If Only

by xxlildevilxx1506

If only Albus and Minevra had acted on their feelings all of those years ago, so many things could have been different. Including the life of one Harry James Potter. ADMM

20. Chapter 18

It was late. The Great Hall sat in an anticipated silence, their eyes all on the Headmaster. Albus looked out over the sea of children that were under his care and smiled, truthfully, as he watched the younger years and the older year's alike struggle to keep their heavy eyelids open. It was the last dinner most would have in Hogwarts for three weeks; nearly all of the children were going home for the winter holidays. There were only a handful of students that would remain in the castle for the break, even the majority of the Professors were leaving.

Albus sought his youngest son out of the sea of faces. Harry met his father stare and mouthed the words 'hurry up'. Albus smiled even wider. Harry had changed since his encounter with Voldemort. Nicolas had been right about Harry studying more, whenever Albus saw Harry he was engrossed in a book. He spent less time playing pranks with Fred and George and more time reading with Blaise and Daphne. The one thing he hadn't given up was playing football, which Albus was grateful for. Now since snow covered every conceivable outside surface on school grounds the children had taken to playing in enlarged abandoned classrooms. Albus was seriously considering turning one of the classrooms into a pitch, so they would stop getting dragged to his office by Filch.

Thoughts of Harry brought his other son to mind, Nathan. Albus had been worried when Nathan had started spending entire days away with his friend, Chris, but as Nathan hadn't dropped behind in his scheduled lessons Albus could find no fault in the visits. Even though he was rarely home Albus noticed that his son was incredibly gifted. They had lessons scheduled an hour every weeknight and two hours on Saturday morning. The more Albus taught the quicker Nathan seemed to be grasping the material; it had gotten to the point where Albus didn't think he was helping his son at all. Nathan seemed to already know half the things he was teaching, it was only when he taught his son advanced material that it seemed to be something new and even then Nathan mastered the spell or magical theory so quickly that before Albus could catch his breath they were on the next subject. Nathan was already well beyond the knowledge of a Hogwarts graduate in transfiguration, defense, and charms. It wouldn't be long before he could take his NEWT's, something which left Albus completely befuddled. Nathan had just finished his OWL's, he couldn't understand how he was ready for his NEWT's so quickly.

Albus felt the heel of his wife's boot stab his foot, bringing him forcefully back to the present. His smile became strained as pain shot through his foot, he had opted not to wear his heavy boots, thinking he had no need for them and instead wore a comfortable pair of loafers. They offered his poor foot no protection from his impatient and hormonal wife. He looked at her and she discreetly motioned for him to get on with it.

He stood up slowly and was amused when the scarce conversation around the Great Hall stopped immediately. "Good Evening children." He said with a genuinely bright smile and twinkling eyes. "Tonight is the last night that our rather large and somewhat diversified family shall be gathered for some time. I would like to take this time to wish everyone a very restful break and a joyous holiday. May you all return well fed, well loved, and happy." A smattering of applause broke out in the hall with Harry leading the clapping enthusiastically. "I believe I forgot to mention ready to learn." Albus said his eyes twinkling brightly. The clapping stopped almost immediately and the twins let out a series of long boos. They stopped when they saw the look Minerva was giving them over her glasses.

"Yes unfortunately this is a school and as such you as students are required to learn. Let us hope that it will not be too painful." Applause broke out again and Albus had to raise his hands for it to stop. "I realize that you are all extremely full and therefore tired but before we retire for the night I have one very serious announcement to make."The atmosphere of the hall changed as everyone leaned forward waiting to hear what serious information their headmaster, the most powerful wizard in the world, was going to tell them. "One of our own shall be leaving." Albus said this so solemnly that the first through third years who had been dosing in their plates lifted their heads and stared at him. "It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Professor McGonagall will not be here when you return from your holiday." Albus said as if he was speaking at a funeral.

The hall grew deathly quiet. Not a single person made a sound or even breathed by the sound of it. The wind outside could be heard as clearly as if they were standing out in the cold night instead of the warm castle. His announcement seemed to have struck them, he had never seen a hall so full so quiet. Without warning the hall exploded. It seemed as if everyone were trying to say something at once. Albus could hear various protests from every corner of the room, even the Slytherin's were protesting. The older years were on their feet, their faces the perfect picture of outrage. Minerva may have been a strict task master but her skill was renowned throughout the world. Some of the students in the school were sent to Hogwarts because of the reputation of the teachers, Minerva in particular. When the students would first enter the school they would fear Minerva that fear always grew into a profound respect and before the students left the school most of the students had developed a personal relationship with the transfiguration mistress.

Albus raised his arms to quiet the students but it had no effect whatsoever. Maybe he should have broken it to them easier. He looked back to his staff for help but they were all staring at him in shock, except Rolanda who was currently laughing hysterically at the faces of shock on everyone's faces. He probably should have told the staff beforehand. They were going to be so angry at him for blindsiding them.

He looked to his wife for help. She was sitting ramrod straight in her stiff wooden chair, her eyes fixed on a spot of the back wall of the Hall. Albus thought she looked slightly teary eyed, but he couldn't tell if it was just a trick of the light. Before Albus could verbalize his plea for help Minerva stood up quickly, drawing her wand in the process. With the flick of her wrist a bang went off like thunder. Immediately the hall was silenced, not only because of the sound but also because of the power that radiated off the strict professor. The power of her spell had been so great that all the professors and the students sitting closest to the staff table had felt their hair blowing as if an invisible wind had come rushing through the hall.

"I am touched at your… concern, but carrying on in such a manor will not be tolerated." Minerva said with a raised eyebrow and a stern frown. The students who had been yelling the loudest sat back down and lowered their heads. "I have been teaching at this institution since 1946, I have taught most of your parents, and some of your grandparents. I believe I am entitled to some well deserved time off. I am going on a two and half year sabbatical, I shall be back at Hogwarts at the beginning of the 1993 term." She said in a very matter of fact voice.

"To those of you who I will not be teaching again I would like to wish you luck." Minerva said addressing the upper years with a softer tone than before. "I know that each and every one of the students in this hall has the potential for greatness. I shall not disappear completely, so I expect all of you to work hard. If you do not I shall know it. I may not be your teacher any longer but that does not mean that I no longer care. If I hear of anyone wasting their potential believe me when I say there aren't enough spells in the department of mystery's to hide you. I am always available by owl if anyone needs to contact me about anything." Minerva paused in her impromptu speech and gazed out at the students much as her husband had earlier. She loved to teach, she loved watching her students struggle to complete an assignment, then seeing the pride and excitement on their faces when they finally mastered the spell. Her folded hands twitched towards her stomach before she gathered herself again. "I shall miss you all. Good Luck!" she ended with a sly smile taking years off her masked appearance.

"Thank you Professor McGonagall." Albus said as he stood up again, he had sat in order to give his wife the floor. "It would be wrong of me to keep you from your beds any longer, Good night children. I shall see you in the morning."

The benches scrapped along the floor as the children all stood and began leaving the hall chattering excitedly. There were many glances at the head table as the students all left for their dorms. When the last child had left and the massive wooden door closed with a soft thud Albus turned to his colleagues with a bright smile. "What a wonderful meal. The roasted chicken was particularly delectable." He said acting as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb shell. "Shall I walk you to your rooms?" he asked McGonagall extending a gentlemanly hand.

"Please do." Minerva said taking his hand quickly. Then before any of the staff could corner them, they practically ran out of the Great Hall through the teacher's private entrance, leaving their colleagues staring after them.

They burst into their quarters five minutes later; both of them were red faced from laughing. Before they were completely in the room they both shed their outer robes and Minerva let her hair down from its tight bun. "Oh Albus that was so cruel." Minerva giggled, actually giggled as she sat down slowly on the love seat. She was four weeks into her second trimester and lately when she moved to suddenly she felt dizzy, so she was trying to be careful.

Albus plopped right next to her, his face lit up with amusement. "I was nothing but honest." He insisted turning his head so that his blue eyes were boring into her green.

Minerva chose not to reply and instead changed the topic. "Now that I am officially done with work you need to get another room added to the quarters so that I can set up a nursery."

"I promise that after Christmas your room will be waiting for you, as long as you promise not to over exert yourself." Albus said still looking at her with his head resting against the back of the love seat. This was a conversation they had had many times.

"I promise I won't work too hard. I have four and a half months until I'm due and something has to keep me occupied. I'll go mad locked up in here." Minerva said

"You're not locked in here; you can go where ever you please. As long as you tell me, you have port-key, you're careful, you're disguised, and you're not gone too long." Albus said seriously.

"Exactly. I'm trapped in here." Minerva said with a huff.

"I'm sure that time will pass quickly. Before we realize it there will be another child in our household. One who screams, has to have nappies changed regularly, and has to be fed nearly continuously." Albus said slightly worried.

"It won't be that bad. We actually know what we're doing this time. Do you remember what it was like when the twins were born? We weren't ready for one child let alone two. I am eternally grateful that Lizzy and Evan were well behaved. Could you imagine us trying to raise twins like Fred and George Weasley? Molly deserves Sainthood." Minerva told her husband.

"More that that I would say. Order of Merlin First class, raising children is exceptionally more difficult than slaying dark lords." Albus said not in least joking.

"Should I write letter to the ministry informing them of their folly?" Minerva wondered with a grin.

"Right away. You shouldn't waste a minute." Albus agreed his eyes twinkling.

They were silent for a moment before Minerva once again spoke. "Do you know anything about Nathans friend Chris?"

Albus sighed and furrowed his brow. "No, I looked where I could without raising suspicion but his name came up nowhere. Which could mean nothing or everything." Albus said with frustration.

"I don't like that he's always out with someone we don't know. He's out after breakfast and doesn't get home until after dinner every night exhausted, sometimes he doesn't come home at all." Minerva said slightly angry, still remembering how she had waited up until nearly three in the morning for her son to come home only for him to never show.

"I wouldn't worry so if I knew the boy." Albus commented looking at Minerva.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Does that statement mean what I think it does?"

