Raising Harry: Chapter 2
Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall apparated to Hogsmeade, with little Harry still fast asleep in her arms, and as they walked towards the school, Dumbledore said quietly "Minerva, I'm glad that you wish to ensure a happy future for this little boy, but are you sure that you can handle all of this responsibility by yourself?"
Professor McGonagall said "Don't worry Albus, I know I'm no "Spring Chicken", but I'm more than capable of taking care of a little boy on my own. We can further discuss this once we get back to your office. On our way there, however, I do think Poppy should take a look at the boy, just to make sure he isn't hurt at all." They dared not speak Harry's name, in fear that Voldemort's followers might be lurking around, and still after him.
Once they arrived at the school, Dumbledore said "If you wish to take Harry to Madame Pomfrey, I shall retire to my office and we can talk there in a few moments."
She nodded, and said "I will be there shortly," as she looked down at Harry in her arms, and smiled softly at his sleeping form. She thought to herself as she walked "He's been through so much in one night; it's no wonder he's tuckered out".
As she arrived at the Hospital Wing, she called for Madame Pomfrey, who came in wearing a white robe over her blue-striped, long nightgown, and her brown, slightly-greying hair was down. She asked nervously "Is everything alright, Minerva?"
McGonagall said "I'm sorry to wake you Poppy, but it's important," She said as she lifted the blue blanket from little Harry's head, revealing his lightning-bolt scar. Madame Pomfrey gasped, and said "Oh dear! Let me check him over,"
Professor McGonagall asked "Do you know who this boy is, Poppy?" as Madame Pomfrey took the little boy into her arms, and she replied "No, but in a moment I will," McGonagall said sadly "There's no need: This is James and Lily Potter's son, Harry."
Madame Pomfrey looked horrified, and nearly fainted, but remembered that she was holding the little boy. "Th-this, is Harry? Oh Minerva, James, and Lily-"
McGonagall nodded, with tears in her eyes, "So you heard about what happened, I take it," She nodded, and said "The whole school has been buzzing about it all day, but I wasn't sure what to believe. I can't believe it, oh James and Lily,"
She started to cry, and McGonagall wiped a few tears from her eyes beneath her horn-rimmed glasses, and said "I know, Poppy. I didn't want to believe it either, but we must carry on. I need to go talk with Albus, but I would prefer to take Harry with me, since it does concern him as well. I thought he could use a check-up here just to be safe, so would you mind, dear?"
Madame Pomfrey said "Oh, not at all Minerva, just give me a moment or two." She laid Harry gently on one of the beds, and using her wand, scanned his body for any internal or external injuries, and said "He seems to be fine, he's obviously been through a great ordeal, the poor little thing. I will go fix up some warm milk in a jiffy, just so that you have something to feed him once he awakes."
McGonagall nodded, and said "Thank you Poppy, however would it be possible to remove that scar?" She shook her head, and said "I'm afraid not; it's a mark inflicted by an evil man filled with dark magic, and those scars can never be healed."
McGonagall nodded, and once Madame Pomfrey gave her a bottle of milk, and put Harry in her arms once again, she headed towards Dumbledore's office.
When they arrived at the entrance to Dumbledore's office, McGonagall said the password quickly "Chocolate Frogs" and was let in. She called out "Albus?"
He answered "I'm over here, Minerva," and she spotted him petting Fawkes, his Phoenix, who seemed to have been reborn once again. She looked at the tiny Phoenix, and said "Albus, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but would you mind holding Harry while I Transfigure one of your chairs into a crib?"
He took the little boy, and said "It would be my pleasure." She nodded, and transfigured one of the chairs in front of his desk into a white crib with a red and gold comforter for Harry to sleep in as she talked with Dumbledore. He came over and said "I see you added some Gryffindor pride into it as well," as he gently laid Harry in the crib.
McGonagall said "Yes, well, James and Lily were both sorted into my House, so I thought it would be a nice touch."
They both smiled softly at each other, and Dumbledore walked behind his desk as he said "Please, sit down Minerva and let's discuss where we go from here." She nodded, and sat down as he requested.
He started by saying "First of all, as you know, no one must know Harry's whereabouts, and he should grow up somewhere where he will not be recognized."
McGonagall said "I'm aware of that, and I have the perfect place in mind. You see, since my husband died, and then my daughter got married, I have been unsure of what to do with the house that I left. It's a good sized house, and it would be ideal for Harry because it's located in a Muggle neighborhood."
He nodded, and said "Very well then, and I assume that you have the funds to support him?" She said "Yes, my husband left a good amount of money to me, as well as our daughter, and the income that I earn for working here at Hogwarts is more than sufficient."
He nodded once again, and said "Good, now we come to perhaps the most important question: Will you be able to raise him while you're working as a full-time teacher here? He is only a year old so he will most likely require full-time care."
She said "I'm also aware of that myself, I'm not sure how I can manage both, and it will look suspicious if I go on leave from my duties here at Hogwarts for a few years. I don't suppose you have a suggestion?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a moment, and then he said "I think I may know someone who can help. She was close to the Potters as well, and was a student here along with them."
McGonagall looked surprised, and asked "Who, Albus?" He smiled as he said "Bring Harry, and come with me. I know where we can find her. Her name is Katrina Belmont."
At Katrina's house…
Katrina had just awoken from a troubled sleep: She heard the news the other night that her dearest friends, Lily and James Potter, were murdered by Voldemort. She cried herself to sleep the night before, and she had nightmares about that, as well as what might have happened to their beautiful little boy, Harry. She immediately put on her pink plush robe over her long white nightgown, and her dark brown curls flowed down to her back. Her eyes were still slightly puffy and sore from the night before, and just as she put the kettle on the stove to make some tea, she heard a peculiar 'POP!' noise coming from her front yard. She hastened to the door, and opened it to find Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, who appeared to be carrying something in a blue blanket she recognized as the one she gave to Lily just before Harry was born.
She said shakily "H-Harry?" Professor McGonagall nodded, and handed the baby over to Katrina, who hugged the baby tightly as tears streamed down her face. "Oh Harry, thank goodness you're safe."