Hey guys! So this chapter is finally up and I am sooooo sorry for the delay! I have been suffering from major writers block and this chapter is important but apparently also the hardest one to write yet! Anyways I really hope you guys like this chapter.

Also just a reminder...if you also want to see any characters in this just let me know and I can fit them in somewhere. As you will see, Nymphadora is briefly mentioned and she will become more involved as the story progresses.

So here's the chapter! And please review. I take constructive criticism really well and the more reviews I get the faster I update!

Enjoy! Brooke.

The students arrived right on time just as they always do at the start of term. Harry awaited anxiously at the Professors table, unable to contain his excitement. He had to grip the sides of the chair to prevent himself from running after his Mother. Dumbledore smiled down at him from where he was sitting, to Harry's immediate left. Harry looked up at Dumbledore and smiled warmly.

"Is Charlie coming back this year?" Harry asked rather loud despite how quiet the room was. The other Professors halted their conversations to listen to little Harry. It was easy to tell how much all of the professors cared for Harry. That is, except for Snape who just sneered at the little obnoxious boy.

"I'm afraid not my boy. Charlie graduated last year." At the sight of Harry's disappointment, he hastily added, "But don't worry! Nymphadora is coming back! And she is the head girl of her house." Harry's little eyes lit up.

"Really? Nymph is coming back?" Dumbledore nodded his head and patted Harry's head as he often did.

Dumbledore frowned slightly when he looked at Harry's plate.

"Harry, are you going to finish your chocolate frogs?" His stomach growled but he pretended not to notice. Harry just laughed and shook his head.

"No, you can have one if you wish. I've already had a dozen."

Earlier, Hagrid had taken a restless Harry down to Honeydukes so his Mother could actually get some work done. Harry had, of course, not complained. So McGonagall had given him a galleon to spend which he eagerly split with a starving Hagrid. They had eaten nearly a dozen in Honeydukes so Harry had no problem giving Dumbledore a few since they still had about ten left over.

Only a few minutes later, the doors in the Great Hall swung open and a swarm of students filled the Great Hall, taking their places at their house table. Harry scanned the crowd excitedly looking for his friend. He spotted Nymph taking her place at the head of the Hufflepuff table. When she looked over at him he leaned over the table and waved to her. She exchanged the gesture before turning back to her friends. Harry tried to sit back in the chair but almost fell right over the edge of the table, if it weren't for Dumbledore who had caught him in time.

"Careful Harry. How do you suppose your Mother would react if I told her you fell off of the table?" Harry smiled and thanked Dumbledore.

The doors opened for the second time, revealing McGonagall standing firm before leading the line of first years across the hall. They all lined up in front of the professor table. Although Harry hated to see other people upset, he was amused each year by how scared, no frightened, the first years are. Their shaking bodies almost makes him feel dizzy.

The sorting went by rather quickly and Dumbledore made his usual speech that students were not allowed out of the common rooms after ten, and that the forbidden forest was off limits to all. After both Albus and Minerva had settled down in their seat, the food appeared on the plates laid out in front of them. Harry could hear all of the gasps from the first years, especially from the muggle-borns who were not yet used to magic. The young boy began to stuff his face not caring about his manners. He only began to slow down when Dumbledore gave him that look that told Harry he was basically being a git.

For some reason, Harry is in between his Mother and Albus which was unusual, but Minerva seemed to be content with talking to Pomona, the herbology teacher and head of Hufflepuff. There was a question that was bugging Harry for some time, so he turned to Dumbledore. But the words were out of his mouth before he realized what he had said.

"Hey Dad, when do I get to attend Hogwarts as a student." He gasped and looked down quickly. He clenched his fists and teeth. He had never call Dumbledore Dad before. That's because he isn't my father in any way, shape, or form! He is professor Dumbledore, but definitely not my Father.

Harry could tell that he caught Dumbledore off guard and that he was at a loss for words. "I-I'm sorry, sir." he whispered so soft that Albus could barely make out what he had said. But Albus did hear him. Every word and it hurt him.

