Memory XXXIII:

Minerva was pacing her quarters nervously and deep in thoughts. Finally, she gave in to her uneasiness and went to see Professor Dumbledore.

He watched her entrance concerned.

'Anything wrong, Tabby?'

'I cannot help it, Albus. I am just so worried about Harry.' She sighed and sat down in front of his desk. 'He is everything I wished for – a brave and wonderful Gryffindor. It is great to finally have him in Hogwarts. I just wish he would be more careful and not run into trouble constantly. And seeing him unconscious in this hospital bed has just unnerved me. Are you sure he is okay with these awful muggles?'

Dumbeldore sighed as well. 'Minerva, he recovered just fine. I allowed him three days with Ronald Weasley and his family to get over this incident with the Philosopher's Stone first. I am sure Molly did everything to cheer him up and spoil him a bit. But now he has to be back with the Dursleys'.'

Minerva looked down but Dumbledore could still tell her emotions were in quite a turmoil.

'I see. Thanks for sending him to the Burrow first. I will leave you to your work again. Sorry for disturbing.' She got up again.

'You never disturb me, Min.' he smiled at her when she left his office.

Back in her office, she kept pacing. She shook her head then and impulsively took some floo powder and stepped into her fireplace. 'The Burrow'

She arrived in the kitchen's fireplace a second later and was met by the Weasley's astonished faces.

'Professor McGonagall' the twins and Ron were calling simultaneously.

'Anything wrong, Minerva?' Molly and Arthur were looking at her questioningly.

'Ah, no. Not really. Sorry for the interruption. Molly, may I just have a minute with you?'

If Mrs Weasley was surprised about the request she did not show it.

'Yes, of course. Why don't we go for a short walk? The garden is a bit messy right now – it needs to be de-gnomed again soon.'

'Sure.' Professor McGonagall's tone was back to normal and the kids were happy to get rid of their teacher again.

Mrs Weasley and their Head of House left the house and went towards the cornfields. They did not speak until they reached the fields.

Mrs Weasley stopped and looked at McGonagall with worry. 'Minerva, what brings you here. Something is bothering you, I can tell.'

'I am sorry, Molly, it seems completely crazy now that I am here. It is just… Albus told me you had young Mr Potter here for the first three days of the holidays? Well, he is in my house and has no caring family really. I was wondering whether he really is okay after the events at school? I have not had the chance to speak to him before he left, so… Well, you see I worry about my Gryffindor cubs…' she trailed of not sure whether her rambling made any sense to Molly.

She felt the heat creeping up her face and was ashamed to blush like an embarrassed girl.

Molly waited patiently until Minerva was looking at her again. She squeezed her arm reassuringly.

'He is coping very well, Minerva. You do not need to worry. But why don't you tell me the real reason you are so worried about Harry?' she inquired softly.

Minerva just stared at her. Then she smiled sadly.

'Well, I guess I was never good with excuses. It is a long story, Molly.' She sighed.

'I am sure my family can survive without me for a while longer. Let's sit down by the pond – we have a bench near the big one.'

She led the way and made herself comfortable on the bench. Then she patted next to herself.

'Come. Sit down.' Minerva complied.

'I don't even know where to start, Molly.'

'Well, go as far back as you need to.' Mrs Weasley put her hand on Minerva's arm to encourage her.

'It starts with me and Lily actually. You know that we had become very close friends over the years. Lily had even regarded me as a mother at some point since her own family had abandoned her. And when she was pregnant, James and Lily have asked me to become Harry's godmother – together with Sirius. Well, I agreed happily and we had the ceremony shortly after his birth. It was all very secret already since the Dark Lord was hovering above everything. And then, all went wrong…' Minerva's last sentence was a desperate whisper and Molly squeezed her arm reassuringly.

'What happened to separate you from Harry?'

'Albus forced me into giving up on Harry. Mainly for his safety, of course. He needed the blood protection of his family – and only the Dursleys' could offer that. Besides, I was a member of the Order and therefore, a clear enemy and a target for any Death Eater and the Dark Lord himself.' She sighed and went on sadly.

'I tried to keep an eye on Harry whenever I could – but there have not been many occasions. And every time I went there it broke my heart to see how they denied him every bit of love and nurturance.' Her voice broke and she brushed away a tear which had escaped the corner of her eyes.

Molly Weasley pulled Minerva into a tight hug and stroked her back while the strong witch started to cry.

'Oh Minerva, I am so sorry.'

She kept soothing her fellow Order member and friend.

'It must have been hell for you this year at school. To see him every day but not being able to be close to him and letting him know.'

Minerva sniffed and nodded into Molly's shoulder.

'You can be very proud of the little fellow, Minerva. He is a wonderful boy – a great mix between Lily and James. Stay strong for him!' Minerva pulled back a little and nodded once more – a small smile lit up her face.

'And whenever the pressure gets too much and you need a shoulder to cry on – please come and see me. I will watch over Harry for you whenever he is here.' Molly smiled at Minerva and brushed away a tear.

Minerva s straightened her back and took a deep breath. 'Thank you, Molly. So much.'

They sat in silence for a while – Molly thinking about this revelation and Minerva trying to regain her composure.

'I would like to fill Arthur in, if you don't mind, Minerva?'

'That will be fine. Not anybody else though.'

'Of course not. You can count on us.'

'I know.'

'Shall we join the others now?'

'I think I am not a good company right now. I should head back to Hogwarts. Thank you for everything.'

'Anytime, Minerva.'

They walked back to the house where Arthur was waiting for them in the kitchen. Ron and Ginny were sitting at the table still – the other kids were running around noisily.

