"My sister was attacked by werewolves," Lily shouted horrified. "Is she alright? Her family?"

"She didn't make it Lils," Sirius said solemnly, his eyes showed the hurt he felt for her. Lily's eyes welled with unshed tears. "Her husband was killed as well. The baby survived but he was bitten."

"Three nights ago was a full moon, wasn't it?" she asked shakily.

"He has lycanthropy," confirmed Sirius. "He has been thoroughly checked over by a whole team specialists."

"Where is he," she asked panicky. "I have to get to him."

"You can't Lily," Minerva interrupted looking pained by what she had to inform her friend. "You will not be around to raise him," she reminded her painfully. "Fleamont and Euphemia aren't physically able to raise Dudley with Harry."

Lily closed her eyes as she lost her battle with her tears. "Where's James?" she asked as she finally realized he wasn't there with her.

"James is making arrangements for Dudley," Sirius confirmed her fears. "James plans to ensure Dudley is free from his lush of an aunt and to find him a safe home. He mentioned setting up an account at Gringotts with a monthly stipend as well."

"James is doing that?" she asked suprised.

Minerva wrapped her arms around Lily and comforted her. "James is indeed," she replied. "James knew you would want Dudley with you but it isn't feasible. Harry would probably not do well with Dudley in the same home. However, I have hopes they can get along this go around."

"Harry has to be our priority," Lily agreed emotionally. She wiped her face with the palms of her hands and drew a steadying breath. "Who does James plan on placing Dudley with?"

"Your friendly neighborhood werewolf," Remus Lupin said sadly as he walked in with Dudley in his arms.

James smiled sadly at his wife. "It had to be done," he offered. "Remus will understand him better than anyone else. Hopefully Minerva can think of arrangements prior to his Hogwarts letter."

"His letter," asked Minerva suprised. "Dudley isn't a muggle?"

"He's magical," James confirmed with a grin.

"I had his name changed," Remus informed Lily. "Sirius thought it might help decrease the chances of him remembering the horrors of the attack."

"That's a lovely idea," Minerva said, thinking it might help Harry tolerate this version of Dudley. "What did you settle on?"

"Leland Lupin," Remus answered with a shrug. "Leland kind of fits with your nature theme."

"Thank you," Lily cried and held her arms out for her nephew. "Hello Leland," she said cheerfully. "I'm your Aunt Lily." And with that, Lily walked from the room with Leland safely in her arms and Harry trotting along behind her.

Donavon Ross walked into the parlor and appeared upset. "Uncle D?" Minerva questioned.

"Fleamont was correct," he replied with a sigh.

"I wish I hadn't been," Fleamont offered as he pushed a glass of scotch in his friend's hand. Donavon downed it quickly and closed his eyes. "Any ideas on how we deal with this?"

"Deal with what?" Minerva questioned frustrated.

"Albus bloody Dumbledore provided the information to find Lily's sister to a spy within Voldemort's ranks," Donavon informed her.

"That bastard," Lily screamed in rage from the doorway.

"I promise he will suffer for his misdeeds," Fleamont informed his daughter-in-law. "The slippery bastard has more connections than we originally assumed. The DMLE still hasn't questioned him about his misdeeds against Minerva."

"Minerva's Order of Merlin and her public disapproval of him has swayed some of them," Donavon countered. "We are still working in the backgrounds to bring him down."

"Father is financially backing Rita Skeeter's upcoming book," Sirius added as he entered the room with James. "It is sensational and completely true. Rita provided muggle and magical records of several events discussed in the book."

"I just finished reading it," James admitted. "I made some notes to exploit some of the events but I would like to have another person or two to read the book and add more insight."

"I will," Minerva and Lily both volunteered.

Harry held his hand out to James and grinned when James deposited a sack of galleons in it. "Alright Harry," James said with a grin of his own. "You called it."

"You are making bets with Harry?" Euphemia questioned incredulously.

James shrugged his shoulders. "I'm trying to fit in a lifetime of father and son moments in less than 2 years. I feel Harry will remember these moments fondly." No one could dispute his logic although sadness crept onto everyone's faces.

Minerva walked into the Great Hall late on September the first. Sirius had reminded her that she most likely had a badass reputation amongst the students after the Attack on Diagon Alley. He suggested walking in after the returning students settled at their House tables and greet the students like normal. So she had.

She had decided on black slacks, a simple button up shirt and a shortened open robe with the Hogwarts crest on it. Her hair was pulled up in a braided updo that was much softer in appearance than her strict bun had been. Applause immediately broke out from all four houses much to her suprise and dismay.

Inwardly sighing, she sashayed to the Head table and ignored some of the looks she was receiving from the pureblood families. Minerva's lessons with Euphemia and Ida were exhausting and sticking it seemed. Minerva's way of walking had changed somewhat and yet she was unable to change it back. No longer did she stiffly walk quickly, she sashayed. Her hips no longer stayed put, they swayed and she had no idea why. Ida had said her grandmother had walked similar to Minerva but she didn't know why. Minerva didn't know why that mattered anyways, she only wanted to know how she could prevent the sensual way of walking she had inquired!

Minerva allowed the grace she gained from etiquette classes to take over as she moved to her place in the middle of the Head table. She smiled and greeted various staff members along the way. "I thank you for the generous welcome," she said to the student body. "It isn't necessary though. I did what most others would do in the same situation."

"Most of Britain is unable to wield magic quite like you," a Slythrein seventh year argued as he stood up from the Slythrein House table. "We students enjoy having such an esteemed Headmistress."

Minerva's eyebrows raised in surprise. She looked towards Horace Slughorn. The wizard grinned at her and smirked. "An esteemed Headmistress is high praise coming from a pureblood Slythrein," he said just low enough for the nearby staff to hear.

"Indeed," she replied, still amazed by the welcoming she had received tonight. It seemed Sirius Black had been correct although she wouldn't let him know that! She shook her head of those thoughts as she saw Pomona Sprout, Deputy Headmistress, lead the new first years in to be sorted into their houses. She hadn't watched the sorting from the Head table in many years and was looking forward to it!