July 31st, 1993
Mary Potter
Mary stopped at the park in Little Whinging, sitting on the swings and enjoying a ham and cheese sandwich from the deli down the street. It was a rather dark and gloomy day, with a strong wind that occasionally gusted through so harshly that Mary had to shield her eyes from the flying dirt and debris. She knew she could have tested the possibilities the dream opened up and hailed the Knight bus, but she needed time, peace, and quiet to think about what she would do next.
A low keening whine from just the other side of the hedgerow caught her ear and she stood quickly and flicked her wrist to let her wand fall into her hand.
Is it just the wind rustling the leaves? She thought as she crept forward - quietly as she could - so she didn't startle whatever had made the sound. Her heart clutched in her chest because she wasn't sure of what she would find, but she had a pretty good idea. She pushed back the hedge and peered past the thick foliage and gasped. Large greyish blue eyes stared at her warily from the face of a big black dog. Mary parted the overgrown hedges to get to him, not caring that twigs and briers pulled at her hair and cut into her bare arms.
What if the dream is wrong and he is guilty? The idea flitted through her mind and she mentally warred with the thought of helping someone who had betrayed her parents. But what if the dream is right and he is innocent? I can't just leave him here.
And what if it's just a stray dog? The cynical side of her mind pointed out. If that was the case then at least she could do some good by helping him out. Without further delay, Mary pulled herself free of the briers and knelt down in front of the dog.
"Easy there," Mary said gently, holding her hand out palm up for the dog to sniff. "I won't hurt you."
The dog's tail thumped against the ground weakly and kept it's eyes glued to her hand as he sat up on his haunches and leaned his nose into her hand. Without prompting, he took a step forward to lick her cheek where the bluish yellow bruise throbbed painfully.
"Don't worry about me, now," Mary said, trying to keep the tears at bay. "You're rail thin, old pup."
How long has he gone without food? When was the last time he slept or ate a full meal? As someone who knew the ins and outs of food and sleep deprivation, Mary could honestly say that it was probably just determination and will power keeping the poor thing alive at that point.
Mary kept her hands visible in case the dog lost rationality and thought that she was a threat. "I have some food and water here if you feel up to trying some?"
The emaciated dog lifted it's head and stared pitifully at her.
"Here." Mary twisted the lid off of the water bottle and held it up to the dog's mouth.
Slowly, the dog moved its nose toward the bottle, still wary and cautious as she tipped the bottle just enough to let a slow trickle of water flow. The dog lapped it up greedily, almost insulted by the little amount Mary was letting him drink. But Mary knew that large amounts of food or water when you're that hungry and thirsty, only lead to sickness.
After the poor beast had finished the other half of her sandwich and a few more sips of water, Mary deemed them both as ready as they'd ever be to get somewhere safe for the night.
"I'd like to keep you with me until I know you're better," Mary said as she carefully petted the dog's emaciated back. "Would you mind coming with me?"
Padfoot, as she'd mentally named him, licked Mary's hand and stared up at her with hopeful eyes. That was all it took for Mary to decide that the two of them would go together to Diagon Alley. No matter how it had happened, or what would happen, there was no way that she could let the skinny animal suffer for a moment longer.
Still, she had to find a way to know whether or not there was more truth to her dreams. If they were true, she had a godfather, actual family, who cared about her. The traitorous rat was somewhere in Egypt with her best mate and pieces of Voldemort's soul were strewn about the country. There was no way that Mary could just let it go. She couldn't let those horrible things happen again. First, she would need more proof that the visions had merit, then - if she had to - she would change the future and make sure that the people she cared about stayed alive and healthy. She briefly thought about telling someone, but quickly squashed that idea. No one could know. Not unless it was an extreme emergency.
It was almost four o'clock when Mary and Padfoot made it into their room at the Leaky Cauldron. The dingy pub was near empty and only a few patrons graced the dark corners, talking in low whispers and staring at the large filthy dog that leaned heavily on her side.
"Will you be wanting the dinner special then?" Tom asked, handing Mary the room key. "It's shepherd's pie tonight."
