A/N: My dears, how can I ever hope for your forgiveness! One whole month since you last saw this story being updated and I can owe that to the many busy facets of my life, some of which I still don't manage to do in that time, but still, here we are again!

You might want to go back and read the last chapter…it's alright, cos I had to as well lol Let me tell you, having one story in Prisoner of Azkaban and one in Goblet of Fire is Sooooo confusing. But, Spin and I managed to thrash it out, and I mean literally. I have three pages of conversation about an idea that was so brilliant, and yet would quite fit with what we want, so we're having a little play with the idea of something else, hopefully you will all like it! It's a slow moving idea, so don't expect instant gratification, but still. Spin did as Spin does best and completely motivated me to do more, so with any luck I will update within a month next time lol

On that note, I will say adieu!
Thanks be to Spin (it's almost like a religion you know!) Without her, you'd still be waiting!
Oh and Congrats to DarthVandola, who's awesome character (Galatea Merrythought) has successfully beein introduced into the world of FanFiction officially with her own character in the LIST! Woo Nice job m'dear! Absolutely nothing to do with this, but I wanted to say well done!

-0-

Minerva smiled as she woke, her eyes cracking open to see her soul mate staring back at her, his deep blue eyes smiling, though his features were otherwise relatively blank.

"What time is it?" she mumbled, sighing as she tangled her fingers with his.

"It is still early." he said simply, bringing their adjoined hands to his lips.

"Then why are we awake?"

It wasn't that Minerva McGonagall liked sleeping late, in fact she was usually up at the crack of dawn, but a run of bad nights hadn't helped her fatigue levels.

"I was simply admiring your beauty. And I need to tell you that Harry and I talked," Albus muttered, stopping when Minerva pressed her finger to his lips.

"I love you." she breathed, caressing his cheek. "I love you, and I love Harry. I trust you both implicitly and I know you will deal with anything that may arise from this," she paused as she searched for the word, "discovery."

"I just wanted you to know." he said, kissing her bare shoulder.

She sighed and pulled him into her embrace, her equilibrium gradually restoring itself as she struggled through her thoughts on the matter.

"Harry already spoke to me about it." she whispered, cradling his head to her chest. "Could we not sleep for a while longer?"

Minerva felt him smile against her skin and she closed her eyes, relaxing into the mattress, keen to get a few more hours of sleep before she had to wake up and deal with the everyday minutia of going back to work.

-0-

Harry woke up feeling tired but content, and knew that it was more likely that his mother was starting to come to terms with whatever Albus had told her rather than his own feelings. Sighing, he scrubbed at his tired eyes and threw off his covers. He wouldn't get back to sleep despite the early hour, especially considering his dreams. It was a repeat of the same one he'd been having since the first terrifying nightmare he'd had at McGonagall manor, but these didn't feel like actual occurrences, more like twisted versions of the original. Still, they were no less disturbing.

Flopping down on the common room sofa he smiled as he watched a house elf sweep the hearth before the creature realised he was being watched. Blushing beet red the elf disappeared with a pop, the only noise to interrupt Harry's early morning. He poked around the room for a while, sighing when he realised he had nothing to do. Lessons had not started yet, and he didn't really want to crack open his textbooks just yet, so instead he sat back down and watched the fire burn for a while, remembering suddenly that he hadn't spoken to Sirius since his birthday.

He was a little upset with the man for leaving without a goodbye, but a part of him understood. His friends were comfortable with the idea of Minerva McGonagall being his mother, but then they hadn't known his birth parents. Sirius had been James and Lily's best friend after all and it must have hurt. Harry chewed on a thumb nail for a while before rummaging around the bookshelves for a spare piece of parchment and a quill.

Dear Sirius…

He wasn't really sure what to write. He wanted to talk to someone about the re-occurring nightmares but he knew exactly how everyone at Hogwarts would react. Hermione would demand that he go to Minerva, and Ron would squirm uncomfortably in the background, eventually agreeing with her. Minerva would most likely worry and Albus, well he was a bit of a dark horse, but Harry didn't really want to bother him either. Sighing once more he put all of his thoughts down on paper, how he was worried about Minerva, how Albus was keeping secrets and about how his scar prickled after every dream he had concerning that strange, dilapidated house. He was just writing about the much-lauded TriWizard Tournament when he heard movement on the stairs. Standing quickly, he tucked the parchment into his robes and returned a smile at one of his fellow Gryffindors as they smiled tiredly at him. They walked straight past him and through the Fat Lady's portrait, leaving Harry alone once more. ?

