Disclaimer. Don't own them. Only like playing in the same sand box.

The fall of Voldemort may mean the destruction of the Order of the Phoenix. Many died or have entered into hiding to escape. A past secret may bring devastation to all that was once revered, and the final downfall of one man whose time has come… AD/MM

Echo's in the Moonlight.

Sequel to "Shadows in the Wind"

Chapter One.

February 25th 1980

Hagrid moved through the dark forest with practiced ease. There wasn't anything in the forest that would hurt him. He knew there was an end to the forest- he just- needed to keep walking to keep from thinking. Blood was splashed on his robes- blood from a young man that he had held in his arms while others wept around him. Sirius Black had been grateful for Hagrid's strength while Regulus Black was extracted from the hole Voldemort's followers had stuffed him in while he was alive, and then reduced the hole around him crushing him to death slowly. He was made an example of any of Voldemort's followers who had second thoughts about following him. Hagrid had seen much death in his time, but this was the worst way that they could have killed anyone. The expression on the young man's face would haunt him forever. He knew Sirius loved his brother – even if they never had agreed - they were still blood relatives- still brothers.

Hagrid's long legs brought him to a small glade near a waterfall. The winter snows had melted leaving just small clumps of ice about him yet there was a warmth to the air around the waterfall. It was one of the most peaceful spots in the forest. He hadn't meant to come here- he just wanted to walk off his grief and sorrow so no one would see his tears. His strength failed him. He sat on the large rocks that were just away from the mist of the falls and he began to cry. Large tears splashed down into his hands as grief washed over him. He wanted to use one of the time turners he had read about to go back to spare the young man such pain- there had to have been something that he could do- but Prof Dumbledore had been adamant. It would change the fabric of time, to go back, you couldn't do that and the end would still be the same unless you could know ahead of time that something had been changed.

Hagrid was so lost in his grief that it took a moment for him to realize he was being nuzzled. He looked over his shoulder and saw the delicate beautiful dragon like head of a Thestril. The Thestril placed its head over Hagrid's shoulder and drew it back, giving him a hug from behind. It had felt his grief and wished to comfort him. In the years that he had become a student at Hogwarts he had roamed the grounds and was delighted to find all manor of beasts in the woods. He felt the Thestril sigh and then open its eyes to regard him. Hagrid gazed into the liquid dark eyes of the Thestril that he had known for 10 years. Other Thestrils a male, then four females had come to the dark forest because of the first who had brought them there- this one. The only one to have dark eyes while the others had white eyes. He had given them all names, and tamed them- with this ones help. Perhaps it was because she was so young, that they had been protective of her. He heard another sigh from this one and saw her close her eyes for a moment, her long tail swished away butte flies. Hagrid turned his body around and saw something that he hadn't quite expected.

It was after dark when Hagrid made his way to his hut and threw off his coat then strode up to the headmasters study. He saw Minerva sitting very still, with Albus pacing before her. He could tell that they both were deep in grief- and they looked at him oddly when he came in- his face now radiating joy. Minerva looked at Hagrid as if he had taken leave of his sense. Albus stopped pacing, turned then regarded Hagrid waiting expectantly.

"Pet's had a littlun!" he said finally. Minerva shot a confused look at Albus who was blinking slowly to take in the information. "E's so beautiful – Named 'im Tenebrus. E's got is mothers eyes, for na, bits o white in em so's I spect tha they be changing soon when he gets older." Hagrid sat down right where he was at on the floor. He had to sit. He had to tell them of the marvels that he had experienced with the birth of the tiny Thestril, its first way that it rose unsteady to his feet, how she had cleaned him. How his little tail spun as he nursed. The soft rumbling noises that Pet had made as she turned watching the first born of the new herd. " An the others came- an it looks like 3 of the other females are due soon too" he paused taking a breath "Jus when I was thinkin' the world wa coming to an end, it begins beautiful again." he wiped tears of joy from his cheeks

The sorting hat interrupted Hagrid with a comment to Albus. "It's almost time for your appointment Headmaster" the hat said drolly.

Albus looked at Minerva. She wasn't quite sure what Hagrid had gone on about at first, or why it was important to tell the headmaster about one of his pets having a baby- the thought of Hagrid playing midwife was a bit startling to her. The look informed her that she was going to have to stay with Hagrid to get out all of the information that she could and tell him later exactly what was going on. Albus made his apology to Hagrid and headed down the spiral staircase leaving a bewildered deputy headmistress behind. Minerva sighed and transforming a sheet of paper into a large flannel square she gave it to Hagrid and held out her hand so that he would come up off of the floor. She transformed one of the regular chairs into one that could hold him.

Before she could get any more information from him there was a knock on the door. "Enter" she said crisply. The door opened. Two pair of feet came in with sadden faces. Hagrid rose, pushing his oversized chair back to the wall allowing them passage in to the study. Minerva studied their faces. "Where is-" her voice failed her. She saw, the sorrow on their faces, and something else.

