Chapter 38: Memories of Childhood

Harry cornered Albus a few days later to ask about his memories of Harry's childhood. Albus agreed to meet with him on Saturday afternoon. Saturday afternoon found Harry sitting impatiently in a chair as Albus carefully transferred two strands of memory into the waiting pensieve.

"Remember, you are an only an observer," Albus reminded him.

Harry nodded, before leaning over the pensieve, entering face first. Landing smoothly, he looked around, noting he was in Albus' sitting room. Harry decided his younger self looked less than three while Minerva and Albus looked about the same.

"Harry, I must go to the Ministry for a meeting," Albus said gently. Harry clutched Albus' robes as tears started running down his face. Minerva picked him up in an attempt to comfort him.

"Harry, sweetie, Albus will be back," she said gently.

Harry wriggled to get out of Minerva's arms, but she had a secure grip on him. Albus kissed Harry before saying, "Let him have a lemon drop. He likes those."

"I think not," she said. "He doesn't need more sweets! You already gave him cake after lunch!"

"Lemon drop!" Harry repeated, "Please Minna?"

"Harry, you need to start calling me Minerva," said Minerva.

"You are in for a great time," said Albus with a smile. "I must be going. Distract him while I'm leaving."

Minerva made his stuffed phoenix fly, catching Harry's attention as Albus Flooed out. Harry giggled as he grabbed for the stuffed phoenix.

"Where Alby?" Harry asked.

"Albus went to the Ministry Harry," she said gently. "He'll be back soon."

"Minna play chess?" Harry asked.

"Harry, can you say Minerva?"

"Minna!" Harry said, giggling.

Minerva's scowl soon melted into a smile as she continued gazing at the giggling child.

The image changed, and Harry found himself on the Quidditch pitch. Albus and Madam Hooch were showing him how to mount a training broom.

"Remember Harry, slow and steady," instructed Madam Hooch.

Harry kicked off the ground before Albus or Madam Hooch could stop him.

"Harry, wait!" cried Madam Hooch.

But Harry was laughing as he zoomed across the field. Suddenly, he lost his balance, tumbling to the ground. He let out a sharp cry of pain just as Albus reached him.

"Get Poppy," he said to Madam Hooch.

Moments later, Madam Pomfrey hurried out, followed closely by Minerva. Madam Pomfrey did a scan on him, and said, "His wrist is broken, but I can fix this in no time, he will need to come inside for a dose of skelegrow."

Harry was still crying and clinging to Albus.

"He needs a time-out for disobeying," said Professor McGonagall.

"Minerva, he didn't know..." Albus started, but she cut him off.

"Albus, he needs to know what and what not to do. You have to stop treating him like a baby. He's four now. He needs time-out to understand his actions have consequences."

Minerva picked little Harry up and headed inside. After being given the skelegrow and a few sips of water, Minerva sent a small Harry to the corner, ignoring the falling tears. She left for a few minutes, telling Albus Harry needed to stay in the corner until she returned to speak with him. Once she was gone, Harry tried to plead his case with Albus. "I'm sorry. I wanted to go and you didn't tell me to wait."

"Do you promise to wait until you are given permission in the future?" Albus asked.

Harry nodded. Albus picked him up, and carried him into his room. He set him down, gave him some blocks, and left. Five minutes later, Minerva returned.

"Albus! Why did you release him from his time-out?"

"Minerva, I understand Harry's not a baby, I'd say getting hurt was enough of a punishment. He was the one to apologize, so I let him go play."

Minerva sighed. "Fine, did you at least explain what he did wrong?" Seeing Albus' shifty look, she huffed. "I think Albus, that now that Harry's older, you need to take sole responsibility of discipline. If he ends up in Gryffindor in the future, I will deal with his antics."

Albus nodded in agreement.

"But remember," she pressed on. "Don't let him get away with everything, explain what he does wrong so he understands, and keep loving him." She smiled before leaving the room.

The scene dissolved and he was back in the present, "Wow, that was cool!"

Albus chuckled before saying, "As you saw, I could not bear punishing you, especially when you cried." He hugged Harry and said, "Professor McGonagall overheard our talk a few days ago and she is not cross with you. Well Harry, I dare you to go to her office now, and greet her as 'Minna'. I'm curious as to how she will react."

Harry smiled wickedly, waved to Albus, and took off for her office.

"Hello Mr. Potter," she said, waving him inside and shutting the door.

"Hi Minna.' Harry said, trying but failing to contain his laughter.

Her face contorted as she shouted, "Harry James Potter! You will address me as Professor McGonagall or Minerva if we are outside of school!"

"Sorry Professor, Albus dared me," Harry said.

She sighed and said, "He will regret that decision. Goodbye Mr. Potter!"

Harry darted out the door she held open for him. "See you Monday in Transfiguration, Professor!"

2