Harry Potter flashed Minerva into the Forbidden Forest and erected wards to contain her magic. He stood back, still very much in the wards with her, and allowed her to unleash her magic undisturbed. He knew she would never hurt him regardless if she was in control of her magic or not. She wasn't capable of hurting him, the mating magic ensured it. "Give your magic free rein," Harry urgued as he watched her.

Minerva held her hands up and flared her magic to life it seemed. Minerva pushed and pulled the flames learning how to enlarge and shrink the flames. She stretched her magic as she sent flame after flame up into the sky and then recalled them back to her. Each moment that passed the task became essier. For hours she pushed herself to learn her newly released magical abilities. I can control fire she thought. I am an elemental like Merlin she realized as she managed to extinguish the flames. She moved to Harry as she tugged her shirt down to reveal her mating mark. Harry automatically placed his hand on her mark and searched for what she wanted him to know. I need you to extinguish the other flames he heard in his mind as she leaned into him and kissed him hard and demanding.

Harry waved his hand and removed their clothes magically. He would provide her with whatever she needed. The Mating magic demanded it of him. He wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. He maneuvered her until her back was against a smooth tree. He trailed kisses down her neck as his hands wandered lower. He found her wet and groaned at the feel of her already pulsing center around his finger. "You're so wet," he said as he broke the kiss.

Minerva gasped wantonly as he brought his finger to his mouth and licked her juices from it. "Delicious," he said seductively as he kissed her passionately.

Minerva wrapped her legs around Harry as he lifted her against the smooth tree trunk and entered her swiftly. Minerva moaned as Harry moved in long, fast strokes. She was incapable of meeting his thrusts and just clung to him. She trusted him to keep her from falling. She lost track of the time as he pounded into her and nipped at her skin. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders and back as she lost herself in him and his attentions.

Minerva cried out when he bit down on her neck. Her orgasm overtook her and the small pain from his bite disappeared. She cried his name as he erupted into her and shuddered uncontrollably. "Oh my," Minerva breathed as they gathered control of their breathing.

Harry kissed her once more as he slipped out of her and lowered her to her feet. He grasped her hand and placed it on his mating mark. He showed her his growing feelings for her and his memories of merely watching her sleep at various times. Tears sprang to green eyes as she stared at him in wonder. "Later," he muttered as she opened her mouth to say something. He waved his hands and redressed them. "I just needed you to know. You have a castle to organize rifht now." Minerva kissed him once more and nodded her head in agreement.


Minerva swept down the stairs from the her new quarters into her office. Ginger the house elf had wasted no time in decorating her new quarters similar to how her old ones were. She had been grateful Harry had thought to flash them directly into her quarters to freshen up. She flushed slightly at the marks Harry had left on her neck and chest. "Is everyone here," Minerva asked as Harry flashed into the office with Amethyst.

Amethyst soared and settled on Minerva's shoulder. "I am glad you found me," Minerva cooed and rubbed the bird's belly with her finger. Amethyst trilled affectionately and rubbed Minerva's cheek with her head.

Minerva looked up and saw the staff staring at her in suprise. She noted Albus Dumbledore's portrait looked amazed and appeared to be working out a puzzle in his mind. Minerva laughed good-natured before introducing the Phoenix. "Allow me to introduce my familiar Amethyst. She recently hatched and is just now learning how to fly and flash to different places." Minerva smiled as Amethyst flashed out of the room.

"When did you bond with a Phoenix?" Rolonda Hooch asked suprised.

Minerva unbuttoned the top two buttons of her freshly donned dress and showed her mark. The brilliant scarlet and golden Phoenix showed fully. "Since I am a Phoenix protector," Minerva said honestly.

Poppy Pomfrey moved closer to inspect it. "Phoenix protectors are marked at birth. You didn't have this mark before you left."

"Aye," Minerva agreed easily. "Phoenix protectors marks are typically shown at birth; however, mine appeared as a bonding mark."

"Bonding mark," Poppy asked confused.

