(A/N:: Wow! Thanks for the wonderful reviews! I wasn't sure if this would be well read or accepted or anything like that, and it's proving my most popular Harry Potter fic! Thanks for making my day, you rock! RKC x x x)


Dumbledore was usually a happy and optimistic man with his insatiable love of muggle sweets such as Lemon Drops, his largely unknown marriage to the strict Transfiguration professor, Minerva, and the contentment of record high scores with the recent NEWT examinations. The events of the TriWizard Tournament, however, were playing on his mind, although you wouldn't have thought so had you asked other members of the Hogwarts staff.

The truth of the matter was that it wasn't just the events of the Tournament itself, it was also the subject of Harry that was worrying him. The single magical monitor Albus had been able to create ensuring Harry's safety within the wards initiated by Lily was displaying an unsettling message: the wards were losing strength and looked set to fail. If they continued to fail at the rate they were going, Albus estimated that Harry would be completely vulnerable to an attack from Voldemort within three weeks. It was also puzzling the aged Headmaster as to why the wards were losing their strength in the first place, it would either have been because Petunia Dursley was not in Harry's presence, or Harry had left Privet Drive. Even more worrisome was the possibility that Voldemort could have found a way around said wards. Another thing to add to his worry was that Minerva had yet to return from her own excursion to Privet Drive. She had been gone for nearly two days now and Dumbledore was beginning to wonder if anything untoward had happened to her.


The day after Minerva took Harry into her home she decided it was time to talk to Albus. To be honest she was nervous about the prospect, something she had never really experienced in their relationship before. It was a widely unknown fact that they had been married for nearly fifty years. Every relationship experiences their ups and downs, and Minerva was hoping that the subject of Harry's new living conditions would not cause too much trouble between them.

Apparating to the school had been the easy part of the journey. Walking through the front gates, up through the large and blissfully empty castle and then up through the gargoyle into her husbands office was one of the most nerve wrecking journey's she had taken, she had in effect betrayed her husband's trust and respect by taking Harry into their home. On the other hand though, she couldn't have let Harry stay at that place on his own for an entire summer, especially because he would need emotional comfort from the fact he had watched one of his school friends die at the hand of a megalomaniac psychopath. She took a deep breath before entering the circular office.

'Minerva! You're okay, thank goodness!' was the first thing she heard from the aged Headmaster before being engulfed in a surprisingly strong embrace.

'Of course I'm okay, I'm am just as good at being stealthy as Severus,' Minerva replied returning the hug and kissing him on the cheek.

'You've been gone for two days! I was thinking about calling in Moody,' he said, the strain he was under form Voldemort's return showing in his eyes which were unusually devoid of their customary twinkle.

'I doubt Moody would provide the same function as I in a marriage Albus,' Minerva half heartedly joked.

'Would you like some tea my dear?' He asked as they sat down on the dark red settee that lie to one side of the office.

'That would be wonderful,' she paused, collecting her thoughts and trying to word what she was about to tell Albus in her head, during this time she had a cup of steaming hot tea placed in her hands.

'Albus, please listen to what I have to say before you interrupt…' she started, 'I spent all day yesterday and much of the night sitting on the wall in Privet Drive. During that whole time I had not seen Harry once, and once night fell there were no lights on inside the house at all. I didn't leave because something about the place told me that there was more than what I was seeing. I mean they could have gone on holiday, all four of them, but instinctively I knew this was not the case. A little after nightfall I was accosted by Hedwig, who told me of Harry's situation. She told me that Harry had been left on his own in that house for the whole summer whilst his relatives went on holiday, with out food. She also said that Harry usually sends of for help when it comes to food a few weeks into the summer, but he was refusing to send her out so close to the beginning of the holidays. When I entered the house in Harry was in the throes of a painful nightmare. You must understand Albus, that I couldn't have left him there. I couldn't, not for a second longer…' she looked down, not wanting to look her husband in the eye. She had not only jeopardised the safety of herself, but also Harry and their marriage, and whilst Minerva knew this she couldn't justify leaving Harry in an empty house until Hogwarts started up again.

'Minerva…' Albus began, somewhat hesitantly, eyes not twinkling in their usual manner '… Where is Harry now? Why isn't he here in the castle now?' When a headmaster in inaugurated into the position, they are connected to the magic and essence of Hogwarts, meaning that the Headmaster could sense, in a way, the different people of the castle, including the students and the magic.

