When The Little Wolf Howls
AU! Elements of canon have been changed, and in some cases outright discarded (all in the name of fun of course)
Premise: Minerva McGonagall truly believed that the Dursleys were the worst kind of muggles imaginable. It was with this in mind, she could not simply let the son of her two favourite pupils - the two she loved as her own - stay with these monsters. Unable to shirk her duties at Hogwarts, she knew just the person to raise and nurture the boy. (Remus-raises-Harry story with a McGonagall twist.)
Pairings:none concrete as of yet, open to suggestions
Warnings: some violence and dark themes. This fic will attempt to portray reactions and situations as realistically as possible. Features good!Albus and powerful-but-not-super!Harry, as well as some serious canon-bending.
Any passages set within *asterisks* have been lifted from the book, both for clarity and to make my life slightly easier.
All recognisable characters/plotlines/situations/magic belongs to JK Rowling etc.
Chapter one: The Lone Wolf Dies
A small tabby cat sat on a low garden wall, absentmindedly licking its' paws as it watched through the window of one of the many boxy pristine houses, specifically: Number 4, Privet Drive. The residents of Number 4 were exceedingly boring to be sure, the male splayed out in front of a small television set while his wife continuously pandered to every whim of their oversized screaming child. But the cat knew intolerance and vitriol pulsed deep within the family.
The cat remembered stories of jealous children, sisters that could never melt the ice between them, and the bitterness that bloomed with envy buried deep. The cat knew this woman, Petunia Dursley, would never forgive her sister for being born with a gift, and knew that her husband Vernon only nurtured that discord. The cat also knew that any child of Lily's would not be welcomed here, would be unloved and neglected to the bone.
The cat watched the house for hours, ignoring the darkening sky as she waited for the most important delivery of her life. It was nearing twilight when a loud rumble and engine rev broke the polite quiet of Privet Drive. The cat slowly stretched out its paws, spine curving and rolling as it prepared to jump from the wall. In one practiced motion the cat jumped and at the same time grew, limbs quickly stretching impossibly long to form human appendages.
Just as Minerva McGonagall straightened out her favourite green summerweight robes, an extremely large man on a motorcycle came to a stop at the curb of Number 4, wheels not quite touching the road. She patiently waited as the man dismounted the bike and walked up the towards the house, accidently trampling several neatly trimmed flowers lining either side of the path. She watched as he shook out his great black beard before reaching into his thick leather overcoat, pulling a small blue bundle from one of the many pockets.
"Good evening Hagrid," Minerva greeted the man, watching the wriggling bundle with keen interest. "Its true then?...And that's him?"
She already knew the answer of course, but it never hurt to check.
"Eh it is I'm afraid Professor, an' this is our young Harry, saviour of the wizarding world..."Hagrid trailed off as tears erupted, before wailing, "An James and Lily are gone an' all."
Minerva patted his arm awkwardly and offered him her handkerchief, waiting for him to accept it before taking the bundle from him, rocking it gently and ignoring the loud Crack! behind her. She cooed at Harry as she took in his shock of black hair, just like his fathers. He looked considerably like James, she noted as she took him in.
Except those emerald eyes of course, and if Minerva looked closely the soft cupid's bow and slight pixie nose were all Lily too.
"He is precious isn't he, my dear?" Dumbledore's voice spoke through the darkness, gently taking the baby from Minerva's arms and leaning down to deposit him on the doorstep of Number 4 Privet Drive.
"Will you not reconsider Albus? These... people are the worst sort." Minerva pleaded with him quietly. She looked at Albus in the darkness, wondering not for the first time if this was a power she wanted to give him. She watched as he mumbled warming stasis charms, hand resting at the back of Harry's head.
"You know I cannot, the magical protection that could be given to him in the presence of his blood relatives is paramount. Voldemort will not be able to harm him with it in place."
"You really think he survived it then? V-Voldemort?"
"I rather think it would be unwise of me to believe him fully dead. We can only hope."
"And what about the boy's wellbeing? These muggles will not treat him well, I can assure you." Minerva's voice turned hard as she stared at one of her closest companions.
"They are his only living family Minnie, they will treat him as their own I'm sure of it." Albus's voice, usually calm and full of quiet strength, was weary now.
"Can you do anything about his scar at least? I can almost taste the magic leeching from it Albus."
"*Even if I could, I wouldn't. Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground.*" Albus replied as he tucked a letter addressed to Petunia Dursley into the fold of Harry's blanket. "Besides that, any energy is most likely residual."
His tone became final on those words, as Albus stood and offered his arm to Minerva.
"Time to leave my dear, everyone is celebrating after all.'
With a last goodbye to Harry, Minerva reluctantly walked away and back down the path into the main street, ushering Hagrid back to the motorcycle as she did.
Minerva was determined now, Harry could not stay with Lily's sister. Leaving him on that doorstep had been heartwrenching, the last remnants of James and Lily left to a life of misery.
Albus was optimistic sure, but Minerva had learned that sometimes his optimism allowed big mistakes to be made.