This rest of dinner was quiet and neither Dumbledore nor Harry spoke to one another again. Harry was relieved when his Mother led him down to bed before the mad rush of lost and confused first years. Harry was glad to be back at his Hogwarts home. It felt more, natural. Plus he could tell his Mother felt more at ease and at home here. This place clearly made her happy. He crawled into his bed and allowed his Mother to tuck him in and read from The Tales Of Beetle The Bard. And when Harry began to snore, Minerva closed the book and placed it beside his bed. She sighed and removed his glasses from his face, placing them on top of the book. She kissed him gently on the forehead and walked out of the room into her office where she began to prepare for the first week lessons.

When the clock struck midnight, Minerva decided it was safe enough to speak with professor Dumbledore now. She closed the door to her office softly behind her, making sure not to wake Harry. Before leaving, she made sure to carefully ward the door to their quarters so as to ensure Harry can't leave, and no one can enter. The hallways were quiet and deserted as she made her way up to Dumbledore's office.

"Lemon drops and butterflies." She sighed once she reached the gargoyle blocking the entrance to the headmasters office. It jumped aside and allowed her to pass. Seriously Albus. Could you be any more immature? Lemon drops and butterflies! I may have to start coming up these passwords.

The Headmasters office is a spacious room, cluttered with magical objects of every kind. From Sneak-a-scopes, to dark detectors, to a pensieve hidden in the corner of the room. Bookshelves line the walls filled to the brim with books ancient and new. The headmasters desk lays near the back of the room with a sole wooden chair in front of it for use of any visitors. A more comfortable, royal blue velvet chair sits behind the desk where Albus is usually found. Although Dumbledore is a busy man, he usually manages to keep his room spotless to set an example for the other professors. Although Harry makes that impossible for Minerva.

But as Minerva ascends the stairs and gently pushes open the door, she is greeted by an unusual sight to say the least. The once spacious room is cluttered with papers and books of all kinds. Some of the books lay open across the floor with small notes etched into the pages. The room is a total disaster. Minerva scanned the dim room, waiting for her eyes to finally adjust to the lack of light. When her eyes did adjust, Albus was nowhere to be found.

A squawk came from the back corner of the room. She turned towards it and held out her arm smiling. A second later, a phoenix flew over to her and landed gracefully on her welcoming arm. It's golden fiery feathers glistened in the dark as it cooed at the Professor. In response, Minerva stroked the birds feathers, sighing at the warmth and good feelings it gave to her.

"Why hello Fawkes." The bird reached up and nipped at her ear affectionately. "You don't, by any chance, know where Albus is, do you? I must speak with him." Without hesitation, Fawkes took flight, flew around the room a few times (only causing the papers to make more of a mess) and took off through the open window.

Minerva turned her attention back to the mess in front of her. She raised her wand and swept it over the room while saying, "Scourgify!" Instantly, the room began to clean itself. The books all closed and flew back to their rightful places on the shelf while the papers began to fly away in a mad dash to find a suitable drawer or spot on the Headmasters desk. When she finished, she walked over to the desk and settled in Dumbledore's chair, clutching her necklace she got long ago. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts, she didn't notice herself drifting off to sleep.

Minutes later, Albus stepped through his fireplace in his office. He brushed the ashes off of his clothes and waved his wand, making the ashes now on the carpet disappear. With another wave of his wand, the candles lining the walls went ablaze. Albus almost gasped in shock to see Minerva curled on his chair, obviously fast asleep. Of course, he knew beforehand that Minerva was waiting for him in his office because Fawkes had told him. But this was a sight to behold. A warmth coursed through his veins. Just the thought of Minerva being so comfortable in his room made him content beyond belief. He walked over to her and knelt down beside her. Albus studied her face for a moment. He misses seeing her like this. Peaceful, and happy. Lost in a world of dreams and away from evil.

He misses seeing her sleep above all else. She just gets this beautiful look to her when sleeping. He brushes a loose strand of hair out of her face and tucks it behind her ear.

I wish I didn't have to do this my love. I wish I don't have to wake you. Albus thought to himself while getting back to his feet. But at the same time, he knows quite well that Minerva would be furious if he just let her sleep in his office all night without waking her. Plus, Harry would eventually wake, and he would surely panic if his mother wasn't there.