'He's at home, I set him up in the guest room.' She replied quietly, unsure what was going to happen.

'It's not safe Minerva, even for the strength of our personal wards. The Wards surrounding Harry are in a state of flux. One moment they are as strong as any other time of the year, and others they are so weak they could easily be shattered. This means that Voldemort will be able to find him, if they keep up like this they will shatter within three weeks.'

'What!? Why are they weakening?'

'Because, as you yourself said, Harry hasn't been in the continued presence of Petunia Dursley for more than a year. The wards are like muggle batteries, they need recharging to keep Harry safe until next year, and they haven't had the chance to do so yet… however, if they left him alone for the summer…' Albus trailed off for a moment, 'I understand you had to take him from there Minerva, but why didn't you and see me first? I wouldn't have objected to his removal, but we could have arranged for him to stay here at Hogwarts for the summer, or set him up in a safe house.'

'You don't want Harry to stay with us?' she asked, shocked as he had admitted before he would have loved to have Harry live with them, it just wasn't practical for Harry's personal safety.

'It's not that Minerva, you know I would love him with us. Ask yourself though, why would he want to stay with us? We're his school teachers, secondly, Hogwarts is far safer because of the wards in place that protect her.'

'Would he really want to stay at school all year round? I know he loves it here, but it wouldn't be beneficial for him to stay in a giant, empty castle for the summer. We all need a change of scenery every now and then, even if it is only once a year - you and I both know that.'


Harry had been at Minerva's cottage for a three days before Hermione replied to his letter:

Dear Harry,

I'm fine thank you for asking. What happened at the Tournament was not your fault and I'm glad that you now recognise that. It's a good and noble deed to want to protect the good of the world, but make sure you do not isolate yourself from your friends, especially me! I don't know how I could cope with that.

You're right I have completed the majority of my homework, and I'm glad to hear that you have made a good start on yours!

Thank you for telling me that you have been moved and that you are safe, and in regards to the research you have asked me to do, there is some good news on that front! I started some research into the issue after you told us about the Graveyard. I have made some progress, particularly when looking into the wards that surround you whilst living at your Aunts, however I keep coming up to a common obstacle. Much of the magic used was Old magic, and many of the books on old magic are in Latin or an old and obscure English dialect. What I have managed to translate confuses the puzzle even more, as I keep getting references to even older magic. But hear this Harry, this magic that precedes the Old Magic is magic considered forbidden in today's society! I have an Uncle who works for a local archaeologist helping with the translations he's a fantastic linguist, if a bit isolated from society! I'll be sure to keep you updated.

Be sure to write back!

Love,


Harry re-read the letter again and smiled. He wasn't sure what it was about the letter that was making him feel that bit lighter inside, but he enjoyed the brief few minutes of the feeling before starting his draft back.

During those three days of waiting to hear from Hermione, Harry had been left alone in the house only once with strict instructions not to leave. He wasn't sure where the professor went, but he did observe the fact that she was shaking ever so slightly. Worried for Minerva, he'd made her some strong coffee before she started her journey.

'By tonight Harry I should be able to give you the option of living here indefinitely,' she said.

'Are you going to see professor Dumbledore then?' Harry asked her. Seeing the puzzled and calculating look given in response, he hurried on, 'It's just when people talk about my living arrangements they tend to ask Dumbledore before I'm moved. I always wondered why they asked him and not the Ministry, but I never got a straight answer.'

'I believe it is something to do with your mothers protection wards, and when they are strong enough to allow you to leave and still be protected by your mothers blood, however, I am not the expert on the magic that Lily used to protect you. After I leave I ask you not to leave the house at all. There is food in the pantry if I have not returned by lunch. I would advise you to complete your summer homework as soon as possible,' she almost sounded like the teacher she was at school.

'Yes ma'am, my Potions essay is almost complete, I shall finish that today. Thank you professor, for all of this…' Harry trailed off, once again trying to hid his embarrassment by looking at the floor.

'You are welcome Harry.' She touched his shoulder in a somewhat comforting Now, I must go.' She walked down the hallway, picking up her emerald green cloak from the hat stand and stepped out into the sunlight, closing the door behind her. Harry heard the faint 'pop' of apparation, knowing she had left safely, before returning to his room to continue with his summer work.

