group of us that decided we weren't happy with how it was being fought. We joined together, forming the Order of the Phoenix under Albus and were instrumental in defeating him the first time." She smiled and brushed his hair from his face. "Although you were stronger than all of us."

"I was just a baby," Harry shrugged. "It was Mum who was the strong one."

"Well, you're not wrong there," Minerva conceded. "Now, how about a lazy morning? We can read, or play a game of something, then this afternoon we'll take a picnic and apparate out to Fort William. I'd like to talk to Merlin about a few things, and we could use the fresh air." Harry winced a little at the thought of going outside the wards, but Minerva's warm hand on his cheek quickly soothed him. "I will not let anything happen to you. The Dementors should not be able to go near Fort William, just as they cannot reach you here," she whispered. "I am so proud of you for what you did Harry, no matter what drivel the Ministry is spouting."

Harry paled when he remembered the letter.

"They're not really going to kick me out of Hogwarts are they?" he muttered.

"No," Minerva said emphatically. "Albus will make sure you stay."

"It'd be the least he could do," Harry growled, shaking his head a little to clear his dark thoughts. "Sorry, I guess I'm hungry."

If Minerva noticed his anger at Albus, however unexplained, she didn't mention it, laughing and pulling him from her bed and handing him a dressing gown.

"We'd best get you fed then."

They walked downstairs, laughing and joking before finally sitting down to a cooked breakfast in the dining room.

"Máthair [mother], do you know why Taran hates me so much?" Harry asked as Kenna popped away.

He'd noticed it more and more recently. Taran was barely seen, and Kenna had mentioned a few times that he was not comfortable serving Harry, but that she was happy to do so.

"I'm sure he doesn't hate you darling," Minerva said haltingly, "but he does have some reservations. Truthfully, I am not sure why though."

"Do you think I've done something wrong?"

"No darling, I think Taran is a cranky old elf who has simply been on his own for too long."

"So it was nothing that I did?" Harry asked awkwardly. There was nothing worse than having someone hate him for no reason. Except maybe Malfoy, but he supposed that was just how he was.

"No darling, I don't think it's anything you did." Minerva smiled, serving him another piece of toast. "What is it you'd like to do today?"

Harry chewed thoughtfully as he trawled his brain for one single idea that was better than the hundreds of others.

"I, do you mind reading to me?" Harry asked, blushing a little and refusing to look at her.

"I'd love to," Minerva beamed, winking at him when he finally looked up. "Are you going to pick or should I?"

"You," Harry smiled.

The hurt of the last few weeks still ached in the back of his mind, but he seemed to be able to reason with himself now, something he hadn't been able to do in the last few days. The thought of spending the next three days with Minerva's full attention was a calming reassurance. A small part of him felt embarrassed for acting like a small child, but he was too happy to care. This was his time with Minerva, and he was going to make sure it was amazing.

-0-

"Harry!"

Minerva smiled as she heard him jump down the top flight of stairs, just like his father had done. She shook her head at her abysmal behaviour over the last couple of weeks. To think that she hadn't spoken to her son properly certainly explained why he was angry, but also why he was so affectionate, and rather unwilling to let her have her own space.

Not that she was complaining. She had missed him as much as he had apparently missed her, and it warmed her heart that someone missed her, after so long with no one.

"Here Máthair."

"Where's your cloak?" Minerva said sternly. "It may be mid-summer, but it gets cold quickly, and it isn't any trouble to shrink it down and carry it in your pocket. Better to be prepared, mo mac [my son]."

He rolled his eyes, but walked back to the cloakroom and took his coat out, slipping it around his shoulders.

"Let's go!" he grinned, pulling her from the door.

"Alright, alright," she said, laughing. "No need to drag me Harry."

"I just want to go there, that's all," Harry said. "Do you think Merlin will let me see my parents' wands again?"

"I'm sure he will," Minerva smoothed her hand over his hair. "Now hold on tight and we'll go."

