A/N: I adore you all. I hope you're having a great day.
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Harry woke up feeling exhausted but smiled despite this as he felt Minerva's arms tighten around him.
"Madainn mhath mo mhac [Good morning my son]," Minerva said quietly, kissing his forehead.
"Hi," he said with a sighed into her neck.
"Feeling any better?"
"No," Harry admitted, refusing to move from her arms. "I'm really tired."
"I'm not surprised," Minerva chuckled, brushing his hair back and kissing him gently. "You were kicking around all night."
"Really?" Harry asked, astonished that he didn't remember waking up in a film of sweat with his heart beating rapidly like usual.
"Really," she smiled. "I'm surprised I don't sound like I've been singing all night. You had a lot of nightmares balach beag [little boy]."
"I kinda wish I'd been awake to hear it Máthair [Mother]," he said, snuggling even closer.
Minerva smiled and started humming, rocking them gently. She heard him sighing and started singing, chucking when he hummed along with her and wrapped his arms around her neck.
"Harry, I -" she sighed, trailing off. She took a deep breath and kissed his hair while he lay on her chest. "I am so sorry, for not realising. I am sorry mo linbhin [my baby]."
"It's okay," he whispered.
"No," she shook her head. He looked up at and she cupped his cheek. "No Harry, it's not. I should have paid more attention to you. I should have checked on you, talked to you more. I am new at this, as you know, but I should have more sense than that. And for that, I can only keep apologising."
"I knew you were busy," he said sadly.
He had known it and had not begrudged the time Min and, he supposed, Albus spent fighting an enemy he'd brought back into existence. He just wished he could do something, anything to help.
"I should never be too busy for my son," she replied, cupping his cheek and raising his eyes to meet hers. "I need you to be honest with me from now on because I cannae promise it won't happen again, but you are mo mhac [my son] and that means you can tell me anything. So next time I'm being dense Harry, please tell me, okay?" She rubbed his nose with her own and chuckled as his screwed up a bit. "I'm serious. A letter, an elf," she chuckled. "Hell, a smoke signal Harry, call me."
"Seadh Máthair [Yes Mother]."
"You are getting better at that," Minerva chuckled as the mood lifted a little. "I like the sarcasm you're developing."
Harry laughed and felt the tension lift from his shoulders.
"Can, can we spend the day together?" Harry asked, his ears burning a little in his embarrassment, pushing his face into her throat.
"I think we could spend the next few days together, if you'll have me?" Minerva whispered, kissing his forehead again. "And then, I think in light of what has happened, we move to Grimmauld Place for the rest of the holidays."
"Really?" his head poking up. "That's Sirius' house isn't it?" Harry asked.
"It's the Black family residence," Minerva nodded, cautiously. "But at the moment it's acting as headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix."
"What's that?" Harry asked resting his ear back over her heart.
"During the first war with Voldemort, there was a group of us that decided we weren't happy with how it was being fought by the Ministry. Albus, of course, and a few of us Professors and students and private citizens. We joined together, forming the Order of the Phoenix under Albus as our leader and were instrumental in defeating Voldemort and his cronies." She smiled and brushed his hair from his face. "Although you were stronger than all of us."
"I was just a baby," Harry shrugged. "It was Mum who was the strong one."
"Well, you're not wrong there," Minerva conceded, pressing another kiss to his hair while she lamented losing Lily. "Now, how about a lazy morning? We can read, or play a game of something. This afternoon we'll take a picnic and apparate out to Fort William. I'd like to talk to Merlin about a few things, and we could use the fresh air." Harry winced a little at the thought of going outside the wards, but Minerva's warm hand on his cheek quickly soothed him. "I will not let anything happen to you. The Dementors should not be able to go near Fort William, just as they cannot reach you here," she whispered. "I am so proud of you for what you did Harry, no matter what drivel the Ministry is spouting."
Harry paled when he remembered the letter.
"They're not really going to kick me out of Hogwarts are they?" he muttered.
"No," Minerva said emphatically. "Albus will make sure you stay."
"But -"
"No," Minerva said again. "You're not going anywhere."
"It'd be the least he could do," Harry growled, shaking his head a little to clear his dark thoughts. "Sorry, I guess I'm hungry."
If Minerva noticed his anger at Albus, however unexplained, she didn't mention it. She laughed and pulled him close before rolling out of bed and throwing him a dressing gown.
"We'd best get you fed then."
They walked downstairs, laughing and joking before finally sitting down to a cooked breakfast in the dining room.
"Máthair [mother], do you know why Taran hates me so much?" Harry asked as Kenna popped away.
