Minerva's Plan

Warning This chapter contains one scene of child abuse/cruelty to children, which you may find disturbing.

As Minerva walked by the lake, Albus stood at the window, staring with unseeing eyes at the night sky. He was full of sadness after the fight, he didn't want to admit it to himself, but Minerva's words had wounded him, and he couldn't quite free himself of the pain. Albus tried to tell himself that respect didn't matter, it was love that mattered, so long as she loved him as she always had, that was all that really mattered, but he found it hard to convince himself of this. A part of him feared that his decision, about Harry, might cost him her love as well. What if she started to hate him for sending Harry away ?

Although Albus had agreed that time apart would be good for them, he now missed Minerva desperately, and longed to have her with him. Needed to feel her soft smooth warmth in his arms, he felt incomplete without her there. Albus couldn't help but be horribly aware of the changes in their relationship, and they saddened and scared him, making him fear that her love for him might lessen and die. Albus rested his head against the cold stone surround of the window, as he recalled how after every other fight, they'd shared tender kisses and embraces, healed each others wounds, with soft words and smiles. As he gazed out into the night, he could see Minerva standing by the lake, her hair blowing in the wind. Albus reached out his arm, and stroked the glass that divided them, almost as though he could caress Minerva from this distance. The glass was ice cold under his hand, and he was tempted to run to Minerva, and embrace her. For a moment he could almost feel her next to him, his hand stroking her hair, their lips about to meet. Then the illusion faded, and he was alone and empty again. 'I must respect her wishes.' He told himself sadly, 'I must give her the time and space she needs.' Albus's head dropped sadly, his shoulders drooped, and he seemed very old and weary.

Suddenly there was a soft touch on his shoulder, Fawkes had sensed his friends pain, and come to give comfort. The phoenix nestled against Albus's silvery hair and trilled softly. Albus reached up, and stroked the bird's red and golden plumage, "Oh Fawkes, my friend, I'm only trying to keep Harry safe ... I miss him too ..." Albus whispered sadly, "I hope I won't loose her ...what if she ...stops loving me ..." A single tear rolled down Albus's face, as he turned, and buried his head in Fawkes soft feathers.

For a second there was silence, and then the phoenix began to sing, a song of love and comfort for his friend. Fawkes's song had an otherworldly quality, as the crystal notes filled the room, colours seemed to grow brighter and more intense. It was as though a sunbeam had been brought inside, and set free to dance around the office. The music of the phoenix's voice, was like the sound of clear spring water in the high mountains, it's purity and brightness soothed and lightened Albus, making him feel as if a great burden had been lifted from him.

The next day Albus woke unusually late, and was instantly aware of the empty space, where Minerva normally lay. He sighed softly, as he remembered the fight. Albus ate a lonely breakfast in his chambers, and then tried to busy himself with his books, as he waited hopefully for Minerva to come to him. They always spent their weekends together, whenever they could. The minutes seemed to drag by so slowly, and still Minerva did not come. 'Perhaps she still needs time alone.' Albus told himself, as he fiddled absentmindedly with one of his contraptions. 'I must be patient.' He thought, as he tried to juggle with five lemon drops at once, his previous best record was four. Nothing distracted him from missing Minerva, from worrying about her, and how she might be feeling. Finally as the minutes became an hour, and then two hours, Albus decided that he should go and find Minerva, see how she was, try to make things right between them.

That Saturday morning, Minerva woke early, she felt excited and nervous too, it was time to act, to put her plan into effect. As she dressed, and ate breakfast, she went over things in her mind, checking each and every detail of her plan. She might be about to go against Albus's wishes, but she still respected him enough to believe him, when he said that Harry was in danger from deatheaters, and she was determined to take no unnecessary risks. After Minerva had finished breakfast, she stayed sitting at the table, she was torn, unsure whether to go ahead with her plan or not. She hated going behind Albus's back, she had never kept anything from him before, part of her wanted to go to him, tell him what she intended to do, and ask him to support and help her. In the end it was her certainty that he would not support her, and would try to stop her from carrying out her plan, that made her decide to go ahead, and act alone. 'It's for Harry's sake.' She told herself, 'Once I have proof that the Dursleys aren't fit to care for him, Albus will understand. I have to do this.' Minerva's lips were set in a thin line of determination, as she walked across to the closet, and took out a dark green hooded cloak.

