A/N: Hello all. Long-time no see. Thank you all the people still following this. We're slowly getting to the end. I'm tossing up the idea of taking a little break from the Births and Deaths series at the end of this story, but it's not for a while yet, so nobody panic ;)
Life is returning to normal after the holidays, I'm back at work, so that might give me a little bit of structure to start writing in a timely fashion! Although it's been so hot here in Auz, it really makes you not want to do anything at all…

Once again thanks to Spin, who is amazing at making my somewhat confused little chapters into something readable!

-0-

"Mr Potter?"

Harry paused mid-step in the busy corridor as Minerva called out his name. Nodding his friends on, he waited for her to catch up.

"Mr Potter, a word if you please," she said, nodding towards the closest empty classroom.

"Um, Máthair, what's going on?" he asked, feeling confused.

"Nothing is going on, I just wanted to make sure you were alright," she said nonchalantly.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" he asked, sighing. He knew what she was doing, she'd been doing it for the last few weeks, checking up on him now that school was back and he didn't have as much time to spend with her.

"No, I just, I don't know, how is the clue coming along?" she asked, waving away her previous concerns.

"Fine," he shrugged. To be honest he was no further along with the clue about mermaids in the lake than he was when he first heard the contents of the egg. He wasn't going to tell her that though.

"Fine? Are you sure? I, I know I'm not allowed to help you per se, but if there's anything you need, I can help." She cupped his chin, making him meet her eyes. "I will help you mo mhac [my son]."

"Máthair, I, really, I'm okay, I don't need help. I– I need to get to class."

He left before she could reply and in his heart he knew he was being unfair. She'd done nothing but love him and care from him, and he loved her, just as much as she loved him, definitely, but the TriWizard Tournament and the teasing and everything was all piling up on top of him and right now he just wanted to figure this out on his own. Besides, he really didn't want her to get in trouble with the Ministry or anything. That was all they needed – more people poking into their lives.

-0-

January passed in a flurry of mid-term exams with Minerva trying to enforce the importance of their OWLs next year, and before they knew it, there was only a week to go before the next event.

Harry was still no nearer to solving the clue. They'd thought about using some sort of spell to drain the lake, but Harry just couldn't get the hang of it and the more they thought about it the more impractical it became. They kept it in reserve though, just in case the Second Task came around and they really couldn't find another way.

He missed his map more than he thought he would. Since finding out it had been created by his father, Sirius and Remus, he had always tried to keep it on his person, as a tie to his past, even though he loved Minerva. It was one of the only tangible things he had of his father's apart from his invisibility cloak and he desperately wanted it back.

-0-

"Enter."

Minerva opened the office door to the Defence Against the Dark Arts office and entered, as she was asked to, looking around curiously as she did. It was Alastor all over. There were foe glasses, sneakascopes and all manner of things that he could use to his advantage, including a very large trunk in the corner no doubt filled with more mysterious items.

"Minerva."

Alastor stood and walked around the desk, stopping quite close to her side, making her grimace a little at the lack of distance between them

"Alastor, yes, I was wondering if you knew anything about the Second Task. I realise that we are not supposed to aid our students, but I imagine Mr Potter and Mr Diggory would be grateful of all the help we can give them."

"I know that Diggory has it under control. Potter, I'm not so sure."

Minerva tried very hard to keep the frown off her face.

"I was under the impression that Mr Potter had figured out the clue."

"Oh he has, he just doesn't seem to be doing anything about it."

"Oh," she said, trying to keep her face straight once again. "Well, clearly he –" She stopped talking as she stared at the piece of parchment on Moody's desk. "Professor, what is that?"

The other teacher moved behind his desk and scooped the parchment up, about to fold it when Minerva's harshest tone cut across the room.

"Where did you get that?"

"I removed it from a student as punishment."

Minerva met the man's natural eye, not all that surprised to see both of them looking straight at her.

"I'll have that back please," she said holding out her hand. "I will return it to the student."

She locked her jaw and steeled her resolve as he stepped towards her.

"I can hand it back on my own thank you, Professor. What I want to know is why the sudden interest in Potter?"

Minerva was so confused at the man's behaviour. The Alastor she remembered was gruff, but kind to his friends. The Alastor she knew would have bent over backwards at her request and she couldn't help but get the feeling, again, that something was wrong here.

