A/N: A little more drama for you all. After all, they are in the midst of war...

Chapter 26: Comfort Given and Received

January 2nd, 1977

The New Year began on an unfortunate note. In the last few years, the Order of the Phoenix had become vital in the fight against Lord Voldemort. Just as Minerva predicted, war had broken out. Not a day went by without death.

Albus was beyond distressed. His cheerful demeanor had all but disappeared. Minerva stood by her husband the best she could, being a sounding board for his ideas, and, on occasion, an outlet for his frustrations. A few times, she had come to see him, and he had simply ravished her without a word. It was very unlike his usual attentive and generous love-making. He always apologized profusely for his behavior, but Minerva insisted that no apology was necessary. If truth be told, it was a rather exciting change of pace for their sex life. And if it helped Albus, she didn't mind being a distraction from his other problems.

On this particular afternoon, Albus had skipped lunch as he often did when Order business got in the way. So Minerva decided to visit him and make sure he didn't forget to eat. When he looked up as she entered, she half expected him to jump her. His expression was tortured, begging for relief.

But fervent passion did not ensue. He merely held out a sheet of parchment without a word. She took it cautiously and read the note written in a hasty scrawl:

Albus,

They got the Potters. Wards were tripped so Shacklebolt and I responded. Bodies undisturbed. Sirius Black and James Potter returned soon after we arrived. Boys are shaken up, but unharmed. You might want to send someone to bring them to the castle. I already contacted the proper people.

-Moody

One of Minerva's worst nightmares had been realized. Her sister was dead, along with her husband. They had both recently joined the Order. Apparently the Death Eaters had gotten wind of the news.

Albus' voice broke her internal reflections. "This is very bad, Minerva, as I'm sure you know. Edward Potter was instrumental in both the Order and the Ministry."

His voice was strong, but quiet and fraught with emotion. Minerva could tell that he was incredibly upset.

One part of the note confused her. "What does Alastor men by saying the bodies were undisturbed?"

"It means they weren't killed by Julisa Dolohov. After she killed her husband last year, she began altering the bodies of those she killed, like transfiguring their clothing or changing their hair color. One of her victims was even found with neon green skin. It's her signature when she kills," Albus answered, his disgust in the girl's actions evident in his voice.

"It's nice to know that I'm the one who taught her such useful magic," Minerva muttered bitterly. "So what will happen to James and Sirius?"

Sirius, being the dire outcast in the Black household, had run away from home the previous summer and had been living with the Potters.

"I've sent Hagrid to bring them here. They can stay in Gryffindor Tower for the remaining days of the holiday. I'm not entirely sure what they'll do for the summer, but knowing them, they'll have some sort of plan."

Minerva nodded. Her resolve was beginning to crack. But she mustn't break down in front of Albus. He was distressed enough without having to comfort his distraught wife. She quickly and rather awkwardly excused herself and went to her rooms.

Buried deep in a drawer of her vanity was the only picture of her family she kept at Hogwarts. She gazed into the smiling faces of her parents and beautiful sister. They were all gone now; Minerva was the only McGonagall left. It was a small comfort that she could see her father's face in James Potter, but the outstanding beauty of her mother and sister was gone forever. Tears fell from Minerva's eyes onto the picture frame. Seeing them all happy together so long ago did more harm than good. She quickly put the photo away and curled up on her sofa, sobbing uncontrollably.

Albus soon joined her, entering from the secret passage in the bedroom. He didn't question anything or even say a word. He just sat beside her and took her in his arms, letting her release her grief, just as she had done all those years ago when her parents died.

At last, Minerva calmed herself. "I'm sorry, Albus."

He looked at her with concern. "Whatever for, my dear?"

She dried her eyes with a handkerchief she conjured. "You have more important things to do than sit with me while I cry."

"Are you sure? I can't think of anything." He smiled, love and care shining in his eyes.

Minerva gave him a soft kiss. "However did I get so lucky to have you for my husband? You're the most wonderful man who ever lived."

Albus took her into his strong embrace. "It is I who is lucky to have you, Minerva. But you needn't be so strong all the time. If you are upset about anything, you can always come to me. I hope you know that by now."

"I didn't want to burden you. I knew that if I got upset, you'd feel obligated to comfort me. And, of course, you have anyway." She smiled softly.

"Minerva, there is so little I can do for so many people who are troubled these days. But comforting you is one thing I can do. I'm glad I can at least attempt to ease your pain." He cupped her cheek gently in his hand, expressing the tenderness of his affection.

