I had to get to Aunt Aly. She would get Aunt Ginny and they would fix this. But first…

"Scorpius," I said carefully. "You know that wasn't really Uncle Harry. Not the one we know. We messed something up bad."

Scorpius nodded, still looking sad. "Yeah, but that is the same Albus so why…?"

"I don't know." I answered honestly. "He probably has a plan up his sleeve."

Scorpius nodded, looking a bit happier.

I didn't want Scorpius to come with me, that way only I would get in trouble. "You go find out whatever you can in the library. I am going to scout around."

Scorpius agreed and I went straight to the Headmistress.

I was not surprised to find the Headmistress already had visitors but that one was Aunt Ginny. I decided to spy once more. That way I wouldn't be lying to Scorpius. Scouting involves a fair bit of eaves dropping I rationalized.

Professor McGonagall sounded stiff. "I'm not sure this is what the Marauder's Map was intended for."

That is right, give him hell Professor.

Harry was unbowed. "If you see them together, then get to them as quickly as possible, and keep them separate."

Professor McGonagall tried reasoning. "Harry, are you sure this is the right decision? Because far be it from me to doubt the wisdom of the centaurs, but Bane is an extremely angry centaur and . . . it's not beyond him to twist the constellations for his own ends."

Harry would not be swayed by reason. "I trust Bane. Albus is to stay away from Scorpius. For his sake, and others."

Aunt Ginny tried next. "I think what Harry means is…"

Harry said with finality. "The professor knows what I mean."

I could barely hide my gasp of surprise that he'd talk to Aunt Ginny that way.

Professor McGonagall was starting to get angry. "Albus has been checked by the greatest witches and wizards in the country and no one can find or sense a hex or a curse."

Harry sounded crazed. "And Dumbledore... Dumbledore said..."

Professor McGonagall was as confused as I was. "What?"

Harry explained. "His portrait. We spoke. He said some things which made sense..."

A PORTRAIT told him things? He didn't just sound crazed. He IS crazy.

Professor McGonagall spoke softly, the way one does to a crazy person. "Dumbledore is dead, Harry. And I've told you before, portraits don't represent even half of their subjects".

"He said love had blinded me." And drove you mad, I thought.

Professor McGonagall tried to get through to him again. "A head teacher's portrait is a memoir. It is supposed to be a support mechanism for the decisions I have to make. But I was advised as I took this job to not mistake the painting for the person. And you would be well-advised to do the same."

"But he was right. I see it now." Harry needed help. A healer. Or whatever a wizard psychiatrist was.

"Harry, you've been put under enormous pressure, the loss of Albus, the search for him, the fears as to what your scar might mean. But trust me when I tell you, you are making a mistake." Why didn't Professor McGonagall just say no?

Harry just did not care. "Albus didn't like me before. He might not like me again. But he will be safe. With the greatest respect, Minerva... you don't have children..."

Aunt Ginny was shocked. "Harry!"

Harry finished... "you don't understand."

Professor McGonagall sounded deeply hurt. "I'd hope that a lifetime spent in the teaching profession would mean…"

Harry was firm. Angry even. "This map will reveal to you where my son is at all times... I expect you to use it. And if I hear you don't... then I will come down on this school as hard as I can... using the full force of the Ministry... is that understood?"

Professor McGonagall clearly bewildered by this vitriol. "Perfectly."

By Merlin whatever we did broke EVERYBODY!

Professor McGonagall would be no help. I had to get to class. Think of something then.

Albus was waiting for me. We still had class together. And the horrors of the day would not end. All I could do was stare at the professor.

Aunt Hermione. "Ah yes. Our train absconders. Finally joining us."

Albus was confused. "Hermione?"

He looks amazed. I am equally stunned. Aunt Hermione is standing at the front of the lesson.

Aunt Hermione "Professor Granger I believe is my name, Potter."

"What are you doing here?" Albus just kept staring.

"Shut up." I hissed at him.

Aunt Hermione "Teaching. For my sins. What are you doing here? Learning, I hope."

Albus did not heed the warning in my voice. "But you're . . . you're . . . Minister for Magic.

Aunt Hermione "Been having those dreams again, have you, Potter? Today we're going to look at Patronus Charms." What dreams?

Albus sounded amazed when he asked. "You're our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

There are titters.

Aunt Hermione losing patience now. "Ten points from Gryffindor for stupidity."

Polly Chapman stood, full of affront. "No. No. He's doing it deliberately. He hates Gryffindor and everyone knows it."

"Sit down, Polly Chapman, before this gets even worse." Polly sighed and then sat. "And I suggest you join her, Albus. And end this charade."

Albus almost pleaded with her. "But you're not this mean."

I grabbed his arm and yanked him down next to me. "Shut. Up."