Albus gently shook Minerva's shoulder and softly saying her name. She began to stir immediately but refused to open her eyes.

"Come on, Min. You have to wake." At the use of her pet name, she allowed her eyes to flutter open as she looked deep into his own.

"Did you just call me Min? Wow has it been a while since you've called me Min." Her voice barely a whisper, still half asleep. Dumbledore chuckled softly resting his hand on her shoulder. Before he responded, Minerva closed her eyes again. After a moments silence she spoke again.

"You owe me."

"I owe you?" Minerva nodded at his question. "For what, my dear?" He asked, confusion evident in his voice.

Instead of speaking, Minerva used her hand to motion for him to look around the room. Albus looked around with an eyebrow raised. His eyes widened as he noticed the room for the first time. He stood up slowly to get a better look at his once messy office, which is now spotless to say the least. He chuckled once more before turning back towards his professor.

"Ah, you were always exceptional at that spell if I remember correctly." Minerva smiled before getting to her feet, now fully awake, and coming to stand in front of Albus.

"Hm, so you remember? So do you also remember why I became exceptional at it? Living in a house with you, I had to be!" Albus cringed at the memory.

"Well, I must say that my living conditions have improved. My house is, more neat these days." Minerva raised an eyebrow at Albus. But before she went to retort, she sighed and dropped the conversation.

"Albus, you know why I am here." She faced the headmaster and looked him in the eyes, her face losing its light humor and becoming serious. The headmaster returned the sigh and nodded reluctantly. Minerva waved her wand and transfigured the lone wooden chair into a small, more comfortable couch. She sat down and motioned for Albus to follow suit.

"I love Harry, Minerva." Albus said, getting straight to the point.

"I know you-" Albus held up his finger to quiet her before continuing.

"Please let me finish Minerva. I love Harry. That much will always be true. He, like his mother and even his father, has grown on me." He took a deep breath and looked at Minerva. She waits patiently, keeping eye contact and listening intently. "Love is a precious thing Minerva. I know that all too well. What I also know, is how easily the ones you love can disappear. Long ago, I used to Love easily. I was an open man who brought people into my life and loved them without hesitation. Whether like a father, a friend, or...lover." He reached over and grabbed Minerva's hand, enter twining their fingers causing her to look away momentarily and blush. But she still remained silent.

"But after a few years, it seemed that my love wasn't worth giving. Everyone that I deeply cared for left my life forever, abandoning my love and leaving me alone in the world. My mother, of whom I deeply loved, passed away early as did my only sister. I should have been able to protect them Min. I was the man of the house and I let my dear mother and little sister die. Two of my most beloved people in my life, gone before I even knew what love is. And then not long after, my brother left me out of anger and hatred. He accused me of the death of my family and refused to love me ever again. Although I would like to say that my love for him has remained all these years, it has simply...faded.

"Grindelwald, who was once a dear friend of mine, used my love for him against me. I was blinded by this love and didn't see the monster he was becoming. Until one day, I realized that if I didn't follow his ways and believe in what he believed in, then he would no longer care for or love me as a friend. And that is no way to love. And when I faced him in that legendary battle and locked him away in prison, well, that speaks for itself. That love was lost for good. And my love for you...well...you know that story." Minerva nodded her head, a sad and longing look in her eyes as she remembered their own heartbreaking story.

"Now on the other hand, the love I felt for Lily Evans I thought would never cease. She was, well, like a daughter to me in more ways than one. And although I could only see her as a student, I began to love her as a father does to his little girl. And of course, eventually I began to feel the same way about James Potter seeing as he married Lily. And when little Harry was born, I was ecstatic! I was, am, so proud of Lily. My love for them only strengthened. But when I heard the news that Voldemort was going after the Potters, it seemed like Déjà vu. I again, felt like that love was going to be taken away. When I heard the news of Lily and James' death, I felt like actually crying. Something I have only ever done once before. But I knew I had to protect little Harry. I owed it to Lily and James to care and continue to love their son. Which is why I was willing to let you care for Harry.

