Lily sighed, "I don't know what to do, James! How are we going to protect our little Rosie if a madman is going to come after her!"

James shook his head slightly, like he was trying to get water out of his ear, "What was that, Lily-flower?"

"Really, James? Have you been listening at all?"

His expression was one that would have been at home if he was a deer looking at the headlights of a car.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Of course you weren't. So, crash course! A prophecy was made, Dumbledore thinks it applies to Rosie, and he wants us to go into hiding so that we don't all die. Is it all coming back to you now?"

"You don't have to say it so crassly, Lils!"

"Yes, yes I do, James. Our lives are at stake! All of them!"

James turned his head to look at her. "You think I don't know that?! You think I don't realize that the decision we have to make could kill us?! Could kill Rosie?! You better believe I know that! I would do anything for my little girl!"

"It doesn't seem like that, James! You completely blanked out! What do you think that means?!" Lily cried.

Suddenly, just as he was about to respond to that statement, Minerva walked out of the door to their immediate right. She pursed her lips and looked down at them as if they were seventeen and out after curfew again.

"What on Earth are you two fighting about?" she asked sternly, "Goodness knows we have enough to do around here without gossiping about the Potters and their infamous marriage spats. Are you even thinking about the fact that there might be children trying to sleep in this castle?"

Lily ducked her head bashfully, "I'm sorry, Pro- Minerva. It's just, Dumbledore gave us a bit of bad news a moment ago."

Minerva's expression softened, "I see. Well, little Rosie just went to sleep. Would you like to come in?"

Lily's face brightened, "Of course!"

James nodded and Lily pulled James into Minerva's office just before Minerva shut the door.

"Now," she said, turning to face the couple, "Do you mind telling me what Albus told you?"

Lily sighed. "He told us that there was a prophecy that could apply to Rosie."

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "'Could'?"

Lily nodded. "It spoke of a child born as the seventh month dies. He wants us to use the Fidelius charm so that we're protected if Voldemort decides to come after us."

Minerva furrowed her brows. "How does he know about the prophecy? Was he there when it was spoken?"

"I...I don't actually know," Lily frowned, "Dumbledore never said. He just said that we were in danger and that Voldemort could come after us."

"That sounds suspicious if you ask me."

"Yeah, Lils, Minnie's right." James chimed in, Minerva giving him a dark look at the mention of her 'nickname'.

Lily sighed, "Yeah, I know. He didn't say anything about how Voldemort knew about the prophecy, but he did say that he thought Rosie was in danger."

"Mm," James nodded, "Yeah, I guess it's better safe than sorry."

Lily turned to Minerva. "What do you think?"

Minerva pursed her lips, "I think that you should be wary. What exactly did Albus say about the prophecy?"

"He said, 'This prophecy spoke of a child born as the seventh month dies, a child who would have the power to vanquish the Dark Lord.'"

"That is indeed suspicious. He said nothing about how this 'Dark Lord' had known about the prophecy?"

"No."

"Then, you both must be very careful. I do not know the inner workings of Albus' mind, but he has a tendency to withhold important information."

Lily's eyes widened.

"If he does indeed want you to perform the Fidelius charm, the danger must be immense. Albus does not ever use or talk about that charm unless it is truly needed."

Lily closed her eyes a second longer than a blink. "Okay, Minerva. It really was nice seeing and talking with you, but James and I should go home now. Where is Rosie?"

Minerva dipped her head, "It was a pleasure. The wee child is sleeping in my quarters. Shall I take you to her?"

"Yes, please, Minnie! I've always wanted to see your quarters! That was the one spot of yours we never got to see!"

"And for good reason, Mr. Potter." Minerva shot back, leading Lily back to a portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots. Minerva whispered a password to the regal queen, and the portrait swung open, revealing a lovely sitting room furnished with emerald green accents and neutral tones. She led the way over to a door on the right that led to a bedroom with gorgeous dark oak wood sets. There was a little crib, courtesy of the house elves, sitting to the left of the doorway, that was perfect for a little girl. It was white, but it had floral designs painted on it, mostly roses, but also some lilies and a few vines.

Lily smiled at her daughter, who was fast asleep. "She looks so peaceful," Lily whispered.

Even though Lily did not want to disturb her child, she knew that Rosie would wake up in a few hours wailing for her mother, so she decided to pick her daughter up and take her to the fireplace in Minerva's office. Once there, Lily smiled gratefully at Minerva and gestured for James to join her at the hearth. She picked up a handful of Floo powder and threw it into the fireplace, saying "Potter's Home!" as she stepped in. James did the same, and he joined his wife and daughter in being whirled away from Hogwarts castle.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Minerva's POV

When they were gone, Minerva sighed, running a hand through her grey-streaked brown hair. It was always nice being with the Potter's, whom she sometimes thought of as her children, but it was always a bit hard when they left. She walked back into her bedroom, glancing longingly at the crib in the room, wishing that she could have had a child in there still. She sat down at her vanity, taking time to carefully look over her appearance. She winced over the grey hairs, wanting to curse the Marauders for them. She tilted her head at the wrinkles marring her face and disregarded her beautiful green eyes. She took off her emerald green over-robe and hung it up in her wardrobe. Her eyes caught on a beautiful scarlet evening gown, a present from her late husband. Her eyes misted over, remembering the last time she wore it. It had been a magical evening. She had danced with Elphinstone all night long, laughing at his jokes and smiling at his attempts to get her to drink something stronger than gillywater. She hadn't worn that dress since.

Later that evening, Minerva went to the Headmaster's office. She opened the door and stopped immediately. Albus was not in his office. She sighed, having hoped to give him a piece of her mind for worrying the Potter's so much. She looked at Fawkes, who was staring at her intently.

"I know, I know," she said, "Don't give me that look."

Fawkes tilted his head.

"I'll go now, then."

Fawkes gave her a Look.

"Yes, of course I know that I shouldn't just come bursting into his office, Fawkes. What do you take me for?"

Fawkes side-eyed her suspiciously.

"I shouldn't even be talking to you anyway. I'm going to go to back now."

Minerva left the room, feeling the bird's beady-eyed stare on her back. She rolled her eyes, wondering why she even put up with the blasted bird. Why she had been talking to it, she didn't know.