Disclaimer: In no way, form, or fashion, do I own the Harry Potter franchise other than having copies of the books, the movies, and a few t-shirts. The only character I own is Alexis. There are many things you will recognize in this story that are from the books and movies. They are not mine (not matter how much I wish they were).
Professor Minerva McGonagall was at Hogwarts earlier than usual to do some extra preparations for the extra term. She decided to check on the quill that addressed the Hogwarts acceptance letters. She did not usually do this, but she was walking around the castle and decided that it would be a good idea.
The quill was addressing the letter to Alexis Potter, Room 6, Hope Orphanage, Surrey. Professor McGonagall immediately picked up the letter and waited for the quill to address the letter for Harry Potter with the same directions. With both letters in hand, Professor McGonagall went back to her office, face red with anger. The quill would not lie. She was there when they left the Potter twins on the Dursleys' front porch. She did not want the Potters to stay with the Dursleys, but an orphanage? Surely there was a family that would have cared for them and raised them right. Professor McGonagall wished that she had stayed to be sure that the twins were safe, but Professor Dumbledore promised that he would check up on the twins regularly. Professor McGonagall got even angrier when she realized that Professor Dumbledore had not kept his promise.
Professor McGonagall paced in her office, deciding on the best course of action. The Potter twins were famous; they could not show up for school without knowing anything about who they were. With that thought, she made her decision. Professor McGonagall would deliver the letters to them herself. She would also look into finding suitable caregivers for the twins in the Wizarding world. They needed to be properly looked after. For the remainder of the summer she hoped to take away from the orphanage and keep them at the castle in her quarters. They needed to be properly prepared before going to Hogwarts for the first time.
Before she could retrieve the children, however, she had to inform Professor Dumbledore because they would be staying in the castle. She would also need to get their vault key to the trust vault so that they could get everything they needed for school. She would also give Professor Dumbledore a piece of her mind about not checking up on the Potter twins like he promised he would.
Professor McGonagall gathered everything she would need so that she could leave immediately from Dumbledore's office to retrieve Harry and Alexis and went to his office. She quickly said the password when she reached the gargoyle and went up the stairs. She knocked on the door a bit louder than usual, but that was the best way that she could control her anger over the whole situation.
"Come in!" called Dumbledore happily. Professor McGonagall opened the door and stepped into the office. Dumbledore's collection of odd knickknacks and artifacts usually amused her, but today they just bothered her. Dumbledore smiled at her.
"Ah, Minerva, what can I do for you today? Would you like a lemon drop?" Professor McGonagall used her famous glare on Dumbledore before she replied.
"Now is hardly the time for candy, Albus. I would like the key to the Potters' school vault. I wish to deliver their letters myself and take them to Diagon Alley. Do you realize that they have been living in an orphanage, Albus?" It took all of Professor McGonagall's restraint not to yell at Dumbledore during her question. Dumbledore paled at the revelation. Professor McGonagall calmed herself before continuing. "I wish to bring Harry and Alexis back to Hogwarts with me, so that they can begin to familiarize themselves with the Wizarding World before the term commences." It was almost a full minute before Dumbledore was able to say anything.
"I believe that you will be an excellent person to meet with the Potter twins and escort them to Diagon Alley. Their placement will be more difficult to rectify. There are surely many families that would take them, but we want them with someone we can trust." Dumbledore was thinking of a certain Dark Lord who grew up in an orphanage and did not want a repeat of his actions.
"You approve of my bringing them back here?" asked Professor McGonagall hopefully.
"Yes, it would be best. It would be too difficult to place them so close to the beginning of term." Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore.
"I know that I am older," she started softly, "but if Harry and Alexis approve... might I take custody of them?"
"That might work. At any rate, maybe I should accompany you, so that we might fill out the paperwork to gain custody of the twins from the muggles."
"Albus?" Minerva asked quietly. "How did this happen?"
"Minerva, it is entirely my fault. I got too caught up in the war recovery and my duties that I did not check up on the twins like I promised I would. I assumed they would be cared for by their family." Professor McGonagall could tell that Dumbledore was truly remorseful of his actions in relation to Harry and Alexis.
"I would like to go soon. The paperwork will take some time, even with magical help. I would like to get to know Harry and Alexis before we bring them back... if they will come. I think it might make the transition a bit easier." Professor McGonagall truly wanted Harry and Alexis to come back to Hogwarts with them, but she knew that the decision was ultimately up to them.
"Indeed." Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore transfigured their robes into muggle clothes. Dumbledore also shortened his beard a bit, seeing as muggles were unaccustomed to beards as full as his. Shorter beard also made him look younger. Dumbledore retrieved the vault key from among his drawers and put it in one of his pockets along with a few lemon drops. They flooed to Hogsmeade and then apparated to a bit of woods near the orphanage.
"What is our story? What do we tell the muggles?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"The truth. We are friends of their parents who were informed that the children were staying with some relatives that we are not acquainted with. You are interested in adopting them while I wish to invite them to my boarding school, which, consequently, their parents also attended."
"Okay," Professor McGonagall took a deep breath. "Lead the way."
Dumbledore lead them quickly out to a walking path and toward the Orphanage. To Professor McGonagall who was quite nervous, Dumbledore seemed calm and collected. He was also nervous, but he was just better at hiding it.