Disclaimer: I own nothing it all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Rescued
Chapter 7
A/N: I would just like to say that Rolanda is a few years younger than Minerva and Poppy, not much younger but still a few years younger. I tried to work this information into the story but it just never fit in so I decided to write this authors note. Thanks.
knock knock
"Rolanda will you open up?"
knock knock knock
"Rolanda! We know you're in there!"
knock knock knock
"Stand back Poppy. Let me try."
Minerva pushed Poppy out of the way and rolled up her sleeves. Hammering on the door she shouted,
"Rolanda Xiomara Hooch! You open the door this instant or shall I tell everyone what happened the at the Christmas party of 83'? Oh Poppy you should have been there! Rolanda…"
The door swung open.
"Don't you dare breath another word Min!"
"- Erva. Minerva, Rolanda! MINERVA!"
"Fine Minerva. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company at this ungodly hour?" Rolanda said in the sweetest voice she could muster through clenched teeth.
Poppy, well aware of Minerva's temper and Rolanda's stubbornness, decided to intervene before things got out of hand.
"We thought you might like to come shopping with us Rolanda."
"Shopping?" Rolanda quirked an eyebrow. "We went shopping last Sunday remember?"
"How could we forget?" Minerva muttered rolling her eyes but Rolanda chose to ignore her and continued,
"What could you possibly need so desperately that it couldn't wait until after lunch? You both know I had a late night flying practice last night and wanted to lie in!"
"Well we are sorry to have bothered you Rolanda." Minerva said turning on her heel but Poppy managed to stop her before she could get away.
"May we come in Rolanda?" Poppy asked cheerily.
Rolanda simply stepped aside and the two entered. The three witches then settled themselves down in the three cosy armchairs in front of the crackling fire.
"So are you going to answer my question?" the ever impatient Rolanda asked after a few minutes of silence.
Poppy looked at Minerva but she seemed to be avoiding eye contact with either of them.
"Minerva needs to get some bits and bobs."
"Bits and bobs?" Rolanda asked suspiciously, narrowing her yellow eyes.
"You know clothes and such." Poppy replied because Minerva remained silent.
"Clothes? You want me to come clothes shopping? You know I hate all that girly whirly, womanly witchy stuff!"
"Not clothes for me!" Minerva snapped.
Rolanda raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Your going shopping for someone else? Who? Has Minerva required a man? Ooo Minerva's got a boyfriend. I can't believe you managed to keep it quiet for so long! Who is it? Is it Albus? Because I've always suspected you've been doing more then just running the school and playing chess. I mean who runs the school at 11 o'clock at night? And it's not like anyone is in the right state of mind to play chess that late either."
"Rolanda it isn't Albus." Poppy said but before she could explain further Rolanda carried on speculating.
"Is it Ludo Bagman? I saw the way he was drooling over you at the ministry ball last year! You sly cat you! He isn't half bad looking you know. Thumbs up Min! Well done!"
"Ludo Bagman? Rolanda are you insane?" Minerva shrieked sending Poppy a death glare because she failed to suppress a chuckle.
"What? I think he's quite dashing? Well if it isn't Ludo is it old Mad Eye? Yes it is isn't it? You two old auror chums! Of course that's who! I wondered why I had been bumping into him in the corridors lately. I just assumed it was ministry business with the Headmaster but now I realise he sneaking out from his late night canoodling with you!"
Poppy's laughter turned into spluttering that then turned into choking. Rolanda had to give her a hard pat on the back while Minerva eyed her curiously.
"No Rolanda, it definitely isn't Alastor. I wasn't even aware he was visiting the castle that often. I don't even think Albus knows, perhaps Poppy would care to explain?" Minerva replied turning to face a flustered Poppy, grinning mischievously.
