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It was the first Saturday since Harry Potter had been handed over to his aunt's care. Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape were waiting in Arabella Figg's living room for Arabella to arrive with Harry. Harry would be visiting Arabella's every Saturday and Sunday to get exposure to magic. It was agreed that no magic would be brought into or used at his aunt's home. Arabella was a squib and had no magic herself, but her house had magical pictures and other magical items. Her house also had all of Harry's magical toys and books. Whatever wizards and witches that were at Arabella's during Harry's visit would be using magic in normal, every day ways. It was an unproven theory that such exposure at a young age helped to tune a youth's magic. People also believed that exposure to magical toys helped reduce wild magical outburst because it taught children at a young age to direct their magic. The headmaster remembered from his previous incarnation that Harry missed out by not being exposed to magic and wizarding culture as a youth.
The transfiguration's professor was making her way around the room looking at all of the pictures that Arabella had of her cats. The many cats were, themselves, in a separate room since it was unknown how Harry would react to them. Severus Snape was looking at the books on the shelves, trying to keep himself occupied until Harry's arrival. Headmaster Dumbledore was simply taking in his surroundings and smiling serenely.
As the door opened Arabella's sing-song voice could be heard. "... and this is where I live." She led Harry into the house and closed the door.
Harry, upon noticing unfamiliar faces, immediately stuck two fingers from his free hand into his mouth, and stepped closer to Arabella's legs. Quickly, Severus Snape swooped by, picked up the boy and carried him over to the long bearded headmaster. Harry tucked his head into Snape's shoulder and peeked at the headmaster. Dumbledore gave the boy a friendly smile."
"Harry, this is Albus Dumbledore." Severus said in an even tone.
"Hello Harry, I am very pleased to meet you." The headmaster put out his hand for Harry to shake. Harry only gave a shy, half smile and turned his head farther into Snape's neck.
"And this is Minerva McGonagall." Severus said as he shifted Harry to face the witch, who was now standing with the rest of the group. She smiled at the boy, who shifted, yet again, to burrow his head into the wizard that held him. "Harry," Severus continued in his even tone, "there are toys and books here. Would you like to look around?". Instead of answering, the small child wriggled a bit until he was let down. He then began to explore his surroundings, but ignored the adults for the most part. The adults went to sit down and engaged themselves in a quiet conversation while surreptitiously keeping an eye on the boy.
"Headmaster, you may be interested in the latest at the Dursley's." Arabella began, "After Severus had left yesterday there was a visit from a muggle social worker, apparently a government worker."
"Yes, the muggle attorney I hired to deal with issues regarding Harry mentioned that there was a government body meant to oversee the welfare of children like him." the headmaster stated
"Quite right." Arabella agreed. "He said he will be making regular checks of the home and checking on the welfare of the boy. He also gave the Dursley's forms to fill out to officially become Harry's foster family. That way they can register him for school when necessary and things like that. They will also be getting a small stipend from the government and a tax break. They were quite pleased to hear about that." she looked around as if to check no one else was listening, "They were not pleased however that this social worker took offence to their parenting style. I must say I was not at all surprised. It seems that Harry's aunt and uncle will need to go to parenting classes." Both Albus and Severus smiled at this and Arabella nodded knowingly. "Exactly, Mr. Dursley was also told he will have to attend an anger management class." Arabella was smiling like that cat that ate the cream. "They were told that if they didn't attend the classes that they may have to forfeit their rights to Harry. Not only Harry but if the situation did not improve that they would risk Dudley being taken from them!"
"Oh dear," said the old wizard, " I am sure they did not take that well."
"No, they did not. But they will go to the classes because they have no wish to give that man any reason to scrutinize them too much."
"Tiddy!" an excited Harry exclaimed when he saw one of the many photos of one of Mrs. Figg's many cats on a shelf.
"Yes Harry, that is a kitty. I have quite a few of them." Arabella said to the tot.
Harry looked at her, then back at the picture.. "Tiddy!" he shouted again, and went looking for more cat pictures. Each time he found one he would shout "Tiddy" excitedly.
"Severus, I must thank you for that child behaviour book you gave me." Arabella directed the conversation towards the young man. "Just in the last two days, since I have read it, I can already see that I have more control over Dudley. His mother ruins it as soon as she shows up, but when it is just us he seems to listen more."
"I am glad it helped, I too have noticed that his behaviour, while still abhorrent, is slightly more manageable."
"Oooh, tiddy" all of the adults looked up because of the change in Harry's tone. Instead of the excited screams every time he saw a picture, he sounded truly in awe. They realized that one of Mrs. Figg's cats had gotten into the room. Harry was now sitting on the floor with the cat walking around him. Every time the cat passed in front of the boy he would stroke the cat and say 'oooh tiddy'. The adults halted their conversation in order to watch Harry. After a short time another one of Arabella's cats joined the play... and another. Soon Harry was sitting with half a dozen cats rubbing against him, butting him with their heads and tickling him with their tails. Harry was giggling merrily and petting all the cats.
