Disclaimer: I own nothing!

A/N: I know this concept has been done...probably over and over. However, I wanted to try my own hand at it. If I fail, PM me and let me know. Don't leave hateful comments. Please.

"But Dumbledore, are ye sure?" Minerva McGonagall wrung her hands together. "I just don' know…I've been watching this family all day and…" The strangely-dressed woman's accent flowed through her words, even worse than usual because of her distress.

Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, gave his friend and fellow professor a tiny smile. "These Muggles are his family, Minerva. You know he has to…"

"But they're abhorrent!" exclaimed McGonagall. "These people were the reason why Lily never wanted to visit home during the holidays, and I can see why! These Dursleys…" she spat the word, "they hate everything even associated with magic. You know this, Albus!"

"What would you have me do, Minerva?" Dumbledore asked, pleading. "Young Mr. Potter must stay with his closest living relative for protection, and we both know that Petunia Dursley fits that role. The Dark Lord still has advocates around, and they will only be compliant for so long once they figure out he's not truly gone. Harry Potter must be protected!"

McGonagall shook her head. "But will he be protected from them? These Muggles hate magic. You know how bitter that Petunia is! Can't Mr. Black…?"

"No one has seen Sirius Black since this all began. It's not looking good for him, I'm afraid." Dumbledore thought for a minute. "There may be a way…"

Suddenly, the door opened and a red-faced Vernon Dursley stepped out with a cricket bat in his hands. "What are you freaks doing at my home in the middle of the night? I'll give you thirty seconds to vacate the premises before I ring the police!"

Dumbledore gaped. "Mr. Dursley, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I have some devastating news to share with you and your…"

"I don't give a damn why you're here. I just want you freaks gone!"

Minerva McGonagall could count on one hand the number of times she had seen Albus Dumbledore angry. This was one of those times.

"Dursley, your wife's sister and her husband were just savagely murdered by a madman, and you're concerned about what your neighbors think? You know what? We'll leave. However, just know that your nephew's blood is on your hands should anything happen to him because of your neglect." Dumbledore turned to McGonagall and stated, "Let's go, Minerva."

At that moment, Hagrid, the half-giant groundskeeper from Hogwarts, flew in on Sirius Black's motorcycle, Harry in tow. "Professor, I've got him." Hagrid wiped his teary eyes. "They're really gone then? Not just the Potters, but him as well?"

Dumbledore reached out and took the small child from Hagrid's wide hands. "Indeed, Hagrid. The Dark Lord was somehow vanquished by this small boy right here." The headmaster lightly touched the lightning bolt-shaped scar on Harry's head. He then turned to Minerva. "Minerva, I don't know how to ask you this…"

"I'll take him. There is no safer place he could possibly be."

9 years (and some months) later

"Minnie!" Young Harry Potter ran through the small Scottish cottage, looking for the one he thought of as his mother. "Where are you?"

Minerva McGonagall stepped through the kitchen door, smiling at her young charge. "What is it, Harry?"

Harry smiled and held up an envelope. "Why didn't you just hand deliver it?"

Harry's guardian laughed lightly. "And what would have been the fun in that, my little bairn? You should experience receiving your letter just like anyone else." Minerva walked to the door and grabbed her traveling cloak. "Now, are you ready to go to Neville's? He should be ready to compare letters. I'll take you shopping once I return from visiting the new Muggleborns." She turned and bent down to his level. "Now, you decide what you want for your birthday this year. Anything but a broom!"

"But…Minnie!" Harry's lips settled into a rare pout. "You said when I was old enough to play quidditch…"

Minerva brushed at Harry's almost unmanageable hair. "You can. Until then, you'll use the Cleansweep in the broomshed. You know you can't be on the house team until your second year."

Harry nodded sadly. "Minnie?"

The professor turned back to Harry. "Yes, love?"

"What if I'm not in Gryffindor?"

Minerva gave Harry a soft smile as she led him out the door. "Well then, I'll warn my house team to watch out for the best seeker in Hogwarts next year!"

"Is Professor McGonagall really your guardian?" Hermione gawked at her new acquaintance on the Hogwarts Express. "You must be worlds ahead of us already! What books have you read? What spells do you know?"

Harry laughed and shook his head. Her face fell at his laugh, so he was quick to amend. "No! I wasn't laughing at your questions, just at how fast you threw those questions at me. Min…ah…Professor McGonagall has been tutoring me in magic since I was five, but no more than any other magical household. She taught me to fly, and I'm already good at catching a snitch, but I can't play until next year." He cocked his head. "You're Muggleborn, aren't you?

Hermione nodded. "My parents were quite surprised when I began showing the signs. But Professor McGonagall came around last September and explained everything. She made sure my parents were comfortable enough before she left, and she's even been by again a few times. You're lucky that Dumbledore placed you with her."

Harry grinned. "I've seen my relatives from a distance. I'm grateful that Minnie was there that night. The Dursleys are horrible." He turned to Neville. "Where's Trevor?"

Neville jumped at the change in topics. "Uh…" He looked up. "Oh! He's on the back of Hermione's seat!" Neville moved and picked up his toad. "I wish Gran would have bought me an owl like Zephyrus there."

Harry reached up and stroked Zephyrus's white feathers. "He is a pretty one, isn't he? Since Minnie wouldn't buy me a broom for my birthday, we agreed on an owl." He grinned at Neville, his best friend since he could string together a sentence. "But Trevor's awesome as well. Think of what all we've put that poor toad through!"

The two recounted tales of their adventures to Hermione until their door was forced open. Draco Malfoy and his cronies stepped through.

"Potter, Longbottom. Long time, no see, boys." Draco sneered at the two wizards before looking at Hermione. "And who do we have here?"

Hermione had caught on to Draco quickly. "Hermione Granger. And you are?" she asked, adopting a tone of indifference.

Draco frowned. "You must be Muggleborn. Otherwise you'd know a Malfoy by sight alone."

"Now that you've introduced yourself, please see yourself out." Harry smirked at Draco's annoyed expression.

"You'd do well to be friends with me, Potter. Auntie McGonagall won't be around forever," Draco snapped, turning to leave. "However, you'll have to drop these two. My stomach can only take so much." With that, he took his leave.

Hermione's eyes followed him. "Malfoy, as in suggested Death Eater Lucius Malfoy? His name was mentioned in a few of the books I read about…well…you, Harry."

Harry and Neville nodded. "That's his son. Draco has much to live up to, and he's been trying to befriend me since the first time we met. He's actually a decent student, even in subjects like maths, language, and the sciences. He's just a git and know-it-all." Harry looked out the window. "We're almost there. Neville, you want to go change somewhere else and let Hermione…"

Hermione stood up. "No, I'll walk out while you change. I'm already completely dressed. I was a bit excited this morning. I'll be back in five minutes." With that, Hermione walked out. The two boys quickly dressed, donning their robes and chatting excitedly.

Hermione joined the two just as they pulled up to Hogwarts. Their first year was off to a good start.