Privet Drive was usually an ordinary street, but not on this night.
The stars twinkled in the sky brightly, a beautiful contrast of the glitter that spread over the velvet clouds. It was in the early hours of the morning, and the environment was still. Not a single creature out to prowl on this night - all except one tabby cat, who was sat on the wall of number four.
The cat was rigid, it had been lurking in that very spot all day observing the occupants of house at number four. It seemed that the cat was waiting for something to happen, and refused to leave until it did. The cat didn't even budge when Vernon Dursley shooed the cat away before getting into his car that morning, or when Dudley Dursley threw his toy car at it from his pram; he and Petunia Dursley were going out for a midday walk.
However, the cat did not have to wait much longer for what it was waiting for, because suddenly, the cat drew its attention to a shadow that emerged from the darkness of the corner of the street.
This was not the kind of ordinary that would be seen on Privet Drive. Considering the cat had seemingly been waiting a long while for this, it didn't seem too thrilled - it's eyed narrowed and its tail twitched.
The silhouette that had stepped out was an old man, considering his age, the man had a strong appearance about him - both in body and mind. He wore a long purple cloak with embroidered patterns and a set of boots. He had kind, twinkling eyes behind a set of half moon glasses and a warm smile behind his long silver beard that was so long he could tuck it behind his leather belt.
This man's name was Albus Dumbledore.
Dumbledore stepped forward, clearly blissfully unaware of the sheer unwelcomeness he would be met with if he was to step out on this street in broad daylight. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver out-putter, flicked it open, and every single light on the street shot into it. He closed it, then proceeded to number four.
"I should have known you'd been here, Professor McGonagall." He said softly, with a glint in his eye.
Then, as if on cue, the cat shifted, and in its place stood a very stern looking woman in a long emerald cloak and a bun tightly and nealy placed at the top of her head. She seemed somewhat ruffled.
"How did you know it was me?" She asked
"My dear Minerva, I have never seen a cat sit to stiffly."
"Well, you'd be stiff if you'd sat on a brick wall all day." She stated sharply, then, her sharpness softened as she said, "are the rumours true, Albus? What they're all saying about the Potters?"
"Yes. The good news - and the bad news. Do you care for a sherbet lemon?"
McGonagall exhaled, the sadness on her face shifting to complete astonishment at Dumbledore's random question. "A what?"
"A sherbet lemon. They're a type of muggle sweet I am rather fond of" He explained while taking one from his robe pocket and popping it in his mouth.
"No thank you" McGonagall replied, dissatisfied. A sadness continued residing on her face. "Where are the twins?"
"Hagrid is bringing them." Dumbledore reported, then looked down at his watched. "Seemingly he got a little held up, he's late. Though I'm assuming it was him who also told you I'd be meeting him here tonight"
"Yes. Why are you meeting him here of all places?"
"Harry will be staying with Petunia and Vernon Dursley"
"What?" Minerva shouted, then, lowered her voice as she remembered where she was. "Albus, you can't leave Harry here with these people. They are the worst sort of muggles I have ever seen. I watched their son kicking his mother and screaming for sweets this morning - there's no way this is the best place for Harry to go… Wait, what about Isabelle? Surely you're not separating them."
"I think it is best for Isabelle to stay with the Johnsons. Emma was Lily's best friend in the muggle world. Lily always asked me for Emma to have responsibly of at least one of her children if the worst was to happen which, unfortunately, it has."
"Albus are you sure?"
"These two children are going to be famous. There won't be a person in our world who doesn't know their names or what they have done. Fame before they are able to walk and talk won't be good for them - it will screw with their heads. It is better they grow up away from all of that until they are ready for it. Then, when they come to Hogwarts, they will have each other when they need it the most"
McGonagall, uncertain, continued to nod slowly. "How are the twins getting here?"
"Did Hagrid not tell you he was bringing them?"
"Well, yes but I didn't think he was being serious. I - Do you think that is a wise decision, Albus? Do you really think a task as important as this should be given to Hagrid? I'm not saying that his heart isn't in the right place but…"
"Ah, Minerva. I would trust Hagrid with my life."
As if on cue, there was a loud rumble above the two Professor's heads. Then, an oversized motorbike presented itself before them. The motorbike was huge, but it was nothing to the man riding it. He was massive, with wild bushy hair and beard. He had beetle black eyes and rosy cheeks. He nodded officially at the Professors before stepping off the bike.
"No problems I trust, Hagrid?" Dumbledore inquired.
"No sir. Thankfully good ol' Sirius Black had the motorbike to spare. I got the twins out before the muggles all went in an' started snoopin'. Harry fell asleep just as we were flyin' o'er Bristol, but Isabelle hasn't had a wink 'er sleep." He informed the two. He looked down and grinned at the little girl, "Yer been keeping' me company, haven' yer, Isabelle"
Dumbledore took Harry, and McGonagall stepped up and embraced Isabelle in her arms in attempt to aid the baby girl into a sleep.
"Are you sure this is wise, Albus?" Minerva asked one final time.
"Worry not, Minerva. Everything will be just fine. And before you know it, the Potters will be coming to Hogwarts"
"Albus-" McGonagall tried to protest again, but Dumbledore had clearly made up his mind. This was the best way forward. Dumbledore looked at the little boy in his arms fondly.
"Could I say goodbye to young Harry, Professor?" Hagrid asked.
"Of course" Dumbledore agreed, allowing Hagrid to give Harry a quick hug and a kiss on the forehead before Dumbledore took him back in his arms.
"Are you going to do anything about the scars, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"Even if I could, I wouldn't. Scars can come in handy you know. I have one on my left knee and it's a perfect map of the London Underground" he told them, then carried Harry to the door and leaving him with a carefully crafted note.
Hagrid began to sniffle as Dumbledore returned the lights back into the lamps hanging on the street. Allowing the road around them to become illuminated once more, they could not stay here for much longer in risk of being seen.
"There, there, Hagrid." He spoke comfortingly, and the giant nodded in understanding, though still padding his eyes with a handkerchief.
The three, and the bike, were apperated to the coast of North Wales in Anglesea. It was a beautiful street with cobble houses and the smell of the sea which could be heard splashing against the rocks only a short distance away.
Hagrid, still sniffling asked "Can I say goodbye to her, sir?"
"Of course Hagrid, but remember, this is not the end."
Hagrid nodded as McGonagall passed the girl over gently. Hagrid took her in his arms and placed a rough kiss on her forehead. The little girl giggled at the tickling sensation against her, and Hagrid felt his heart melt.
Dumbledore took the baby girl from Hagrid's arms and placed her on the doorstep of number seven with a parallel note to the one he had left with Harry.
"Until we meet again." He muttered softly to the little girl that stared at him in awe, her big brown eyes glistening with wonder.
He turned around and faced the two others and smiled.
McGonagall looked tearful, and Hagrid took that a step further as tears rolled down his cheeks. Though Dumbledore merely allowed the twinkle in his eyes to do all the talking. He stepped forward, placing a hand on McGonagall's shoulder in comfort before bidding the two farewell.
"Let us join the celebrations, after all, there is much to be thankful for tonight. Good night dear friends." He turned back to look at the bundle of blankets.
"Good luck, Isabelle Potter."