Lucy wasn't the only one counting down until Harry's letter arrival. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore had been waiting too, except this time he chose to exercise caution. Minerva was so far the only person who knew what the children were like today. He just hoped her suspicions were right when it came to Lucy. Of Course, there was an age of maturity gap between 11 and 16. And staying true to his word to McGonagall he'd backed off, giving no personal contact to the elder sibling or her brother. It was hard but Minerva was right…

"Flashback…..."

His deputy Headmistress never released her hold on him until they were back at Hogwarts in his office. "Well! I can honestly say I couldn't see how that could have gone any worse! What DID you do to that child Albus?!"

"I didn't do anything Minerva!" he said appalled, that she would even suggest such a thing.

"Merlin's Beard! A child shouldn't have that reaction to merely seeing you when discussing attending school. Plus, you said that you knew that you had upset her last time. Albus, have you been in contact with Lucy since leaving her and Harry with the Dursleys? Be honest with me"

The old man sighed, collapsing in his chair. His hand rubbing the temples of his forehead. "Yes, I have. For many years, Lucy made a habit of trying to running away from her family, taking Harry with her. Away from the protection of Privet Drive."

"Protection?!"

"There is Protection on that house Minerva, I cast blood wards connected to those share Lily's blood, having the power of her sacrifice live on in them."

"Does Lucy know?"

"It is what got her to go home and stay there that last time. Everything else seemed to fall on deaf ears."

The professor pierced her lips together, "Did you ever listen to HER? Albus. What she was saying about how bad it was? Or were you mainly focused on the for "Greater Good" like always?"

The Headmaster had no reply, other than hanging his head down.

"That's it, isn't it. So, for the "Greater Good" you chose to ignore a little girl's repeated cries for help from a situation that you personally put her and her brother in. And now you're surprised she borderline hates and doesn't want anything to do with you, including school? Albus Dumbledore, if you don't as the Americans say "Pull your head out" You are going to regret it. Like Lucy said, she is raising Harry. Thus, has the biggest tie and influence on him. He could follow her lead and when the time comes for him to start Hogwarts, he won't follow you blindly. Not that he shouldn't think for himself. In fact, I quite encourage it."

The old man winced; How could he have been so foolish? "I- I need to make things right with her. I'll go back and apologize."

"NO! Miss Potter already stated she believes you have no respect for her. Going back there now will just prove her right."

"So, what do you suggest?"

"Start with accepting her decision about her Education. I've gotten an idea on how to help Lucy so she won't be so far behind when she finally enters with Harry."

At this, Albus instantly sat up and looked his deputy intrigued. "You do Minerva? What is it?"

She sighed, "As much as we would like to receive them all, not every magical child in England can attend Hogwarts. I have received quite a number of rejections many times over the years. Either they cannot afford it. Even with the scholarships like the Weasley Family, it's too much. Plus, many Parents of Half-bloods and Muggleborns I've talked to, want to spare their children from the humiliation and bigotry that comes from certain "big" individuals in Pureblood society until they're older and can handle it much better. Or the child's situation is more like Lucy's where they have to stay close to home, helping with family. Not forgetting to mention those who have a disability or sick in the hospital most of the time."

His eyes widened at the last part, no doubt remembering his late sister.

"So when the news spread of You Know Who's defeat, a group of young seventh years with families like that ambushed me after class wondering if I would be up to sponsoring their project for after graduation: "A Hogwarts' Homeschooling and Tutorial Division" where the adults who excelled at school could go on to become teachers that traveled out to these communities where the children were at, teaching our curriculum. Naturally, I said "yes" as did Filius, Pomona, and Horace before he retired and many others. I guess over the years it has grown, taking in, not just our own alumni but Beauxbations as well."

"That's wonderful Minerva, just wonderful… Why wasn't I informed of this program earlier? I would have gladly supported it and the people."

"Most who enter, don't want full blown recognition. Simple achievement from their students is enough and are afraid Lucius Malfoy will bribe Fudge into striking against their unorthodox party should he discover it."

Dumbledore sighed, "Yes, he has begun creating problems of late. So, your idea is to reach out to this group in hopes that they send a Tutor to Little Whinging?"

"Yes, I've already heard rumors of a remarkable one who actually teaches in Surrey. I think that would be perfect for Lucy."

