Making this story as a special request for Reese123. I do hope you all like it, I know I'm going to have a blast writing it. Definitely a little bit of unknown territory for me, but lets have a little fun, shall we?
It was a cold night, a dark night. Almost foretelling of the events to come. Most would retreat into their homes and get warm, cuddle by the fire or watch some TV and not think on it, but for one lone tabby cat sitting erect as a statue on the brick wall it was not the case. It stared with its stony gaze down privet drive, almost as if it was watching something.
Funny enough it, or should we say, she was indeed watching, but not something, someone. The Dursleys to be exact. They were a strange, rather habitual cluster of muggles if the tabby had any say. It sat there, all day watching. A few times, Mr. Dursley looked at it strangely and tried to shoo it, but to no avail. He hated cats with a passion, but that darned stubborn old tabby wouldn't budge an inch.
Why would it? It was quite content watching their behavior and how they went about their day. Clearly this mere muggle could at least understand that much? No? Obviously they haven't the intelligence she had hoped. And as for their spoiled child, clearly they weren't the best of parents to not even know when to say no. Is that even in their vocabulary?
These mere ponderings of this old tabby cat would have one wondering for sure. If only it could voice it's opinion it surely would. but couldn't it? Well, lets cut to that chase, it could, but not without blowing its cover. It shall wait for the right time, but that time wouldn't be for a while. So it sat, and waited. Mr. Dursley came home from work, frustratingly looked at the cat, attempted to swat at it with his briefcase before cursing under his breath as the tabby just jumped back up and sat down.
Clearly it had struck a nerve, but yet remained. Poised and as determined as ever. It didn't hiss, spit, or even meow at the man, just stared distantly and patiently for what was to come. This tabby was indeed determined.
Eventually light fell and darkness enveloped privet drive, save for a few lonely dimmed lights and a man appeared, capturing most of them as to not be seen. He was draped in fine purple silk robes with silver etchings and sported a long silvery beard and half moon glasses. An odd pointed hat sat atop his elderly head as well, his long hair matching his beard cascaded down his old crooked back.
The cat changed into its true form as the old man smirked. An elderly woman with a stern boney face, emerald robes, piercing green eyes and dark brown hair twisted up into the tightest bun you could imagine as well as a hat to match with a peacock feather atop it. "Fancy seeing you here Minerva." She nodded stiffly. "Candy? Lemon drops are my favorite muggle treat."
"No, thanks. You really should lay off those sweets Albus, they aren't good for you, you know." Albus laughed heartily.
"If it's the sweets that get me, I win." Minerva's mouth slacked a little.
"What ever do you mean?"
"It's for another time my dear, another time." Oh, how that man baffled her. Damned Albus to hell sometimes, that man and his silly ideas. He simply doesn't make sense half the time, and the other half sounds like hes apart of the loony bin that jumped out of the box.
"Where's the boy?"
"Hagrid has him. Hes on the way."
"Yes, about that... let me take care of him... please." Albus peered at her over his half moon specticals with a stern look.
"You know why i cannot do that." Minerva began to look flustered.
"I don't give a damn about the safety from you know who..."
"Voldemort" Albus interrupted. Minerva winced a bit but continued.
"Yes... him... I can protect him better that these muggles. and Frankly i think he needs more protection from them." Minerva implored. "Please, I've watched them all day. They are frankly quite awefull. They really are."
"They are his family." She looked slightly angrier now.
"I will be his family. I will take care of him."
"And what of your duties? What happens when your work suffers?"
"It won't. please." Her voice faltered. It was ever so slight, but a tinge of desperation to it. Albus thought about it for a moment as two headlights came from the sky. Hagrid atop a giant motorcycle. He was a blubbering mess, as was Minerva as she wiped her silent tears on her robes.
"Here is is sir. Safe N' Sound." Hagrid handed him to Albus who looked carefully at the headmistress. He turned to Hagrid.
"Change of plans. Minerva has convinced me that she would be a better alternative. I decided to agree on one condition, you help her Hagrid." Minerva looked desperately at Hagrid.
"Please" she muttered to him, her hand on his arm. Soft and gently her long boney fingers caressed it, pleading in itself. She only wanted what was best for the child after all. "I'll protect him... " she managed knowing his fears.
"Cheer up Min... Course I'll do it." He hugged her, almost too hard and Minerva couldn't help but supress a smile. She'd have to pick up baby stuff immediately. She didn't even think of all that yet...
"Don't worry Minerva." Albus piped up "I have got some supplies that should last you a few days that i was going to gift the dursleys. You may use it for little harry here." Minerva nodded and took the baby carefully from him, smiling down at the now sleeping babe with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Little did she know it was not just a scar, or a curse, but would cause later worry than even you know who himself.
Later that night, Minerva awoke to little Harry's cry, she sat up in her bed and peered over the bassinet next to her and smiled at the poor dear. So little and defenseless. How could someone want to hurt such a poor dear. She got up and made him a bottle with her wand to make it just the right temp before picking him up in her arms and soothing him with it.
He drank hungrily as she sang him an old irish lullaby.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
Too-ra-loo-ra-li
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
Hush now, don't you cry
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
Too-ra-loo-ra-li
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
That's an Irish lullaby
Over in Killarney, many years ago
My mother sang a song to me in tones so soft and low
Just a simple little ditty in her good old Irish way
And I'd give the world if I could hear that song of hers today
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
Too-ra-loo-ra-li
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
Hush now, don't you cry
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
Too-ra-loo-ra-li
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
That's an Irish lullaby
The little Harry fell back into a deep sleep in her arms. All she could find herself doing was staring into those sweet eyes on his sweet little face, holding his hand. Poor little Harry, what a hand fate has given you. You poor, poor dear. I'll take care of you now, don't you worry. She thought to herself, before placing him carefully back in his bassinet and drifting back to sleep herself, wondering if she was really up to the task she promised Albus she was up for. Well, she would have to be now. No turning back.
Again, new territory. Sorry It's a bit short, but it is just an intro for the story, so soon we will get to the plot twists and turns and the fun will really begin. Trust me, It will be a fun ride.
Please don't forget to review, thank you.
To be continued...
