Disclaimer: All hail the almighty J.K. Rowling. I own nothing.

Rescued

Chapter 4

As Minerva, carrying Harry, stepped into the fireplace and disappeared Poppy pulled Albus to one side.

"Arabella could you give us a minute, there's something I need to discuss with Albus…in private"

Arabella scurried away and Albus turned to Poppy, eyebrows raised in question.

"Is something the matter Poppy?"

"Albus" Poppy frowned. "You have no problems with Harry staying at Hogwarts, do you?"

"No my dear, I realize it's in everyone's best interests. I myself am looking forward to having him there. I know I was foolish but you showed me the error of my ways."

Poppy wasn't satisfied.

"You do realize that Minerva loves her life at Hogwarts, loves teaching, but that she loves Harry even more and would not hesitate to give it all up for the little one."

Albus was slightly taken aback by her statement.

"Why yes Poppy but I'm not asking her to give it all up. She and Harry are both welcome at Hogwarts."

"Yes but Albus, this is going to be extremely difficult. She has enough on her plate with her positions as transfigurations professor, head of house and deputy headmistress. Now she has a child to care for as well. She'll need help."

"I know Poppy, I know and I am more than happy to help her."

"I'm very glad to hear that but this is Minerva we're talking about. She doesn't accept help willingly."

"Yes but she loves little Harry, she would never let her pride get in the way."

Poppy looked him up and down with an unreadable expression. Albus waited patiently and was slightly surprised when she suddenly sighed.

"You have no idea why she is doing this, do you?"

Albus was lost for words. Whatever does she mean?

"Minerva feels guilty."

Albus eyes widened in shock.

"Guilty? Whatever for? If anyone should feel guilty it should be me. I was the one that left Harry with the Dursley's."

"Albus," Poppy began hesitantly. Her voice soft and eyes kind. "Minerva came to me the night you left little Harry on the doorstep of 4 Privet Drive. She was distraught, crying her eyes out; I've never seen her in such a state. She was ever so upset; refusing to believe Lily was gone. She just cried and cried for hours. Lily was like a daughter to her. Minerva took Lily in when her parents died in her fifth year and that dreadful sister wiped her hands of her. Minerva was there for her graduation, her wedding, the day they bought their house in Godric's Hollow and the day Harry was born."

Albus eyebrows rose so high they were in danger of disappearing into his hairline.

"I knew they were close but not that close."

"Albus I'm not finished."

He nodded silently.

"Minerva became Lily's mother figure so naturally she became somewhat of a grandmother to young Harry. Having to leave him on the doorstep of people who disowned him, hated him for everything he was, well that was just too much for Minerva. She completely broke down. She withdrew into herself and decided the only way to never get hurt again was to never let anyone get too close to her. You've seen how she is, she holds everyone at arms length, hides behind an ice queen exterior allowing exceptionally few to see past her façade."

Albus was speechless, the more Poppy spoke the more his heart shattered into thousands of tiny pieces.

"She made me promise to never tell a living soul of her breakdown. I dread to think what she would do to me if she found out I told you."

"Then why are you telling me?"

"Because Albus, no matter what Minerva says, she's lonely. She longs for a family; she longs for that special someone. She views it as her duty to take care of little Harry. Did you never find it strange that Arabella offered to give up her life in Hogsmeade to come live with muggles and keep a watchful eye over Harry?"

Poppy could see the wheels inside Albus' head were beginning to turn.

"Minerva begged Arabella to move here and watch over Harry. If Arabella lived close by then Minerva would be close by. Like I said, she feels responsible for little Harry. I have no doubt she'll be a fine mother but Harry needs a family, Minerva needs a family."

Poppy paused for a second to see if Albus understood where this conversation was heading but his face still wore a look of shock, no hint of recognition.

"Albus, I've seen the way you look at her. It's the same way she looks at you though she will never willingly admit it."

"Poppy I-I-I…"

"Albus be there for her, be there for Harry, they both need you. Don't push her away! You must be gentle, careful and patient. I don't think Minerva ever really got over the deaths You-Know-Who caused. It will take time but she is healing. You saw the way she smiled when Harry sat in her lap I haven't seen her smile like that since before the war. She's opening up, slowly but surely."

"Poppy I assure you she is the most precious thing in the world to me. I would never forgive myself if I hurt her."

"Mess this up and not only will you have succeeded in pushing her away for good but I will come after you with a butcher's knife!"

On any other occasion Albus would have laughed but he knew Poppy wasn't joking.

A/N: Short I know, probably not even necessary but like Alorkin pointed out "it's nice to see the 'infallible' Albus Dumbledore get taken down a peg or two" and I'm inclined to agree. Ariti wondered if there was any background story to Minerva/Harry relationship. I like to think there is and well, I suppose that's how this chapter was born!

Thanks for all the reviews but there is always room for improvement so constructive criticism is welcomed with open arms.

Don't worry in the next chapter Harry will finally be at Hogwarts.

Thanks!