"You ease my pain and that of so many others every day. And the entire wizarding world and I love you for it."

"I'm not so sure about the rest of the wizarding world, but I'm honored to have your love more than anything else."

They at on the sofa a while, each lost in thought. Albus broke the silence. "How about a game of chess to take our minds off things?"

"Perfect."

Minerva summoned the board and pieces, and they played a light-hearted game. They both felt much better.

They were about to begin a second game when Albus was called back to his office. Hagrid had arrived with James and Sirius. Minerva left Albus to tend to the boys she knew she couldn't face her nephew just yet.

Albus left, and Minerva read an old muggle book, Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, to keep herself distracted.

Over the next few days, Minerva worked on Hogwarts matters while Albus was in and out of the castle with Order business. James and Sirius, along with the dozen or so students who remained at Hogwarts over the holidays, were able to amuse themselves playing pick-up Quidditch games, and enjoying relatively empty common rooms. Both James and Sirius were unusually solemn, but understandably so.

On the day before the rest of the students were due back at school, Minerva sent James an owl:

Mr. Potter,

Please join me for tea in my office at three o'clock this afternoon.

–M. McGonagall

He arrived right on time. Minerva was a nervous wreck. She wasn't quite sure of what to say to him, but she hid her apprehension well, as always.

"Please sit down." She poured the tea. "Have a biscuit, Potter."

"Thanks, Professor. I love ginger newts. My mum thought it was strange that I like them so much. Glad I'm not the only one who eats them."

Minerva smiled secretively, but quickly turned her expression to one more appropriately serious. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr. Potter."

"My father's been saying for a while that the Death Eaters were gonna be after them. I guess I never thought that he was that serious." James kept his head down in order to keep his face from betraying the all too real emotion he felt.

"I knew your parents. They were a few years ahead of me in school. They were both truly wonderful people, your mother especially."

James nodded. "You remind me of my mum sometimes. Were you close? She never mentioned you."

"We were close for a time, but I haven't seen her since before she married your father. But I miss her every day. I know you will too. My own parents were killed while I was at school as well."

James was surprised. "Really? What happened?"

"My father and mother worked with Professor Dumbledore in Europe, fighting Grnidelwald. After the war was over, they were called as witnesses in the war trials. Some of the criminals escaped custody and killed them. I got the news on my eighteenth birthday."

"That's terrible. I'm so sorry." James put his head down again.

"The pain will fade, Potter, but you will be changed from this. I know you'll make them proud."

"Thanks." He took a sip of tea, a pensive expression on his face. Minerva gazed at him. He got the same crease in his forehead that Helen got when upset.

"Professor?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter?"

"I want to join the Order of the Phoenix. Sirius and I both do. We want to take my parents' place. Can you convince Dumbledore to let us?"

Minerva frowned. "I'm afraid I can't, Potter."

James gave her his most charming grin. "I bet you could."

"If you ask the Headmaster, he will tell you exactly what I am telling you now: you're too young. No one can join until finished with school." He was disappointed. Minerva changed her tact. "Is it still your ambition to become an auror?"

"Yes."

"You can join once you begin your training. The Order can always use more aurors. You'll make a good auror, James."

He wasn't sure what to say. His Head of House had never given him an obvious compliment before, nor had she ever called him by his first name.

Minerva realized to late what she had said. She quickly changed the subject. "Have you put any thought into what you will do over the summer?"

"My dad's older brother said that Sirius and I can stay with him in Godric's Hollow. Next year, we'll both be of age. With my parent's money, I'll be fine until I get into the Ministry."

"I'm glad you won't be on your own."

"Yeah, my Uncle Harry is great."

An awkward silence followed. Minerva didn't know what to say. Part of her had hoped that he didn't have anywhere to go so that she could perhaps figure out a way to take him in. But she knew that even if he couldn't stay with his uncle, he wouldn't be able to stay with her. She wanted to tell him the truth, but there was something stopping her. Instead, she just smiled kindly and told him, "I know you have your friends and your uncle, but if you ever want to speak to someone who knows what you're going through, my door is always open to you."

"I appreciate that, Professor."

"Now go back to Gryffindor Tower. I'm sure Mr. Black is rather lost without you or Miss Diggory to entertain him."

James smiled, thanked Minerva for tea, and left her alone in her office.

Yes, Minerva thought to herself, he'll be just fine. Who knows, he may even grown into a better man for it.

James already knew that he had grown into a better man, and he intended to make that clear to one very special girl.