A/N: Fair warning. I'm not a fan of Dumbledore, and you're about to get a taste of it. If that's not your vibe, you have been forewarned.
Albus Dumbledore gazed calmly back at his doorway as its hinges were tested by his former student.
"Good morning, Miss Evans. Is there something I can do for you? Short of providing you with more doorways to alleviate your distress, as you seem to have thoroughly rid me of the only one available." The older man's eyes twinkled behind his stupid half moon glasses.
"Yes, in fact, Professor, you can. You can start with why in Merlin's name is that little boy still in the clutches of that gods-forsaken family," Darcy growled. Dumbledore sighed.
"I assume you mean young Harry." It was not a question.
"Yes," she bit out.
"Because they are his family, Miss Evans. And because by comparison to any upbringing he would have had in the magical realm, he is perfectly-"
"If the next word that comes out of your mouth is 'safe', I swear to Godric you might be the greatest wizard of this age but believe me I'd not hesitate in taking a crack."
Dumbledore didn't quite know how to respond. Or he knew better than to do so. The infernal twinkle remained.
"He has been starved, burned, and I suspect even beaten. I've met house elves from famed Slytherin families who have received better treatment than this boy has. By the gods Dumbledore he's barely eight! He should be playing with trucks and arcade games, not making bacon and polishing silverware! He can't stay there a moment longer, he just can't!"
Dumbledore let out a longer sigh, seemingly disappointed.
"It's unfortunate, I admit, but there is no other choice. Lily's sacrifice sealed a protection in Harry through his mother's blood. Harry is safest with his family and-"
"Firstly," she interrupted, that same deadly calm washing over her again. Stable hands reached onto the desk as she leaned towards the older man. "They are NOT his family, they are kin. Family are people who care for and love each other, who protect each other. They are no more than blood relatives. Secondly, since blood is so pertinent, I don't know how you could forget that I AM his kin also, through his mother."
"Miss Evans, I do realise this but raising a child at the age of seventeen-"
"Is not the end of the world and is not impossible. I would sooner see Lily's carcass re-animated as a nanny than let Harry spend another minute with those people but as neither are going to be feasible it leaves me as the only choice. As well as the only willing volunteer, I might add. Harry's care will be transferred over to me forthwith as his legal and magical guardian and I will not back down from this Dumbledore."
Dumbledore paused, and merely smiled.
"No, I don't doubt that you won't. Very well Miss Evans. I'll see to the paperwork if you would prefer to be the one to break the news to the Dursley's?"
Darcy blinked, she'd half expected that not to work despite her rage fuelled determination. She nodded.
"It would be my pleasure," she managed, all previous confidence vanished. The older wizard nodded, and rose from behind the desk.
"Was there anything else, Miss Evans?"
Darcy hesitated for the first time that morning. "Yes, actually. Tell Minerva I'll be rain-checking dinner tonight?"
Dumbledore smiled and nodded his head, and the young girl thanked him and left. Though it was a pale brown pony tail that swished out of his office and not auburn, he couldn't help but smile wider. Harry might not have a mother in this world any more, but that did not leave him without an Evans woman to care for him.
A/N: Look at me go! 2 for 2! Taking bets now as to what you can guess Darcy's house was...
Also! These I'm predicting will be short littlechapters I smash out as regularly as I can, they are spot edited in the moment, and will be edited thoroughly for continuity and such in hindsight if there are errors. Apologies in advance, but if I left this as first draftswithout posting it would never get done.
Hope you enjoyed! See you soon x