My parents have noticed the increasing time I've been spending on the computer to write this story. They have concluded that computers are unhealthy, and that I shouldn't be on one.. Therfore, I blame both the delay, and the shortness of this chapter on having to wait till they are asleep. It's now almost 1a.m!

I'd also like to give special mention to two people:

icerelief2004, aka krys: For always reviewing my stories. Thats right stories. My other one had to be temporarily removed, but you remembered me!

Lady Gallatea Ravenclaw: For helping me with my story. You know more then I do about my story, and I dont know if it'd turn out half as good without your advise.

Anyway, Enjoy the story
-Abby Jack, bloody pirate.

McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore were once again gathered in Dumbledore's office. Their discussion was however, centred on Lord Voldemort's demise.

Dumbledore looked weary, despite the amazing turn of events. "I realise the wizarding world is celebrating the Dark Lord's defeat," he began, "But I have reason to believe Voldemort has not been killed, and has merely been severely weakened."

Snape and McGonagall dutifully faked shocked looks. "How?" they replied simultaneously.

"There is a prophecy, concerning Voldemort and a child, and it hints that this is merely the beginning." Dumbledore answered. McGonagall snorted. She'd made it very clear to Dumbledore what she thought of anything to do with divination.

"Minerva dear, I know how… imprecise this branch of magic is, but this is indeed a real prophecy. It has already begun to come true." Dumbledore assured her.

Snape gave McGonagall a look that said You sly, plotting… but he spoke nonetheless "It is, in fact precise, professor." Snape sneered, clearly annoyed at the pointlessness of what he was about to do. "I was present for the first part, but what I heard goes;

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches.

Born to those who have thrice defied him as his equal,

Born as the seventh month dies.

And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal,

But he will have the power the Dark Lord knows not…"

"There is more…" Snape added, hinting at Dumbledore to finish it, even if only for Snape's benefit. The headmaster, however, showed no sign of doing so. I'll just ask McGonagall later then.

"Yes, it is sad. Neville is in for some hard times ahead. Only a year old and yet so much is expected. My only hope is that he has the chance to grow up before Voldemorts return, as the wizarding world will surely expect for Neville to finish him off." Dumbledore smiled.

"However, as Voldemort is indeed gone for the time being, the Order will be put on hiatus. We don't have to worry ourselves with their reactions to Snape still attending meetings."

Snape merely scowled at this announcement.

The Headmaster picked up a bowl on his desk. "Lemon drop?" he offered, changing the subject. When both heads of houses, refused he shook his head sadly, only the twinkle in his eyes giving him away.

"You should really learn to appreciate the little joys of life. Well, I'm sorry for keeping you so long, I wouldn't want to make you late for classes."

McGonagall and Snape took the dismissal for what it was, and left, pausing outside the door. The two agreed to meet in Snape's lab first thing on Saturday, as much had to be sorted out.

………………………………

Harry was eating dinner (more weird baby goo), listening the conversation around him. The marauders were going out partying, as the whole wizarding world was celebrating the fall of Voldemort.

Lily had opted to look after Harry, the scare of her losing her baby earlier that day making her extra cautious.

She didn't begrudge the men their chance to finally get a chance to forget the past few days, even if she didn't like the method. They'd probably arrive home in the early hours, barely able to stand, and insist she do sobriety and hangover charms.

When they'd left, she sat down with Harry down amidst his blocks, before seating herself beside him. They managed to play for a while, before Harry crawled over to her and lay quietly. Lily worried.

Harry had been a quiet baby, though James and Sirius hoped he would get into the marauder pranking spirit when he grew older. Harry was starting to muck around finally, and some of his shyness had dissipated.

But this was different somehow. Lily knew her baby, and something had changed, she could sense it. Harry had had nightmares four times running now; yet once the baby was awake, he seemed to completely shut down any negative emotion. It was like he didn't want to be seen crying.

Lily unconsciously shook herself. This is a fifteen-month-old baby, get a grip! But she couldn't think of anything else to explain the strange behaviour.

That was the last time Lily noticed her son had a nightmare though. Harry conceded that being found with a silencing charm on him would create more problems then being found to have constant nightmares.

But Harry decided, the silencing charm was possibly not going to be found out, where as his parents, especially his mother, were increasingly worrying about his constant bad awakenings.

In the end, Harry took Lily's wand again, though this time he carefully hid it in the mattress in his cot, while his mother had left the room.

