Tea with Máthair

Part 3

Harry sat in his chair, sipping his tea as he watched Minerva scribble away on what he assumed was a student's essay. He leant back further in his chair with a small smile and a distant look in his eyes. Who would have thought that over two years ago, he would befriend his Transfiguration Professor? Certainly not him, that's for sure. But here he was, sitting sipping tea in her office as she worked comfortably. He brought his cup up to his mouth as he thought about the first time they had shared a cup of tea. He snorted silently when he realized that it had all started over a cup of tea. Lowering his cup, he looked around the Headmistress's office taking in the small, but noticeable changes.

The most obvious one was that it was more organised, Dumbledore had been awful at keeping things in place. The seats in front of the fire had been changed from the brown leather singles, to a soft red love seat and two small green at either side. On top of the mantle was a photograph of him and her sitting on the bench near the lake. Minerva had her head on his shoulder and he had his arm wrapped around her while he adjusted the cloak around her shoulders. It had been taken without them realizing it the night they had defeated Voldemort by Professor Flitwick. That had been six months ago, and in those six months, Minerva and the rest of the staff; him included, had restored Hogwarts and re-warded the castle. All the students had left to spend with their families, while Ron went straight into auror and Hermione in search for her parents.

Turning back to face Minerva, he saw the portrait of Dumbledore hanging up above her head on the wall. He watched as his mentor slept peacefully in his chair and couldn't stop the slight curl of his lips; it was so like him to sleep while everyone else was doing something. Seeing movement from the corner of his eye, he turned slightly to look at the portrait of Snape. It had taken Minerva and him close to two months to get his portrait hung. The Ministry didn't want to have a 'Bloody Death Eater' hanging on the wall for the honourable. But after Harry had shown them the memories, they relented and allowed the portrait to be created. Since then no one has dared say a thing against it. Looking up at Professor Snape now, he was surprised to see him smiling down at them. When Snape noticed Harry watching him, he didn't try to hide his smile, but mouthed a silent 'Thank you.' To him. Harry smiled up at his most hated Professor and nodded his head.

Swallowing the last of his tea, Harry placed the small cup on the saucer and sat it gently on the table with a soft click. When he looked up again, he smiled at Minerva. "Feel like going for a walk?"

Minerva sighed and looked around her new office that came with her new title, and the paperwork. "Yes. I do need to get out of this office."

Smiling wider, Harry stood up and offered his arm for her to take. Laughing, Minerva looped her arm through his and walked alongside him to the door, where he opened it for her. They walked in a comfortable silence as Harry lead them through many of the corridors for Hogwarts. They didn't take much notice in where they were heading, but when Harry realized they were walking down the hallway to the Room of Requirement, he slowed to a stop. Ignoring the questioning look from Minerva, he paced back and forwards in front of the wall three times, thinking 'Somewhere happy. Somewhere happy. Somewhere happy.' Once the door was visible, he turned the handle and held it open for Minerva to enter first. After walking in after her and shutting it, Harry moved to stand next to her but stopped at the only and very familiar object in the centre of the room. The Mirror of Erised.

Harry stepped closer to the mirror as Minerva spoke softly. "Harry, do you know what this is?"

Nodding, Harry stepped up in front of it expecting to see his Mother and father again. But what he saw made him gasp. Minerva stepped up next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "What do you see?"

Harry smiled as he looked into her eyes by the mirror. "I see you and I, Máthair."

Minerva looked down and smiled one of her rare smiles. "So do I, Mo Mhac."

The End

Farewell my lovely story. It has been a great pleasure writing you.

Love Kat.

xoxo