Harry and Minerva arrived at Hogwarts once Minerva was officially named the new Headmistress. Minerva had a muggle baby carrier attached to her chest with the twins nestled securely to her. She had her hand firmly in Harry's as they made their way to the Great Hall. All eyes were focused on them as they made it to the staff table. "Good morning," Minerva said brightly.

"Hand those angels over," Pomona Sprout demanded with a warm smile. "Congratulations on your family."

Minerva smiled at her childhood friend before she eased the babies from their carrier and to the waiting arms of her friend. "Fair warning," she cautioned. "Jamie likes to change hair colors and Jasmine enjoys summoning books."

"Apples don't fall far the tree then," Rolonda Hooch teased.

"Don't forget you three are getting physicals soon," Poppy reminded.

"If we must," she sighed good-naturedly. "I would like to have a staff meeting this morning with what staff we have here. We can make a plan for cleanup and what areas to focus on first unless anyone has any other suggestion."


The repairs at Hogwarts were going slowly in Minerva's eyes. A lot of volunteers had showed up to help but it was a tedious process. Each area had to be cleared, the original spellwork removed and then recast. Each task needed a skilled worker which they simply had few of. They had many volunteers but most of them had basic knowledge of the skills needed.

Harry and Hermione had suprised her in the depth of their skills. She knew they hadn't learned those spells at Hogwarts. They were on par with her and they hadn't been when they left at the end of their sixth year. So she asked them about it. Harry and Hermione's eyes met and a silent conversation happened.

"Well," Minerva inquired again.

"We may have stayed in the 70s for a few years and completed the Unspeakable training," Harry said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Minerva stared wide-eyed at them, unsure what to say to that. "It was the only way they would allow me to go back," Hermione whispered. "Nothing would have prevented me from going to that hospital. What's a few years more in the past when it saved lives?"

Minerva barely held back her tears at that. "I cannot express my gratitude enough," she whispered emotionally.

Hermione wrapped her arms around her mentor and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "We're family," she replied soothingly. "I will always fight for you and yours. You would do the same for me."

Minerva nodded her head as she tried to reel in her emotions. "You're right," she agreed. "We are family and we help out each other. I have scheduled you an appointment with a mind healer. Don't look at me like that," Minerva said as Hermione gave her a horrified look. "I know there is more to the story than what is in official records. The way Draco Malfoy looks at you in despair is confirmation enough. Humor me and give the sessions a chance."

Hermione closed her eyes and nodded. "I will," she reluctantly agreed. "There is a lot more than what is in the reports but its not solely for the reason you think. I omitted a lot in order to shield Neville. He would have murdered the lot of them."

"Neville?" Minerva asked suprised.

"He has followed her around like a lost puppy since first year," Harry commented with a chuckle. "Is it really suprising they end up together?"

Minerva smiled. "Not when you phrase it like that," she said dryly causing the other two to laugh.

"Well Hogwarts won't right itself," Hermione said effectively changing the subject as she started back to work.


Harry frowned when he saw a sea of redheads enter the Great Hall. He tugged Minerva's hand and lead her out the teacher's entrance. "I would rather not have an audience for that confrontation," he replied to her silent question. "Have no worries we will be found rather quickly."

Minerva allowed Harry to lead them to the old Transfiguration classroom. The room still needed quite a bit of work. Minerva figured she would be teaching this year as well as running the school. They would be hard pressed to have a full teaching staff considering the Final Battle occurred here. "Do you think you will be able to staff all of the positions?" Harry asked her, not realizing he was mimicking her internal thoughts.

Minerva sighed before shaking her head negatively. "Hogwarts reputation has been harmed by the past year," she whispered sadly. "The Final Battle being here hurt it more. We simply don't have enough masters left in Britain."

"What about an apprecentice program?" he asked. "Offer them an advanced program and incorporate teaching as a means of gaining knowledge. I know several of the professors hold dual masteries."

Minerva looked at Harry in suprise. "That's an intriguing idea," she admitted. "Remind me to talk that over with Filius before we leave."

A brisk knock sounded before the door was slung open. "There you are Harry dear," Molly said motherly. "We have been looking for you everywhere."

Minerva raised her eyebrows at Molly's mothering tone but remained silent. This was Harry's fight and she would allow him to do so. He didn't need her to fight his battles. "You have found me," he said. "Can I help you?"

Molly looked at Harry critically before saying, "You would think you would have told your family about your ill thought out marriage with a witch decades older than you before it ran in the Daily Prophet."

Harry gave her a hard look before retorting, "You are not my family and you shall never speak another ill word about my marriage again. You will face the consequences if you do so."

Molly looked as if she had been smacked. Her face took on a suprised shock. "Now Harry dear," she tried again only to have him silence her.

"My name is Harry," he interrupted hotly. "Not Harry dear. You will refrain from any ill-conceived notions you have to cause a wedge between Minerva and I this instant."

"You defeat Voldemort and now the fame is going to your head," Ron said spitefully. "It's all about power and fame! You dragged poor Ginny along for nothing."

