Minerva had just settled into her steamy bath when Harry burst in her private bathroom. "Min," he cried upset. "You not see me?"
Minerva calmed her emotions as she deliberately ignored him. She heard Euphemia enter the room after him. "Good evening Harry," she offered although she kept her eyes closed and her head firmly on the edge of the tub.
"You not see me?" he repeated again.
Minerva knew he was upset but had to reinforce their need to trust their bond and not block the other out. "I thought you wanted space from me since you blocked your emotions from me," she answered and then looked at him.
Harry gasped at the pain and rejection he felt from her side of the bond. She refused to block her pain from him. He had to realize how much it affected her when he dampened his emotions and thoughts from her. "Min," he whispered emotionally. "I'm sorry," he managed before a sob broke from him.
Minerva gave him a hard look. "No more blocking me out even if it is to help or protect me," she demanded of him.
"I promise," he managed to pant out.
Minerva smiled sadly at him and held out her hand to him. "Come relax with me."
Euphemia sighed in relief as she removed Harry's clothes to his underpants which she waterproofed. She picked up her grandson and gently deposited him into Minerva's waiting arms. She felt the uneasiness in Harry evaporate as soon as he touched Minerva. He wrapped his hand in her hair and sighed contently. "I shall take my leave," the elder witch said. "I will see you both for dinner."
"Thank you Euphemia," Minerva whispered to her retreating form.
"I'm really sorry Min," Harry said again. "I love you!"
Minerva dropped a kiss on his temple and sighed happily. "I love you Harry Potter!" she declared and everything suddenly became right in their world. Well as right as it could until Harry became an adult once again.
The family sighed in relief as Minerva entered the room with Harry firmly holding her hand. "I see Minerva has given you a much needed swift kick in the backside," Sirius said to Harry.
Minerva smirked but said nothing as she sat down. Harry climbed next to her on the couch and leaned against her contently. He gripped her hand tightly. "Never anger a Scottish witch," Harry offered with a grin.
James and Sirius shared a look before bursting out laughing. "Seems like fine advice to me," Euphmenia said with a smile. "Try to remember that Harry love!"
"I will Gran," he answered with a smile.
The family chatted about various things for the remainder of the evening. Everyone noticed Harry never moved from his spot near Minerva. They all hoped she would be able to sooth his hurt away.
Minerva watched as Harry opened his Christmas gifts slowly. He smiled and thanked everyone for each gift but the smile didn't quite reach his green eyes. "Harry," she whispered gently as she held a hand out to him.
He immediately rushed to her and burried his face in her neck. He breathed deeply as he tried to steady himself. His little fingers buried in her dark hair as he took the comfort she offered him. She never said a word as she wrapped him up in her embrace.
"I have something for you love," she gently said once he calmed down somewhat. He sat back and looked at her curiously. Minerva offered a reassuring smile and handed him a square shaped gift wrapped in Quidditch themed paper. "Go ahead and open it."
Harry tore the paper off and ripped the top off the box. He peered inside and then glanced at his love. She smiled reassuringly at him and encouraged him to grab his present. He reach in and pulled out a rather large white opal in the shape of a lily. He handled it gently and whispered, "I miss Mum."
Suddenly, the white color of the opal cleared and an image appeared. Harry looked at Minerva in suprise before focusing on the opal lily. Images of Lily and him played like they were on television. Images of memories played out with sound. Lily holding Harry on the day he was born, Lily reading to him, Lily feeding him, Lily bathing him and Lily dancing with toddler Harry in her arms were there. Images of Lily and Harry having conversations were there as well. Harry held his breathe as he watched the opal stone closely. At the end of the memories, the clear opal returned to its former white color.
Harry wiped a few tears from his face before smiling at Minerva. "Thank you Min," he said emotionally as he gently pressed a kiss to her lips.
Minerva offered him a smile and watched as he pulled the stone close to his chest and jumped from the couch. Harry walked over to his Grandmother and climbed up next to her. He settled in her comforting embrace and said the phrase that activated the opal and watched the memories again. Euphemia held him tightly, lovingly, as he cried for his lost mother.
Minerva felt a touch to her shoulder and looked back. "Thank you Minerva," Fleamont managed emotionally. "Harry has been so sad and James has felt like a failure for not being able to help him. You helped them both with that amazingly thoughtful gift."
Minerva glanced in James' way and was suprised to see the relieved look on James' face. Sirius was comforting him the best he could. She turned back to Fleamont to respond but couldn't quite find the words. He seemed to understand and just squeezed her shoulder before moving over to sit next to James on the couch.