Dearest Ginny,

If you would be so kind as to come to Hogwarts tomorrow afternoon, there is something of utmost importance we must discuss. And please feel free to bring William as well. I'm sure Malachai would love a visitor.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

"Of utmost importance?" she repeated out loud, giving the small white owl that had delivered the message a treat, watching as it secured the small brown pellet in its beak and flew out the window. "What would be so important he'd need to see me right away?"

Leaving the letter on the kitchen counter, Ginny headed back to her room where she'd been busy folding and putting away clothes. Since laundry was a couple weeks behind, today was catch up day.

As she folded a shirt of William's the Muggle way, her mind drifted off. The past couple weeks hadn't been easy for them. William woke her up a few times crying out from nightmares, but when she tried to get him to tell her about the change, thinking it might help alleviate his fears, he only cried and attempted to tell her about the dream instead. Many nights she had started out in her bed and ended up in his, trying to soothe her crying, scared little boy back to sleep.

While matching up their socks without a wand, Ginny thought about Remus. She still felt bad over how she treated him but tried to put it behind her. Things had been a little odd for a few days after as they'd been extra nice to each other, still feeling like they had to walk on eggshells a bit. Two nights ago when they talked again, she finally felt like they were back to normal. Whatever normal was anymore.

She was curious what Albus wanted to discuss with her and hoped it was good news. She and William certainly needed it.

"Ginny, William," Albus greeted warmly when they stepped from the fireplace. "It's always good to see you."

"Good to see you," Ginny said, hugging him gently. "I always miss this place when I'm gone."

"Hi," William said with a wave of his small hand, the other firmly wrapped around his mother's leg.

"You get bigger all the time," Albus said with a smile, leaning over towards him. "Quite the young man you're growing up to be. Have you been helping your mummy?" The child looked more like Neville each time he saw him, with his chubby cheeks and slightly out of place teeth, except for the red hair and green eyes that were completely Ginny.

William nodded and smiled bashfully.

"Good boy," Albus told him. "Would you like to play with Malachai for a little while?" He was thankful William already had a friend at Hogwarts. Not only did Malachai enjoy having someone to play with his own age, but Albus hoped the friendship would help keep William focused.

"Can I Mummy?" he asked, looking up at her with wistful eyes. The castle was fun to play in, especially with his friend.

"Of course, Baby," she answered, slightly tousling his red hair. She couldn't help but think her son was growing up far too quick. It seemed only days ago he was crawling, trying to pull himself to a standing position beside their couch.

"Very good then," Albus said, standing straight again. "Severus will be here momentarily. Ginny, please have a seat."

She sat in one of the chestnut colored leather chairs in front of the massive walnut desk, arm around William's small waist, while Albus walked around to his chair and sat down.

There was a soft knock on the door a couple minutes later. "Come in," Albus said quietly.

Severus stepped in, black robe flowing behind him, and nodded towards Albus. "Hello Ginny," he greeted, and then looked towards the child by her side, extending his hand towards him. "Malachai has been expecting you, William."

"It's ok. Go ahead," Ginny said when he glanced up at her, watching William slowly walk to Severus and take his hand, amazed at the site before her. Never would she have thought she'd be watching Severus hold her son's hand, fathered by Neville, escorting him to play with his son, mothered by Hermione. She smiled and shook her head as the door closed behind them. Life certainly was unpredictable.

"Now that William is settled," Albus said, bringing her back to reality. "How are you, my Dear?" He had been extremely concerned about her after their last meeting, hoping the logic would eventually win out over her motherly instinct that was much too similar to her own mother's. Not that Molly Weasley wasn't one of the kindest women he knew, but she did get a bit overexcited at times.

The sincerity in his tone alone almost brought Ginny to tears. "Nights are most difficult," she answered truthfully. "During the day I have William to keep me busy." She didn't need to tell him that she cried herself to sleep almost every night, at least the nights she didn't spend quieting William, dreaming of a marriage she almost had.

"And you and Remus...have talked?" Albus inquired cautiously. He'd known how upset Ginny would be at the taking of her child, how upset Remus would be at her reaction to it and that their anger towards each other could be catastrophic. Their friendship was a precious jewel that he longed to see polished and treasured, not discarded or broken, and hoped that his chat with both of them helped make a difference when William returned home.

