Minerva McGonagall sat in her seat at the head table nervously. Today was the day she both yearned for and dreaded for years. Harry Potter would come through those doors as a first year student. "Stop your worrying," Poppy Pomfrey demanded. "Harry was always going to be a student. You both will settle into a routine like you always do!"

"Thanks Poppy," Minerva whispered gratefully. "I am excited by seeing Harry more frequently but worry I will suffocate him with attention and spoil the Hogwarts experience."

"Nonsense," Rolanda Hooch interjected. "Poor Hermione will be the one with the spoiled Hogwarts experience. She has an overbearing mother."

"Rolanda," complained Poppy as she glared at the flying instructor. "It's my job to protect her!"

Minerva and Filius Flitwick chuckled at their light bantering. It proved a good distraction from the beginning of the year anxiety.

Minerva raised an eyebrow as the first years trudged in nervously. She easily spied Harry. He had a pale Hermione Dagworth-Granger on his back. She easily spied the girl's swelled ankle. It seemed she needed medical attention. "Miss Dagworth-Granger," she called. "Would you like assistance to hospital wing?"

"No thank you Professor McGonagall," Hermione answered calmly. "I would like to be sorted with my peers and enjoy the welcoming feast."

Minerva bit her lip to stop the laugh bubbling up inside her. She glanced to her left to see Poppy glaring at her daughter and Rolanda attempting to reign in her laughs. She turned her attention back to Hermione before speaking again. "Very well," she conceded. She could feel Poppy's glare directed at herself now. "You are at a disadvantage with your mother being the resident healer. Once the feast is over I expect you to seek medical assistance in the hospital wing."

"Yes Professor," Hermione said with a beaming smile.

Pomona Sprout flawlessly started the sorting ceremony. She watched as Hermione went to Gryffindor once again. Leland Lupin went to Slythrein House. She expected him to beg the hat to go with Hermione but it seemed he hadn't. Leland was technically a Slythrein heir although she thought he was more suited for Hufflepuff. He was a gentle soul.

Minerva watched intently as Harry was sorted. The minutes seemed to drag by as Harry and the hat conversed. No one else had taken this long. She saw a grin appear on his face and frowned at that. She just knew he was planning a prank of some sort. The hat bellowed Gryffindor then requested heir quarters for Harry. Silence fell upon the room as Harry's grin widened. Minerva frowned at him but he didn't appear affected by it.

Filius Flitwick stood up and drew Harry's attention. "Why heir quarters Mr. Potter?" he asked.

"Other than it is my right as a betrothed heir," Harry started confidently. "My betrothed is Headmistress of this school. My peers would automatically be weary of sharing a dorm with me. I request privacy for my peers as well as my betrothed."

Filius looked impressed by the answer provided and nodded his head. "Your request is granted Mr. Potter," Filius Flitwick stated. "Your peers should know that in order to be fair, the Headmistress has removed herself from any involvement with your Hogwarts career. I am the senior Head of House so I shall decide on all rewards, punishments and so forth. As Deputy Headmistress, Pomona Sprout will make all final decisions regarding all other situations involving you."

Harry seemed suprised by that but nodded his head in understanding. "I find that acceptable," he offered then grinned. "I would really hate to be punished by my future wife."

Snorts of amusement, chuckles and murmurs broke out throughout the Great Hall at his words. Harry Potter had shown his daring and mischievous side already and everyone was taken note of it. Minerva had turned beet red and dropped her head down. While she understood Harry intended to establish himself on equal footing with herself, he had also made the room accept their unconventional betrothal. His innuendo had given a glimpse of her self that she wouldn't have normally shared.

"Are you certain about this?" Harry asked her.

Minerva glared at him. "I wouldn't have offered if I hadn't been!"

"Just making sure love," he whispered as he intertwined their fingers together. "I don't want you to resent losing your privacy."

Minerva's gaze softened at that. "You have been invading my space for years," she teased. "Besides after these next six years have passed, we shall be married. Sharing quarters with you now will help maintain our soulbond until you become of age."

Harry gently kissed her lips before asking, "Does that mean I get to share a bed with you?"

Minerva rolled her eyes at him. "You shall have your own personal bedroom in my quarters; however, I shan't be too upset if you find your way to my bed. Just remember there will be nothing but cuddling until you become of age."

Harry just grinned at her.

James put the letter from Harry as tears of mirth poured from him. His laughter bubbled out of him and he was unable to deny it. Fleamont demanded to know what was so amusing and James only managed to pass the letter to him.

Fleamont let out a chuckle of his own as he read his grandson's letter. "Harry managed to avoid Gryffindor dormitory and be housed in Minerva's personal quarters," he informed the others.

"He will out prank us before its over," Sirius told James who had managed to get himself under control just nodded in agreement.

"Harry will be more settled," Euphemia added as she entered the room. Charlie and Rose following behind her closely.

It was obvious to all that Euphemia was the mother figure to all three Potter children regardless if they called her Gran or not. She had been horrified when Harry had first sought comfort from her rather than James. She had tried to send them to James but that had only caused anxiety for the children. James had sat down with his mother and quickly dissuaded her from doing that. "I suspected this would happen and I have accepted it," James had told her frankly. "I just want my children healthy and happy. They seek you out for comfort because you offer something I can't. Please don't push them to me when its you they want. Just offer them that unyielding love you have and we will sort them out when they are older."

Euphemia had been suprised by her son that day but she had did as requested. The children had chased after Euphemia for anything they would have a mother and she filled the void in their hearts the loss of their mother had left. Harry had healed from his trauma mainly due to Euphemia's stubborn nature. She refused to allow him to wallow in self pity and he enjoyed a wonderful childhood because of her.

"How's that Euphemia," Sirius asked as he caught Rose before she tackled into him.

"A lady wouldn't do that Rose," she sighed good-naturedly at her redheaded granddaughter. "Back to Harry. He wil be more settled at Hogwarts with Minerva. The pranks he pulled here were flawed because he doubted himself without Minerva being near. He will outshine any prank you both managed."

"You think so Mother?" James asked suprised by her take on the matter.

Euphemia nodded her head yes. "Surely you can see why Sirius!"

Sirius looked at Rose when Euphemia's reasoning hit him. "He will be better at planning pranks now that his attention isn't divided on seeking Minerva out."

"Exactly!"