As she left her rooms, Minerva draped the cloak around her shoulders, she left the hood down for the time. Then swiftly and silently, moving with cat like grace, she made her way through the back passages of Hogwarts, keeping as much as possible, to areas where the chance of meeting others was slim. She had already decided, not to use the main entrance to leave the castle, the fewer people who saw her that morning the better. She could only hope, that Albus would not notice that she was missing, would not guess where she had gone. Once again she felt a stab of guilt, and sorrow, at decieving him in this way. 'It's the right thing to do.' Minerva told herself, 'Someone has to make him see sense.'

Minerva left the castle by a little known side door, the conifers grew close against the walls of the castle here. Minerva pulled the hood of the cloak over her head, and stepped into the cover of the trees. Her dark green cloak blended perfectly with the overhanging leaves of the fir trees, rendering her almost invisible to watching eyes. As Minerva moved among the trees, she searched for something that could be used as a portkey, she hadn't wanted to use an item of her's, fearing that it might be too easily traced. Finally she spied a discarded quidditch glove, it had obviously lain there for some time, and was stained and discoloured. Stooping, Minerva picked it up disdainfully, and hid it under her cloak, then continued on her way.

Minerva knew the route through the overhanging musty firs well, she'd come to know almost every inch of the Hogwarts grounds, during her years as a student, when she'd been as famous as the Marauders, for her pranks and escapades, many of which had involved leaving the school without permission. At last Minerva reached her destination, a grey stone wall, covered in moss and lichen rose before her, seemingly there was no way through, turning Minerva followed the wall for a time. Finally she stopped before a section of wall, that was covered in hanging ivy, her slender fingers probed the wall, and then pushed the vines aside to reveal a gap between the stones. Before stepping through the gap, Minerva scanned the area with her eyes, making sure there were no unwanted watchers to see her leave the grounds of Hogwarts.

As Minerva left the grounds, she felt that she almost betrayed Albus with her actions, determined to go ahead with her plan, for Harry's sake, she pushed the thought from her mind, now was no time for weakness or doubts. Once outside the walls, Minerva again scanned the surrounding area, with wary green eyes, then took cover behind some rocks. Hidden behind the rocks, she let the quidditch glove fall to the ground, drew her wand, and cast Portus on it. Next she assumed her animagus form, of a silver tabby with distinctive spectacle markings round it's eyes, lifting a paw Minerva touched the portkey, at once she was transported to her chosen location.

Minerva had set her portkey to take her to a secluded, little used, alleyway a few streets away from the Dursley's house, in Privet Drive. She had chosen to use a portkey, instead of apparating, as portkeys were less easy to trace. Immediately the tabby appeared in the alley, she shot under the nearest bush, and scanned the area, with far seeing feline eyes, fortunately no one was there, Minerva sighed in relief. Her plan had gone well so far, now all she had to do, was to make her way to Privet Drive, and then find a safe place to hide. Once hidden, she would be able to watch, and see if Harry was being well cared for. Then she would return to Hogwarts, and tell Albus, proove to him that Harry shouldn't be left there with those people. Minerva was certain that her suspicions about Petunia, and her revolting husband, would be prooved correct. No matter how long it took, she would wait and watch.

Before Minerva left the protection of the bush, she made sure that the glove she'd used as a portkey, was well hidden among fallen leaves and soil. She would need it to return to Hogwarts with, had cast portus in such a way that the portkey would activate again when touched. It was a risk, she knew Albus wouldn't approve, but it was one she had to take, there was no other alternative. Staying as well hidden as she could, moving in the soundless way that cats can, the silver tabby made it's way through the streets of Little Whinging to Privet Drive, then even more cautiously slunk towards the Dursley's.

