Minerva woke up and grinned when the scent of flowers overwhelmed her. She opened her eyes and laughed when she noticed the entire bed was covered by flower petals. A lovely flower arrangement in a forest green vase on the nightstand with a card propped up against it. She took the card and opened it. She laughed again when she noticed Harry had left her a map. Happy Birthday Min! Come find me if you want your present!

She made a mad dash to the bathroom to get ready for the day. It wouldn't do for the Headmistress to be seen traipsing around the castle with a satin nightgown and messy hair. She no longer braided her hair for bed. Harry's magic had always unbraided it in the middle of the night during his first year of his life so she had started leaving it down.

Minerva followed the well planned map to a small unused classroom on the third floor. Harry had turned it into a small lounging area. A sitting area had been made so they could look out of the window. A small table was near the fire with two chairs. It held an English breakfast and a steaming pot of tea. Harry stood next to it with a fairly large box standing next to him.

"Happy birthday Min," he greeted with a grin. "Open your present."

Minerva rolled her eyes, kissed him gently on the lips and tore into her gift. She squeaked in suprise as she opened it. An ornate wooden shelf that stood waist-height was revealed. It had a Scottish scene carved across most of the top and sides. The McGonagall coat of arms was carved in the top center. The shelf had two books on it. She curiously picked one up. A poetry book by a Scottish author. She gasped as she opened it and saw her father's name written across it. "Dad's books," she whispered with tears in her eyes.

Harry smiled at her. "Those are the only other ones I have found," he confessed. "I have been randomly searching Muggle bookstores since Mum and me found that first one."

"You are something special Harry Potter," she whispered emotionally.

He grinned at her. "Glad you think so," he said cocky. "You have me forever."

"I guess that's my lot in life," she teased. "I love you Harry."

"Not as much as I love you," he quipped then bowed regally. "Breakfast awaits my lady!"

Minerva awoke to find Harry already gone frrom her quarters. She closed her eyes and searched for his emotions. Sadness, longing for Lily. Then she remembered the date, it was Halloween. Harry's first at Hogwarts and his first away from Euphemia. The elder witch had dedicated all of her time on Halloween to the three Potter children. James had been so overwhelmed by his own emotions that he struggled with helping his children on this particular day of the year.

She quickly dressed for the day and sped out of her chambers. She had last minute requests to make of the house elves and possibly Hermione. If she could ease her love's pain she would do so.

Minerva made it to breakfast in the Great Hall only minutes before Harry. She eyed him closely. He appeared downtrodden and his eyes were suspicious red. He had been crying it seemed. From missing Lily, being away from Euphemia or a combination of the two she didn't know. She only knew she needed to make it better.

Minerva watched as Harry finally looked at the table in front of him. She watched as a smile graced his features as he realized the foods served were all favorites of Lily's. He glanced her way and offered her a grateful smile. She felt a jolt of his love for her through their bond.

Lunchtime, Minerva arranged a small picnic for the two of them. She had Hermione led Harry to the edge of the forest to her. She had offered him a grin and shrug of the shoulders before interlocking their hands. She led him to a small brook where she had their picnic spread out. "Eat lunch with me?" she questioned hopefully.

"Always," he whispered emotionally as he kissed her inner wrist.

Harry stepped off of the Hogwarts Express and immediately spotted his Dad. He rushed forward and hugged him regardless of the audience. He might be the future Lord Potter but right now he was enjoying simplying being Harry. Hermione and Leland walked after him, hand in hand, laughing at his antics.

"Why can't you greet your old man like Harry does his?" Remus asked grumpy although he was grinning as he did.

"You're not as pretty as Hermione," Leland replied with a smirk. The Marauders chuckled deeply at the response. "I did miss you though Dad," Leland offered as he hugged his dad.

"I missed you too son," Remus answered back. "I guess you won't be too upset that we are spending Christmas at Potter Manor."

"Hermione's family will be as well," Sirius added with a wink. Leland grinned from ear to ear at that.

"I would normally comment about your dependance on Mione," Harry started. "But I totally understand it Le. I'm going to really miss Min."

"Don't pout to much," James informed his son. "Minerva will be at the Manor on Christmas Eve."

"Please say you aren't pranking me," Harry asked desperately.

"Prongs is telling you the truth," Sirius offered with a smile. "Charlie and Rose pretty much wrote demands to everyone. It was a full family Christmas or a prank war like we haven't seen before."

Harry snorted in amusement at that. "Those two will be sorted in Slythrein," he said. "They may have Gryffindor tendencies but they are Slythrein through and through."

"I will blame your Grandmother's influence if that happens," James muttered. "At least I got one Gryffindor."

"Harry was a hatstall," Hermione informed them with a smirk. "He only went to Gryffindor so I wouldn't be alone. The hat thought Harry was more suited to Slythrein House." The Marauders were dumbfounded at that!