Christmas Day arrived with Minerva sitting on the couch watching her children opening their Christmas presents with excitement. She may have gone a bit overboard but it was her first Christmas as a mother and she couldn't resist. She had spent a small fortune in a second hand muggle bookstore.

"Thank you Màthair," Hermione had cried excitedly as she pulled out a first edition William Shakespeare book.

"Leland Kelly told me what you did to ensure Lee's schooling," Minerva said softly. "You gave that boy a chance in life by selling those books. He would have suffered by not completing his schooling to OWL level. I am very proud of you love."

Hermione hid her face in embarrassment. "I just wanted to help him," she whispered. "I ended up with another friend because of it."

"Thank you Màthair," Robbie cried as he pulled out a new golden plated cauldron and stiring rod. "I have been saving for one of these. I can't wait to show Severus."

Minerva chuckled at her son's excitement. "He has already seen it," she informed him. "He helped me pick it out. Severus said he would schedule time for a brewing session as soon as we return to Hogwarts."

"What time did he schedule for you," Robbie asked mischievously.

Minerva spluttered in shock. Hermione laughed in amusement at her mother's face. "We are just teasing Màthair," she soothed. "We only want you happy. If Severus makes you happy then we hope you keep him always."

"You really mean that," she finally managed. "The age difference or my being his teacher in the past doesn't bother you in the least, does it?"

"You taught most of Magical Britain Màthair," Robbie reminded her teasingly. "Besides what difference does age matter when you age as slowly as you do? If you dropped your charms, Severus and you would appear the same age."

Minerva smiled at her children then asked, "If I wanted to make my relationship with Severus public knowledge, how would you feel?"

"We would be fine with it," reassured Hermione. "I don't know how that could happen though. He would be slaughtered by Voldemort's forces if they believed he turned on them."

"I found a way to remove his Dark Mark," she said gently. "I haven't shared it with him yet though. Sirius Black managed to convince Albus to transfer Severus' vow to him as a punishment for helping me overpower him. Albus doesn't realize Sirius follows my orders instead of his."

"That silver tongue devil," exclaimed Hermione. "Has he released Severus from his bond yet?"

"No," Minerva answered. "He plans to on Boxing Day and then portkey him to my cottage in Scotland. I shall be going there tomorrow morning and attempting to remove the Dark Mark. You both shall enjoy time with your grandparents. Jean plans on heeding the dwarfs advice and will introduce you to his connections among various magical beings."

"What if you need help?" Hermione asked concerned.

Minerva smiled at her daughter's thoughtfulness. "Remus and Sirius will be present for the removal of the Dark Mark and then they will leave us be. Apparently Remus can smell Severus' claim on me."

"Is that how he worded it," Robbie asked hesitantly. He didn't think his mother would have responded well to that.

"No," Minerva replied in disdain. "He informed me in a much cruder way and I have no intentions of repeating those words."

Hermione and Robbie smiled at each other then gave into their laughter. For such an unusual witch, she was rather conservative on a lot of other things.

Severus portkeyed with Remus and Sirius to a seaside cottage. He looked around curiously and saw pictures of Minerva and the twins. "Is this Minerva's home," he asked suprised.

"One of them," she answered as she came down the steps. "Are the vows removed?"

"They are," Sirius answered then chuckled darkly. "I can't wait until the bastard realizes I released Severus from them."

Minerva snorted in amusement. "If we are lucky he will choke on a lemon drop," she said dryly.

Remus snorted out in laughter as he looked at Minerva in wonder. "Are you sure you weren't a Marauder?"

"Of course not," she answered properly then cracked a smile. "I was smart enough to not get caught when I pranked."

Sirius burst out laughing at his former teacher's answer. She had changed dramatically since the twins had entered her life. Well maybe showed her true self was a better description of what had occurred. "I always respected Professor McGonagall and how firm she stood," he finally managed to formulate. "Minerva McGonagall, the mother, is a much better version. The firmness is still there but now we get to see you as a person. You are a marvelous witch!"

Touched by his words, she rapidly blinked her eyes to keep her tears at bay. "Thank you," she uttered then shook her head to focus on the task at hand. "We ready for the ritual?"

"What ritual," Severus asked confused.

"To remove your Dark Mark," she answered carefully. "The choice is entirely yours. You have been cut free from one master, would you like to break the ties from the other?"

Severus looked at Minerva in suprise. He glanced to his newly found friends in silent questions. Small nods of encouragement were given. He smiled a rare full smile before answering, "I would gladly cut those binds."

And with that, the ritual began and rid the Order of the Phoenix of its only spy in the Death Eaters ranks.