Minerva McGonagall sat on the couch in the parlor at Potter Manor. Her face was finally back to normal but her heart wasn't. It squeezed painfully as she thought about Harry. He was obviously traumatized by witnessing the death of Lily and by her own injuries that night. He clung to her and screamed when she was attempted to leave the manor.

"Min," Harry cried as he ran into the room and climbed into her lap. He grabbed a strand of her hair and sighed in relief.

Minerva gently combed her fingers through his messy mop of hair. He relaxed against her side happily. "Hello love," she whispered. "You know I will have to go back to Hogwarts soon, right?"

"No," Harry said sadly and pressed against her closer. "Min stay with me!"

Minerva sighed sadly at his words. She didn't know how to sooth his hurts this time. He had witnessed far more this go around. He must have been in anguish while Albus had her pinned down. "Love," she sighed. "I cannot live behind these walls forever."

"You were well aware of the type of witch Minerva was when you fell in love with her," Sirius said sternly as he walked into the room. "Holding her back will only cause a rift to grow between you."

Harry looked startled at that and then looked up at Minerva. He saw the pain he was unconsciously causing her. "Sorry Min," he whispered emotionally as he pulled himself up and pecked a kiss to her lips.

"That's a boy," Sirius said proudly. "Minerva will be just fine at Hogwarts."

"We shall be staying at the cottage for a while too," James added as he entered the room. He heard the conversation in the hallway and struggled on how to offer assistance. He was struggling with his own grief and didn't know how to help his son. "You will be able to see Minerva daily and Hermione will be visiting us often while Hector works with Lily's notes."

"See Min every day?" Harry clarified.

James chuckled and nodded his head yes. Harry grinned widely. "Thanks Dad," he replied, happier than he had been since Halloween.

"You're welcome son," James said, relief evident in his tone. Maybe he did know how to help his son afterall.

Minerva sighed in relief as she left Hogwarts boundary line. She had felt the eyes of everyone on her. It had devastated her knowing all of her students had seen the damage Albus had unleashed on her. She didn't like to appear weak in front of others but those damn pictures of her face had shown just that!

"The students don't see you as weak," a voice said to the left.

Minerva whirled around towards the voice then frowned. "What are you doing here Sirius," she asked as she started walking towards the cottage.

Sirius Black fell in step with her, his hands shoved in his pockets. "I went back and forth on sending those photos to the Prophet," he admitted to her. "I knew you would hate being seen in such a state; however, those images burned into everyone's mind. There would be no way for Albus bloody Dumbledore to escape this time. I made a promise to not fail my pup again and I meant it wholeheartedly."

Minerva sighed in defeat and met the younger wizard's gaze. "Logically, I understand why those images are important," she offered. "I struggle with being seen in such a way. My every move will bring judgment upon Harry. I don't want to be seen as a liability."

Sirius chuckled at that before draping his arm across his shoulders and pulling her near. "You certainly aren't a liability," he answered. "Fleamont and Donavon have been in more business meetings than we ever expected. Those families that value the Old Ways are flocking towards them and it is all because of you, of your fight with Albus."

"Are you jesting?" she asksd doubtfully.

"Absolutely not," Sirius answered then added, "Marauder's honor!"

Minerva smiled at him then and quickened her pace. Harry was waiting on her and she had no desire to prolong their separation.

Minerva laughed musically as Harry's magic surrounded her as she entered the cottage and carried her towards him. He settled her on the couch beside of him. "Min," he cried happily and hugged her tightly.

"Guess the little tike missed her," Sirius said to James.

"Appears so," James replied to his bestfriend. "How's Hogwarts Minerva?"

Minerva looked at him sadly. "Curious," she offered. "I felt more eyes on me today than ever before."

"That's expected," James said with a nod. "You shall be able to show them just how resilient you are. Show them how fierce an opponent you really are!"

"I daresay Harry will be safe," Euphemia said as she walked into the room. Her waist protruding somewhat and her movements slower. Her advanced age combined with pregnancy seemed to take its tow on her. "I attended a tea party today with Ida. Others are speculating that the handfasting has boosted your magical abilities and it is widely believed that Harry is just as powerful. Ida took great pleasure in sharing stories of Harry's ability to wrap you up in his magic and carry you to him. The witches were in disbelief until I showed them a photo of Harry doing such."

"Sometimes I believe you to be a Slythrein masquerading as a Ravenclaw," James said, suprised by his mother.

She laughed before revealing, "I was a hatstall."

James stared at his mother in suprise while Sirius laughed. "Wonders never cease!"

"Eat," Harry asked as he looked at his grandmother.

"Yes love," Euphemia answered with a smile. "Dinner is ready. Hazel is setting the table as we speak!"

Harry stood up from the couch and held his hand out for Minerva. "My lady," he said in seriousness as he helped her up.

James and Sirius looked at each other in suprise before looking back to Harry and Minerva. A booming laugh errupted at bottom of the stairs. Fleamont smiled widely before managing. "Harry's not even two and he has more chivalrous actions than the both of you combined."

"Father," James whined much to the room's amusement. He would gladly be the butt of any joke as long as his family healed from the trauma of the last two years.