Rolanda looked at Minerva then at a red faced Poppy then back to Minerva then back to Poppy again. Blinking and shaking her head disbelievingly she said,
"Where have I been these past few weeks? How have I managed to miss this? Hogwarts prude transfiguration professor has got herself a toy boy and innocent, sweet medi-witch, Madam Poppy Pomfrey has finally taken a leaf out of my book! I'm so proud! My girls are all grown up!" She then pretended to wipe away tears from her hawk like eyes.
"Oh stop being so melodramatic Rolanda! Ala – Mr Moody's visits are purely professional. You both know what he's like, he has trouble trusting people."
"Constant vigilance." Minerva and Rolanda said in unison.
"Yes, well anyway, he needs medical treatment on a regular basis and says he trusts me. He's still adjusting to his new leg and as of lately his magical eye has been playing up on him."
"Indeed." Rolanda smirked causing Poppy to blush an even deeper shade of red.
Minerva and Rolanda exchanged looks then burst out laughing.
"I don't know what you're laughing about Miss McGonagall." Rolanda gasped between laughs clutching her stomach. "You're not off the hook missus. Who's the lucky man that's caught your eye?"
Immediately Minerva's laughter ceased and Poppy stopped sulking.
"What?" Rolanda asked confused.
"There is no lucky man Rolanda." Minerva sighed.
"What do you mean there's no lucky man Min? You're flipping gorgeous! I've seen your owls, half of them are from secret admirers!"
Minerva just snorted looking completely downhearted.
"Minerva dear," Poppy comforted rubbing her back. "There could be if you just opened up to him."
Minerva's head snapped up fixing Poppy with yet another glare but Poppy didn't even blink. Rolanda noticed the interaction but decided to question Poppy at a later date.
"Stop right there Poppy, not another word. I need to focus on Harry."
"Harry?"
"Harry." Minerva confirmed.
"Harry? Harry who?" Rolanda asked again confused and slightly agitated.
"Harry Potter." Minerva answered barely above a whisper.
Rolanda's jaw dropped to the floor. She sat there mouth agape for several minutes, nobody said a word. Finally the silence got to Minerva and she screeched,
"Rolanda will you close your mouth or are you trying to catch flies?"
But Rolanda sat there stock-still.
"If you don't close your mouth now I'll transfigure you into a frog, I'm sure that will make your pastime easier!"
She didn't even flinch at Minerva's threat.
"Fine have it your way!"
Minerva pulled out her wand and just as she was going to utter the spell Rolanda moved her mouth but no words came out. She closed it, then opened it and then closed it again.
"A fish then."
"H-H-H-Harry P-P-P-Potter?"
Now even Poppy was aggravated.
"Oh Rolanda snap out of it!"
Rolanda blinked seeming to do just that.
"What has Harry Potter got to do with your love life – or lack of one?"
"You know nothing about my love life Rolanda Hooch and I would appreciate it if it stayed that way! You can say what you like but at the end of the day you have no clue as whether or not I'm prude!"
Rolanda flicked her head back and roared with laughter. Poppy too was finding it hard to keep a straight face.
"Oh Minerva darling, hehe, we're your friends. Do you not think we know you've been hopelessly in love with…"
"One more word Poppy and I won't hesitate to transfigure you into a mouse, hang you from the rafters and let Mrs. Norris have her wicked way with you!"
Suppressing her giggles Rolanda asked yet again,
"Where does Harry Potter fit into all this?"
"Well urm…you see…I'm…wellimgoingtotakecareofhim." Minerva squirmed.
"Sorry Min didn't quite catch that."
Taking a deep breath she repeated,
"I'm going to take care of him."
Slowly Rolanda asked,
"Take. Care. Of. Who?"
"The man on the moon! For goodness sake Rolanda, who do you think? Harry Potter!" Poppy cried losing her patience.
"I'm to be Harry Potter's guardian and he is going to live with me here at Hogwarts."
"Well I suppose I can see how that can effect your love life."
"Rolanda!" Poppy chided.
"Alright alright! I'm sorry Min – erva."
"Apology accepted Rolanda. So…" Minerva took a deep breath "…will you come shopping with us?"
