A/N: I'm going to try and get in early today - I seem to be missing a lot of you, but I also wonder if that's just because we're on chapter 114 and ain't nobody feel like they got time for that anymore and that is sad to me. We are a fascinating species. Thank you to all those who are sticking around :)

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Minerva stood at the gates and directed the newcomers up to the Castle. Hermione had gone up for a shower and while they waited for everyone to arrive, was writing to a few of the more trustworthy shopkeepers in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to ask for their support. New clothes would be needed on the quiet, ones with protections and charms embedded in the fabric. Potions ingredients would be essential too. Above all, they needed discretion but it was all a little on the nose.

"Terrible business this, Minerva," Arthur said as she let him in.

They had sent each member of the Order a password to give when they arrived and after Hermione's suggestion, Minerva was shaking their hand before they entered through the gate. Hermione had reasoned that her mark would likely give them some protection over being Imperioused but they did not want to take any chances. Her solution was the easiest way to tell that those who had arrived were exactly who they said they were.

"It really is, Arthur," she muttered. "Go on into the castle and meet Severus by the Great Hall. He will show you where to go."

"Oh Minerva -"

"I know Molly, it is alright. Go on in. I need to talk to the children for a moment."

Harry grinned at her and she tutted at him as Molly and Arthur walked up to the castle.

"Hey Min," Ginny chuckled as Minerva pulled her in for a hug.

"Hello darlings," she muttered. "Is everyone alright? Anything untoward?"

"Nah," Harry muttered as they were both hugged as well. Minerva couldn't help the chuckle as Ron's ears went pink. "Same old, really."

"I am glad to hear it," Minerva sighed. "Hermione is in my room if you want to see her before you go down?"

"She alright?" Harry asked.

Can you hear me from here?

Minerva jumped a little.

Actually, yes. You okay Leannan?

Send them up, will you? Please.

I will, love. Shall I ask again?

She could feel Hermione's sadness and knew, somehow, that she'd been crying. Hermione gave a mental shrug and Minerva let it go for the moment. There were bigger fish to fry.

"Go on up," she said gently. "She wants to see you before we start."

"That's brilliant." Ron made a face even as he said it. "Well. Weird, but bloody brilliant."

Minerva snorted and gave Ginny another one armed hug before she nodded them up to the Castle. Now that the Weasleys were here there was only Moody left and she reasoned it could be hours before he showed. She was just about to give up when a pop of Apparition caught her attention. She hesitated when she saw who it was.

"Minerva," Albus said quietly. "Good afternoon." He did not attempt to enter the gates and they stood with it between them as they stared at each other.

"It is neither," Minerva sighed. "You will forgive me," He nodded. "What did you and I do the afternoon you poached me from my first posting?"

He smiled.

"I took you to dinner at a pub called the Old Hag. You remarked that an old hag would be what you ended up as after your disastrous start to adult life." He chuckled. "I should have reminded you that as you were being courted by your lover."

Minerva sighed with relief and chuckled as she let him in.

"It is good to see you," she muttered as she locked the gate.

He was part way through reciprocating when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held on. He paused and then held her tightly. She sighed against his robes; his arms brought her comfort, but they paled in comparison. Hermione's hug seemed to encompass her whole being. Albus' were nostalgic, somehow.

"Minerva?" He spoke so gently, she couldn't help but blink away tears. "My dear, what has happened?"

She stepped back and knew he would take nothing but the truth.

"Our new Order is here," she said softly. "In the Chamber. Dedalus Diggle has been killed. The Death Eaters have grown bored with whatever they are waiting for and are out causing trouble. Hestia and Kingsley barely escaped with their lives and when the DMLE arrived, their lead was undoubtedly a Death Eater."

"I feared that would be the case," he sighed. "But you are alright? Hermione?"

"Fine," she smiled. "We've been looking for you, for quite a while."

"I was on the Continent trying to find some allies. I -" He sighed. "Have had a lot of time to think, Minerva, and I would like to apologise for acting the way I did. It was childish and out of character. I was an arse."

"You really were." She smiled. "You spent time with your brother, then?"

He snorted and offered his arm as they walked towards the Castle.

"Aberforth does so love pointing out my flaws."

"Most brothers do."

"Hermione's position rankled me, though it should not have. It was petulant and in acting so, I jeopardised our mission." Minerva searched his face, though he didn't turn, and sighed as he looked ahead.

"You should apologise to her, and to Harry, when you are ready?"