That night after Minerva returned from her trip, there was a hot meal sitting ready on the dinning table. It appeared as though Harry had already eaten and returned to his room, hopefully working on his school work. Whilst she had been at school she had finished a few of the administrative tasks she had failed to finish the day she had gone to get Harry, and the talk with her husband also revealed he would be coming home as soon as he was able. This was great news for Minerva as she didn't really get the chance to be the wife she was during the school hours because of the secrecy surrounding their marriage, which was covered up for a few reasons, mainly for the safety of herself and her relatives during the reign of Grindalwald. When the time did present itself to reveal the marriage Minerva had been placed as both Head of Gryffindor and Deputy Headmistress, and knowing it would lead to rumours if it did get out, they kept their married life a secret. It had become habit.

After eating her dinner of mince and dumplings, Minerva decided to talk to Harry about his living conditions. She knocked on his door before entering. Hearing a muffled 'Come in!' she entered the room.

'Evening Harry,' she said, giving him a puzzled look as he closed his school trunk with a sigh.

'Good evening professor,' he replied, and seeing her puzzled look answered, 'I was looking for 1001 Magical Herbs and Fungi, it has some information I want to include in my Potions essay before I complete it.'

'If you can't find it there is one downstairs you may look at.' She sat on the bed, whilst Harry and taken the desk chair.

'I spoke with professor Dumbledore today. If you wish you can remain here for a while longer as we try to set up a safe house, however, it would not be advisable to go to the Weasley's. Not yet at least.'

'Did Dumbledore say why I couldn't go to the Weasley's?' He asked.

'Yes, as a matter of fact he did. He told me all he knows of the wards that provide your safety when your not at Hogwarts. They are based in you mothers blood, but we already knew that. Due to the nature of the wards they have to build up strength, enough to protect you for the rest of the year, namely during the time you live with Petunia Dursley. Professor Dumbledore made the analogy to muggle batteries as they have to be recharged once drained to work again.' She explained, 'However, the wards are failing because you have not lived with your aunt for an extended period of time this summer.'

'They're failing? How can I get them up again?' Harry enquired, 'When will they completely fail?'

'Professor Dumbledore has estimated that they will have completely failed by you birthday. The only way to return them to full strength would be to get your aunt to return from her trip to stay with you, but again we both know how unlikely that is.'

'So what are the options?'

'Well, for now you have the option of staying here with me until I have to return to Hogwarts, or you could stay at Hogwarts for the summer. If you choose to stay, which I will not mind at all, my husband will be joining us after a couple of days.'

'Are you sure it wouldn't put you in danger or anything like that, me staying here?' he asked.

'Harry, I'm already a target. I'm a fighter for the light, and as much as I try to hide it I'm one of the most powerful witches in the wizarding world. I would love you to stay here, I have always wanted it but it has never been practical.'

'Then would I be able to stay here, even if it is only for a little while more? I love the Weasley's but I always feel like I'm imposing on them, especially because…'

'Because they're poor? To tell you the truth Harry, they are not as poor as you would think. Yes they have things may be second hand, but they save money which they spend on seeing Bill and Charlie in Egypt and Romania respectively. It will always be harder for them during the summer because almost all of their family is home and needing to be fed. Never feel out of place though, they would do anything for you to be one of their own by law.'

'They tried to adopt me? When… actually never mind about that now. May I ask one more question?'

'Of course, and whilst you're here you don't have to ask, to ask a question,' Minerva stated.

'Who's your husband?'

'Albus Dumbledore,' she replied with a small at the shocked look that Harry was giving her.


(Final A/N:: I hope this chapter is as good as the first two, it's longer - coming in at 2745ish I think, the longest of all my stories so far. I think this is because I've actually planned it.
I hope it makes sense, after the bit with Hermione's letter, it sorta flashes back into the day when Minerva went to talked to Albus. Again, there is the element of the awkardness between Harry and Minerva, but that should go soon. I wasn't sure on the Albus/ Minerva interaction, but I figured, in a sense she'd betrayed him by getting Harry... so I hope that's conveyed :-s
Finally! I had my final A-Level today Chemistry, which means for updates planned! RKC x x)