Sirius rushed through Hogwarts, determination etched on his face but tears flowing freely down his face. He carried a bundle in his arms as he searched. "She is in her living quarters," the ghostly voice of Helena Ravenclaw offered.
"Thank you," he managed as he headed that way. He pounded frantically on the door and waited until it was opened by Minerva.
"What's wrong Sirius," she asked concerned as she noticed his tear streaked face.
"They're gone," he said brokenly. "Bellatrix murdered them. Lilly made me promise to get this box to you immediately if something were to happen to them. Read the spell out loud she said and then put the necklace on."
Saddened by the news of the Potters' demise, she took the spell and said it as asked. Lilly would never cause her harm. A variety of colors swirled around her as she cast the spell. As she put the necklace, more of an amulet really, around her neck the colors flashed brightly and disappeared into her. A sudden wailing sounded from Sirius' arms.
"Harry," she gasped as he reached for her desperately. She settled him against her and rocked him gently. "I have you Harry."
"Mummy" he sobbed as he reach for the amulet.
Sirius offered Minerva a letter that was stuck in the bottom of the box. With Harry still nestled in her embrace, she read it silently. "Get Tom, Albus and Remus now," she said as she rocked Harry until he fell asleep still clutching to her robes.
Once Tom, Albus and Remus arrived, Minerva started speaking, "Lilly left me a letter. Apparently Hermione had showed her part of a vision, a part where she had to sacrifice herself for Harry. She saw Albus placing Harry with her sister Petunia for the powered up protection blood wards would have offered him. Lilly didn't like that part of the vision and changed it."
"How," Albus wondered fascinated.
Minerva lifted her new amulet. "She created this amulet using her blood. It will create more protection for Harry than any blood wards you could have managed. She created a spell to harness the magic created by her sacrifice and transferred it to me. As long as I wear this amulet and he considers me family, Harry will be protected."
"Does he need to live with you," Sirius asked quietly.
"Sorry Sirius," Minerva offered a tight smile. "For the protection to work, Harry must see me as a mother figure. Harry must be with me most of the year but vacations should be fine though."
Sirius nodded in acceptance. "Whatever is best for Harry," he had said. His godson's best interest was more important than his feelings.
"Lilly said Tom and I were to have custody of Harry but you were to take care of Potter business," she revealed as she handed the letter to Albue to read. "She said you were always James' brother and it was only right for you to handle the family business until Harry could."
"The toerags are trying to make me responsible," he complained with a watery smile.
"We all know you have been responsible since Hermione came into your life," Remus replied emotionally. "You are a changed wizard and James and Lilly knew that Padfoot."
"Did you notice the message at the bottom Minerva," Albus said with a frown. "It's coded or something."
Sirius grabbed the letter and laughed. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," Sirius whispered as he pointed his wand to it. The letter glowed and then expanded. "It's a map."
"A map of Horcruxes," Tom replied horrified. "Bellatrix made Horcuxes and Lilly Potter figured it out."
"She didn't," Lady Hogwarts answered. "Hermione showed her visions when she visited and Lilly was smart enough to write the locations down."
"Hermione said she had to help Harry James," Minerva offered.
"Lilly gained her trust and Hermione worked on ways to use that to her advantage," Lady Hogwarts said. "I specifically told Hermione not to reveal her visions to her family unless it was dire but the little genius found a way around that."
"She showed Harry James' family instead," Tom supplied.
"I not in trouble," the sleepy voice of Hermione asked as she came into the room.
"Not at all," Lady Hogwarts reassured. "You followed my instructions."
Hermione moved to Sirius and settled down in his lap. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. "Look Siri," she said as she showed him her bracelet.
He saw a blood red lily charm added to her charm bracelet. "When did you get that," he asked as he studied it.
"It was just there," she replied and shrugged her shoulders.
"Did it just appear as you woke from your nap," Remus asked. Hermione nodded her head. He looked to the others in the room in puzzlement. "It appeared around the same time as Minerva said the spell and is the form of a lily, a blood red lily. Did Lilly's spell extend to Hermione?"
Tom checked the magical signature of Minerva's amulet and then the lily charm. "It's the same," he breathed. "Lilly guaranteed Harry would be safe when he had to be separated from Minerva too. Minerva will power the magic but it will be constantly flowing while he is with Hermione too. This is an amazing piece of magic."
"Guess that means Hermione will be going on all vacations with you boys," Minerva said smirking at Sirius.
"Like he would of left her behind anyways," Remus muttered teasingly.
Minerva opened the door to see Remus standing there looking happy, happier than she had seen him in the year since James and Lilly had died. She smiled and asked, "What's the smile about?"
He handed her an official looking letter. She opened it when she saw her name on it. "I offered to hand deliver it to you," Remus volunteered.
She quickly read the letter and smiled happily at the man before her. "You are officially cured and my WereGone potion is being patented," she shouted happily. "This is so exciting and has made day."
"Mine too," he said emotionally. "Thank you so much Minerva! I have allowed my circumstances to rule my life but you gave me a honest chance to do anything I have ever desired. I plan on figuring out what I want to do and then going to it."
"I'm proud of you," Minerva said. "Now let me see your wolf form!"
He grinned as he transformed flawlessly into an Artic wolf. He had a scar on his cheek as his distinguishing mark. "Lovely," she breathed. He bounded down the hallway instead of transforming back which prompted her laughter.
"Momma," Harry said as he climbed onto Minerva's lap. "Can we go visit Granddad and Nan?"
Minerva chuckled at the question before pulling him in her embrace. She had balked the first time he had called her Momma and tried to get him to say Aunt Min. It was Sirius who ended the debate. He had pulled a picture off of the mantle of James and Lilly then asked Harry who it showed. "Dad and Mummy," the child had answered. He sat the picture back and got one of Tom and Minerva and repeated the question. "Daddy and Momma," he said with a grin.
"You aren't replacing them," Sirius said matter-of-factly. "You are just extending his family. Lilly would of wanted Harry to have a normal childhood or as close as possible. She even worked her spell to connect you to Harry as a mother figure. Let him call you what his sister calls you."
That had been the end of the debate and she had been Harry Potter's Momma ever since. He would be turning 11 years old later this month. Time had flown by for them and Minerva seemed to be emotional about Hermione and Harry going off to school. Tom had laughed and explained she was the Deputy Headmistress of said school and could see them daily but it wasn't the same. She couldn't really describe it.
"As soon as your Daddy makes it home," she promised and kissed his cheek loudly causing him to laugh out.
"Momma," he complained but settled back into her embrace. He threaded his fingers into hers and sighed happily. "Thank you for being my Momma."
Tears filled her eyes as she kissed the top of his head. "Being your Momma has been one of my favorite things in this world," she whispered emotionally. "Your sister and you are my greatest treasure and I would do anything to protect you both. I love you Harry James Potter."