disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

warning: none for this chapter, very brief mention of blood

Hello everyone! I am so sorry about my absence! Back in April I had finals and then grduation, and then I had to move back home and there has been many other obstacles in my way of my writing. But fear not, my muse is slowly returning to me. And for those of you that follow "Can You Protect Me", I haven't started a new chapter, but I'm in the works of planning one. For now enjoy this new chapter and let me know how it went. Also sorry if its a bit shorter than my usual.

################################

It didn't appear there was anyone present at Hogwarts, even Hagrid's hut did not have a stack of smoke coming from the direction of the half-giant's home. But he knew that Severus was staying at Hogwarts due to the stipulation of his probation, and so the headmistress must be present as well. And that was who he needed to see.

Walking past the gates, Harry felt a wash of magic that passed over his body. It made him feel relief. That he had come home, no matter how long he was away from the castle it would always be there for him. As he walked up the path, his attention was directed towards the astronomy tower. The place where he had met the love of his life. Sure, he had known Draco before that night, but his last night at Hogwarts had changed his view on his husband and opened his heart after all the pain he had suffered. Standing in front of the main doors, Harry had tensed, thinking that the sorrow he had felt before he left would come back tenfold. He had never said a proper goodbye to any of the people who had died within these walls, but the all encompassing depression never reached him. Instead, the magic that Hogwarts held seemed to keep the feelings at bay and allowed peace to settle over him.

Taking a deep breath, Harry pushed in one of the doors. Looking around the entry way, nothing was changed. It was odd to see the place completely unchanged after knowing that a war had taken place where he was standing. The last time he had seen the inside of the castle, there was rubble and walls had crumbled, blood stained the floors. As he walked further into the castle, a glint of gold caught Harry's attention. On the wall was a large plaque that held names of all the people who were lost in the battle, even names that he knew belonged to Death Eaters. It brought a sad smile to Harry's face to see this, but to also know that all lives were recognized. As he read the top message and down through the names, he realized there was a gap at the bottom before the final name was listed. "Harry Potter, his sacrifice lasts forever".

Harry didn't know what to think. Did these people actually think he was dead? Or maybe they gave up looking for him, but had wanted a way to remember him by. Whichever reason for it, he didn't like the idea that people thought he died. Did he stay away too long? Should he have a way to get a message out to someone besides Andromeda? And why did the woman never mention that everyone thought he had died? There were just too many questions about his name being on the memorium and he had important matters to attend to. Taking a deep breath and promising to say a proper goodbye soon, Harry turned away from the plaque and began to make his way towards the headmaster's tower. Walking the halls, he couldn't help, but to smile as he passed by the sleeping paintings remembering when they would taunt the students and annoy Filch as they crossed into each other's paintings. Upon reaching the staircase to the headmaster's quarters, a sad, longing feeling crept in his heart at the thought that Dumbledore would not be there with a bowl of lemon drops waiting.

Harry stood in front of the statue guarding the stairs, kicking himself for not thinking that he would need a password to get into the tower. He kept staring at the statue hoping that it would recognize him and maybe let him pass without a password. When nothing happened, Harry ran a hand through his hair before trying to reason with the statue. "Any chance you'd let me by without the password? I've been gone for awhile, but I really need to speak with the headmistress."

The statue continued its ominous state, making Harry growl in frustration before he began pacing in front of the guardian. He stopped in front of it to once again try to reason with the statue. "Please, this is a matter of safety and to protect my own children. If I stand out in this hallway for much longer someone may pass by and recognize me. So please let me in?" Harry waited with his breath held as he stared down the stone eyes. He jumped backwards when the statue suddenly moved to the side and allowed him entrance. As Harry was passing through, he stopped to lay a hand on the stone. "Thank you very much," Harry whispered and ran up the stairs.

#######################################

Minerva McGonagall sat at her desk, once again preparing for a new school year. However her mind was not on her paperwork, but rather trying to figure out where Severus might have gone to. She hadn't been too worried of course when he left and said he would be back for she truly believed he would come back. Minerva had been worried about someone coming from the ministry stopping by for a surprise check on Severus. She was just curious as to what had gotten his attention? He hadn't asked to leave for anything in the seven years since the war and had been stuck to the grounds. Even potion ingredients were collected through owl order.

Minerva turned away from the paperwork she had been ignoring and looked around her office. It still seemed too bare, but then she hadn't been headmistress very long and a small part of her had hoped that somehow her mentor was still alive and would come by to claim his seat. Thinking of Albus, she looked over to the many paintings of previous headmasters. She smiled sadly at the sleeping image of Albus, when she glanced at Severus's own inanimate portrait, her curiosity came back. "Where did you go Severus?"

She was pulled out of her thoughts at the sound of a knock at her door. Glancing at a clock, Minerva wondered who could have been knocking at her door so early. Hogwarts still had a few weeks before school began so the other professors were either not here yet or still sleeping in. The only person she could think of coming to visit was Severus, but she didn't believe it was him. She called out to her early visitor to enter.

"What can I do for you Sever-"

"Hello, professor," Harry said quietly. He was extremely nervous about meeting with his old professor, but he was more nervous about her reaction and whether she would call others to see him.