He'd noticed it more and more recently. Taran was barely seen, and Kenna had mentioned a few times that he was not comfortable serving Harry, but that she was happy to do so.
"I'm sure he doesn't hate you, darling," Minerva said haltingly. "But he does have some reservations. Truthfully, I am not sure why though."
"Do you think I've done something wrong?"
"No darling, I think Taran is a cranky old elf who has simply been on his own for too long," Minerva smiled, serving him another piece of toast and three rashers of bacon. "What is it you'd like to do today?"
Harry chewed thoughtfully as he trawled his brain for one single idea that was better than the hundreds of other ideas that he had.
"I, do you mind reading to me?" Harry asked, blushing a little and refusing to look at her.
"I'd love to," Minerva beamed, winking at him when he finally looked up. "Are you going to pick or should I?"
"You," Harry smiled, following her into the library.
The hurt of the last few weeks still ached in the back of his mind, but he seemed to be able to reason with himself now, something he hadn't been able to do in the last few days. The thought of spending the next three days with Minerva's full attention was a calming reassurance. A small part of him felt embarrassed for acting like a small child, but he was too happy to care. This was his time with Minerva, and he was going to make sure it was amazing.
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"Harry!"
Minerva smiled as she heard him jump down the top flight of stairs, just like his father had done. She shook her head at her abysmal behaviour over the last couple of weeks. To think that she hadn't spoken to her son properly certainly explained his anger, but also why he was so affectionate. He had been by her side all morning.
Not that she was complaining. She had missed him as much as he had missed her, and it warmed her heart that someone missed her, after living so long with no one.
"Here Máthair."
"Where's your cloak?" Minerva said sternly. "It may be mid-summer, but it gets cold quickly, and it isn't any trouble to shrink it down and carry it in your pocket. Better to be prepared, mo mhac [my son]."
He rolled his eyes, but walked back to the cloakroom and took his coat out, slipping it around his shoulders.
"Ready!" he grinned, pulling her from the door.
"Alright, alright," she said, laughing, following him at a trot. "No need to drag me, Harry."
"I just want to go there, that's all," Harry said. "Do you think Merlin will let me see my parents' wands again?"
"I'm sure he will," Minerva smoothed her hand over his hair. "Now hold on tight and we'll go."
"Máthair [mother]? Tha gaol agam ort [I love you]."
"Tha gaol agam ort cuideachd [I love you too] Harry," she said, kissing his forehead and apparating them away.
"Urgh," he groaned, holding onto her. "I hate that."
"Easy leanabh [baby], picnic first, then we'll go inside," Minerva insisted, drawing the shrunken picnic basket from her pocket, along with a clean handkerchief, enlarging both to an appropriate size for a picnic.
They ate happily, laughing about some things and talking about others. Minerva revealed more information on the Order of the Phoenix, and they spoke about Hermione and Ron. At first, Harry was as angry at them as he was with Minerva the day before, but she coaxed him round.
"They were doing what they were told," she said gently. "I know it must seem odd to do as one is told at your age mo ghràidh [my dear], but they did and I don't think you should be angry with them for that."
Minerva didn't wait for an answer from Harry but instead turned to face the sound she had just heard, her outstretched even though she had a good idea of who the intruder was.
"Greetings Mistress."
"Sawney, I advise you not to sneak up on us the next time," Minerva warned, with a little reproach in her voice. "These are dangerous times."
"My apologies, Mistress," Sawney said with a smile, looking nonplussed. "My master bids you welcome and to visit the library when you have finished your meal."
"What's in the library?" Harry asked, looking perplexed.
"My master," Sawney said simply, disappearing again without another word. Minerva chuckled.
"It seems that time has not afforded them with the knowledge that most people prefer straight answers," Minerva mused. "Are you finished?"
"Yeah, let's go," Harry said, lobbing his half-eaten sandwich out into the field, grinning at Minerva's arched brow. "I'm feeding the wildlife."
"Get on with you," Minerva said, pushing him gently through the big doors and into the hall. "The library is down here if I remember correctly."
They walked down the shambolic corridor, coming to a stop at two doors that shimmered when they pushed on them. Up and down the way, sconces lit themselves and the ruins they had just been standing in, transformed into a full castle. The library was Minerva said and it opened up into the warm and inviting space they'd visited before. Despite not having the love of libraries that Hermione had, Harry was happy to see the summer sun streaming in through the windows.
"It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?" Minerva said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind him.
"Yeah," Harry breathed, unwilling to disturb the peace the room seemed to exude.
"Master Harry, if you will please take your leisure here. Mistress, Master Merlin would like to speak with you."