"Alastor, Mr Potter is, as you know, caught up amidst some curiosity as to why he was entered into the Tournament to begin with, and I admit I do not want him disadvantaged, or embarrassed by proceedings, so, I ask you again, if you could please hand me the parchment and I will be on my way."

Reluctantly, Alastor handed the parchment over, both eyes still fixed on Minerva.

"I'll make sure he gets what he needs," he grumbled.

Minerva clenched the fist not holding the parchment and nodded, turning to leave the small office that suddenly felt rather claustrophobic.

She did not stop until she was in her rooms where she leant against the closed door, sighing in relief as a candle spluttered to life.

"Minerva?"

"Oh, Albus, you scared me!" she said, pressing a hand to her chest.

"Darling, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I just had a word with Alastor. Have you noticed anything different about him lately?" she asked, folding up Harry's parchment and placing it in the pocket of her robes. She'd talk to him about it later. Perhaps after the challenge was completed and he was in her arms safe and sound.

"No, I can't say that I have. Are you still worried there's something going on, because I can tell you my dear that I am quite sure there's nothing out of balance right now."

"But –"

"No Minerva, I know you are worried about Harry tomorrow, but I am afraid I have something else to tell you that you will not like."

"What is it?" she said, leaning tiredly against her desk and letting her head drop into her hands. This Tournament was far more trouble than it was worth and the further they got through it the more she was convinced it had been a terrible idea.

"The next Task, as you know, is a challenge under the Black Lake," he said so carefully that Minerva was certain she would not enjoy how this would turn out. "The Champions will have to seek that which is most precious to them."

"And?" she said with a frown, not understanding what he was saying.

"In a few hours I will ask you to go and retrieve Ron and Hermione. They will take a sleeping potion and be suspended under the lake for the champions to retrieve."

"Albus, you cannot be serious!" she gaped, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"I am indeed, Minerva," he said with a sigh. "It cannot be helped."

"CANNOT BE HELPED?" she screamed turning on him, her blood coursing through her veins. "Of course it can be helped! You cannot do this, I forbid it."

"Minerva you cannot, you know you cannot," he said quietly as she paced in front of his desk.

"And why not? I let you, against my better judgment, allow MY SON to participate in this folly and now you wish to involve the other children as well. You must be losing your mind if you thought I would agree to this."

"Minerva, it is already happening – Miss Delacour will rescue her sister; Mr Diggory – Miss Chang; Mr Krum – Hermione; and Harry will be fetching Ron."

"How does that make me feel better?" she asked, glaring at him. "These are my children, MINE!" she said, blinking away the traitorous tears in her eyes. "I need to keep them safe."

"Min," he said gently, finally rounding the desk and taking her in his arms. "They are not our children. They are not ours any more than any other is. We love them, yes, but we cannot stop this without revealing things we do not want to reveal. Please Min, trust me. Trust me as you always have."

"Trust!" she said with a snort, pushing out of his arms. "You say that as if it is so easy."

She moved from his immediate vicinity, looking out of his window over the Black Lake. "You say it as if it is easy to do as you say, follow where you lead, like it is nothing." She rounded on him, tears rolling down her face. "It is not easy Albus, and you do not try to make it more so."

"I'm sorry, love," he said with a sigh. She heard him move until he was standing behind her, wrapping his arms around her body with his head resting on her shoulder. "I wish I could make it better, I wish there was something I could do, but Minerva, you know as well as I that the rumours will not be quashed. There are stirrings in the darkness."

"Yes, but Albus that shouldn't matter to how you run this school," she said pushing out of his arms for a second time. "My son is WELL below the age to participate in this competition and yet you are using him like a pawn."

"Minerva, I am doing everything in my power to keep him out of harm's way and to keep you –to keep everyone – safe. I persuaded them to negate the use of a charm to determine what is most special to the Champions, otherwise it would be you under that lake. I am trying, Minerva."

"Albus," she said, still angry with him, "you have absolutely no idea how true that comment is. Please do not come to me tonight. Just –"

"Minerva, please, this is not about us."

"How can you say that? After all we've been through and now you're saying that it's not about us? That I should perhaps just spend the night with you whenever you feel like it?"

"No, that's not what I was saying Minerva. I simply don't think you need to ban me from your side."