Ginny blushed in shame and embarrassment, remembering the scene she'd made and the things she'd said. "Yes we have," she answered sheepishly. "I felt so bad, Albus. I didn't mean to..."

Albus raised his hand to silence her. "No need to explain to me," he said gently with a slight shake of his head. "That is the past. On to happier things. I'm sure you'd like to know why I asked you here."

Ginny nodded.

"I have a proposition for you," he began, folding his hands in front of him, eyes twinkling over his half moon spectacles. "I want to offer you a job at Hogwarts."

"What?" she asked shocked at his statement. "A job?" Was he serious? What could she possibly do?

"Yes," Albus answered. "Madam Hooch is retiring and would like to leave as soon as possible instead of finishing out the year. I would like you to take over as Quidditch referee and flying teacher for first years. We're also adding a couple Quidditch history classes for seventh years that I'd like you to prepare and teach. I could think of no one more appropriate."

Ginny didn't know what to say for a moment. Madam Hooch was leaving? He wanted her to referee the matches? And he was implementing Quidditch classes that he wanted her to teach? "I...uh...are you sure...I mean there are ex players that..."

"You have the necessary credentials, Miss Weasley," Albus said confidently. "I'd like you to start next Monday. You and William will stay at the castle for the remainder of the school year of course." She needed to be back "home" as far as he was concerned and had been thinking of how to get her back.

How could she say no when she...wait a minute...she'd been mentioning to Remus just the other day that she would need a job. She narrowed her eyes towards the Headmaster. "Did Remus talk to you?" she asked suspiciously, crossing her arms. "Maybe mention that I had said I would need a job soon?"

Albus smiled sweetly, maintaining his air of innocence. "Why, no," he lied, knowing he would never admit that Remus had come to him concerned a week before Rolanda told him she wished to leave. "He certainly did not." He stood up and clapped his hands together. "This works out perfectly then! You were going to look for a job and I had one I needed someone to accept. Welcome home, Miss Weasley."

She stood then, smiling and shaking her head, realizing the choice was clearly made before she ever walked into his office. "You're sneaky," she told him with a pointed finger, as she walked around the desk to hug him. "But thank you. I'd love to come back here and teach."

"You're welcome my Dear," Albus said, embracing her, Ginny disappearing in the purple velvet folds of his robe. "Congratulations."

Ginny was coming home.

"Quidditch classes?" Severus snorted as he sat on the deep emerald colored couch with his wife. "Whoever heard of students needing to learn the history of Quidditch?" While he usually respected Albus' decisions, it didn't stop him from questioning them from time to time. Who honestly cared about the history of Quidditch except Neanderthals who couldn't form coherent sentences anymore for being hit in the head one too many times by a bludger?

"It's an elective," Hermione said, rolling her eyes so only Ginny could see as she leaned back against him. "And Albus is only offering it to those who are not behind in their other classes and who are maintaining an overall 'E'. It's only one day a week for two hours." Though Quidditch had never been a top priority for her, she thought it had potential to be a very informative class for those who were interested. Hermione was used to how her husband thought and, while not surprised at his comments, wished he hadn't said it in front of Ginny.

"I still don't understand how knowledge of a ruddy sport or the history of will help them in academia," Severus continued, one arm on the back of the couch, his other hand holding his cup of tea. "Most of the dunderheads should be taking remedial classes as is."

"Scholastic minded Slytherin," Hermione quipped, turning her head to look at him and smile. Even with his ever-present sarcasm, she still deeply loved and respected him, understanding him in such a way no one else could, for most didn't try.

"Insufferable Gryffindor," he retorted, but there was no sarcasm in his voice, only love in his eyes as he gazed at her. He'd long since given up trying to figure out what he'd done to deserve such a beautiful, intelligent wife and, soon to be, two children he loved more than life itself. Years ago, he hadn't thought himself capable of actually having a family. Now, he couldn't imagine not having one.

Ginny smiled at the two before her. Hermione with her small stomach, nestled between his arm and body, both of them very much in love, was a beautiful sight to her. Severus still had his edge but never towards Hermione. The tone in his voice with her only sounded of respect and adoration, as did hers back to him, even in their jesting. It was amazing to her knowing their past.

