A/N: I noticed that in the previous chapter at one point I had Minerva running her hand through Harry. It's fairly obvious that I didn't mean that, so I've fixed it and now it makes a little more sense! Don't think there's anything else I need to tell you, other than THANK YOU all for reviewing…I love reviews, you're all awesome. I had no idea we were going in this direction when I started this chapter. I envisioned a Hermione chapter, and a Ron chapter and a together chapter a then Harry just decided that wasn't going to happen. I'm sure I'll manage a Ron and Min chapter later.

Right, other than that, have at it!

Hermione yawned as she shuffled into the living room. She wasn't really paying attention to her surroundings as she walked over to table where she'd left her book last night.

"Madainn mhath piseag [Good morning kitten]" came a voice from behind her. Hermione squealed and threw her book into the air.

"Minerva." She squealed as she turned and saw Minerva biting her lip trying not to laugh. "Merlin you frightened me." She said, even as the older witch pulled her into a hug.

"Sorry sweetie." Minerva said as she kissed her hair. "Did you sleep well? You're up awfully early."

Hermione shrugged and picked up her book, consciously ignoring the frown her favourite teacher was giving her.

"Hermione?"

"I'm okay." She said quietly, closing herself off as Albus walked into the room.

"Ahh, here you are." He said, kissing Minerva on the forehead and winking at Hermione, who merely blushed and buried her head in her book. It was all very well knowing her Headmaster and his deputy spent nights together; Harry had caught them more than once of course, but it was completely another thing to have it in front of her. Hermione curled up tighter into herself and tried to concentrate on the book as Albus and Minerva whispered to each other, giggling now and then before Albus left the room and then the house.

"Hey." Minerva said as she sat on the arm of the chair Hermione was sitting in, trying her best to occupy as little space as possible. Hermione frowned as she concentrated on her book. Minerva laughed gently and placed her hand on Hermione's arm. "Sweetheart, I think reading works better when the book is this way up." She said kindly as she turned the book the right way around for Hermione.

Hermione's face flushed the colour of a beetroot as she dropped her head.

"Hermione look at me." Minerva said, placing two fingers gently under the girls chin, lifting her gaze toward Minerva's eyes. "What's wrong?" Hermione shrugged and sniffed a little as she squirmed in her seat. Minerva clicked her tongue and pulled Hermione over to the couch. She pulled her down next to her and patted her knee as she called for Taran.

"Could we have some tea please Taran?" The elf bowed his head and left in a pop, reappearing moments later with the items. "Thank you." Minerva smiled as she poured a tea for herself and Hermione, who was still avoiding her eyes. Passing her a cup, Minerva leaned back on the sofa and let Hermione think. There was something on the girl's mind and experience, especially with Hermione had told her that she had pushed enough and that Hermione was merely gathering her thoughts as she stared into the tea cup in her hands. As the girl took a sip, Minerva smiled to herself.

"I, I miss my family." Hermione said in a small voice. Minerva watched her as she frowned. "Not that I want to leave here," she said hurriedly, relieved when Minerva nodded encouragingly. "They aren't part of my world anymore and I miss when we were just normal, not that you'd really understand but at the party yesterday I realized I have a new family." Hermione sighed and pulled her knees up to her chest. "I just feel bad I guess."

Minerva nodded as she realised what Hermione was struggling with. She put her arm over Hermione's shoulders and pulled her into her side, smiling as Hermione wrapped her arms around her middle.

"Hermione, piseag [kitten], that's completely normal. Especially for students that come from completely muggle backgrounds. Your parents will never understand everything you do. But they will always love you and will always understand how brilliant you are." She said placing a little kiss on the girls' forehead. "As for a new family, maybe it might be easier to consider it another half of your family. And as Harry and I get things sorted and everything settles down and you start spending more time here with Harry, I would be more than delighted to have your parents over for dinner." She said, smiling widely as Hermione's head shot up, her eyes wide in surprise.

"Really?" Hermione said. Minerva laughed. "But they're muggles." She said, feeling as though the Professor was simply offering out of courtesy.

"I have to welcome every muggle born to the school. I am quite used to muggles my dear." She said with a wink. "Plus we would have a lot to talk about." She said again making Hermione frown.