"Albus, you are so far into your little plans, your little machinations that you cannot see that your family is under attack," she said looking into his eyes, pleading with him to see the sense in her words. "After Harry and the way you feel about him and then, then when I lost our child, Albus, to me, family is the most important thing in my life right now and you are making it sorely difficult. Harry will not talk to me and he thinks I don't see why. He thinks that I don't know how hard everyone is making his life with their teasing and horrid words, and he thinks I don't know that by not speaking to me before this next task that he's protecting me. My son is doing more to protect this family than you have done all year. I thought we talked about this, I thought you were with me, but perhaps not."

"I can't talk to you about this. Expect my Floo-call later about fetching the children please," he said, storming from the room and slamming the door.

"Well said, my love," Isobel McGonagall said from her portrait. "You are learning how to be a mother and you are excelling at it more and more with every passing day."

"Thank you Màthair, however, it doesn't quite help me keep my family together now, does it?" she said sadly, thankful that she had no more lessons that day and could curl up on her window seat and think for a while.

"I have Alastor helping Harry, but I do not trust that man, and I know in my heart that there is something not right there. But you've seen Albus, he's so against listening that I can't help but do nothing."

"Mo nighean [My daughter], I know you must go and fetch Ronald and Hermione later, but perhaps once you've done that you can spend the evening with Harry? Spend some time with him making sure that he knows you love him and that you understand what he's going through. Tell him that he is not alone, piseag [kitten]; remind him that he has a family. Is treasa dithis a' dol thar àn àtha na fad' o chèile [Two should stay together when crossing a ford]."

"I never did understand that saying of Athair's [Father's]," Minerva sighed, tracing the edge of the window wistfully.

"I believe it simply means to stick together in times of hardship," Isobel said gently, smiling when Minerva looked up at her.

"I'm sorry we never got on this well when I was a lass, Màthair. I do not imagine I was a very easy wee one to cope with."

"On the contrary, mo chridhe [my heart]. I was not a natural Màthair, but I am glad we can share even this small part of what we have now."

"Aye, I am too," Minerva said, feeling better for her talk. "I think I will invite Harry here tonight. He needs it and Merlin knows I could do with it too."

"Good. Go and do your work lass, so you can spend some time with do mach [your son]."

Minerva laughed, but did as she was told.

"Tha Màthair [Yes mother]," she said cheekily as she started on her marking.

-0 -

Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the library when Minerva appeared behind them, clearing her throat to get their attention.

"Oh, Professor, we were just, um…" Hermione said, looking sideways at Harry.

"We were studying, Professor," Harry said easily, looking up at his Màthair.

"Very well. Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, if you can accompany me to my office. Mr Potter, I would like to see you there a little later, perhaps seven o'clock?"

"Um, sure Professor," he said with a shrug.

"We'll come back and help you with your, um, study a bit later, okay?" Ron said with a nod, glancing at Minerva.

"Okay," Harry said nodding back.

He watched them walk away, wondering why Minerva needed those two and not him as well. A small part of him wanted her to need him, but he turned back to the books laid out in front of him and sighed, feeling so utterly exhausted that he couldn't help but fold his arms over the books and lay his head down.

"Mister Harry Potter? Mister Harry Potter!"

Harry jumped awake as someone shouted his name down his ear and shook him quite strongly.

"What? Dobby? What are you doing?"

"Mister Harry Potter is going to be late for his McGonagally visit if he doesn't hurry, but Dobby has brought something else for Harry Potter."

Harry blearily looked over at the little house elf and started at the strange lump of, something, in his hand.

"Dobby, what on earth is that?" he asked, peering closer.

"Dobby has brought Harry Potter Gillyweed. Harry Potter will need it for the lake swim tomorrow," he said, plopping it down on the desk next to the books that Harry had been pretending to pore over.

"Wait, Dobby, what do I do with it?" he asked, staring at the strange item uneasily.

"Harry Potter must swallow it. It will help him breathe, but you must go or you'll be late for your McGonagally."

Harry glanced at his watch, cursing as quietly as he could when he saw it was half past seven. Madam Pince gave him a hard stare as he practically ran from the library and up to his mother's rooms.

"Hi Godric," he said, panting with his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

"Hello young Master Potter, she's been waiting for you," he said with a wink, opening the portrait without another word and letting him go up.

"Harry!" she said with a smile when he threw open the door.

"Màthair, I'm sorry, I fell asleep in the library then I was talking to Do– um, Dennis," he said, frowning at the silly lie.

"It's okay, a chiallain [my dear]," she said opening her arms. Harry only paused for a moment before falling into her, smiling as her arms wrapped around him tightly, as if suddenly shielding him from the whole world. "We should talk, my boy," she whispered as she kissed his hair.