"Yes. I think we should invite him here. Tell him our secret. He and Nathan are obviously close friends and Nathan is a good judge of character. I would of course have Nathan obtain a wizards oath of secrecy first, but at least this way we would know." Albus said.

"We could give him a curfew." Minerva pointed out.

Albus snorted. "He's our child. Do you really think he'd comply with a curfew, when he hasn't fallen behind in his studies and he's done nothing to show us that he's behaving in anything other than a proper manner? For all we know they spend every day playing quidditch or reading books as is Nathans wont."

"I trust your judgment." Minerva said. "And it will be a relief to have finally met the boy who has monopolized our son's time."

Almost as if summoned Nathan walked into the door his face lit up with laughter. "Hello." He said cheerfully as he walked in and jumped on the couch.

"You seem to be in a cheery mood." Albus commented.

"Hmm. Oh me and Chris just turned all his father's advisors hair bright green. His dad thought it was hilarious and rewarded us for a prank well done with an invitation to a red carpet party he doesn't want to attend." Nathan said with a chuckle.

"Red carpet party?" Minerva said in confusion.

"Oh it's a muggle thing, where a bunch of rich and famous people show off how rich they are. We should be able to have a good laugh." Nathan explained to his mother.

"Sounds like a ministry gala." Albus said with a grimace, how he hated those.

"Pretty much." Nathan said as he adjusted a pillow beneath his head.

"Your father and I have been talking." Minerva said jumping right into the conversation. "And we have decided that we want to meet your friend Chris."

Nathans head jerked and he looked at his mother oddly. "Really?" he asked confusedly.

"Yes really." Albus said. "We are your parents and since you've been spending so much time with him we'd like to meet him."

Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Wow. That's pretty wicked of you. When do you want to meet him?"

"Whenever is convenient for him. You know our schedule and now that your mothers not teaching anytime is acceptable." Albus said.

Nathan waved his hand and the time and date appeared in front of him in smoky letters. It was currently nine nineteen in the evening. "How about now? He was going to some movie premier but I'm sure he'd rather come here."

Albus and Minerva exchanged looked before Minerva spoke. "That's fine, but before you bring him we have one request. We would like you to have him swear an oath of secrecy."

"Sure whatever, he's done stranger things before." Nathan said.

"Then it's decided. I'll create a port-key for you." Albus said.

"That'd be brilliant." Nathan said as he jumped up from the couch nearly bouncing with excitement. He had never been able to invite a friend to his house. Minerva smiled at her son's enthusiasm as Albus pulled a quill out of his pocket and tapped it once. It glowed blue for a moment then returned to its normal shade looking like nothing but a violently bright green writing utensil.

"The activation word is hullabaloo." Albus said as he handed it over to his son.

Nathan looked oddly at his father but decided not to question his father's twisted logic. "I'll be back in a few minutes." He said before he sprinted from the room.

"That was fast." Albus commented needlessly.

"Yes it was." She agreed. "What's a 'movie premier'?" she asked her husband.

"I haven't the foggiest." Albus said. He raised a hand and put it around Miners shoulder. "I thought of a name of today." He said with a silly smile on his face.

"Really." Minerva said her eyes lighting up with excitement. "What is it?"

"Abigail. I want our daughter to be named Abigail." Albus said proudly.

"What does it mean?" Minerva asked curiously. Albus always chose names that had a special meaning.

"Father in rejoice in Hebrew." Albus said with a smile.

"If we were going to have a girl I would say it was perfect but we're having a boy. I can feel it." Minerva said.

"I also thought of one for boy since you're so insistent that it's a boy." Albus said with a huff. Minerva looked at him expectantly. "I thought that Jace would be a good middle name, it means healing."

"Jace." Minerva repeated experimentally "I like it. Where did you find it?"

Albus smiled somewhat sheepishly and fished through his pocket. He retrieved a book and handed it to his wife.

"Every baby you'll ever need and more." Minerva read. She flipped open the book and took a looked inside. "This could be useful. It even gives the meaning and the origin of the name." Minerva said. "I had no idea they made books like this."

"I found it in a muggle maternity shop." Albus said.

"What else did you buy?" Minerva said knowing that her husband couldn't have restrained himself from buying nearly every toy the store had to offer. It was miracle that their children weren't spoiled rotten.

"Nothing much, just a few outfits and possible a toy or twelve." Albus said innocently.

Minerva gave him the evil eye and Albus smiled sheepishly. Before they could elaborate on their conversation Albus felt a port-key cross through the wards of the castle and less than a second later their son and another boy appeared right in front of them.

Albus was surprised at the grace with which both boys landed, there wasn't even a bobble in the boy's position. He pushed his surprise aside and studied his son's friend. The young man was obviously older than his son, possibly sixteen but was a medium height of about five ten. His hair was black and it hung in the boys face, the fringe was currently pushed aside and was long enough to reach his high cheek bones. His eyes were a dark stormy blue and if Albus wasn't mistaken the boy had black makeup around his eyes. His skin was pale and he sported a black lip ring on the right side of his lip.

Albus had never seen a boy with an odder fashion sense. He wore tight black pants with faded black sneakers and a belt that had silver studs on it. His shirt was a button up and once again black but with small white pinstripes. He wore a black vest and had a black jacket on top of everything else. Not to mention the black scarf and black gloves, that Albus didn't understand. Why wear gloves if you're going to cut half of them off and have your finger tips sticking out. All in all he was the oddest dressed boy he had ever seen.

"Hello your Nathans parents I assume, unless the port-key malfunctioned and I'm making an ass of myself by appearing in your living room uninvited?" the boy said before Albus or Minerva had even thought of saying something.

"Nope, we're in the right place. Chris I would like to introduce you to my parents Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall." Nathan said with a slight cackle at his friends slightly shocked face.

Chris blinked the blinked again. Then looking at Minerva said. "You are entirely too beautiful to be the Minerva McGonagall I have heard about. And you sir," he said looking at Albus. "Shouldn't you have a beard and some twisted fashion sense?"

Albus and Minerva finally shook themselves from their surprise at his appearance and stood. "I am indeed Albus Dumbledore but alas the beard is merely for show as are most of my outfits."

"Chris Jobs." Chris said sticking his hand out for Albus to shake. Albus notice the boy had a very strong grip.

"It's nice to finally meet you dear." Minerva said before leaning forward and giving Chris a chastise kiss on the cheek.

Chris stood there for a moment. "Are you sure you're Minerva McGonagall?" he asked with a smile.

"Quite certain." Minerva answered slightly bemused.

"I mean no offense but you are perhaps the most beautiful women I have ever seen. You don't look a day over thirty." Chris said with a charming smile.

Minerva raised an eyebrow at the young man, he was certainly out spoken. "Thank you, I think." Minerva said with a queer smile.

"Please have a seat." Albus said amiably only slightly bothered by the boys comment to his wife. He couldn't be angry because every time he saw Minerva he too noticed how beautiful she was.

Chris and Nathan both sat on the couch across from where Albus and Minerva were sitting. "So the interrogation begins." Chris said with a slight chuckle.

"I wouldn't call it an interrogation per say." Albus said with a grin. "Think of it as an opportunity for us to get to know you."

Chris snorted. "Will do el capitán." He said with a salute. "I figured this day would come sooner or later, I'm just surprised that Nate parents are people who are supposed to be old, kinda decrepit, not to mention celibate."

Both Minerva and Albus looked at their sons friend wondering if he had really said what they thought he did. "Chris." Nathan moaned. "Stop with the mental images, please there my parents."

Chris put his hands up to show his surrender. "I didn't mean to be so blunt about it. I was only commenting on how you seem to have the entire wizarding world tricked. Sweet deal, more power to you. If I could prank an entire society I'd do it in a heartbeat."

Albus cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. "If I may ask, how did you two come to meet?"

Nathan and Chris exchanged a look. Chris shrugged and turned to Albus. "It's actually kind of embarrassing but I won't lie. I took my fathers Lamborghini out for a night on the town in Italy, somewhere along the way I made it into a bar and got supremely sloshed. Next thing I knew I was out in some little village type looking thing, throwing up on Natie boys shoes. He decked me. I either passed out or he knocked me out. Fortunately Nate's a good guy and he didn't leave me out in the gutters. I woke up the next morning on his bed and treated him for breakfast. We've kind of been friends ever since."

"You were drinking?" Minerva asked looking slightly outraged.

"Excessively." Chris said not even attempting to look bashful.

"Where were your parents?" she asked color rising in her cheeks as she grew more and more animated.

"My mother was in a small cemetery in New York, she died during childbirth. My father was on a business trip, in Milan I think." Chris said the same smile he had had on his face all evening never once leaving his face.

Minerva's face immediately transformed from anger to a face Nathan immediately recognized as her worried mother face. "You poor dear."

"Could you call me something naughtier?" Chris quipped. Minerva's face immediately flared in anger and Albus's eyes narrowed. Chris seemed to realize they weren't happy with his statement and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry force of habit." He said only sounding slightly apologetic. Beside him Nathan shook his head in despair. This meeting was not starting off well.

"Since you asked the first question I get to ask the second." Chris said moving past the awkward moment. "How did the two of you meet?"

Albus looked at Minerva slightly confused, he hadn't anticipated answering any questions about their personal lives but he suppose it was only fair. "We met when I began teaching at Hogwarts. Minerva was my student."

"God it's like one of those really cliché por-, uh books." Chris said not even acknowledging what he had almost said; only Nathan understood, if the disturbed look on his face was any indicator. "I thought teacher student relationships were forbidden." He voiced out loud.

"They are." Minerva said looking at Chris almost daring him to say something.

"Are you sure your happily married?" he asked leaning forward towards Minerva.

Minerva let out a short burst of laughter. "I am very happily bonded." She said putting special emphasis on the word bonded. "But if I wasn't what makes you think I would be interested in you?" she asked curiously.

"Why my amazingly good looks and charming personality of course. Women are attracted to me, I can't help it. Call it animal magnetism." He said with a smug look on his face.

