Half an hour later, they were still standing there, unable to move and not feeling ready to enter the everyday world again.

But Minerva- although she had craved her husband's protective arms for so long- knew there was one, single, important point all this.

"Albus…"

He read her thoughts and nodded whilst pressing a kiss on her forehead.

"It doesn't hurt me, Minerva. I know he needs to know. I know he-"

"But it hurts- me…"

She felt the tears she'd managed to suppress returning and bit her lips.

It was her responsibility, her husband's eloquent silence seemed to tell her. But his arms around her told her, too, that he would support her.

"Always and for ever, my dear." he said, as she, dark green eyes more uncertain than ever, searched for comfort in his eyes.

"For ever and for always, Albus." she responded, grabbing his arm and turning him towards the place where her grandchild and his friends still stood.

"Harry…"

He came walking over to her, face pale, black hair messy like that of two other boys whom Minerva had known…

"Professor- grandmother…"

The unfamiliar title made her heart feel the warmth it had so desperately needed- and yet the coldness of what she had to say made her tremble lightly.

"Harry… Voldemort…"

She draw a very deep breath, and then spoke the words she knew she needed to say.

"Harry- he was your grandfather."

The End