A little longer then normal(4000 words), but I thought it would be appreciated. My spring break is this week so I'm going to be heading home and to be honest will probably be to lazy lounging out on the beach to write anything! That is my forewarning. I will not abandon this fic though, once I start something I finish it.

Thank you guys for all the kind words. I know I shouldn't let a few bad reviews get me down, but sometimes it's easier said then done. Thanks again! :)

The next morning Harry found himself waking up in his new bed in Minerva's quarters. Vaguely he remembered Remus waking him up in the hospital and telling him that Minerva was ok. Then, Remus picking him up and carrying him home and putting him to bed. Harry didn't know how he felt about all that had happened over the last day.

He was deeply upset that Minerva had been hurt all because of him. Something he could never forgive himself for and surely everyone else couldn't either. The strange thing was though was Remus and Snape had treated him like before. They hadn't cast him aside like they should have. Why had they still treated him like they cared? How could they still care about someone who caused so much pain to others.

A soft knock on his door broke Harry from his thoughts. Softly he called "come in" to whoever was behind the door. When the door opened Harry was slightly surprised to see Snape. Why did he still want to talk to him? Did he come to cast him aside as so many others have in the past. He deserved it after all he had hurt someone who cared for him.

Severus saw the tears forming in Harry's eyes. He quickly strode to the boys side and sat on the edge of the bed. "Talk to me Harry. What's wrong?" He gently smoothed the stray hairs out of Harry's face and cupped is cheek in a loving manner. It was too much for Harry and he broke down in tears of sorrow and confusion.

When Harry had broken down Severus untucked Harry and gently lifted Harry into his arms. Sitting on the bed he situated Harry so that he was draped sideways across his lap and his head was resting on his shoulder. As soon as Harry's head landed on Severus's shoulder he turned and buried it in his robes. "Shhhh it's ok Harry. Minerva is going to be just fine, she's even coming home today. Everything will be fine."

Severus's words were meant to calm Harry down, but they only seemed to increase his sobbing. Hearing the now frantic sobs Severus pulled Harry away from his shoulder a bit so that he could look Harry in the eye. "Harry, please tell me what's wrong. Let me help you."

Through all the tears that continued to stream down Harry's face he managed to get out two words. "My fault." Hearing that Severus tightened his hold on the child and pulled him back to his chest. Gently rocking him and rubbing his back Severus fought control over his own emotions.

Once he had gotten a grip on his emotions Severus schooled his face into a gentle, but stern expression. "Look at me Harry." Harry hesitantly turned his head ready to be pushed away from the warm embrace any moment. "This is not your fault Harry. Did you force Minerva to protect you?" Severus paused and waited for a nod or shake of the head. When one didn't come he rephrased the question. "Harry did you make Minerva stand in front of you?" This time Severus received a shake of the head. Relieved Severus continued. "How is this your fault then if you did not make Minerva stand in front of you?"

Harry paused and thought, really thought. Everything had always been his fault as long as he could remember even if he had not been there. It just had to be his fault and now Snape was telling him different? How is that possible? Tears still cascading down his face he managed to mumble, "I don't know sir, it just is".

Severus would have held Harry even closer if it was possible. "Oh Harry. None of this is your fault. Do you hear me, none of this. Your relatives might have blamed you for everything bad that happened, but it was simply not your fault. They were wrong, they could have been no further from the truth."

Unbeknownst to Severus and Harry there was a figure watching from the doorway. Remus had stayed the night on the couch wanting to make sure his friend and cub were alright. He knew Sirius could handle being alone for one night and these two needed a close eye on them. Both fragile in their own way.

It warmed Remus's heart to see Severus using almost the same words he had told him all these years. Maybe he had made some progress with him after all. Remus watched the two for a few more moments and then made his presence known. He came into the room and sat down on the bed next to Severus. Remus gently messed up Harry's already messy mop of hair. "Hi cub. You know what Severus says is true. None of this is your fault. Minerva chose to protect you herself. No one forced her to step in front of you. She did it because she cares deeply for you. We all do."

Harry buried his head back into Severus's robes and cried anew. This time though the tears were of relief and not grief. He was not going to be pushed away for the first time in his life.