"I will," Albus muttered. "I admit that despite my clarity, I still cannot stop from thinking that Hermione will not be the reason we win this war, Minerva. I know she believes in her power and I do not blame her, it is immense but prophecies are a tricky thing and I do not think - even as incredible as she is - she will be the reason we win."

"You will not be using Harry, Albus, as I have already told you. The time for that is done. His life is not so frivolous that you would use him as a tool. He has been through enough."

He sighed and she knew, despite the change of heart, they had not finished the conversation.

Is he coming to the meeting?

I assume so. He is going to apologise.

I heard.

Minerva smiled, but did not draw attention to it. Her love's attitude to Albus had not changed.

It'll change when he does. Hermione grumbled in her head.

"Will you come to the meeting?"

"If you'll still have me?" He spoke it so quietly, Minerva stopped and regarded him for a moment.

"You are still my best friend, Al. I love you just the same; that is what friends do. We would be lucky to have you."

"I would not want to cause friction. I know Hermione does not share your love."

Minerva chuckled.

"We were just discussing that, actually."

"Where is she?"

"My rooms."

"You can speak to her from here?" He blinked as he looked up at the Castle. "Minerva, that is incredibly impressive."

"The Castle is helping, I think. We do not usually have this sort of range."

"All the same." He bowed his head and waved her on. "I would love to join you all, if you will have me."

"Absolutely," she smiled. "Alastor is not here, nor is Will. Will is on a double but I think I recall Alastor saying he would not leave his post until they physically removed him, so I did not really expect him."

"He is rather predictable n that sense," he chuckled. "Carry on then, let us go down."

She hissed the password and they waited in silence as the steps to the Chamber of Secrets formed beneath their feet. The walk down was just as it had always been, but as they entered the initial corridor, she blinked and looked around.

"Merlin's beard," Albus muttered.

The whole place was transformed. It looked as though they were in a small Wizarding town with streets and avenues up and down the way.

"I -" Minerva blinked as they detoured down one of the side tunnels. "Goodness gracious."

Get down here, Leannan. The Castle has outdone itself.

"Did you do this?"

"Hermione asked if the Castle would give us a place to comfortably exist whilst we fight. I believe it heard her."

"I'll say."

"Hey," Hermione said quietly as she and the others clattered down the steps with the trio behind her. "Oh, wow!"

"Holy shit!" Ginny muttered. "What the hell?"

"I guess we are staying then?" Harry asked as he peered down the way.

"We're going to get to that," Hermione muttered. "Come on."

There was quite a bit of noise in the sitting room of the main area. Minerva was almost overwhelmed that so many were in the same space that they'd previously enjoyed in silence. Hermione's hand found hers and they stood off to the side for a long time just together.

You ready?

Minerva looked at her sideways and sighed.

I was just bemoaning the lack of quiet that we've previously enjoyed. Severus will be incredibly unhappy.

Would you do me a favour, beautiful?

Minerva turned to her and regarded her with a soft smile.

I like being able to talk to you without moving my mouth. That way I can tell you how much Trouble you are, and how beautiful you are all in one breath.

Maybe later, I'll tell you something else while you have your eyes closed.

Minerva glanced around and stood in front of her love. She cupped Hermione's cheek and kissed her softly.

Ooh, Hermione laughed in her head. You're getting bold, my love.

I no longer care if they know or don't know. I love you, Leannan gus nach eil annainn ach duslach fànais agus draoidheachd. [until we are nothing but space dust and magic.]

Tha gaol agam ort, mo bhean bhòidheach. [I love you, my beautiful woman/wife]

Minerva's eyebrows showed her surprise and she beamed at Hermione's words.

"It's way easier to say it in my head than speak it out loud."

"But how did you -"

"Michael helped me this morning," she chuckled. "While you were talking to Filius."

"He definitely needs that new, snobby frame then," Minerva chuckled. "Do you know what it means?"

"I guessed as much but when I asked him, but he deflected on the particulars."

Minerva chuckled.

"It means beautiful wife, though the wording also fits woman."

"Oh," Hermione grinned. "Well done there, then!"

Minerva laughed again as she kissed Hermione gently.

"What did you want me to do, lover?"

"Will you go and look at what the Castle has given us? I want to know what I'm offering when I offer it."

"Will you be alright?" Minerva muttered. "I don't want you to have to do this on your own."

"I will. Poppy is here, oh, did you get Pomona?"

"I did, she's here as well."

"Okay so the only one missing is Moody and Will?" she glanced out over the room. "Bill?

