Disclaimer: I do not own Rowling's characters or work. This is just a super intense fanwork to try to suppress an unhealthy addiction to the series. It's a work of love, don't worry 3

A/N: This story is being cross-posted on my LJ account (see website). Feel free to review there if you want me to reply directly to your review.
And thanks to Lifeclaw for being my first reviewer 33

Chapter Four: The Cat Deputy

Aunt Petunia was tearing through Hattie's closet to find something for her to wear. Hattie had just come out of the shower and was wrapped in a towel. For once, her Aunt didn't complain that she was dripping on her hardwood floors. "Why are all your clothes ripped?" she asked. "Please tell me you have one nice thing to wear."

"So someone is coming today?" Hattie asked.

Dudley and Hattie were told that someone was coming to talk to Hattie about the new school she would be attending. Of course, Dudley was furious that Hattie wasn't going to Stonewall High, but he had a hard time suppressing his curiosity as well. It was when her Uncle had gone to work that Aunt Petunia told them, and that two days ago.

"Yes," Aunt Petunia replied, "We should have gone out yesterday and bought you new clothes. We'll have to get you clothes before you go to school."

A knock on the door caused her Aunt to tense up. Hattie had heard her in the shower fussing over Dudley in the same way. "Wear these," she said, quickly pulling a pair of jeans and a dress off the floor. "Come down right after you're dressed."

She heard her Aunt clamour down the stairs, and Dudley followed soon after. She looked at what her Aunt had picked, and Hattie decided that her Aunt wasn't thinking clearly, but wore them anyway. She checked herself out in the mirror before going down. She fixed her bangs over her scar and pulled her hair loosely back. She looked acceptable.

She went down the stairs slowly to get a peek at the visitor. She was a tall woman, with her black-hair pulled tightly into a bun. Hattie found herself self-conscious of her loose bun. Her face seemed hard and stern, and her smile was only polite as she looked awkwardly at Dudley and Aunt Petunia, the latter of which was prattling on about how nice a girl Hattie was. The woman wore small spectacles, but the most curious part of her was her emerald-green robes. It reminded her of the strangers who approached her or waved to her.

Harriet moved down the stairs to greet the woman. When she spotted Hattie, she stood up from the couch. Hattie noticed Aunt Petunia had tea out for her. Before Aunt Petunia could stammer out an introduction, the woman spoke, "Harriet, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry," she held out her hand for Hattie to shake. "Calling me Professor McGonagall is most appropriate."

Hattie weakly shook her hand, and both of them sat down. Hattie sat beside her Aunt and her Professor sat down on a couch by herself. Dudley had taken his father's easy chair, and he looked more uncomfortable than Hattie felt. The Professor's hands sat primly in her lap.

"I've been informed that you know nothing of your past or anything of your gifts," Professor McGonagall began, trying to avoid eye contact with a very nervous Aunt Petunia.

"Well, we just didn't think she needed to know-" Aunt Petunia began.

"I am not saying this to judge how you and your husband have handled the situation," Professor McGonagall replied, her stern tone suggesting otherwise. "Harriet, your Aunt, Uncle, and cousin are what we call muggles. They have no magic ability and exist in a world that tends to know nothing about our world. There are some exceptions, of course. Some children, like your mother, are born with magic abilities even though their parents exhibit no signs of possessing them themselves."

Hattie felt like she was watching this conversation from a distance, like she was just watching one of Dudley's inane television shows. Professor McGonagall waited for a reaction from Hattie. "So my mother was a wizard?"

"We tend to use the term 'witch' for female wizards. Try not to let the muggle image of what a witch is taint our terminology," Professor McGonagall's stern face tried to loosen up. "Yes, your mother was a witch, and you are one as well. Your father, too, was a wizard."

"So this is why I was able to do strange things?" Hattie asked, with her Aunt cringing slightly. "Like make the glass of the snake cage disappear?"

"While I am not aware of your specific episodes, it is likely magic was behind these events," Professor McGonagall replied. "It is not uncommon for witches and wizards to be able to use magic before they are taught at school. I'm sure your Aunt will have some stories about Lily before she went to Hogwarts."

Hattie felt like she had been hit with an ice cold bucket of water. She wasn't sure why, but she felt uneasy at hearing that her mother had went to Hogwarts. "Did my father go too?" she asked, more nervous than she would have liked.

Professor McGonagall's eyebrows rose curiously. "Well, yes," she replied. "Has... your Aunt discussed your parents with you?"

"The car accident?" Hattie asked, doubtfully. "That's all I've heard."

Hattie found it harder to make eye contact with the Professor. Some part of her, deep in her gut, told her it was all a big hoax. She didn't even feel better when her Aunt took Hattie's hand in hers. Dudley was so quiet he could have been part of the furniture.