Aunt Hermione sneered. "And that's twenty points from Gryffindor to assure Albus Potter that I am this mean. Do YOU have something to add Miss Dursley."

Oh, several things, like you are just a big a psychopath as your best friend. But all I said was "No Professor."

Yann Frederick hissed at Albus threateningly. "If you don't shut it down right now, Albus…" I hate Yann but I will take the help I can get.

Albus just did not know when to shut up. "Can I just say..."

Aunt Hermione "No, you can't. Just keep quiet, Potter, otherwise you'll lose what limited popularity you already have. Now who can tell me what a Patronus is? No? No one. You really are a most disappointing bunch."

Albus finally decided to grow a backbone and was using it to get himself murdered. "No. This is stupid. Where's Rose? She'll tell you that you're being ridiculous."

"There is no Rose, Albus, shut it!" Oh why couldn't he stop?

Aunt Hermione "Who's Rose? Your invisible friend?"

"Rose Granger-Weasley! Your daughter!" He suddenly seemed to realize. "Of course... because you and Ron aren't married Rose..." There's more giggling.

Aunt Hermione "How dare you! Fifty points from Gryffindor. And I assure you if anyone interrupts me again it'll be a hundred points…"

She stares around the room. No one moves a muscle. "Good. A Patronus is a magical charm, a projection of all your most positive feelings, and takes the shape of the animal with whom you share the deepest affinity. It is a gift of light. If you can conjure a Patronus, you can protect yourself against the world. Which, in some of our cases, seems like a necessity sooner rather than later."

Right after class I ran to Professor Slughorn. Oh Merlin I hoped he would help, was there still a potioneer competition, was it still at Hogwarts?

Fortunately, the competition was still at Hogwarts, and I was in fact still being mentored. From there I just had to appeal to old Sluggy's arrogance.

"Professor," I started out. "I really need your permission as head of house to use the flu. I need a book for the competition."

He was not entirely easy to sway. "Hogwarts Library is filled with the finest rarest books on potions a young witch, even one as talented as you are, could wish."

"Well… that is true, but Uncle Harry…" The words stuck in my throat. "He has a special book for me. And he said it helped him immensely while he was in school…"

"Ah, Harry. One of mine you know." Professor Slughorn pointed to shelves filled with pictures of smiling students. "Always takes my owls. He has often consulted with me on a few of his more stubborn cases. All very hush hush you know." He winked at me.

"I am certain he had Professor. He has spoken of you fondly." Or not at all which given Harry's attitude lately may be the same thing.

"But since he was just here, I must ask, why he did not bring this book with him?" Damned Slytherin mind.

"Well, we were all just so worried about Albus…" The best lies are hidden in the truth.

"Well… as it is for a school project, and he is your beloved Uncle, I see no harm in authorizing a day pass." Professor Slughorn looked at me sternly. "But I will give the floo directions and I happen to know for a fact Ginevra has just left here with Harry and at very least she will home. No shenanigans how!"

"No sir," I assured him quite seriously. "I have had enough adventures for a lifetime!"

"I am certain you have." He chuckled and then threw the powder in the floo. "Potter residence, Godric's Hollow."

I stepped out of the floo dusting myself off. Looking around I didn't see anyone. Maybe I could just escape before I was noticed and get to Aunt Aly…

But then I heard arguing."

"This is the right decision." His tone had lost some of the bite he had at the Castle.

Aunt Ginny's had not. "You almost sound convinced."

Harry sighed. "You told me to be honest with him, but actually I needed to be honest with myself, trust what my heart was telling me…"

"Harry, you have one of the greatest hearts of any wizard who ever lived," HAH! That was up for debate. "And I do not believe your heart told you to do this."

There was a knock on the door that startled me.

Aunt Ginny was surprised, to say the least, to see me in her living room. "Lilliana is everything alright?

I opened my mouth to answer but Uncle Draco and Aunt Aly came in just then,

"I will make tea." Aunt Ginny said, leading everyone to the kitchen.

Uncle Draco was furious. "I can't stay long. I won't need long."

"OK…" Aunt Ginny looked at all of us a little worried. "Maybe a bit stronger than tea… I will be right back."

"I may be staying for…" Aunt Aly started but Uncle Draco cut her off.

"My wife will be leaving when I do. She is damned well not leaving my sight" I was surprised that Aunt Aly just sighed and nodded.

Harry tried for cool politeness. "How can I help?"

"I'm not here to antagonize you." I could not believe how bad this all was. We are FAMILY. They have always been friendly. "But my son is in tears and I am his father and so I am here to ask why you would keep apart two good friends."

"Three." I reminded him.

Harry flat out lied. "I'm not keeping them apart."

" You've changed school timetables, you've threatened both teachers and Albus himself. Why?" Uncle Draco demanded. Uncle Draco was not the sort to be ignored.

...