"Yes, please." Mary smiled at Tom, her hands gently patting the dog's bony shoulder. "Make that two specials and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. We're both starving."
"Sure thing, Miss Potter." Tom nodded and turned to leave. "I'll have the elves send it up at six sharp."
Mary and Padfoot slowly scaled the staircase that led to the inn and Mary searched the doors for the right room. She opened door number thirteen with a soft laugh, thinking it was fitting given it was her birthday. It was a large room that was overly warm due to the roaring fire in the hearth. The bed was massive and Dobby'd seen fit to have her trunk set at the foot of it and Hedwig's cage ready for her by the small window.
Mary opened the door to the wardrobe and then the door to the bathroom, looking for her friend. "Dobby? Are you here?"
Dobby popped into existence just a foot away from her, making Padfoot lurch back in surprise, a deep warning growl erupting from his throat.
"It's okay." She ruffled the matted fur on his back. "Dobby is a wonderful friend of mine. You can trust him."
"The great Mary Potter has found her a doggie!" Dobby whispered happily, clapping his hands together. "Dobby won't harm Mary Potter's doggie."
Padfoot turned and looked at Mary with a questioning look, if one could say that dogs were capable of such a feat.
Mary motioned Dobby forward and the little elf stuck out his spindly hand for the massive animal to sniff. Once the old pup had approved of her friend he laid down wearily on the rug in front of the fireplace, keeping his large grey eyes on them.
Dobby stared at Mary for a moment and his jaw dropped open in horror. "Someone has hurt Mary! You are bleeding, young miss!"
Mary wiped her mouth on her sleeve and felt the fresh layer of dried plasma pull away painfully. "I'm okay. I'll get it cleaned up."
"Was it the nasty Muggles?" Dobby asked in a ferocious but high pitched tone. "Dobby told young miss it wasn't wise to be leaving her room."
Mary put a hand on his thin shoulder. "It's alright, really. Actually I probably won't have to go back and I was wondering if you could run into the Alley and get me some new clothes. McGonagall and I only bought things I'd need for school and I'd rather not wear Dudley's cast-offs all summer."
Dobby's eyes widened and he gazed at her hopefully. "You would trust Dobby with shopping?"
"I'd trust you with my life Dobby." Mary pulled him into a quick hug and winced when he started crying.
Dobby let go of her and dried his eyes and blew his nose on the sleeve of his tiny robes before outstretching his hand. "Give Dobby a list with your sizes and Dobby will pick up your clothes."
Mary sat down at the small desk and wrote down what she needed, along with a small note to Madam Malkin that she had no clue about fashion and only wanted practical Muggle style clothing, footwear, and some decent everyday robes. Dobby took the list like an elf on a mission and popped away with a quick bow and a snap of his fingers.
With pen and paper in hand, Mary jotted out a few short missives to stave off any unnecessary attention.
Dear Professor McGonagall,
Things at the Dursley's took a turn for the worst. Aunt Petunia kicked me out and told me that I'm not welcome to come back. I wish I could say that I was faultless, but hiding in my room these past couple of weeks seems to have angered them pretty badly.
I'm currently staying at the Leaky Cauldron. Please don't worry about me. I'm doing just fine. To be honest, it's a great relief to not have to hide all day.
- Mary Potter
Dear Hermione,
The Dursley's have finally chucked me out! I'll be staying at the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the summer! Just think, I'll be able to spend all day in Flourish & Blotts! (Can you hear my sinister laugh?)
Send word to Ron. I'm finally getting a real summer holiday!
Love,
- Mary.
"Think you can deliver both of these?" Mary held the letters up to Hedwig. "McGonagall's first though. We don't want her sending out a search party."
Hedwig shot Mary a reproachful look as she tied the letter to her leg and gave her a swat with her wing, offended that Mary had even asked, then took off into the humid mid-summer air.
"I'll be going into the Alley for supplies," Mary told the old pup. "Maybe I can find a dog groomer."
Padfoot sneezed loudly.
"Well, I'll be going by the apothecary anyway." Mary pulled the last few items out of the trunk and laid them out on the bed. "We both need some potions."
