"I hate the winter," Rolanda muttered as they made their way up the stairs to the Owlery. "And I don't understand why the staff can't have their own damn place for post. Why should we have to go where the students go?"

Poppy laughed. Rolanda's complaining could get bothersome, but this was one case where she had to agree. She dreaded the long walks up the stairs to get her private mail. It was early in the morning, so they probably wouldn't run into any students, but just the loss of privacy that came with having to get mail in the same spots the students did was frustrating. "I think after this year we should get our own spot, or at least have it delivered to us."

"Min, you're the Deputy, can't you get on that?" Pomona chimed in, everyone looking at their friend.

Minerva rolled her eyes, shivering slightly at the cold. Poppy couldn't help but laugh at the bright tartan pattern she sported even on a simple walk to get their post. "Yes, with trying to clean up the end of the war, I will make sure to push staff mail to the top of my list."

Rolanda and Pomona each put an arm around her shoulders. "That's our little deputy." Minerva shrugged them off with a laugh and made her way over to her owl. Severus was in the owlery as well, looking through a magazine, not seeming to pay any notice to them. Poppy reached for her owl, a lovely brown and white spotted bird. She had picked him out after her nieces were born because they so desperately wanted an owl even though they were still too young to go to Hogwarts. Now that they were grown, she still enjoyed exchanging notes with them via owl. She smiled as she untied a small letter with Dahlia's handwriting off the animal's foot. Petting his head, she opened the envelope.

Dear Aunt Poppy,

Thank you for your Christmas package. I will certainly use the scarf and hat that you so kindly knitted me. I was hoping to see you in person, but I know I may not see you for a bit of time. Seamus and I are excited to tell you that we are expecting! We are not sure yet if it will be a boy or a girl…

Her heart began to beat quickly. Never having had children on her own, her nieces had always been the closest she had. The thought of them having their own children was a great source of happiness for the mediwitch. Not bothering to read the rest of the note, Poppy turned to tell her friends, but stopped mid-sentence when she saw Minerva was holding a piece of parchment tightly in her hands, tears streaming down her face. Her stomach dropped at this, and she stuffed the letter in her jacket. "Min?" Poppy could hear her own voice waiver, and it must have been apparent because the others, even Severus, she noted, turned to face her.

"Minerva, my dear, what's wrong?" Pomona asked, this time louder and more forceful than Poppy had been.

"Robert…he's…."

"Your brother?" Poppy asked, hoping to Merlin it wasn't what it seemed.

Minerva nodded, still not tearing her eyes from the letter. "He's dead." Poppy rushed to her side as did Rolanda and Pomona. The three stood around their friend, steadying her as best they could. From where she stood, Poppy could see Severus standing uncomfortably behind Minerva, a saddened look on his face. A few sobs came from Minerva as she clutched the letter to her chest. "He's been dead for months...why am I just finding out now?"

Minerva tore away from them, picking up the letter to read again as if it were going to change and answer her questions. Nobody made a move towards her except Severus who put a hand out on her shoulder. "Minerva, I'm so sorry," he said hoarsely. Poppy had never seen him so gentle before. He looked uncomfortable but seemed to want to help. Poppy felt her heart soften slightly as she watched their interactions. Bringing the letter to her side, Minerva turned towards Severus who immediately opened his arms. It didn't look like it was the first time they had embraced, Poppy noted to herself. Severus still looked awkward, although Poppy felt any sort of softness from Severus would forever look out of place.

Minerva was crying softly into Severus's chest, and Poppy suddenly felt as if she was intruding on a private moment. The looks on Rolanda and Pomona's faces seemed to say the same thing. "Severus," Rolanda said gently. "Take care of her for us." Rolanda motioned for the other women to follow her, and they moved towards the stairs.

Severus stared blankly at her, as if trying to tell if she were being sarcastic or not. Minerva pulled herself away from him, Severus's one arm still around her waist. "Ro…wait…" Minerva's voice was hoarse, her eyes red and beginning to swell. They stopped, looking back at the pair.

"Yes, dear? What do you need?"

"They're having a funeral for him."

"We'll be there," Poppy assured her, moving back towards Minerva, taking her hand.

Minerva nodded, smiling slightly. "Thank you." She turned to look at Severus. "Severus, would you?"

His eyes widened. "Me?"

"If you're not comfortable…"

"I'll be there," he said firmly.

Minerva wiped her eyes once more, moving away from Severus and towards the stairs. "If you don't mind, I'm going to clean myself up a bit before classes."

"Oh, Min. Albus can teach your classes for today. Take the day." Poppy said.

"For what?" she asked, her tone suddenly sharp. Tears continued to run down her face. "Robert is dead. Nothing is going to change that." Without another word, Minerva was down the stairs, leaving them in silence.

Poppy felt tears of guilt welling in her eyes. Her brother was alive and well. She had been lucky not to lose anyone in the war. Pomona had lost her brother a few years before and now Minerva had lost hers. "You should talk to her, Pomona," Rolanda finally said. "When she's ready."

"I understand the pain," she said sadly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm worried about her," Poppy added. "She always pushed herself too much, especially when she's in pain."

"Always has," Pomona agreed.

Severus was still standing behind them, looking like he was searching for a way out. Poppy felt a sudden affection for the Potion's Master. He truly looked concerned about Minerva, and she seemed to have found a comfort in him. Seeing them embrace was the most intimate and vulnerable Poppy had ever seen her friend with someone, save Albus on occasion. As Severus pushed through them to get to the stairs, Rolanda caught his arm. "Go find, Minerva."

"What?"

"She needs you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come off it, Severus," Rolanda said firmly.

Severus looked first at Rolanda, but then caught Poppy's eye. Poppy couldn't help but nod in affirmation. His eyes were stone called, always hard to read. Severus turned and went down the stairs in silence.

Poppy sighed as Severus disappeared out of sight. "Poor Min."

"I know how it feels," Pomona said quietly. "And Robert was in the magical law enforcement, right?"

"Yes," Poppy replied sadly. "He could have been missing for months which is why she's just finding out…"

"Why wouldn't his wife tell her? She's always talking about her nieces and nephews."

"Robert never married. Malcom is the brother with her nieces and nephews." Poppy explained.

"She's tough. She'll get through it," Rolanda said firmly.

"We're all here for her," Poppy agreed.

"And it seems so is Severus," Rolanda said, raising an eyebrow. "Are you going to argue with what you saw here today, Poppy?"

"I admit I was surprised. I think she was upset, but I'm not convinced that means they're going to be together. But, I will say I see the friendship and it's sweet."

"That's a step closer than we had her," Pomona said, wrapping an arm around Rolanda.

Rolanda laughed slightly. "Let's go. Let's try and organize something the staff could give to Minerva."

Poppy smiled to herself. Despite how hung up on the Severus and Minerva relationship Rolanda and Pomona were, they had never lost the love they all had for Minerva on her own. Rubbing the letter about Dahlia in her pocket, Poppy decided she'd wait to share the news until after Robert's funeral. It would give them all something to look forward to.