A/N: This has now been run past by my beta at SIYE- SpenserHemingway! So I am updating it here. Thanks to all who have reviewed and alerted this story!

Chapter One--Arrivals, Departures and Plans

August 11, 1981--Hogwarts Castle

Albus Dumbledore, a bearded old wizard, sat behind the desk of the headmaster's office of Hogwarts, contemplating his next move in his battle with Lord Voldemort. He thought back over the prophecy foretold by Sybil Trelawney at her interview. Should he share the prediction with the parents of the two boys who the divination could be about or not? When should he warn them? He didn't want to take away the childhood freedoms that both boys should be enjoying. iTiming is so key/i, he thought to himself.

Just then his Floo flamed green and the head of an exhausted Arthur Weasley floated in the grate.

"Professor!"

"Arthur, I've told you before. It's Albus. Now what can I do for you?"

"Years ago, before Bill was born, Molly made me promise if we had a girl that I would inform you as soon as all the family calls were made. Well, we have a beautiful little girl; Ginevra Molly. She's such a tiny thing, especially in comparison to Ron," Arthur told Dumbledore.

"Congratulations, Arthur. I'm sure Molly and you are exhausted. Enjoy your new addition," Dumbledore said in dismissal.

"Thank you, Professor. Well, I have several more calls to make. See you later."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his hands steepled together touching his mouth. He wondered how this news, recalling the prophecy from eleven years ago, would impact his previous musings. Ruminating a little longer, the venerable wizard finally made his decision. The Longbottoms and the Potters would have to be told.

November 2, 1981--Hogwarts Castle

Albus Dumbledore sank into his chair behind the headmaster's desk. Alastor Moody's head was floating in the fireplace grate, having just dispersed the news about Sirius Black's murder of Peter Pettigrew and the innocent Muggles.

"How could I have misjudged him so badly, Alastor? He seemed nothing like the rest of his family," Dumbledore sighed, mentally reviewing the memories he had of Sirius.

"Perhaps that was the problem. At least from the rest of the Black clan, you knew what to expect," Alastor said.

"Like you said perhaps, but this definitely validates my placing Harry in a secure place. He must be kept safe at all costs. I fear retaliation from the Death Eaters."

"If I know you, you will have put him in the safest place you possibly can. Now I need to go. More of those Death Eaters to catch. Plus, an alarm just went off letting me know someone is entering my office. I hate Floo-calling. It leaves my backside unprotected," Alastor growled as he backed out of the grate.

Dumbledore sat, reflecting on the events of the last two days. Evidently Sirius Black betrayed the Potters by leading Voldemort straight to their home in Godric's Hollow. James and Lily both perished in their successful attempt to save their only son's life. Dumbledore's face revealed his deep sorrow at the loss of two of his former students and the orphaning of their son. He wondered whether his decision to place Harry, James and Lily's son, with his Muggle aunt was the right one. Minerva McGonagall, his deputy headmistress, had expressed her disapproval yesterday in Surrey. She warned him that they were the worst kind of Muggles, but he had created blood wards using Lily Potter's sacrifice to its fullest extent. Unfortunately, Lily's only blood relative was Petunia.

While Dumbledore ruminated on his decision, the door to his office blew open. Standing in the doorway was a furious-looking, dark-haired witch. Her average height, compact body was crackling with magical energy. Dumbledore knew that while this witch might be average-looking, she was by no means average when it came to magic. No, Alice Bones Longbottom was no shrinking violet in magical terms. He wondered what she was so upset about. He soon found out.

"Where is my godson?!" Alice demanded in an even, measured tone. Her voice sounded much like a metronome.

"Godson? Who is your godson madam?" the headmaster asked with a very confused look. "Why would I know where he is, whoever he is?"

"Harry James Potter, that's who. My best friend Lily Evans Potter's son. Sirius Black and I are his godparents. Frank just came home and told me about James and Lily as he had just helped capture Sirius. So with James and Lily gone, and Sirius going straight to Azkaban without a trial, I am the only legal guardian of Harry," Alice slowly explained. "Even though I don't think that Sirius could have done anything remotely like what he has been accused of, my first priority must be Harry. With me, he already has a friend and playmate in Neville. Please Headmaster; you must see that Harry belongs with us."

"Alice, I'm sorry, but at least for the next fortnight, Harry must remain where he is. Trust me, he is safe. I have created the strongest wards possible to protect him."

"Safe? Safe? Is that all you care about? What about his emotional well-being? Is he with someone he knows? Is he with someone who will care for and love him?" Alice shouted.

"He is with a relative and that is all I will say. Please go home to your child and keep him safe. There are still Death Eaters who have not been captured. They could try to get their revenge," Dumbledore tried to reassure Alice, but had no luck.

"Harry is with a relative? You don't mean that magic-hating sister of Lily's, do you? Merlin, I wouldn't leave Narcissa Malfoy's son with her!"

"Regardless of whom I put Harry with, as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, you are charged with following instructions," Dumbledore stated calmly with raised eyebrows. "Now, please go home to Frank and Neville. Be happy that Voldemort chose the child more like himself."

"You want me to be happy that my best friend and her husband died? How unfeeling are you?!" Alice looked livid. "Fine. I can see that I'm getting nowhere. I know if I were to take this to court, you would block me. But, trust me on this one, if anything bad happens to my godson as a result of this, Merlin help you, because I will make you pay." At this, Alice stormed out of the room.

Dumbledore was now truly perplexed at these revelations. Had he indeed made the right decision or was it only the easy one? Should he place Harry with the Longbottoms? They had Neville, who was already a playmate of Harry's. Frank and Alice were purebloods who could teach Harry about magic, which he had already started displaying. They already knew of the prophecy. At this point, if he took Harry from his aunt and needed to return him for any reason, he would be unable to recreate the blood wards. At his aunt's, Harry would have a less-pressured childhood as he would undoubtedly be famous for years to come in the Wizarding World. Dumbledore did not know what to do.

His Floo connection flared once more. The old wizard sighed as he was summoned to the Ministry. He quickly gathered himself to Floo there; his thoughts of Harry Potter retreating to the far reaches of his mind.