'Til The End

Halloween: Part Four

***I don't have Minerva's picture, but here's a chapter from her perspective.***

Minerva had left her room that day with a heavy heart. Halloween's were never a good day, it bought back the old pain from fourteen years ago. Still, she went down for breakfast, not surprised when Remus and Sirius didn't show. Her classroom was a good distraction until Harry, Hermione and Ron showed up, fifteen minutes late. Harry's eyes were red and bloodshot, his face blank and expressionless. He'd clearly been crying.

'Potter, a word.' She practically dragged Harry into the hallway. 'What are you thinking? Eh? Now, go back to your dormitory and take Weasley and Granger with you.' Harry didn't argue, just dragged himself back into the classroom behind Minerva, then left again with Ron and Hermione. 'Professor? How come Potter and his friends get to leave early?' Malfoy asked, looking up from his parchment. Minerva frowned at him. 'I can't see why that's any of your business, Mr Malfoy.' She answered, and walked past him before he could argue. Minerva dismissed the class when the bell rang, and tried to settle herself to some marking, yet the last time she had seen Lily and James kept playing over and over again in her head.

'Harry! Please stop crying, shh, shh, darling.' Lily was run-down and weary, but Lily and James were taking no chances. They either went everywhere as a family or no where at all. James had matured a lot in the last four months of having a child, and Minerva was proud of them. 'Give him to me, Lily, go to the meeting. I daresay Dumbledore can fill me in.' Lily had given Minerva a huge grin as she passed her infant son to Minerva, clearly relieved. 'Thank you! If you need anything at all either come and get me and James, or Sirius will be far too ready to help. He's upstairs wrapping presents with Remus.' Lily smiled again and hurried into the kitchen where the Order was meeting and closed the door behind her. When she came out again she was crying. 'Oh lord! What happened!' Minerva asked, standing up and hurrying over to her and James. James was colourless, and his hands were shaking like crazy. 'He's after Harry.' Lily said in a shaky voice, 'we need to hide.'

Minerva shook herself and turned her mind back to marking. She was half-way through her third years when Sirius pushed open the door. He looked awful. His eyes were bloodshot and red, and he was still crying, he was pale and his face was drawn. His hair was a mess and he looked so fragile. ' 'Ello.' He muttered, dropping his bag with a thump. 'Sorry I'm late.' Minerva gazed at him for a moment, her heart breaking as she saw how clear it was that his was shattered. 'I refuse to let you teach here today.' Minerva stood up and hugged the man tightly, tears welling in her own eyes. 'Go and be with Remus, you need each other now.' Sirius tried, obviously half-hearted, to protest, but left without too much of an argument. Minerva sat down at her desk and cried. She cried for Lily, for James, Marlene, Dorcas, Sirius, Remus, Harry, Minerva cried because why did any of them have to die? She was supposed to die first, as their teacher she was supposed to protect them at all costs and she had tried her best. But her best wasn't good enough. She stopped by to see Harry, not that she believed he would try and talk to her anyways, and went to the evening feast. Sirius and Remus were there, poking and stirring food for half hour before Minerva said they could leave. She couldn't bear to see them like that. Sirius' hand hadn't left Remus', and that didn't change as they strode from the hall. Neither of them noticed the stares and the whispers, but Minerva did. She cleared her throat loudly every few seconds until she was sure they were out of ear shot. She stood up and the hall fell silent.

'If I see or hear any discrimination against Professor Lupin or Professor Sirius I will not be afraid to take away enough house points for you to regret it. The same goes for any students of different sexualities. Do not make me start taking away points for students who don't know how to behave.' One of the first changes Remus had made was that you didn't have to sit at your house table. She could see Ginny and Luna sitting at Gryffindor table, across from Lee, Fred and George. Just to make a point, Minerva supposed, Lee and George got up and kissed, earning cheers from surrounding students, as did several other gay couples. Minerva supressed a proud grin, because she was incredibly proud of her students. Every single one of them.

Especially Lily and James.