"It's a good thing my dear old Head of House Professor Snape has given all of his Slytherins lessons in hygiene," Mary said in an attempt to get a reaction out of her dogfather.
It worked flawlessly. Two furry black ears perked up and one went back as the dog cocked its head to the side.
"I'm almost out of my Sleek-Eazy's Oiliest Oil." Mary sighed and ran a hand through her straight hair, trying to channel Draco Malfoy's snobby attitude.
The dog sneezed again and continued staring at her.
"Well I usually don't use it when I'm at the Muggles," Mary said defensively and put her hands on her hips. "Seems they can't handle my charismatic charm when I'm all greased up. I dearly wish I was a Pureblood. Their secret societies have the best themed parties."
The dog Animagus let out a low whine and put it's head on the floor as Mary examined her dirty nails.
"Oh no, I'm in desperate need of a manicure. By the looks of it you could use one too. You need a name by the way."
Padfoot looked up with hopeful eyes and his tail thumped loudly against the floor as Mary leaned down and rubbed behind his ears.
"Snuggles is perfect." The dog peered at her in horror. "You stay here and get some sleep, ol' Snuggly Wuggly, and when I get back you're getting the bestest bubble bath ever."
Padfoot's eyes widened at the tone of Mary's voice as she said the cutesy name and let out another small whine. Mary hoped beyond hope that her dream was right and that she could trust the Animagus.
Sirius Black
Said Animagus was shocked and appalled at the way the daughter of his best friend was speaking. Hell, Wormtail and everything else would have to wait. If his goddaughter was taking hygiene lessons from Snape of all people, something was terribly and irrevocably wrong.
He watched as his goddaughter ran her palm over the large bruise on her face and winced as she poked at the split lip. She sighed loudly then dug her fingers into her dark hair and let out an aggravated groan.
"No use in putting it off." Dropping her wand on the bed, she grabbed a cloak from her trunk, stopping briefly to pet him lightly on the head, before walking out the door. "Be good, Snuggles."
Padfoot carefully and quietly walked over to the bed and put his muzzle on the edge of the mattress and stared at the wand that had been casually tossed there without a care. He knew he wouldn't have another opportunity like this and picked up the slender wand, carefully avoiding scraping it against his sharp teeth.
With one last glance at the locked door, Padfoot slipped into the bathroom and kicked the door shut with his back paw before spitting the wand out on the floor.
A split second later, a bedraggled and weather beaten man stood in the dog's place. He snatched the wand off the floor and shot a spell at the mirror that froze it as it was, so that it would neither be able to see or talk to him and remained as normal as a Muggle mirror.
It took far longer than he liked to cut his hair, shower and shave, but by the time he finished - and was as clean as he could possibly be while still wearing his magically freshened Azkaban uniform - Mary and her elf friend had still not returned to the room.
Sirius removed the spell from the mirror and quickly transformed back into the far more comfortable form of Padfoot and put the wand back where he had found it on the bed. As he curled up beside the still roaring fire, he made a wish to anyone listening that things would work out for the best, even though life had taught him that such things rarely worked out the way you wanted them to.
He had been horrified when Mary had found him in the hedges, blood dripping from her swollen and bruised face. He could smell the pain radiating from her. It wasn't physical pain, it was a bone deep sense of resignation and loneliness that Sirius knew all too well. His goddaughter needed him. He wondered how she had ended up all the way out in the Muggle suburbs. The questions poured from his mind, but he had no way to get answers.
He awoke some time later to the smell of delicious food permeating the air around him. He opened his eyes slowly and yawned before standing on all four paws and stretching.
"Thought this feast might wake you up," Mary said softly as she patted her leg to call him over to the tiny table where she and Dobby sat. "I hope you don't mind potions before dinner. A nice witch at the Menagerie suggested some wonderful tonics that get rid of fleas, lice and other parasites you might have picked up."
Padfoot stopped in his tracks and mentally grimaced at the thought of having to ingest nasty potions in his current form. But Mary didn't look to be joking as she pulled three vials and what looked like a turkey baster off the table.