"Morning."

Harry looked up from his Transfiguration book not long after being interrupted the first time. He smiled as Hermione sat next to him, nodding approvingly at his choice.

"She'll be pleased you're getting a head start." Hermione said quietly, making Harry chuckle. "Do you know how she is this morning?"

"I think she's better than she was," Harry said with a shrug, "but I can't really be sure. After she realised that I could pick out a few of the stronger emotions I haven't really felt anything else since."

Hermione nodded and pulled him up from the sofa as Ron entered the room.

"I'm starving." he grunted, leaving them in his wake as he immediately left through the portrait hole.

Harry and Hermione shook their heads and followed their friend. It was unlikely Ron would ever change, but they could do nothing but smile as he practically slept-walked towards the Great Hall.

Breakfast went as it always seemed to on the first morning. The students and teachers alike looked a little bleary eyed, and then the post arrived, bringing various items that people had forgotten and a few treats for the First Years.

"Oh look, there's an article about Mad Eye Moody." Ron said, peering at the Daily Prophet over Hermione's shoulder. He blushed a little as he read on. "Oh, and Dad's in there too."

"Wonder whether he's going to be any good as a Professor." Harry thought out loud.

"I heard he was an Auror." Neville piped up from the other side of the table. "Gran said he was really good in his day." Neville added, standing up even as he finished his drink. "We've got Herbology first, are you coming?"

The trio got up slowly, they were in no way as enthusiastic about Herbology as Neville was and they meandered slowly down to the Greenhouses, arriving just before the bell rang. Once they found out what they were studying they didn't get any more excited.

"These are bubotubers." Professor Sport said as she indicated the rather disgusting looking plants before them. Harry and Ron shared a horrified look as Professor Sprout showed them how to squeeze the pus from the tubers.

"It's apparently quite good for acne." Hermione said, screwing up her nose at the thought of putting the vile substance anywhere near her face.

"Oh yeah." Neville said, smiling as he emptied his plant into the bowl. "It has tons of uses. Hermione, do you want me to finish yours for you?"

Harry smiled as he watched Neville get so enthralled by in the lesson. It was obvious the boy was well suited to the subject, and he liked Neville a lot. It was good to see him interested in something he clearly excelled in.

-0-

"Phew, thank Merlin we're out of there." Ron sighed in relief, shaking his head as they descended from the Divination Tower several hours later. It hadn't been a bad day, but there was had been nothing remarkable about it so far either. Professor Trelawney had once again predicted Harry's death, and insisted that he was born in mid-winter, but he had politely informed her that his birthday was in July, just the same as last year. She seemed to leave him alone after that.

"At least we're not reading tea leaves again." Harry said, joining the queue for dinner. Inevitably it wasn't long until more than a few people were milling around and the crowd was buzzing contentedly, talking about their day, catching up with friends.

"Looks like the Weasleby made the paper again." came a simpering voice from behind them. Harry rolled his eyes and turned around, coming face to face with Draco Malfoy and his goons. Harry wasn't especially pleased to see that he was holding a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"'Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene.' Embarrassing is right, maybe with all the overtime he's doing your father might well be able to afford a slimming potion for you mother." he spat maliciously.

Harry watched as Ron's ears turned pink.

"Shove off, Malfoy." Harry said, feigning boredom. "We all know your mother's a hag, so just shut it." Ron glanced appreciatively at Harry and they turned to enter the Hall.

Harry frowned as he was jostled out of the way and he turned back to Malfoy, but instead found himself looking incredulously at Professor Moody who was bouncing a completely white ferret against the floor. It took Harry a moment to realise that the ferret was in fact Draco Malfoy.

"Never turn your back on the enemy." he growled, looking at Harry and Ron together, his good eye on the red-head, his magical eye fixed on Harry. Suddenly remembering his dreams, Harry shivered as it seemed to pierce his very soul.

"You!" he said, his good eye glaring at the Ferret, still bouncing him against the flagstones. "Never let me catch you doing that again!"

"Professor Moody, what on earth are you doing?"

Harry sighed as he felt his mother's presence behind him. She was standing rather close, her hand brushing his arm as she moved in front of him.

"Teaching." he said plainly.

Harry smiled as he watched his mother come to the same conclusion he had, except she looked somewhat more concerned about it.

"You're not telling me that's a student?" she asked, her hand against her chest as she tried to comprehend what was going on.

