Harry was immediately deposited in Minerva's arms by Euphemia and his magic flared to life. His gray and black magic swirled around Minerva until it mingled and settled against her. "Thank you love," she whispered tiredly.
Harry grinned at her before pecking a kiss on her nose prompting her to laugh. "Mine," he proclaimed happily.
"Aye," Minerva agreed as she felt his magic change her clothing into a comfortable pair of pajamas. "I'm not quite ready for bed."
Harry glared at her and crossed his arms. Minerva raised her eyebrows up in absolute suprise at that. Harry never demanded anything of her. A voice cleared their throat and she looked towards Poppy. "Harry is most likely concerned about your magical exhaustion and your inability to know your own limits," Poppy said matter-of-factly. Harry nodded his head in his agreement. "My examination showed how empty your magical core really is. I would feel better if you rest tonight."
Minerva sighed before shaking her head negatively. "I have so much to do," she argued. "I have to find replacements for the vacant positions."
"Do you think wearing yourself out on the mute points will win the war this time?" Poppy said seriously. Minerva looked at her surprised. Poppy sighed audibly before revealing, "I remember the last time. The Fates visited me and revealed where I, personally, messed up last time. I was sent back to the year 1978 to correct it."
"What," Minerva asked suprised.
"The Fates explained when I refused to marry my intended that it affected his great niece too much," Poppy said. Poppy smiled reassuringly at her before continuing, "It was explained to me I needed to have a greater role in her life. The child's mother died in childbirth and her father wasn't in a good place to care for her. My husband and I have had her since her birth."
"Why wasn't I aware you were married?" Minerva asked suprised. "Or that you had custody of your niece?"
"We don't broadcast it," Poppy said with a shrug. "He works mostly in his potion lab at our home and stays with our niece while I am here. We spend quality time together when I am home."
Minerva eyed her friend carefully before saying, "I shall rest tonight but I would like to meet your family. It's horrid I haven't met the family of one of my dearest friends."
Poppy smiled at her longtime friend. "I shall try to bring them by tomorrow morning before breakfast although my husband is worse than you at losing himself in his work. My niece is a bit older than Harry but they most likely would play well together."
"We shall see you tomorrow morning then," Minerva said as she watched Poppy walk out of the room. "I am amazed and slightly ashamed I didn't notice Poppy had a family."
Minerva looked at Harry intending to say goodnight, he glared at her. Minerva blinked in suprise again. Chuckling errupted to her left and she glared at James and Sirius. They were barely refraining from rolling on the ground in their mirth. She rolled her eyes and looked back at her little love. "Seems Harry is staying with you tonight," quipped Lily with a grin as she shared amused glances with Euphemia.
Minerva and Harry were sitting in the living room enjoying their togetherness. Minerva was enjoying a cup of tea while Harry laid against her and gently played with a stand of her hair. "You realize I will be rather busy trying to undo all of the years Albus neglected the school, right?" she informed him.
Baby Harry pouted but nodded his head. "Min," he said as he kissed her palm. She smiled at the gesture.
"I shall make sure to stay at least one night a week with you," she promised as she threaded her fingers through his messy mop of hair. "Perhaps we can work it out where we can share dinner a couple of nights as well." Harry smiled at her.
A knock sounded before Poppy walked in with a toddler on her hip. "Good morning," Poppy said brightly. A sweet little giggle sounded as Poppy planted a loud, smacking kiss on her cheek.
"Mum," an angelic voice reprimanded.
"Hermione," Minerva breathed as she looked at Harry and his obvious attempt to reach out for his bestfriend.
Poppy smiled at them before sitting Hermione in Minerva's lap next to Harry. Hermione grinned before screaming "Harry" and hugging him tightly. Great big crocodile tears fell down her face as she smiled at Minerva brightly.
"She remembers," Minerva said suprised.
"Most of it," Poppy answered as she moved to a nearby chair and gracefully sat down. She smiled brightly as the children hugged each other tightly. "Obviously parts of her past changed. She doesn't remember her birth parents at all. She refers to me as Mum and Hector as Daddy. She remembers Harry, you, the war and such although some details are somewhat murky."
"Her torture?" Minerva asked.
"Murky at best," Poppy revealed happily. "Hermione's strongest memories are her bond with Harry and her friendship with us."
"Hector Dagworth-Granger is your husband," Minerva realized finally.
"Yes," Poppy confirmed with a grin. "I fell in love with him in healer training but refused to go off to Merlin knows where with him in our youth. He returned to England when his squib nephew married."
"I assume he knows nothing about the past?" Minerva asked.
"No," Poppy said. "He thinks Hermione suffers from night terrors. She knows she has to refrain from speaking about the past around him."
Minerva nodded at that. She glanced at the babies in her lap and smiled. They were still hugging tightly. "I guess there will be no separating them today," she said emotionally. "Harry has missed her fiercely."
"I figured as much," Poppy answered. "Hector will stop by for dinner tonight and escort us home."
A knock sounded and Minerva bid them entry. James and Lily Potter entered the room. "And who is Harry's friend?" Lily asked intrigued by the dark-haired beauty.
Before Minerva or Poppy could say a word, Hermione scooted out of Minerva's lap and walked to the couple. She stuck her hand out to James like a pureblood lady waiting for it to be kissed. James obliged her. She giggled and said, "I am Hermione Dagworth-Granger. Pleased to meet you!"
James and Lily looked suprised before glancing at Minerva. She smiled before nodding yes to their unasked question. Lily swallowed hard before knealing down in front of toddler Hermione. "I am Harry's mum, Lily," she said. "I have heard about how an amazing friend you are to Harry. Thank you for taking care of him so good."
Hermione beamed at them before revealing, "Harry is my brother." She turned to look at Poppy before asking, "Can I go with Harry today, Mum?"
James and Lily looked at Poppy in suprise before looking at Minerva for an explanation. She smiled before answering, "Poppy married Hector Dagworth-Granger and blood adopted his great niece Hermione."
"The Potions whiz?" Lily questioned. Poppy smiled and nodded her head. Lily shouted happily before begging Poppy to introduce them. "I am working towards a cure of lycanthropy and would love to see if he has any suggestions."
Poppy snorted in amusement before nodding her head. "Hector has been working on that for decades! He will be thrilled to work with you. He will be here at dinner tonight if you would like meet him."
"Yes!" Lily answered happily. "Would it be okay if we take Hermione with us to the cottage so she can play with Harry until then?"
"Please Mum," Hermione begged uncharacteristically.
Poppy rolled her eyes at the puppy dog face before agreeing. "Have loads of fun today," Poppy said as she kissed Hermione's forehead. "I love you Hermione."
"I love you more Mum!" was the happy reply she received from the dark-haired beauty. Hermione tugged on Harry's hand impatiently until he reluctantly followed her out of Minerva's rooms while waving bye to his betrothed.