A/N: Thankyou all for all your reviews! I'm sorry I haven't replied to you all individually but I have read them all! For those of you asking, this is set the summer before Harry's third year - this will become apparent in a few chapters time. The first two books happened as canon and Harry is now twelve going on thirteen.

I hope you enjoy this chapter - the reviews make my day!


Minerva McGonagall appeared a stern witch, but she was actually a rather big softie. When she was not teaching, or having to discipline wayward students, she was a friendly and cheerful woman with an exceedingly sarcastic wit. She even showed this side to some of her students, inviting them for tea and civil conversation in her office.

She was in her office now, but alone. She was thinking about one of her lions - a certain raven haired one. A tabby cat did not appear out of place in a farmyard and Minerva had used that as much as she could to watch Harry. Lily had held a very precious place in Minerva's heart and now Harry was doing the same. He had so much of his mother in him!

She had believed Albus when he said that Privet Drive was the best place for Harry, all those years ago, but now she was beginning to doubt him. The way he cycled out to the farm every day, even in horrendous weather, rather than stay at home, the look on his face as he stood with the horses and then the panic when the farmer, Alex Brown, had offered to take him home. They all pointed to a less than ideal home life.

She knew Albus would never believe her though. Once he got a thought in his head, he never changed it and, unfortunately, he had too much political power for anyone else to change it. She would watch Harry this summer and come up with a plan. She would find a way to help him, with or without Albus's help.

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"Hiya Harry!" Alex said when he saw Harry arrive the next morning.

"Hi." Harry quietly replied.

"You stayin' 'ere all day again?"

"Probably."

"D'ya want to help me with a few things then? I mean if you'd rather jus' stand wi' the 'orses all day then I'll leave yuh be, but if you wanna learn th' ways o' th' farm I'd be 'appy to teach!"

Harry was ecstatic. No-one his own age in Little Whinging wanted to be friends for fear of upsetting Dudley's gang; and after his relatives put it around that he attended St Brutus's Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys, all the adults kept their distance as well.

Now here he was, being offered a tour and a lesson of a farm! By a virtual stranger, no less!

Harry's excitement must have shown on his face because Alex chuckled. "I'll take tha' as a yes then! Come on we'll start wi' th' stables."

Alex showed Harry how to muck out the stables, fill the haynets and fill the water buckets so it didn't slosh everywhere and soak him. Harry took to it like a duck to water.

"You're a natural Harry!" he praised as they finished up. "If ya keep on learnin' that quick I migh' have to take you on as a stable'and!"

The tack room followed and as the scent of leather hit his nostrils, Harry knew that he had found what he wanted to do. Too bad he couldn't use magic here but surely the wizarding world had horses?

"Aye it's a grea' smell. I tell you wha', if you clean these 'ere up good an' proper I'll let you have a ride this afternoon. Would you like tha'?" Alex cuffed Harry's shoulder as he spoke.

Harry was too shocked for words. All he could do was nod his head and grin.

"A'right then. Saddle soap's over by th' sink. Give all th' leather you can reach a good cleanin' and we'll see what 'appens. I gotta just go tend to th' chickens and sheep, I'll be back in 'alf an 'our or so, okay?"

Harry nodded and watched as Alex left the tack room. Even after the door had closed he remained standing stock still. This morning he had been alone, hungry and extremely stiff. He had had to sleep in the shed again because he got back too late. The Dursleys' had never given him a key to the house. Now though he had reason to be tired and sore - he was doing something useful! Someone actually wanted his help! With that thought he picked up the leather soap and started scrubbing away, a huge grin on his face.

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Alex's thoughts were on Harry as he fed the chickens and sheep. Harry had picked up mucking out amazingly quickly and seemed pleased to do it! It was remarkable what a difference that smile made to his face. He looked as if he hadn't smiled enough in his few years and Alex was ready to do anything he could to make the child smile more. If that happened to be giving Harry the horses to look after then that would be a bonus to him as well! A lot of the farm needed maintenance but Alex hadn't had the time to do much about it. If Harry could handle the horses then what a difference that could make to the farm!

Alex was sure that the tack would be done as well as the stables were. He had purposely not told Harry exactly how to do it because he wanted to see how he managed it. It wasn't a big deal if Harry missed a bit or messed up after all.

Some minutes later, casually stepping round a tabby cat and entering the tack room again, Alex was shocked. He'd expected Harry to be good but not so... efficient! There were four gleaming saddles and Harry was mid-way through his second bridle. It took him at least ten minutes to clean a saddle and he couldn't have been away more than three quarters of an hour, Alex thought. It appeared Harry had learnt in one morning what it took other people, including him, years to learn!

"Wow Harry!" Alex gasped. "You are a good'un! Stop for lunch and we'll come back later for yer ride. How'ds that sound?"

"Can I finish these first? I won't be long." Harry looked afraid as he finished his question.

Alex laughed "If you want! I'll go stick a brew on, come up to th' farm'ouse when yer done."

Harry finished the bridles quickly and then started stripping the shelves and cleaning them. He didn't notice the time and suddenly Alex was in the door again, a mug in his hand.

"I guessed you wouldn't've stopped wi' th' bridles! 'Specially when it's been an hour since lunch!"

"Sorry sir." Harry said "I just wanted to get this room clean for you!"

"The name's Alex, lad. Sir is much too grand for a rough farmer like me! Here I brough' you some tea. Drink it afore it goes cold."

Harry cupped his hands round the warm mug. In truth he had only tried the drink a few times before, in the Weasleys' house and once in McGonagall's office. He liked Alex's the best. It was really sweet.

"Thanks." he said, putting his empty cup down.

"Now then, abou' tha' ride. Oh you can finish all this off tomorro' if tha's what's buggin' you. Done a mighty fine job on it too if I say so meself." He raised his hand as Harry tried to interrupt. "I promised yuh a ride this afternoon so a ride this afternoon I'm gonna give you!" He grinned. "Bet you want to ride tha' grey o' yours don'tcha, hey? Saddle's third one along You bring tha' an' I'll grab the lead rope."

Harry did as he was told and was soon nuzzling the pony he called Daffy again.

"So the saddle goes on like this, an' the bridle like tha'. Be sure to get the bit in his mouth firs' or you'll never get a bridle on this'un!"

Harry listened with rapt attention as he was taught how to mount and then how to hold the reins. Alex attached the lead rope and they walked around the farmyard, breaking slightly into trot on the way back.

When Harry finally dismounted, his grin had widened further, if that was possible. He cycled home shortly after, Alex's final words ringing in his ears "You coming back tomorrow?" As if he wouldn't.