"I most certainly am." Professor Moody said cheerfully.

Ron and Harry grinned at each other, groaning quietly when Minerva changed Draco back, albeit letting him land unceremoniously on the floor with a thud.

"We never use Transfiguration as a punishment." she explained, letting the ex-Auror take the blonde boy by the ear.

"Duly noted Professor, but I think it's time I had a word with an old acquaintance of mine, about another acquaintance, and his pitiful offspring. Let this be a lesson to ya." he growled at Draco as he dragged him into the Hall. "Cursing someone behind their back is the ultimate form of cowardice."

Minerva paused in her directing of the students to stare at Harry, as if checking that there was nothing wrong with him.

"Mr Potter, a word." she said, indicating the disused classroom a little further up the corridor. She let Ron follow them and closed the door behind them both.

"Gracious, are you all right?" she said, taking him by the shoulders and turning him around. "Did he hit you, are you hurt?"

Harry could feel the fear churning through Minerva and he grabbed her hands and gave her a smile.

"I'm fine." he said with a shrug. "He missed anyway, and Professor Moody was there before I even realised."

Minerva just hummed and took one more thorough perusal of him before she turned to Ron and did the same.

"Honestly Màthair, we're fine."

She shook her head and drew them both into her arms.

"Why can't you boys just behave?" she sighed, kissing Harry's hair. "Why does it always have to be you two?"

"It wasn't our fault." Ron said indignantly. "Malfoy is a git and he insulted Mum. If Harry hadn't said anything I reckon I would have hexed him first, and we were really good, trying to ignore him. He's the one that tried to get us remember." Ron moaned. Minerva rolled her eyes.

"Could you please try to be a little more careful?" she pleaded. Harry saw the worry in her request and hugged her gently, letting her rest against him for a moment.

"We'll try, Màthair." he whispered.

She nodded and let them leave, knowing that they would be noticed more than she if they turned up late for dinner.

-0-

"I have decided that I am not going to boycott meals." Hermione announced, confusing Harry and Ron when they sat down next to her just a few minutes after everyone else had started their rhubarb crumble.

"Um, what?"

"I'm not going to boycott meals, but I'm definitely going to start campaigning for house elf rights." Harry and Ron both looked at her as if she were mad.

"Do I want to know?" Harry asked Ron quietly, ignoring the annoyed huff Hermione sent his way.

"Prob'ly not." Ron agreed, stuffing himself with dessert.

"Are we visiting tonight?" Hermione asked, licking the custard from her spoon.

"Um, I'm not really sure." Harry shrugged. He felt a surge of love through his bonding scar and he turned to look at his mother, who nodded her head with barely a movement. He laughed suddenly, startling a few people around them, who notched it up as just Harry Potter being weird again before carrying on with their puddings.

"Yeah, we're visiting."

-0-

"Will I see you tonight, my love?" Albus whispered as they stood together in an alcove. Minerva couldn't help but giggle as she realised she was doing exactly what they patrolled the halls to prevent.

"I have the children coming over, so you are more than welcome to come and spend some time with us?" she said, walking her fingers up his chest. "However, curfew is at nine, and I imagine they will all be tucked up in their beds by then." she whispered, before leaving a lingering kiss on his lips.

"Mmm, is that right?" he hummed, his eyes twinkling so fast they were beginning to look like disco balls.

"It is, and I have an inkling I shall want to shower before bed." she said, kissing him once more and leaving the recess quickly in case they started something they couldn't stop.

-0-

"Hello, my loves." she said as she walked to her door, finding three waiting teenagers littering the first floor corridor. "Did you enjoy dinner?"

Ron was particularly enthusiastic in his reply, making Minerva laugh. She ushered them into her room, dragging them all onto the sofa with her.

"So, how was your first day?"

Minerva sat back against the cushions; Hermione to her left, Harry tucked up against her right, and Ron leaning back against her knees, with her hand running through his hair occasionally. The teens talked about their day, how it varied from last year and how some things always stayed the same. She smiled as they insisted they couldn't wait until they had Professor Moody on Thursday, and she took a deep breath in anticipation of the questions they would no doubt ask her.

"Was he really an Auror?" Harry asked. He'd been quiet all night, and Minerva could see he was tired. Pulling him into her shoulder, she nodded.

"Alastor, Professor Moody, has been an Auror for, oh, as long as I can remember." she said, thinking back. "He fought with us in the first war, and I'm sure he was an Auror before that, although I don't know if he fought against Grindelwald. The war with Voldemort was very good for his career, even if it nearly destroyed him." she explained.