"Máthair [mother]? Tha gaol agam ort [I love you]."

"Tha gaol agam ort-fhéin [I love you too] Harry," she said, kissing his forehead and apparating them away.

"Picnic first, then we'll go inside," Minerva insisted, drawing the shrunken picnic basket from her pocket, along with a clean handkerchief, enlarging both to an appropriate size for a picnic.

They ate happily, laughing about things and talking about others. Minerva revealed more information on the Order of the Phoenix, and they spoke about Hermione and Ron. At first Harry was as angry at them as he was originally with Minerva, but she coaxed him round.

"They were doing what they were told," she said gently. "I know it must seem odd to do as one is told at your age a chiallain [my dear], but they did and I don't think you should be angry with them for that."

Minerva didn't wait for an answer from Harry, but instead turned to face the sound she had just heard, her hand on her wand, even though she had a good idea of who the intruder was.

"Greetings Mistress."

"Sawney, I advise you not to sneak up on us the next time," Minerva warned, with a little reproach in her voice. "These are dangerous times."

"My apologies Mistress," Sawney said with a smile. "My master bids you welcome and to visit the library when you have finished your meal."

"What's in the library?" Harry asked, looking perplexed.

"My master," Sawney said simply, disappearing again without another word. Minerva chuckled.

"It seems that time has not afforded them with the knowledge that most people prefer straight answers," Minerva mused. "Are you finished?"

"Yeah, let's go," Harry said, lobbing his half eaten sandwich out into the field, grinning at Minerva's arched brow. "I'm feeding the wildlife."

"Get on with you," Minerva said, pushing him gently through the big doors and into the hall. "The library is down here if I remember correctly."

They walked down the corridor, coming to the library as Minerva said. Despite not having the love of libraries that Hermione had, Harry was happy to see the summer sun streaming in through the windows, illuminating the room.

"It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?" Minerva said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind him.

"Yeah," Harry breathed, unwilling to disturb the peace the room seemed to exude.

"Master Harry, if you will please take your leisure in here; Mistress, Master Merlin would like to speak with you."

"Why can't I come?" Harry asked, almost whining at the thought of Minerva leaving his side.

"Master wishes to speak to Mistress only, he does not tell me why," Sawney said apologetically.

"Harry, please," Minerva sighed, running her hand through his hair. "Relax and read a book." She walked over to the shelves and pursued the selection for a moment before returning with a very old looking book. "Try this one, it's a classic."

"Huckleberry Finn?" Harry asked. "I think I've heard of this one."

"You should have," Minerva said, tapping his nose. "Please try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone."

Harry stared after her as she left, following the wizened house elf out of the library. He opened the book to the first page, but as he started reading, he felt his eyes closing. Beyond his control, he slipped into sleep, the book landing heavily on his chest as he started dreaming.

-0-

Minerva met Merlin in his drawing room, taking a seat primly on the sofa as she looked at the man.

"You wished to see me Prìomh-athair [father/ancestor]?" Minerva asked.

"I did. I see your leth-sheise [mate/partner] has been making trouble."

Minerva rolled her eyes and stood, pacing the length of the chaise.

"He refuses to see the smaller picture," she ranted. "I know he is an extraordinary man and the key to the defence of the Wizarding World, but why could he not see that he was damaging my son - our son? After all I spoke about last year, after all that we went through, and now, when Harry needs us the most, he seemingly goes out of his way to make his life difficult."

"He is as butter, over too much bread," Merlin counselled. "You must make him see that concentrating on his family is no less important than concentrating on war. Take it from one who knows. And what of your bonding to him, have you told him? Where are you and young Hermione with your research?"

Minerva blushed and sat back down again. The bond she created with Albus, without his knowledge or consent, played heavily on her mind every single day. She needed to find a way to change the future and for all her skill, power and magic, she knew she was still woefully out of her league.