"You can have a nice meal after this." She held up her hands in a peaceful but determined gesture. "Shepherd's pie and a small plate of sausages if you don't give me any fuss."
Padfoot sat down in front of her and watched as her brow furrowed while she ran a hand down his no longer matted and reasonably clean fur coat. The side of her face was covered in Bruise Balm, if his nose could be trusted, and her breath smelt like a heavy dose of pain relieving potions.
"All nice and clean. Tom's elves must have got to you," she said in a far away tone, then shook her head, and grabbed a vial. "Open up then."
Three long tortuous minutes later, Padfoot had been dosed with some of the nastiest tasting potions he had ever been subjected to. While technically he knew that they were needed if he was to fully recover, he still didn't have the strength to hold back the canine part of himself that wanted to pout like a toddler.
Mary, of course, ignored his rather rude behavior and patted his head while grabbing a plate of warm food off the table and setting it on the short stool in front of him. "Eat up, Snuggly."
He let out another short woof of horror before he slowly and methodically set into devouring his meal. It was quite possibly the best thing he had ever tasted, or at least to his poor memory, that was what it seemed like.
The sound of soft snores caught his attention and he picked up his head to see Mary asleep at the table, her meal barely touched. The elf snapped his fingers and she floated over to the bed where the covers pulled themselves back and she was settled into the middle of the bed and tucked in with a small swipe of the elf's hand.
Bulbous green eyes turned to stare at Padfoot and he sat there, stock still, as the small creature peered at him with a shrewd gaze. "Dobby knows that you aren't just a doggie, but young miss trusts you and that is more than enough for Dobby."
Another snap of the elf's finger's and Padfoot leapt back in surprise and almost yelped when Mary's leftover portion of food appeared on his plate. "Eat your dinner and get some rest, doggie."
The elf went about the room cleaning silently as Padfoot polished off the second plate of food. He was wary of the little creature, not knowing if he could trust it to keep his secret, but when he jumped up on the bed, he realized that Mary's wand was no longer there and he had no choice but to accept that his fate was now in the hands of another. He laid down close to her feet and curled up in a ball as the elf snuffed out the lamps and torches, letting the light of the small fire paint the room in a soft orange glow as the three slept peacefully.
August 1st, 1993
Mary Potter
Breakfast arrived at eight sharp the next morning. Still groggy, Mary lifted her head and groaned when she realized the bruise salve had basically glued her cheek to her pillow. With a firm tug, the pillow landed back on the bed and her cheek stung, having just had a fresh layer of skin removed.
Dobby shook his head at her and snapped his fingers, sending the tub of salve onto the bed, while the spindly elf pulled back the curtains. Mary winced at the blinding bright light that poured in and was emulated by the large black dog that promptly rolled over and buried his face under the stack of unused pillows.
Unable to ignore the wafting smell of bacon and eggs, Mary rushed through her morning routine and made it out of the toilet in record time. Yet again, Dobby sent the tub of Bruise Balm onto the table.
"Use it, Mary." Dobby ordered her. "You are in pain and it will not heal without ointment."
A hurried knock on the door sent Mary from graciously accepting the salve, to looking from Dobby to Padfoot with fearful eyes. "Both of you, hide in the bathroom." She picked up her father's cloak and pressed it into Dobby's arms. "Don't come out until I tell you it's safe."
After wiping her sweaty palms on her robes, Mary opened the door, only to see Professor McGonagall staring at her in horror. "Professor?"
"You're hurt," McGonagall hissed, carefully pressing a finger to the yellow bruise. "I swear that Muggle oaf will pay."
"I'm okay, professor." Mary ducked her head and turned so that she was no longer staring at her battered face. "Come on in."
"Potter," McGonagall started, walking into the room and sitting down at the small table. "Go ahead and eat, child. I didn't mean to disrupt your meal."
Instead, Mary walked to the fireplace and ordered tea from Tom through the Floo, which arrived on the oak table before she could sit down. McGonagall didn't even ask as she poured two cups full and pushed one towards Mary.