'Sorry for the interruption, Arthur. I am afraid I need to go back to Hogwarts. I will speak to you soon. Enjoy the holidays Mr Weasley' she addressed Ron in her typical teacher's tone.

Ron mumbled an irritated 'Thank you' and watched his Head of House disappear through the fireplace.

Present:

Harry sat back in his chair. He was glad that Molly Weasley of all the Order members had been the one Minerva confided in. He liked Mrs Weasley a lot and he was sure that her motherly and warm personality had been very comforting and supportive for Minerva as well.

Harry moved to the living room and started a cosy fire. He brewed a cup of tea and prepared a light dinner for Minerva and himself. She must be back shortly he thought after having a look at his watch.

In this moment, there was a knock on the window which made Harry jump. He went to open it quickly since Errol, the Weasley's owl was trying to land somewhere outside. He got Errol in and the owl was – as usual – completely exhausted and ready to drop.

Errol had a note to his foot and Harry enfolded the brief letter which showed Ron's messy handwriting.

Harry,

Mom has agreed to a muggle barbecue – Fred and George talked her into one saying that you need a bit of cheering up. Hermione is coming as well. It's happening already tomorrow. Let us know whether your muggle family will let you escape for a night. Shall we come and get you?

Ron

Harry smiled – this would be a nice occasion for him and Minerva to drop the latest news. He would need to discuss it with her over dinner. And it was useless to send Errol back with a note – he would never make it in time.

He was still thinking about the upcoming event when Minerva entered the room.

'Hi Harry! Sorry to keep you waiting this long. We needed to amend the exam schedule for the upcoming year which proved to be quite tricky. I hope you have not been bored? Hm, this looks good!'

She sat down at the table with a very satisfied look. Harry grinned at her.

'A wine?'

'Sounds marvellous. Yes, please.'

'I have watched two more memories. One was with Lockhart.'

'Oh Merlin! Have you heard he has written a book again? The title apparently is 'Who am I?' I cannot believe they still publish him.' She shook her head and had to suppress a chuckle.

'Well, he could be under the warm care of his loving wife…' Harry grinned at her.

Minerva tried to give him her famous death glare but somehow it was not working. Instead she was laughing until tears were shimmering in her emerald eyes.

'It was definitely not funny at the time, but now that you mention it – it is just hysterical! Can you imagine? I would have killed him – or myself – after just one day.'

'I would say half a day' Harry was laughing as well at the thought of this impossible pairing.

'Which was the second memory?' Minerva asked once she had calmed down.

'The one where you told Mrs Weasley about being my godmother.'

'I see. Molly was great – so incredibly supportive all this time.'

'I bet. She is cool. Oh, and speaking of the Weasleys' – Ron sent an invitation for a muggle barbecue.' He handed her the note.

Minerva quickly read it 'I guess you would love to go?'

'Yes, but I would love the two of us going together! This would be the perfect chance to tell them in private. Can you arrange for an evening and a morning off?' he inquired.

'I am sure, this will be possible. I should warn Molly though that they have an extra guest. And that she is not supposed to tell anything yet. After all, we want to enjoy their faces, don't we?' she smiled at her godson mischievously

'Oh yes!'

'Let's not tell it straight away though. I love to keep the twins on tenterhooks for a while. Time for pay back.'

Harry had to smile at her wicked sense of humour and nodded enthused.

'Have you sent your answer yet?'

'No, I wanted to speak to you first. And besides, Errol won't make it in time, anyway.' He nodded in the direction of Minerva's office. 'I put him in a cage in your office. He needs to rest. We might take him with us tomorrow.'

'Okay. I will inform Molly after dinner then. Can you get me a second glass of wine, please?'

Harry got up to fill up her glass again and they enjoyed the rest of their dinner together. Afterwards, Minerva went to the fireplace and kneeled in front of it. She murmured something a moment later Harry could see the face of Molly Weasley appearing in the blaze.

'Hello Minerva. Good to see you back at Hogwarts. Is everything okay?' concern for her friend was evident in her voice.

Minerva smiled back into the fire. 'Yes, I am very well, thank you. Recovering nicely. Actually, Harry asked me to inform you that he would love to come for the barbecue tomorrow. He will bring Errol with him.'

'Harry is with you?' Mrs Weasley smiled happily at Minerva.

'Yes, he finally is' was the content reply.

'You have to come over as well then, Minerva. I would hate to cut your time with Harry short!'

'Actually, I would love to join you. Thanks for the invitation. Should we bring anything?'

'Don't be silly. I am used to prepare food for many people. You two have to stay overnight. I will prepare an extra guest room.'

'Don't tell the kids yet. We want to surprise them.'

Molly laughed. 'Make sure I am around when you tell them. I would not want to miss that moment.'

Minerva laughed as well. 'No worries. We will see you tomorrow then!'

Mrs Weasley nodded and disappeared with a soft plop.

Minerva got up with a small groan and looked at Harry.

'Chess?'

'Yep! One day I will beat you.'

'Dream on.'

They played three rounds until Harry gave up.

'Uff. Enough humiliation for one night. I will go pack for tomorrow night and go to bed. Where do we have breakfast tomorrow?'

'I would say in the Great Hall since we are away for the next meals. I will have a busy morning anyway.'

She hugged him at the door. 'Good night, Harry.'

'Night'

Author's note:

Another memory and the prospect of telling Ron & Hermione finally.

And here is the bad news: one of my colleagues got sick and I have to jump in for her – meaning, unfortunately a business trip from tonight until Thursday. Damn! And I am so keen to go on here. Not sure whether I can do it though, will try but in worst case there is a break of almost a week. So sorry guys! Hope you stay with me once more.