A/N: I apologize for taking so long with this chapter. I must have what some people call writers block even though I don't really consider myself a writer. I hope you all like this chapter, so please let me know.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters.
Working in the garden on a nice warm day with a light cool breeze was what a lot of people called relaxation. For Harry Potter it was a time where it was just him and his thoughts. Normally that would be a good thing for people who had such busy and adventurous lives such as Harry but the last few months events where still fresh in Harry's mind and it caused to much pain thinking about it.
It was only two months ago that Harry saw Voldemort return but what still haunted him the most was the image of Cedric Digory dying in front of him. He knew the only reason Cedric died was because of him. Most of the holiday he had been having dreams of Cedrics death, but some of the dreams would end with him dying as well.
Since Harry came to join Professor McGonagall at her home, he was able to have some nights with no nightmares but somehow the events still haunted his thoughts. He hadn't spoken to anyone about it and he wasn't sure if he wanted to. Having to talk about it would mean having to relive it all and Harry just was not ready for it yet.
He was sitting on the grass busy taking out some weeds that had grown between all of the flowers. Harry and Minerva had a nice good laugh earlier when they started in the garden. Before they could start they had to take care of a few gnomes. Actually it was more like Minerva had to catch a few gnomes because every time Harry tried he missed.
They've been working most of the day already and the garden was finally looking like a well groomed garden again. They had taken a lunch break earlier to enjoy some wonderful cold meat sandwiches that Minerva had made. The more Harry lived there the more relaxed he became being around her and calling her on her first name. It started feeling like home to him.
As Harry pulled out another weed he could hear the faint sound of a owl. As he looked up he saw one approaching Minerva. She was seated on the grass a few feet away from him. Minerva was covered in freshly turned ground as she was planting new flowers.
Harry watched the owl land next to her and saw the small note tied to it's leg.
Harry had been able to send Hermione and Ron each a letter, but only received one from them written together. At least he knew that they were together and having fun, that is if they weren't bickering all the time.
"Well Harry, it seems you and I are going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get your school supplies"
"I'd like that"
"I think you might like the next bit of news even more. We will be meeting the Weasley's and the Granger's there and then the day after tomorrow you'll be going to stay with the Weasley's and Ms Granger for the remainder of your holiday"
Normally Harry would be ecstatic at such news but for some reason he had a feeling of unease about the idea of leaving this home.
"Harry, earth to Harry"
Minerva had moved closer and was now waving a hand in front of Harry's face to try and get his attention again.
"Harry did you hear what I said"
"What…um…yeah I heard. That's great. I get to spend time with the Weasley's and Hermione"
Harry knew that his last sentence wasn't that convincing but he hoped that Minerva believed what he just said. Minerva gave him one more look and then did a smile unconvincing smile herself.
"Well how about we go and wash up and have a nice dinner outside on this lovely evening."
Dinner for Harry went by to quickly. They had spend the time talking about Minerva and her family. How things had been for a her growing up but most off all how she enjoyed her time at Hogwarts as a student and not a Professor. She had even admitted to Harry that she and her friends also had a naughty streak. Naturally their naughty streak was nothing compared to that of Harry, Ron and Hermione's.
Time had passed so quickly that before Harry knew it, it was time for bed, especially with their early start in the morning. Harry just didn't want to go to bed but Minerva gave him one of her stern looks and he knew better then to argue with one of her looks.
Minerva was startled awake by a screaming noise in the house. Without hesitation she grabbed her wand and ran towards Harry's room. Just as she reached his door she heard him scream again. She pushed open the door expecting to see someone else in the room, but it was only Harry and he was still in his bed. Minerva searched the whole room and knew that they were alone. As she walked closer to Harry she could see a pained expression on his face and he was drenched in sweat.
She slowly sat down on the bed next to him and looked at him for a brief second before placing her hand on his shoulder and softly shaking him so he could wake up.
"Harry, Harry wake up. It's ok you only had a nightmare"
She had to shake him a little harder before he started to come out of his nightmare.
"Harry, are you ok"
It took Harry a minute to realise were he was.
"Harry are you ok"
"Yeah…I'm…just had a bad dream"
"Anything you wish to talk about"
"No not really."
Harry sat quietly with his knees to his chest. Minerva watched him for a few moments then slowly arose from the bed and made her way towards the door. Harry thought she was leaving to go back to bed and was really surprised when she returned with a glass of water and again took a seat on the bed.
"Here drink a bit"
Harry took the glass and slowly started sipping. Before he knew it the glass was empty. Minerva took the glass from him and placed it on the bedside table.
"It was a nightmare about what happened in the graveyard last year"
Minerva was happy to hear Harry talking about is nightmare. She knew that Albus Dumbledore had a discussion with Harry about what happened but so far she knew he hadn't spoken to anyone else about it.
"I keep seeing Cedric dying in front of me and can't help but feel I am the reason he is dead"
Minerva wanted to interrupt and reassure him that it was not his fault but he didn't give her the chance.
"The nightmares always take place in the graveyard. Some nights the dreams are just has it happened. Cedric dies and I live. Then some nights I am killed the same way as Cedric. Both of us never seeing our family or friends ever again."
Minerva waited a few seconds to see if he was going to continue but as soon as she saw the single tear roll down his cheek she knew it was safe to talk. "Harry I want you to understand something. What happened that night in the graveyard was not your fault. Never could you have predicted what was happening then. Non of us could have. Cedric's death was a tragedy. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Minerva looked over to Harry to make sure he was listening to what she was saying.
"Harry I want you to stop believing that it was all you're fault and that you could have done something to stop it. What you did that night was the bravest thing I know of. I am not even sure I could have stood up to him the way you did."
Harry tried to believe what she was saying but he also considered Dumbledore and McGonagall as the greatest witch and wizard there was. He knew a lot people considered Voldemort the greatest wizard, but the fact that he used his power for evil and was afraid of Dumbledore was proof that Dumbledore was the greatest.
Harry had wondered a lot if Cedric would still be alive if it was someone else in his position.
Minerva placed a finger under his chin and made him look her in the eyes.
"Harry it was not then or will it ever be your fault. Promise me please that you will stop blaming yourself"
Harry gave small nod.
"Now I think it's time we get some sleep as we have to be up in a few hours"
"OK"
"Would you like another glass of water before I leave"
"No thank you"
"Alright, back into bed with you then."
Harry slid back down into the bedcovers. Minerva, without hesitation, tucked him in and gave him a peck on his forehead as she bid him goodnight and left his room quietly.
Harry awoke a few hours later with the wonderful smell of bacon. He quickly jumped out of bed and ran down towards the kitchen. As he walked in he saw Minerva behind the stove wearing jeans and a flowing white top. It still surprised him everyday how different she looked wearing muggle clothing. Today he was even more in shock. Today she had her hair down past her shoulders.
"Good Morning"
"Morning Harry. I hope you were able to get some sleep after last nights little discussion"
"Yeah thanks. I have to apologize for last night. I didn't mean to keep you from sleep as well"
Minerva walked over to the table where Harry was putting the milk and fruit juice.
"Harry you have absolutely nothing to apologize for. If anything I have to say sorry. That after all the time that has passed since the incident you didn't feel like you could talk to me or anyone else about it"
"It was never like that. I just have not been ready to talk about it"
"Ok well promise me one thing, that if you ever have to talk to someone about something you come and talk to me"
"I promise, but on one condition"
"What is that"
"Please pass the bacon."
Minerva passed the bacon as she smiled. They sat having breakfast and told stories about passed years and of things to come.
Ok, this one took a while to write but I am hoping to do a third chapter. Please let me know what you all think.