Chapter 4 Protection

It was with reluctance that the twins were placed back into the Dursley household. Minerva had serious misgivings of their living environment. Any thoughts of the Dursleys she had for them a decade previous, multiplied further after today. Those children should have not been placed with them. The Potters had shown signs of being abused; mentally and physically. The Hogwarts Professor had remember how James had first look when he was eleven. Thin, small for his age, but was healthy. It was not the case with the twins, they showed signs of malnourishment.

The Dursleys weren't feeding them regularly and looked like they were giving all food to their overweight son. The elder Angel was astonished to see family treat one of their own in such fashion. Minerva would never in all her life be jealous of her brothers, nor treat her nieces and nephews in such a way. Minerva knew leaving the twins with the Dursleys, on the doorstep no less, was a horrible idea. Why she let Albus Dumbledore convince her of their placement was beyond her. And now, because of her lapse in judgment the Potters had to endure nearly ten years of abuse at the hands of their relatives.

Using her peripheral, Minerva noticed the bitter scowl on her colleague's face. Judging by his gait and expression upon his face, it was taking everything in Brom to not turn back to the Dursley household and possibly curse them to oblivion. It came as no surprise to Minerva. Though it didn't look like it, Brom was a family man. He had a wife from a humble Angelic family name Selena Holcomb and two sons of his own; Murtagh and Eragon Holcomb. Anyone who knew Brom would know that he was fiercely loyal and protective of his family. He would never do any harm to his sons, so today's revelation of the Potters' living conditions had obviously set the man off.

"You grip your sword any tighter and you will crack your knuckles." Minerva stated dryly

"It is taking all of my patience and strength to not turn around and throttle that lard of a man." Holcomb said in a bitter tone. "That is the family Dumbledore thought the Potters would be better off in rather than some Angelic family?"

"Hmm. I knew they were deplorable from the day I saw them and I still allowed the children of James and Lily to be placed on their doorstep." the woman said with regret.

"It is of no fault of yours. By law the orphans had to be placed with the next living relative. With James' family all dead and Lily's parents also deceased the Dursleys were the only choice left. Though I do not take comfort in that. Surely there had to have been checkups on them? If not by the Ministry than surely by Dumbledore?"

"I don't pretend to know how the man thinks." Minerva drawled "But I can assure you, had he known what sort of abuse the Potters were facing daily he would have made arrangements so that the Potters did not have to endure the Dursleys any longer." At least she hoped so.

"Well then I hope we can make the wizened Angel see reason, heaven knows he's as stubborn as a troll." Minerva allowed a small grin on her face before it disappearing.

By now the two Professors were strolling up the lane past a large lived in hut and up the steps to a grand castle. Since it was in the middle of the summer holiday, no students were about, and most Professors had returned to their own homes. There was a calm about the place that was rare during term, it seemed that even Peeves the Poltergeist was not wreaking havoc about the halls. Though who knows how long that'll last. Minerva thought ruefully. Finally the two came across a gargoyle placed in front of a blank stone wall. After Brom muttering the password (Pumpkin Pasties) the professors trudged up the spiral staircase.

McGonagall could hear multiple voices but paid it no mind. It usually meant that the new Minister was asking Dumbledore for advice once more. Honestly how that man got voted into office was beyond her. Minerva sent three consecutive knocks onto the wooden door before it was opened for them.

As usual the circular office was filled with a plethora of trinkets on the large desk and bookshelves. The rows of portraits of previous Headmasters lined the walls and two plushy armchairs were situated on either side of the desk. In the throne-like chair sat the renown Angel, Albus Dumbledore. He was a tall thin man, with long white hair and beard, twinkling blue eyes, and a crooked nose. St. Michael, is he wearing purple robes with stars? Minerva thought exasperatedly. "Ah Professors McGonagall and Holcomb!" he spoke jovially. "I take it your time with the Potters has been a memorable experience for them?"

Brom snorted. "Yes I think it will be quite memorable." he said in a lazy drawl.