Clapping sounded behind the redhead prompting him to spin around quickly. He saw George and Ginny standing by the door with looks of sadness which he didn't understand. He was taking up for Ginny!

"What a performance mate," George said sarcastically. "You convinced Magical Britain that you are Harry Potter's best mate yet here you are tearing him down when you should be groveling on your knees for his forgiveness."

"I have nothing to be ashamed of," Ron cried indignantly.

Ginny snorted at this. "You abandoned them nitwit," she exclaimedin disgust. "When it got too hard, you just left them to figure it out on their own. While Hermione and Harry were struggling with lack of shelter, food and fearing for their safety, you were being pampered by Mum! I have never been so ashamed of a brother before."

"Now Ginny dear," Molly started. "Ron was defending you."

"No he wasn't," she answered with a defiant glare. "Ron doesn't know anything about me or my wants. Harry has always acted more like a brother to me than he has!"

"He married another witch," yelled Ron, not understanding why Ginny wasn't upset like him.

Ginny nodded her head. "He did and I hope they have a wonderful life together," she said honestly. "Harry deserves the absolute best and I think he found his match!"

"Thanks Ginny," Harry smiled at her.

"But you were pining over him," Molly said confused.

"I was worried for his and Hermione's safety," Ginny clarified with an eye roll. "They are my dearest friends. They know me better than anyone else. They listen to my wants, my dreams, without criticizing me for it."

"Ginny your family is here for you," Molly said motherly.

"You mean you wouldn't have had a betrothal contract drawed up for me if I admitted to being a lesbian?" questioned Ginny defiantly. "Harry knew how I felt about all of the boys asking me out all the time and he found a solution for me which I am grateful for."

"You're a dike?" Ron asked horrified.

Before Ginny could respond, George punched Ron hard, breaking his nose in the process. "You can't help who you love," George told his sister. "Don't let anyone treat you differently because of it. I will always support you!"

"We will talk about this later young lady," Molly said with a frown.

"You will do no such thing," Arthur said as he entered the room with Hermione. He turned his daughter around to face him. He caressed her cheek lovingly before smiling at her. "I always suspected you didn't fancy boys. Hermione here confirmed that for me a few days ago. I have been in talks and have just signed a betrothal contract for you."

"It's to your advantage," Hermione quickly told a worried Ginny.

"You will submit to a full physical to ensure you can carry children," her dad informed her. "Once that formality is over, you will marry Daphne Greengrass. She was injured during the past year and is unable to carry children. The contract states you will birth at least 2 children to her. Lord Greengrass was very happy with that part and allowed stipulations to finish your education, masteries if you want, and you would be allowed any career you want as long as you birth said heirs first."

"You betrothed me to a witch?" Ginny asked with tears in her eyes.

Arthur wiped her tears away and nodded his head. "You will make a good match," he answered with a smile. "Several other pureblood lords were trying to gain the match with Daphne as a second wife. Hermione suggested I offer Lord Greengrass a different arrangement and she was right. Daphne will still be able to produce heirs for the Greengrass family although not quite like they expected and you will get to try for your dreams. Daphne said to tell you the Greengrass Family just bought twenty percent in the Montrose Magpies."

"I can try for a Quidditch career," Ginny asked for clarification, hope blooming in her heart.

"After you finish Hogwarts and birth the Greengrass heirs," he answered with a grin.

"Thank you Daddy," she squealled as she hugged him tightly.

"Miss Weasley," Minerva said with a smile. "Family quarters can be requested at Hogwarts as well as a modified schedule for pregnant students."

Ginny jumped up and down excitedly before grabbing Hermione's hand and tugging her down the hall. "Where are we going Gin?" Hermione asked with a laugh.

"To get my physical," the redhead said matter-of-factly. "We only have a few weeks to plan the wedding if I'm to give birth before spring training!"

Hermione just laughed and followed her friend.

"I won't allow it," Molly screeched.

Arthur glared at his wife. "You have no say Molly," he said sternly. "You will remain silent about the matter or so help me I will end our marriage and throw you out on your ear!"

Molly snapped her mouth shut as she looked at her angry husband. "Yes dear," she finally managed.

Arthur turned towards Harry and held his hand out to him. "Congratulations on your marriage and the birth of your children," he said with a huge smile. "I have something for you."

Arthur pulled out a small box and handed it him. Harry looked suprised but shrugged and opened it. He gasped out when he saw the gold watch face. It was a smaller version of the Weasley clock but this version had his face, Minerva, the twins and Hermione on the hands. "It's designed to lay on top of your current watch," Arthur said. "I know that one was your Dad's and I didn't want to take away from that."

"Thank you," Harry managed to croak out.

"No thanks needed," Arthur said jolly. "While Molly and Ron might need a refresher in your importance to our family, the rest of the Weasleys are aware of why we owe you so much. You were always protecting us the best you could and you managed to fund the twins dream. You are an upstanding wizard Harry and I am honored to call you a friend."