Chapter 44

Grateful

Neville woke up the next day still wrapped around Harry. He leaned up just enough to see the soft smile on Harry's face, this was probably the most peaceful he had ever seen Harry asleep or awake. He lay fully back down and buried his face in the nape of Harry's neck. He breathed deeply enjoying the warmth and peace.

Harry must have sensed he was awake, not even a second later Harry was wiggling and stretching in Neville's arms. Finally he turned to face Neville with a big smile on his face. He tilted his head back and kissed the tip of Neville's nose. "You look cute when you've just woken up." Harry smiled with a big grin when a blush covered Neville's cheeks.

"You look cuter." Harry shook his head with a smirk.

"I don't know, you're pretty adorable."Harry wiggled around again and his smirk turned into a nose wrinkle. "I feel so gross!"

Neville smirked, "me too." He leaned in and pecked Harry's lips quickly before pulling back and rolling out of bed to sit at the edge. "A shower would be lovely." The blonde looked back over his shoulder. "Ya gunna join me love?" He stood up just as the final word came out which of course revealed his bare arse to Harry, who really couldn't help but stare and nod dumbly.

"Wouldn't miss it." Harry gulped and scrambled out of bed after Neville.

~*#*~

McGonagall had been informed directly after Dumbledore's trial that she was to be the new Headmistress and that she had the entire next day to appoint her Deputy and inform the school in whatever way she saw best as the new Headmistress.

She hadn't been too surprised, she had guessed Dumbledore had something to do with Ronald, and it was only a matter of time before –she assumed Severus- he got him sent away. She hoped he rotted in Azkaban for all he had done to Harry.

She didn't mind the new responsibilities, although, she would need to find a new Transfiguration professor. She wouldn't be able to keep up with both duties now. Luckily she already knew who to make her Deputy. She would have appointed Severus if she thought he'd accept, she knew him better than that though. The man barely liked teaching, let alone more responsibilities.

Minerva shook her head with a fond smile as she walked into the great hall and looked at her new seat, the high wooden chair directly in the center of the staff table. She rolled her eyes as she looked at it. She transfigured it into something that still showed it was the Head chair but made it much less pretentious.

She smiled as she looked at the elegant dark grey wing backed chair. It had navy blue piping and was simple but regal. It was much better than Albus' wooden throne with its hideous red upholstery. She sat down and called for the tables to be set for breakfast. She sipped her tea patiently waiting for other to begin to show.

She was not surprised when teachers began to show long before students. She smirked when she saw their shocked looks at seeing her sitting in the Headmasters spot however. "My word Minerva, has something happened to the Headmaster?" Pomona looked worried as she spoke, a little hand on her chest.

"It is a long story I will tell part of when the student arrive and will tell the staff in more detail tonight at a staff meeting I expect everyone to attend." She pursed her lips. "All you need to know right now is that I am from here on Headmistress and.." She looked down at Filius. "Filius, I was curious if you would become Deputy Headmaster?"

Filius' eyes widened, his mouth falling open. "Minerva, I…. I'm honored to be asked and accept." He snapped his mouth shut and nodded firmly. They shook hands and smiled.

"Wonderful, thank you Filius." The teachers all took their seats and began sipping tea and nibbling their food waiting for students to show so they could at least get an idea of what had happened to their old Headmaster so suddenly.

Students began filling in soon after, the teachers could tell which ones were morning people and which were not. The morning people quickly noticed their Transfiguration professor's new seat and the absence of their Headmaster. The ones who weren't good at mornings walked in like zombies towards seats and just sat staring blankly at nothing.

Severus walked in not too long after students started appearing and Minerva did not miss that the Weasley twins walked in at the same time, nor did she miss the glances the three shared. She smiled behind her tea cup. They would be good for Severus, ruffle his feathers nice and proper.

Severus was the only one who did not seem surprised in the least to see where her new seat was which only confirmed he had had a hand in it. "Good morning Severus." She smirked at him as he took a seat to her left.

"Yes, it actually is, isn't it?" He wore no expression, but the greeting had told her plenty.

Just as she looked up Neville and Harry walked in. She thought that was probably a good cue to start explaining. Anyone who wasn't here now would surely hear about it from their fellow students by the hours end.

