"Morning Hagrid," Minerva greeted cheerfully. "You wanted to see me?"

"Aye," the half giant answered. "Those two eggs are hatched."

Hagrid motioned Minerva to the table were Amethyst was perched watching two small Phoenix birds. "How are the small ones?" she asked.

"Small but healthy enough," Hagrid answered. "I had to force some of Amethyst's tears down their mouths but they will survive. They should be able to travel to Phoenix Nesting with you by this evening."

"Thank you Hagrid," she gushed as she studied the nestlings. "How are the other ones?"

"Four of the eggs are still not ready to hatch," he answered. "The other'un hatched but I don't 'pect it to make it."

Minerva peered into the kettle at the pitiful little Phoenix laying miserably on the blanket at the bottom of it. A frown etched onto the witch's face as she watched the bird. It had no energy and couldn't hold open its eyes. It chirped brokenly.

Sadness filled her as she watched the bird for a minute or two. "You poor little dear," she said as she instinctively picked the bird up and brought it to her chest. Minerva's magic flared to life and flames surrounded her and the baby phoenix. Her magic swirled almost violently as the baby bird chirped brokenly. Sadness filled her as she focused her magic on healing the baby. Gold and green flames swirled around her as she willed the baby to survive.

Hagrid had sent for Harry and Hermione via house elf as he watched in wonder. All three watched as Minerva expended her magic and willed the baby bird to heal. Colors swirled and flames expanded. Harry and Hermione spelled containment shields throughout Hagrid's hut to prevent it from being destroyed.

Suddenly a blinding flash and then a joyful trilling sounded throughout the room. The baby Phoenix stood chirping gratefully in Minerva's hands. "Blimey," Hagrid boomed. "You saved her."

Minerva smiled tiredly as she swayed dangerously. Harry rushed to her and caught her just as she lost consciousness. Amethyst flew to her and grasped the baby bird with her talons and moved it to safety. "Hermione can you help Amethyst get the babies back to Phoenix Nesting? I need to get Minerva to the hospital wing," Harry said.

"Sure thing Harry," Hermione said as she watched Harry flash an unconscious Minerva out of the room.


Minerva woke up to Poppy sitting in a chair nearby. She looked around the room and realized she was in a private room in the hospital wing. She moved slightly and alerted the mediwitch to her awaken state. "Thank goodness you are awake," Poppy said. "You drained your magic saving the Phoenix bird."

"The baby," she croaked out, tears welling in her emerald eyes.

"Perfectly safe in her protective cocoon," Poppy reassured. "Your magic drained the reserves you had built up. I'm afraid you are back to limiting your magic again while it builds back up."

"Understood," Minerva said shakily. "The health of the child comes first."

"When Harry returns I shall release you from the hospital wing," Poppy said.

"Returns from where," Minerva asked confused.

"Nagini was spotted in Diagon Alley with a couple of known Death Eaters," Poppy informed her. "A group went to investigate it. It was decided Harry and Hermione both needed to go due to their Parseltongue capabilities."

"It might be a trap," Minerva said frantically. "I need to help them."

"Harold, Remus and Alastor are with them," Poppy reassured her friend. "They shall be fine." Minerva sighed in frustration as Poppy pushed her gently back on the bed. "Rest," she encouraged. "I will let you know as soon as they return."


Minerva let out a strangled sob as she saw her husband. He was pale, bloodied and unconscious. "What happened," she demanded of the returning group as she watched Poppy work to save his life.

Harold sighed before admitting, "It was an ambush. They wanted to drawl out Hermione so Riddle could see if he could sway her to his side. Everything was going well enough until Bellatrix LeStrange went on the attack. She wanted to destroy Hermione and Harry realized it before any of the rest of us."

"I imagine Harry came to the rescue," Minerva said, pride present in her brogue. "He is very protective of her."

"Aye," Harold agreed. "I thought he was going to take her out for a brief moment. Riddle himself showed up when we were fighting and started on the attacked while Harry was preoccupied with LeStrange. He held his own against them. Had that been anyone else, I don't know if they would of survived it at all."

Minerva stared at Harold with raised eyebrows. "He held his own against Bellatrix and Tom? At the same time?"

"He has never shown the sheer power and ability he used tonight," Harold said honestly. "I can't explain it."

"I have a theory about that," Poppy said as she focused on Harry. "Helen check Minerva's magic reserves."

Helen did so and was flabbergasted when she saw it the number. "She's only at 5 percent. How is this possible? You were at 37 percent when I left you."

"Minerva's magic swirled violently before you lot arrived," Poppy answered. "She was in an unresponsive state although her eyes seemed to be seeing something. I believe she was pushing her magic, her knowledge, to Harry through their bond in his time of need. I believe she felt his need and pushed what she had available to him."

"That's why Minerva can move from place to place in a cloud of flames," Helen said excitedly. "She is tapping into Harry's animagus traits somehow."

"Precisely," Poppy answered. "I believe she has discovered how to use the magic returned to her by Hogwarts. Her ability to control fire aides her to tap into Harry's animagus form characteristics and the mating magic allows their gifts to flow from one to the other."

"Will Harry be able to give when Minerva needs it?" Helen asked.

"Can Minerva control it at will?" Harold asked.

"Harry already has," Poppy answered with a smile. "He is extremely tired at the end of the day yet Minerva is perfectly fine. It's quite unusual at this stage of pregnancy."

"Harry's giving me energy," Minerva questioned and then let her mind replay the last few months.

"Harry is aware he is capable of it," Poppy offered. "I have been supplying him with Pepper-up potion for weeks now. He was hoping Minerva wouldn't discover this ability until after the war was over though."

"Why," Helen asked frowning.

"So Minerva wouldn't push her limits especially while pregnant," Poppy answered honestly. "Harry will be fine. He will have a few new scars to add to his collection but he will be fine."

"Thank Merlin," Minerva said as she moved to his side. Poppy discreetly expanded the bed for Minerva. Sometimes a mediwitch knew when she wouldn't be able to run a visitor out of her domain.

"Alright Harry needs his rest, you lot need to leave unless you wish for medical assistance," Harold said. "We will discuss this once Harry is able."