Nathan laughed outright, while Albus and Minerva tried to retain their smiles. "My turn for a question." Minerva said. "Where are you from originally? You have an accent but I don't recognize it."

"I was born in Manhattan- New York, but my dad always had important business so we travelled. I think my accent if from knowing s o many different languages." Chris explained simply.

"How many do you speak?" Albus asked curiously.

"I speak French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, of and I can sign." Chris said with a smug smile. "What's that eight, nine if you count signing."

"How many children do you have?" Chris asked curiously. Nate had never told him about his family but he doubted from some of the pictures on the walls that Nate was an only child.

"Four" Albus said at the same time Minerva said "Five".

"No offence but shouldn't you know how many children you have." Chris said with a small frown.

"We currently have four children our fifth is on her way." Albus said clearing up Chris's confusion.

"That makes sense." Chris said simply.

"Are you currently in school?" Minerva asked Chris.

"Nope. I've never been to school. I've had private tutors all my life."Chris said.

The questions continued for another hour but over time had evolved into a lively discussion that both of the teens and the adults were enjoying. Minerva, Albus, and Nathan were all trying to explain to a highly amused Chris about the home they had on the French coast. It was hard for him not to be amused as they talked over each other and did their best to describe to him something so wonderful it sounded as if it came from a fairy tale.

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud ringing that seemed to come from Chris. "Excuse me for a moment." Chris said politely as he stood and pulled out a curious device from his pant pocket. He walked a few feet away and held the strange box up his head and started speaking to it.

Both Albus and Minerva were somewhat confused, they spent time in the muggle world but not enough to keep up to date with all of the modern conveniences. "It's a mobile telephone." Nathan explained sensing his parents confusion.

"I thought those had to be connected to something." Minerva said.

"The normal ones do but these are a fairly new invention, they have only just become popular. They are powered by batteries and they use satellite signals to connect one phone to another." Nathan explained even though he was new to the concept and didn't quite understand it.

"Sorry about that it was my father." Chris said as he sat back down. He no longer had a cheery smile and the difference it made on his was startling. Nothing about him reminded Albus and Minerva of the good natured young man whom they had been getting to know instead he now looked furious and rather depressed.

"Is everything alright, you look upset?" Minerva asked her motherly instincts taking hold of her.

Chris face slid from angry and depressed to a carefully neutral expression. "My father has just informed me that he will be going on a spiritual retreat for the next month. He wishes you all a Merry Christmas." He said the last part bitterly.

"He's leaving you alone, for a month, for Christmas?" Albus asked completely confused.

"He says he has to cleanse his spirit." Chris said spitefully.

"Do you have anyone you can stay with?" Minerva asked with concern.

Chris blinked twice before answering the question. "We have a town house in London. That's where I usually stay."

"But who will take care of you. You're only sixteen you need someone to be there for you." Minerva said.

"No worries, I purchased a rather ambitious bunch of house elves when I was twelve. They keep my clothes clean and they feed me."Chris said with a wave of his hand.

Albus and Minerva shared a long and seemed to be communicating without words. "You're welcome to stay here." Albus offered transferring his intense blue eyes to his sons friend. "We have plenty of space and no one should be alone during the holidays, it's a time for family and friends."

"I appreciate the offer but I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. It gives me an excuse to throw a few parties and to drive his cars." Chris said his cheery personality firmly back in place.

"If you're sure, but you must come for Christmas dinner." Minerva leaving no room for argument.

Chris winked and said. "How could I resist such a tempting offer from a beautiful woman?" Minerva simply laughed, in the past hour she had become used to her son's friends constant flirting.

"I am sorry to break up this very enjoyable evening but I have piles of paperwork to complete and the night only grows later." Albus said truly sorry that he had other obligations that had to be completed before the morning.

"It was a pleasure to meet you sir." Chris said as he stood up to shake Albus's hand yet again.

"Likewise. I shall see soon I expect." Albus said. He gave Minerva a lingering kiss before he vanished through the bookshelf.

"Lucky bastard." Chris muttered. Nathan shook his head and Minerva arched an eyebrow.

"You are welcome to stay the night." Minerva said ignoring his previous comment. "Nathan I trust you will make your friend comfortable. As for myself I too have some things to get done before I retire so I must leave you. Please behave; I rather like having our quarters in one place." Minerva said with an impish smile.

"You wound me mother. Why I am the model child. What in the world gave you the impression that I should behave in any way other that the perfect gentleman?" Nathan asked in mock indignation.

"Years of experience." Minerva quipped. She stood from the loveseat slowly and for the first time Chris was able to see the slight bulge of her stomach. He stared unabashedly at where he knew a new life was slowly forming. "There is a fresh cake in the pantry, try and leave slice for your sugar craving mothers midnight snack." Minerva said then she too left the room.

The two friends were silent for a moment. "Dude your moms hot." Chris said breaking the silence. Nathan promptly threw a pillow at his friends head. "You're going down!" Chris declared as he jumped at Nathan.

When Albus walked in ten minutes later to fetch some correspondence from his private study he found the two boys in a tangle of limbs on the floor. As they were both wearing black he could barely tell where one boy ended and the other began. "Hello boys!" he said pleasantly standing over them with a smile on his face.

Chris immediately let go his hold of Nathan and would have stood if Nathan hadn't tackled him to the ground and put him in a headlock. Albus smiled as both boys forgot his presence and went back to their wrestling. "Please watch the furniture." He said as the boys bumped into the sofa pushing it back several inches.

"Sure dad." Nathans muffled voice said.

"If you want to avoid your mothers wrath at possibly breaking priceless antique artifacts, some that date back to the days of the founders I would take this match to the dueling chamber. There are mats there that are better suited for such exuberant activity." Albus warned the boys before he walked away and entered his study. When he returned to the drawing room a few moments late with several confidential documents under his arm the boys had stopped and were now lying on the floor with red faces. They smiled sheepishly at him and he was struck by how close they seemed to be. The way they traded looks or nudged each other's arm, even the smiles he got were almost identical. "If I may ask what spurred your match?" he asked curiously.

"I was defending my mother's honor." Nathan answered pompously.

Chris bumped him and said. "I only speak the truth."

Albus shook his head already understanding. "Good night boys. Shall I see you in the morning Christopher?" Albus asked.

"Yes sir, your lovely wife invited me to spend the night and the possibility of being in her presence for even a few more moments, was more than enough to incentive to make my decision." Chris said with a slightly teasing smile.

"Should I strengthen the silencing charms on the dueling chamber?" Albus asked his son though the comment was meant for Chris.

"You might have to sir, Nate here screams like a girl." Chris answered immediately.

Albus laughed at the unexpected retort and decided to leave before he witnessed something he might have to punish his son for. "Goodnight." He said again as he left the room.

"I do not scream like a girl. I seem to remember you crying like a school girl yesterday after I beat you in our duel." Nathan said with slight outrage.

"Shh." Chris said shooting a sharp look at his friend. "Walls have ears Nathan, nothing we do there gets discussed where it has even the slightest chance of being over heard. Not even in the comfort of your own home." There was no trace of his cheery personality as he reprimanded his friend. There was only seriousness so intense that his whole being radiated it.

Nathan hung his headed. "Sorry it's just I'm not used to having to keep secrets in my own home. I used to feel safe here but not so much anymore." He said sadly.

"It gets easier." Chris said to his friend. His face was sincere and his blue eyes held no lies that Nathan could detect. It gave him hope of an easier future. "Come on give me the tour" Chris said changing the subject abruptly.

"This is the drawing room and through that door is my dads office and that dark oak one over there is dads study. Those are basically off limits." Nathan said as he gestured to each door.

"Why does your dad need two offices?"Chris asked curiously.

"That one-" Nathan said pointing to the bookshelf/door. "is the Headmaster office. It's the one that is open to the public. The other is his private office where his more sensitive work is done."

Chris narrowed his eyes slightly and looked round the room before turning back to Nathan. "We're in Hogwarts." He stated somewhat surprised.

"Well, yes of course we are. Where did you think the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress of a boarding school lived?" Nathan asked his friend.

"You grew up at Hogwarts?" Chris asked looking at his friend. "But yet you've never attended a class here. That's sadly ironic."

Nathan shrugged. "I couldn't my parents relationship must not become know to the world. That's why I made you swear a wizard's oath. If anyone were to find that they were together they would be ruined, they would lose everything they've worked for, and my brothers, my sister, and I would under threat of being attacked." Nathan said his blue eyes icy. "You must never tell anyone." Nathan ordered.

"Relax Nate. You are my friend and your family has accepted me with open arms. I don't betray people." Chris said just as seriously.

"Come on I'll show you the dueling chamber. It's marvelous." Nate said with excitement, happy to change the subject

It was getting late and Albus had still yet to come to bed, to put it lightly Minerva was annoyed. She was tired and her feet were cold and Albus wasn't here so of course she couldn't get comfortable. She got up from the window seat she had previously been sitting on and let her book drop to the floor. She was going to get Albus and drag his finely toned ass to bed.

She did remember that there was company so she donned a thick tartan dressing gown and tied it at the waist. She made her way out of her bedroom and on impulse she carefully opened her son's bedroom door. She was surprised to find him lying in bed awake with music playing. She would have thought he would be asleep by now but apparently not.

"Hi mum." He said looking at her as he waved his wand and made the song change.

"You should be sleeping." Minerva said.

Nathan smiled cheekily. "So should you, mother dearest."

Minerva smiled and entered his room fully. "Where's Chris?" she asked curious as to whether or not he would accept her offer.

"He's in the guest bedroom. The prospect of having you cook him breakfast was too good of an offer to turn down." Nate said with a roll of his eyes.

"That boy is… odd, but he is very charming." Minerva said as she sat on the edge of her sons bed.

"I may not like his comments about you but he is telling the truth, you are beautiful." Nate said sincerely. "What is it father says, a goddess among mere mortals."

Minerva smiled at her son. "Thank you." She said accepting the compliment. "Sleep well." She said. Then she gave him a soft kiss on the forehead.