"What about?"

"About this keeping me in the dark business," she said, making him feel about six inches tall.

"Um, I don't know what –"

"Harry, sweetheart," she said, cupping his face. "I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, the Head of Gryffindor and in love with the wizard who seems to know everything about this school. I do know what's going on, sweetheart; I know about the taunts and the problems and I am trying to help my darling, but you do not have to hide it from me."

Harry moved away from her. He couldn't meet her eyes, he didn't want to. It made him feel terrible that he'd made her think he didn't trust her.

"I didn't, I'm sorry," he said, gulping a little. "I didn't mean to keep it from you," he finished lamely with a sigh, knowing that wasn't true.

"You did, and I love you for it, young man. Come here, leanabh [baby]," she said patting the cushion next to her on the sofa.

"I'm sorry," he whispered again when he reached her side.

"Don't be sorry, just don't do it again. I am not all-knowing like Albus, but I have been a professor here for many years. I will not interfere unless I feel I have to, or you ask me to, but you do not have to suffer alone, mo mhac [my son], because you are most definitely not alone."

"Thank you," he breathed, snuggling into her side. For a moment he wondered if any of the other boys in his year did this at home with their mums. He knew Ron didn't, but then he reasoned that in fact, the other boys were nothing like him. They didn't have the same history or the same bond that he shared with Minerva. "Tha gaol agam ort [I love you]."

"As do I, my darling," Minerva said, pressing a long kiss to his temple. "As do I."

-0-

Minerva smiled as she buttoned up her teaching robes. She'd had a lovely time with Harry last night and she wanted to quickly nip into his room and take a peek at him before she left for breakfast. They had spent most of the evening talking about everything and nothing until Minerva had realised the time and sent him off to bed, feeling a little guilty at keeping him up so late on the night before the task. She'd checked on Hermione and Ron in the hospital wing where they'd been put under a sleeping potion just before she'd gone to sleep as well. Poppy had quite rightly insisted that the potion was administered the night before so that they could check that none of the contestants' friends had an adverse reaction.

As yet there was nothing to worry about.

"Dobby?" she called, as she laced up her boots, smiling as the eager elf popped into her room.

"Deputy Headmistress is calling me?" Dobby said with his eyes wide.

"Would you perhaps do me a favour? I kept Harry up far too late last night, and I'd appreciate it if you could make sure he was awake for the Challenge so he won't miss it."

"Yes Mrs Headmistress, Dobby will be's doing that for Mistress McGonagally," he said bowing almost to the floor. "Anything for Harry Potter's McGonagally."

"Thank you Dobby. I knew I could count on you. Just remember that that particular piece of information is not for anyone else to know."

"Dobby knows this, Professor," he said nodding enthusiastically. "Dobby will make sure."

"Thank you."

She chuckled as she walked to Harry's room, peering around the door to check on him and pausing as she took in his form, snuggled into the covers and snoring quietly. She sighed as she walked to his bed, perching on the edge and stroking his hair back.

"Tha gaol agam ort," she breathed, kissing him softly. "Please be careful today."

Trusting Dobby to do his job she went to breakfast, all the while trying not to think of Albus now that she had nothing else occupying her thoughts. Pulling herself together she stood tall and strode into the Hall, just as she did every day.

"Good morning, Minerva," Poppy said with a smile as she took her seat.

"Poppy, how are our 'treasures' today." She nodded to a few more of her colleagues but couldn't help but notice the empty seat next to hers where her lover usually sat.

"Morning, Minerva. I trust you slept well?" Filius said, helping himself to some breakfast. "No doubt you are worried about your Gryffindors?" he asked, passing her the coffee.

"I am," she said with a nod. "I think this whole Tournament is folly."

"Here here," Poppy said with a growl. "I've never in all my life heard of anything more ridiculous."

Minerva simply nodded and tucked into her eggs. It wouldn't do to start anything this morning. Not with so much resting on the Task before them.

"Well, at least it will be over soon," Filius placated her.

Breakfast talk moved onto more trivial things and Minerva tuned out, wishing that, despite her words the day before, Albus was beside her. She needed his solid presence to ground her, otherwise she felt like she was floating just above the earth and couldn't get back.

Realising with some consternation that he was not going to attend, she stood, announcing that everyone would be going down to the Black Lake this morning to watch the Second Task. There was a general din of scraping benches and the small cacophony of the student body moving down to the lake. She waited for as long as she could, hoping that Albus would appear to escort her, but instead she made do with Severus, who merely walked up to her and nodded in the direction of the doors.