Seventh year was probably the worst for Hermione and yet it was the year that began the relationship for Severus and her. She'd lost her virginity to Draco and then discovered she was pregnant, quickly brewing a potion she thought would take care of it. Unfortunately, she didn't realize the potion was supposed to be administered and regulated by healers and medi-witches and found herself in trouble from the side effects. Severus found her and helped her through one of the most difficult times in her life. A tumultuous relationship began between the two as they both fought their own building feelings towards each other. Then she was taken by Lucius and Draco when they learned of her abortion, locking her away at their Manor, forcing her to have sex whenever they felt the urge. Severus and she managed to straighen themselves out towards the end of the year, only to find Hermione pregnant again. And after the graduation ceremony, everyone became aware of their relationship as that was when she told him of their child; of Malachai.

There had been rumors and whispers for months after but Albus was quick to defend them, especially after they performed the sacred blood rite for their marriage ceremony. He was not surprised at Severus, given his past, but had been with Hermione. It was an ancient Pureblood rite hardly anyone followed anymore that involved a cutting on the arm, the sharing of the blood by mouth and a powerful incantation, the combination intricate and irrevocable. Severus and Hermione chose it for those very reasons, wanting to show the depth of their love for each other to everyone. Once Malachai was born, they were old news that no one wanted to talk about anymore and were free to carry on with their family.

Ginny admittedly had been a nay-sayer in the beginning as most others had been. But after watching them together the last few years, she realized her first opinion of them had been wrong. They were happy. They loved each other. They respected each other. Surpringly enough, the vast opposites in their personalities were exactly what bound them together. For those who knew them before and now, it was truly amazing to witness Severus and Hermione as husband and wife and as a father and mother.

"I'm relieved regardless," Ginny told them, sitting in the armchair to the side of the couch, knees pulled up to her chest. "I guess I should thank Remus for saying something to him although I've never taught anything like this before." She paused. "I've never taught anything before!" She suddenly started to worry if she would be able to handle what Albus had offered her, absentmindedly biting a hangnail.

"I'm sure it won't be too difficult," Severus said quietly, then winced as Hermione dug her nails into the top of his thigh in displeasure of his comment. He'd have to encourage her to trim them soon before she drew blood for he often said things she didn't like. And it hurt like hell when she did it.

"You'll be fine," she said quickly, ignoring his comment. While Severus treated her like a queen in every way, he still was rather snide and sarcastic to and about others. He had gotten better the last few years though, especially after Malachai was born, realizing if he didn't watch what he said around the child, it would be repeated at a most inappropriate time and didn't want people thinking his child was ill mannered. "You know the game better than some of the players and you've been handling a broom exceptionally well for years. You know I'll help if I can but I really don't think you'll need it."

"Thanks," Ginny said. "I'll appreciate all the help I can get. Even from you, Severus." When she was a student, she never would have said anything to him in jest or sarcasm, but now that they were all parents, he no longer intimidated her.

Hermione laughed while Severus simply raised on eyebrow in response.

"We really get to stay at the castle?" William asked as he sat on Ginny's bed, watching as she packed her clothes. He loved to play there with Malachai and now was excited they would be staying there.

"Yes we do," Ginny answered, struggling to close the third suitcase she'd stuffed with her belongings. "Until school is out and then we'll come home." She kept going over the list in her head of what she'd need, thinking that packing didn't seem this difficult when she was fourteen. Of course, she wasn't a mother or teacher then either.

"And I get to play with Malachai more?" he asked happily, dangling his legs, letting his heals hit the side of the bed. They always had a good time together. Malachai was very smart.

"Yes but remember Malachai has school during the day," she told him, spelling the suitcase to the floor with a THUD. Sometimes she didn't understand how Muggles could get through the day without magic.

"I want school too," William told his mother. If Malachai could have school, why couldn't he?

"You start school next year," Ginny said, wondering if she should take all three books she was currently reading. She could always floo back if she needed to pick up things she was missing. Her eyes scanned the coats in her closet next as she wondered which ones to bring.