Minerva sighed before moving towards the window. She turned her back to the group as she didn't think she would be able to tell her tale if she faced them. "When I was first taken from the castle, I was beaten, tortured and raped for weeks upon weeks by Voldemort himself. I found myself losing my will to live and had pretty much lost myself. Voldemort grew bored with torturing me and decided the Animagus Mating Ritual would be a better form of punishment. He wanted to ensure the Ross bloodline survived and forced a fertility potion down me."

"Oh no," Pomona Sprout huffed as she listened intently.

Minerva smiled bitterly before turning to face the group. "The Animagus Mating Ritual was started once I was tied to the ritual site. My magic flared and produced a green dome of magic for protection but it was only a matter of time before the Death Eater bastards would break through," she said emotionally. "I passed out at some part during the ritual and awoke while being attended by Helen Robertson with this mark." Minerva held up her left hand for all to see. "As you can see, I have no other mark."

"Why would you end up with a Phoenix mating mark when a Death Eater completed the ritual? A Phoenix is such a pure and light creature," Filius Flitwick asked curiously.

Minerva smiled before finishing her tale. "It was not a Death Eater that completed the ritual. I passed out mere moments before a rescue team arrived. The ritual had already been started so it had to be completed. The rescue team only had a male and female that were animagi. My preference was considered and my life saved. The male completed the ritual but refused to call me anything other than his equal. I was given this mating mark as opposed to the normal degrading one."

"Are you sure it is the mark of a Phoenix protector," a voice asked near the back.

"Aye," she answered. "I completed a test at Phoenix Nesting and was gifted with Amethyst."

"Was Fawkes there," Albus' portrait asked. His face bursting with happiness at the thought of Minerva being a Phoenix protector.

Minerva smiled and nodded. "He is the one that recognized my mark. He has not seen a protector since before his first burning day. He was intrigued by the mark since I received it as a mating mark as opposed to being born with it. I was gifted a very rare and precious gift because of it. Amethyst actually hatched while I was holding her egg in my hands. It was breathtaking," she gushed with a smile.

"That's astounding," the portrait said caught up in her tale.

"Now that that's settled," Rolonda injected. "Can we get back to reorganizing the school for the better?"

Minerva smiled gratefully at her longtime friend and shifted into Headmistress mode. "Correct me if I am wrong but we still need a Potions professor, Defense professor, Muggle Studies professor and Transfiguration Professor," Minerva inquired. Filius nodded yes at her assessment.

Minerva smiled before solving the issue. "Fred and George Weasley will split the potions position, Hermione Granger will cover muggle studies and help me with the lower years of Transfiguration. Harry Potter will cover Defense Againstthe Dark Arts. Hermione can also take over Head of Gryffindor House along with Harry's help."

"They aren't qualified," someone yelled in the back.

Minerva frowned and then responded, "All four of them have taken their newts at the French Ministry of Magic at the beginning of summer. Fred and George both earned a mastery in Potions and Charms. Hermione earned herself a mastery in Potions, Charms and Transfiguration. Harry earned his mastery in Defense and Potions. You are well aware it is unheard of nowadays to earn masteries during NEWTs especially with a war going on but these four did so. While those masteries are the basic level, these four are highly qualified for the positions. It speaks of their skill level they were able to pull such a feat while attempting to evade the darkest wizard of their lifetime."

"Well said," Pomona Sprout agreed with a smile. "It will do us well to have a younger generation of teachers to help us bridge the gap with the students."

"Quite right," Fius said. "Minerva we have the four captured Death Eaters lodged in the dungeons. We also have nine marked students in another cell. Harold has already informed Amelia Bones and she has arranged a couple of guards until she can find a more secure location for them. She doesn't trust the Ministry of Magic issued ones due to their breach in security."

"Nine students," Minerva asked saddened by the mere thought.

"Afraid so," he squeked. "Miss Granger" he said but after hearing said witch clearing her throat, he corrected. "My apologies, Hermione had crafted a spell in Parseltongue to incapacitate those with Dark Marks. She performed it and nine students were knocked out once she did."

Minerva raised an eyebrow at Hermione in suprise. "Will that work on all mark death eaters? Can you teach Harry that spell?"

