This is in response to a challenge I've seen floating around the site: Dumbledore and McGonagall decide to raise Harry together instead of leaving him with the Dursleys. It's an AU (obviously), and will end up being AD/MM.

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In its thousand-year history, Hogwarts had had many Headmasters. Some had been men of high, even violent temper, who had enjoyed slamming doors, throwing books and occasionally setting people's shoes on fire to vent their spleen. The current Headmaster, however, was known for his tranquil demeanor, and had never slammed his office door until today.

"I thought I had made my decision on this issue quite clear," he said as soon as the door had closed. "Why have you disobeyed me?"

"I couldn't leave him there," said the woman he was addressing. "I've been watching. They aren't treating him properly - ignoring him when he cries, feeding him when it suits them, letting their great lump of a son poke and pinch him like a plaything."

The Headmaster drew a long, slow breath, as if attempting to calm himself.

"You saw the letter of instruction I left them," he said.

"Indeed I did," said the woman. "It went straight into the bin after they'd read it. They have no intention of raising him as anything like their own child." Her brows knitted into a fierce scowl at the idea.

"Minerva -"

"Don't 'Minerva' me. Using my given name will not make me one bit more likely to agree to your plans." She stepped around the perch where the Headmaster's phoenix was dozing and sat down in an overstuffed chair with the attitude of someone about to stage a protest. The bird raised its golden head from its wing and let out a drowsy trill.

"Hush, Fawkes," said the Headmaster. "Go back to sleep."

"I expect he's agreeing with me," said Minerva, folding her arms defiantly across the front of her emerald robes. Fawkes chirped.

The Headmaster's anger seemed to ease a bit at that, and he took the chair beside his opponent, turning it so they were facing each other with their knees nearly touching. When he spoke, his voice was much kinder than before.

"Do not think I do not understand your feelings, Minerva," he said. "If I could, I would give the boy his parents back, or barring that, an aunt and uncle who would love him as he deserves - but I can do neither. Nor can I leave him with another wizard family, for reasons I have already explained. What else do you propose I do?"

This was a rhetorical question, but Minerva had an answer at the ready, as he should have known she would.

"Let him stay at Hogwarts," she said. "I can look after him - I know I can - and he won't be as conspicuous here as he would someplace else. There's no one to see him but the students, and he needn't come into contact with them at all if he stays in the staff wing and gardens."

The Headmaster was silent for a long time, considering this. Some of her points were valid, yes, and he certainly didn't want to leave the boy with Vernon and Petunia Dursley if there were another way, but -

"Have you thought this all the way through?" he asked at last. "Who will take care of him while you're teaching?"

"The house-elves," said Minerva promptly, "and Hagrid wants to help as well. Though I can't say I trust him not to strap poor Harry onto a dragon's back and send him off flying for a treat."

"You have discussed this with Hagrid?"

"He saw us arrive," said Minerva. "I could scarcely get away from him to come and speak to you. He's taken Harry to the kitchens to be fed." She glanced down for a moment, smoothing some invisible creases out of her skirt.

"Please let the boy stay, Dumbledore," she said to her lap. "I'm sorry I went behind your back, truly I am, but I couldn't - I couldn't bear to see him being treated that way. We've just celebrated the downfall of a wizard who thought Muggles less than human. How, in good conscience, can we give the child who brought about that downfall to Muggles who think the same of wizards?"

Neither of them said anything for a moment after that. Dumbledore stroked his beard reflectively while the candle flames flickered and Fawkes rustled on his perch. It was so quiet he could hear Minerva's breathing - a little ragged, as if she were trying to hold back tears.

"Very well," he said at last. "Harry may stay."

Minerva raised her head abruptly and looked at him with an expression of disbelieving joy that transformed her severe face completely.

"Really?"

"Yes. But I reserve the right to change my mind at any time if circumstances change. And Minerva - do not defy me this way again. If I cannot trust my Deputy Headmistress, whom can I trust?"

"You can trust me," she said. "Oh, Albus -"

"There, there," he said, patting her on the shoulder as he had when they had met outside the Dursleys' house two weeks before. "Surely you aren't going to fall all to pieces now, not when you have a child to care for. Come, we'll go down and see how young Master Potter is doing with his supper, and then I will help you arrange for his accommodations."

"I thought I would keep him in my own room," said Minerva, getting up.

Dumbledore chuckled. "I advise against that," he said. "Children Harry's age are dreadful sleepers; you'll be awake all night listening to him toss and turn. I think we can coax the castle to do a small reconfiguration, just enough to add an extra room to your quarters."

"Very well then, let's go." All at once she was her usual brisk self again, revitalized at the thought of having business to accomplish. It made Dumbledore smile - but in his heart, he was worried. He had felt uncertain about his decision to leave the boy with his aunt and uncle in the first place. He felt even less confident now.