"Why can't I come?" Harry asked, almost whining at the thought of Minerva leaving his side.
"Master wishes to speak to Mistress only, he does not tell me why," Sawney said apologetically.
"Harry, please," Minerva sighed, running her hand through his hair. "Relax and read a book." She walked over to the shelves and pursued the selection for a moment before returning with a very old looking book. "Try this one, it's a classic."
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?" Harry asked. "I think I've heard of this one. Wouldn't this," He frowned and looked up at her. "This is pretty new, though, isn't it? For," he glanced at Sawney. "Merlin?"
"I'm sure, like me, Merlin has collected books for his whole existence," she winked. "I bet there are some that are very old, but this one is a good start for you and I'm glad you've heard of it. You should have," Minerva said, tapping his nose. "Please try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone."
Harry stared after her as she left, following the wizened house-elf out of the library. He opened the book to the first page, but as soon as he started reading, he felt his eyes closing. Beyond his control, he slipped into sleep, the book landing heavily on his chest as he started dreaming.
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Minerva meditated quietly in a cosy but utilitarian drawing room and when she opened her eyes, Merlin was simply there. He greeted her with a smile as she got up and took a seat opposite where he stood.
"You wished to see me Prìomh-athair [grandfater/ancestor]?" Minerva asked.
"I did. I hear your leth-sheise [mate/partner] has been making trouble," he said gently. "You are unhappy with him?"
Minerva rolled her eyes and stood, pacing the length of the room.
"He has made error after error. He's ruined Harry's summer. He refuses to see the smaller picture," she ranted. Now that she had started she was eager to get it all off her chest. "I know he is an extraordinary man and the ultimate key to the defence of the Wizarding World, but why could he not see that he was damaging my son - our son? Why is he so blind, after all I spoke about last year, after all that we went through? It is almost as if the moment Harry needs us the most, Albus goes out of his way to make his already difficult life more difficult."
"He is as butter over too much bread," Merlin counselled, taking her hand and stopping her pacing. "You must make him see that his family is just as important as the war, banga-ogha [great-granddaughter]. Take it from one who knows, make him see."
"I don't know how," she said, her voice wobbling with frustration. "I don't know how to make him see. I have told him again and again. He does not listen."
"I am sorry mo nighean [my daughter]." He let her compose herself before wrapping her arm in his and taking her to the window. "What of your bonding to him," he asked quietly. "How are you and Hermione going with your research?"
Minerva blushed and looked away. The bond she created with Albus, without his knowledge or consent, played heavily on her mind every single day. She needed to find a way to change the future and for all her skill, power and magic she knew she was still woefully out of her league.
"I have made no headway over the holidays, we have been too busy shoring up treaties and alliances with old acquaintances. I have scarcely been home to sleep, let alone study. Albus kept me so busy I could not even talk to my son," she sighed, letting go of the anger that was still simmering. "Hermione, I am sure, has been studying the grimoire but alas I have not had much chance to speak to her either."
"I know you have toiled banga-ogha [great-granddaughter], but now is the time for family. I have been watching your world keenly, and I feel a darkness brewing, aside from the one that plays so heavily on Albus' mind. The one you call Voldemort will not be the only darkness you must face this year. I fear another will find you, one that will somehow make your families lives even harder."
Minerva went to speak, but Merlin held up his hand.
"I know nothing further. This is why it is imperative that you all stand firm, together. I wish I could tell you more, but I am not all-seeing. You need each other more than ever."
"Like begets like," Minerva mumbled. Merlin frowned, and Minerva elaborated. "The darkness grows from Voldemort, and as it does, others who hold darkness in them come to the fore. It was the same as before, and no doubt in your time as well."
"Indeed," Merlin nodded, patting her hand. "Take care of your family Minerva. They need you to stay strong, to hold them together."
"I am not that strong," she said exasperatedly. "Now, more than ever, I realise that I am not mother material. I abandoned Harry, left him to fend for himself in the wake of such a traumatic event," she shook her head. "I let him believe that he meant nothing to me."
"But he knows that he means everything to you. Minerva, you are my kin, my teaghlach [family]. You are strong, as your mother, and her mother and all the mothers before you. You just have to let yourself be so," he said comfortingly, getting up and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You must leave now, your son dreams of darkness."
Minerva stood quickly and within the blink of an eye found herself back in the room where she had set off from. She sprinted down the hallways, ignoring the voice inside her head calling for propriety. Her son needed her, and she'd be damned if she let him down again.
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Surprise people!
Some of you lost hope didn't you... that was my bad, I know, but I'm back, I'm writing and planning. You just have to bear with me a little more!
I apologise for the stupidly huge delay!
Em