Albus Dumbledore stood in his office, looking confused and somewhat concerned, he had spent at least half an hour searching the castle for Minerva. First he'd tried her private rooms, then he'd wondered if she was chatting with Poppy or Rolanda, but it seemed no one had seen her since last night. Even the portraits, the eyes and ears of the castle, had no idea where she was, finally Albus had decided that she must be waiting for him in his rooms.

He'd been disappointed, and a little worried, when he found she wasn't there either, it was most unlike her to vanish like this, without a word. Where could she be ? Albus ran his hand through his hair, his worry increasing with every second, suddenly one of the silver contraptions, that stood on one of the many tables in his office, whirred and then pinged. Instantly Albus's face paled, and he almost lept across the room to the contraption, staring at it intently, with eyes that held more than a hint of fear. This could mean only one thing, the wards around the Dursleys had been breached, by something or someone. Dread lept in Albus's heart, was Harry safe ? Was he in danger ? Who ? What ? Albus reached out with a hand that trembled slightly, and tapped the contraption lightly with his wand, a silver puff of smoke began to form itself into the semblance of a small animal, and Albus breathed a little easier. Then his brow furrowed in thought, the wards were set up to let non magical beings pass without problem, clearly whatever had caused his contraption to ping, was a magical creature of some type. As Albus peered at the smoke, it began to take the shape of a cat. Albus gasped in horror and shock, surely not, surely Minerva could not have, would not have, gone to see Harry without his permission. He must go at once and check, swiftly he drew his wand, and transformed his robes into muggle clothes, as a deepening frown grew on his face. As Albus cast Portus on an old lemon drop tin, his face was thunderous with supressed rage.

The silver tabby sat huddled against the wall, seemingly licking it's paws casually, when in actual fact it was watching and listening intently. Finally it decided that now was the time, and keeping low to the ground, snuck into the Dursley's garden. Once in the garden, safely camouflaged among the plants, it moved swiftly towards the house. Minerva peered into several rooms, saw that disgusting slob of a muggle, Vernon Dursley, lounging on a revolting floral couch, and discovered Petunia Dursley cleaning her already gleaming floors, finally she saw Harry. He was sitting all alone in the middle of the floor, toying rather mournfully with an old cardboard box. Minerva's motherly gaze noticed instantly, how his face was unwashed and flecked with dirt, his dark baby locks uncombed and messy. The tabby's eyes glinted with rage, to see a boy she loved as her own son, left alone in a room like this. The urge to go to him was strong in her, the window was half open, and it tempted her to enter, to be close to him again.

Minerva had only intended to risk entering the house, if she couldn't see well enough from outside, if it was necessary in order to discover how they were treating Harry. She definitely hadn't intended to let Harry see her, but now that she was here, she was drawn almost against her will, into the room. Minerva could resist the call of her heart no longer, in one flowing movement, the silver tabby lept softly through the open window, and landed soundlessly on the floor of the room. As soon as Harry saw the silver tabby cat, with the square markings around it's eyes, that resembled a pair of spectacles, he reached out his arms gleefully to her.

"Granma Minmin ..." he gurgled blissfully, his tiny face lighting up with joy. "Granma Minmin ...hug ... hug." he demanded. Opening his arms pleadingly to her.

Minerva gasped, he recognised her, she hadn't been ready for this, she should have been, she'd often assumed animagus form when babysitting Harry, as a way to entertain him. Harry's open welcoming arms were a plea to Minerva's heart and soul, she longed with every part of her to assume her true form, to gather Harry into a motherly hug, and never let him go again. It was only Minerva's trust in Albus, that prevented her from giving into her heart's desire. If Albus Dumbledore said that Harry was in danger, then Minerva knew he must be right, she must resist her needs, it was far too risky to be here as anything other than a tabby cat. So great was her longing, that it was all she could do to force herself to stay in her animagus form. Minerva felt almost as though, she might return to human form against her will.

Even though Minerva was determined not to take any needless risks, she couldn't resist Harry's demanding arms, his pleading eyes, within seconds the silver tabby was by her child's side. Instantly Harry's arms were wrapped around her, his tousled head nuzzling into her fur, the only way Minerva could respond, was to show her love in the way cats show affection. Minerva nudged him gently with her head, rubbing softly against his chin, as Harry showered her feline ears with baby kisses.