"Tell me what happened," McGonagall whispered. "Why did you leave your relatives?"
Mary couldn't meet her professor's worried eyes, but knew that she couldn't let her go on with assuming the worst. "It was my own fault. They seemed to not know I was there, so I just let them think that. I only went to the loo when I knew they were asleep and only left the room to shower and use the telephone when Aunt Petunia and Dudley were out and Uncle Vernon was at work."
Mary took a gulp of the scalding tea and swallowed it. "I heard them talking about my Uncle's upcoming vacation time, and knew that there was no way to hide in my room round the clock with all of them home. Plus, Vernon's dreadful sister Marge was set to arrive yesterday, and I couldn't be there for that. She hates me as much as they do and she doesn't even know about magic. So I decided that it'd be best to make my presence known, that way I could at least use the loo when I needed it. It all went downhill from there. I'd made a mess and Aunt Petunia started screaming. The cupboard burst into flames, and then she said she didn't want me to come back."
McGonagall narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. "The Department of Magical Catastrophe workers said that when they walked in your Uncle had you pinned to the wall by the throat and that your face was swollen. I may not be a Healer but I do know a fresh bruise when I see it. So tell me. Did he hit you?"
Mary closed her eyes and dug her hands into her hair. "He was angry."
McGonagall pushed herself back until her spine hit the back of the chair. "You will never go back there, child. What concerns me now is that you have no suitable place to stay. Believe me, I'd bring you back with me to Hogwarts at once, if it was allowed, but the governors have a strict policy on non-staff members residing there during the holidays."
Mary's heart swelled with gratitude at McGonagall's kindness, but shook her head. "I'm fine here for the summer, professor. Tom is already making sure that I get regular meals, and I've promised to owl you if I need to."
McGonagall, in an uncharacteristic gesture, reached forward and grasped Mary's hand. "I'll be contacting the Weasleys and the Grangers about hosting you for future holidays, but I will have you know that my door is always open to you. If we can't find a family that will suit your needs, I will stay with you myself."
McGonagall stood and brushed off her robes. "I have a friend who's an Auror. His name is Alastor Moody and he and his apprentice have been assigned to watch over the Alley. If you have any issues, owl me or go straight to him. He will help you."
"I'll do just that." Mary nodded. "Thank you, professor."
She remained seated and counted to twenty after the door clicked shut, then jumped up and opened the bathroom door, letting Dobby and Padfoot out. "It's safe. I'm sorry I had to hide you like that, but I didn't want to alarm McGonagall and have her asking all kinds of questions."
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva Floo'ed back to her quarters in the castle and sat heavily at the oak desk. It was unbearable to think that Potter had been harmed by her own relatives. While abuse wasn't unheard of in the magical world, it tended to be more emotional in nature than physical. And each time she heard of a new case, it made her heart ache just as fiercely. This particular case struck even closer to home, as she'd been there when baby Mary was left on the Dursley's doorstep. She blamed the shock and grief, as to why she hadn't done anything to fight against Albus' wishes. It was on her that this had happened, as she hadn't bothered checking up on Potter and trusted every update the headmaster gave her.
With that in mind she stood and stepped back into the fireplace. "Headmaster's office."
Minerva stepped out and brushed the soot off of her tartan robes and stopped in her tracks. Albus sat behind his desk with his hands folded in front of him, while Severus leaned forward, glaring at the man from his seat.
"What's going on, Albus?" She asked, her in her throat. "Has something happened?"
"He sent me to Surrey last night," Severus answered coldly. "I was tasked with finding a way to get the Muggles to accept the girl back into their home so the blood wards could be recharged."
"No," Minerva said at once. "She will not return to them as long as I have breath in my body. That Muggle man hit her with enough force to bruise half her face and nearly strangled her to death! She'll go back over my cold dead body!"
