Rebuilding His Life Again
Chapter 1: The Truth Comes Out
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor and Professor of Transfiguration, sat at her desk sorting through the admission letters for the incoming first years. With so much responsibility in the running of the school, ironically, the summer holidays were Minerva's busiest time of year, but she always made time to personally sort through the admission letters. In the case of the muggleborns Minerva had to do it anyway and, at the same time, she always went through letters for the purebloods and halfbloods as well. Over the years Minerva had discovered more than one case of child abuse this way so it was a duty she would never slip up on. She flipped through the stack of letters, looking for one in particular. For 10 years now Minerva had looked forward to the day James and Lily's only child would come to Hogwarts. Lily Evans had probably been her favourite student ever and James Potter had been the son of Minerva's best friend. She'd been heartbroken by their deaths and had cried for months over the exile of their son to the muggle world. Minerva should never have let little Harry go and, most importantly, she should never have abandoned little Harry to the care of the Dursleys. Multiple times over the years since she'd first met Lily Evans Minerva had comforted the girl over the cruelty of her older sister and James had never tried to hide the fact he despised his in-laws. With the relationship between the Potters and the Dursleys so strained Minerva couldn't help feeling that they'd made a terrible mistake appointing Petunia Harry's legal guardian. Unfortunately, though Albus had been adamant. Harry would be living with his maternal relatives and would have no contact with anyone in the wizarding world until he reached Hogwarts age. For nearly a full decade Minerva had been sick with worry over the boy and she wouldn't be able to rest until she saw for herself whether or not Harry was okay.
Parkinson, Patil, Patil, Perks...Potter. Finally Minerva located Harry's letter. Her eyes narrowed in fury as she noticed the address. What the HELL?
Minerva could have taken her concerns to Albus but he was out of the castle on Wizengamot business. There was also the fact that it was Albus who had repeatedly reassured her that Harry was safe and loved by the Dursleys. Minerva couldn't be sure whether the old man had somehow missed this or whether he'd deliberately overlooked it. Either way it didn't look good for Albus and Minerva didn't want to bring him into the situation at least until she was sure of the facts. Seizing Harry's Hogwarts letter she stalked out of the castle, to the edge of the wards. Her mood must have been reflected on her face because the few people she encountered on the way didn't attempt to stop her or, even, greet her. Transfiguring her robes into something acceptable for a visit to the muggle world, Minerva apparated to the Surrey suburb she'd last visited over nine years earlier. Despite knowing where Harry was Minerva hadn't been able to visit because Albus had told her that until Harry's Hogwarts letter was issued the blood wards would keep all magic users, other than himself, away. Now, though no such obstacles would stand in her way. She stalked up to the door and knocked sharply, only to freeze when it opened. The boy that came out to greet her caused Minerva to flash back to 20 years earlier. Harry looked so much like the 11 year old James Potter that had first arrived at Hogwarts. The boy was virtually identical to his late father. The only difference was that Harry had his mother's shocking emerald eyes instead of warm brown eyes of his father. "Harry!" Minerva breathed in amazement. She thought that she'd been prepared for this moment but she really wasn't.
For his part Harry was bemused that this woman knew his name. Aside from the Dursleys, the people at school and a few neighbors Harry didn't know anybody and nobody knew him. "Yes mam," he said politely. "What can I do for you and, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know my name?"
"Of course I don't mind you asking, Harry," Minerva said. "To answer your question your parents were good friends of mine and, prior to that, I taught them both at Hogwarts. You'll know all about that, of course."
Harry looked confused. "Uh, no mam. I've never heard of the place and, to be honest, the only things I know about my mum and dad are that my mum was something Aunt Petunia called a whore and that my dad was a no-good drunk who got both himself and mum killed by driving drunk."
Minerva's eyes bulged in disbelief. She realized that Harry didn't have a clue about magic. He believed himself to be a muggle. "And your aunt and uncle told you this, did they?" she asked dangerously.
"Yes mam," Harry said, slightly unnerved by this woman's sudden change of mood. "Aunt Petunia is my mum's sister. She and Uncle Vernon took me in after mum and dad died."
"Yes, I know," Minerva said darkly. And if she had her way, after today, Harry would never set foot in this hell hole again. She had a bad feeling that she wasn't even close to uncovering the worst of it and she was already ready to take Harry away forever. "Harry there is no easy way to tell you this but your aunt and uncle have been lying to you."
Instead of looking suspicious or shocked, Harry's emerald eyes brightened. "Really?" he asked. "I've always hoped so. If you knew my mum and dad can you tell me what they were really like then?"
"Yes, of course," Minerva assured him. "In fact, if you will invite me in so I can speak to the Dursleys, we will see about having you come and stay with people who were a bit closer to your parents than they were."