He was a strange man, as much a shadow as the darkness he preferred to shroud himself in. He walked in silence, offering her nothing but the company of another. And she was grateful for it. Just before they reached their destination Severus stopped and peered at her. While she trusted him as much as he could be trusted, she still made sure her Occlumency shields were fully formed.

"Well done, Minerva," he said quietly. "Make sure you keep them solid. I would never confess to saying this, but good luck to your boy."

He stalked off towards the water, looking slightly out of place in his black billowing cloak and stern demeanour.

"Ah, Professor, good to see you," Percy Weasley said from behind her, his tone oozing self-importance as he rocked on his heels.

"Mr Weasley," she nodded. "Is Mr Crouch not with us today?"

She'd noticed the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation's absence at the Yule Ball, but she had other things to think of at the time and had not yet managed to ask Albus about it.

"Ah, yes, I'm afraid Mr Crouch is ill," Percy said, puffing out his chest. "I was sent in his stead, and I for one can't wait to watch our wonderful tournament. It's truly a testament of Wizarding brilliance and an important part of our history."

"Mr Weasley, you will excuse me from pontificating the importance of this ridiculous and somewhat barbaric tournament in favour of checking up on the young men and women who are about to send themselves to the bottom of a lake that nobody has been in for about forty years to rescue other students before the Merpeople supposedly retrieve them without harm. Good day to you."

She stormed off to the deck where she finally registered Albus' presence. He was standing talking to Argus Filch and she couldn't help but gravitate towards him as she moved down the pier.

"Pr'fess'a," Filch said creepily as he shuffled over to the starting cannon.

Albus stood looking at her for more than a short while before offering her his arm and leading her to a chair.

"I'll be back in just a moment," he whispered, before nodding to Ludo Bagman, who was waiting at the edge of the deck with three of the Champions at his side.

She suddenly realised that Harry was not among them and looked around a little frantically until she saw him sprinting down the path to join the others, looking flustered.

"Oh, Merlin preserve us," she whispered to herself, rolling her eyes.

Clearly Dobby was not quite as efficient as she thought.

She tuned out Ludo's self-important ramblings and concentrated on her bond with Harry, letting it strengthen when she felt his nerves crash into her consciousness like the Knight Bus. She sat in a meditative like-state, closing her eyes and concentrating on calming him with waves of assurance and love through their bond.

She was getting better at manipulating it to do what she wanted it. The nights spent practicing with Albus had helped that immensely.

Nothing like a bit of practice over and over again.

She smiled as she felt Albus sit down next to her and hand her a blanket. She robotically placed it over her knee, snuggling under it to escape the biting wind that seemed to pick up once everyone was ready for the Second Task to start.

She felt Albus' hand creep under the blanket and take hers in a solid grip and she saw Harry turn to look at her for a moment before Albus nodded and Filch let the cannon go.

She jumped, much to her consternation, but watched as three of the four Champions threw themselves into the water, many of them starting their Transfigurations or charm work before they broke the surface. But Harry was still looking at her. She began to panic just a little that he wasn't going to snap out of it, until Severus appeared at his side and in a move that was only visible to those sitting where she was, nudged him over the edge of the pier and into the water.

She felt his panic for a moment and realised this was far worse that the dragons of the First Task. This time she wouldn't be able to see what was happening and the only thing she could tell was how he was feeling. As she felt his panic overtake her, she realised someone was talking to her. Pulling herself reluctantly back to the here and now, she discovered that it was Albus leaning over and whispering nothing but sweet words into her ear, and she smiled, calming her breath and reaffirming her shields so that only a fraction of Harry's feelings could trickle in.

"That's it, love. You're doing well," he breathed, his thumb drawing maddening circles on her wrist.

"I'm sorry, Albus," she said quietly, glancing at him for a moment before looking hopefully into the water.

"You were right. I apologise also," he replied. "I have instructed Merchieftainess Murcus to make sure he makes it back to us unharmed. She has assured me that this will happen."

Minerva simply nodded and waited for time to pass, feeling like it was moving against her as she waited for her son to return to her.

-0-

There was a flurry of activity as Miss Delacour surfaced and from that moment, Minerva's heart was in her mouth.