James Potter spoke up, answering as he removed Lily's coat for her and guided her to Hagrid's offered chair. "Remus and Peter have taken him back to Remus's flat, and gave him a dreamless sleep draught, they will be staying with him for a while until this is sorted out. Is, Albus – about?" he asked glancing about. It was odd to find others in the office with out the headmaster in residence "if we are interrupting anything…"

Minerva shook her head "He is in an appointment with the interview of the new Divination's professor. It shouldn't take long. Would you like something to drink? Tea? Hot chocolate? I dare say though we could all use a belt of fire whisky." Minerva said conjuring up more chairs for them. She saw James and Lily shake their heads, looking a bit green. James had guided his wife to the chair, and then stood behind her as Minerva conjured up another chair for Hagrid followed by a large mug of hot chocolate for him.

"I was just, telling Prof McGonagall and Prof Dumbledore afore he left tha Pet's had a little foal, just a bit ago." McGonagall saw Hagrid go misty again and conjured up another flannel square for him to blow his nose.

"Pet?" asked Lily curious. Hagrid bobbed his large head.

"Well, Sturgis named er a few years back, and it was – well, safer for her to be called Pet than her given name- A year afore you came ta Hogwarts, a bonny lass named Rhea Huygens came ta Hogwarts… an, she was a magical being… and one day she transformed herself into what she is today, A Thestril."

Minerva sat down quickly. She remembered looking into Rhea's eyes years ago, as if it was today, and seeing – death. She would be about 21 now, old enough to be a mother-

James hurried to her side and took her hand. "Minerva? Are you alright?" He had to ask that of her twice before she looked at him, tears in her eyes. "Sometimes I felt as if I failed her. That – we all did with her transformation. Perhaps she was meant to be something else that she had transformed into before…"

"An maybe wha Pet became was what she was to be- with out her- the other Thestrils wan'a o' come ta the forest." finished Hagrid. "With out Pet, lots of things in them woods woula been different, especially with the centaurs coming- they would a overrun the dark forest if the Thestrils hadn't claimed the bedding grounds tha they did."

Hagrid looked between Lily and James who were smiling gently at him- not like he was addled or anything like that- just- a look they both shared. "Blimey- Ye are- too- aren't ya?" he breathed softly sniffing away fresh tears as he rose and gave Lily kisses on her cheeks. James looked bemused "None for me?" Hagrid turned smiling and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Minerva felt her cheeks rise in color at Hagrid's boldness. She was going to ask for an explanation of his behavior- her mind had been so troubled with the recent deaths that she couldn't fathom what he was doing. She was saved from asking with the door behind them sweeping open and Albus entering. Hagrid had moved back to allow him into the circle of chairs bumping into the desk as he tried to find where to be.

After assuring Albus that Sirius was taken care of, Albus settled everyone down and made the announcement that he had hired a new divination teacher, and that she had made a prophecy. He drew a breath. "It said a child would be born as from those who have thrice defeated Voldemort, who would defeat him. Unfortunately, the prophecy was over heard by one of his followers- we were able to prevent him from hearing all of the prophecy- the question now, is… could this be possible of this year?"

Both James and Lily looked at each other and smiled as they said together "Yes… it's what we came to tell you…"

Minerva suddenly felt as if a weight had been placed on her chest. She couldn't breath right. She made the effort to stand, to go to them and congratulate the two, but in her heart she felt a nameless foreboding that all would not be easy with their futures from now on. She knew precautions would have to be made, steps taken- Her gaze went to Albus. She realized he was ahead of her thoughts. She felt James take her hand and lead her away to where the steps were- away from the crush of people, and Hagrid hugging every one.

"We know, Minerva." He said simply. "We know the risks, and we decided, after we became pregnant to have our own family instead of waiting it out. we decided to do it now, instead of later because, there may not be a later."

"It changes- things- things – will have to be- forgotten for the sake of the child to be- you know that…" Minerva said softly. She hoped that Albus wouldn't ask her to forget those she cared about- she was safe at the school, Hogwarts was one of the safest places that anyone could be.

James looked back at his wife and Albus. "I know, that deep down in our hearts, in our souls that our children are already connected with those we care about- and someday, when they come to Hogwarts they will be connected again. If something should happen, one of us will always be here for the other – Frank and Alice, came to us today, and told us – they are expecting as well, and it's why we are here tonight to find a way to protect our children so that- what, has happened today won't ever happen to another…" He looked at Minerva. " You should, too- you know- not – wait I mean. We aren't getting any younger Follow your heart Minerva-."

Minerva felt the love James had for Lily and told him "It's a boy. Somehow I know you two will have to keep trying if Lily wants a daughter." James laughed softly and kissed Minerva's cheek. " I hope he will only be half the trouble I was when I came to school here."

He saw Minerva smile as she hugged him. "We will find a way to protect the babies, you know that…" she felt him nod, then he lead her back to where Albus was charming a goblet into a nursery bottle that had little sorting hats on it. Minerva could see something was on his mind.