"Granma Minmin ..." he chortled in delight, and planted a particularly wet kiss on her nose.

"Yes Harry ...Granma Minmin ..." Minerva's voice was a soft loving purr, of motherly bliss. She hadn't meant to speak, was so well aware of the risks, but how could she not speak, he was her child , she couldn't keep silent. "I love you Harry." Her purr was a soft humm, a caress of love for her boy.

Minerva felt Harry's baby grip tighten around her neck, as he clung to her so hard, she almost struggled for breath. Their cheeks nuzzled against each other, and for the first time, since the loss of James and Lily, Minerva felt complete, the empty sad space in her heart filled again. In those precious moments she forgot all about her plan, forgot the need to remain secret, and discover if Harry was well cared for here. She was swept away by her love for Harry, by the joy of having him with her again.

This was why she failed to hear the approaching footsteps, untill the last minute, when they were nearly at the door of the room. For a split second, Minerva froze, her fur standing on end in alarm, as she remembered why she'd come here. If her plan was to work, she must not be discovered. She almost regretted revealing her presence to Harry, as the beginnings of panic rose within her, immediately quelled by her formidable will power. Her superior hearing, a benefit of being in cat form, told her the footsteps were female, almost certainly those of Petunia dursley. She must hide, or all was lost.

Instantly Minerva tore herself from Harry's arms, forced herself to ignore his wail of protest. The footsteps were right outside the door, she must take refuge somewhere, frantically Minerva scanned the room, searching desperately for a hiding place. Suddenly she spotted an ugly chintz armchair in the corner, and just as the door handle turned, streaked across the room to take cover behind it, but it was too late.

Petunia Dursley's indignant screech filled the room, "You digusting creature ! How did you get in here ? All over my clean floors too !"

Next thing Minerva knew, Petunia had flung the bucket of dirty water, she'd been carrying at Minerva. As the filthy water hit her, Minerva's cat instincts took controll of her, she yowled in shock, lept in the air as though stung, and still yowling, fled from the Dursley's. Minerva was so much under the controll of her feline side, that she didn't even hear Harry's wails of protest, at his Grandma leaving him in such a way.

Drenched, shocked, terrified, the silver tabby raced blindly along the streets, fleeing from an unseen enemy, unaware of where it was going, driven by instinct and panic. Finally the tabby found quivering refuge under a garden bush, lay on the earth trembling and breathless, sides heaving, drenched in the filthy water, that Petunia had just finished cleaning her floors with. It took a few minutes for Minerva to regain her self controll, and batter her feline instincts into submission, then she was overcome with guilt for having fled.

Minerva knew that her plan was ruined, it was impossible to return to the Dursley's, and try to check on Harry again that day. She was furious with herself, and even more furious with Petunia Dursley. 'Damm that bloody muggle woman.' She thought angrily, 'Barbaric, utterly barbaric - throwing water at a cat, everyone knows cats hate water, damm her.' Minerva arched her back in rage, only just supressed her instinct to spit or hiss, as though at an enemy. She was disgusted with herself, how could she have fled like that ? It was one of the risks of being an animagus, that in extreme circumstances, the natural instincts of the animal, whose form you took, could take over and control your actions for a time. Minerva knew this, but still found it hard to forgive herself. She was enraged and deeply ashamed, all at once. She had no choice now, other than to return to Hogwarts, and tell Albus what she had done, try to persuade him to go and check on Harry himself. Minerva's rational side knew that she had no real proof of Harry being either ill treated, or neglected, hardly surprising, given the small amount of time she'd spent there, but her emotional side was utterly convinced now, that Harry was at risk there. Something just hadn't felt right, she could only hope that Albus would believe her.

Petunia Dursley stared after the fleeing cat, with disgust and loathing, then she turned and glared at Harry, her face full of rage and hatred. "You horrible brat, encouraging that dirty flea ridden animal into my nice clean home, I'll teach you a lesson, you little brat." Petunia snarled, venting all her anger and frustration on him.