"I have made no headway over the holidays, we have been too busy shoring up treaties and alliances with old acquaintances. I have scarcely been home to sleep, let alone study. Albus kept me so busy I could not even talk to my son." She sighed, letting go of the anger that was still simmering. "Hermione, I think, has been studying but alas I have not had much chance to speak to her either."

"I know you have toiled bang-ogha [granddaughter], but now is the time for family. I have been watching your world keenly, and I feel a darkness brewing, aside from the one that plays so heavily on Albus' mind. The one you call Voldemort will not be the only darkness you must face this year. I fear another will find you, one that will somehow make your families lives even harder."

Minerva went to speak, but Merlin held up his hand.

"This is why it is imperative that you all stand firm, together. I wish I could tell you more, but I am not all-seeing. You need each other more than ever."

"Like begets like," Minerva mumbled. Merlin frowned, and Minerva elaborated. "The darkness grows from Voldemort, and as it does, others who hold darkness in them come to the fore. It was the same before, and no doubt in your time as well."

"Indeed," Merlin nodded. "Take care of your family Minerva. They need you to stay strong, to hold them together."

"I am not that strong," she said exasperatedly. "Now more than ever I realise that I am not mother material. I abandoned Harry, left him to fend for himself in the wake of such a traumatic event." She shook her head. "I let him believe that he meant nothing to me."

"You are my kin, my teaghlach [family]. You are strong, as your mother, and her mother and all the mothers before you. You just have to let yourself be so," he said comfortingly, getting up and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You must leave now. Your son dreams."

Minerva stood quickly and within the blink of an eye found herself back in the room where she had set off from. She sprinted down the hallways, ignoring the voice inside her head calling for propriety. Her son needed her, and she'd be damned if she let him down again.

-0-

Harry wasn't sure whether he was awake or asleep. What he was experiencing was so vivid, he felt he could feel the walls around him. There were voices, whispers tormenting him, and then in a jumble of confusion, Dementors swept down and sucked out his soul, making him scream for Minerva.

"HARRY!"

He shot up, narrowly avoiding colliding with Minerva's chin in the process as he woke. He was doused in sweat and breathing heavily, but Minerva's arms around him caused his heart to slow a little as he took comfort in her protection.

"It's alright, na biodh sgàth ort [don't be afraid]. I am here leanabh [baby], I am here."

"I don't," he shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts, "I couldn't -"

"Shh, it doesn't matter," she whispered. "it's just a dream. It's gone now."

"Why can't I be normal?" Harry mumbled, letting his head rest on her shoulder.

"Because if your were, life would be boring," Minerva smiled, making Harry grin faintly. "Are you alright now?"

"Yeah, it wasn't really anything, it just frightened me."

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the temerity to stand up to those fears," Minerva quoted, making Harry roll his eyes.

"Thanks Máthair," he said taking a deep breath. "I think I'm okay now."

"Good. Let's go home then. I think Kenna said something about chocolate pudding."

-0-

Life at home with Minerva was good, better than good if you asked Harry. He'd had the whole manor to himself for weeks, but when Minerva was there to share it with him, he felt far more inclined to wander, knowing she'd be around to fetch him if he needed her.

"Harry! We need to leave now!" Minerva called, disrupting his thoughts of the last couple of days.

"Coming Máthair."

He grabbed his shoes and headed down the staircase, smiling as he met Minerva at the bottom.

"You are excited," she said redundantly. "I hope you realise that I will be rather busy again while we are there. Not just because of the Order, but because we all have to go back to school in less than a month."

"I know," Harry said with a shrug, "but Hermione and Ron will be there, and we'll have some fun I suppose. And we have to go shopping and get our supplies of course... Oh."

"Oh? Oh what?" Minerva said, standing when she caught sight of Harry's face. "What is it?"

"I just remembered I have that hearing," he whispered. "You won't be able to come with me, will you?"

Harry watched as Minerva's face contorted into pain for a moment before shaking her head. He accepted it with a nod, but Minerva pulled him into her arms anyway.

"I'm going to be there the whole time," she said quietly. "Every minute with you, right here."

