Disclaimer: I own nothing!

AN: Given, this is a bit of a filler chapter, but it will come into play later on. School's almost out, so I'll hopefully have more time to write!

Harry and Neville's 12th birthdays were festive events. Instead of the small gathering they normally had with Neville and Augusta Longbottom, the two boys invited Hermione and Ron to McGonagall Hall and enjoyed a weekend of wizarding and muggle games. Hermione taught the boys how to play games like Uno, Monopoly, and even poker, and Ron schooled them all in wizarding chess. McGonagall entertained both Molly Weasley and Elizabeth Granger for a while, ensuring the two women of their children's safety.

Molly was the easiest to convince. A pureblood witch, Molly Weasley was knowlegeable in all things magic. Each of her boys had learned under Minerva McGonagall, and she trusted the Deputy Headmistress with her children's lives. However, Dr. Beth Granger was a bit harder to win over.

"Professor…"

Minnie smiled. "Please, outside of school, call me Minerva, or even Minnie. Most people do."

Beth gave a small chuckle. "Ok, then, Minerva, I just had some questions about what occurred last term. First of all, is Harry alright? Hermione said he went through quite the trauma."

"Oh, he's fine. He had some nighmares for about two weeks, but the poor dear has always been able to work through that type of trauma. He was back to himself in no time. I've talked to him about what happened, and he swore he couldn't have accomplished anything without those three in there with him."

Molly spoke up. "Beth, we've been dealing with the threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for many years now. When he was killed eleven years ago, we thought we were free from his reign forever. Harry and his friends did a brave, yet foolhardy, thing in chasing after what they thought was a dangerous man. According to Ron, Hermione was the one who got him out alive."

Beth sat a minute. "This…Dark Lord. You say he's dead? Then how did Harry see him that night? Is he an imminent threat? Should I be worried?"

Minnie stared out the window. "That, we're not sure about. I'm sure the headmaster knows some things we do not, but if he doesn't think it's necessary to share, I'm not questioning him right now. However, if things go south this year again, Albus Dumbledore and I will have to have a serious discussion." The Transfiguration professor stood and walked up to the window. Beth noticed she was watching Harry's antics with his friends. "Harry is the only family I have left. I'll be damned if he's harmed out of negligence of others."

Beth stood as well. "Minerva, you've been wonderful, explaining this strange new world to me and Ivan. I…I don't like not understanding what is going on, and magic is one of those things that I still don't quite understand. However, I do understand a maniac who wants to wipe out a group of people he deems 'unworthy,' and I do understand, if what I've read in Hermione's books is to be believed, that my daughter is a part of that group. It's no less terrible when magic is added to the mix. Minerva…"

Minnie turned to look at Beth. "Yes?"

"Is there any way I can make my daughter more safe while at Hogwarts? Maybe give you some sort of guardianship that will allow you to make decisions on our behalf since we can't be there?"

Minnie sat back down and thought a moment. "I'll talk this over with Albus, but I'm almost sure that there is. I could be her magical guardian. That would give me the authority to make decisions while she is at Hogwarts. Of course, unless it were a dire emergency, I would consult you first. If I'm not mistaken, Albus is her magical guardian by default, but if you'd rather…"

"I would. I don't doubt that the headmaster has my daughter's best interests at heart, but I feel as if he's more of a 'big picture' type of gent, and you're a mother. You see things from my perspective."

Minnie nodded. "I'll talk to Albus. You'll hear from me before summer's end."

Harry sat on the floor in a circle with his friends. They had retired to his bedroom after dark, and Minnie hadn't begun enforcing showertime yet. Each child had his or her own room, but they had spent the entire day in each other's company. Harry smiled, thinking back over the day.

Hermione nudged him with her shoulder. "What's got you grinning like the Cheshire Cat?"

"Oh," Harry laughed a bit, "just enjoying the day. It's a bit of an improvement over our normal birthday celebrations, eh, Neville?"

Neville leaned back into the frame of the bed. "I love Grandmother and Aunt Minnie, but having other people our own age is a good deal more fun. Although, Harry, remember that year Aunt Minnie played Quidditch with us, two on one?"

Hermione's and Ron's eyes widened. "Professor McGonagall took you both on?" Ron asked, increduous. "How badly did you two beat her?"

Neville and Harry both laughed loudly until Minnie appeared at the door. "What are you going on about in here?"

Harry wiped the tears from his eyes and looked up. "Minnie, tell these two how badly we beat you at Quidditch that time."

Minnie smiled broadly and chuckled. "Well, if my memory serves me, I remember the score being 190-10. My way." The four were still laughing when Minnie called out, "Shower number one, you're up!"

Ron shook his head. "I guess I'll go ahead and get that out of the way. I need to hear about that game when I get back, though!"

When Ron walked out, Neville looked at the clock. "I need to go remind Gran about the outing tomorrow. I'll be back in a few minutes." He stood and walked to his room down the hall to use the floo, leaving Harry and Hermione alone for a few minutes.

Hermione leaned back against the wall and looked at Harry closely. "So, how are you, Harry?"

Harry opened his mouth to give the generic, "Oh, I'm fine," but stopped when he saw Hermione's face. His façade broke. "I'm…I'm making it, My. I'm still having dreams about Quirrell, and I don't want Minnie to worry. Voldemort isn't dead, and he's bound to have a hefty grudge against me, right?"

"Oh, Harry." Hermione reached out and took his hand. "You said it yourself: he couldn't touch you. He's not even a physical being anymore. Hey," Hermione touched Harry's cheek. "And if he does come back, we're safe, Harry. You've got a mother who will go to the death for you, and you've three friends who will be behind you each step of the way. Voldemort can't hurt you."

"I know, My." Harry put his hand on the one on his cheek and smiled. "What would I do without you?"

Hermione grinned. "Oh, probably flunk out of Hogwarts. Be expelled. But thank Merlin we never have to find out, right?"

"Right."

Just outside Harry's door, Minnie wiped her eyes. When did her little boy grow up? And when did he stop telling her important bits of his life? Of course, he could use a much worse confidante than Hermione Granger. She glanced back into the bedroom. Harry had lightened up after talking to his friend, and the two were looking at an old photo album from Harry's first years with Minnie.

The professor smiled, knowing that she was watching the beginning of a strong relationship, whether platonic or romantic, she didn't know. Hermione would be a strong ally in the days to come, if Voldemort was truly on the rise again. And if she became the young girl's guardian, she would make it her mission to prepare her for the fight to come because if she knew anything, Minerva McGonagall knew there was a fight coming.

Albus Dumbledore stroked his phoenix Fawkes as he considered his deputy's request. "The Grangers haverequested you as their magical guardian?"

McGonagall nodded. "Dr. Granger, her mother, does not doubt your capabilities, but she just feels as if a mother would see the situation from her perspective just a bit more clearly. Also, Hermione will probably be at my home more often throughout the summers and holidays, so I'd have easier access and a more easy rapport with the girl."

"I see the logic in this. How is young Mr. Potter, by the way?"

Minerva shrugged. "As good as can be expected. He's confiding in Hermione a good bit, but I think he's adjusting pretty well to the idea that…that Voldemort…might be on the rise again. Much better than I am, in fact. I can't help but see the whole situation from a mother's eyes, Albus."

The headmaster nodded. "Which is why you're the best candidate to watch over Miss Granger as well. Go to Gringott's. I'll send word ahead to both the bank and the Grangers. Good day, Minerva."