Instantly Harry began to sob in terror, it wasn't the first time that either Petunia, or Vernon, had directed their fury at him, and though he was only a year old, he'd already learned to fear them when they were angry.

"Be quiet, you nasty little freak, no one cares about freaks like you." Petunia snapped viciously, her face just an inch from Harry's.

Petunia shot out a cruel hand, and grabbed the sobbing toddler by his arm, then hauled him unceremoniously out of the room, and along the hall to the cupboard under the stairs. As Petunia opened the door of the cupboard, and Harry saw the pitch blackness within, he began to wail loudly for his Granma Minmin. At once callous nails dug into his arm, "Shut up you horrible brat." Petunia commanded, then pushed the screaming child into the dark cupboard, and bolted the door. Harry's screams continued, as he wailed for his grandma, but no one came, and finally the screams turned to pitiful sobs.

As Petunia listened to Harry's screams, there was a vicious smile on her face. She'd let him out in an hour or so, she was too scared of Dumbledore, to risk harming Harry physically, but she could certainly make the little freak pay for the unwanted inconveinience of having him there. Oh she would keep him alive for Dumbledore, even if she would have much preferred to dump him in an orphanage, and leave him to rot, but she certainly wasn't going to love, or care for her sister's freak of a son.

Minerva was too far away by then to hear Harry's wails, otherwise she would certainly have gone and rescued him.

It took the silver tabby a few minutes to get it's bearings, as it emerged from under the bush, finally it set off down the road. It was quite clear to anyone who happened to see the cat, that it was enraged. It stalked along the road, tail in a rigid line, drenched fur standing on end, and ears flat against it's head. Minerva was indeed raging with fury, she would have loved to have gone back, and dealt with Petunia Dursley, taught her not to throw water at cats ever again, but she knew this might endanger Harry. Instead she made her way back to where she'd left the portkey, endeavoring to be as insignificant as possible, despite her anger.

As the silver tabby slunk along one of the roads, not far from the Dursley's, she saw the familliar figure of Albus Dumbledore, at the other end of the road. Even dressed in soberly coloured muggle clothing, apart from the bright purple shoes, and pink tie, he was instantly recogniseable to her. Even at that distance, Minerva knew at once that he had seen her, felt his gaze upon her, so intense it almost seemed to burn her. Minerva's feline sixth sense told her that he was deeply angry, for a second she was tempted to turn tail and flee, but Minerva was far too courageous to give into such feelings. 'I haven't done anything wrong.' She told herself, 'He's got no right to object to what I did.' but even so, she still felt that it would be best not to face Albus at the moment, better to let him calm down first, she thought.

Albus was now striding along the street towards her, she had to think fast if she was to avoid him. Minerva knew that Albus would certainly recognise her, if he saw the distinctive spectacle markings round her eyes, so trying to look nochalont, she hid her head among some plants, pretending to be sniffing at the leafs. Another minute, and Albus was standing over her, Minerva buried her head even deeper in the plant, hoping against hope that it would fool him, knowing in her heart that there was no chance of this. Even without looking at him, she could sense the rage that emanated from him, it chilled her to the bone, as she felt his gaze upon her. Minerva had seen Albus angry before, but never like this, she hadn't expected such a reaction, from a man who'd only ever shown her kindness and gentleness.

I know it's you Minerva." Albus said softly, the merest quiver of fury in his voice.

As he spoke, she could feel the intensity of Albus's eyes upon her, almost commanding her to lift her head, and look at him, slowly almost against her will, she lifted her head and looked up at him. Normally Albus's eyes would have twinkled merrily at the sight of a drenched, and clearly furious Minerva in her animagus form, but today the twinkle was absent. Instead his eyes glinted like cold steel. Minerva could sense the shrouded anger that radiated from him, controlled fury evident in the rigid way he held himself. She felt her heart begin to pound within her, she had never known Albus look quite so enraged before, she was furious with herself for it, but couldn't help feeling a surge of fear within her. Only Minerva's courage and strength, her conviction that she had done the right thing in defying him, let her cover her fear and face him bravely.