"Surely you don't want to know what the purpose of a rubber ducky is?" Hermione said, her eyebrows creeping to her forehead making Minerva throw her head back and laugh.

"No mo gradh [my love] your parents and I would never run out of things to talk about because we share one thing in common." Hermione studied her professor's face as she tried to work out what it was. Chewing her lip thoughtfully she pondered what it would be, giving up with a shrug as Minerva tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"You, piseag [kitten]." She said with a smile, making Hermione blush, reminding Minerva of how Hermione blushed when Albus had come into the room earlier. "And what was that this morning?" she said frowning a little as Hermione buried her face in her shoulder. "I thought you were okay with seeing Albus out of school."

"I am." Hermione blusters, a little scandalised that her favourite teacher would think that she wasn't okay with seeing teachers out of school. "That wasn't it." She said quietly, still reusing to look at her teacher.

"What is it then?" Minerva said, stroking Hermione's hair, not really understanding what the problem was.

"It doesn't matter." Hermione said snuggling further into Minerva's side, who smiled.

"Hey, none of that, what's wrong?" They sat in silence again, Hermione fidgeting at the thought that she actually was going to have to explain to her head of house what the problem was.

"I, it's." Hermione sighed and mumbled into Minerva's shoulder. "Hewashereinthemorning." She said quickly making Minerva giggle.

"I have rather good hearing mo gradh [my love], but even I cannot tell what you just said." She said, lifting Hermione's face from her shoulder. She smiled gently as Hermione blushed again, refusing to meet her eyes. "Take a deep breath and try again." Hermione did as she was told and then repeated herself slowly.

"He was still here in the morning." Hermione said shyly. Minerva sat for a moment, then nodded once, comprehension dawning on her as she realised what Hermione had a problem with.

"Oh." Hermione shrugged and tucked her head back under Minerva's chin. Minerva sat for a moment chewing her lip. "Is," she paused, thanking her many years of teaching for preparing her for this. She grinned a little as she remembered having a similar kind of conversation with Lily about James. "Is that a problem?" she said cautiously, hoping desperately that the young girl would be alright with it. While she was only a novice at loving relationships, Hermione reminded her a lot of herself and Lily and she truly loved the girl.

"Um, no." Hermione said, shaking her head definitely, "It's just, I dunno. It's one thing knowing it, and one thing seeing it I guess." Hermione said, lifting her head a smiling at her teacher as she realised she was making her worry.

"I understand piseag [kitten]." Minerva said kissing her forehead. "You know you can always talk to me about these things don't you." She said smiling again as Hermione blushed even deeper than before.

"Oh, I don't think I'll need that." Hermione said awkwardly. "It's not like anyone will ever be interested with me." She said evenly. Minerva balked at the realisation at just how little Hermione thought of herself.

"Young lady let me tell you something." She fixed Hermione with s lightly less caustic version of her Professor McGonagall stare. "You are a beautiful young lady and a truly amazing witch." She paused to make sure that Hermione was listening to her. "And don't let anyone, including yourself, tell you otherwise. Is that understood?" she said tapping Hermione's nose making her smile a smile that lit up the whole room.

"Oh, no I'm not, I," Minerva glared at her, making Hermione squirm a little.

"Hermione." Minerva said her eyebrow lifting as she demanded, silently, that Hermione conform to her view. Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Yes Ma'am." Hermione said cheekily as they both fell about laughing.

They were interrupted by Harry and Ron, who walked into the room, looking a little uncomfortable as they watched the two witches giggling.

"Um, morning." Harry said, looking at the two witches for signs of a curse, or at least one of Fred and George's new Wizard's Wheezes that they'd explained to the boys the day before.

"Oh, madainn mhath." Minerva said getting up at hugging her son and then Ron, who leaned into the embrace, loving the attention he got from her when the four of them were alone. "Who's hungry?" she said.

"RON." Harry and Hermione said together making everyone laugh as Ron just looked at them and shrugged.