"Good night, mum." Nate said as he adjusted his pillow. Minerva left the room knowing that her son would soon be asleep.

She crossed the hall and looked in on their house guest. Minerva bit down a smile as she saw him sprawled out on the large bed, one leg hanging over the edge and the blankets thrown on the floor. There was a little trail of drool dripping from his parted lips.

Without hesitating she entered the room and gathered the thick blankets in her arms and proceeded to gently tuck the young man in. As she cautiously moved his wayward leg onto the bed she wondered if anyone had ever done this for the boy before. A pang of sympathy shot through her as she stood and looked at the peacefully sleeping teenager.

She brushed his long hair from his face and gave him a kiss on the forehead, like she had her son. She adjusted the blankets once more and headed out the door.

"What no tongue?" Asked the gruff voice of her son's friend.

She turned and quickly quipped. "That's reserved for my husband." She should have known he would have noticed the soft kiss but not the moving of his leg.

"Lucky." Chris said as he smiled good naturedly at her with tired eyes.

"Good night Christopher." Minerva said with her hand on the door knob.

"Good night beautiful." He said mischievously. "Dream of me." He added with a grin. Minerva rolled her eyes and stepped through the threshold of the door. "Thank you for that." Chris said with a serious voice, stopping her exit.

"For what?" Minerva asked.

"That, what you just did. The first time I get tucked it's by an amazingly beautiful woman. I couldn't ask for a fonder memory." He explained as he put his hand under head.

Minerva smiled and decided not to comment on his flirting. "You are welcome." She said softly, and then she shut the door softly. She stood there for a moment to ponder Christophe Jobs. She felt her motherly instincts scream out at seeing how alone the boy was. What kind of parent leaves their child alone for a month at a time, over the holidays no less? From what she had seen he was a friendly young man, who did have some unsavory habits, drinking and partying, but what else could one expect when you leave a teenager alone to raise himself. She resolved that she would mother him as much as he would allow.

"Deep contemplations?" A welcome voice said from behind her.

"It's about time you came to bed, I was cold and I couldn't get comfortable." Minerva pouted. "And yes I was thinking deeply. That poor child has no one." Minerva said her voice changing immediately to one filled with anger.

"I'm sure we can rectify that." Albus said. "But before we make plans to on how best to smother him with motherly love lets go to bed. Starting tomorrow we have three weeks until school starts up again and I plan to use them to my full advantage." Albus put his arm around her waist and they made their way to the master bedroom.

"Tomorrow are you going to take the boys to find a Christmas tree?" Minerva asked curiously. It had been a tradition for Albus to take the boys into the forests surrounding McGonagall Manor to find the perfect Christmas tree while Minerva and Lizzy went out to do some last minute shopping, which usually wound up being a mother daughter shopping spree.

"Of course. I spoke with Evan and Lizzy they wanted to go pick Harry up from the train station. I told them I would ask your permission." Albus said. They entered their bedroom and Minerva took off her robe to reveal that all she was wearing was a small white night gown. She immediately climbed into their large bed and snuggled down under the thick and warm blankets. "It's no wonder your cold." Albus commented as he stripped off his clothing and put on a warm pair of flannel pajama pants.

"It's comfortable." Minerva said. "I don't see why they can't pick him up as long as they are careful."

Albus slid into bed and sought out his wife. Once they were settled into a comfortable position, they turned the lights off and resumed their conversation. "Do you think Christopher would come if I invited him?"

"I hope so. The boy is very independent; he acts as if he's never had a parent. Which I'm inclined to believe." Minerva said then went on to explain how he had thanked her for something as simple as being tucked in. "If no one has ever tucked the boy in, what other things could he have missed out on?"

Albus took a deep breath and nuzzled into his wife's neck. "I'm not sure, but I do feel bad for the boy. He's Nathan first real friend and I like the boy. I don't understand how a parent can behave like that. How muddled does ones priorities have to be to leave your flesh and blood alone like that. It's mind boggling."

"I don't understand it either but there is nothing we can do. Let's talk about it more tomorrow. Right now I just want to sleep. I'm exhausted." Minerva said as she smothered a yawn.

"Goodnight love." Albus said. He gave her a loving kiss then quickly drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

"Any one wanna play snap?" Seamus asked in a bored voice.

Harry grunted in a negative way. He was currently on the train that was taking to all the students who were going home for the holidays to platform nine and three quarters. The train ride was to put it lightly extremely boring. Sure it was nice to see his friends all in one group for an extended period of time but there was nothing to do. He was hanging upside down on one of the chairs trying to read a book on defensive strategy. It wasn't holding his attention, all he wanted was to get home so he could enjoy his holiday.

Daphne and Blaise were similarly engrossed in books, though they were in more dignified positions. Seamus had tried various ways to keep himself occupied but all of them had fail and he had resorted to playing catch with Harry's football. Fred and George had stayed at the castle because their family was going to Romania to visit one of his older brothers. Harry had promise to ask if they could visit his families quarters during the holiday break.

Thankfully they were at least halfway to the platform. Giving up on his book he threw it aside and pulled his shrunken trunk out of his pocket. He put the book inside on a pile of assorted sports equipment and pulled out the one and only cure for boredom this severe. His comic book collection. Nothing else could hold the attention of this eleven year old in such rapt attention for an extended period of time.

For the next two hours he lost himself in the adventures of some of his favorite super heroes. He was pleasantly surprised when the train started to slow and he hadn't even noticed they were approaching the station.

He quickly threw his collection back in his trunk, shrunk his trunk, and hastily stowed it in his pocket. His friends were all ready to go and had been for a while. They said a hasty good with vague promises to write over the holiday. Then they all ran towards the doors. It was every man for himself as everyone rushed to get off the train. Unfortunately he was a first year and although he was tall for his age group he was no match for the upper years. The only plus was that he didn't have a bulky trunk to cart around.

Once off the train he pulled a black hat on and rushed towards the exit. No one thankfully recognized him and he exited without causing a scene. Once through the barrier he looked for his parents. There for he was surprised that before he had spotted anyone he was lifted into a strong hug.

"Harry." He heard two voices shout out.

A huge smile nearly spit his face in half as he recognized the twins. He twisted so that he could hug Evan back while Lizzy attacked him from behind. Once he had hugged his brother he jumped as best he could so that he could hug his sister. It wasn't one of his better ideas. He forgot for a moment that he wasn't five years old anymore and that Lizzy was rather thin. She had no chance of supporting him. They all fell to the ground in a laughing heap of limbs.

"Hello." Harry said with a cheeky smile. He was sprawled across the both of them.

"Move along you's, your blockin the way." An amused voice said from above them.

The three Dumbledore children looked up into the face of an amused looking security guard. "Sorry." Evan said hastily as he stood. With one arm he lifted Harry up and with the other he helped his sister.

"That's fine. Have a happy holiday." The guard said satisfied that they were no longer blocking the way.

"You too. Thank you sir." Lizzy called after the guard who had started to walk away. "It's so good to see you Harry." Harry just smiled brightly. He felt like he hadn't seen his brother and sister forever and he had missed them terribly.

"Come on. Dad gave me a port-key but we can't use it until we're out of the station."Evan said. Before Harry could start walking to where he thought the exit was Evan picked him up from behind and settled him on his shoulders.

"Hey!" Harry said as he was lifted but decided not to protest. From up here he could see everything and he hadn't been given a ride like this since before Evan and Lizzy had moved to their own apartment. They made their way smoothly out of the station with the exception of one near fall on Harry's part. He leaned over to try and give his sister a kiss and had almost made Evan loose his balance. Lizzy thought the entire thing was hilarious.

They activated the port-key once they were sure no one was around and they landed, amazingly with Harry still on Evan shoulders, in a spacious room that was empty with the exception of a large marble fireplace that was intricately carved.

"Come on lets go find mum." Lizzy said in an excited voice. Harry and Evan shared a look. They both knew what she was so excited about, shopping. They couldn't understand how she and their mother could do nothing but shop for hours on end without getting bored or at least buying a broomstick.

Evan put Harry on the ground again and they followed Lizzy out into the drawing room where both their parents were along with Nathan and someone Harry didn't recognize.

"Ah here they are." Albus said as he stood to greet his children everyone else in the room followed his lead and for the next few minutes Harry hugged everyone at least twice. Once the family had thoroughly greeted one another everyone migrated back to where they had been sitting. Harry being the youngest and smallest winded up sitting squeezed between his parents on the love seat.

"Harry this is Christopher Jobs." Nathan introduced. Harry's eyes turned to the so far silent teen. He was wearing all black and had black hair but he had a friendly grin that seemed permanently etched on his face. Harry was unsure how he felt about him. Over the past month and a half he had learned to be more cautious.

"Hello." Harry said simply as he wondered why the young man was here. It wasn't normal for him to find people he didn't know interacting with his family and he didn't look like someone his father would have business dealings with.

"It's nice to finally put a face to a name. Nate here spouts something off about you every other minute." The boy said smile never leaving his face.

"You're Nate's friend?" Harry asked slightly confused. Since when were they allowed to bring friends into their family fold and who was this boy whom everyone seemed at ease around? The twins didn't look at all surprised so they must have already met him.

"Uh huh." Chris said as he sat slouched in his chair with casual elegance that wasn't easy to project.

"Are we going?" Nathan asked Albus, interrupting Harry from studying this unknown element.

"Going where?" he asked turning to his father.

Albus smiled widely. "You haven't forgotten have you? It's time for us men to brave the fierce wilderness and appropriate a tree worthy of our household." Albus said in a high pompous voice.

Evan, Nathan, and Harry all puffed out their chests as one. "Yes sir, commander, father, sir." They said as one complete with a salute. They girls laughed outright and Chris looked at the family strangely.

"At ease troops." Albus said with his pompous voice. "Go and get outfitted. I expect you back in no less than fifteen minutes. Last to report is furthermore known as… Private Slowpoke."

The boys rushed off with smiles on their faces, Harry was in the lead. Nathan grabbed his friends arm and dragged him out of the drawing room.