After a long while, Harry had calmed down and was starting to believe it had not been his fault. Remus and Severus knew that Harry had not completely believed everything they had said, but it was a start. It was hard to make someone believe something in just a few hours that went against everything they had been taught their entire life.

When his tears had dried Remus took Harry from Severus and ushered him into the bathroom so he could get ready for the day. While Harry went into the bathroom Remus went back over to where Severus was still sitting and pulled him up into a big hug. "You are a kind man Severus. Lily would be proud as I am of how you are helping her son." Hugging Remus right back Severus rested his head on Remus's shoulder accepting the comfort. "Come now we have to get ready as well. I doubt Minerva would like seeing us in the state we are in now! Look at us, our clothes are all rumpled from sleeping in them and we have bags under our eyes!"

Severus gave a small chuckle and pulled back from the hug. "Your right Remus."

In an office higher up in the castle was an old man with his head in his hands. Albus was finally feeling his age. Just a few days ago he had found that the child he cared for like a grandchild had been mistreated at home and now his dear friend was in the hospital. It was like an avalanche, one thing after another. Albus sincerely wished that the worse was over, but he knew it was unlikely. They still had that damn trial to go through.

At least Minerva was going to recover and he had found her attacker. Rita Skeeter, he had been her Headmaster for seven years and had never thought she could do such a thing. He had been wrong though and she now had a lovely cell in Azkaban for casting a cutting curse meant to kill. Rita had confessed right away saying that she was annoyed and Minerva had deserved it. It was almost as if the poor woman had gone mad.

As to why no one had come to help his poor friend baffled Albus. So far, he had attributed it to the bystander effect. The poor dear had been in an alley way bleeding to death and those who saw her probably thought someone else would do something to help. So no one had done anything. She had lied there in a pool of her own blood for an hour while people avoided looking at her. Sometimes people today disgusted Albus.

Sighing Albus got up from his chair and went to the door. He and Severus were going to go pick up Minerva in a few hours and he had to at least change his robes from yesterdays. He could just imagine the scolding he would get from Minerva if she saw him in the same attire. Just imagining the scolding made Albus move even quicker.

When Albus deemed himself clean enough to not be scolded by Minerva he headed down to fetch Severus. They still had an hour to kill before they had to go pick her up, but he wanted to tell Severus and Harry that her attacker had been caught. He hoped that it would bring the two some kind of comfort.

Knocking on Minerva's door he was just a bit surprised to see Remus answer. Then, he remembered that he and Severus had apparently been friends for a long time. It was Remus after all who had convinced Severus to tell him about his home life. He would never forget that day.

Putting that thought to the back of his mind Albus followed Remus into the living room. Sitting in a comfortable chair Albus gave Remus a searching look. "Where are Severus and Harry?"

Remus gave Albus a warm smile. "Harry is taking a shower and Severus is getting changed. We all had a trying day yesterday." Remus eyes Albus and noticed the dark circles under Albus's eyes. "I see you did as well. How are you doing?"

Albus brushed Remus's comment off. "I'm fine Remus, I'll be better when Minerva is back under this roof though. I actually came to tell the three some news about the attack."

Remus nodded agreeing to the silent message. "We should wait for the others."

While they waited for Severus to come back up from the dungeon and Harry to finish cleaning up they talked about meaningless subjects such as quidditch and where to get the best wool socks. Surprisingly the later was a turned into a longer conversation then the first. Who would have thought that one would have so much to say about wool socks? Remus now knew what to get the Headmaster for Christmas though.

When Harry came out of the shower Remus was still shaking his head and laughing over the conversation they had just had. Harry came over and sat next to Remus on the couch. "What's so funny?"

Between chuckles Remus managed to get out, "Harry, your Headmaster will never cease to surprise me".

Harry looked questionably at the two and pointed to Remus. "Is he ok Professor?"

Just then Severus walked into the room and took in the sight of the two laughing adults and the confused boy. "Harry, may I ask what has come over these two?" Severus pointed at the two chuckling adults with a raised eyebrow.

Harry looked over at Severus. "I don't know sir. I think they both may have gone mad."

Severus's eyebrows raised all the way to his hairline. "I knew the old geezer over there was going senile, but Remus-" Severus strode over and placed a hand on Remus's forehead. "-are you really going mad as well?" This just made the chuckles turn into full-blown laughs.