"Alright," said the Headmaster, some tutoring was better than nothing. "But what can I do to help Minerva?"

"Albus, I can't believe I'm saying this but: I think it would be best if you stopped patrolling the Potter children so closely and let someone else take over. I would be happy to do it, seeing as Lucy was at least willing to work with me at our visit. Maybe if you kept your distance during this time, only attending in a dire emergency? Thus, showing her some respect, she will have cooled down enough when it is Harry's turn. She's not a bad child, Albus. I can feel it. She's just hurting. And you have not made her life any easier from the sound of it. Please, back off…"

The old man was silent then, "You will watch them and alert me in an emergency?"

"Yes,"

"Then…you have my word on my I shall not interfere until Harry…"

"End of Flashback…."

...

"Boring day number 3,620" Lucy sighed to herself as she entered the kitchen to take over from her brother while he got the mail today. None of the lazy and skinny bones were going to do it, they just gave orders. "Boring-"

"MUM! DAD! Harry's got himself a Letter!" Dudley suddenly announced from the living room.

"Give that back! It's mine!" the other boy shouted.

"You?" Who would be writing to you?" Vernon scoffed.

"Well who do you think Numbskull?" Lucy mutter under her breath. "It's about time"

"You two- Out of here now!"

"But Mum I haven't even had-!"

"Now Dudleykkins and Mummy will have the girl bring up something later."

The teen rolled her eyes "of course"

"But!"

"Just do it Dudders" said his father being firm for once. The heavy footsteps told her that her cousin had sulked out of the room. Harry was already out from the word "go".

"It's from them. Petunia I thought we had already put a stop to this nonsense with the Girl. She didn't get one and we sent her to treatment. We just haven't stumped it out enough when it comes to the Boy-"

Lucy growled as she abruptly came in with two breakfast plates. "You didn't"

"Didn't WHAT Girl?"

"Stump the Magic out of me."

"Shut up!"

"And you won't do it to Harry. None of your kind have that power. The most you can do is cause us to lose control. And be grateful that I haven't. Number four would nothing more than a pile of rocks and rubble for the neighbors to look at. You have been children playing with a loaded gun. I did receive my Hogwarts letter, I chose to stay."

Her "Aunt's" eyebrows shot up in disbelief "You ch-chose-? Why?"

"Do I really have to answer that question?" giving the elder female her best "Are you stupid?" look.

"You! You ungrateful little Bastard, after we look you in, you really think that low of us?"

"Yes," answered Lucy unapologetically, "And you did not take us in "out of the goodness of your hearts." You did it to help yourselves of the magical protection left by Albus Dumbledore"

"Don't say that name!"

"Gladly, he is also the reason Harry and I are still here. I would have taken him away a long time ago. In fact, I did but that meddling old man kept returning us. If you're going to be mad at someone, be mad at him. He's the one ruining your "Perfect" little lives Not Harry, and not me"

Petunia was frozen, hearing the words coming out of her niece's mouth and the way she was looking at her. Something finally clicked, leaving no doubt in her mind just who the Girl's father was. It was not James Potter, but that other boy, the untidy freaky one from their old neighborhood that Lily made friends with. She even had his eyes and the same piercing glare that often-sent shivers down her spine, like now." "Please leave the room" she whispered.

"Fine, but you won't stop Harry, and you won't stop those wizards"

"We'll see about THAT!" hollered Vernon.

...

"You know what's going on? Don't you Lucy?" asked Harry that night before bed. His sister smiled and brushed his messy hair with her fingers.

"Yes, I do and it's nothing to be afraid of Harry. You will get to read your letter eventually."

"How? Uncle Vernon burn it."

"Because, I have a feeling this person is going to be very persistent. They won't stop until they have reached you. It happened to me around your age."

"What did you do about it?"

"You'll find out"

"Does this have anything to do with the treatment center you go to after school and on the weekends?"

Lucy sat up alert, "How do you know about that?"

"Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were complaining about you being home late."

She sighed, "Yes, little brother. It is all connected but our relatives are wrong. There is no cure for what we have but there is control and that's what I've been learning with the friends I've made there."

"Friends? Will I ever get to meet them?"

"One day soon Harry… One day soon…"