"Excellent." though Minerva noticed that Albus looked rather worried at Brom's tone. "Well I am sure it was an adventure for the two. But we'll discuss more of them at a later time. For now I would like you two to meet Mr. Oromis Thándurin." Albus gestured to the other occupant in the office. The man looked to be as tall as Dumbledore, he had shoulder length, straight silver hair, gray eyes and fair skin. Thándurin sat in a rigid posture that was all too familiar to the Transfiguration Professor, and she noted that he was rather fit for a man his age.

The two Professors said their greetings to the Angel before sitting down on the armchairs Albus conjured. "I finally had the time to sit in on one of Professor's Binns lessons and well let's just say an old man does need his rest." Brom chuckled, Thándurin gave a polite smile, while Minerva tsked in disproval. As if that is an appropriate excuse to fall asleep in class. "Nevertheless I had found it imperative to find a permanent replacement to the ghost. And so starting this term Mr. Thándurin will be our new History of Magic Professor."

"Well I say it was well pass the time for a new History Professor." Professor McGonagall said in a firm tone before turning her attention to the new professor. "Welcome to Hogwarts, I am sure you will get along amicably with the rest of staff. I warn you, some of the students can be rather...enthusiastic." she spoke thinking of the Weasley twins. If they weren't such good beaters in quidditch, then they would surely have detention with Minerva every weekend.

"I thank you for the warning. Though I am confident I can hold my own against the more rambunctious students." Professor Thándurin spoke calmly in an accent not familiar to any person in the room. He turned his attention back onto the Headmaster. "If you excuse me, I would like to set up my room." Dumbledore waived his hand and Thándurin inclined his head to the Headmaster and Professors before politely departing.

When the door closed softly behind the new professor, Dumbledore turned his attention to both McGonagall and Holcomb; hands a steeple. "So I take it there were some minor difficulties in attaining the Potters?" he asked 'innocently'.

"Minor? If you call having a raving, lunatic, Muggle yelling spittle everywhere at us minor, then yes." Minerva said sarcastically. The events of this morning rushing up to the forefront of her mind. "Albus up until today the Potters had no clue that they were Angels!" she was satisfied to see that Albus had a mild look of surprise.

"Aye, the Dursleys also had them believe that their parents were alcoholics that died in a car crash." Brom added.

"You should have seen them. It was a hot day in that Muggle town and the Dursleys had them doing yard work under the hot sun! All of their clothing were hand me down rags from their obese cousin!" Albus looked slightly troubled though said nothing. "I've told you all those years ago that leaving the Potters with their so called family was a horrible idea, and I've been proven right!" Minerva snapped

"While their attitude and ignorance is slightly troubling, you cannot disagree that it was the best for the Potters to remain hidden from the Angelic World. For protection."

"And who was going to protect the twins from their guardians?" Brom said gravely "The twins think so little of themselves, they showed signs of malnourishment, and I've heard that walrus repeatedly calling them freaks! He even wanted to 'stomp the magic' out of them so that they could have 'normal' lives..." Brom trailed off his rant as he searched the Headmaster's face more closely. The blue eyes often twinkling merrily were now a dull color. Though the rest of the man's face showed no emotion, it was his eyes that betrayed him. Knowing guilt. "You knew." Holcomb drew back in shock. Minerva gasped in disbelief as she glanced from one man to the other.

"Albus surely that is preposterous." the Transfiguration professor spoke nearly pleading. Dumbledore's silence however spoke otherwise. The woman sat back in disbelief. "Dear Merlin..."

Albus wearily held up his hands to forestall the justified rant that was sure to come from Minerva. "I did not know of the exact details of the Potters living conditions, but I knew there was a chance that the Dursleys would not treat them as well as they would of their own son. However I was hoping that Petunia would see past her jealousy and care for the twins as their own." The elder Angel gave a wan smile. "I was mistaken it seems."

Minerva had made a strange spluttering noise that was not often heard from the stern professor. "Well since you now know of their living conditions, remove the Potters from the Dursleys! Surely there must be other family members for them to live with!"

"Unfortunately there are no other living relatives of the Potters. Even if there were, it would be unwise to move the Potters. Though they are not treated with much care, they are safe from the lingering dangers this world still has to offer."

Brom gave a sardonic chuckle "I fail to see how a family of intolerable Muggles can hold their own to Darkángels."