"Of course I will! But first tell me how this came to be? I thought he was living with those terrible muggles."
"He was but…" Minerva's eyes darkened and her hands balled into fists. So Poppy explained what happened.
"Oh poor Harry Potter, that's horrendous!" Rolanda jumped out her seat and started pacing circles about the room. "Just wait until I get my hands on those good for nothing, dung bag, flobberworming…"
"Not that I don't agree with you Rolanda but Albus has told us to stay away from them."
"Stay away from them, I think not! After what they did they deserve to…"
"Albus has seen to them and I don't think they will dare bother little Harry anymore."
"Dare bother? I don't care! I'm going to give them a piece of my mind! Minerva surely you agree with me on this?" Rolanda screeched turning to Minerva for support.
Minerva looked up at Rolanda, tears in her eyes.
"If Albus thinks it's for the best then so do I." She sniffed.
Rolanda quickly lent down and hugged her, she had never seen Minerva cry.
Well apart from the time I accidentally poked her in the eye with my wand, jinxing it so her eye grew to three times it's normal size but well, tears were to be expected!
"Hey there Min, it's not like you to cry. What is it? You can tell us." Rolanda said in an unusually soft voice, rubbing Minerva's back reassuringly.
"Oh Rolanda, it was dreadful, his little face." Minerva sobbed. "The things that have happened to him, he doesn't deserve it. Bless his little heart, I just want him to be safe and happy."
"And he will be Min, you'll make sure of that."
"Oh Rolanda what if I can't do it? There's a little boys life a stake."
"Do be daft Minerva, you'll make a great mum!"
"Aunt." Minerva corrected with a smile.
"Aunt Merv to be precise." Poppy added trying to lighten the mood.
"Well whatever you call yourself, you'll be the best guardian in the world. Look at you Minerva; I've never seen you like this before. He obviously means an awful lot to you." Rolanda assured wiping tears from Minerva's eyes.
"Do you think so?" Minerva sniffed.
"We know so." Poppy answered confidently bringing a smile to Minerva's face.
"Now when do I get to meet Harry Potter?"
"Well he's with Albus at the moment, he agreed to watch him while we go shopping."
"Well then what are we waiting for? And before you say anything I'm going to get the boy his first broom, I have to make a good first impression!"
The three witches laughed and Rolanda made for the door.
"Umm…Rolanda?"
"Yes?" she asked turning around.
"Don't you think you should get dressed before we hit the town?"
She looked down at her attire and laughed.
"Well if you insist."
The three witches were crossing the grounds when Rolanda asked,
"So where are we heading?"
"Didn't you want to go to Hogsmeade Minerva?"
"Well yes but on second thought I think it might be better to apparate to London."
"Definitely. Quality Quidditch Supplies has so much more to offer than Bartholomew's Brooms and Other Business. I wouldn't be surprised if he's forced to shut down before long, I don't think he gets very many customers."
"Well actually I was thinking muggle London."
"Muggle London?" Poppy and Rolanda said in unison.
"Well yes, you see Harry isn't used to wizards clothing. Just this morning he thought his pyjamas were trying to eat him."
Both Poppy and Rolanda chuckled.
"Eat him? Whatever gave him that idea?"
"The lions on them were prancing about roaring and he assumed that if they could move and roar like real lions they would eat humans like real lions too."
Poppy and Rolanda were leaning on each other for support they were laughing so hard.
"Yes so anyway, apparently the lions and other figures on muggle clothing don't move so I think it might be better, just for now, if we try not to startle him too much."
"Don't move?" Poppy asked.
"What do you mean don't move?" Rolanda questioned.
"You mean they just…just sit there?"
"Frozen to the spot?"
"Apparently." Minerva nodded.
"But…but what's the point in that?" Rolanda baffled scratching her head.
"Well I'm not entirely sure but would you two terribly mind if we got his clothes and toys in muggle London? We can still stop by Diagon Alley to pick up his robes and some other bits."
