AN: Sorry for the delay in the update. I'm trying to keep myself at least a chapter ahead, but I have a major case of writers block. I hope everyone enjoys it, and thanks to all of you who have reviewed.
Chapter 3
The morning of the first dawned bright and warm on Hogwarts. On this particular morning Minerva woke up with the biggest smile anyone could ever imagine as the sun crept into her windows. It was already after seven and she needed to get started on her day. Harry still didn't want to wear his pants and it took over an hour before she could make her way to breakfast. Minerva waited for Albus to arrive, but he never came. "Perhaps he thinks last night was a mistake," she thought sadly as she allowed herself to be lost in her last minute preparations for the term.
Harry had been playing quietly in his large playpen as she finalized her lesson plans for the month, when disaster struck. The morning had been quiet, without a hint of trouble, until Peeves decided to make his presence known. A loud crash, followed by a high pitched cackle announced Peeves arrival. Minerva only found him to be a nuisance, but after she sent him away, the look on Harry's face made her heart stop.
Harry was curled into the back of his playpen, ashen and a look of complete fear etched across his young features. His shaking was so violent, his entire playpen was in threat of collapse.
Minerva rushed to his side and scooped the shaking child into her arms. "It's alright laddie," she whispered as she rubbed his small back, "everything is alright. He's gone, and you're safe."
As she had been talking Harry had buried his face into the crook of her neck and was whimpering softly. In between his soft sounds Minerva heard the one word that normally would bring joy to a woman's heart, but in this instant only served to further tear into hers. "Mommy..Mommy," he kept repeating quietly as Minerva rocked him. Peeves had brought back his memory of that night. No one except Harry knew exactly what happened that night in Godric's Hollow, but all knew it wasn't pleasant.
"Don't worry laddie, I'll talk to Albus, that bad ghost won't scare you again." The rest of Minerva's morning was used calming Harry and tying to keep his mind occupied. By lunch time he seemed to have forgotten the events of earlier in the day, and was laughing as Minerva transformed herself and played with him, letting him pet her as she went.
Just before the two were going to head to lunch, Albus slowly made his way into the classroom, slipping in behind Minerva. A soft hand on her back, and a warm kiss on her cheek alerted her to his presence. Minerva quickly turned, arm raised, until she saw who the perpetrator was.
"Albus don't scare me like that. I could have hurt you, not that you wouldn't deserve it for sneaking up on unsuspecting ladies."
Albus chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. "I'm sorry Minerva, I just wanted to surprise you. I've been locked away in my office, trying to get everything ready. I wanted my afternoon clear to spend with you and Harry.
He leaned down and tenderly kissed her smiling lips, erasing all of her previous doubts. Just like before the kiss sent shockwaves through their bodies as they explored each other. They broke apart several moments later, and looked down as Harry tried to stuff a piece of chalk into his mouth.
Albus laughed and, reaching down, lifted Harry into his arms, spinning him around. "I think not my boy. I have something much nicer planned." He turned to Minerva, and reaching out for her hand, "Come along Minerva; I have a surprise for you."
With Harry in one arm and the other wrapped around Minerva's shoulders Albus led them out onto the grounds. It was a perfect day, the sun was bright in the sky, and the birds could be seen flying about in the trees. As they approached the lake, Minerva let out a slight gasp. Under a large tree was a blanket with a single basket waiting for them. Albus put Harry down, who as soon as his feet hit the ground, went wobbling toward the basket. Albus turned and caught the look of contentment that crossed Minerva's face as she took in the scene before her.
"I thought we could use some quiet time together before the students arrived. I know we won't have as much once term starts."
Minerva sighed and leaned into him. "It's perfect Albus, just perfect." With a wave of his wand Albus opened the basket and the three began to eat the meal prepared by the house elves. They were just finishing desert when a mischievous grin spread across Albus' face.
"Albus what..," Minerva stopped as Albus leaned forward and kissed the side of her mouth, letting his tongue trail the outside of her lips before pulling away.
Albus licked the side of his mouth as he responded. "You had an extra bit of cream. Absolutely delicious." Minerva blushed as Albus leaned in for another kiss. This one lasted considerably longer, and sent tingles down her spine. After lunch they gathered up the picnic items and set off across the lawn. Albus conjured a large ball and the three spent time playing and walking. Albus had returned to carrying Harry after a small spill scared the boy.
It was in the middle of their discussion on the advantages of muggle electricity that Minerva noticed Harry's eyes drooping. "We should probably head back toward the castle Albus. It seems we've worn the poor boy out."
She looked around before adding, "There's something that happened today that we need to discuss." A worried look entered Albus' eyes as he nodded.
They quietly made their way through the castle, passing several rushing professors along the way. Once they arrived in Minerva's chambers Albus put Harry in his crib for a well deserved nap and couldn't help but wonder what could have happened. When he reemerged he found Minerva curled up on the couch, tea in hand. As Albus sat Minerva shifted, curling instead into him, resting her head along his chest.
"Albus, Peeves stopped by the classroom today. He dropped something and flew through the door with his usual cackle. It scared Harry to death; I've never seen a child look so afraid. I think it brought up a memory. For an hour after, he kept repeating Mommy. It took most of the morning to calm him down."