"That bloody woman threw water ..." Snarled the silver tabby defiantly, hoping to deflect some of Albus's very evident anger onto Petunia, instead of her.

"Minerva ..." Albus started to say warningly, when they were interupted by the shrill tones of a young boy, who was walking along the road with his mother.

"Mum ... Mum, that man's talking to a cat !" The little boy tugged excitedly on his mother's arm.

Glancing at the boy, Albus guessed that he was about 5 years old, he had blond hair and, bright sparkling eyes full of mischief. If Albus had been less angry, he would have found the child charming, as it was he tried to hide his fury, and appear as normal and unmagical as possible.

"Yes dear ... now come along." His mother answered, sounding very much as though she wasn't really listening.

"But Mum ... the cat answered him !" The child said, his eyes alight, with the thrill of having heard a cat talk.

It was all Albus and Minerva could do not to gasp in horror, as they tried desperately to seem casual and unconcerned.

"Don't be silly Dear, cats don't talk." The boy's mother answered firmly.

"But Mum, I heard ..." The little boy protested.

"That's enough, Dear. Don't tell fibs." His mother answered, in a slightly irritated voice.

Albus couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the little boy, even when so angry, it was this that made him say softly. "Children have the most wonderful imaginations, don't they ? I'm quite sure he doesn't mean to tell fibs, little children sometimes get confused between what's real and what isn't."

The child's mother stared at Dumbledore, her face a picture of horror and shock, could this strange old man really be speaking to her. The little boy grinned up at Albus, "Thanks Mister." he said happily.

"Don't talk to strange old men, Dear, you don't know where he's been." The woman's mouth curled in disgust, as she seized her son's hand, and pulled him down the street. "And stay away from his filthy cat too, it's probably got fleas." She added.

As Minerva heard the woman's words, she bared her teeth in fury, looked almost ready to leap on her and scratch her. Instantly Albus fixed her with a fierce glare, that said very clearly, 'Don't you dare.' That look, was enough to make Minerva regain her self control, though she continued to snarl, and hiss in fury, as mother and child vanished down the road.

For a minute or two Albus and Minerva stood in silence, the air between them tense with fury, finally Minerva decided to try to explain her actions.

"I just ..." she began, when Albus interupted her.

"Not here." Albus answered, in an ominous voice which was full of quiet fury, and made Minerva dread facing him "We will use this portkey to return to Hogwarts, and then we shall discuss this." As he spoke, Albus withdrew the empty lemon drop tin from his cloak, then drew Minerva into a side alley, well away from prying eyes.

Once they were out of sight, both touched the portkey, and were transported back to Albus's office.

Author's Notes

Thanks to all you wonderful people who review, if it wasn't for you guys I might have given up on this story, so it's appreciated very much. Please review if you read and enjoy, thanks. :)

Whew the longest chapter so far, :) I hope the jumping from scene to scene wasn't too confusing, I felt it was needed to show how things happen.

I did a huge amount of soul searching over the scene where Petunia shuts Harry in the cupboard, even short before publishing I was thinking of leaving it out. In my original plan for this chapter, (made many months ago) it wasn't in, but I felt though, that it was necessary to the story, since we needed to know that Minerva is right. I'm still not sure I made the right choice. So I apologise if the scene offended anyone. I hope that having a humourous scene at the end of this chapter didn't seem too inappropriate given what had happened before. I felt we needed something light after such an sad chapter.

I also hope that it makes sense that Minerva fled ? She would never have done so if it wasn't for her cat instincts taking over. I really hope Albus's anger is understandable too ? I love Albus, and try to make him likeable, it's just he makes mistakes.

Things to Come

Chapter 14 Albus and Minerva arrive back at Hogwarts, Minerva needs all her courage to face an angry Albus. Anger leads to tender romantic moments.

Chapter 15 Minerva's missing of Harry is stronger than ever, will she cope ?

Chapter 16 A nice light moment starts the chapter, pressures on Albus and Minerva's love increase.

Chapter 17 Albus looses his temper.

Chapter 18 Severus isn't used to wanting to help other people.

Chapter 19 We learn more about Severus, and why he gave up being a death eater, (not compliant with DH),