"I want school too!" William said, a little louder and with more attitude. He hopped off the bed and stood still, watching her. If Malachai could do it, so could he.

"Baby, you will only have to wait one more year," she said, not noticing the reddening face of her son as her back was to him, staring into the closet, still deciding on coats. Winter would be fast approaching. "Mummy can teach you some things in the evening after..."

"I WANT SCHOOL!" he yelled, small hands clenched in a fist. "Malachai has school! I want school, too!"

Ginny turned around and watched as he stormed from her room, listening as he stomped down the hall and then slammed the door to his room. His actions completely took her by surprise as she just stood still for a second, trying to understand what had just happened. William had never done anything like that; not even when he was in the "terrible two's". He'd always been such a sweet child. But just now, he'd gone from content and happy to angry in seconds, never thinking he would be capable of such an extreme emotional turn.

He was bit, a voice reminded her. He's not the same as he was just three months ago. Maybe this outburst was from that? Would there be more like this? Or was it even related? She decided to leave him alone for the time being and made a mental note to speak with Remus later, as there were still quite a few things she needed to pack now, including his things which would wait until he emerged from his room. If this outburst was related to the bite, the last thing she wanted to do was make it worse for him.

"What's he upset over?" Remus asked after flooing their things from her place to their room at the castle. "I've never seen him look that...angry." William had an obvious attitude, with his crossed arms and pouty lips, and it caught Remus by surprise when he saw him.

"I mentioned Malachai had school," Ginny explained quietly after William slammed his new bedroom door. "And he decided he wanted school as well. I tried to tell him he had another year but he got very upset and stormed out of my room and slammed his bedroom door." She paused. "Remus, he went from happy to aggressive and angry in mere seconds. Does this...do you think..."

"Yes the bite could have an affect on him like that," Remus told her, answering the question she couldn't ask. "Sometimes people have been known to get angry more easily. Others more emotional. Some extra sensitive." He winked at her in silent admittance of his own issue. "Others are just on edge. When he takes the Wolfsbane, it should curb the aggression."

"I hope so," Ginny said, green eyes clouded with worry, as they slowly made their way over to the couch. "I really didn't know what to do with him like that. I figured the best thing to do was just let him go." William had been upset with her and Neville before but never to the point of stomping around and slamming doors. Usually he'd just sit and cry.

"If he gets angry like that again," Remus said. "Just do the same thing. Remain calm and don't yell back to him. Let him have some time by himself. It's never happened to me but I have heard of instances where someone has gotten so angry that it caused a partial change, irrelevant of the moon's phase." He paused when Ginny's mouth dropped and eyes enlarged. "A partial change is obviously worse than a full change. It's so rare, though, that I don't think you need to worry. I just want you to be aware of the possibilities." Better to tell her the whole truth now than to have William be in that small percentage and her be unaware.

Ginny swallowed in numb disbelief. "Thank you," she said quietly, making a silent vow to keep her son as calm as possible. "I didn't know that. I'll keep it in mind though." She paused, wondering if she should ask what was on her mind. They hadn't talked about the night he took William at all; she hadn't asked, he hadn't told and she didn't want to approach William unless he said something first, which he hadn't. "Um…how was he…you know…that night…" she stammered.

Remus smiled as they sat on the couch. He had waited for her to ask, knowing she would inquire when she was ready to hear. Aside from taking William for the first change, he would force nothing else on her. "Are you sure you want to know?" he asked. "It's not a pleasant thing, Ginny." He would not lie to her.

She nodded. "I gave birth to him, Remus, and that wasn't pleasant either," she said with a tight smile. "Please tell me. I want to know what he went through. He's my baby." She needed to know for her own sanity and maybe to help him later.

He inhaled deeply, breathing out slowly. "The change begins internally at first," he began. "It's quite painful as your muscles, your skeletal structure, everything, starts to transform to that of a wolf. Then the outside begins to transform, which is also painful." While he would not sugarcoat, he also did not want to be too graphic.

"Was he crying?"

