Minerva's husband had only been dead for 6 years. Six horrible, lonely years. She tried to be happier in recent years. Tried to overcome the deep entrenching sadness she's experienced since he unexpectedly, unwillingly left her. So far she's been somewhat successful. Except for on this day.

Today she's showing Harry some pictures as they go through the remembrance rites before bed. Elphinstone had not been a terribly handsome man but, he had unwavering patience and a heart that shone through even in the toughest times. She showed Harry pictures of him in their garden and in his workshop. She showed him in his office at the Ministry and then at her office here at Hogwarts.

"This, Harry, was you Uncle Elphinstone. Though I do believe he would not have minded you calling him Uncle Elphie."

Harry looked down at the picture of his Aunt Min. A man stood behind her with his arm around her waist and a large smile on his lips. They both waved up at the two.

Harry looked up to Minerva, "Unca?" He asked.

"Yes, he's your uncle. He was a very nice man. One of the best. I remember that he had proposed to me over seven times before I accepted. I... I was still so caught up in Dougal McGregor.. I just didn't have the room in my heart at the time." She looked down at the picture fondly as she reminisced. Quickly she brushed a tear from her cheek and pointed to another picture.

"See that right there? That's was the first day we spent in our house. You know the one in Hogsmeade?"

Harry nodded and stroked the picture. "We go?" He asked

Minerva shook her head in the negative. "No. We won't be going to Hogsmeade today. I think you've had enough treats this week don't you?" She proposed teasingly, tickling the babe on her lap.

Harry giggle and squirmed and a full out tickle session ensued. After they both calmed Minerva looked over to Harry.

"Do you want to help me light the candle?"

Harry looked over to the candle on the end table curiously. It was already lit. "Dat one?"

Minerva shook her head and showed him the candle she was talking about. It was a round, stout candle. Red and smelled of Wisteria. It sat next to a small frame, within a picture of her late husband.

"This one Harry"

Carefully she sat aside the photo album and she and Harry knelt on the floor. Harry held the candle steady as Minerva gently used the tip of her wand to light the candle. Then she cuddled Harry close.

She prayed quietly as Harry grew slightly restless. While he didn't understand what was happening he knew to stay quiet when his Aunt Min looked so focused. Soon enough she was finished.

Curiously they felt a light breeze. Minerva felt a soft stroke to the cheek and Harry a small ruffle atop his little head.

Minerva exhaled slowly. She looked down at Harry who was searching curiously for the body the hand belonged too.

"How about we head to bed then, hmm?"

A/n:

The husband Elphinstone, was Minerva's real husband. Hew was her boss while she worked I the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He really did have to propose multiple times as she was still tragically in love with a muggle named Dougal.

However, he didn't die until 1985, which doesn't work for this fiction since he's supposed to be already dead when Minerva adopted Harry in 1981. So in this fic he died in 1975 approximately 6 years before Minerva's adoption of one Harry Potter. Maybe closer to 7, cause I might have done my math wrong.

Make of what you will of the rites of rememberance. They aren't based off anything.