Severus shook his head and looked up at her with a piercing onyx gaze. "That wasn't the least of what they've done. The fat Muggle boy was quite up front with his boasting. He seemed quite proud that he'd lived a life of relative luxury while the girl lived in the cupboard under the stairs. He was quite glad to have her out of the house and get his 'second bedroom' back. She was the family house elf, given no love, very little food and too many chores. Not to mention far too many punishments for things like making good grades and accidental magic." He turned to Dumbledore in disgust. "You of all people know that I do not care for the girl! She has been the bane of my existence ever since she was born, but I would never wish that treatment on a child! No matter who her parents were!"
"I was unaware that things were so difficult for her," Albus answered them both, looking both immensely guilt ridden and brokenhearted. "I knew that she was given little, and not loved in the way I'd hoped she'd be, but I truly did not know the extent of it. In as much as I didn't think her predicament was reason enough to forgo the security she gained by the enchantments that protected her."
"You were aiming to raise a Savior," Snape said, waving his hand over the basin full of swirling dark memories. "These are all of the ingredients needed in making the next Dark Lord, or Lady."
Severus leaned back suddenly. "I see now. That's why you went to such great lengths to-"
Albus held up a hand to cut him off, looking up at the two of them in resolve. "Mary will stay in Diagon Alley for the rest of the holiday. We will work out the issue of her guardianship when the next term ends."
"But, Albus-" Minerva started, but was interrupted when he held up his hand once more.
"She cannot reside in the castle," Albus said. "The school charter will not abide by it."
"There must be something we can do." Minerva pleaded with him, her heart aching at the thought of Mary all alone and without a proper family. "The Weasleys would gladly take her in."
"I will speak to them." Albus smiled.
Minerva didn't like the shine in his eyes and stood up and squared her shoulders. "As will I. Molly will not let her go without a home."
August 1st – 25th, 1993
Mary Potter
The next few weeks flew by in a haze of activity. Mary had spent her days force feeding Padfoot nutritive and healing potions, and it had paid off as the dog had begun to gain a healthy amount of weight. Each night she dosed him with enough Dreamless Sleep to keep the horrors of Azkaban from interrupting his rest.
When she wasn't exploring, Mary caught up on years worth of reading. The manager of Flourish and Blotts now knew her by name and had a smile on his face each time she walked in the door, knowing that she would buy more books each day. Padfoot stayed in their room during these trips and Mary knew that he would take the opportunity to get cleaned up, so she was always sure to leave her old Holly wand where he could easily find it.
Aurors could be found patrolling the Alley at random times during the following days and Mary even met a few and knew them by name. They were always kind to her and she even got Auror Moody - who was soon to be retiring - let Trainee Tonks sit down and have ice cream at Fortescue's with her.
Trainee Tonks tried to teach her a spell that would summon only things that she wanted to her, but considering Tonks almost sent a picnic table through a store window, Mary figured she'd have to figure it out for herself.
Auror Moody took it upon himself to berate Mary for the improper way she held her arm and there - in a small side alley next to the ice cream shop - he made Mary fling stunning spells at his apprentice until he was sure Mary had mastered the spell.
"Never let an enemy catch you unawares." Moody growled at her. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
A young woman at the next table startled so badly that she upset her bowl of ice cream. She scowled deeply at the three of them and left, muttering loudly about arrogant Aurors.
A few times, Mary cautiously ventured into the Muggle world to purchase things that she couldn't find in the Alley; like a new properly fitting pair of trainers and some ink pens and notebooks with real paper.
Padfoot enjoyed joining her on these little adventures and didn't seem to mind the collar and leash she forced him to wear when they went out. Mary's worry was that he'd be thought of as a stray and would end up being taken by the wardens if she went without the fashionable neckwear. Padfoot only gawked at the flowery pattern on both the collar and leash in complete doggy horror before submitting and letting her strap the hideous thing around his neck. Mary would have felt guilty about it, but each time she pulled out the collar it reminded her that underneath the fur and piercing blue eyes was someone who cared for her. He wasn't a dog. Part of her secretly wished he would transform and tell her the truth. And when that never happened, she felt a little piece of her heart break.
Maybe she was losing her mind after all.
.·ˆ¯)...(¯ˆ·.
¸.·ˆˆˆ(ºvº)ˆˆˆ·.¸
m m
