Chapter 28
"Hello, Harry," Kingsley said. They were sitting in McGonagall's office. Even though she was the Acting Headmistress, she kept her same office, she planned to move into Dumbledore's office the next school year. Kingsley had met with McGonagall a week ago and told her what he planned to do about Potter's living arrangements. The Auror deftly did not mention Lucius and when the astute woman asked about the financier, Kingsley assured her that once the legal guardianship papers went through the Ministry of Magic Department of Child and Family Services, Lucius would have no authority nor say in any arrangements regarding Potter. Kingsley received the official papers, placing Kingsley as Potter's legal guardian on his desk a day after he had submitted them. There was something to be said about being the Minister of Magic, Kingsley thought ruefully as he waved his waved, sending the papers to his personal vault in his home at the Glen. In time, if things went well he would adopt the boy.
Presently, McGonagall sat at her desk as she watched Harry and the Minister of Magic. Kingsley had, wisely in her opinion, had asked her to be present when he informed Harry of the news about his guardianship.
'Yes, Sir?" Harry asked. He had no idea why he had been pulled out of his Transfiguration class, which was interesting today because Professor Black had begun a lesson on inanimate object transformations. Harry had just succeeded in turning his teacup into a gerbil, which to Harry's amusement had found the corner of his roll of parchment quite tasty. Hermione who already had three gerbils scampering around her desk was cooing over the little creatures while Harry was placing another teacup on the desk. Ron was still working to get his teacup fully transfigured, his teacup still had a tail. Little Professor Flitwick came up behind them and quietly told Harry that the boy needed to meet Professor McGonagall in the hallway. Harry shrugged to the other two and told them that he would see them at dinner.
"Harry, I'm sure you've seen the Prophet and read about your father being placed in Azkaban," Kingsley. said. He spoke softly to the child, he knew that the strong baritone in his voice was intimidating.
"Yes, I did. Why did you put my father in prison?" Harry asked. There was no heat behind the boy's words, Kingsley noted. A hopeful sign.
"You may have powers that we don't know about and since he is your father, we have to take the necessary safety precautions," Kingsley said.
"So, it's my fault he's in there? Because of powers, I may have?" Harry asked.
"No. Snape's imprisonment has nothing to do with you. It is a precaution against powers he may have since he is your father and you have powers that prevented the Dark Lord from killing you as an infant." Kingsley said. The Auror knew that he had to tell the child the truth.
"Oh," Harry said. Harry had wondered why Severus had been placed in Azkaban and while it was unfortunate, Harry felt it was justice in a way for him not coming to get him, Harry, out of the clutches of the Dursleys. Maybe if Severus had come for him, he would not have suffered the horrific abuse at their hands.
"So, um, Harry," Kingsley said, "I have been given guardianship of you for now." McGonagall narrowed her eyes as she carefully watched Potter's reaction to this bit of news.
"So, I live with you, then?" Harry asked. Kingsley could sense no reluctance or apprehension in Harry. The Auror reflected that boy's life must have been quite disjointed and abusive, if he had not been able to form any attachments to caretakers – even, it seemed, the Weasleys.
"Yes, when you aren't here at the castle. You may visit the Weasleys as often as you like during your summer and school holidays," Kingsley said. He saw the child visibly relax, maybe he had formed an attachment to them, which was good.
"Ok! That's fine then!" Harry said. The boy's enthusiasm took the Auror and McGonagall by surprise. "Isn't your mum Cecily Shacklebolt?" Kingsley strove to keep the shock out of his face, that was the last thing expected the boy to ask.
"Er, yes. Yes, she is. How do you know about her and why do you ask?" Kingsley asked.
She used to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer a few years ago. The Prophet did a feature about her when you became the Minister of Magic and again when Mr. Malfoy got the job. Some people have asked me what I want to do when I become an adult, many think that I should become an Auror, which isn't a bad job, but I think I want something a little safer, more peaceful and I like the things that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gets to do and they seem like things that I would like to do." Harry said. Kingsley was stunned. He didn't know which was more astonishing, Harry's openness, or the fact that the child remembered details about his mother, or the boy's choice of career. It was a great deal for the Auror to process. He needed a Firewhiskey.
"Well, Harry, why don't I pick you up this Saturday and we can go into Hogsmeade to have lunch and I can tell you more about my mother and we can take it from there? You are welcome to share this conversation and any others with your friends Ron and Hermione, but I would like that it goes no further than them." Kingsley said.
"Yes, Sir. I will see you Saturday. Thank you for the guardianship thing and letting me still see the Weasleys and my friends." Harry said. McGonagall and Kingsley exchanged a glance, as soon as the boy left the office, they were both going to have a Firewhiskey.
"Of course. Harry. I want to help as much as I can in this process. I'll see you Saturday. Come to the main entrance of the castle at noon, I will be there waiting for you." Kingsley said.
"Yes, Sir. Thank you. See you on Saturday." Harry said.
"Very good. You may return to class now, Harry." McGonagall said, as she waved her wand and her office door opened.
Once Harry left and the door closed behind him, both McGonagall and Kingsley exhaled.
"I'll take a Firewhiskey, please, if you have it," Kingsley said.
"Absolutely, Minster, I'll pour myself one, too," McGonagall said as she walked over to her cabinet.
