Harry sighed impatiently as Poppy ran another diagnostic spell. "The results aren't going to change," he said rudely.
"Harry James," reprimanded Euphemia.
"Sorry Aunt Poppy," sighed Harry.
"Are you worried about Minerva's disappearing act?" she prodded. Harry nodded his head slightly.
"Where is Minerva?" Fleamont asked curiously.
"She's warring with herself," Harry answered sadly. "My magic forced her hand."
"Nonsense," Sirius retorted. "Those potions forced her hand. Where is she?"
"She's blocking me out," Harry revealed sadly.
"Surely not," Euphemia gasped suprisec. "She made you promise not to do the same thing."
"Min blocked Harry out to talk to me," a hesitant voice said from the corner.
"Mione," Harry managed and held out his hand to her.
The girl timidly walked over to Harry and burried herself in his embrace. "I have you Winter," he soothed her.
"You always have her," Minerva said with a smile as she walked in carrying a leather bound book and a Potter dagger.
"Performing random rituals," Sirius teased her.
"One or two," she said with a wink. "Poppy I need you to check Hermione's chest."
"Why?" Poppy asked frantically as she eyed her daughter. "Is the wounds hurting more frequently?"
"Breathe Mum," Hermione ordered the Mediwitch. "Min helped me."
"Helped you," Poppy repeated confused.
Hermione unbuttoned her top couple of buttons and showed her mother. The random angry red marks were gone and in their place was an image of the Gryffindor mascot tattooed above the swell of her left breast. "Min sacrificed for me," the girl whispered emotionally.
Poppy looked at her friend in confusion. "How?" she asked.
"Sacrificed what?" Harry asked.
"A Morgan Ley Fey ritual," she answered. "I removed the pain and curse from the wounds. The scars remained behind. I performed another ritual which allowed a more delicate scarring than before by me taking half of her scarring. I focused my magic on changing their pattern on Hermione's skin. It was tricky and tiresome but I managed to arrange them in that shape."
"Your scarring the same?" Harry asked intrigued.
"I cannot change mine," Minerva answered honestly. She pointedly ignored the glare Hermione sent her way.
"You said you could," Hermione accused her.
Minerva rolled her eyes before admitting, "I lied. Scarring doesn't bother me."
"I will attempt to change the scaring pattern on Min," Harry reassured Hermione. "Let your Mum run her scans now."
Poppy scanned the area and grinned when she realized it was no longer cursed. "Thank you," she whispered tearfully to Minerva as she pulled Hermione in her embrace.
"Mum," Hermione complained. "Shouldn't you be focusing on Harry?"
"Mione," groaned Harry. "Let your Mum fuss over you!"
"You just want to escape her clutches," Hermione retorted much to the amusement of the room. Maybe things would be alright again.
Minerva sighed impatiently as Harry worked on changing her scarring. She was laying on her bed and bare from the waist up. "You still refuse to tell me what you are creating?" she pouted.
"Yep," he answered, laughter in his tone.
"Harry," she whined.
"Patience is a virtual," Harry replied then sat back. "I'm finished."
Minerva stood up and moved to the full length mirror in the corner and gasped in suprise. Minerva was spelled out in cursive with random springs of Scottish thistle, heather and belles peaking out from the letters. The flowers were even colorized. "It's rather lovely," she whispered as she fingering the image gently.
Harry gave her a lopsided grin. "I may have taken summer art classes to escape Aunt Petunia," he revealed. "I remember those lessons."
"Maybe you should see if any local classes are offered," she said. "You have talent."
"Maybe," Harry said as he shrugged his shoulders and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her shoulder gently before whispering, "I love you so!"
Minerva unbuttoned several buttons and showed Hermione her new scarring pattern. "Are you happy now," Minerva asked.
"Yes," breathed Hermione. "That's gorgeous. Harry really did that?"
Minerva nodded her head. "He took art classes to escape the Dursleys. He is rather adept at it."
"We really should push him into maintaining this skill," Hermione commented.
"I am positive you will figure out a way," Minerva said as she buttoned up top back up. "Have you read the latest Transfiguration Today publication?"
Hermione and Minerva spent the next several hours debating about various articles and enjoying biscuits and tea. Hermione's ordeal in the Shrieking Shack slowly ebbing away by the positive experiences Minerva, Harry and Poppy provided for her.
James sat down beside of his eldest child and sighed deeply. "Want to talk about anything that happened since Hogsmeade weekend," he asked.
Harry looked horrified at the mere thought of having THAT conversation with his dad. "No," he answered quickly. "I had sex education last timeline. I'm pretty sure I know enough."
"Thank Merlin," James muttered. "I really didn't want to have that talk. If you ever need me, I am here."
"I know Dad," Harry said with a smile. "Life is better with you in it Dad." James looked oddly at Harry which prompted Harry to continue. "I had no one for the first 11 years last go around. Hell I didn't know my birthday until primary school. It was lonely. Padfoot and Moony tried to get involved once I knew about them but it was sort of too late then. This time is better because I grew up knowing you were always there and would always be. It's nice knowing that Mum would be here too if she could. Only death would prevent you both from that."
"I love you son," James said as he wiped away a few tears.
"I love you too Dad," Harry replied then grinned mischievously. "Not as much as I love Minerva though."
James roared out laughing at his son. "You are something else Harry!"