Albus had subconsciously pulled her closer as she described the events earlier that day. Had Minerva seen his face she would have been surprised by the look of anger that was flashing across Albus' features.
"I would imagine it did. The house was a mess when I arrived; you and I will just have to keep an eye on Harry's reactions. I will personally talk to Peeves; nothing like this will happen again. I promise you that."
They sat together discussing the welcoming feast until it was time to gather the first years from Hagrid. Minerva sighed and stood, "I suppose I should head down. The first years should be arriving soon, and I need to gather the Sorting Hat."
Albus stood as well and pulled her into his arms. "Alright, I'll gather up Harry and see you tonight. I still need to make a few last minutes changes to my speech." She pecked him lightly and walked out into the corridor.
Albus stared at the door for a moment before heading to wake up Harry. He reached into the crib and began running his hand along Harry's back. "It's time to wake up sweetheart. We need to get ready. Your mum is already heading out." Albus leaned farther over the boy, "You know Harry, I have a small confession. I love your mum very much. Now, I just need to find some way to tell her."
Albus somehow managed to get Harry into his pants without a fuss and chose a deep green set of robes for the evening. Albus thought they matched his eyes well. As the two men made their way toward the Great Hall they ran into a third, less pleasant one, Severus Snape.
"Ah, young Mr. Potter. I take it we are to enjoy his presence at meals from now on headmaster?"
Albus' eyes immediately took on a weary tone. "Severus, please behave. I understand why you disliked his father so much, but the boy has done nothing to you. I will not allow you to torment him for the soul fact that you can. Do I make myself clear?"
Albus' tone and stance brooked no disappointment. "Of course headmaster, I should be taking my seat; excuse me."
The other students had already arrived, and Albus took a moment before he entered. He and Minerva had discussed the best way to approach the subject with the students, and it was decided the truth would be best. They decided the students only needed to know, however, that Minerva was raising the boy. A general announcement in the beginning would take care of it. Albus looked down at the boy, who's eyes had grown large as they tracked the portraits' movements. "Are we ready Harry? It should be an interesting evening."
Albus slowly made his way toward the staff table. In the beginning no one really noticed the small boy he carried in his arms, but by the time he reached his seat all eyes were on him. With Harry firmly placed in his chair, all Albus could do was wait for Minerva to arrive. Albus always loved the look of fascination on the faces of the first years. The look of wonder that always faded as their schooling progressed.
Soon, everyone was sorted, and it was time for the announcement. He looked to Minerva, squeezing her hand under the table, and she tapped her glass for silence. Albus rose and smiled. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few announcements before we dismiss for the evening. First, the Forbidden Forest is just that; forbidden. No student is to enter without the supervision of a professor. Second, I remind you no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes, and third, Hogsmeade visits are limited to those with permission slips and above third year. There are no exceptions."
Albus paused, looking toward Minerva. "I have one final announcement of the evening. As you are all aware, Lord Voldemort disappeared in July; and Harry Potter survived the attack on his family. Unfortunately the rest of his family did not. So, it is my pleasure to announce that Harry will be living in the castle with us. He is being raised by our own Professor McGonagall."
An outbreak of sound met the announcement while students whispering to each other. Albus raised his hands for quiet. "Please everyone, I want to remind you, Harry is a boy, not an attraction to be fawned over. You will see him often, and all that is asked of you is to treat him as you would any child. With that I do believe everyone should head to bed. We do need to be chipper for classes tomorrow. Goodnight."
The students made their way out of the hall, all of them stopping at some point to stare at the boy sitting next to their transfiguration professor.
Minerva leaned over Harry, who had fallen asleep again, and whispered, "That certainly went better than I expected. Perhaps everything will work out."
Albus smiled as he looked at the sleeping child, "Perhaps it will my dear, perhaps it will." Just as Albus was about to stand he caught a glimpse of Peeves floating into the corridor. "If you will excuse me for a few minutes Minerva; I believe Peeves and I need to have a little chat. Why don't you take Harry home, and I'll be there in a moment."
Albus rose and made his way into the corridor. Peeves was floating in front of a portrait of Hogwarts' one and only court jester, Billy. He was waving a wet quill in Billy's face, probably threatening to draw a moustache on the poor lad. Albus was already unhappy when he approached the scene, and Peeves' actions weren't helping the situation any.
"Peeves I suggest you drop the quill now. You and I need to talk for a moment."
Peeves spun around when he heard the headmasters' voice. "Of course headmaster sir, what can Peeves do for you?" he asked in an oily deferential tone.
Albus looked around for any wandering students before approaching the poltergeist. "Professor McGonagall explained what happened in her classroom this morning Peeves. I am not pleased. I want to make one thing perfectly clear to you. You are not to terrorize that boy again. If I find out that you have," Albus whispered as the fury flashed in his eyes, "not even the Bloody Baron will be able to help you when I'm finished. Harry is like a son to me, and I will not allow you to harm him. Am I clear?!"
While Albus had been talking he hadn't realized just how great his loss of control had grown. He was practically glowing with the power he radiated, and as he finished, a window directly behind him shattered. Peeves knew better than to disobey the headmaster, and so with a quick bob in assent, he was gone. With a quick spell the window was replaced as if nothing had ever happened, and Albus was making his way through the castle, back to Minerva and Harry. "No one will hurt them," he thought, trying to convince himself, "no one."