Chapter Four
*POP*
Minerva apparated just in time to see her housekeeper, June, sweeping the front walk. Cobblestones and sweeping, lush fields perfectly accented her Highland abode.
"But, Madam, you are a professor! A child requires constant care and you are away so often!" June exclaimed, clearly shocked to see Minerva reunited with her child.
"June, this is Harry James. To protect his true heritage, I shall keep James and Lily's surname. If anybody found out he is actually my son, he could be in danger. I and his real father have a long list of enemies. Thank God, he's not Dumbledore's son!
The years had been good to Old Fezziwig's. Overlooking the highlands and a nearby loch, the stone mansion was one of the oldest in the village. In relation to Hogwarts, McGonagall's house was not terribly far. The castle lay in the Northern Highlands with Hagrid's hut and the Quidditch Pitch within the grounds, and the Forbidden Forest on the outskirts. Along the southern ridge of the same mountain range, Old Fezziwig's dressed Loch Shanty, as McGonagall called it though it possessed no formal title. Five hundred yards northeast of the loch, nestled safely in the mountains, McGonagall's house stood out proudly among the rich, green landscape. Upon entering the property, a muggle would only see a humble stone farmhouse, oblivious to the Gothic-inspired architecture and magical dome topping the roof.
"Welcome home, son," said McGonagall, her eyes swelling with tears as she carried Harry over the threshold. Harry's eyes widened as he scoped the property and the grandeur of Fezziwig's, the lush foliage reflecting in his equally verdant eyes.
Opening the front door, Minerva muttered a spell, sealing the boundaries of her property to Apparitioners and Portkeys. Minerva preferred her home as "homey" as possible with the slightest bit of pomp and grandeur. A magnificent tapestry of the Hogwarts crest graced the cream paneled Front Hall. Embroidered with sparkling gold thread, the tapestry was truly a marvel to behold. Scattered all over the house were various statues and suits of armor. Enchanted with the knowledge of Britain's past, these artifacts had no shame in yelling facts at random intervals. Harry would stand to learn a lot from the metallic missionaries of his home.
Wood paneling accented the kitchen along with marble counter-tops. Although McGonagall's house elf, Violet, did the majority of the cooking, the old professor loved to break out the cookbooks now and again, perfecting her culinary skills. Her favorite recipe "Toad in the Hole" was to become Harry's favorite as well. A coffee machine, microwave, hand-carved bread box, and electric tea kettle littered the counter-tops. The dining table in the adjoining room sat twenty, enough for an Order of the Phoenix meeting, which were held each fortnight. Plush scarlet velvet, mahogany chairs lined the polished mahogany table as if a VIP meeting was pending. A large three tiered, crystal chandelier hovered over head. Right off the kitchen, near the pantry, lay the water closet, which contained swimming gear, water gear and toys for the three-lane lap pool outside.
If you think the Beast had an impressive library, it paled in comparison to that of Minerva McGonagall. Giant five foot, carved stone fireplaces with lion rampants, tended daily by Violet, highlighted wall to ceiling bookcases with rolling, brass ladders. Homespun rugs with the Gryffindor crests and colors protected the stone tile from daily wear. Red, porcelain lamps atop mahogany, rectangle desks scattered the floor. Above the main fireplace mantel was bare. Minerva was saving this very spot for a family portrait of her, Harry, and "Vee," as Harry called the house elf. Directly opposite this place was the grandest spectacle of all, the grand staircase. Made of white stone and built into the house itself, it split midway and opposite staircases met in the music room on the floor above.
McGonagall had the best of magical literature from History to Theory, Charms, Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts, Herbology, methods, Runes, magical creatures, Quidditch and other magical games and sports, Transfiguration, N.E.W.T. study guides, O.W.L. study guides, and even culinary cookbooks from the finest witches and warlocks. She also sported an impressive collection of Muggle subjects such as Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Geography, English, Word Literature, Fine and Visual Arts, Culinary Arts, Sports, and Music.
McGonagall took Harry into the nursery, carrying him on her hip. The room though it was generously large was also quite bare. Placing Harry into his high chair, she proceeded to create the baby's suite. With a stroke of her wand, she covered the walls in a pale gold paint with scarlet, paisley wallpaper trim. Conjuring a mahogany crib complete with scarlet bedding bearing Gryffindor's lion rampant, Minerva created, additionally, a four-poster bed identical to hers to store until Harry was older. A red drooped in one corner holding various sized lions, badgers, and eagles. No snakes here, McGonagall thought. A plush, rocking lion graced one wall next to a mahogany bookcase, which contained various magical tales including Beetle the Bard. Empty frames grace the shelves and Minerva would not hesitate to fill them.
After checking him over as thoroughly and meticulously as she could to ensure he was not injured from his harrowing ordeal, she changed him into his fleece, red lion pajamas and tucked him into his crib.
"Vee." The elf popped out of thin air into the presence of her mistress.
"Yes, madam?"
"Take this sack of galleons and go to Hogsmeade for some children's clothes. I need sizes 6-12 months, please. We shall go shopping again once he outgrows them. And pick up some groceries as well. I fancy Yorkshire pudding and beef roast on Sunday."
The elf nodded her head and taking the money, she popped out of sight. Minerva needed to lie down and rest. This emotional turmoil from the last few days was enough on top of raising her son. Changing into her tartan nightgown, she crawled into her four poster and immediately dropped off to sleep.
The master bedroom was the largest in the house, yet it contained so little in relation to the other rooms. Adjacent to the nursery, it contained the same decoration and furniture, minus the crib. The walk-in closet was enough for two people and the whirlpool bath put most Jacuzzis to shame.
Young Harry stirred in his crib. He thought he heard a WHOOSHing sound coming from two floors above, but it wasn't enough to make him cry out for his Minna. Vee popped into Harry's room. House elves can sense when the children of their masters awaken in the night. Harry's big green eyes met Vee's big amber eyes.
"Hello young Master Harry, my name is Violet." She reached out her hand and watched as his tiny hand clasped her knobbly finger.
"Veeee!"
"Very well, then." The house elf snapped her fingers and she was gone.