"Yes," Remus answered honestly. "He wanted me to make it stop but I told him if I did, he would be worse later. I tried to explain it was like bad tasting medicine, although I knew it was a terrible comparison, that he needed to endure it to feel better." He paused briefly. "There's a point where you lose consciousness and you're unaware of what's going on. The brain literally becomes a wolf brain and everything you do is instinct. There's no rational thinking, no reasoning. Once that transformation occurred, he settled down a bit."

"Then what?"

"Once the external and internal change was complete, he was completely disoriented," Remus told her reluctantly. "The only thing I can compare it to would be an animal that had been abused. He stayed away from me and was leary of my presense. Confusion is normal the first few moments."

"He didn't try to go after you? He didn't hurt you?"

"No," he answered with a slight shake of his head. "He was not aggressive with me and did not try to bite me. Part of that could have been the wolf instinct picking up the fact I was one as well and higher up 'in the pack', so to speak. He paced a lot and walked in circles, as if trying to figure out where he was. After an hour or so, he went to sleep briefly and then was up for the next few hours."

Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't sound quite as horrific as she'd envisioned it to be but knew Remus was only telling what she needed to know and in its most simplistic form. It was still not an easy thing but her mind had made it out to be much worse. "So he didn't suffer?" she asked. "At least not like I thought he would?"

Remus smiled. "I'm quite sure it was not as bad as you thought it would be," he told her. "Although I will not lie when I say it was not easy for him. The first one is always the hardest but the most crucial."

"Will he remember it?"

"Yes he will remember most of it," he answered with a nod. "Mainly in the sense of a dream. You're watching and moving but can't really control anything. He was drained emotionally and physically afterwards, as if he'd been ill. It usually takes another couple days to recover completely. Has he wanted to talk about it yet?"

"No and I didn't want to ask."

"Don't be surprised if he has a few bad dreams," Remus told her. "Try to get him to talk then."

"He's already had a few but he wouldn't tell me anything and I didn't push it," she said, remembering nights she slept with him to calm his fear, making sure she was there to quiet him when he cried out.

"William is a strong boy," Remus said. "With incredible courage. Never put anything past him." He paused briefly. "Could he attend school with Malachai?" The more he thought about it, the more sense it made to have him start early. William wanting school was perhaps the best thing for him. Maybe the tantrum hadn't been all that bad.

"Um…well…I don't know really," Ginny answered, not prepared for his question. "Malachai sits with Severus, Hermione, Minerva and Albus for classes." Malachai met with each one for an hour every day to learn the fundamentals. No magic would be taught until he officially entered Hogwarts as a student although she was certain they would all show him a little here and there, though never admitting it to each other.

"If they will allow it," Remus suggested. "Get him started. He's ready and it will give him something to occupy his mind. He's a curious child, Ginny. Use it to his advantage to help him cope."

She quickly realized he had a point. "I'll talk to Hermione," she said. "I don't see why it wouldn't be all right. It probably would be good for him. I hadn't thought about it." The bite and his father's death were already forcing him to grow up sooner than he should have to. She hated to start him in school a year early but agreed it could keep his brain busy in a positive way.

"I think it will do more good than you think," Remus said, looking down at his fingers. "I'd…uh…like to spend more time with him as well."

"Why?" she asked curiously.

"I really needed someone to help me along," he answered, briefly meeting her eyes. "But I didn't have anyone. I couldn't bear for him to go through what I did alone. He does have you…but you know what I mean. I want to help as much as I can. And with Neville being gone, I thought maybe I could help there too." Remus certainly didn't think he was 'father' material but figured he might suffice until Ginny met someone.

She watched him as he continued to stare at his fingers and then covered them with her hands. "Remus, you are such an incredible man," she told him, his gaze lifting to hers again. "You are undoubtedly my best friend." They'd been through so much together, numerous ups and downs, both joyous and heartbreaking. She didn't remember what it was like before she knew Remus, as she was little the first time she met him.

He smiled then, lifting one of her hands to kiss the top of it. "As you are mine, Ginny," he said sincerely. Sometimes he found it hard to believe that the scrawny, freckled face little girl he'd watched grow up, always having to stay two steps ahead of her devilish band of brothers, was now a beautiful young woman, mother and soon to be Hogwarts teacher.

The only other to ever be this close to him was Tonks and there were times that fact both alarmed and terrified him.