Albus turned to his wife and then his daughter. "Would I be correct in saying that you will have no trouble finding ways to amuse yourselves?" He asked with an indulgent smile.

"You would be correct father." Lizzy said then looked at her mother and smiled excitedly.

"We have decided to try something new this year." Minerva said, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Really, what would that be?" Albus asked curiously. He had heard nothing of this decision which was odd as he and Minerva had the hardest time keeping even the slightest secret from one another.

"We're going to a spa in Greece." Lizzy said. "They do pedicures, facials, and full body massages." She said with enthusiasm.

Albus frowned at the full body massage. Except for the roar of jealously that he quickly squashed he had no problem with the thought of his wife getting a massage, but he also knew that Minerva, like him, did not like to be touched intimately by anyone other than he. He knew how her heart raced and her mind panicked. He looked at her oddly but knew better than to say anything in front of her daughter. It wasn't that it was a secret it was just something private between the two of them.

Minerva felt his confusion and shot him a look. He understood. It took only a split second, but he knew that she had no desire for someone to massage her and that the outing was more for his daughters benefit than her own.

From down the hall a stampede of feet could be heard and into the room shot Harry with Evan closely followed. They were both dressed in heavy winter cloaks, water protective pants, thick boots, and woolly hats and gloves.

Their eyes scanned the room looking for their brother and his friend. Seeing that they weren't present they gave sighs of relief. Harry's sigh was looked particularly relieved, he had been known named the slow one for the previous three years.

Albus was glad to see his youngest son so light hearted. For the past month and a half they only time he had seen his son let go of his inhibitions was when he played football and even then he was filled with fierce intensity and competition, instead of the light heartedness he had carried before he had left for school in September.

"Well down men." He said in his pompous military commanders' voice, one he had actually picked up from someone he had met while meeting with muggle intelligence in the war with Grindelwald. "Fastest time yet."

"I laid my clothes out before hand." Evan said with a cheeky grin.

"Cheater." Harry said looking up at his brother with shinning eyes.

"It's called intelligence little brother." Evan said superiorly then pulled the hat off his brothers head. Harry tried to reach his hat but Evan was seven years older than he and much taller.

"Evan." Minerva said drawing the older boys attention away from his little brother.

"Yes mother." Evan said sweetly. Harry used the distraction to his advantage and climbed up onto a nearby chair.

"Watch out." She said with an impish grin. Before Evan could understand her warning Harry leapt from the chair and tackled his brother to the ground. Harry landed on top of him and snatched the hat out of his hands.

"Oww." Evan said. "You are not light Harry and that hurt."

"Good." Harry said cheekily. He sprung up from his brother before the older boy could take his hat back or worse and tried to run for cover by his mother. He got half way across the room when he felt something grab his ankle then pull him across the floor. He looked up as he was being pulled toward his brother, and saw his brother was still on the floor by had his wand out and was smirking victoriously. "No fair." Harry yelled out as he reached his brother.

Evan smirked mischievously then attacked. Harry screeched in a very unmanly way as his brother pulled his jacket aside and started tickling him without mercy. "Mum…Dad… Help! Please." He gasped out.

Minerva leaned forward to go help he son, but before she could start to get up off the chair she felt the bump over her midsection. She stopped and sat back with a sigh.

Albus noticed. "Shall I take your place, my dear?" he asked over the screeched please of their youngest son.

Minerva smiled. "Please do. Harry's known for his kicks. We wouldn't want Evan to get hurt." She said loud enough for both Evan and Harry to hear.

Evan laughed his best evil laugh and continued his unrelenting torture of his brother, while Harry let out a long, drawn out "Noooo!"

Albus smiled and joined his sons on the floor. With some careful maneuvering he grabbed both his sons legs and pinned them to the floor. He was surprised when he looked up and saw his daughter on the other side of Harry with his arms pinned to the floor. She gave him a shrug that said why not.

"We leave you alone for what ten minutes and you turn into rabid animals." Nathan said from the doorway. Albus looked up fully intending to say something cheeky but in his distraction he let one of Harry's legs go. Before he could verbalize anything he felt his world explode in pain.

He let out a grunt of pain and fell over, his hands instinctively reaching for his injured member. His vision went black and he saw stars. Everyone around him stopped. "Oww." He breathed out from his cradled position on the floor.

"Are you alright, dad?" Lizzy asked with concern.

"I'll be ok. He just knocked the wind out of me." Albus said, pain lacing his voice. He rolled over so that he was on his knees, with one hand cupping his family jewels.

"Let me see, he could have broken a rib." Lizzy said in a no nonsense voice. Harry's face fell and he looked as if he might cry.

"I'm ok, Harry." Albus assured his son with a forced smile. "Not that I doubt your medical prowess Lizzy, but I think this is a job for your mother." Lizzy turned bright red and the boys in the room all winced in sympathy as they realized where exactly their brother had kicked their father.

"Can you walk Albus?" Minerva asked as she slowly stood from her chair.

"I can try, but I really don't want to." Albus said with humor despite the pain that radiated throughout his body. He flipped over so that he was sitting with his back against the chair. "Please remind me to stay away from Harry when he has boots on." He commented with a wry grin. The boys winced again and Harry's face fell further.

"Could you give us moment please?" Minerva said to her children. The children cleared out of the room in seconds. Before he left Harry gave his father a quick hug. Albus tried not to wince as Harry kneed him in the process. "He just got you again didn't he?" Minerva asked trying to conceal her laughter. It didn't work nearly as well as she would have hoped.

Albus let out a long breath and said "yes" in a strained voice.

Minerva shook her head and knelt next to her husband. She waved her wand and both her husband's pants and boxers were pulled down to his knees. "I usually really enjoy that spell." Albus said.

"Oh my." Minerva commented. "I don't believe I've ever seen you this particular shade of red before."

"Is it that bad?" Albus asked looking at his wife with uncertainty.

"I don't know. It looks like he did permanent damage. You might never be the same." Minerva said with a serious voice.

"What?" Albus yelped. This time there was true fear in his eyes.

Minerva started to laugh. "I'm only having a go at you, dear. You'll be fine." She said with shining eyes.

Albus let his head fall back. "This is a serious matter. I think my heart skipped a beat or four."

Minerva rolled her eyes and waved her wand in a complicated manner. Albus face immediately relaxed. "You have my never ending gratitude, my dear. Thank you." He said sincerely.

"I'll take advantage of that later." Minerva said with a smirk. She gave him a deep kiss then rose from her position on the floor. "Get dressed, the boys are getting restless." She said.

"That was a tease." Albus said as he followed her command. He fixed himself and stood without any discomfort.

"Think of it as a promise of what's to come." Minerva said wickedly. The door opened gently with a wandless spell from Minerva and children, who had all been lined up outside the door pilled in.

"I'll keep that in mind." Albus said with a smile.

"Alright?" Evan asked.

"Better than ever." Albus said. "Are we ready?" he asked. The boys all nodded and Lizzy shared a look with her mother. "Good I have a port-key." He said as he pulled a simple metal ring from his pocket. The boys all stepped forward.

"Have a nice day and please have fun." Albus said looking at his wife.

"Please try to keep everyone in one piece." Minerva said with a smile.

"I shall try." Albus said. He leaned towards her and put his hand on her stomach and gave her a quick kiss. They stared at one another and Albus's hand lingered. Albus blinked as he realized they weren't alone and the moment broke. "Everyone grab a hold, tightly now." He said returning back to reality.

Minerva too shook herself. "Have fun boys." She said smiling at her children and Chris.

"Bring back a big tree this time." Lizzy said in a teasing voice.

They boys all waved or said their goodbye then grabbed the port-key. With a muttered 'crayola' they were gone.

Minerva turned to her daughter and smiled. "Who should I be today?" she asked.

Their port-key landed in the garage of McGonagall manor. Harry almost fell over but both his father and Nathan grabbed him to make sure he didn't. "You'll get it eventually." Nathan assured him.

"Yea, when I'm as old as Uncle Nick." Harry replied.

"Alright. You heard your sister. She wants a big tree. So let's go find the biggest tree in this forest. If we have to expand the ceilings it's no matter." Albus said with twinkling eyes.

"Yes sir." The boys shouted then they rushed to the door. Albus made to follow them but he realized Chris was still standing where he had landed. His eyes were fixed on the Porsche next to him.

"Are you a fan of automobiles?" he asked.

"Yes, most people call them cars though." Chris said. "You have nice taste." He said finally tearing his eyes away from the beautiful muggle creation.

"If you're lucky I'll let you take it out for a ride this spring." Albus offered. Chris nodded then started towards the door. Albus followed him.

Once outside he saw his sons had barely made it ten feet. "I think we might have a problem." Nathan said needlessly. The ground was covered in snow, not a little bit either. Harry was struggling to walk with snow that was above his knees.

"We can take the snowmobiles." Evan said. "Harry will have to ride with dad, but we should be fine."

"Capital idea." Nathan said with a cheesy smile and a roll of his eyes.

"Why don't you and Nathan get them ready and bring them out. Harry and I will show Christopher around." Albus said.

Evan and Nathan agreed and left almost immediately leaving Harry, Chris, and Albus alone.

"So where are we?" Chris asked breaking the silence.

"This is McGonagall Manor, in Scotland." Albus answered with a smile.

"It's nice. Lots of uh, trees." Chris observed.

"It's great for riding and camping." Harry added.

"Are there any neighbors?" Chris asked.

"No. The closets living soul, from my knowledge, lives in a small village about forty miles from here."

"Sweet." Chris said. There was silence for a few moments until they heard a roar of an engine from the distance. "How is it that you make port-key without the ministry knowing?" Chris asked. It had been bothering him since last night. Usually Port-key regulation was very strict and he couldn't imagine the ministry allowing someone to create them at will.

Albus frowned a little. "The ministry granted me a license, during the war with Grindelwald. Because of the nature of my work at the time none of the port-keys had to be registered. My license was never revoked. Personally I believe they forgot all about it but" Albus said the last part with a shrug and a somewhat roguish grin. "Who am I to tell the ministry how to do their jobs?"

