A/N: Any interest in a two-fer?

See disclaimer, chapter 1

-0-

Hermione owled late Saturday morning, warning her of Harry's decline. She'd read her missive quickly and set it alight to protect their privacy. She'd insisted Kingsley get on with proceedings and she'd done her best to speed things along. She'd not understood why it had taken so long to put Logan away, but by Saturday afternoon, she stood, interrupting the proceedings that were going on.

"Ministers," she nodded her head. "Wizengamot, I understand there is a process to follow but this man drugged and kidnapped me. He put me in harm's way and frankly, I am unsure why it is taking so long for you to decide on his punishment. I have been away from my post for long enough, however. While I have complete trust in my staff, my place is at Hogwarts. I trust you will make the appropriate decision. If you opt not to," she left it hanging, looking at Kingsley pointedly. "Well, I bid you good-day."

She made her way straight to the exit and apparated without thought. The castle was busy, even for a Saturday night. She sent a Patronus to Filius, who met her with a smile on the second staircase.

"Hello my friend," Minerva sighed. "How is everything?"

"Everything is as it should be," he nodded. "Most everyone behaved for the week, the elves needed some repairs doing, which I authorised."

"Good. Anything else?"

He hesitated.

"I received word of Harry's -" she was the one who hesitated now. "Condition. I'm on my way to deal with it."

"He has done his best. We even held the class outside Friday. But this morning he looked rather worse for wear. He's not been sleeping, I don't think."

"No," she muttered. "Hermione suggested as much. I thank you, my friend, for taking care of the castle in my stead."

"It is my pleasure, Minerva," he bowed. "I am glad to see you back. I will continue to act in your stead. Take your time with it," he looked at her pointedly. "With him. I believe you and he were on your way out, before all this?"

It was Minerva's turn to stare for a moment.

"He revealed the truth as we began searching for you. We've, well, those closest to you, have known for a little while that you and he were close," Filius smiled gently. "Nobody has said anything because we know you," he chuckled. "You would just as likely go into hiding, had we commented."

"It is startling how well you all read me," she muttered.

"We are your friends, Minerva," Filius said gently. "All of us. We care about both of you. We only wish you all the happiness together. So enjoy some. Take the week if need be, we'll cope. Just," he smiled. "Enjoy yourself for once."

She reached out and squeezed his hand.

"Thank you, my friend," she said genuinely. "Thank you."

He nodded and left her at the top of the stairs, staring into space.

"Min?"

"Hermione!"

"Hey," she said, wrapping their arms around each other. "You okay?"

"I am fine," she shrugged. "Though I am concerned about Harry."

"He went to his classroom. He woke up screaming again last night."

Minerva rubbed her forehead.

"I did not think it would have such an impact," she frowned.

"I think he has scars that we cannot even imagine," Hermione whispered. "I do not know whether it is about what happened, or it was simply a trigger for something else, but he's shaken."

"I will find him," Minerva soothed. "I'll take him to my rooms to give you some time to yourselves."

"Love you," Hermione muttered, wrapping her arms around her again. "I'm so glad you're alright."

"I love you," Minerva chuckled. "I am fine! I was the one who was kidnapped, but you are the two that are suffering," Minerva chuckled. "I had no idea the power I held over both you."

"Minerva," Hermione muttered. "You're a force of nature. You have always had a power we cannot even dream of, in your little finger, but we literally fought a war while we were in school. That left scars. Go easy on us. You've had a lot longer to come to terms with the effects of war."

"I will, darling heart." Minerva realised she was right."Go and enjoy your family. I'll see you on the morrow."

"Don't rush, I thought I'd take the kids shopping," she grinned. "Evan mentioned he might join me."

"Oh he did, did he?" Minerva smirked.

"I," she swallowed, looking caught. "He's been kind over the last week."

"Oh sweetheart," Minerva chuckled, pulling her in again. "Please don't take my gentle teasing to heart. He is a good man. Even as a friend, you would do well to know him better."

She nodded and Minerva kissed her temple.

"You need to sleep too, I think," Minerva muttered. "Filius suggested I should take a week off. I may take him up on that. If only to make sure Harry is recovered."

"I do need a nap," Hermione chuckled. "And I think that will be good for both of you. Even if you don't go away and you just hang out here. You could go away though. We'll be okay without you for a little while."

"I'll think about it. Kiss those babies for me.

"Love you Min,"

Minerva watched her go, smiling gently at the thought of Hermione and Evan. She wasn't lying, from what she knew him, he was a good, kind man and Hermione would be well suited to him. He was steady and an intellectual, not at all like Ronald Weasley. He'd support her in her pursuit of knowledge and would keep her entertained as the children demanded less time of her.

Chuckling to herself, she wandered down the halls, greeting the odd student who was still roaming and gently reminding them to return to their Common Rooms or go outside. She stood at the door to the defence class and smiled as she leaned on the door jamb. Harry was sleeping quietly on the desk, his arms wrapped around his head.

She hadn't meant to be gone all week, but she'd also misstepped in not realising the impact her absence, both at the hands of Logan and the Ministry, would do to him. Sighing, she stepped forward, between the desks. He had such a bizarre teaching style, yet it suited him perfectly. He generally taught from the middle of the classroom, with the desks in a semi-circle around him. She liked it, it ensured that nobody was out of his line of sight for very long. She shook him gently, calling his name but he didn't stir.

Eventually, she got him up and helped him back to her rooms. He protested a little but was too tired to do much as she managed to unrobe him and undress him. She paused as she lifted his shirt, seeing his torso littered with scars. She knew some of them were from fighting and some were from his time at the hands of his cousin. Biting her lip to prevent her from making any more noise she took a deep breath and started undoing his trousers.

He was more argumentative and she whispered gently into his ear until he lay back and let her.

He was a beautiful man. His skin was golden, speaking of moments under the sun that she couldn't account for. He had very little hair, except for a small trail from his belly button down under the waistband of the boxers he wore. If anything the silvery scars made him look mysterious and she traced one with her thumb as she soothed his grumbles. In the interest of fairness, she didn't look too closely below his chest. He had retained her modesty last weekend, she would do her best to do the same.

She helped him shift up the bed and hesitated as he asked her to stay. She took a deep breath and considered putting on pyjamas before deciding against it. She slid off her robes and her bra and pulled on a singlet, one of the few she owned.

Sliding into bed, his arms immediately wrapped around her and pulled her close. She smiled against his shoulder as he clung to her and she let him for a while before easing her arms out of his and wrapped them around him.

"Sleep, love," she muttered, kissing his hair.

She hadn't been tired before she got in and she wasn't too tired now either. She let her fingers card through his hair and sighed. She was irrationally angry at Jackson Logan. He had ruined their entire beginning and she wanted to rip him limb from limb. Growling softly, she rolled them, letting him lay on her chest. Before long, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.