"Of course we don't mind Minerva, whatever you thinks best for Harry."
"Thanks." Minerva smiled and with that the three apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Sorry Tom, we're not stopping."
"We'll be back in a little while."
"Alright ladies, I'll see you when I see you."
Stepping out of the Leaky Cauldron into muggle London (after having changed a few galleons into pounds) the three witches looked completely out of place. They huddled into a nearby alleyway and transfigured their robes into muggle clothing.
"So where does one buy muggle clothing?" Poppy asked looking to Minerva for an answer.
"What are you looking at me for? I haven't he faintest idea."
They both turned to Rolanda who grabbed each of there arms and skipped down the street.
"I'm sure we'll find somewhere. How hard can it be? Muggles do it everyday!"
Humming, skipping and dragging the other two, Rolanda stopped outside a shop called Debenhams.
"Ah, this looks promising."
Poppy and Minerva exchanged nervous glances before being hauled inside.
Spluttering, sneezing and gasping for breath the three witches made it through the perfume section and over to the escalators.
"The sign says children's clothes are up one floor."
"And how do you propose we get there?"
"Well ladies, the muggles seem to be using this contraption." Rolanda stated cheerfully pointing to the escalator.
"Is it safe?"
"The muggles seem to think so Poppy."
"But how does it work?" Minerva asked eying the escalators suspiciously.
"I'm not sure. They seem to be some type of moving stairs." Rolanda gladly replied.
"Well I can see that Rolanda! But like Poppy said are they safe?"
"Why aren't there any normal staircases?" Poppy wondered.
"Who knows how the muggle mind works. Now Minerva, gather up that Gryffindor courage and brave the unknown. And Poppy I thought Hufflepuffs were trustworthy and open-minded, combine the two – open up your mind and place your trust in this muggle machine."
Clinging on to each other for dear life the three witches stepped onto the escalator and braced themselves for the worst. All three squashed onto one step, Minerva in the middle with Poppy on her left and Rolanda on her right. As the escalator brought them higher and higher Poppy's grip on Minerva tightened. Her knuckles turned white and her eyes were so wide Minerva thought they might pop out of her head. Minerva tried her best to remain calm and hid behind her stern professor façade, glowering at anything that moved. Rolanda, however, was just the opposite. She merrily leaned over the edge peering and pointing at anything and everything causing quite a scene. As the end came near all three were thinking the same thing.
Thundering thestrals how do we get off of this thing?
When the escalator stopped going higher and began to even out, just moving forward, the colour drained from their faces
Almost there, what to do? WHAT TO DO?
Poppy started trembling, Minerva's knees felt weak and Rolanda stopped humming.
"JUMP!"
All three followed Rolanda's order, knocking over a display dummy and landing in a heap in the little girls section. Pulling a pink feather boa out of her face, Minerva peaked about looking for the others. Poppy had landed flat on her stomach and was covered in purple knickers and Rolanda had landed rather undignified in a potted plant. To Minerva's horror a crowd had began to form. Yanking the other two up, Minerva stormed off in the direction of the boy's department.
"Never in my whole life have I been so humiliated!" Minerva fumed arms flying everywhere.
"This is worse than the time Cornelius mistook me for his wife and pinched my bum!" Poppy muttered.
"I'll never look at a potted plant the same w…hold on a second did you just say Fudge grabbed your arse?"
Rolanda and Minerva turned to look at Poppy and seeing her blush they both forgot their troubles and giggled like mad.
"Should we warn Alastor?" Rolanda managed to say between giggles.
Poppy stormed off to the sock selection saying
"Come and find me when you two have managed to compose yourselves."
Twenty minutes later Poppy, carrying an armful of socks, followed the raised voices leading to the pyjama section.
"I think we should get them all!"
"All of them? He'll grow out of them before he has time to wear them all Rolanda!"