"No offence to your ministry but I have heard nothing good about them and I personally feel they give you entirely too much power." He said with a contemplative frown.

"I am but one man. No one else seems to realize that." Albus said. "I concur with your opinion of our ministry, they are too blindsided by power. Years ago they put me on some sort of pedestal and no matter how I try I cannot seem to get down."

There was a roar of an engine and Evan and Nathan came into view. Each was riding on a snowmobile that they had uncovered from a small, small by the houses standards, outpost some ways off the main building.

They stopped short of the group and climbed off the machines. "We'll be right back with Helmets and such." Evan said before he and Nathan worked their way across the snow covered grounds again.

"These are for us I believe." Albus said. "I don't believe I asked but do you know how to operate one of these machines?" Albus asked Chris.

"Yea. My father has a house in the Rocky Mountains. I've spent more than my fair share with these things." Chris answered.

"If it wasn't for my son's I doubt I would have ever come across them but they have become vital to our hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. When the children were small I used to walk through the forest searching for a tree. It is not easy." Albus said with a fond smile. Then he walked through the snow until he was the machine which was idling quietly.

Harry immediately followed his father, being careful to step in his father's foot prints. This way he wouldn't get buried in the snow. "Can I steer?" Harry asked his father with a hopeful little smile that made him look like he was four years old again.

Albus's first response was an immediate 'no', but he knew that he had no justifiable reason to do so. Harry no matter how small he might be in Albus's mind was growing up. Harry had been the baby of the family for the past ten years and to Albus he still was his little boy. It was hard for him to let that go. "Only if you're careful." Albus answered.

In the distance there were twin roars of engines signaling that Evan and Nathan were coming. Sure enough not two minutes later they were parked right next to Albus, Chris and Harry.

Without warning they threw helmets at Albus and Chris. Both man and boy caught the helmets and wasted no time in putting them on.

"Sorry Harry, but you'll have to make do." Evan said with a chuckle as he threw a bright pink helmet towards him. Harry's face fell into one of disgust.

"This is Lizzy's helmet." He said needlessly.

"Yup. It's the only one left." Evan said with a grin.

"No way!" Harry protested holding the helmet as far away from him as possible.

Albus rolled his eyes and with a wave of his hand the helmet was black like the other. "Is that better?" he asked his youngest.

"Much thank you." Harry said. He immediately put the helmet on his head and climbed onto the snowmobile in front of his father. He didn't notice that as soon as the helmet was back on his head it turned pink once more.

"Ready men?" Albus asked. All the boys nodded, their helmets helping to hide their smiles and sniggers. Evan pulled away first and the rest of their group followed him into the looming forest.

The days before Christmas seemed to melt away quickly and before anyone realized it, it was Christmas morning.

Nathan and Harry were the first to wake. They ran into in the hallway outside their bedrooms. There were no words needed. With matching devious grins they headed towards the twins room. They had opted to sleep home for their respected Christmas breaks and had been home for the past four days.

They burst into the twin's room with load cries of Happy Christmas. Nathan launched himself onto Evans bed while Harry did the same to Lizzy.

Evan woke up immediately; he loved Christmas and was usually up before everyone. Lizzy was a different story.

"Go way." She mumbled and tried to push Harry off her bed. Harry avoided her and tried to pull the blanket away from his sister. He succeed for a moment but before he could try and drag her from the bed she hooked her arm around his waist and drug him into the soft mattress, then pulled the blanket over both of their heads.

Harry wiggled around trying to break free from his sisters vice-like grip but failed. "Lizzy." He moaned. "It's Christmas, get up."

"No." Lizzy pouted. "Sleep." She whined.

Harry could hear his brother laughing behind him. Not knowing what else to do he pulled out his secret weapon. His sister just so happened to be extremely ticklish. "You have left me no choice." He said gravely. Lizzy grunted but didn't answer him.

Ten seconds later she started shrieking as Harry attacked her ribs. He felt the blanket get pulled away from he and his sister and before he knew how it happened he and his brothers were all attacking his defenseless sister.

"Mercy!... Mercy." She shrieked and the boys all stopped.

"Will you get up?" Evan asked hands poised ready for another attack.

Lizzy's green eyes were open and she was currently glaring at her brothers. "Yes." She said reluctantly.

"Good." Nathan said. Before she could think twice Evan and Nathan lifted her out of bed and set her gently on her feet. Her clothes were disheveled and her hair was a mess.

"Can I at least get dressed?" she asked.

"Nope." Evan answered smiling sweetly at his twin.

"Now we have to go wake mum and dad." Harry continued for his brother.

They drug Lizzy out of the room only letting her have one brief glance at her inviting bed, before they all made their way to their parent's bedroom. Once in front of the door they all stopped. Futilely they listened for any sign of life, despite the silencing charms they knew were surrounding the room.

"I nominate Harry." Lizzy said immediately.

"I second that motion." Evan said almost as quickly.

"I third it. That's the majority. Go on little brother." Nathan said pushing Harry towards the door.

Harry looked at his siblings and jutted out his bottom lip. "Why is it always me?" he whined. Since the start of his holiday he had been feeling much younger than he actually was. It had something to do with being around his family who had always treated him like the baby.

"Because you are the youngest and as such you're the least likely for mum and dad to get mad at." Evan explained logically.

"Just pout or give them puppy dog eyes and all will be forgiven." Lizzy said as she swished her auburn hair over her shoulder.

Harry took a deep breath and stood up straight. "If I die... keep your grubby hands off my stuff." He said not looking at anything but the door that led to his parents' room. Behind him Nathan and Evan snorted.

Cautiously he reached out and opened the door. His parents room was large and luxurious. The main object of their room was a large four post bed with a large head board that had several Celtic myths carved into it. Minerva used to tell Harry the myths when he had nightmares as a child. The bed was centuries old and had been in her family for nearly ten generations.

There were three doors. Two lead to separate closets and one lead to a bathroom that Harry was extremely jealous of. It was hand crafted over a thousand years ago for the founders. The bath tub was huge and could fit four people easily. There were more soaps and oils on tap than Harry could memorize in a year as each consecutive Headmaster had attributed his/her favorite to the tub. In addition there was a huge shower that to Harry seemed like bathing in a water fall. But that wasn't the reason the bathroom was so special. It was special because each tile had been hand carved to depict the building of the school. His parents bathroom was a history buffs havens as there were no surviving books that accounted for the process. He loved it in there.

The door opened completely and Harry was relieved to see that his parents were still sleeping soundly. His mother was wrapped tightly in his father's arms and they were both breathing deeply. Instead of imitating a human cannon ball as he had with Lizzy he cautiously walked into the room and climbed onto the massive bed.

His mother moaned slightly and opened her eyes. There was Harry crawling towards her and behind him she could see her other children waiting in the doorway. She waved her hand slightly and the numbers 5:53 appeared before her. "Too early." She mumbled.

Harry crawled towards her so that he was close enough to smell her lavender soap. He opened his mouth to plead with his mother about depriving poor children from their Christmas gifts when his father's hand shot out and pulled him into a lying position by the waist band of his pants. For the second time that morning he found himself a prisoner of someone else's bed. But instead of being trapped by his sister now he was trapped by both of his parents. Both of their arms were resting on him.

"It's Christmas." Harry said in a heart breaking voice.

"It's early." Albus repeated in the same voice.

"Pleeease." Harry begged with his best puppy dog eyes.

Albus cracked one eye open and felt his resolve slip a little bit. Harry looked completely miserable; there were even tears in his eyes. He sniffed once and jutted his lip out a bit further when he saw his father watching him.

"Fine." Albus said. "I'll get up and make breakfast." He said.

Harry's face fell and his eyes filled with an exaggerated fear. "Dear sweet Merlin, no. Anything but that." He said in a terrified voice.

"Should I be insulted?" Albus asked as he nuzzled his wife's neck.

"He does have a point dear." Minerva replied groggily.

They could hear laughter from the doorway. Everyone knew their father could not cook. Greatest wizard of the age he may have been but he was clueless when it came to the inner workings of a kitchen. Not for lack of trying he used to try and cook regularly, or so their mother told them, but it got to the point where before he could serve his food the house elves would banish it. When the elves were confronted they said they were only trying to help their master that it was unhealthy in ingest the things he created.

"Loves, your mothers tired." Minerva said.

Instantly everyone stopped laughing. "We can go." Evan said immediately, his tone now one of worry.

"Why don't you join us and we'll all sleep for a bit." Minerva suggested. Everyone in the doorway paused to consider the offer. Even though Nathan was the youngest of that group it had still been several years since he had slept in the same bed as his parents. Harry was the only child who still did that occasionally, because every once and a while he would suffer from nightmares.

"There's enough room for everyone." Albus said as the bed expanded to twice that of its original size.

"It's warm." Harry added as he snuggled deeper into his parents embrace.

Lizzy was the first to accept the offer. She walked into the room and collapsed into the bed next to her father. Albus shifted a little and wrapped his other arm around his daughter. Lizzy snuggled into her father and got under the thick warm blankets.

Evan and Nathan followed her. Evan took the spot next to his sister and stole pillow from his father while Nathan took the spot next to Harry and his mother. Minerva stretched out her hand so that it crossed Harry and rested easily on Nathans chest.

The bedroom door shut gently and the room was bathed in darkness. "Night." Harry said as he felt himself drifting off to sleep. He felt safer in this moment than he had since he left for school. His entire family was somehow squashed into this bed and being this close to them reassured Harry that they would never let anyone hurt him, not even Voldemort.

"Good night everyone." Albus said. Lizzy hummed something as did Evan but Minerva and Nathan stayed silent. Minerva because she was too tired and Nathan because he was too lost in thought.

