A/N: June 21, 3013 - This chapter has been updated/edited. Enjoy!
In an ancient castle in the wilds of Scotland a rather wizened man sat behind a large desk and peered at the woman across from him through his half moon shaped spectacles. As he listened he stroked his long white beard and began thinking of all the ramifications and possibilities of what he was being told.
"Albus, I stopped by Number 4 Privet Drive to observe Mr. Potter as you asked. What I found, Albus...it was appalling." Stopping to take a deep breath Minerva McGonagall recalled with no small amount guilt and nausea the scene that had taken place through the window.
"He is small for his age, clearly underfed. He was covered in bruises and flinched at the smallest movements and noise. It was heartbreaking, Albus. They are abusing him in the worst ways. That lumbering oaf of an Uncle is the worst. Yelling at him for every small thing and striking him whenever he's in a mood. The Aunt just stands by and acts like she doesn't notice."
"She had him cooking and doing all the cleaning, waiting on them as if he was a house elf. He's four years old Albus! Four! And that woman had him cooking on a hot stove! He had to stand on a stool just to be able to see what he was doing. He burned himself on one of the pans and all she said was "Dinner better not be late!""
Taking another deep breath she rubbed her forehead. "We left him there Albus, to be treated no better than a slave, to be abused by his blood. We have to fix it, we can't let this continue. He is not safe in that house."
Looking over at her friend and headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Minerva tried to push aside the rage that had built in her chest. To treat a helpless boy that way, simply because you were afraid and resentful of what he could do! It was untenable. It had taken everything in her power to remain in her anamagus form and not interfere with what she saw happening.
Continuing to stroke his beard and think for a few more moments, Dumbledore finally shifted forward and spoke. "I am very sorry to hear that we have put the boy into this situation Minerva. You are correct in saying that something must be done. However, young Mr. Potter's situation is unique, so we must tread carefully. He is in danger there, yes, but would be in greater danger in our world. The Dark Lord still has followers who must not find Mr. Potter. We placed him with his Aunt and Uncle because of the blood bond. It was the best way to keep him safe at the time." Taking another moment to gather his thoughts, he continued.
"The best option for keeping him safe from our world is still to place him with a blood relative. Lily Potter's sacrifice of her life for her son's is very powerful magic and it has protected him from his enemies so far. We need to find a blood relative, Minerva, and from what I understand, Lily's family was never large to begin with."
"I've already looked into it Albus. I found a first cousin to Lily and Petunia. A muggle by the name of Dr. John Watson. He is a muggle healer and was a soldier in their Army. When we first placed Mr. Potter with his Aunt and Uncle, Dr. Watson was overseas fighting in the war the muggles are currently involved in. He was invalided home a little more than a two years ago. He lived in London with a flatmate, who has recently committed suicide. He is not in the best of circumstances at the moment, but from all that I observed and learned about him he is a brave, honest, loyal man. A Gryffindor through and through." Processing the information he was just given, Albus looked back toward his colleague.
"You would trust this man, MInerva, to raise The Boy Who Lived?"
Without a single hesitation MInerva looked into grave blue eyes, "I would."
"Then I believe, my dear, it may be time for me to meet Dr. John Watson."