Professor McGonagall sighed heavily. "Harriet," she started. "Hattie. Your parents died protecting you from a very evil wizard. This wizard was corrupting and destroying everything we had built, both wizards and muggles. He was consumed in the Dark Arts, and we, the resistance, didn't know who to trust. Some wizards stood up to him, most of those he killed, and some joined his side. Hogwarts was possibly the safest place during those days because this man was afraid of Professor Dumbledore."

Aunt Petunia squeezed Hattie's hand. Hattie bit her tongue, waiting to speak until she heard the rest.

The Professor continued, "And this man went after you and your parents. They were some of the best wizards of their time, you know. They were head boy and girl at Hogwarts, when they attended. He killed them on his way to you, but he couldn't kill you. That's how your mark got on your forehead. It was a powerful spell that tried to kill you, Hattie, but it didn't work on you."

Hattie's scar throbbed when mentioned. She recalled the blinding flash of green light, more clearly than the one that haunted her dreams, and suddenly she remembered something else for the first time in her life: a high, cold, cruel laugh.

"I'm sorry," Professor McGonagall said. "No one should have to face this. And I don't blame your Aunt from hiding it from you. While some, well many, may think that you should have known from the beginning, I can also see your Aunt's point of view. She saw that there was the possibility that you could live without knowing the horror you and your parents faced, and she hoped you would be able to."

Hattie's mouth was dry. She noticed that Professor McGonagall didn't say she agreed with what her Aunt did. Perhaps she was one of the many. "Why do I need to know?" she asked, like a gasp.

Professor McGonagall seemed surprised at her response. Hattie wasn't sure she wanted to know, now that she did, but she did want to know why she was told, instead of waiting until she asked. "You're famous in the wizarding world," she said, calmly. "After he tried to kill you, he disappeared. Most of us believe he's still alive, but too weakened to continue the way he was. You're famous for this. After he tried to kill you, he's gone. He killed some of the best witches and wizards of the age, and you were only a baby and you lived. A lot of people see your survival as your success. Some think you defeated the Dark Lord."

"Does he have a name?" Hattie asked.

Professor McGonagall hesitated. "We generally do not speak his name," she explained. "It is rather frowned upon among the wizarding community. He is referred to as 'You-Know-Who' or 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,' but you've earned a right to his name. His name was Voldemort."

Hattie mouthed the words, but didn't say the name aloud. She felt weak. If she really was a wizard, she was probably a poor excuse for one. Aunt Petunia cautiously spoke, watching Hattie more than Professor McGonagall, "If you think this... monster is still alive, why do some people think that Hattie defeated the Dark Lord?"

Professor McGonagall smiled, happy at Hattie's Aunt's interest. "After he disappeared, people who he had put under a trance came out of it. People who were on his side came back to our side," her tone was harsh with the last sentence, as if she didn't want them back. "I don't think the people could have broken out of the trance if he was still active, and I don't think the people would have been so willing to betray him if they thought he was still alive."

Aunt Petunia nodded. "So Hattie will be safe at this school," she said.

"Yes," Professor McGonagall replied. "Hogwarts is the safest place for her, especially while her magic is blossoming. She will be learning in controlled environments among other students who are just learning too. There will be students coming from muggle backgrounds, so they will have just as limited amount of knowledge in the wizarding world as Hattie does."

"Can I see?" Hattie asked. "I mean, is there some sort of magic you can perform? It's not that I doubt this is happening. It's just, well, it would help my understanding."

Truth be told, Hattie wanted to make sure this wasn't some trick. The fact that Dudley had sat completely still either meant he was waiting to laugh at her, or he was just as shocked as she was. She just didn't want to offend this woman by saying it outright.

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Of course," she said, standing up and straightening her robes. "This is very advanced magic though, and not all wizards and witches learn how to do this particular thing."

Hattie nodded, eager to see something she may never learn. Perhaps it would inspire her to work harder to become like this stern-faced woman.

The woman began to shrink, quite quickly. While her own hair shortened and greyed, her skin began to sprout silver fur in a tabby-like pattern. Her ears began to extend and move higher on her head. Her green eyes seemed to widen and her pupils thinned. Her clothes began to fold into her fur, and she noticed that as her nose extended and turned pink, that black markings appeared under her eyes in the shape of the thin spectacles she was wearing.

The cat sat stiffly on the couch. It was not the type of cat that Hattie would cuddle or even pet. Hattie was quite certain even Mrs. Figg would hesitate before approaching this cat. Hattie smiled, nonetheless, and her Aunt clapped her hands together, despite Hattie's hand being locked into one of them. After a brief moment, Professor McGonagall changed back and sat back down on the couch. Hattie couldn't help but notice the Professor give her a soft smile.

"I am the Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts. While you won't learn to transform yourself, you will learn how to change one object into another," she said.

"I remember your mother coming home and turning teacups into mice," Aunt Petunia said. She smiled, but still sounded a little uncomfortable at the thought. "Apparently, she was quite the student."