She pressed her hand over the scar on his chest, and he smiled when he felt all the love and care and devotion she had for him wrap him up and make him feel safe.

"Okay."

"Arthur will probably take you," Minerva said. "Albus will meet you there I think. He has a governor's meeting in the morning." Harry felt the white hot rush of anger pierce his heart, but he said nothing. It was probably best if he just went along with it. "He won't let them expel you, no matter what the current Ministry opinion of Albus is."

"Why? What do you mean?"

Minerva sighed.

"Fudge is doing his damndest to get you and Albus discredited for suggesting that Voldemort is back. You do not know, but the Daily Prophet is putting out quite the campaign. But those that matter Harry, those that need to know - they know, they believe you."

"Yeah," Harry muttered, already thinking of going back to school under so much scrutiny. "I know."

"It's going to be alright Harry. I promise you."

With that in mind, Harry took a deep breath and nodded, letting Minerva grab her bag, filled with Harry's trunk, her trunk and so many other things before taking her hand.

"Will Sirius be there?" Harry asked as they set off down the path.

"He is, although he is roaming through the house like a bear with a bad paw. Albus," Minerva sighed once more, "Albus is not doing a very good job of keeping him busy. Sirius is a man of action, and right now he is sitting at home in a house he hates. I can only imagine what he's thinking."

"Why can't he just leave us all alone?" Harry growled, causing Minerva to stop and look at him.

"Harry, Albus is our best defence against Voldemort, and I use his name deliberately in front of you. Albus is the only one he is afraid of. We need him."

Harry shrugged, but chose not to comment. His anger frightened him a little and he thought perhaps he should say something. No doubt Hermione would insist, but luckily for him, Hermione wasn't here. He stood beside Minerva as she opened the gates, stepping out into the country lane and closing them behind her with a arc of her wand.

"Now, hold tight," she said, waiting until he gripped her sleeve before he felt himself being forced through a tight rubber tube and the hard impact beneath his feet. "Don't step back," Minerva said cautiously, grabbing his jacket. "We're under the wards on the top step but not on the second. Muggles won't be able to see us here."

Harry looked at her, immeasurably impressed with her skills in Apparition.

"You're pretty cool Máthair [mother]," he said somewhat respectfully.

Minerva laughed, as she had done in the days they had spent together, getting to know one another again; talking, listening, laughing. It made Harry smile, and he only hoped that despite the tumultuous start to the summer holidays, it would continue on through the days to come.

-0-

"Harry!"

It didn't take them long to notice him, and when they did Hermione sprinted to his side, flinging her arms around him and hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea you weren't with Min, otherwise I would have written to you."

"It's okay," Harry shrugged as he and Ron shook hands. "Máthair [Mother] explained it to me, it's not your fault."

"Still, we should have, you know. I mean, Fred and George brought a flying car to get you from the Dursley's, I probably could have scrawled you a letter and sent it with Pig or something."

"I'm here now, for a whole month before school."

"Hi Min," Hermione said, accepting the kiss on her cheek from her favourite teacher, and standing back as Minerva did the same for Ron.

"Hello you two. Keep him out of trouble, will you?" she said, cupping Harry's cheek before turning to go into the kitchen.

"Máthair [Mother]? Where are you going?"

"An Order meeting," Minerva said, as Molly bustled through the door.

"Oh Harry love, good to see you. Everyone else is upstairs, off you go."

"But, why can't I come in?" Harry asked, looking for confirmation from Minerva, who was busy discussing something with Remus, who nodded briefly in their direction.

"It's adults only dears. Go on now."

"I for one think he should come in."

Harry beamed as he saw Sirius appear at the door, pushing past Molly to sweep him up in a bear hug.

"Hiya Harry," he grinned. "How's your summer?"

"Getting better by the minute," Harry replied, making them all chuckle.

"Sirius, he's just a boy, he is not allowed in Order meetings."