"Ah, a Weasley boy, of course." Minerva said with a wink to Ron who grinned as his stomach rumbled, making everyone giggle again. She glanced into the hallway. "Where is your godfather?" she asked Harry, who shrugged. "Well, it's a lovely morning and the table is still set up outside, how about we have breakfast out there?" she asked the kids, who nodded and ran outside, wondering if anyone missed any of the sweets from yesterday's balloon game. "Ah, ah ah." Minerva said, closing the door with a wave of her hand before they could exit the house. "Everyone upstairs and changed before we eat please, and I shall go and brave your godfather." She said to Harry, who hugged her again, whispering in her ear.

"I had the best day yesterday. I love living with you."

Minerva smiled and kissed Harry's hair before he ran up the stairs following her friends. She was constantly amazed at how different her life had become in as little as a year. She thought that many years ago that a family was unattainable, and then she had met Lily along with all four of the Marauder's, even though she wasn't close to Peter.
'Traitorous bastard' she thought with a grimace. She knew that if she ever caught sight of the little weasel she'd kill him herself.

Minerva shook her head before she got to Sirius' door, knowing that with all the problems Sirius had he didn't need this as well. She'd been keeping an eye on him lately and wasn't pleased with how much brooding he was doing. Seeing Remus yesterday was good, and he loosened up a little with the twins, but it was very unusual that he would not be up already. She knocked on the door.

"Sirius?" She cracked the door, calling out again, frowning as she got no reply.

Poking her head around the door she peeked into the room, finding the bed slept in but unoccupied. She walked into the room, looking around for a note, knowing that when they were younger and disappeared during the night they'd usually leave a note. She cursed under her breath as she couldn't find one. Rolling her eyes, she made the bed almost automatically, even though she hadn't made her bed in more years than she wanted to think about. She frowned again as she realised that the action held no pain for her and she realised that her back and hips hadn't troubled her for weeks. Making a mental note to talk to Poppy about it, she left Sirius' room and joined 'her kids' outside for their breakfast.

Ron was already stuffing his face, making Minerva smile, while Harry and Hermione waited for her, rolling her eyes as Ron hummed his love of food.

"Did you find him?" Harry said, searching his mother's face. Minerva winked at him, but shook her head.

"Sorry mac [son], I'm not sure where he is. James, Remus and him used to leave a note when they left at all hours of the night, but I couldn't find one." Harry frowned as his imagination ran away with his thoughts.

"But where is he?" Harry asked Minerva, his breakfast forgotten as he imagined all the things that could have happened. "What if he has been captured? What if he is lost or hurt? Where's Buckbeak?" Minerva smiled a little as she watched her son panic before she moved over to his side and knelt down next to him.

"Harry, look at me please." He complied, but was wearing a deep frown on his forehead as he tried to stem the flow of awful thoughts that were overwhelming him. "Harry." Minerva smoothed his forehead gently, gasping a little at the emotions that hit her when she touched his skin.
"Harry baby, calm down. Sirius is probably just off camping, or he's visiting Remus, or he's gone to see the twins about those things that they have spent the last few weeks inventing," she glanced at Ron, directing her next comment at him, "and don't think I don't know about them." She grinned as Ron gulped his eggs down, grinning a little embarrassed by his brother's, but quite a lot more amused that they'd been found out already.
"Harry, Sirius is a big boy, and he has lived long enough outrunning the entire Ministry. I am not worried, and I won't be worried until at least the day after tomorrow." Harry looked like he was going to say something, but she placed a finger on his lips, indicating that she hadn't finished.
"Gabh mo creideas mac [Trust me son] Sirius will be fine, and he will be back." She ruffled Harry's hair and served him some porridge.
"I mean, look what he has to come back to." Kissing his forehead she returned to her seat, winking at Hermione, who was smiling at her as she ate her breakfast.

Hedwig used that moment to drop a letter on Minerva's lap and she couldn't stop the smile from appearing on her face as she saw the seal. Harry, Ron and Hermione all grinned when they saw her smile change.

"Who's that off Màthair?" Harry asked innocently, his worries put aside for a moment as he started to tease his mother a little.

"Do you reckon anyone would believe us if we told them?" Ron asked Hermione, who was trying not to giggle as Minerva looked up from the parchment, wondering what the three kids were talking about.

"Not a chance." Harry said with a grin.