The Headmaster of Hogwarts paid Brom's tone no mind and smiled as though he was told an amusing anecdote. "What do you know of blood wards Professor Holcomb?" Understanding of Dumbledore's words bore their faces.

"Lily." Minerva breathed in awe.

"Exactly, whether knowingly or not Mrs. Potter's sacrifice for her children invoked the beginnings of a powerful ward. Wards that would only come to full fruition should they be placed with another blood relative of Mrs. Potter's. Mrs. Dursley had to take the children willingly into her home. Which was why-"

"You had to leave them on the doorstep." Brom looked appalled at Minerva's statement, but the Scottish woman pressed on. "You manipulated them into taking two more children into their household. All so that they could be protected by followers of You-Know-Who! I can understand the first few years, Albus. But what of the rest after the Death Eaters had been captured or gone into hiding? If you've known those...those people would harm defenseless children why not relocate them to one of our kind, one that would understand? Surely there were houses that had always been allies to the House of Potter, the Longbottoms for example!" By now Brom had sat back against his chair in disbelief. Albus had left children on the doorstep, in an unknown neighborhood, in the cold November night, alone. Was the man really senile? He was too shock to speak and could only watch Minerva and Dumbledore trade words to and fro.

"Even if that were the case, the Longbottoms are no longer an option. Augusta is a formidable woman, but even she cannot raise three younglings on her own." Albus sat back against his throne like chair, contemplative. "And not all of the Death Eaters were captured. You remember Voldemort's general, Galbatorix?"

Minerva sucked in a breath and Brom had to suppress the urge to shudder. He remembered all too well of that demented Darkángel. He was almost on par with Voldemort in terms of magical strength and bloodthirsty lust. Brom remembered when he was still an Auror having to face him a few times. He barely made it out with his life each encounter.

"I don't think I need to remind you that he was never captured. Our world has enjoyed an era of peace, one of which I'm afraid will be shattered soon. The shadows grow restless..." Minerva and Brom both had trouble swallowing the Headmaster's words. "Now please excuse an old man's abrupt departure, but I have another meeting with the Minister in half hour. Good day." The dismissal was said in a gentle voice, though the professors could detect the underlining order underneath and left without a word.

The silence between the two professors was almost implacable as they walked through the corridors. "I cannot believe that the well known and loved elf would do such a thing to two innocent younglings." Minerva muttered, anger thick in her voice. "It was a miracle that that large oaf didn't follow through with his threat and tried to suppress their magic."

"I concur, though unfortunately I can see the reasons behind Albus' motives." Minerva gave her colleague a heated glare. "Though I don't find them agreeable." he quickly placated.

"If he thinks I am just going to stand aside and watch the twins continue to suffer in that household then he's as mad as Hagrid and his pets!"

"I think that's exactly what he expects of us." the Defense Professor frowned "Though I find this whole situation disturbing, until we can find a better alternative, the safest place for the Potters is unfortunately with the Dursleys."

"And what made you draw to such conclusion as that?" the Scottish woman snapped

"If what Albus has said is true, then Galbatorix is on the rise. And it won't be long until Voldemort makes a sudden return."

"You-Know-Who?"

"Aye, I don't think he is dead, never did. And I believe Albus has the same mindset. I can understand why the Potters are at the Dursleys. Doesn't mean I condone it." Brom finished gruffly before walking off to the entrance of Hogwarts.

Minerva stood in the middle of the hallway, her posture tense, and in silence. "And to think, this morning my biggest problem was Peeves." she muttered before she continued on toward her quarters, the need for a strong drink high.

As of this moment the twins were currently in their room. Since their return from Hogsmeade three days previous the Dursleys had taken to ignoring the Potters altogether. There were no longer a list of chores and they were even given meals regularly; though the portions were still smaller than the rest of the family.

Dudley had even stopped his favorite game of Harry Hunting as he was too afraid that Harry would sprout wings and curse him with magic. Uncle Vernon, whenever he spot either twin would turn an ugly shade of purple before stomping off in the opposite direction muttering words Harry was sure Aunt Petunia wouldn't approve of. Aunt Petunia would only look at the twins with disgust, nothing unusual, and continue on about her business as though they weren't there. Which was all too well for Harry and Arya.