Harry was looking at the two laughing adults starting to see Severus was now merely teasing the two. "Sir, I think we might have to call an insane asylum."

Severus was now laughing along with the other adults and Harry couldn't help, but laugh along.

After everyone had calmed down to just smiles, Albus decided to get down to business. It was soon approaching the time when they had to head to the hospital to pick up Minerva. "Boys, I actually have some good news for you." Everyones ears perked up at his announcement, neither one of them had heard any good news of late. "While you three were at the hospital yesterday I tracked down who attacked our dear Minerva. Rita Skeeter is now behind bars and will never hurt anyone again."

Severus let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thank you Albus" was all he was able to say. He didn't want to lose it in front of Harry so he was trying to reign his emotions in. He still couldn't believe how close he had come to losing his former teacher.

Looking at Severus Albus gave him a soft look. "My boy I think you and I should get going and fetch the old lady. She must be driving the poor staff insane." Severus nodded.

Remus turned to Harry. "Hey Harry, while these two are off gathering your head of house would you like to see your friends?" Slowly Harry nodded and Remus gave him a warm smile. "Would you like them to come here to your room or would you like to go to your common room?"

Harry looked down into his lap and looked a little sheepish. "If you don't mind I would like it if they came here." Harry looked up and gave a hopeful look. "C...can you be here as well?"

With a kind smile Remus put his arm around Harry's shoulders in a side long hug. "Yes Harry, I believe that can be arranged."

Severus and Albus then got up and headed to the floo. Before he left though, Severus turned to Harry. "We'll just be a little while Harry, you know what to do if you need us." Harry nodded his head and remembered the coin in his pocket.

After the two left, Remus got up and went over to the door. "Would you like to walk with me and gather your friends or would you like to wait here?"

Harry hesitated. He would like to see what was going on in the school. Even though he had just been absent a few days it had felt like forever. On the other hand, he didn't know if he wanted to be around so many people. It had been fine before anyone had known about his home life, but now he felt so...exposed. Finally, Harry nodded his head. "I would like to walk with you sir, but could I wait outside the common room?" That way he could see what was happening, but not get pulled into all the gossip he was sure his house mates had made up.

Remus nodded and waved at him to come to the door so they could leave.

Walking through the halls wasn't so bad. He was actually surprised at the lack of gossip he heard from the passing students. It greatly pleased him though, maybe he hadn't attracted much attention this time. He then thought back to all the other time he had thought that exact thought and almost snorted aloud. Fat chance that would happen. The people they passed were probably just containing themselves around him.

As they were walking through the halls Remus kept a sharp eye on Harry. He had vowed that at the slightest sign of distress he would whisk the boy back to Minerva's rooms. He knew this was just the wolf inside him being overprotective of his cub, but couldn't help it. Sometimes those instincts were just to strong, especially when it came to protecting the ones he loved. He had been lucky that when Minerva had told them about Harry that he had been with Sirius. If he hadn't worried so much about Sirius rushing into danger he probably would have been the one to hunt down the Dursleys.

When they had reached the fat lady Remus shook those thoughts out of his head and turned to give Harry a long searching look. "I'm going to go in and see if Ron and Hermione are there. Is there anyone else you would like to see?"

"Can you see if Neville is there too?" Came Harry's small voice. Remus sighed it seemed the closer they had come to his common room the smaller Harry had become. After giving Harry one more look, he patted him on the shoulder and said the password to enter.

Just a few moments later Remus came out with three people in tow giving him curious glances. As soon as the three saw Harry though, they ran up to him and Hermione gave him a huge hug. Harry was very proud of himself for containing the massive flinch that would have escaped if he had not expected Hermione to launch herself on him. He smiled, he really did know his friends too well.

Hermione pulled back from squishing Harry. "Oh Harry, it's so good to see you. I know it's only been two days, but we missed you!"

Harry smiled and gave a little laugh. "I missed you guys too." It was true too. Even though he had appreciated the adults presence and comfort he had really missed his friends.

Remus was glad to see the smile on Harry's face. This really had been a good idea. Giving a smile of his own, he turned to the four children. "Harry, would you like to go back to your room to talk or would you like to go somewhere else?"