Soon though everyone was once more sleeping. They didn't even notice when a certain nosy flying instructor peeked her head into the room looking for the family she had always know to be up at the crack of dawn on Christmas. When the flash of a camera filled the room twice the only response was for the camera to come flying out of Rolanda's hand and into the now out stretched hand of Albus Dumbledore. Rolanda made and eep then fled the room, very well aware of what Albus Dumbledore could do to a person he was angry at.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

A loud belch echoed throughout the room causing the glasses on the table to rattle, the previously loud conversation stopped and everyone starred in shock at the smallest person in the room.

"Harry James! That was disgusting." Minerva McGonagall scolded. "At least have the decency to apologize or asked to be excused."

Rolanda Hooch who was sitting beside him smacked his roughly on the back. "That was brilliant." She said with a beaming smile. Minerva was not amused. At the head of the table Albus was trying not to smile.

"Excuse me." Harry said meekly, blushing to the roots of his hair. His brothers were all smiling widely at him and so was Nathans friend Chris who had joined them for Christmas dinner. He hadn't meant to do it but for Christmas Nathan had given him a bottle of a muggle drink called Coca-Cola. It was the most amazing thing he had ever tasted. He loved the way the bubbles tickled his throat as he swallowed the drink. The best part of the gift was that Nathan had enchanted it to always be cold, never flat, and to refill for the next eighteen months. At first he thought the bottle was cursed but his father assured him that it was not, needless to say the bottle hadn't left his side all day.

Minerva lifter her glare from her son and the conversation picked up again. Harry took another drink of his soda and listened as his family told Chris stories of past experiences.

"I have a question." Chris said and Albus nodded for him to continue. "You said that you married in what was it nineteen forty two, but Evan and Elizabeth here are eighteen, so they were born in seventy-three. Why the thirty year wait?" he asked curiously.

"Well there were a lot of factors in our decision." Albus started. "First and foremost Minerva was very young and while I was older I was not ready for the responsibility of children. Another reason was that there was war going on at the time that we both participated in extensively."

"Not to mention I wanted to travel the world and it would not have been possible to do so with children." Minerva added in between bites of cobbler.

"Where have you traveled to?" Chris asked curiously. The rest of the table looked on as well, they had all heard the stories but it was still fascinating to hear the tales.

"I think an easier question would be where we have not traveled to. The list would be a great deal shorter." Albus answered.

"We have walked, or flown through every country in the world. For twenty-nine summer holidays we traveled to every far reaching corner of the world." Minerva said with a fond smile. "In fact Lizzy and Evan were a product of a trip to the Great Pyramid of Giza." She said with a sly smile.

"The sunsets there are magnificent." Albus commented starring at his wife from across the table. They both sat at an end of the long oak table. Rolanda sat on one side closest to Minerva with Harry next to her and then Nathan next to Harry. On the other side of the table were the twins and Chris. Chris sat across from Nathan and next to Evan.

All the children gagged or shuddered. Almost as if planned two voices rang out. "Kinky." Rolanda's hawk like eyes snapped to the newest addition and she smiled wickedly.

"I'm liking you more and more." She said. Chris nodded to her but thought it wiser not to respond. Minerva was starring Rolanda down, hard, and Albus was doing his best not to think of the trouble Chris and Rolanda could cause together. The children all looked green at the thought of their parents being kinky, all of them except Harry who was just confused. He considered himself a reasonably intelligent young man but he had never come across the word 'kinky' before.

"What's kinky?" he asked some moments later.

The effect was instantaneous. His father spewed his red wine out onto the table, covering most of the food and people except Minerva who was too far away and Harry who had been conveniently leaning back in his chair letting Nathan shield him. His aunt started choking on a tart she had been devouring. Lizzy covered her mouth with her hand and suppressed her laughter. Nathan and Chris who had been sitting closest to Albus sat there shocked and covered in spewed wine. Evan just starred at his youngest brother then at the chaos he had created then at his brother again. At the other end of the table Minerva closed her eyes and counted to ten.

When she opened her eyes again Nathan and Chris were losing a battle to control their facial expressions. Rolanda coughed and the piece of tart she had been choking on flew out of her mouth and landed in the center of a delicious looking half eaten blackberry pie. Instantly Nathan, Chris, Evan, Lizzy and Rolanda started to laugh uproariously. Albus blinked and transferred his stunned and somewhat embarrassed gaze to Harry who sat there with a look of the utmost confusion.

Minerva waved her wand and instantly everyone was cleaned of wine. She stood and her eyes were traveling back and forth between Rolanda and Chris with a ferocity that stopped all the laughter immediately. Not only was she furious about them making crude remarks in front of her son, she had been a teacher for more than half her life she what went on in dorms and what the young boys talked about. She knew her son would be exposed to things much worse in the years to come, but she wanted to delay that for as long as possible. He was her baby boy.

A larger part of her anger came from the way those too dared to describe something as beautiful what her and Albus had done in such crude and disgusting terms. She knew she wasn't thinking rationally but there were more hormones traveling through her body then she knew what to do with and so far she had behaved herself very well. They insulted her when they spoke so sordidly. She did not take to being insulted very well. The last person who had insulted her no longer had the means to reproduce.

"If you'll excuse us, it is late and Harry should be getting to bed." She said through gritted teeth.

Harry glanced around fearfully but before he could plead for his life his mother's hand was gently steering him out of the room. Once they were out of the room Harry dared to look up at his mother, her eyes were on fire and her face was set in stone.

"I'm sorry." He said in a small voice. He didn't understand what had happened but he did know that he had somehow caused it.

The fire in her eyes died instantly and she looked down at her son. They stopped as they were outside his bedroom door. "Never apologize for asking questions, Harry." She said softly her green eyes boring into his. "I am not angry at you, child."

Harry nodded unsurely and opened his bedroom door. He walked in and sat at his desk, his bed was covered with presents he had received from his family and friends. Minerva followed him and quirked an eyebrow at the mess. "I thought you said you had put everything away?" she asked.

Harry yawned then smiled sheepishly. "I started but got… distracted." He said guiltily looking at the tome on his desk. It was large, larger than any book he owned and also older. The book was a present he had received from his parents. He had been shocked speechless when they handed him an Ancient Egyptian book on wards. The book had originally been scrolls but some hundreds of years ago it had been converted into a tome for preservation. Along with the tome he had received a modern book on hieroglyphics, before he could learn anything from the book he would have to translate it. That didn't deter him at all, he had been more excited when he saw the book them the first time he had gone flying.

"I see." Minerva said with a smile. "I'll make you a deal. I'll put all the clothing away, if you put everything else away."

"Deal!" Harry said with a smile. With the flick of her wrist all of the clothes Harry had received flew into his closet folding and organizing themselves. He had received a lot of clothes for Christmas. Evan and Lizzy had taken it upon themselves to buy him a completely new wardrobe as they had noticed that he grew two inches since starting school. Harry had been pleasantly surprised to see a huge variety in the clothing they had purchased. He had several new sets of wizard robes, even a new cloak that could pass for a long black pea coat in the muggle world. He also had a whole new array of muggle clothing to choose from, everything from jeans to simple white tee shirts.

"Thank you." He said as he watched the last sock zoom into his closet.

"Your very welcome." Minerva said. "I trust you won't stay up to late." She said with a knowing look.

"I'll try not to." Harry said not meeting his mothers eye.

"Good night Harry." Minerva said. She stepped forward and gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his head.

Harry wrapped his arms around his mother and gave her a quick hug. "Night mum. I had a really fantastic Christmas and I know I've said it before but thank you for the book." Harry said sincerely not letting his mother out of his grip; she didn't seem to want to move either.

"You are welcome Harry and Harry said sincerly

I must once again thank you for your beautiful gift. I have never seen a more beautiful rose in my life. I had quite forgotten about seeing them when you returned from the forest. I have never seen anything like it in my life. In over a month they haven't wilted at all." Minerva said still somewhat amazed at what her son had given her. It was her first experience with something such as this, it gave her something to study and marvel at the beauty of.

Harry smiled happily to himself, glad that his mother had liked his present. The other two roses sat sparkling on his very full bookshelf. He released his mother from his embrace. She gave him another gentle kiss, this time on his forehead before she swiftly left his room, the steely glint returning to her eyes. Harry felt a pang of sympathy for everyone still in the quarters.

He sighed and pushed the earlier incident out of his mind. He wasn't really sure what had happened but he admitted to himself that seeing his father spray everyone in wine was a hilarious sight, that still didn't mean he would ask his parents what 'kinky' meant anytime soon, probably not ever.

He stood and started to go through his presents that he had previously dumped on his bed. In addition to the amazing soda bottle Nathan had also bought him new football cleats and a football that yelled whenever it was kicked. It had a very foul mouth. He had a huge pile of candy from various Hogwarts students that he regularly hung out with. He'd been relieved because for the most part he had just sent everyone lots of candy.

He had a few new games, some new snap cards, a set of gobblestones, and a board game called monopoly that he was curious about. Sadly he received few new books. Only seven. His Aunt Perenelle and Uncle Nick had both sent him books. One huge book on transfiguration that explained everything and anything you could ever want to know, one on alchemy, a subject Harry had yet to explore despite his father's success in that area, and finally they had sent him a auto biography written by the two of them called, Immortality and me.

The last book left Harry slightly curious. Why had he received a book about his aunt and uncles life? Earlier Harry had dismissed it but know he was curious. He opened the book and was shocked to find that it wasn't a book at all. Instead of pages he was starring into an empty box. There was a note inside that must have been from his uncle. He closed the box and studied it. The craftsmanship was remarkable. He couldn't tell that it was anything other than a book, there was no seem and all the pages looked to be realistic. He realized there must be some sort of illusion on it to make it look so realistic. He opened the box again and took out the note.

Hullo Harry,

I apologize for not visiting on Christmas day but you shall see me soon. Elle and I are currently in South America exploring. I was walking through a small village when I saw a man displaying something very similar to this here secret box. I thought of you and your love for books and decided to make you one.

The inside of the box has been magically expanded my myself, I tested it and you can easily fit six bottles of firewhiskey, but I don't want you to test that feature for another couple of years. Put whatever you like in here. Just don't put live animals, they counter act with the expansion charm makes a terrible mess, but organic plants and such are fine.