"So what do you suggest we do? It's been my experience one can never have enough pyjamas Minerva."
"And Albus warned me one can never have enough socks." Poppy added stepping out from behind a clothes rack.
Turning to see Poppy and all her socks Minerva tentatively asked,
"Are all those socks really necessary Poppy?"
"Before we left the one thing Albus asked me to get were plenty of socks and well…I…I was hoping that we might be able to get everything we need in this one shop. I don't think I can handle another muggle contraption."
"Albus fascination with socks I'll never know. But I have to agree with you there Poppy, I'm not mad keen on the moving stairs myself." Rolanda said.
"Well let's try and get as much as possible in here then see what else we need." Minerva concurred.
"Alright so have we decided on the pyjamas?" Poppy asked.
"Who's Scooby-Doo?" Rolanda enquired holding up an orange pair of pyjamas with a brown dog on the front.
Shrugging Poppy said,
"Isn't it strange none of the figures and characters move?"
All three agreed.
"So how did you decide on the socks Poppy?" Minerva asked.
"Oh you know I picked what I thought little boys might like. You know dragons, dinosaurs, lions and snakes."
"Snakes! No Gryffindor of mine will be wearing snakes!"
"Calm down Minerva, you never know he might like snakes, you've got to give him a selection of things. Little boys that age are awfully picky. And I made sure none of them were Slytherin green."
"Alright, I suppose your right Poppy. So I guess that settles it then. We should get him the dragon, dinosaur, lion and snake pyjamas."
"Oh but Minerva! I wanted to get him the blue ones with the strange muggle device with wheels on the front." Rolanda whined.
"Rolanda calm yourself! Come on, we've finally decided now let's go and pick out trousers and t-shirts for him."
"Minerva how does muggle sizing work? Will you know which size to buy?" Poppy asked
"Well from what I gather it works in years but Harry is so little I'll get him a size smaller than his age what do you think Poppy?"
"Yes I think that's an excellent idea, come on where do they keep the t-shirts?"
Rolanda grudgingly put the pyjamas back and followed the other two.
After some debating and a lot of um-ing and ah-ing the three witches stood in line, arms full of clothes, waiting to pay.
"We still need to get him another set of trousers, a pair of shoes, a couple of jumpers and a few sets of robes." Poppy said.
"Yes and with it being November and the chilly weather on the way he'll need a scarf, gloves and a hat." Minerva added.
"And toys, lots of toys! Oh and a broom!" Rolanda exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes but I think we should buy muggle toys, there was another incident this morning but I won't get into that. If later he wants his toys animated I'll wave my magic wand."
"Oh don't you just love being a witch?" Rolanda cackled.
"Good morning ladies, are you paying together or separately?"
"My arms are killing me. Did we really need to buy everything the toyshop had to offer?" Poppy groaned lugging hundreds of carrier bags filled with toys.
"Everything Poppy? I think you'll find we only bought out the entire bottom floor. None of us dare brave the muggle moving stairs." Minerva snorted.
"I don't understand why we can't just shrink all the bags and put them in our pockets."
"We can Poppy, just as soon as we reach the Leaky Cauldron."
"But where is the Leaky Cauldron? It's must be miles away! I feel like we have walked for days on end!" Rolanda complained.
"I don't know why your complaining Rolanda? You were the one who insisted we enter every single shop and buy out their entire first floor." Minerva pointed out.
"I'm not complaining! I was merely pondering upon our location. And as for entering every single shop well, can you blame me? I've never been an Aunt before and I want him to like me and I want him to have everything he needs. See I only have Harry Potter's best interests at heart!"
"Rolanda, he'll like you regardless of what you buy him."
"I know that but I…I…well alright I want him to like me the best so there!" Rolanda huffed sticking out her tongue.
"Oh Rolanda when will you grow up? You can't buy peoples affections." Poppy wheezed heaving the bags along.
"That's not what Minerva thinks." Rolanda muttered.