She had to find him a new guardian first, for while she could look after Harry in the summers, during term time it would simply be impossible. First she decided on Alice and Frank, Harry's other godparents and the choice that followed the Potters' wills. She got as far as visiting them, but four days after Halloween the Death Eaters attacked. The Lestranges and the Crouch boy had brutally tortured the pair, leaving them trapped within the depths of their own minds. Minerva cried for them in private and carried on her search.
Her Next thought were the Weasleys, a deeply light and loving family, but no. Minerva was not sure that they would able to keep him safe from the wizarding world for long.
Finally she found her answer: Remus Lupin.
Why she had not thought of him first, Minerva didnt know. His werewolf status kept him from being a viable option by ministry standard, but Minerva didn't think she would care to tell them so it would not be a problem. Minerva would make it clear that as his main carer, she would take care of any of Harry's financial needs, for she knew that would be one of Remus's main worries even though she knew he would never turn Harry away. Minerva knew Remus would also worry about his monthly fur problem, but she would find a solution to that once Harry was safe.
Remus would care for Harry as his own, he truly loved Harry already. Remus had been inseparable from Harry once he was born, and Minerva knew he had fostered a close bond with Lily in the months leading up to the births. He would protect Harry with his life.
Of course, she had thought the same about Sirius, and she still felt the sting of his betrayal in her heart at the brash but loyal Gryffindor turning to the Dark Lord.
It taken Minerva most of the day to track Remus down to a small flat that once belonged to his parents, wallowing in Firewhiskey and half-delirious.
"Oh for goodness sakes Remus there is a child at stake here! I understand how much it must pain you right now, but life must move on, and Harry needs a family." Minerva pleaded with him as she attempted to spell the bottle away from him and clean up the room.
"How can you be so heartless? James, Lily, even Peter! All dead because of...him."
Remus had hardly believed it at first, one of his closest friends turning on the other, turning to Voldemort. But he could not deny the three holes now punctured in his heart, and one spot growing icy cold.
"I miss them too Remus, more than you can know. But Harry is still alive, and he needs a home that loves him."
"I cannot look after him Minerva, I'm hardly equipped to handle a child, and thats without the addition of my...problem. No, I could not do J-James and Lily such a disservice."
"I think perhaps it would be more of a disservice to leave their child in the care of those hateful muggles. Do you think James and Lily would wish that life for him? Would rather he have no childhood than grow up with one of their closest and most trusted friends?"
That seemed to do the trick, Minerva thought, not without compassion.
Remus wiped at the teartracks on his face, a scarred hand coming up to run through scruffy tawny hair. With a sigh he simply nodded his head and stopped wrestling for the Firewhiskey. Minerva smiled minutely and got to work.
Within the last few hours of that day, Minerva tidied up both the man and the flat. She found Remus some clean clothes from a closet, and gave him some time to make himself presentable. She avaded questions on Albus's involvement, and waved away concerns of ministry interference.
"They struggle to keep track of their own employees Remus, I doubt they'll be much of a problem as long as we're quiet about it."
Soon they were ready to leave.
"Are we going to get him now?" Remus asked, showing the first sign of livliness since she had been there.
"I'm going to take you to my home, held under Fidelius near the Scottish highlands. I thought you and Harry could make a home out of it for the time being, as it is both extremely safe and near to Hogwarts if there is ever an emergency. From there I shall apparate to Surrey and retrieve Harry."
Mulberry Manor was only a manor in name and was in actual fact a rather cozy four bedroom house, tucked within a group rocky hills in the north of Scotland. The name was given to it by Minerva's great-grandfather, thinking he was being rather funny.
It was only through several promises of secrecy with a few vows thrown in that Minerva had kept its existance a secret, a sanctuary when all else was lost. She offered a hand to Remus and soon apparated them both to her home.
Remus let his eyes rake over the open space as Minerva whispered the address in his ear. As she spoke the very air seemed to move and vibrate, a small white-stone house appearing before him. The house had three floors in total, the ground floor containing a simple open plan kitchen and Dining room, and a large sitting room filled with comfy patchwork furniture. The next floor had three bedrooms, one master bedroom and two smaller, and a bathroom with a large clawfoot tub (looking rather Lion-esque, Remus noted with numbed amusement). The last floor was an open plan single room, ceilings slanted as the roof of the house. In one corner there was already a small bed with moving Quidditch themed covers and wooden slats that could come up either side of the bed.
Remus would have been amazed if not for the burrowing grief gnawing at his gut. Minerva seemed to understand and simply settled him with a cup of tea in her sitting room, on her comfiest maroon sofa no less, and bade him a quick farewell.
"I shall return soon with Harry, please try to make yourself at home."
A low pop! and Minerva was gone.
Remus slumped back, head in his hands, and wondered what exactly he had just gotten himself into.
Minerva appeared in a small alley off the main road of Privet Drive, quickly transfiguring her blue robes into a slightly more muggle looking dress before stepping out into the light. She walked quickly towards Number 4, considerably weary of the week Harry had already spent with his relatives.
