September 1st arrived quickly for the professors. The repairs to the castle had just been completed two days ago. everyone had worked tirelessly but they had managed to bring Hogwarts to her former glory. Minerva had been unable to staff the positions that were supposed to be only temporary for last year so Fred, George, Hermione and Harry agreed to remain in their teaching positions again for this year. She had been relieved and touched by their loyalty to her.
The returning students filtered through the Great Hall doors with smiles. Laughter and conversations flowed easily between students. Smiles graced the faces of those at the Head table. Well those that were there. The Headmistress was no where to be seen.
"Where's Minerva," Filuis asked Harry. It was unlike her to be tardy especially on the night the students returned.
Harry smiled in reassurance before answering, "Athena demanded to be feed just as Minerva started to leave our quarters."
Laughter errupted from those around Harry. "That's our girl," Fred and George said in unison. Harry just grinned at the duo. They had been serious about being honorary uncles and had doted on the baby. It touched Harry's heart!
Suddenly the doors to the Great Hall flung open loudly and everyone's attention was drawn to it. Gasps of suprise filled the room as Minerva McGonagall slowly made her way to the Head table with Athena securely in her arms. Her normal teaching robes were gone. In their place was a form-fitting pair of black satin trousers, a sheer emerald green tunic and a custom made black jacket that appeared like a shortened robe with Hogwarts crest displayed proudly on the back. Her trusty heeled boots were replaced with modern high-end muggle squared toed shoes.
Her strict bun was no more and in its place her long raven locks cascaded down her back gracefully. Her square-shaped spectacles were tucked in a pocket on her shirt. Light makeup graced her face and her ever present brooch was there on her robes. Minerva slowly sauntered down the aisle with Athena cooing softly.
"Bloody hell she is gorgeous," Fred Weasley muttered. "Harry you are a lucky sod!"
Harry smirked at his friend and replied, "You should see her when we go on a date in Muggle world. She wears short dresses or backless ones."
"Lucky bastard," George said to Harry much to the amusement of those close enough around them to hear.
"That is simply Minerva," Hermione whispered as she watched the Headmistress walking down the aisle. "Professor McGonagall appears to have put to rest."
"I believe you are right Hermione," Filius said as he studied his colleague carefully. "For the first time since her own school days, I believe we are witnessing Minerva being her carefree self."
Harry smiled as Athena cried as Minerva passed Fred and George. A grin appeared on her face as she turned around and gently passed the baby to George. Athena giggled delightfully as the twins spoke baby talk to her. "When are you going to go on a date with him," Minerva asked Hermione quietly as she passed her on her way to her seat.
Hermione frowned at her before turning back to watch the twins with Athena. "You know he won't always wait for you," Harry added gently. "He loves you but he also wants a family. He will give up and settle if you take too long."
"I will think about it," Hermione said to her bestfriend and his wife. She nervously chewed on her lip.
Harry held out Minerva's chair and helped seat her. "You look gorgeous as always my love," he whispered and kissed her cheek tenderly. She smiled brightly at him before turning her attention to the first years just now coming through the doors.
Minerva McGonagall entered her living room only to be stopped in her tracks. A trail of rose petals led towards her bedroom. She smiled in appreciation and slowly followed them. She noted they led towards the bathroom. Toeing off her shoes and taking off her jacket in the bedroom, she continued to follow the petals.
She grinned in delight as she saw scented candles lit and floating throughout the bathroom. The petals led to the bathtub where a steamy bubble bath awaited her. A scribbled note from Harry Enjoy you bath laid on top of the towels he had laid out for her.
Minerva slowly stripped down and slipped in the soaker tub. A blissful sigh errupted from her as the warm water caressed her tired muscles. "Just what I needed," she muttered to herself an enjoyed the bath.
After a long soak, Minerva let the water out, dried off and dressed in the satin nightgown Harry had laid out for her. She made her way to the bedroom and saw Harry propped up in bed reading a book. "Evening my love," he greeted with that mischievous grin of his as he closed his book and laid it on the bedside table. "Enjoy your bath?"
Minerva smiled. "It was lovely," she replied as she joined him on the bed. She scooted as close to him as possible and kissed him gently. "I adore you," she whispered.
He grinned broadly as he drew her in his arms. "Not as much as I adore you," he quipped and kissed her rather feverish.
A moan was torn from her mouth as Harry caressed her tenderly, lovingly. When the kiss broke she smiled at him and whispered, "No one can adore anyone as much as I adore you. I love you from deep down within in my very soul."
Tears filled his eyes at her whispered confession. He smiled widely and drew her up in a soul-searing kiss. "I am grateful I get to see you so free Min," he said as he trailed kisses down her pale neck.
Minerva smiled at her husband and started tugging his shirt off. "Are you ready to try for Athena a sibling, " she asked with a smile. "I seem to recall you saying you wanted a houseful and I agreed to give you as many as you wanted."
Harry pulled away from her neck and stared at her wide-eyed. "Do you want more kids," he asked quietly. "I want whatever you want."
Minerva frowned at the insecurity she heard in his tone. She thought back to her conversation with Lady Hogwarts and realized Harry would never ask her for anything. She tugged her nightgown off and slung it across the room and drew his hand to her mating mark. She grasped his and spoke lovingly to him. "I want you to inform me of your wants. You do not need to hide what you want from me. I will not think of you as selfish or tell you no immediately. We will discuss things together."
"I will try, " he promised. "I would like another child."
"Just one," Minerva asked with an eyebrow raised and a smile tugging on her lips.
Harry grinned at her before responding, "Well maybe closer to a houseful."
Minerva kissed him teasingly. "I am fine with birthing you a houseful," she answered. She accioed a vial from the bathroom and caught it easily. She uncorked on vial of clear liquid and drank it down quickly. "I probably should of asked you if you wanted to start right now before I drank a fertility potion."
Harry laughed at his wife's teasing tone and drew her to him. He wandlessly removed their clothes and then licked her mating mark.. Desire coursed through her and Harry proceeded to make love to his wife. "Gods how I love you Minerva," he breathed later as he spilled his seed deep within her.
Minerva McGonagall laid within Harry's arms well through the night. As she was encompassed in his loving embrace, she realized with a shocking clarity that she was just beginning her destiny. Harry had defeated Voldemort and accomplished his destiny but hers was still uncertain. Prudence Slythrein had hinted at the adventure that awaited her and she had mistakingly thought she had meant the war. That had only been the beginning for the protector of Hogwarts and Phoenix birds. A smile graced her face as she drifted off to dreamland with thoughts of her husband, Athena and many more children dancing through her dreams.