"Hello dear, what can I do for you?" Minerva looked up from her desk at the quiet greeting, thinking it was odd for a student to be at Hogwarts. But as she looked to see who it was, her face paled and tears instantly began falling. "Oh Hogwarts, why have you done this to me? Of all the students that could have began a spirit here, it had to be the one that I cherished very much. Please leave before you break an old woman's heart."

"Professor, what are you talking about? I don't fully understand," Harry said as he witnessed McGonagall break down I'm front of him. Sure he had seen the plaque with his name on it, but he would have thought his professor would have been able to recognize him.

"Oh dear, he doesn't even know he has died! Please I beg of you to talk to someone else. My heart can not take explaining what happened again."

"But professor, I haven't died. It's really me, standing here. I've just been in hiding," Harry tried to reason. He continued watching in morbid fascination as McGonagall kept crying and saying how unfair it was that Harry was there. Needing to stop the professor and prove he was in fact alive, Harry pulled out his wand and set off a few sparks. It had the intended effect and Minerva's cries stopped. "Professor, it really is me. I am not dead nor am I a ghost. I have been in hiding the past seven years, but circumstances have caused me to return briefly and I need your help."

"Oh, Harry!" She cried as she rushed forward and engulfed him in her arms. After a moment holding him, she stepped back and cuffed Harry in the back of the head. "Why on earth would you leave without leaving some sort of reassurance you were alive? And if you've been hiding why come here of all places?"

"Ow, professor," Harry complained as he rubbed the spot on his head she had hit. As the headmistress stepped back, Harry was finally able to tale in her appearance. She seemed much older and weary, her hair almost completely grey. She no longer looked like his stern transfiguration professor, but a wise old woman that he could go to for comfort. It was while looking into her tired eyes that he knew he could trust her and should have before he left. But there was nothing for it now, except explain to her what had happened and hope she could help his family. "There is someone residing here that would offer us safety and also bring comfort to my husband."

"Who in the world are you talking about? And husband? You're married, and you had mentioned a family? What in Godric's name has happened while you were away? Sit down and explain yourself young man!" Minerva pushed Harry into one of the chairs that were set away from her desk that offered a more casual setting. She sat and stared at the man in front of her, impatiently waiting for him to tell his story.

"Professor, you have to promise not to make any judgements about what I am about to tell you. My husband and I truly fear what would happen if we were found to be back in Britain," Harry rubbed the back of his neck to try to quell his nerves. Though, once McGonagall gave word to protect them and to not judge Harry for his decisions, did he finally tell his story. It was hard in the beginning, trying to explain why he left because of how broken he felt. But as the story went on, Harry almost became lost as he talked about his little family, the pride and happiness spoken in each word. The. His voice wavered and grew fearful and he relayed the recent happenings. When he was finally done, he felt exhausted and in need of a nap, but he warily met his old professor's eyes and tried to guess what her reaction would be. What he did not guess was to be gathered in her arms again and squeezed tightly.

"Oh you dear boy," she whispered into his ear before letting him go. Minerva sat back in her seat and gazed at him with unguarded pride shining on her whole face. To think she had taught and mentored this young man that had faced so many hardships, but was able to find love and gain the family he had been denied as a baby. "Your family sounds amazing. Do you have a picture?"

"Of course!" Harry said excitedly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet where he always carried photos. He enlarges the magical photos, one with Andromeda and Ted holding a young Teddy, one of Teddy recently, one that Andromeda took of Harry and Draco, and of course one of Athene. He also pulled out the muggle photos he kept in his wallet, but of course he kept them the same size. He had learned one time that enlarge muggle photos did not turn out so good. He passed them all over to McGonagall, and talked about each person in the photos. When she got to the photo of Athene, all Harry had said was "that's my little jewel."

"She's beautiful," Minerva said. She ran a finger along the girl's hair in the photo, mesmerized by the striking and angelic features of the girl. She was sure the photo did not do the girl justice and she hoped that one day she would be able to meet this little girl. "Has her magic begin to show?"

"She has almost full control over it. It's unlike anything I have witnessed, and I've seen Voldemort and Dumbledore battle together. She has actually recently mastered an animagus transformation," Harry said.

"She is an animagus? But she is only six!" McGonagall was astounded. She herself had taken a long time to learn her animagus form and she had an affinity to that type of magic. To think this little girl had so much power was mind boggling.

"I know. Draco and I are immensely proud of her, but concerned as to how the magical community would react to knowing that a child between a death eater and Voldemort's killer could be so powerful. That's why we wish to stay hidden and teach her as best as we can."

"Yes, I could see where that would be a major concern," Minerva thought aloud. She looked towards the previous headmasters' paintings hung and wished not for the first time that she could talk to Albus. She turned back to Harry and asked, "what can I do to help?"

"Severus," was all Harry said."he would provide Draco comfort, having his godfather to help against Lucius. He can also help us teach Athene, he was the one who helped her learn how to be an animagus. I know he is bound to the castle as part of his probation, but is there anything you can do to help him, us?"

"There is only one thing I can think of, or rather someone. Kinsley, he's now the minister of magic." When it looked like Harry was going to reject the idea right away, McGonagall said quickly, "he has always been on your side, Harry. If you got him to agree to a vow of silence and protection, he would gladly be willing to help you get Severus released into your care."

"Okay, let's try it."

#########################

A/N: The next chapter will feature Kingsley and Severus, possibly even Dumbledore. You can also follow my progress through updates on twitter hyde1403. As Always R&R, love Echo Harmony.