She soon found herself in front of the door, squaring her shoulders before knocking in three sharp taps. She heard some commotion within the house before a bony-faced blonde woman appeared at the door. On her life, Minerva could not find a single resemblance between the two Evans girls. She saw the woman flinch as she took in her visitor, remembering Minerva from all those years ago, bringing Lily's Hogwarts letter and explaining Lily's amazing gift to their parents.
"You here to check on the brat then?" Petunias cold snooty tone held little affection.
"Good day Mrs Dursley, you are correct; I am here to check on Harry. I would like to discuss the possibility of taking him back into our care, with your permission of course."
Here was Petunia's chance. Minerva knew she must offer them the choice, if only to assauge Albus's annoyingly chirpy voice in the back of her head.
Petunia looked at Minerva suspiciously, before nodding sharply and turning about heel into the house, leaving the door open for Minerva to follow.
Minerva walked through the small hallway, taking note of the pristine white nature of place. Not exactly child-friendly, she thought critically.
Petunia lead her through the hall and into the sitting room, gravitating towards her own blonde beachball of a son, and simply pointing to the far corner of the room.
"He's over there. Feel free to just take him and leave."
Minerva would have been astounded at Petunia's words if she had not been concentrated on the childs playpen in the corner. Sat in the middle was Harry, gurgling happily as he played with what suspiciously looked like an old rag of a toy, a stuffed cat that was falling apart at the seams.
She aimed a well-practiced glare at Petunia before crossing the room and leaning over the side of the pen, holding her hands out to Harry in offer.
"Hello Harry." She crooned, mouth curling upwards as Harry quickly abandoned the toy and reached up to Minerva. She was pleased he seemed to recognize her, for Minerva had only had the chance to visit with him a few times before the Potters went into hiding. And of course, that night a mere week ago when she had to abandon him on a doorstep.
She picked Harry up in one fluid motion and turned to face Petunia.
"You are sure?"
"Good riddance I say... Even if I did want the boy, Vernon would never love him." Petunia's face showed the barest hint of emotion at this, a depth that genuinely surprised Minerva.
Petunia sighed and ran a bony hand over her face, shifting Dudley onto one hip and gesturing back through the hall.
"Best you leave quickly then, get the boy back to his own world." Her voice held a wistfulness that had stayed with her since childhood. Petunia never would forget her desire to become as magical as her sister, in more ways than just witchery.
"Thank you for your honesty Mrs Dursley, rest assured that Harry will be treated with the utmost care." Minerva said, holding back her indignation at the Dursley's easy dismissal of the child.
Within moments they were gone.
Remus had hardly moved in the time Minerva was gone, tea undrunk and cold next to him. He tried valiantly to push back his own grief, lock it away until he had time to process it all.
Harry had to come first. It was the least he could do for the son of his best friends. His two brothers in all but blood, even if Peter had been growing distant in those last months. And Lily, sweet Lily, the sister he never knew he needed so badly. All of them gone, and Sirius too! Remus felt pain for them all, taken so quickly and so young...
Trying to stop the overwhelming sadness here Remus thought dryly, upset at the turn his thoughts had taken when he needed to be focused on Harry. So happy and curious, Harry had been as firmly lodged in Remus's heart as his parents. Harry was his life now.
A second pop! alerted Remus to Minerva's return, and he immediately vanished his tea and rose from the sofa, reaching Minerva as she crossed into the sitting room. He zeroed in on Harry tucked in her arms, a true if small smile on his lips as Harry clapped and began shouting.
"Moony! Moony! Moony!" Harry chanted, almost tipping out of Minerva's hold to get to Remus.
Remus took him and held him close, the last of the Potters now safely in his arms.
"There is one more thing I must do before we can get him settled Remus. I will return shortly."
Attention diverged, Remus looked curious.
"What is that Minnie?" He asked with undisguised interest.
The hat felt warm on her head, a pressure that somehow extended into her brain as it flattened her silky black plaits.
"You have loyalty in spades, but I daresay Hufflepuff could not handle you."Too right!" Neither would Slytherin be a home for you, too brazen to live in shadow with snakes. "I can perfectly subtle when needed thank you very much, but nothing gets done when hiding like a coward" Perhaps Ravenclaw then... But no! Too bold for any common sense I see, that'll get you in trouble one day to be sure... "How dare you!"
Better be GRYFFINDOR!"
"I am afraid I slightly mislead you Remus, for which I apologize. You see, I have yet to inform Albus of our...change of plans." Minerva's tight smile had become ever so slightly feral.
A/N: So that's our first chapter, please let me know what you think!
This will be a Harry-centric story, but the first few chapters will flesh out our Adults as they raise a boy-who-lived. If all goes to plan, Harry will reach Hogwarts by Chapter 5. This is intended to follow changes to canon happenings in response to a different upbringing, so the majority of this story will be set around Hogwarts.
And as mentioned there are no set pairings yet, and while tentative plans have been made I am open to suggestions.
Read & Review!
- M