"And what, pray tell, do you mean by that?" Minerva asked narrowing her eyes.
"Oh don't act so clueless Minerva! I saw you secretly buy that bag of sherbet lemons in your pocket."
"Minerva is that true?" Poppy mocked gasped and Minerva turned bright red.
"I didn't secretly buy anything and for your information Rolanda, Albus asked me to bring him something back, isn't that right Poppy?"
"I've changed my mind, I don't want to know what you've bought. I'm staying clear of the whole matter."
"Oh my Lord! It's the Nimbus 500!" Rolanda yelled excitedly pressing her nose up against the glass.
"Isn't she beautiful? Look at the finely polished handle, the delicately aligned twigs and the way the gold lettering glistens in the sunshine. Oh girls, what a beauty. Think of the craftsmanship that went into making this." Rolanda exclaimed stepping back from the window and pointing to the broom.
Both Minerva and Poppy agreed but truthfully Poppy couldn't care less. She thought quidditch was a barbaric sport and had been protesting to get it banned at Hogwarts for years.
"What do you think? Should I buy it for Harry? If I do I'll surely be the best aunt in all the land maybe even the whole wide world!"
"Rolanda you are not buying a Nimbus 500 for Harry." Minerva scolded.
"Oh but Min, why not?" Rolanda whined.
"He's five Rolanda, five!"
"Ah yes but if he's anything like his father he's a natural."
"That still doesn't change the fact that he is five."
Sighing in defeat Rolanda shrugged her shoulders.
"Fine, you win, what broom will you let me buy him then?"
"One that is suitable for a very talented five year old." Minerva smirked.
Poppy however seemed outraged.
"Minerva you can't be serious? You've seen the broomstick accidents I've had to heal! Surely you won't subject little Harry to such horror? When he's older perhaps but not now!"
"Oh Poppy he's five, I learned to ride when I was three!" Rolanda told her.
"There, my point exactly, I rest my case." Poppy stated crossing her arms.
Minerva just rolled her eyes and followed a rather hurt Rolanda into Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"He is not having, I repeat not having a full grown adults broom."
"Oh but Minerva - "
Minerva cut Rolanda off.
"No Rolanda, a child's broom will be perfectly adequate for the first couple of years."
"Fine." Rolanda scoffed. "Which one am I allowed to get him?"
"Anyone you want, it's your present but Rolanda I meant what I said earlier you don't have to buy him anything he'll love you just the same."
"Oh Minerva I know that but like I said he's my only nephew and deserves to be spoilt."
"Well then he is very lucky to have such a magnificent aunt." Minerva grinned as she saw Rolanda blush at her compliment.
"So what do you think of the Kiddies Comet? It's by far better than the Cleansweep petite."
"And what are the restrictions and safety hazards?"
"Flies no higher than 6 feet, speed limits, dive restrictions and the usual anti-collision charms."
"Sounds perfect."
"Really?" Rolanda asked surprised.
"Yes, Harry will love it."
Grinning like a goon Rolanda hopped, skipped and jumped off to purchase the broom.
By the time they had finished their shopping it was almost teatime. They had skipped lunch so Rolanda suggested they get a bite to eat at the Leaky Cauldron but Minerva declined eager to get back to Harry as soon as possible.
I shouldn't have left him alone all day, it's almost three o'clock! I wonder what he has been up to today? I hope he's alright. Of course he's alright he's with Albus. Somehow that thought isn't completely reassuring. Stop it Minerva, he's fine!
"You don't mind do you?"
"Of course not Minerva."
"The both of you can stay here and have tea if you want, I don't mind."
"Don't be silly Min, I'm just as eager as you are to get back. I can't wait to meet Harry Potter!"
So with that settle and one last goodbye to Tom the toothless barman the three witches apparated to the gates of Hogwarts.
A/N: Ooo I wonder what Harry and Albus got up to while the witches were away. You'll just have to wait and see…
Remember constructive criticism is welcome with open arms. Thanks!
