"Fawkes!"

Harry cried out in astonishment. Minerva went into a state of shock.

"Mum?" asked Harry worriedly, "are you alright?"

Minerva did not answer. Harry walked in front of her and shook her slightly. Minerva came out of her reverie then.

"Fawkes? Is that you?" The red phoenix let out a loud shrill.

Minerva bent down and carefully hugged the phoenix.

"I missed you." She said softly to the phoenix.

Harry tugged at Minerva's sleeve.

"Mum, its time to go."

Minerva turned to face Harry. Fawkes took this opportunity to fly off. Minerva burst into tears again. Mentally, Harry thanked the fact that they were just outside the school, hidden by a large, tall clump of trees. Harry patted his mum's back till she calmed down.

"I'm sorry, Harry."

"It's okay, mum. You have to let your emotions out sometimes." Harry replied.

Minerva wiped her tears away and checked that she looked normal.

"You should go first, Harry. No one would suspect anything then."

Harry nodded mutely and set off for the castle, with Minerva a few paces behind.

They reached the castle, only to find no one there. It then dawned on Harry that the other students are all out on the grounds, enjoying the last few days of school.

Minerva patted Harry's shoulder lightly before she turned and left for her office.

Reaching her office, Minerva sunk into the nearest chair that she could find. Surviving without Albus is much harder than before. She wondered if her life was worth living on. After he has gone, life has just been a meaningless passing of days. Life without him had been hard, she admitted to herself. Every morning when she awakens, he would not be there, beside her. Minerva let out a small sob at this. Life has been so painful.

Minerva took out a small knife she took from one of the kitchens. She drew it across her wrists, wincing slightly at the sharp pain. Thin rivulets of blood trickled down her wrists. She ignored the pain and cut slightly lower this time, and a little deeper. More blood spurted out this time, as she felt weaker. I am dieing. She realized. Soon, the darkness overwhelmed her and she closed her eyes in resemblance of sleep. Hoping for once that it would be her last.

A white owl stood outside the window, peering in. Minerva never noticed it. The owl peered in, and fluttered its wings in surprise. It took in the sight of a bleeding Minerva before flying back to Fawkes.

Harry Potter was doing his potions homework, which he felt, was given by an unnecessarily evil greasy haired, long nosed git, and known as Professor Snape. Finally getting pissed off at his homework, he crumpled the piece of parchment and threw it at some random direction. What he did not think of is that Ron and Hermione were in that direction.

It was about to escalate into a full blown fight when Harry noticed that Fawkes was standing beside him. He turned to Fawkes, only to see it lead the way out of the common room. Curious, Harry silently left the room.

He followed Fawkes to Professor McGonagall's office. Wondering why, he muttered the password to his mum's office and strode in. To his surprise, he saw her leaning on one of the chairs, bleeding from two cuts on each arm. Harry rushed to Minerva's side anxiously.

"Mum?" He asked. "Are you alright?"

Minerva opened her eyes slightly and close them again.

"Go, Harry. Leave me here." She said weakly.

"I'm not leaving." He replied, wondering if Madam Pomfrey knew about this.

Apparently Fawkes thought about that too, for a few moments later, poppy Pomfrey rushed into the room.

"Minerva!" She cried.

"Poppy?" She asked, raising her head weakly.

"You did it again didn't you?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

Minerva nodded weakly.

"Come on. I have to get you to the hospital wing."

Madam Pomfrey levitated the Transfigurations Professor to the hospital wing, with Harry trailing not far behind.

After stopping the bleeding and wrapping Minerva's wounds, Madam Pomfrey left both of them alone while she went into her office. Checking that no one is around, Harry went to seat beside Minerva.

"Why did you do that mum?" He asked, putting his hand across hers.

Minerva did not answer but merely turned away from him, never meeting his eyes. Harry sighed and settled down for a restless night beside his mum.

Minerva woke up the next morning, feeling very weak and tired. Feeling a heavy weight resting on her arm, she turned, only to find Harry asleep in her arm. Wincing slightly, she tugged her arm out from under Harry's head and shook him slightly.

"Harry?" She asked.

Harry awakens with a jerk.

"Mum?" he asked, rubbing his eyes, "Are you alright?"

Minerva patted Harry's hand reassuringly.

"Why did you do that mum?" He asked again, repeating the question that he asked the night before.

Minerva sighed and turned away from him.

"Must you ask such questions each time, Harry?" She asked softly.

Harry felt his temper begin to rise. With an effort, he quelled it and managed to talk to his mum calmly.

"Can you tell me why, mum, please." He asked.

Minerva sighed and took out her wand, drawing out a memory, before placing it in the pensive.

"Go and take a look for yourself." She replied curtly and laid down on the bed again, promptly falling asleep.

Glancing curiously at his mum, Harry plunged down into the pensive.