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

Echo's in the Moonlight.

Chapter Two.

March 1st 1980

Fawks burst into Minerva's classroom as she was about to demonstrate how to change a dormouse into a snuffbox. Her heart caught in her throat as he flew to her and settled on her arm, then gave a throaty note that informed Minerva she was needed and to follow him. She dismissed the class and hurried out to where the headmaster already had her carpetbag in his hands. He presented it to her "Hagrid has the way outside Poppy has already left… Minerva, I understand that this may be not, quite what you were hired to do as a teacher here at Hogwarts, however-" He took a breath and took her hand in his "I need a favor from you- There is a particular wizard whom works at the ministry who has been working very hard to protect muggles from the death eaters and against those who support Voldemort.. Both he and his wife attended Hogwarts and were outstanding students. His wife is about to give birth. As he has been vocal against Voldemort even a place meant to heal such as St Mungo's may not be safe for them, you understand- this?" Minerva nodded as he softly gave her hand a squeeze.

"They have other children?" Albus nodded. She saw the concern in his eyes- she didn't need to be a mind reader to know that she could be heading into grave danger. "Do I take it that they would be an asset to the order when their lives settle back to normal?" She was surprised to hear him chuckle, yet she saw the seriousness in his eyes.

"Their lives will never just be normal Minerva, but yes, I feel in my heart that we will need their support in the future- perhaps even in their children's generation as well."

Minerva caught her breath "This child, would be attending Hogwarts the same year as Lily's and James's child" She gave Albus a look. Their discussion of the generations needed to fight evil came back to her.

"It is always the best course of action to know whom you may count on as a friend- however, the Order's needs are only wishful thinking- the well being of this family is paramount." He kissed Minerva's forehead and sent her on her way.

Minerva hurried outside to see Hagrid standing next to a dark eyed Thestril that had a spindly-legged foal next to the mare.

"Hello Pet." She said softly. Hagrid lifted her onto the back of the Thestril and then handed her the guide rope. "The Burrow" he said to Pet who launched into the air in two steps. Minerva had never flown by Thestril. She knew she would come to no harm, and she loved to fly on a broom- but this- this was much more- exhilarating. She knew that it was the fastest- safest way to travel- the Floo network was out of the question. She could see the ground fading as they went high above the clouds. Hagrid had held the foal back from taking off after its mother. She knew, beside the male Thestril whom Hagrid said only he or Albus should ever try to ride just yet, that there was only one other mare that could be ridden, and Poppy must have been on that one. In short order they landed at the Burrow. Minerva thanked Pet as she saw a young wizard came to help her off of the Thestrils back. She recognized him as Arthur Weasly. Arthur removing the guide rope and showed Pet where the other Thestril was resting before their return back to Hogwarts.

Minerva saw the other Weasley children sitting on the sofa- the twins just two had been charmed to their chairs and the chairs charmed to the floor by their older brother who made the introductions. Bill who was just 9 and given the responsibility of taking care of them until she arrived. Charlie, just 7 was holding 4 yr old Percy on his lap showing him a small model dragon and telling him about them. She placed her bag in the corner and heard Arthur's wife wail upstairs. The twins were looking at each other – then trying to use wand less magic to summon the tin of biscuits off of the shelf towards them. She nodded to Bill that they all could have just one- and then hurried up the steps to where Poppy was tending to Arthur's wife. Minerva realized whom Arthur had married, though it had been years since she had seen her in her classroom- it was in the first few years that she had been a teacher. She had quite liked the two of them – She knew neither of them came from much money, but they were deeply in love. Minerva moved to Molly's side to take her hand. "The children are fine" she reassured Molly. She knew that it would be her job to ensure that they would remain just as fine as when she arrived, but that was for another time.

It was a bit later that Minerva came down and had Charlie release the twins from the chair they were charmed too. Poppy had things well in hand and Arthur was with his wife. She was able to get Percy, and the twins down for their naps and every one fed their lunch with out the house going to a shambles in short order. Flicking her wand about she straightened things up while the children slept. When everything was taken care of she went back upstairs with something for Molly, Arthur and Poppy to have.

And then the baby came. Red hair tumbled down to his scrawny shoulders as he screamed at the top of his lungs. In that moment Minerva wished things would have been different in her life- but- then she accepted things in the same heart beat. She knew, someday they would have their daughter as she had overheard Arthur joking about- but just not today.

It was three days later that Minerva returned to Hogwarts after being re assured that Molly had things under control. She was looking forward to having Charlie and Bill for her students in a few years, and after holding little Ronald, she knew that his life would be intertwined with Lily's and James son, as well as Alice and Franks. Even if they never met socially, somehow she knew that they would be friends- and hold a very special bond. She had no doubt that she held a Gryffindor in her arms.

Human babies weren't as interesting to Hagrid as monster babies were. He still cared for them, but it horrified Minerva how casual he handled them, almost forgetting how delicate the little ones were. Albus had laid a gentle hand on her arm to prevent her from springing up when later that year Lily and James brought tiny Harry to visit at Hogwarts. Even chubby Neville brought a smile to Hagrid's face when he vomited the contents of his breakfast down Hagrid's open mouth as he held him aloft.. It saddened Minerva's heart that Molly and Arthur couldn't share in the joy that the two young couples now felt.

She knew Molly would have a lot of information to pass on to the two new mothers but, for reasons of his own, Albus had said it would be best if they didn't meet. Of course the men worked at the ministry- but Aurors and the office of Muggle Protection wouldn't cross paths that often, and even then, only the most senior of Aurors would be making the contact.

When Minerva entered into the office she saw Albus pacing. She hoped that Albus was right, or that the prophecy was wrong- or something. She saw the moment of doubt in his eyes. That he had discovered which was the right child . Alice and Frank were pure blood witches. Lily was a not of blood- Minerva knew that it wasn't a polite term to say, but it made Harry a half blood - Like Voldemort. It was the prophecy that gave that clue. Neville would be safe. While both had thrice crossed Voldemort- the wizard who was more like him was Harry.

There was a spy among them as well. Albus had mentioned something- they didn't know who it was, but somehow Voldemort knew their movements, knew the hiding places at the cost of a few members lives. She knew none of them were really safe. She also knew that while caution was to be exercised, if Voldemort went after an infant, there would be more of an outrage at the ministry to be rid of him than ever before, though there wouldn't be anything any of them would be able to do to stop him.

Not that there was anything that the ministry could do to prevent what Voldemort was doing- only a wizard that he feared would make a difference. While Voldemort feared Albus, it was something that Albus had said to her long ago. "There will always be evil in the world Minerva, and each generation will bring forth a wizard that will be just as good, as there is evil to fight it. I have fought, and won, over the wizard in my life- now, it is for a new generation to do battle."

At the time, Minerva felt he was referring to the younger members of the order- Frank, James, Sirius, Peter, Remus, Lilly, Tonks Podmore- Kinglsy. She realized now, that it would take another generation that held the combined powers of the generation before to vanquish this evil.

She crossed the room and went to Albus. He took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "What if Neville needs protecting too?" she asked.

"Then we are all lost." He said softly.