"So as you can see, Harry is, for the most part, the only love I still have. Or...at least the only one I can openly express." He gripped Minerva's hand tighter as tears began to well up in her eyes. "Which is why, yes, I have been slightly avoiding Harry. I hope this answers your question. But no, I am not avoiding you. That love is already too strong to completely ignore." He paused, letting all of this sink into Minerva. He can see all the emotions running across her face. Regret.

Grief. Love. Lust. Confusion.

She held back her tears, trying to make herself look calm and collected, though Albus can see straight through her mask.

"But why are you avoiding Harry? I still don't understand." Her voice was barely a whisper, and she wasn't completely sure if he had heard her at all because he didn't respond, but instead looked away. She waited patiently for an answer.

"I love him Minerva, I really do. No matter how little I show it, it is there. The reason I try to hide it and keep my distance is because terrible, unthinkable things happen to the people I love. Whether its death, or hatred, of it becomes forbidden. I would never forgive myself if something happens to our Harry. I wouldn't know what to do. It would be too much. I wouldn't want to live anymore." He took a deep breath and glanced back at Minerva and saw a tear slip down her cheek. The transfiguration professor didn't even bother to hold them back.

"Wait, did you saw our Harry?" Her voice was still soft. Albus wiped a tear away from her cheek with his index finger as he nodded.

"I have always thought to him as our Harry. I love him as much as you, and wish I could be more involved in his life."

"Albus, you must know that nothing bad will happen to Harry just because you show love towards the boy?" There was a sharp edge in her voice as she became serious again.

Albus shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. In truth, whether I believe that or not, I couldn't bring myself to show too much love for Harry."

"But-"

"Fear, Minerva, fear. It is a powerful thing. Personally, I believe that fear and love go hand in hand. Sometimes love overcomes fear, or fear overcomes love. And sadly I am the latter. Maybe one day this will not be the case, but with the events from my past, scars have been left where they can never heal."

"Sometimes scars heal."

"That is true, it is possible. But unlikely. All I am saying Minerva, is that I cannot bring myself to love Harry as much as I did his mother." They sat in silence for what seemed like forever until Albus spoke again.

"He called me Dad today." Minerva shot her head up and looked at him bewildered.

"He what?"

"Yes, he did. We were having a normal conversation and laughing, and then all of a sudden, he just called me Dad. It was such an amazing feeling and to be honest, I just wanted to pull the boy close to me and call him my son. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. And the worst part was that he looked ashamed of himself for calling me that. As if he thought I would be angry with him!" Minerva held back the tears at these last few words.

"He wouldn't feel that way if you expressed your love for him more. He thinks that you are no more than a headmaster to him, and that he is no more then another one of your students." Silence overcame the room again until Minerva spoke up this time.

"Well you don't have to love Harry as much as his mother. But you could at least be somewhat more involved in his life. You did say he is our Harry."

"Yes, yes I did. I can't help how I already feel. And I will try to spend more time with him. But I just can't bring myself to love him overly."

"He is a young boy Albus. A young fragile boy who lost his parents before he could even walk, he has no friends his age, and no living relatives who care a bloody hell about him. Not to mention that eventually Voldemort will return, as you well know. And when he does, he will have one thing on his mind. To kill Harry Potter, the boy who lived. Harry needs all the love he can get." Neither of them spoke. There was nothing left to say. Albus knew all of this is true, even the last part. But he couldn't bring himself to speak. Instead, he wrapped his arm around Minerva, who in turn curled up into him, resting her head on his chest. She allowed the held in tears to stream down her face now, as she remembered the horrific end to her friends, and the future that was laid out for Harry. Albus transfigured the couch into an actual bed and laid down with Minerva still snuggled up to him. H wrapped his other arm around her and gently kissed the top of her head while listening to her quiet sobs echo throughout the room. Her small body shaking from the force of it.

And for the second time in his life, he cried. Albus cried. For fear. For grief. For lust and love. Or whatever the reason may be. He allowed a single tear to slide down his cheek. And then, they both drifted off to sleep, into a world of dreams and true, never ending love.

I hope you guys liked this chapter! I plan to update more frequently now. And again, reviews are always welcome! I would like to reach 20 if possible!