"He is the one who has faced Voldemort more times than any of us," Sirius said, a hard tone creeping into his voice. "He should be present."

"Sirius, I am afraid I have to agree with Molly. Harry, a linbhin [my child], go upstairs please," Minerva said, pushing him towards the staircase. "I promise you if there is anything I think you need to know, I'll tell you. You trust me on that, don't you?"

Harry stared at Minerva for a moment, before looking to Sirius, and then Molly, who looked like she'd swallowed a lemon. Resisting the urge to poke his tongue out at her, Harry nodded, knowing that against Molly he might have won, especially with Sirius on his side; but with his Máthair he knew he had no hope.

He trudged upstairs, waving off Ron's apologetic looks until they assembled in the room that would be his and Ron's.

"I think Min has a room somewhere, but I don't know which one it is. There's been quite a few of them coming and going, we just don't know where everyone goes."

"Are you very angry we didn't write?" Hermione asked.

Harry sighed, thinking about his answer before he gave it.

"I am angry," he said quietly, "but I know it's not your fault. Máthair explained it and told me how Albus stopped you from writing. I just can't believe you didn't do it anyway," he said helplessly. "You know I had to watch Cedric die, don't you?"

"Oh Harry."

Harry pulled away from her sympathetic hugs and was about to continue when Fred and George poked their heads around the door. "Don't suppose you want to come and have a listen do you?" they asked.

"Yeah," Ron said, pulling Harry with him. "They've developed these awesome extendable ears. They let you hear everything that's being said downstairs, even from the balcony up here."

Harry's interest was piqued as he joined Ginny and the twins on the balcony overlooking the kitchen door. He watched as Fred unrolled the item, dropping it over the balcony so the 'ear' swung outside the door.

"Now we listen."

Disappointingly, there was not much being talked about. Harry blushed a little when he realised they were talking about him and his involvement specifically, and he grinned when Sirius growled at Molly.

"While I do not doubt your experience and your heart Molly -" Minerva's voice came booming over the top of the bickering, "but as far as we are concerned, Harry is my son. I believe I can work out what's best for him."

Everyone's eyes went wide as they heard Minerva scolding Molly.

"Whoa," Ginny said with a giggle. "That told Mum."

"She's been insufferable," George explained. "She's got eyes on us all the time and I don't know what we're going to do when she -" He trailed off and looked over the balcony. "Oi! Crookshanks, leave it!"

Harry leaned over as well, just in time to see Crookshanks leap up and take the ear into his mouth, dragging it off to parts unknown and leaving them all slightly dejected.

"I guess that's it then," Fred said with a shrug. "Hermione, you really need to control that cat of yours."

Harry smirked as Hermione bristled. Knowing her, she didn't think the cat had done anything wrong, no doubt because they were breaking the rules, but Harry thought that perhaps Hermione didn't mind breaking the rules every now and then.

"Come on," Hermione said, pulling them back into the bedroom.

Harry didn't really care what they did for the rest of the afternoon. Minerva was downstairs, and Hermione and Ron were here with him and he wasn't alone. He was in a creepy, 'Dark' wizarding house, and he could tell from the atmosphere there was probably things here that would rival perhaps even the Malfoy's collection, but he was content knowing he was not alone. He felt a little tingle over his scar and he knew that his Máthair had somehow heard his thoughts or feelings and was doing her best to reassure him, even when she couldn't be there in person. He understood then what she meant earlier in the week when she said she would be with him at the trial. She would be there because she was there all the time, looking out for him, loving him and it made him smile.

"Oi, what are you grinning at like a loon? Let's play chess," Ron suggested, nudging Harry out of his daydreaming. He went along with his best mate, even though he knew he'd lose, because he was happy just to be with him and Hermione again. He hoped the month didn't go too fast. He wasn't looking forward to going to the Ministry for his hearing, but he was looking forward to hanging out with both of them, with no school and no rules to get in the way. He took the first move, smiling as Ron made the second, already winding up to decimate his forces.