A/N: Thanks to Manda, for stepping in as pinch hit beta since J's gone on vacation. More is coming soon! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 47-Reunions, part 1

July 22, 1991—Deputy Headmistress's Office, Hogwarts

Minerva took the letter addressed to Harry and slipped it into the pocket of her robes. She refused to allow anyone, namely Dumbledore, to discover where Harry was. She had questioned the headmaster's judgment when he left Harry on the doorstep of his aunt's house, but once Minerva had discovered from Alice Longbottom that Harry was nowhere to be found, well, she wasted no time in proving her mastery of the art of Transfiguration. She wasn't a cat Animagus for no reason. The Transfiguration professor knew how and when to use her claws.

The deputy headmistress finished sorting the stack and headed down to the Charms classroom, certain that she would be able to find Professor Flitwick there and divvy up the responsibilities of delivering the letters. On the way down, she thought about if she should inform Alice and Sirius, but then thought that maybe this wasn't the Harry Potter that she thought it was. No, she decided it was better if she went and saw for herself that it was James and Lily's son before informing anyone else.

July 24, 1991—Harper Place

While celebrations over entrance letters took place at the Burrow and Longbottom Manor, Minerva McGonagall was trying to figure out how to explain to one Harry Potter that he was a member of the Wizarding world and should have been all along. Deciding that she'll just have to play it by ear, she strode up to the door of Harper Place and knocked sharply. Adjusting the collar of the Muggle jacket that she was wearing, though she wondered why anyone would wear something so constrictive, she waited impatiently. It wasn't too long before the door was opened and Minerva let out a huge gasp.

"Calliope?"

"Aunt Minnie? Is it really you? What are you doing here?" Janet Stephens asked the older lady. A dawn of recognition covered her face. "You're bringing Harry his Hogwarts letter, aren't you?"

Seeing a face that she hadn't seen in almost fifteen years, Minerva's mind froze and trapped her in memories of her best friend, Ellen Meadows and her husband. Visions flashed before her eyes- the Dark Mark floating over the house; the open, unseeing eyes of Ellen and David; their lifeless bodies lying in the hallway. Emotions threatened to overwhelm the normally well controlled witch. Drawing on all of her reserves, she closed off those thoughts until a time when she was alone and could deal with them.

"Calliope?" she questioned her own eyes, wondering if it was indeed the Squib granddaughter of her best friend, Ellen. "Is this where you've been all this time? What is this place?" She looked about her, taking in the four-story structure.

"Where are my manners?" Janet said, shaking her head. "Come in, come in. We can go up to my floor to talk." The floor mother turned and led Minerva up the stairs into the playroom. As she followed Janet, Minerva was careful to note the decor. It was a clean place with tasteful things placed around, but there was a definite feel of children that exuded from the atmosphere.

"Now, to answer your questions, Aunt Minnie. Yes, it's really me, although I go by Janet now." The two women sat down on the loveseat, facing one another.

"That's why I couldn't find you," Minerva muttered to herself. Janet didn't hear this and continued in her answers.

"This is Harper Place, an orphanage. When I made the decision to live in the Muggle world, I was terrified, but I knew that I was in much more danger by trying to stay in the Wizarding one. I had no means of defence, not after what happened to Nana and Grandpa. I figured that if I found a place with children that they wouldn't question what I didn't know and I would be able to learn to survive while the children did," Janet explained.

"I would have taken care of you, Calliope. Your grandmother would have wanted me to. I've looked for you ever since that night, but no one ever knew where you went. Pandora could only tell me that you had written her and that she couldn't blame you for running, knowing how your parents treated you," the older woman replied.

"Aunt Minnie, I..." Janet trailed off. Minerva reached a hand out and grasped Janet's. "I was there when it happened." Minerva gasped. She had never guessed that the young girl would have been there when it happened and that she managed to survive. "Nana shoved me in the hall cupboard when they barrelled through the doors. How it was that they didn't see me, I'll never know. I saw what happened and heard their pleas for mercy. But that monster," she paused. "He could never be merciful. He kept asking them about Charley or something. I couldn't figure out what it was he was asking for."

"Arley? Could he have been trying to find your grandmother's cousin, Arley?" Minerva wondered aloud.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of pounding feet on the stairs.

"The children are back from their swimming lessons. I'm assuming you're here for Harry as Mena's not old enough yet," Janet stated. The opening and closing of doors could be heard behind them. Minerva was gobsmacked to realize that she had indeed forgotten the purpose of her visit.

"Mena? Who is Mena?" Minerva asked.

"Harry's best friend," Janet said, smiling.

"She's magical too?"

Janet nodded. "And Hermione."

"Hermione Granger? She's on my list to visit tomorrow, but the quill said she's in Oxford," Minerva said, baffled.

"Oh, she is. Mena and to a much lesser extent Harry have become friends with her. They met at the British Museum, if I remember correctly. Hermione's travelled with us quite a few times."

"And they're all magical? Are you sure?"

Janet looked at Minerva exasperatedly. "Aunt Minnie, while yes, I'm a Squib, I did grow up with Pandora, who more than lived up to her name. Plus, we were good friends with Sirius Black. I know accidental magic when I see it, although I wondered since there was never an Accidental Magic Reversal Squad sent."

Minerva looked at Janet with eyes wide. "Was there ever exposure?"

"I always explained it away. Luckily, it was always around other children. Do you want me to go get Harry?" Janet asked.

"Yes, please."

The younger woman left the room while Minerva slumped against the back of the loveseat, stunned at the news she had received. Yet, the sight that met her eyes as Janet reappeared with two children had her gasping in complete shock.

"Ginny Weasley?"