Minerva strolled into the room of requirement confidently. The Order of the Phoenix, Amelia Bones' approved ministry employees and the Hogwarts staff she trusted with her life were present. "Morning all," she greeted cheerfully.

A chorus of "mornings" greeted her. As Minerva prepared to speak, the door opened to allow entry to Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom and a bloodied, pissed off Susan Bones. "What happened Susan," Amelia asked, concerned by her niece's appearance.

"It's not all my blood Auntie," Susan reassured with a smile.

"Susan was ambushed by Parkinson, Zabini, and Bulstrode," Neville informed.

"She had already disarmed all three by the time Lady Hogwarts warned us and we made it to her," Luna said with a grin. "They were in worse shape than she is."

Amelia looked at her niece in suprise. Her sweet, easy-going Hufflepuff niece had apparently been listening to her dueling and defense lessons while at home. "Susan," Amelia prodded, needing to know what had transpired and why her niece fought so hard.

The younger red-headed witch looked at her aunt with tears pooling in her eyes. "They were gloating about your pending death," she said sadly. "Voldemort himself had planned your death during the summer holidays but your trip to the French Ministry of Magic with Auror Robertson saved your life. Apparently he considers you the strongest opponent in the Ministry and wanted to take you out to gain a stronger foothold. They were tasked by their families to get me out of the castle and off Hogwarts ground."

"He knew I would of come for you," Amelia said shakily.

"I wasn't going to allow them to use me to get to you," Susan said obviously upset. "I have lost enough family and I refuse to stand by and lose you too. I played dirty and took them out quickly. I may or may not have used spells I am not supposed to ever use."

Amelia just laughed at that. "That's my girl," she whispered as she hugged her niece.

"Where are the Slythrein students at now," Minerva asked.

"We secured them in the dungeon on Lady Hogwarts suggestion," Neville reassured.

"Kingsley, Tonks," Amelia commanded. "Go and find out what they know!" The two aurors left immediately.

Minerva studied the three students and realized she wouldn't be able to keep the three from fighting in this war. They were too invested. "Alright you three," she said briskly. "You have earned your seats in this meeting and any other we have. You are welcome to stay or walk away. The decision is entirely yours."

"I'm glad you finally realized we wouldn't stay away from the fighting," Luna said in her dreamy tone of voice as she went and sat down beside of Harry. Minerva grinned as Neville and Susan both sat down as well.

"Alright you lot," Minerva said loud enough to gather everyone's attention. "Shall we brainstorm on ways to end this war?"


Harry strolled into their living quarters and went straight to the shower. Minerva raised an eyebrow in suprise but stayed on the bed. As she heard the water turn on, she focused back on the book in her hands and continued reading. "Hey," Harry whispered as he slid in under the bed covers and rolled over to her sometime later.

Minerva laid the book on the nightstand and turned towards her husband. Harry gave a sweet loving kiss and drew her in his embrace. "How did it go," Minerva asked.

Harry, Amelia and Filius had gone to Gringotts today to discuss a Horcrux they believed to be in Bellatrix LeStrange' vault. Filius had acted as a go-between between the goblins king and Harry. "We managed to get the cup," Harry said with a lopsided grin. "It cost a bit of gold and the promise of ending Binns teaching career once the war ended."

Minerva snorted at that. She had already planned on helping Binns move on. "Is it destroyed," she asked.

"The Goblin nation has a way to purify the objects and for a fee offered to do so. Filius managed to convince them to purify the cup, diadem, and locket so they could be returned to the school. In return for that, the school will donate the corpse of the basilisk to the Goblin nation. He also promised an accurate book on the Goblin nation be published and to be used in the new and improved curriculum at Hogwarts."

"Who has time to write a book," Minerva asked suprised Filius offered such.

Harry chuckled before he answered. "Filius already has a book written and plans to have you or Hermione edit it."

Minerva laughed at that. "That's almost Slythrein of Filius," she said.

"It is," Harry said. He rolled over on top of Minerva, careful of her protruding belly and kissed her teasingly. "Now if there are no objections I plan on making love to my wife."

Harry licked her mating mark and watched as desire blazed within his witch. "No objections here," she panted as she waved her hand and vanished their clothes.

"Good," he whispered as he slid in her warm channel. They loved unhurried and leisurely. Hands and mouths roamed as hips thrusted and grinded against each other. "Say my name," he panted a long while later as he licked her mating mark again.

Minerva did so as she exploded in ecstacy and held on as Harry spilled his seed within her. She held him as he composed himself. He rolled them over and she draped herself on him. "I love you Harry," she whispered as sleep claimed her.

"I love you Min," he responded. "With every fiber in me," he added after she had drifted off to sleep.


Hermione led Minerva into the famed Chambers of Secrets as previously promised. Today was the day the basilisk corpse would be removed and sent to the Goblin nation. Harry, Filius and Remus was taking care of that. "Have you made any discoveries yet," Minerva asked Hermione.

"I found Slythrein's private library and a couple of portraits," Hermione said. "He was apparently very distrustful of others. All of his journals and notes are in Parseltongue."

"I believe it," Minerva agreed. "He built an entire chamber with hidden entrances for Merlin's sake."

"I plan to translate them all when I get the chance. I have started on translating the Slythrein family book though. I am hopeful we might find something useful in it to stop Tom," Hermione said.

"Does it bother you," Minerva asked curiously. "He is after all your biological father."

Hermione sighed before answering, "I am not bothered by the thought of his downfall. I am bothered by the realization I will be the last of a line, an important one at that."

"I understand that," Minerva said. "I am the last of the Ross line."

"I momentarily forgot that," Hermione admitted. "I find myself wanting to continue the bloodline sooner rather than later. It is insane considering I have never had anything to do with the Slythrein side."

"I understand that as well," Minerva said. "My grandparents despised my brothers and I because we were halfbloods. Yet I still want to see the bloodline continue and am relieved I am pregnant."

"Maybe you can turn the Ross family name into something to be proud of," Hermione said with a smile.

"I hope so," Minerva replied. "Now what portraits did you find?"

Hermione smiled before walking to a snake statue and speaking Parseltongue. The statue swiveled out of the way and a stone doorway was revealed. Minerva entered the room and momentarily stopped breathing at the sight. Display cases filled the room. Crowns, tiaras, necklaces, bracelets, rings, cuffs, and ankle bracelets were present in most of them. Old and rare books were scattered about the room but what drew Minerva was the large portrait in the center of the back wall. It held a witch sitting in a chair with a bookshelf in the background. Dark curly hair and brown eyes stared back. She was the spitting image of Hermione!

"This is Slythrein's wife Prudence," Hermione said with a grin. "She is still pissed off at Slythrein for turning his back on his friends and leaving the school. She had this room built and placed special charms and runes so only females could enter this room."

"Hello Headmistress or do you prefer Phoenix Protector," the portrait greeted with a teasing smile.

"How are you aware of my Protector status?" asked Minerva in suprise.

Prudence grinned and tugged up the sleeve on her right arm. A small Phoenix tattoo was on her wrist. "I carry the mark," she answered. "I sense you are a very special witch indeed! Shall you come back and visit me? I would love to impart my knowledge on you!"

"I would be honored," Minerva replied, touched by the gesture.

"The others are preparing to leave," Hermione injected. "We shall be back Grandmother."

"Until next time dearest," the portrait returned and then settled back in her chair to doze off to sleep.