Lily had left the wand on the coffee table, near his cot, so Harry didn't take too long, but at the time crawling over and hiding the object had felt like eternity, in which Lily could walk in at any moment and catch him.

Harry was glad of the hole in the side of the mattress. It was barely noticeable. Luckily; or someone would've fixed it. Also, no one would think to look there for the missing wand, even if they suspected Harry had repeated his trick of a few days ago.

The next few days passed without incident, though Harry wished he could his father and friends drunk more often, it was absolutely hilarious, compared to banging blocks together. He'd entertained Lily in the game for a while, but soon dropped the act and cuddled his mother.

It was good to be around everyone again, and the past few days had been an emotional roller-coaster. He also got to grow up with his parents! One set of memories wanted to cry at the feeling, but the eighteen year old memories were to used to keeping people out, and weren't ready yet. Soon, maybe.

One problem had been troubling Harry though. Would he have to sit and twiddle his thumbs for years until he was expected to be able to talk and understand properly? His problem was solved however, when a certain potions master flooed over. Immediately, Sirius and James had their wands drawn. Snape merely sneered at them.

"What do you want, Snivellus" James spat. His scowl however lost its affect with "ouch! Harry bit me!" Snape had saved Harry's life, and Harry decided he would defend him, even if the person in question was a git.

Snape tried to keep a plain face, and only the slight twitch up, in the corners of his mouth gave away his otherwise ominous demeanour.

"Don't presume this is a social visit, Potter. I've actually come on behalf of McGonagall."

"What did she want?" Lily asked, entering the room.

"She seemed to think it was imperative that I drop what I was doing to rush over here and deliver a message."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, but neither marauder present lowered their wands. Snape continued.

"She would like to offer Lily her services as a baby sitter should the need arise." He finished simply.

"What?" Sirius asked dubiously. "She knows we've got Sirius and Remus, if either Lily or I are unavailable. Maybe you're just anxious to finish your master's work!" James added scathingly.

"Go ask her yourself then," Snape retorted, "Though I don't think you'll get much sense out of anytime soon. When I left she'd just finished up with whole box of tissues, and didn't seem anywhere close to cheering up. I don't think she wants company at the moment."

What? Thought Harry. Why'd she be upset… Oh. Realisation dawned. It was a trick to get some time with McGonagall. Harry knew Snape and McGonagall quite well; he grinned impishly. I doubt McGonagall even knows what Snape's saying, probably just asked him to come up with an excuse. I definitely have to be there when she finds out!

"Is she okay?" Lily inquired, concerned. "What happened."

"I'm not sure, as females do tend to over emotionalise things," Snape scowled, for all the world as though he hadn't just mentioned that McGonagall of all people was upset.

"Severus!" Lily admonished. Snape ducked his head apologetically, but opened his mouth to continue.

"But her main woes were something about being 54 and not having any children of her own. I think you'll find the term is mid-life crisis." Snape said bluntly, as if he was talking about nothing more then an inanimate object, much less a human being.

Sirius and James continued staring mouths opening and closing like fish.

"You cant be serious! McGonagall?" Sirius finally managed to blurt out.

"Well I was only suppose to tell you the offer, not the facts surrounding it. I doubt she would appreciate people knowing she was upset and I would advise you from refraining to mention anything about it to her, if you don't want her to kill you." Snape drawled.

"The poor dear," Lily cut in. She paused, thoughtful, before adding, "We were going to visit my parents tomorrow for dinner anyway. Weren't we James." She hinted obviously to her husband.

He just nodded blankly in reply. "Fancy McGonagall having a mid-life crisis." His comment was dutifully ignored be everyone else in the room, apart from a snickering baby.

Sirius however caught on and begrudgingly assisted. "And I have auror work, conveniently tomorrow night." He couldn't help but add the sarcasm.

"Wonderful then." Snape concluded, though his tone suggested he was at a funeral, "I'll tell her to drop by tomorrow after classes to pick Harry up then." He turned, throwing floo powder into the flames, before disappearing.

An uncomfortable silence descended, broken only by giggles from the baby. The innocence of youth…

Please R&R.

Also, I'll try to update soon, but there might be a two day wait, I have to be sneak on the computer when my parents aren't home, or are asleep. I promise I'll try to get the next one up tomorrow (well today, its 1a.m after all.), but it might be the day after.