"Afraid not," Hermione said. "It requires Slythrein blood to work. It will only work at Hogwarts and only right after the spell. I will have to repeat the spell from time to time to ensure we keep those with Dark Marks out."

Minerva nodded her acceptance at the answer given. Filius cleared his throat and then changed the subject. "Let us adjourn this meeting until tomorrow morning. The Headmistress needs rest and I am sure Poppy will insist on a physical before the nights out. Everyone but the heads are dismissed for the night. We will discuss more tomorrow."

Minerva smiled gratefully as all of the older staff left other than Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, Rolonda Hooch (Slythrein House Head substitute) and Poppy Pomfrey. "Do you want me to work out chambers for the Weasley twins, Hermione and Harry?" Hooch asked trying to be helpful.

Minerva hesitated for a moment before deciding she could trust everyone in the room. "Will you be sharing quarters," she asked looking at Fred and George.

"Of course Minnie Love," they said in unison.

Minerva rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. "Please put the twins in one set of rooms and then find Hermione one," Minerva answered.

"Harry," Pomona asked curiously.

Minerva swallowed nervously before admitting, "Harry will be staying here with me. We are very much bonded and legally married."

"You completed the ritual," Hooch said suprised as she looked at Harry.

"I did," Harry answered confidently. "Minerva is the only hope Hogwarts had of coming through this war. I couldn't walk away from her."

"I am sure no one needs reminded this is very sensitive information and needs to remain quiet," Minerva said sternly. "The official record of our marriage has been hidden deep within the Unspeakable Department and will remain so until after the war has been won."

"We will work to ensure it remains hidden," Filius reassured his friend.

"Thank you," Minerva said relieved. She turned towards Harold. "Will you be staying the night since Helen is on nightshift?"

Harold nodded wearly. "Don't go through any trouble," he said. "I will crash on Hermione's couch. Helen will want to make sure she is safe and comfortable."

"The perks of having an Auror for a dad," Hermione mumbled. "Overprotective and ensuring my chambers will be warded to hell and back."

"Only the best for my girl," Harold teased as he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her forehead loudly. Hermione pouted as the group laughed in amusement.

"Filius if you would be so kind to show Hermione and Harold to her new chambers," Minerva asked. The little wizard nodded. "Rolonda if you would show the twins to Severus' old chambers?"

Fred and George grinned at Minerva at that. She smirked and winked before speaking, "I want nothing of his left in this castle. Erase his very existence from the castle and those chambers."

"With pleasure Minnie Love," they said as they kissed her on the cheek. "Anything for our bestfriend," they said with a smile and followed Rolonda Hooch out the door.

Minerva laughed at their excitement. She wondered what they had in mind for those quarters. "Who knew those troublesome twins would become so dear to me," she muttered under her breathe.

"You know their loyalty to you endure them to you," Harry said with a mischievous grin. "I would wager you consider them your bestfriend too."

Minerva gave him a look, shrugged her shoulders when she realized he was right and then stuck her tongue out at him. Harry merely smiled at her antics. Minerva changed her focus back to the task at hand. "Pomona will you check on my lions," Minerva asked pleadingly. "I am sure they have bared the brunt of the torture and torment in my absence."

"Unfortunately they have. Poor Mister Longbottom has led the rebellion it seems and urked the Carrows to no end. I will nip up to the tower and check on them," the round professor answered and left for Gryffindor Tower.

Poppy was left with Minerva and Harry. "I would really like to check you over," Poppy said, concern lacing her voice.

Minerva grasped her lifelong friend's hand and smiled. "I believe you should," Minerva said honestly. "I will mostly like be in your care a lot over the next nine months."

Poppy's eyes widened in suprise as she figured out the clue given. "You're pregnant?"

"Yes," the Headmistress confirmed. "It is still very early and barely detectable. As I said earlier, I was forced to drink a fertility potion. I am just relieved it is Harry's child."

"Let's take a look then," Poppy said as she led Minerva into the bedroom. Harry settled on the couch and waited patiently. He was glad to be back home.