The young woman hadn't managed to reach her sister, and she could only hope that Harry was somewhere safe, or as safe as he could be and currently retrieving Ron so they could all go back, get warm and have a quiet afternoon recovering their nerves together.

She clapped like the dutiful Deputy Headmistress she was when Cedric Diggory appeared at the surface, noting absently that his bubble-head charm was really rather good and then they waited. Ten minutes later a rather grotesque looking Victor Crum emerged from the depths and Minerva rushed to the edge to retrieve Hermione from Albus and wrap her up in a blanket.

"I'm fine," she whispered when Minerva squeezed her shoulder a little. "I'm cold, is all."

Minerva quickly waved a warming spell over her as Poppy passed the young woman some chocolate.

"Did you see Harry on your way back?" Minerva asked, peering out to the rippling lake.

"No, I didn't wake up until just before we reached the surface. It was not that pleasant an experience."

Minerva winked at her and let the crowd cajole her a little, watching as Hermione's fellow Gryffindors welcomed her back, while some of them teased her gently about being Victor Krum's lost treasure.

"Albus, where is Harry?" she said quietly, feeling the tension rising in her mind. "I think, I think he's in trouble," she said with a gasp as his panic blew through her shields and nearly forced her to her knees.

"Courage Minerva, he will be alright," Albus said, wrapping her arm around his own in a bid to help her stand, without raising suspicion.

"Albus, he's, I can't stop it!" she said, feeling her own panic rising as she struggled to keep her feet.

"Minerva, look at me," he instructed firmly.

She looked into his eyes and felt his warm hands holding hers and suddenly it got better. She breathed deeply, taking in his scent and the smell of the loch and the pine trees around them when suddenly there was a shout that pierced through to her very soul.

"HE'S HERE!"

The crowd roared as Harry broke the surface, coughing violently with Ron and the Delacour girl as well. She leaned against the scaffolding with a huge sigh of relief as she waited for Alastor to hurl him from the water.

"You idiot!" Ron said, nudging him. "We weren't in any danger, you should have left her."

Minerva moved closer, taking up a position behind Harry. She was close enough for him to know she was there, but not close enough for others to see anything other than a concerned Head of House.

"Oh Harry, I'm so proud of you, don't listen to him!" Hermione said, rushing to hug him and pushing him back a little so that Minerva could squeeze his hand.

She thanked Hermione with a smile and turned to see Albus deep in conversation with the Merchieftainess.

"Attention!" he said, making his voice echo across the lake. "The positions are as follows: Cedric Diggory in first place, Victor Krum, second. Harry Potter came in third, and Miss Delacour I am afraid did not finish." There was a general smattering of applause, but everyone, like Minerva, seemed to realise that all was not as it appeared. "However, after a discussion with Chieftainess Murcus, it has come to our attention that Mr Potter in fact made it to the Mermaid Village first, but refused to leave before he knew that his fellow Champions lost treasures were safe as well. With this in mind, I am awarding Mr Harry Potter –"

He paused and Minerva could feel the tension rolling off Harry even without the bond.

"– joint first place."

The stands erupted into noise and even Minerva couldn't help but grin as Harry was clapped on the back and congratulated, even by Mr Krum, who shrugged off Karkaroff to shake the boy's hand.

Minerva felt her heart swelling and she wondered vaguely if the people around her could see the pride that was surely glowing from her as she stood watching her son and his friends. She knew there would be a party later – there was always a party, especially if Fred and George had anything to do with it – and spying an opportunity to speak to them she made her way over, fixing them with a stare.

"Boys, what are you up to?" she said, frowning when she saw their faces. "What is it?"

"Nothing Professor, just a disagreement of sorts," Fred said, elbowing George when he looked like he wanted to say more.

She paused for a moment, looking at them both as they waited for her. Something was definitely going on, and if she wasn't mistaken, it had something to do with Ludo Bagman, though what they could be mixed up with she had no idea.

"Well, alright then, absolutely no Firewhiskey this afternoon people, you all have lessons tomorrow and I am expecting three young guests in my quarters a little after the party winds down, do I make myself clear?"

"Absolutely," Fred said with a wink.

"Not a problem Mother-McG," George replied, laughing as they ran out of range of a surreptitious stinging hex. "We'll get right on it."

Minerva chuckled as she watched the boys run off to only they knew where and waited until most of the other spectators had left as well.

"Coming, Minerva?" Albus asked as he appeared at her side.

"Certainly," she said taking his arm. "I think that's enough for one day."