"What's with his eye?" Ron asked, dipping his head backwards trying to look at Minerva upside down.

"Obviously it's magical." she said with a shrug. "I believe it can see through walls, but I'm not entirely sure myself, he and I have never been close as such."

Harry frowned, sitting up a little and taking his mother's hand.

"But he kissed you." he said, studying the hand he was holding. "Remember? When he arrived at the school he took your hand and he kissed it." Harry repeated the process, making Minerva smile, even as she pondered Professor Moody's odd behaviour.

"He did, didn't he?" she said thoughtfully. "No matter, I'm sure he was just being polite."

Harry hummed, but didn't argue. He was too tired to try and put his thoughts in order, so he simply cuddled up to his mother again, letting his eyes close as he listened to her broad accent wash over them all gently.

"I believe it is time for you three to go." she said tenderly. "Come on, I will walk you back."

As they neared the portrait hole Minerva stopped them for a moment, kissing their heads and holding them tightly. "Tha gaol agum ort. [I love you]" she whispered to each one of them in turn.

"Night, Min." Hermione whispered, kissing a cheek as Ron did exactly the same thing from the other side, making everyone laugh.

"Good night, my darlings." she said, waiting for Hermione and Ron to go on ahead of them. "Now young man," she started on Harry, before pausing as she saw just how tired he really was. "You are exhausted mo mhac." she said, stroking his face. "Come." she whispered, winking as she turned into her Animagus form.

Harry was too tired to argue, so he simply followed his mother into the common room and up the stairs. She was still waiting for him as he climbed into bed and she kneaded the covers gently over his chest. She purred happily as he ran his hands over her fur, scratching the base of her tail and making her arch involuntarily. He chuckled as she picked at the covers some more, before lying down heavily, but comfortably on his chest, purring gently. The noise soothed him as much as her fingers through his hair would have normally done, and she watched as his eyes began to droop. She crept forward and touched her small nose to his, purring louder now as she once again realised just how much love she had for this boy.

Once she was certain Harry was asleep, she crept towards Ron's bed, rubbing along his fingers that hung low outside his covers, before making a final stop at Hermione's bed, which was suspiciously quiet, even with the curtains drawn around it. She leapt up under them, changing back into her human form when she saw what her little kitten was doing.

"I thought I sent you to bed?" she said, startling Hermione from her study.

"Oh, Min, I, I just want to get this last bit done." she said, frantically writing. Minerva smiled as she plucked the quill from Hermione's hand.

"No, my love, now is time for sleeping. It is the first day of term, and you will need all the sleep you can get." she said, gathering up Hermione's things and Banishing them outside the hangings.

"But-"

"No. No buts, my darling, now into bed if you please." She bit back a smile as Hermione huffed her way under the blanket and lay down, her arms crossed over her chest and wearing the most adorable frown.

"Don't be like that bana-phrionnsa [princess]." she whispered, rubbing noses with her favourite girl. "I love you piseag [kitten]." Hermione smiled and wrapped her arms around Minerva's neck.

"Love you too, Min." she muttered.

Minerva waited the few minutes it took for Hermione to fall asleep before racing back to her rooms, conscious of the invitation she had given her lover earlier.

"Ah, my dear." he said, sitting quite comfortably on the sofa in her rooms.

"Albus, I am so sorry." she said panting a little from her run. "The children, Harry is unsettled, and Hermione-"

Whatever else she was planning on apologising for disappeared as his lips pressed against hers.

"I don't care, Minerva." he said huskily. "Now I thought we were going to have a shower?"

She smiled deliciously at him, walking backwards carefully while undoing the buttons on the front of her emerald robes.

"That we were." she said, going into the bathroom. Albus was so flabbergasted at the sexy display, he didn't quite anticipate the somewhat suggestive throat clearing before he was shocked out of his wits when a rather lacy something smacked him right in the face.

"Um, love," he said, trying to keep his voice calm, although his insides were boiling, "I believe you've lost something."

He heard Minerva laugh playfully, and he fell in love with her just that little bit more. The way she was so sensual, and appealing… Well, he was just so glad they'd taken this chance together.

"If you come in here you might find the matching bottoms somewhere."

Albus let out a growl and stalked into the bathroom, tearing his robes off in the process, keen on loving his witch until they fell, exhausted, into her bed. He'd make her scream more than once this night.