"He came earlier than the rest," she glanced around the room. "Oh, at the back, in the chair." Hermione looked and nodded. "He said he may not stay long, though. The Goblins of Gringotts are on edge."

"So just the two."

"Yes," Minerva nodded. "Want me to go now?"

"Will you?"

Minerva kissed her again and they turned to look over the main room. It hadn't changed too much; there were a few more sofas and the table had lengthened. The training area looked a little more stocked, as did the brewing area and the library. There were now a few armchairs and beanbags dotted around the place and Minerva wondered whether the Castle had done that, or Severus. She spied Narcissa up and about and glanced at Hermione.

"This looks a little more usable for this many?"

"I was just thinking that," she nodded. "I wonder if it knew this would happen?"

"Perhaps in asking, you let it know that it might?"

"Hmm," Hermione hummed. "Will you -"

"Yes. Have you checked on Narcissa?"

Severus has her.

They turned to look and watched as Severus watched over her while Poppy fussed. Minerva smiled gently and couldn't hide it when he looked up, as if he knew he was being watched. He stared for a little while and just at the corner of his mouth, a twitch and she chuckled as she nodded. Whatever happened now, he had peace and perhaps with some love in his life, he would ease into a peaceful existence.

Okay, I'm going. Make my apologies.

You are my lover, Minerva. I will not apologise for anything.

Minerva snorted and slipped out of the room.

The avenues were actually quiet beautiful for an underground tunnel system. The castle had turned its stones into soft silvers and when she went closer she saw it was artificial but it had added touches of outside to it as well; ivy creeping up the stones and flowers peeking out of the cracks at the ground. She went back to the entrance and started there. Turning left, she found a deep tunnel and she blinked as she realised what she was looking at. A glass wall, looking out under the Lake with soft looking chairs and beanbags scattered around. She shook her head at the idea. This would provide those who felt a little uneasy underground with a little space to feel better. She already knew closed-in spaces were not Alec's favourite thing and she reasoned there would undoubtedly be a few others.

From there she went down the first tunnel and she was absolutely in awe of what she found.

She opened the door and found an almost identical room to the Hospital Wing. She poked around a little and shook her head as she realised the whole side of the tunnel was taken up with it. Across from it were a few that looked rather than shops and she wondered if this was not the first time that Hogwarts had had to cater to this sort of thing. She walked from that tunnel down the slope and found two facing each other. On one side was just a tunnel that looked as though the tunnel was waiting for instruction and the other took her breath away.

It looked like any other city street. Though she knew the tunnels were not very tall, they seemed as though they were like any of the respectable townhouses down in Mayfair. She entered each one and made note of who she might put in them.

Arthur and Molly in the one closest to the door. That would prevent Molly from feeling left out and give her a little bit of leeway to keep an eye on things. Next door, perhaps Bill and next to that, Moody. Across from them, there was a slightly larger one with single rooms and separate bathrooms. She wondered whether Alec would mind bunking with the Twins so that they would not have to effectively 'move home' just by being here. They had been one of the first to arrive and she'd already picked out a fake wand from her pocket and had banished the two sweets she'd found in her pocket as well. She loved them dearly but she would not be caught out by their trickery.

Next was another similar to the one she'd picked out for Molly and Arthur and then two more as well. She reasoned if Filius and Pomona wanted to stay down here and if Poppy and Will needed somewhere to go, they would do fine. And perhaps in time, Severus and Narcissa.

She was truly amazed by the intricacy of the new residences and she went back into the room as Hermione was discussing the new change in the Ministry. Bill helped, now and then, as did Hestia, though she was quiet about it.

Hermione, of course, knew she had arrived and after discussing the way the Ministry was now no longer in their hands Hermione turned and smiled at her.

"What have we got?"

Minerva chuckled as she was just thrown into the mix and she stepped up beside her.

"I have surveyed the tunnels. It seems the Castle is prepared to accommodate us in the long term. There are bedrooms within this room that are taken but outside there are actual residences that I believe we are prepared to offer all of you in turn?" She looked at Hermione and she nodded.

"I have made some general notes as to who might want where but as long as there are no true issues, I think it will work effectively. I do not see that there will be many arguments and until we are finished here, I will wait to pass out billets."

Hermione snorted at the wording and Minerva blushed a little as she was taken right back to the last war.

Be quiet, you ham.

Hermione laughed properly then and turned back to their people.

