A/N: Sorry, I forgot to clarify, this takes place in the summer between Harry's fifth and sixth year.

Chapter Two: A Brand New Home

When the whirlpool of blurred colours from objects he couldn't quite make out ended, Harry found himself standing in the middle of a vast sheet of short, rich green grass. For a moment, Harry thought that he had ended up in Little Whinging and the houses had just disappeared. He looked to his companion and saw that she was watching her wand spin around on her palm. Harry watched too, perplexed, until the wand settled to point just behind them.

"Okay then, Harry, it's just a short walk from here. That's not a problem, is it?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"No, Professor."

"You can call me Minerva… only if you feel comfortable, of course."

"Thank you… Minerva." Her face lit up with a smile, the likes of which Harry had never seen on her face. They had hardly started walking when the pair began to feel cold rain droplets pattering on their faces and arms.

"Oh shoot. We could Apparate the rest of the way," Minerva suggested. Then, seeing the look on Harry's face, added: "But where's the fun in that? I have a better idea. Accio broomsticks!" The weight on Harry's shoulders suddenly lifted as two sleek-handled brooms raced towards them. They vaguely reminded him of his Firebolt with their neat clipped twigs and shiny handles. Seeing the look of awe on Harry's face, Minerva said:

"Firebolt Mark Two. I have twin brothers who own a chain of Quidditch Supplies Stores. Amazing the things you get from being a shareholder. You are okay with flying, right? Not afraid to be shown up by your old Transfiguration Professor, are you?" she winked.

"You wish," Harry joked.

"Now that sounds like a challenge, Potter."

They raced all the way back to the house, the brisk breeze whipping at their cheeks, but Harry almost fell off his broom when he saw the… well, it was more of a manor than a house. Before them was a huge stately home with ivy crawling up the face and gaping windows shining on its granite face. It looked like something from an old fairytale (not that Harry liked fairytales, of course).

"Y-you live here?" Harry asked, wondering how one person could want quite so much space.

"No, I live in the stables out back," she joked. "Of course I live here!"

When they finally reached the front doors, Minerva stopped him.

"Do you have any things with you, Harry?"

"No, I left it all at the Dursleys'." He replied simply.

"No matter, I shall go and collect it later for you. And, Harry, I must tell you that there is only one rule in my house." This was what Harry had been dreading. "That is that there will be absolutely NO growing up. That's what school is for. As long as you get all of your homework done, you can do as you please, within reason, of course." Harry was astonished; he had never been so free in his life. Except, perhaps, at Hogwarts. "And I promise you that you will be safe here; there have been special wards up here for years and they've never failed before. Oh, look, it seems you have a rather intelligent owl, Mr Potter."

Hedwig had just landed right on Harry's shoulder. "Yeah, so I'm told." Harry was so pleased to be away from the Dursleys that his mind was so carefree he almost didn't notice what happened next.

The front doors opened into a large hallway with wooden floors and light blue walls, which were lined with all sorts of portraits that were all waving at him, but it was not this that caught Harry's eye. Before he had a chance to question his teacher about her readiness to take him in, she was bombarded by a small blur of colour that almost knocked her over.

"Oh, honestly, Lizzy!" Minerva cried. Wrapped around her left leg was a small child with dark brown hair and an impish face. She was wearing a bright pink summer dress and looked to be about four years old. The little girl looked up at Harry who smiled back.

"Granny, can we finish the story now?" she asked.

"Of course, just give me a minute. Is your mummy around anywhere?"

"Mummy's in the living room." The child replied sweetly.

"Well, I tell you what, go and fetch Lola and we'll start reading, okay?"

"Okay, Granny. LOLA!!" Little Lizzy relinquished her grandmother's leg and ran out the other end of the hall shouting. Harry was, to say the least, quite taken aback. He had never imagined any of his teachers having lives outside of Hogwarts, let alone their families.

"Mother? Are you back?" called a voice from a room leading off to the right. A second later a raven-haired woman with a slim frame appeared in the hallway. Her face lit up as she saw the two who hadn't even made it through the hallway yet. She wore dark jeans and a purple t-shirt with a curious flowery design creeping up one side. Her eyes were the most enticing shade of amber (if that were even possible).

"Aylie, this is Harry Potter. Harry, meet my daughter, Aylish." Minerva said politely.

"Pleasure to meet you," Harry said, shaking the woman's delicate hand.

"Ditto," Aylish replied. "Mum, you haven't seen Jack on your travels, have you?"

"No, sorry, love. He's probably in the drawing room… Oh, scratch that, here he is." At that moment, a boy of about fifteen walked into the hallway. He seemed to be an average teenage boy with bright green eyes and a pale complexion.

"Jack, where have you been?" Aylish inquired.

"Looking over those books Gran gave me," he explained shortly.

"So, how are you getting on with the Spanish?" Minerva asked.

"Fui a España, con mi madre, el año pasado. Me lo pasé mal porque lloivó mucho y fue muy aburrido pero visité el centro del cuidad. Me gust ir de compras. También, visité la montaña, donde monté en bicicleta." The boy said confidently.

"Jack, really, everything is boring to you!" Minerva scolded. If he told the truth, it all sounded like gibberish to Harry and he couldn't make heads nor tails of it.

"Care to elaborate, Mother?" Aylish said quickly. Harry was secretly glad that he didn't have to ask its meaning.

"Jack said: 'I went to Spain, with my mother, last year. I had a bad time because it rained a lot and it was very boring but I visited the city centre. I like to go shopping. Also, I visited the mountains where I rode my bicycle.' You're doing well, Jack."

Aylish turned to Harry, smiling and shaking her head full of ebony waves. "You'll talk to me in English, won't you? I mean, with these two, every other word is in another language. Are you hungry, Harry?"

"No, I'm fine thanks."

"Wise choice, Mum's a terrible cook." Jack said, extending his hand. "Jack Mason. What's up?"

"Harry Potter," Harry replied, shaking the boy's hand. (Jack ignored his mother saying "Jack, honestly, where are your manners?")

Just then Lizzy returned to the hallway with another girl who looked around seven or eight years old. This, Harry thought, must be Lola. She also had dark hair and wore a black skirt and shirt. She looked up at Harry with wonder for a moment and then said shyly:

"H-hello."

"Hello there," Harry greeted as softly as he could manage.

"Harry, this is Lola; the last of my little monsters," said Aylish.

"Well, what are we all doing out here? Aylish, will you show Harry to his room please? Do make yourself at home. Now, girls, what will it be today? Fighting pirates with Peter Pan?" Minerva asked playfully.

"Alice in Wonderland," both girls replied simultaneously. Minerva chuckled and took the two into the living room with Jack in close pursuit. Aylish turned to Harry.

"Ready to see your room now, Mr Potter?"