All Hallows Eve arrived too soon for all of the Potters. Fleamont and Euphemia stayed sequestered in their bedroom suite for the day. They simply didn't have the patience for company of any sort today. James and Lily were in their cottage at Godric's Hollow with Harry. While there was a sadness present, the little family tried to make the most of what little time they had left.
"Harry," Lily said with tenderness. Toddler Harry looked at his mum with sadness. "Always remember that I love you, we love you, more than life itself. I wish we could raise you, watch you grow into the great man I know you are destined to be."
"Know," Harry managed. "Love Mum and Daddy."
"Take care of our family," James added emotionally. "Always treat Minerva like the Lady she will become. Try not to put her in awkward situations at Hogwarts. You would hate to have your betrothed punish you!"
Harry stared wide-eyed at his Dad in shock. He obviously hadn't thought of that. "I promise Daddy," he whispered then burrowed himself in their tight embrace. Sobs were the only sounds made for a very long time.
Sirius Black looked at Minerva McGonagall curiously as she stiffened. "He's there," she whispered sadly. "Let's get these abominations cleansed."
"Agreed," Sirius answered as he gathered the box he brought from Potter Manor. "The Unspeakables have the next room ready."
Minerva followed Sirius into the ritual room sadly. She knew the eventual outcome and her heart squeezed painfully just from the mere thought. How can they find the strength to walk to their deaths? she wondered. The agony they must feel for leaving Harry unprotected.
"They aren't leaving Harry unprotected," a voice whispered behind her. She turned her head and saw Death standing there. She raised her eyebrow which prompted a dark chuckle from him. "James and Lily remembered what happened last time. They are building upon that to protect Harry. Blood wards will keep anyone other than you, Fleamont or Euphemia from getting to Harry's crib. Albus Dumbledore shall try but the Champion's Heart shall be there."
"I will?" she questioned as she looked around and noted the others were frozen in time.
Death grinned at her. "You shall," he replied. "Harry's magic will flare when he is attacked. He will pull on your magic, your comforting embrace. Go to him when you feel his magic flare."
"I shall," she answered firmly. "I will do whatever I can to protect him."
"I can sense that," he offered with a grin. "Until next time Heart," he added and snapped his fingers. Those frozen around her started to move again.
"Let's get to cleansing," Sirius said darkly as he eyed the abominations before him.
Minerva felt the pull from Harry nearly an hour later. She gasped in suprise drawing Sirius' attention. "Min," he asked, concern evident in his tone.
She grapsed his hand to steady herself somewhat. "Harry is pulling on my magic," she whispered. "He needs me! I need you to get Fleamont and meet me in Godric's Hollow."
"Why Fleamont?" Sirius asked horrified. "He doesn't need to see James like that."
Minerva looked pained by the thought but forged ahead. "Blood wards," she answered sadly. "Depending on how much magic Harry pulls from me, I may not be able to get to Harry. I can sense him, his need to be next to me. I must go ahead."
"I will get Fleamont at once," he offered as he watched her magic swirl around her. Her Basilisk hide jumpsuit came into view as she apparated from the Ministry of Magic.
"How the bloody hell did she do that?" an Unspeakable asked amazed by the feat that should have been impossible.
"Her soulmate is Death's Champion," an elder wizard stated. "I imagine Minerva McGonagall can do whatever she pleases. We should just be thankful she is a respectable and honorable witch."
Sirius Black stepped in the family sitting room at Potter Manor. Fleamont and Euphemia were cuddled together on the couch. He could see the pain, the agony, of losing their child on their faces. They were grieving for James already. He really didn't want to get Fleamont but he knew Minerva would have never requested it unless it was absolutely necessary.
Sirius cleared his throat and gained their attention. "Minerva asked that Fleamont come with me to the cottage," he said sadly.
Fleamont looked genuinely suprised by the request and Sirius hated the idea of Fleamont seeing James lifeless but it was necessary. "Why," Fleamont finally managed. Both knew Sirius nor Minerva would ask unless it was the only way.
"Blood wards," he answered immediately. "James and Lily learned from last timeline and used blood wards on the crib. No one other than you both or Minerva will be able to remove Harry from it."
"Lily is a pure genius," Euphemia spoke in awe of her daughter-in-law's out of the box solutions.
"She is," Sirius answered with a grin. "Minerva is fearful she won't be able to get to Harry after the danger passes. If she is wounded like last time, Harry will be stuck in the crib."
Fleamont pressed a kiss to Euphemia's lips and stood up. "Let me get my cloak and we shall go," he said as he walked into the other room.
Euphemia gave Sirius a guarded look before begging, "Please don't let Fleamont see James."
"I won't," he promised emotionally.
"Good boy," she whispered as she stood and pressed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I love you Sirius."
"Thanks Mum," he said softly. He always referred to her as mum when his emotions ran high. She never said a word about it but she had included him in every part of her life after the first time he said it at the tender age of 14. "I love you more than any shining stars!"
She smiled at him teary-eyed and pulled him in for an all-encompassing hug. That was their code phrase to let her know she was more important than anyone else in his life. The Blacks were notorious for constellation type names and she secretly enjoyed that he admitted to loving her more than them lot of them. Her mother heart had included him in their family and she had never doubted that decision. "Be careful love," she finally managed, tears welling in her blue eyes. "Bring Harry home safely."
"Always," he promised and then left with Fleamont to meet Minerva at Godric's Hollow.