"I," she sighed. "How about we take a moment, everyone get your housing sorted and we'll come back and have lunch in a little while." She took Minerva's hand and glanced at her watch. "Two, we'll come back in here at two and figure out our next move, okay?"

There was a general murmur of consent and Hermione stepped back and let her take over.

"Alright, if I have everyone that does not yet have a room assigned to them follow me outside, I will start assigning them and we can move on from there. For now, I think, we should perhaps not leave the castle to retrieve things; we can make time for that later."

Most of the room stood and followed her out. Hermione had seen enough in Minerva's thoughts to not bother to follow but Harry and the others did, even though she had purposefully not moved them from where they would be. She did, however, plan to move Ginny out of the room that the boys were in. She was a teacher first and foremost.

"Now," she said quietly. The tunnels had been dampened by the new buildings but they still echoed a little. "Molly, Arthur, I picked this one for you." They stared at her and she nodded them in. They entered together and Minerva turned back to Bill.

"I'm going to let you pick, seeing as Moody isn't here. This one or the end. I assume, at some point, we should expect your lovely fiance?" Bill blushed, as all Weasleys did and she chuckled at his embarrassment. "Come now," she chuckled. "You and I are peers now."

"No, Minerva," he chuckled. "I don't think that at all. But thank you, yes. I would like her to be here with us."

"Then pick what you like and know that I cannot help but give you Alastor as a neighbour." He laughed and squeezed her hand as he went in the first one. She left him to it and turned to her boys, as she liked to think of them.

"Now, boys." Alec looked on in interest. "All of my boys. This particular house seems to be set up to have individuals living in it, so," she gave the Twins a hard stare. "Alec is not a man to be trifled with, though he enjoys a good laugh like we all do. I wondered if you'd all like to bunk in here."

"Oh Merlin," Fred groaned.

"We thought you'd say we had to stay with Mum," George continued.

"Thank you Minerva," Fred said enthusiastically.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," George dropped to his knees and she laughed as she stepped away and withdrew another handful of things from her pocket.

"You are definitely getting better, loves," she said gently. "But you will not win."

"It was absolutely worth a try," Fred grinned. "Nice to meet you mate. I'm Gred, he's Forge and we are the Weasley Twins."

"I'll let you tell them who your family is, love," Minerva grinned as she kissed Alec's head. "Be good, boys."

It left her dear friends standing together.

"Come," she chuckled. "Filius, Pomona, I think seeing as you may not be here all that much, though you are welcome to, of course, this might be the best one for you. Poppy, I think you'd be better in the one on the end and I'll show you why in just a moment."

"This will do fine, Min," Filius smiled. "Thank you."

"I am glad you are here. Though it hasn't been too long, it feels like it has been an age."

"It's quite alright," he squeezed her hand. "There has been so much going on. Leave us to it, we'll settle in and then corral everyone back at two."

"Thank you," she nodded. "Coming, love?"

She and Poppy linked arms and walked out of the tunnel to the main street, as it were.

"You will see why I picked this one for you when I show you the other first."

"I trust you," Poppy smiled. "Are you alright? You look tired."

"I am," she chuckled. "We have been busy, Hermione is upset, of course. Our week away was lovely and I think had we not had that, we would have felt much worse."

"Undoubtedly," Poppy chuckled. "Now that we have somewhere quiet to talk, I expect to hear about that week, madam."

"You," Minerva muttered as she opened the door to the Hospital. "Can boil your head."

Poppy's laughter echoed around the room as she entered.

"Oh!" She nodded. "This is excellent. Yes." She glanced outside. "Yes I see why." They stepped back out and looked down the tunnel. "This extends -"

"All the way down on this side, as far as I can tell. Or, at least if it needs to, I think it will extend. On this side seem to be shops? They're set up with displays etc, so perhaps potions ingredients and robes and things? I'm not sure. I imagine the elves will have to cater to the food, though I am yet to speak to them."

"Well," Poppy smiled as she wrapped her arms around Minerva tightly. That too was almost nostalgic now she had Hermione's full love and attention. "You leave us be and go and do that then. Then, go and spend some time with your young love, I think she might need a good cry."

"I think she had one, but you are right. She has been talking for so long about making sure nobody got hurt and this, I think, has thrown her."

"She feels responsible."

"Undoubtedly."

"Go and cuddle with her, love. We'll all be fine until we reconvene. I shall go and see Alec"

She kissed Poppy's cheek and set off down to the Main room again. As she concentrated on Hermione for a moment, she realised that a cry and a cuddle was exactly what Hermione needed.