Minerva stood and cleared her throat loudly. It seemed to echo around the hall grabbing every student's attention. "Good morning students. Some of you have noticed that the Headmasters chair is no longer here, for those of you who have not, time to perk up and listen." She gave a stern look to the crowd of attentive students.

"Headmaster Dumbledore was called away last night, I am not at liberty to discuss where to or why he cannot return. But it seems he will be gone for the foreseeable future and is unable to return to his duties here at the school so I will be the Headmistress now. Professor Flitwick will be my new Deputy." Murmurs erupted through the students. She let it go for a minute before continuing.

"I will continue as your Transfiguration Professor until I can find a suitable replacement. Please be courteous of the changes taking place and bear with us until all is settled. Thank you for your attention you may continue with your meals. Class is canceled for the day due to the new changes."

Loud conversation erupted in the hall as she sat back down.

~*#*~

After breakfast and a quick conversation with Neville and the twins, Harry broke away to go find Collin. The twins had explained Collins role and he had to find the boy and thank him.

The little blonde wasn't all that hard to find. Harry caught up with him on the way to the Gryffindor dorms.

"Collin!" Harry ran up behind the boy just as he stopped and turned looking for who could be calling him.

"Oh! Hey-ya Harry!" Collin greeted the dark haired boy in his usual upbeat way and Harry couldn't help but grin.

"Hello Collin. Mind if I talk to you for a moment?" Collin shook his head no and followed after Harry as he led him down onto the grounds by the lake. They didn't say anything until they were both sat down facing the lake.

"I know what you did for me Collin." Harry started almost abruptly.

Collin blinked surprised. He regained himself and smiled. "It was no big deal Harry."

Harry had been facing the lake but he couldn't help it, his head snapped towards Collin in a second. "No Collin. It was a very big deal." Harry looked down at his hands as they twisted together nervously. "I'm sure the twins told you what he did to me. I don't know exactly what you had to do to get proof, but…" Harry trailed off, his gaze followed.

His thoughts drifted to dark places, he didn't shake it off until Collin wrapped a small hand around his arm lightly. "You're right Harry. I'm sorry. It is a big deal because he hurt you. I just meant that you have nothing to thank me for. Yes, I agreed initially because I have serious hero worship or whatever." Collin chuckled and cheered inwardly at the small smile he got from Harry. "But, once I found out why, Harry, I would have done the same thing for anyone in your position if asked because what he did to you…. It was wrong." Collin sighed and slowly took his hand back. "I flirted and dated him for almost a month, he was charming and sweet. I'm sure it was the same for you. He made us feel special. There were times I almost believed it too. I thought maybe he had changed, maybe it would be different with me….. but it wasn't Harry. He is an awful sick person."

Collins gaze swept to the lake, he could feel Harry's intense gaze on him. "He didn't get farther than scaring me a little if it makes you feel any better. He got really close, but the twins made sure I was safe, that I could get out of there." Harry let out a shuddering sigh and nodded.

"I'm glad…" Harry took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm glad he didn't get to you Collin. He hurt me very, very badly and I'm still not even close to over it. Neville helps a lot but there are still moments, I get stuck in my head where I just watch as he hurts me over and over again in ways I didn't even know possible. He's still hurting me. So Collin, I want you to know," Harry grasped Collin's hand and made the boy look at him.

"I am so grateful Collin. I believe you when you say you'd have done it for anyone, but I am grateful. Him just being here would have killed me. You helped save me Collin and that makes you my hero. You're my hero Collin, you helped save me." Tears sprang the Collins eyes but didn't fall. He just nodded and leaned in to hug Harry tightly.

Harry walked with Collin back to the tower after about 20 minutes of more hugs and reassurances that they were both okay. Once they were inside the portrait Harry waved and they went their separate ways.

Okay so all that's left really is an epilogue which will probably be pretty open ended because I kind of want to eventually do a sequel. I have to finish my other WIPs but I do want to write it someday.

I know this ending kind of sucked, but you guys did get your smut and everything, the epilogue will be a better 'ending' I promise!

Thanks to you all who have been commenting and following and favorite-ing. It really means a lot to me. This story was something that really took on a mind of its own. It was supposed to be a one shot and look where we are now.

Love and appreciation

~Tadpole