Minerva McGonagall stood up and smiled playfully at the adults before walking off to the kitchen. A few moments later a cat walked out of the kitchen. The cat was a black and gray tabby and had black markings by her eyes. As she approached Harry and the other cats, Harry once again said "Tiddy" and reached to pet the newcomer. Suddenly his giggling stopped and he got a pensive look on his face. The young boy returned his attention to the other cats around him, petting each of them for a moment, and then reached again to pet the new cat - and stopped again. The cat took a few more steps closer to the boy and he startled and jumped up, scattering all the cats. Albus quickly came to diffuse what was becoming a tense situation.
"Look Harry, 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'. This is one of my favorite books, would you like me to read you a story?"
Harry stuck two fingers in his mouth and looked at Severus, as if asking permission. Snape gave a slight nod and Harry quickly scrambled to climb up on the couch next to the headmaster. Shortly after the headmaster began reading the story, Professor McGonagall returned. She sat in a chair across from the couch and pretended to listen to the headmaster read. The old wizard would occasionally point to a picture in the book, but it never elicited a response from Harry. The whole time that the headmaster read, Harry sat with his fingers in his mouth. The boy mostly looked between the headmaster and the book. Occasionally he would look at Professor McGonagall, and each time he did, he would narrow his eyes at her.
After the story it was decided that everyone should have a snack. In the kitchen all of the magical adults made sure to use magic as they normally would. No one wanted a situation where Harry would think it unusual that magic was being used. Harry allowed Professor McGonagall to help him with his snack and clean him up afterwards. The group then went back to the living room to explore Harry's toy box.
"Nitzh!" Harry called, picking up a smallish winged toy. The wings on the toy snitch began to flutter.
"Very good Harry" replied Professor McGonagall, "that is indeed a snitch."
"I should have know he would recognize that toy" groused Snape.
"Bwoom?" Harry asked, while looking through the toy box.
"No Harry," answered the headmaster, "there is no broom."
Undaunted, Harry began to run around the room as fast as he could holding the snitch in front of him. The adults once again amused themselves by speaking quietly and watching the boy.
"He has spoken more today than he has the whole time at his aunts." mentioned Arabella.
"Clearly, he feels comfortable here." stated Minerva.
"With no cousin to poke him and the attention of three adults, what's not to enjoy?" asked Snape.
"Don't get sarcastic with me, young man." the witch countered, playfully.
"Albus, why wouldn't Harry play with Minerva when she was in her animagus form?" Arabella asked.
"I am unsure." replied the wise, old wizard."Unfortunately Harry will not be able to communicate the reason why. It is most curious though, isn't it?"
By the time it was time to stop for lunch all of the adults had at some point played with Harry. It was as if he felt the need to try out every toy in his toy box. At lunch, Harry was able to eat rather independently. Minerva helped him when needed and cleaned him up afterwards. During lunch the adult conversation was mostly about wizarding topics. At all times there was at least one adult speaking with Harry so that he would not feel left out. The fifteen-month-old was able to show-off the range of words he knew. The adults were having fun trying to get the boy to say new words and their names. The boy was able to come up with a close facsimile to 'Albus', 'Arabella' and 'Mr. Snape' - as Severus insisted the boy call him. He couldn't seem to wrap his mouth around 'Minerva' or 'McGonagall' though. There was a lot of laughter over some of the babble that came out of the child's mouth.
After lunch, it was clear to Snape that the child was tiring out. "Harry, would you like to pick out a book for me to read to you?" he asked.
Harry immediately stopped his running. He walked over to the bookshelf that held his books and pulled one out. Harry struggled a bit to gain control over the book. He walked over to the chair that Severus was sitting in and declared - "boo". With that, Severus picked up the boy and arranged him and the book in his lap. Harry immediately stuck two fingers in his mouth. Snape began to read in a deep soothing voice. While the story was being read, Harry was relaxing against Severus. The child began to touch the many buttons on the wizard's robes - from the waist up to the high neck. Up... and down, each button would be touched in turn. Soon the tot's eyes began to droop. When the hand touching the buttons ceased it's motion, Severus stopped reading. All of the other adults present looked at him with 'Awww, how cute' smiles on their faces. Severus sneered back at them. When he was sure that the boy was settled, he rose and carried the child to another room. The room was set up with a crib for the child to sleep in. After settling Harry into the crib a monitoring charm was set, and the wizard returned to the others.
When Harry woke from his nap they all went outside for some fresh air. The weather was bight and crisp, but with the use of warming charms no one felt the cold. The afternoon continued with a lot of laughter from Harry, and some laughter from the normally reserved adults. When it was time to leave, Arabella picked up Harry and carried him to the door.
"Say goodbye Harry" she said.
"Bye-bye" the toddler said while gesturing with his hand.
Albus came over and kissed the boy's forehead. "Goodbye Harry. Thank you for entertaining me so thoroughly." he said with a smile.
"Aboo" Harry answered.
Severus stepped forward and shook the child's hand. "I shall see you tomorrow."
"Nape" said Harry.
Miverva kissed both of the boy's cheeks. "I hope to see you again soon, Harry"
"Mnm" Harry mumbled, and then with a gleeful smile specifically for her he shouted "Tiddy!" and gently stroked her cheek.
With that, Arabella and Harry left three very shocked grown-ups behind.