"Believe what mo chlann [my children]," finally looking up from her letter, her smile faltering as she looked at all three of them smirking at her. "Believe what?"

"That you're such a big softie." Harry said unable to control his laughter anymore as the other two laughed as well.

"Oh be quiet." Minerva said, blushing a little at their teasing. She threw a bread roll at Harry, sconning him on the head before watching it as it bounced nearer to Ron.

"Thanks Minerva." He said as he started eating it, making everyone fall about laughing again.

"Honestly Ron." Hermione said shaking her head. "You're hopeless." She said with a look at him that made Minerva smile. Ron was completely oblivious, but it seemed as though Hermione was a little bit enamoured by Ron. She realised that she was staring and went back to her breakfast as the three continued talking about the party the day before, making a mental note to keep an eye on the two. Knowing what was coming in the school year she knew it had the potential to cause heartbreak, balls always bought the best and worst out in the students. She only hoped that her kids would escape any heartbreak.

"Mistress?" Kenna interrupted her thoughts.

"Hmm?" she said, not really paying attention.

"Mistress, a muggles be walking close to the boundary." Kenna said, finally jolting Minerva out of her thoughts.

"What?" She sat for a moment focussing on her senses, realising that she had been so deep in thought she hadn't felt the wards humming. "Bother." She smiled at the three and stood. "Kenna, stay with the children please." She said, changing into her tabby form as she ran towards where the boundary was humming the most.

"Humpf." Harry grumbled. "We're not children." Harry said grumbling a little as he watched his mother run off.

"Mistress just looking outs for the precious ones." Kenna said patting Harry on the arm. Hermione grinned behind her hand at the scandalous look Harry had on his face.

"What if she gets hurt?" Hermione scoffed.

"Minerva is one of, if not THE most powerful witch in the wizarding world. I think she'll be alright Harry." Hermione said with a grin at Ron, who nodded his agreement, even as he eyed the last sausage.

"Yeah, after Dumbledore, it's pretty much Minerva as far as power goes." Ron said with a shrug, chewing on the last sausage contentedly.

"And Voldemort." Harry said quietly, making Kenna squeak and Ron choke on the sausage.

"I really wish you wouldn't say his name." Ron said, finally getting his breathing under control.

"Master Harry should not speak such an evil name." Kenna agreed. "Headmasters be the only one I heard say such a name and it makes Kenna shiver." The little house elf hugged her arms around her as if warding off a cold wind.

"Sorry Kenna, but the wizard is scary enough, we shouldn't fear his name as well." Harry said, Hermione agreeing with him.

"Fear of a name only increases the fear itself." She said, repeating the line she always used for this situation.

"Yous are much more braver than Kenna." The house elf said with a shrug. "He is a bad one. Worst than the last one." She said with a sad look on her face.

"Was it bad when Grindelwald was in power?" Hermione asked, eager to know a little more about the time that no-one really seemed to talk about, except in comparison to the time when Voldemort was in power.

"Lots and lots died." She said. "Kenna was only a tiny elf at the time, but Taran was not. He was in the house when Mistress came home. All her family went out and only Mistress came back." Kenna said, wiping a tear away. The whole party jumped as Taran popped into view.

"Kenna, kitchens." He said with a scowl, making Kenna nod slowly and disappear.

"I'm sorry Taran, it's my fault. I shouldn't have asked." Hermione said quickly before he disappeared again. "Please don't take it out on her." Taran regarded the witch before him, realising how much she was like the Mistress before the dark times they had just been discussing. He nodded, but refrained from saying anything and disappeared, leaving three rather depressed teenagers.

"Bloody hell." Ron said sitting back in his chair as they realised that one day Minerva had a family and the next she was all that was left. Hermione looked as if she was going to cry and Harry just looked sick.

"I, I." Hermione tried to find something to say, but came up empty as they sat around staring at nothing.

"We'll have to tell her we know." Harry said quietly, knowing that Minerva would be able to feel the immense sadness welling up in his chest.

"I'm going to the library." Hermione said suddenly. She left the boys and retreated into the house. Minerva appeared to the table not long after looking suspiciously between the two boys.

