Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Author's Note - This is the first chapter of my very first fanfic ever written. I want things to seem realistic, so I'm trying to stay fairly true to the books. Updates will be sporadic, as I'm busy with art and computer technology.
Privet Drive was a plain and completely ordinary-looking neighborhood located in Little Whinging, Surrey. The houses consisted of the same repetitive two-story home fixed with a small lawn, perfectly rectangular driveway, and every one severely lacked any personality whatsoever. The locals all seemed to follow in that regard, living by their unchanging routines and rarely having to deal with anything outside the realm of their mundane lives. So it was, late at night on the cold evening of November 1st, that Privet Drive unknowingly played host to something- unusual.
The air was cool and everything was dark. The street lights were curiously absent of their usual dim amber glow of light. No one appeared to be awake except for an oddly dressed couple slowly making their way down the deserted street. They both wore long flowing robes with matching cloaks dyed muted purple and emerald green respectively.
"Are you certain you wouldn't like a lemon drop, Professor McGonagall?" The old man popped a small yellow candy into his mouth and held a paper bag out to his companion. His long silver hair and beard rustled slightly.
"Albus Dumbledored! The Potters are slain, Voldemort is finally dead, and all you can think about are muggle candies?" Professor McGonagall asked exasperatedly. Her square frame glasses and tight bun enhanced her stern expression.
Dumbledore chuckled.
"Forgive me for trying to lighten the mood, my dear." Dumbledore said, blue eyes twinkling madly behind crescent moon-shaped spectacles.
They stopped in front of a house with an immaculately kept garden. Dumbledore glanced down at his silver pocket watch. "Hagrid's late."
"Hagrid? Just what are up to, Albus?"
"Harry must be raised with his only living relatives, the current residents of number four Privet Drive." Dumbledore stated, gesturing at the house in front of them.
"You must be joking!" Professor McGonagall said, scandalized. "Lily does have a sister, but when she's not spying on the neighbors she's letting her insufferable child walk all over her! They're nothing alike! How on earth could you let the Potters' son live here?"
"This is his only option." Dumbledore said gravely. "This letter will ensure that they tell Harry everything when he's ready."
"A simple letter will not be enough to teach muggles the concept of magic and what Harry Potter means to the wizarding world." scoffed Professor McGonagall. "Let me send an owl to Amelia, she's already got experience in raising an orphaned child. At the very least she'd know of some decent families who are good at being discreet, even I have a cottage in Scotland I could take him and -"
"Minerva, please," Dumbledore's eyes had stopped twinkling. "Harry needs to be with his own flesh and blood and unfortunately that's all I can tell you. Have I ever steered you wrong before?"
"I - I - suppose not," Professor McGonagall allowed grudgingly. She looked anxious. "Where is the child now? You said Hagrid was late, surely you don't mean..."
"Hagrid will be bringing Harry, yes."
"The man doesn't even have a wand! How could you give him a task as important as this?"
"I would trust Hagrid with my life." said Dumbledore firmly.
"Trust is all well and good Albus," Professor McGonagall shook her head slightly. "But Harry vanquished Voldemort only last night. All those vile Death Eaters of his are still out there and Hagrid can't even cast a basic Stunner."
A low rumbling noise saved Dumbledore from having to reply. A large red motorcycle appeared out of the sky and screeched loudly on the pavement as it slowed to a halt.
"Let's hope that racket didn't wake up the whole of the neighborhood." Professor McGonagall muttered under her breath.
If Dumbledore heard her he didn't show it, and instead welcomed the giant who stepped off the bike with a small bundle of blankets held snugly in one arm.
"At last, Hagrid you've come," Dumbledore said. His eyes twinkled again. "Where did you get the motorcycle?"
"Sirius Black lent it, ser. An' I've got 'arry right 'ere."
"Everything went as planned, I take it?" Dumbledore glanced at Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, ser. The house was a right wreck, but I got 'im out, an' been flying ever since. Fell asleep as we passed Bristol, 'e did." Hagrid said.
Dumbledore nodded, while Professor McGonagall was left wondering how on Earth it could take Hagrid an entire day to fly from Godric's Hollow to Privet Drive.
Perhaps he stopped for a few 'refreshments' along the way. McGonagall thought bitterly.
Dumbledore looked at the face of the small child and Professor McGonagall walked closer.
"Sadly, he'll have that scar forever." Dumbledore said as she joined him.
"Can't it be dealt with in some way?" Professor McGonagall reasoned. "No child would want such a dreadful reminder of their parents' death stuck on their forehead permanently. Perhaps a concealment charm of some sort, any witch or wizard would recognize him immediately on sight."
Dumbledore shook his head and sighed heavily. "It would be extremely foolish to tamper with such a thing. Who knows what could happen if we threw magic at the curse scar left over from Voldemort's killing curse? Besides, scars can be immensely valuable in the right circumstance you know. Now Hagrid, if you please, it's best to get this over with."
Hagrid reluctantly handed the bundle to Dumbledore. The old wizard walked to the front door with Harry in his arms, leaving Professor McGonagall to deal with Hagrid's loud sobbing howls. He laid Harry down on the steps with a letter he pulled out from his robes. Dumbledore waved his wand a few times over the bundle, casting spells to keep it warm, still, and invisible to any but the sleeping occupants of Number 4. He walked back to the others.
"Everything is in place. You two should go and join the celebrations."
"Thank yeh ser, but Sirius will be needing this bike back. Good night Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, ser." said Hagrid sadly.
The huge man lumbered to the bike, started the engine, and soon disappeared into the sky.
"There's a bottle of Scotch I need to consult," Professor McGonagall said, dabbing her eyes. "Privately, I might add. Prancing about and celebrating on an awful day like this is not high up on my list of things to do."
"I understand, Minerva," Dumbledore said.
She did not reply, as a tabby cat had appeared in her stead and was already briskly moving down the dark street. Dumbledore pulled out a silver lighter and returned the streetlights to their proper forms. He took one last look at the child on the doorstep and with a swish of fabric he was gone.
Author's Note - Fixed some small grammatical errors and edited some prose - June 15