Harry turned to his friends excitedly. "Would you guys like to se my room in Professor Mcgonagall's quarters?"

Three sets of eyes widened in shock. Finally, it was Ron who nodded his head first. The other two quickly followed suit, still to shocked to say anything. When Professor Mcgonagall had told them that Harry was fine the morning after Harry had run away they had never expected this outcome, but at the same time were pleased. It was time that the teachers looked after Harry.

Remus saw the three heads nod and beckoned them to follow him. The five walked in a comfortable silence with Harry's three friends surrounding him supportively.

Arriving at Minerva's quarters three of the four children looked nervous. None of them had really been In a Professor's personal quarters before. This was going to be a new experience for them. Remus opened the door and the four students followed Remus inside.

When Harry had come here for the first time or since he had never really noticed any of the details. He had a tendency not to be observant. The three by his side though stared openly. None of them quite believing that their head of house lived this comfortably. Although this was Hogwarts where everything was a little over the top. As soon as the three stopped their staring Harry led them over to his room and had to deal with them gobsmacked all over again.

"Come on guys, it's just a room." Harry at this point was a little exasperated at his friends. When he heard Remus chuckle somewhere in the background he let out a sign and then led the three open mouthed teens into his room.

When three mouths finally closed Harry let out another sign. "So what do you guys think?" As soon as Harry had asked his question he knew it was the wrong thing to say. When all three started to talk at once Harry let out a little chuckle. "One at a time please. I can't hear all of you at once."

The other three gave Harry sheepish smiles and Ron was the first to break the new found silence. "It's brilliant Harry. Why do you have a new room though?"

Harry sighed he knew this question would come sooner or later, but he had been hoping for later. "Well, the Dursleys are no longer my guardians at least in the magical world. I still have to go to court in the muggle world to be free of them for good. Mcgonagall gave me this room soon after and said I could stay with her as long as I wanted."

Very quietly Hermione asked the question everyone in the room wanted to know. "That's great that you no longer have to go back to the Dursleys, but why now?"

Ron had a good idea why, but he needed to hear Harry say it and so did the others so he kept his mouth closed.

Harry looked down and seemed busy studying the comforter on his bed. Finally, after a while Harry answers her question in a shaky voice. "Well, when Mcgonagall found me that night she ummmm found out some other things."

Gently Hermione wrapped her arm around Harry's shoulders. "What did she find out Harry?"

"Well, the Dursleys don't really like magic and they kind of got angry at me when I accidentally did anything. They...they..."

Harry looked about to break down so Hermione stopped him and pulled him into a hug. "You don't need to say anything else Harry, we understand." They did understand too, when Remus had come to get them he had told them that Harry was a bit fragile at the moment and that he had been hurt. Putting two and two together after what had just happened had been easy.

When Harry pulled back it was with a grateful smile. "Thanks guys...for understanding." Three smiles meet Harry.

Neville had been quiet up until this point, but he took this moment to get his two cents in. "Were always here for you Harry."

The four then turned to more pleasant topics of what had been going on and what Harry had missed. Two days seem like a short time to be away, but at Hogwarts it seemed like an eternity. The four chatted amicably until Remus quietly knocked on the door frame alerting them to his presence.

Smiling Remus looked at the four on the bed. "I hate to say this, but I think it might be time for you three to go back to your dorm. I heard that you have a ton of homework and I bet you would like to get that finished." The three next to Harry nodded obediently and got up to leave. Neither one of them left without giving Harry a hug goodbye though.

When the three had left Remus smiled at Harry. "How are you doing Harry?"

A smile graced Harry's face and then he hugged the werewolf fiercely "Thank you Remus."

Remus hugged Harry back with as much vigor. "You're very welcome Harry. Minerva will be home soon, would you like to start on your school work? Before he left, Severus brought some for you to work on. You don't want to get too behind the others."

Harry nodded and pulled away from the hug. "Can you help me if I have trouble though?"

Remus gave a short nod. "You know I will." He then went to gather the things Severus brought and placed them on the kitchen table. Harry followed and sat down to begin his work.

When Minerva, Severus and Albus entered the room twenty minutes later that was how they found the two. At the kitchen table hunched over school books.