Chapter 4
The sun was blazing, and Minerva felt tired. Many people thought the time of school break was like heaven to teachers, but she knew that she could not relax on the break. Many things must be done in the break, to prepare for the next year, to accommodate the new students, to organize her House, the lessons, and the extracurricular activities and their schedule. Of course, she had to do this to herself and to supervise her colleagues, since Albus was very busy with other tasks...
But, alas, today she took a break. Because today was an extraordinary day and she was on her way to a crucial meeting. She was meeting someone for the first time, and she felt hope like she had not felt in many years. When she told Pomona this, her friend jumped to the conclusion that she was going on a sort of romantic day. What a ridiculous notion! Minerva had far more important things on her plate, and time for that had passed in her life ... Now, her hope was tied to her students. Past, current, and future students.
And she was here. She knocked twice on the door before a tired, yet overjoyed James Potter opened the door.
- Minnie, you are here! - Potter took no time to reach her, and overstepped the former dynamic of teacher-student, as he hugged and then dragged her, with an arm on her shoulders, to the living room - We were just talking about your visit. Haz, Lil, Minnie is here!
On any other day, she would pretend she was uncomfortable with this shower of affection, but again, today was a special day and she allowed herself a break, when Lily showed up in front of her, she reached and hugged her dear student.
- How are you feeling, my dear? I hope you are recuperating well.
- Yes - laughed Lily - My army of sweet men are not letting me do almost anything! I almost have to fight them to get to her. Come meet her, come - told her Lily, while grabbing her and turning her to the middle of the room.
There, in the middle of the floor, sleeping in her blanket and holding her brother's finger, lay the one person Minerva came to meet.
- Isn't she the cutest babe you ever saw, Professor? - whispered nearly twelve Harry Potter, who could not focus on Minerva long time, because he was so enthralled with his little sister.
Minerva kneeled near the boy and whispered back:
- She is just as lovely as you were, Mister Potter.
- They look alike, right? The same hair and lips, although I think her nose is just like Lily's - whispered James, who had a smile ear to ear, and looked just euphoric like when he won the Seventh Year Cup - Though, it will be funny to see how the Potter hair nest will work on a girl. I was a little disappointed she did not have red hair, but she is gorgeous anyway, isn't she?
Lily laughed from the couch and added:
- I never thought that I would compete for James' attention, but in the last few days, Mia has taken all the compliments. From both my boys.
The Potters boys quickly looked up, worried, and made their excuses:
- Mum, Mia is tiny, and we have to look after her with attention!
- Lily, my beloved, you know you are the most beautiful of flowers, and now you have the achievement of generating another flower as beautiful as you!
They spoke simultaneously, getting laughs from the women. Minerva felt her heart full. The Potters were prevailing, no matter what the destiny or what that bastard threw at them. They regaled with tales of the birth and the first experiences of being a family of four, and she felt lighter. The last time she saw them, at the end of the school term, she became very worried about how they were dealing with the recent events. Now they were happily delirious with the baby.
After a while, they were joined by Sirius, who let himself at the house as little Mia woke with hunger from a nap. James and Harry did not notice his arrival as they were discussing the shade of Mia's eyes, who would likely share her eye color with her brother and mother. Minerva watched Sirius observe - with Relief? Sadness? What an odd expression he showed... as Lily calmed down the boys and told them it was time to feed the baby.
- Do you have a bottle? I can feed her - said Sirius calmy, turning all the Potters to look at him. How odd.
Harry leaped from the floor and went to hug his godfather while his parents looked at their friend with sympathetic eyes. How odd, indeed.
- That would be lovely, Pads. But we don't have a bottle. I will feed her - answered Lily, gently.
- You can help me burp her, Uncle Siri.
- Hey, I was going to burp her ... - interrupted James, but he changed his mind as he looked up at his friend - that would be great, Pads! It would be really helpful. Sirius seemed to bite off some response while rolling his eyes. He probably noticed how everyone was treating him cautiously.
- Hey, guys, let's give some space to Lily and let her feed Mia. We can go prepare the tea and biscuits in the kitchen for Minnie. - suggested James - Sorry, Minnie, we are bonkers being hosts. We did not offer you anything until now. Until James mentioned her, she felt Sirius was avoiding looking at her, but then he spoke:
- Good afternoon, Minnie. How are you?
She cleared her throat, unsure how to answer. Since him being eleven, Minerva had not seen him act so subdued. She remembered the frightened little boy who greeted her shyly for the first time and then sat under the weight of the sorting hat while crossing his fingers behind his back...
- I am fine, thank you, Sirius. I hope you are ok.
He nodded but did not look at her.
Harry quickly jumped to his godfather's aid, and together with his father, they took him to the kitchen. Lily smiled dimly and, while latching the baby at her breast, explained in a low voice:
- It is visiting day on Azkaban today.
- Oh - gasped Minerva - Did he..?
- Yes, he goes every visit day. Without a miss. He always comes back feeling down, but usually, Harry can lift his spirits in a few hours - sighed Lily - and then he starts pretending again... He is being and acting all overboard to hide what he feels.
- I suppose it is still hard. Even after all these years. - answered Minerva. She could not hold her musing - I wonder if going has any benefit for any of them.
- Sirius will not be demoted. And we feel bad. After all, he was the one who saved us these years ago. Telling Sirius not to visit him would be such an ungrateful attitude.
- I understand - answered Minerva - It is a difficult situation. Sirius holds the situation with a terrible effort. - she gave a dry chuckle and added - With a lot of dramatics, too. But he is outstanding while prevailing.
- He does it for Harry. For me and James, too - answered Lily, while attempting to dry a few tears that left her eyes with the arm that was not holding her daughter - Sorry, damn hormones! I am so emotional... I just really wish we could help him more.
- You do a lot. You are not responsible for this situation, and Sirius was already in a tough spot. But your family, his true family, gave him the purpose he needed. He passed all his trials and held his witts to protect Harry. To protect his friends. And now - Minerva paused and gazed adoringly at the baby between them - you gave him a new reason to keep on.
Lily smiled, and Minerva felt some relief, feeling able to calm her.
And when the boys came back, and she watched Sirius holding little Mia, she prayed to herself. Please, God, let them keep on, no matter what. As if hearing her, Sirius lifted his eyes and with a total shit-eating grin, told her:
- Now you are in trouble, Minnie. I think I found a girl I love even more than you. Our unrealized love and passion were overpassed by my adoration for this girl. I don't think even we two could do such an adorable baby.
The others laughed and gasped at his audacity. What a cheek! She schooled her face to pass a stern reproach. They would play their roles. Keep on, he would throw sass and she would discipline as his teacher; they would play this scene to the Potters. She would not shush him and hug him because he was not her son and she could not let him know she saw through his facade... But she would play along with him. This she could do for now.
This is all they could do for now.