Professor McGonagall smiled politely at the memory of teaching Lily Evans when she was at Hogwarts, but did not announce it. She watched Hattie who seemed to be observing everything carefully, from her cousin frozen in the chair, to her Aunt who was nervous and uncomfortable, to herself trying her best to look friendly without ruining her stern Professor persona.

Professor Dumbledore had wanted to send Hagrid to explain things to Hattie, but Professor McGonagall volunteered quickly. She knew Hagrid was much less patient with muggles, and he was already quite attached to Harriet after pulling her out of her home in Godric's Hollow. She had to admit that she was curious, too, to see how Harriet had turned out. Aunt Petunia's letter was quite friendly, although she admitted that she had not told Harriet everything and somehow expected the school to suddenly explain everything to her niece. Professor McGonagall had decided she was up to the task, and she wasn't sure Hagrid was.

"All right," Hattie said. "I will attend Hogwarts and become a witch, preferably one who is brilliant like my mother." She smiled at her professor. "And I think that cat thing is brilliant."

Her Professor nodded and stood up. Hattie and her Aunt stood up a well, although Dudley stayed seated, looking as white as a sheet. "Excellent. I will be looking forward to teaching you. Someone will be by in the morning to take you to pick up your supplies. And don't let him startle you. You'll need this, though. It contains a list of the supplies you'll need for your first year."

Professor McGonagall handed Hattie the letter that started this all. Hattie ran her fingers over the wax seal. "Thank you," Hattie said, her heart pounding in her ears.

Aunt Petunia and Hattie walked Professor McGonagall to the door. She walked out like she was just one of the neighbours. Aunt Petunia didn't even complain about what the neighbours would think of someone in her attire walking out of the house. Aunt Petunia closed the door as Professor McGonagall hit the end of the driveway.

Before Aunt Petunia could talk to her, Hattie flipped open the letter and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards )

Dear Miss. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress

Hattie ran her fingers along Professor McGonagall's signature, excitement rising in her. Hattie was overcome with emotions. She was horrified at what had happened to her parents, she was mad at her Aunt from keeping it from her, although at the same time she was mad at her Professor that she had to be told about it. There was also a big part of her that was excited at the prospect that she would be learning magic. She would be away from Dudley and her uncle. She wouldn't have to go to Stonewall. She'd be her own person, and while she hoped to be great like her mother, she also wanted to be different. And this school seemed to have promise of this.

She flipped through the other pages, looking at textbooks. Her Professor told her not to be afraid of the man that was coming to help her. She wondered if he could transform into something terrifying, maybe a snake. Or maybe he was something terrifying and simply transformed into a human. While she was imagining what her day was going to be tomorrow, her Aunt walked into the kitchen.

Aunt Petunia began bringing food out of the fridge for lunch. Her niece wanted to be just like her mother. She had always thought the magic was dangerous. Yes, part of her was jealous, but the whole lifestyle just seemed unhealthy. She didn't even know how to talk to Dudley about it. The boy was likely just to pull away from her anyway. She was worried it would alienate him more, but he had his father, and Hattie had no one.

"Hey Aunt Tuney!" Hattie said, "I have to buy a plain pointed hat, and it specified black! How tacky is that! Do you think Professor McGonagall wears a green one?"

That's when Aunt Petunia started crying in the kitchen. She seemed flustered, and she held her nose trying to stop, but the tears kept coming out. She heaved out tears. Hattie was taken aback. She held her Aunt's arm but didn't know what to do. She felt guilty for not crying with her, but for some reason she just couldn't force the tears out. Her Aunt grabbed onto her and held her tightly. "You have to promise me you'll stay safe, okay?" she said. "You have to promise me."

"I promise," Hattie said, her voice muffled by her Aunt's shirt. "You heard the Professor. Hogwarts is the safest place."

Her Aunt sniffled and suddenly pushed Hattie away in a nonchalant manner. "Okay," she said, firmly. "I'm going to have a talk with Dudley."

Her Aunt abandoned the lunch she was making, and Hattie suspected that her Aunt was going to hug her son too. Hattie made her own lunch quietly, but her Aunt and cousin talked too quietly for her to eavesdrop. They were talking though, but she didn't feel right putting her ear up to the door.

It wasn't until she went to bed to try to sleep that she really started to think about her parents. That's when the laughter and the emptiness came back. She thought about her Aunt talking to Dudley while she sat alone in the kitchen. Her parents had died protecting her and she had somehow defeated the man (or was it the monster?) who killed them. What were people going to expect from her? Would his followers be after her? She didn't have anyone to protect her this time.

Hattie got out of bed and picked up the stag again. She ran her finger against the part she must have fixed magically. The repair was seamless. It was like it had never been broken. She was going to have to learn to be the best there was. She went back under her bed sheets, with the stag in her hand.

And what about her Aunt? What about her family now? She may not care much for Uncle Vernon and Dudley, but she certainly couldn't imagine them being attacked or hurt. Would anyone even want to be friends with her at school? All these questions poured through her head as she drifted off into a sleep with unsettling dreams