Harry was still angry that his Aunt hated his Mom out of sheer jealousy. Arya wasn't much better and Harry had heard her think rather explicitly that Aunt Petunia should be lucky that she didn't know any magic yet. Not that that would have mattered anyway as there were rules pertaining to cursing Muggles; absolutely illegal.

On the plus side the twins had learned much of their new world. The subjects at Hogwarts were interesting enough. After skimming through his assigned books Harry was really interested in both Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions, while Arya was more interested in Charms and Transfiguration. Though Harry was mildly curious about History of Magic. He was a little weary because the class was taught by a boring ghost. Professor McGonagall didn't approve of Professor Holcomb's choice of words.

Professor Holcomb had also explained that because Harry and Arya were twins they had a twin bond that allowed them to speak to one another telepathically. Of course the Potter twins were already aware of this and had been since they were four years old.

Arya was really fascinated with the other sentient beings that lived in secret with the angels, though was sad when she realized the large amount of prejudice against the others. Goblins took the brunt force but there were other sentient beings that did not get equal treatment: Centaurs, Merpeople, Wereshifters, Urgals, House-Elves, and Dwarves. There were also many races that had long been extinct. One race had died out so long ago that they were considered myths to Historians. Not much was known about them only that they were supposedly a dragon like race called Skulblakas. Another race that stuck out to Harry were witches and wizards, they were also known as Magi. The Magi had died out after the fall of Avalon.

Harry meanwhile was reading the first chapter in one of his textbooks Hogwarts: A History. It was about the four founders of the prestigious school and their biographies. Each of the founders had their own personality that seemed to balance out together as a whole; though Salazar Slytherin was a little creepy to Harry. Another interesting thing he learned was that Slytherin could also talk to snakes too and that the language was called Parseltongue. Harry briefly wondered if his Dad could talk to snakes too.

Did you know that Angels that practice dark magic are called Darkángels? Arya asked

Really?

Yep, it says here that angels naturally affiliate themselves with the Light and that those that deflect to the Dark, aren't really Angels anymore. I wonder what more Professor Holcomb will add onto them.

Why you thinking of becoming a Darkángel? Harry teased.

Prat. Arya snipped back.

And that's why you love me. he replied with a cheeky grin. When can we get our wings again? the young Potter looked forlornly up at the clear sky. He heard an impatient sigh and the eye roll that came with it.

Why do I even bother telling you, when you'll just ask the same thing an hour later? she muttered. As I've said countless times before we will get our wings when it's our birthday. And if you ask again I'll sick Dudley on you.

Ha ha you're hilarious. Harry replied sardonically Come on, don't tell me you're at least a little bit excited about learning to fly. We've had dreams even!

I know, I know. Arya said in a benign tone a grin on her face. Harry...why didn't we tell Professors McGonagall and Holcomb about our dreams?

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. They never brought it up about the other kids. I don't think it's normal even by Angel's standards and I don't want to be labeled as a freak.

We're not freaks! The ravenette had ire burning in her jade colored eyes. We're Angels, not freaks.

Harry drew his sister into a reassuring hug. Though Arya had said those words it was clear she thought otherwise. He felt guilt in the pit of his stomach. I'm sorry. he whispered. You're right, we're not freaks. But until we find out what this all means, let's not tell anyone.

And if we can't find anything that can help us, then will we go for help?

Harry was a little reluctant. He knew that Professor Holcomb nor Professor McGonagall were in anyway shape or form like the Dursleys. They were the first adults that had actually defended him and Rya. But Harry was still unsure on whether to trust them with matters such as these strange dreams. Though they have relatives, Harry only counted his sister as his actual family member. She was the only that he could trust without the fear of betrayal, the only one he would protect with everything he had; even if the situation was less than desired.

He looked down to Arya's worried eyes. He would do anything to protect his sister, what kind of a big brother would he be if he didn't? So swallowing his discomfort and pride, Harry returned a tentative smile. Yes, if we can't find anything at Hogwarts, then we'll go to either Professor McGonagall or Professor Holcomb.

Promise.

I promise. Harry would do anything to protect his sister.