Harry didn't think he had ever moved so fast. He stepped aside so Minerva could come into the house and led her back to the dining room where the Dursleys were. On the way down the hall Minerva glared at the cupboard under the stairs, remembering the address on poor Harry's admission letter. Knowing that it might be needed for evidence later, she flicked her wand, silently activating a few scanning spells which hopefully would tell her just how bad the abuse that had taken place in this house of horrors was. In the dining room Vernon and Dudley were sitting at the table gorging themselves on a hearty english breakfast, all of which had been cooked by Harry, while, from the counter, Petunia surveyed her boys fondly. Watching the appalling manners with which they ate, Minerva was disgusted with the muggles. The two males were still in their pajamas, for Merlin's sake, and it was nearly 11o'clock. Minerva had been up for hours! "I hope you told whoever was at the door to come back at a more civilized hour, boy," Uncle Vernon said, around a mouthful of food.
"No, Mr Dursley, he did not!" Minerva said icily, from her spot in the doorway.
"Who the devil are you?" Uncle Vernon demanded, turning around to face Minerva. "Who the hell do you think you are, coming barging into my home?"
"I think, Mr Dursley, that I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Minerva said coldly, moving to stand between Harry and the fat muggle.
It was a good thing she did, too, because upon hearing the word 'witchcraft' Uncle Vernon jumped up from his seat with agility that was surprising considering his size and charged towards Harry howling "freeeeak!"
Furiously, Minerva cast a banishing charm which, while it didn't really hurt the muggle, it sent him careening backwards across the room, causing him to land on the dining table which promptly collapsed under his considerable weight. Then, in case Vernon, or any of the other Dursleys got any ideas, Minerva flicked her wand again, conjuring an iron gate, running from floor to ceiling in the center of the room, effectively caging the Dursleys off from her and Harry. The young wizard in question watched all of this, his mouth hanging open in shock and his eyes gleaming. "Magic!" he exclaimed, finally finding his voice again. "They always told me that magic isn't real but they were lying, weren't they?" he asked Minerva. "It's magic I can do, isn't it, Professor?"
"Yes Harry," Minerva said, smiling at his enthusiasm. "You are a wizard, as your father was before you. Your mother, as I am, was a witch. I will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts."
"So Hogwarts is a school?" Harry asked. "A school where I can learn how to be a wizard?"
"The best magic school in all the world," Minerva confirmed.
Harry's enthusiasm visibly deflated. "As much as I'd like to I don't think I can go, mam. I don't have any money to pay for it myself and I don't think my relatives will."
Minerva sent a disdainful look at Harry's relatives who were listening to her conversation with the young wizard in horror. Minerva had no doubt that if they'd been able to Petunia and, especially, Vernon would be objecting strenuously but, unwilling to listen to any of their bitter vitriol or to subject Harry to any more, she'd silenced the lot of them. "Do not worry about money, Harry," she reassured the young boy. "Your name has been down for Hogwarts since the day you were born. Your parents paid for your education in full before they died."
"So my parents weren't unemployed, like the Dursleys told me?" Harry asked interestedly.
"Of course not!" Minerva exclaimed, outraged. "Harry, your mother, to this day, remains the most gifted pupil I have ever taught and your father was brilliant in his own way as well. When they finished school there was a terrible war going on. Your father fought in it as a soldier and your mother was a trainee healer, a type of magical doctor, although she took some time off when you were born. Your parents died fighting to try and make this world a better place. Make no mistake Harry, James and Lily Potter are heroes in our world."
"James and Lily," Harry whispered reverently. "So my parents names were James and Lily?"
"Yes," Minerva confirmed gently, scowling at the Dursleys as she assimilated that Harry hadn't even known what his mother and father's names were. She stepped back out into the hallway to look at the results of the scanning spell and, if not for the fact she feared it would have frightened Harry, she would have cursed the Dursleys into a puddle of slime. Some people should never be parents. "Harry, would you tell me what it is like for you to live with the Dursleys? You father sadly had no family left other than you and your mother so, after James and Lily's passing, you were brought here so your mother's family could give you a home."
A few times Harry had tried to tell his teachers at primary school what life was like for him with the Dursleys but it had always backfired on him and things usually became worse than ever before. After his last attempt a year ago Harry had given up, vowing to keep his mouth shut and his head down, to just try and survive until his 18th birthday when he could leave this hellhole forever. Looking at the iron gate, however, Harry decided to be honest with Professor McGonagall. She had already protected him from the Dursleys once. Hopefully she would do it again. "A home?" he snorted, sounding much more bitter and world weary than a 10 year old should. "This isn't my home. This is just a place I have no choice but to stay until I turn 18 and can live on my own."
In that moment Harry unknowingly caused the already severely weakened blood wards to collapse for the last time. Minerva was unaware what happened but Harry's words were all that she needed to hear. If Albus didn't like it too bad. Minerva would take her friend to court if she needed to. Harry Potter would not be spending another night in this house of horrors. "Come with me, Harry," she said, gently, holding out a hand to the boy. "We are leaving and I promise that you need never see these people again."