"Where's Hermione?" she asked, studying the sad looks on the boy's faces. She had felt the little tendrils of sadness prickle her scar while she was conversing with the farmer that lived on the farm behind McGonagall Manor's lands. Now she took a look at him she realised that this had nothing to do with Sirius and was something more. Ron was sporting a similar facial expression and she could only guess that Hermione had retreated to the library. "Did you upset her?" she frowned at the boys, who both shook their heads, refusing to meet her eyes. Becoming a little frustrated, she sat down and turned her famous glare on them. "One of you will tell me what on earth has you looking like someone has died right now." She said, noticing that they both flinched a little when she said that. "Ron?" he shook his head and Harry nodded to him. Minerva watched the boy retreat into the house, smiling a little at the friendship the boys had, so similar to James and Sirius. "Harry?"

"Kenna told us what happened." Harry said softly, making Minerva lean forward, even with her slightly superior hearing, thanks to her Animagus traits.

"What happened when?"

"When you went out with a family and came back without one." Harry said, unable to stop his voice from wavering. Minerva went cold as she recalled that day, trembling slightly she stood, intending to give Kenna a piece of her mind. Harry mirrored the action and moved in front of her.

"It wasn't Kenna's fault, we asked if Grindelwald was worse than Voldemort and she let it slip. I'm sorry Màthair." He said quickly, watching her closely. She paused, before nodding once, disappearing into her Animagus form again and running up the tree beside them into the branches at the top of the tree.

He found Ron and Hermione in the library looking worried.

"We really messed up." He said to them, both of them looking ill. "We should have just asked her. At least she could have said no."

"She'll be right mate." Ron said, clapping his friend on the back. "She probably hasn't thought about it for a while and it's overwhelmed her." Harry shifted uncomfortably as the bond scar prickled with her immense sadness.

"She's sad." He said forlornly as he slumped onto the sofa, next to his two best friends. They sat in silence for a while, Hermione trying to read and Ron trying to get a scarp piece of parchment to turn into a quaffle with Hermione occasionally clicking her tongue as he set it on fire for the second time.

"Honestly Ronald." She said shaking her head, showing her the proper wand movements.

Harry couldn't bring himself to join in the extra-curricular lesson and he walked to the window seat, slumping down and looking out of the window at the loch.

"What if I've lost her?" Harry said suddenly, interrupting the two behind him.

"Nah, she's bound to ya mate." Ron said "You can't lose her." Ron said flinching as Hermione slapped his arm scowling at his lack of empathy.

"Harry, it'll be fine. She loves you and she's just upset." Harry shook his head and stood up.

"But Sirius has left and Minerva's angry at me and I, I mean, what if I die? What if He comes back and I die, what she is supposed to do then?" Harry stood suddenly, making Ron and Hermione lean back at the suddenness. "I have to go." He said suddenly, pushing past them as they stood trying to understand what he's just said.

"Harry?" Hermione started as they both turned to follow him.

"Harry, mate, wait." They reached Harry's room as he was packing a backpack and reaching for his broom.

"I'm leaving." he said, turning to them, a look of determination on his face. "Are you coming or not?" he said, walking out of the door. Hermione and Ron looked at each other, each with a look of frustration on their faces.

"She's going to kill us." Ron said as they shared a look.

"Yeah, but at least we can say we were making sure Harry didn't get into trouble." She said, following Harry. Ron followed not a second later shaking his head.

"Yeah like we did for the last three years." He mumbled, running to catch up with them.

They managed to get outside the wards on the far side of the property, thanks to the boundary tour Minerva had taken Harry on in the previous week. As they passed through the magical boundary Harry didn't even pause as he continued to walk through the valley of Glencoe, paying little attention to anything around him as he walked further and further away from the one person he had found everything he wanted in. He knew though that if he died, which, if you took into account the last three years the chances were better than most, it would kill her. And he would rather her be sad for a while than dead. Squaring his shoulders and throwing a glare at Hermione and Ron, who were lagging behind he strode off into the Scottish Countryside, each step taking him further and further away from the woman he had come to love as his mother.

"Like I said," Ron whispered to Hermione, who just looked sick as they trudged behind Harry. "She is going to murder us."