Have fun with it.

Love,

Uncle Nick

P.S. Please don't mention this to your aunt.

Harry grinned and put the note back in the box thinking of all the possibilities a box such as this had. For now he gathered all of his new books and found room for them on his nigh overflowing bookshelf. He would need a new one soon.

Next he put his new games away, some found a new home in his closet others in his desk and still more in a trunk that was already filled with old toys.

Looking at his bed he was relieved to see it was almost clear. He put all of his newly begotten candy in an empty draw of his desk. It was his candy draw. He had been shocked when he had come home and found that his entire stash was gone. Nathan had informed him that he wasn't the only one. His mother apparently had found everyone's and devoured them.

The only things left on his bed were a poster of the Manchester football team from Seamus and a matching hat. A rather beautiful ink and quill set from Daphne along with a note demanding he write her. Finally there was a set of potions ingredients from Blaise. In his short and to the point note he explained that he had noticed Harry was running low on supplies.

He put his gifts from Seamus and Blaise aside, they would be returning to school with him, but placed Daphne's on his desk. He returned at his desk and pulled out a fresh roll o parchment, dipped his new quill in his new ink pot then stopped. What could he write to Daphne? Everyone thought he lived with his squib aunt and had no brothers or sisters. How was he supposed to explain what a wonderful holiday he was having?

After contemplating his problem for some minutes he decided to write a very basic correspondence. He told he her was having a great holiday and hoped she could say the same. He told her he loved the gift and was using it to write her, but other than that it was all just full of pleasantries. Before he ended it he did tell her that he missed her sparkling smile, just to get a rise out of her.

He folded the letter and tied it with a simple red ribbon and set it aside. He would send it to her tomorrow.

He looked at the clock that was on the night stand next to his desk. It was only ten o' clock. Instead of going to sleep like his mother requested he pulled his new book on understanding hieroglyphics toward him. There was no time to start studying like the present.

Albus waved his wand and all of the various glasses that had been used for their meal cleaned themselves then neatly stacked themselves in a cabinet next to the pantry. After Minerva stormed out of the room with Harry the other occupants of the room had stayed quiet. Working in silence they managed to clear the table of any evidence of a meal.

Rolanda stood to the side of the room near the exit with half a blackberry pie under her arm. Albus sat at the head of the table with a frown on his face, he was waiting for his wife to return. The twins were sitting next to each other, sharing looks but not speaking. Nathan was tracing his finger through the lines of the wood on the table top. Chris was sitting with his hands on his lap shifting uncomfortably every few minutes.

Ten minutes after she had left the door opened and Minerva strode back into the room. Her face was stony but she was no longer radiating the anger she had before. Everyone took this as a good sign.

"Min, I'm sorry. I forgot that Harry was in room. I didn't-"

"Stop Rolanda." Minerva said sharply her eyes flashed dangerously and Rolanda fell silent. "Harry is eleven years old. You are supposed to be an adult you should have known better than to speak as such in front of him." She snapped angrily.

"I'm sorry-" the witch started again.

"I also do not appreciate you speaking so vulgarly about my husband and I." she said with a glare at Rolanda and Chris. "I will forgive you this time but do it again and I will show you exactly how why death eaters fear me." Rolanda and Chris looked at her with wide eyes and nodded.

"I'll uh just be going now." Rolanda said as she inched her way towards the door. "Happy Christmas and thanks for the grub." She said then disappeared taking the pie with her.

"I'm knackered."Evan said as he stood up. Lizzy followed him and they both left the room as quickly as they could without running.

Albus heaved a sigh and stood. "Would you join me for a game of chess and a cup of tea?" He asked as he put an arm around Minerva's waist.

"Make it hot chocolate." Minerva said with a shadow of a smile on her lips.

"I've corrupted you." Albus laughed as they headed towards the door.

"I'm sorry for disrespecting you." Chris said quickly before the couple could leave the room. Albus and Minerva turned to face the boy who was now standing. "I apologize for speaking so thoughtlessly and in the future I will think before I speak." He said sincerely.

"Thank you." Minerva said. "I forgive you. I would also like to apologize for losing my temper, it is not something I usually do."

"I understand." Chris said with a jubilant smile. "I'll see you some time." He said as he flicked his wand and his coat appeared in his arms.

"You're welcome to stay." Albus said.

"You have been kind enough to invite me to dinner, one which I royally screwed up. I won't make myself a burden of your generous company." Chris said as he put his long black coat on over his formal black suit.

"You're always welcome here." Albus insisted and Minerva nodded to show her agreement.

Chris grinned. "You may come to regret that." He said with a dangerous grin, one that promised mischief. "Tonight I can't stay, I'm supposed to be hosting… let's say a gala, people started arriving over an hour ago. I'm curious to see what kind of shape my fathers house will be in when I return."

"Please be careful." Minerva said. She had no control over what the boy did. The best she could do was ask that he try and stay safe.

"For you I would do anything." Chris grinned cheekily. "Come on Nattie walk me to the floo." Nathan rolled his eyes but none the less walked his friend to the floo.

Minerva and Albus shared a look but thought better of trying to capture the boy and instead went to the drawing room. For the next hour or so Minerva proceeded to absolutely crush Albus's ego with three straight losses.

"Oh I nearly forgot. I have one more present for Harry." Albus said after his third loss.

"This wouldn't be an elaborate attempt to save your dignity. Would it?" Minerva asked from behind her mug of hot chocolate.

"My dear you stripped me of that long ago." Albus said with a grin. "I really do have something for Harry. It's been in my office for nearly twelve years, you should remember it." He said.

Minerva groaned and put her head back. "You're giving him that accursed cloak aren't you?"

"Of course. James asked me to make sure Harry got it." Albus said with a twinge of sadness.

"Yes but you could always wait until he's older. Do you remember how much trouble James caused with the help of that cloak?"

"Vividly my dear." Albus said with a smile. "Just think for the next two years you won't have to deal with any of the repercussions my actions are sure to have."

"Are you trying to give me grey hair?" she asked seriously.

"It was more along the lines of trying to keep Gryffindor out of the negatives in point standings." Albus answered with twinkling eyes.

"My my headmaster aren't you supposed to be impartial." Minerva teased.

"Well you see Professor I would be but alas my wife has corrupted me."

"Corrupted oh dear. That sounds serious. She must be dangerous to have corrupted one such as yourself." Minerva said her face perfectly neutral but her eyes were shining brightly in laughter.

"Only if you steal her chocolate." Albus said with a smile. He stood up from the arm chair he had been sitting on and leaned across the chess board separating him and his wife. "I'll be right back." He said as he gave her a chastise kiss on the lips. Minerva watched him as he disappeared into his office and returned a moment later with a brightly wrapped package. "Would you like to come dear?" he asked.

"No I think I'll check on the children then head to bed. If you hurry you may get a surprise." She said as she too stood from her comfortable chair.

"A surprise. I wonder what it could be." Albus said as they walked into the hall way that held all of the bedrooms.

"You'll have to hurry to bed to find out." She said with a smile as she opened the twins bedroom. They were both asleep.

She entered the room and Albus walked a little ways down the hall until he reached his sons room. Albus entered the room and was unsurprised to see Harry at his desk engrossed in a book.

"Dad I was uh just getting ready for bed." Harry said a little guiltily.

"I'm sure." Albus said as he walked in and sat on his sons bed. "I have something for you."

"Isn't Christmas over?" Harry asked as he got up from his chair and made his way over to his father.

"Not for another twenty minutes." Albus said. Harry sat next to his father eyeing the brightly wrapped gift. "I was entrusted this over twelve years ago by a man who got much use out of it. He asked me to pass it down to his son if he was unable to." Albus said seriously.

Harry looked from his father to the gift and reached out with tentative hands. "It's from my father?" he asked.

Albus nodded and watched as Harry gently ripped the paper open. "I wrapped it." He said. Harry rolled his eyes at his fathers choice of paper. It was bright blue with shooting stars flying about everywhere. The last bit of paper fell away and Harry's eyes went wide as he picked up the cloak made out of shimmery silver material.

"Is this-?" he asked in awe.

"An invisibility cloak, yes. James lent it to me years ago for study. It has been in the Potter family for generations, according to James." Albus said.

"Wicked." Harry said as he stood up and wrapped himself in the cloak so that the only thing visible was his head. Albus smiled as he thought of all the paper work that cloak would cause him.

Before either father or son could say anything Harry's door opened and a worried Minerva beckoned Albus, not seeming surprised at the sight of her sons head without out the rest of his body. "Albus could you come here please?" she asked tersely.

"Of course my dear." Albus answered immediately noticing that something was wrong. "Good night Harry and use the cloak well." He told his son. He gave Harry a brief kiss on the top of his head before walking out of his sons room. As soon as the door closed he turned to his wife. "What's wrong? Is it the baby? Should I call for Poppy?" he asked quickly while checking his wife over.

"Nathans missing." Minerva said in strangled voice.

Authors note.

Wow my first cliff hanger. I'm kind of excited to see the responses I get.

I have a couple of things to say/write so bear with me. First I would like to answer a question that I received from a reviewer. The choosen ones twin asked me how old Albus and Minerva are and I know I didn't make it very clear so I'm going to clarrify that right now. In my time line Albus was born in 1910 and Minerva is born fourteen years later in 1924. Which means that in 1991, Harry's first year, Albus is 81 and Minerva is 67.

Also in my opinion witches and wizards on average live twice as long as muggles and the more magical power one has the longer said witch or wizard can sustain their bodily functions. Because of this it is my theory that witches and wizards age at a much slower rate than muggles, especially if they have large amounts of magical power at their command. In my story both Albus and Minerva look like their in their mid-thirties.

Secondly I would like to wish everyone who celebrates a Happy Thanksgiving. To those of you who don't celebrate your not missing out on anything good. Having my entire family in the same house is nothing nothing short of a catastrophe. Every year when I leave and the house is still standing I'm amazed. To everyone with as a volatile family as me I wish you the best of luck.

Review me!!!

Peace out,

Alisha