Previous chapter:
"Yes we need to find Pettigrew and get Sirius out of Azkaban, he was transported directly there after the incident with Pettigrew yesterday after he found James and Lily" Dumbledore said.
Okay so today was the day after Halloween, after their deaths, good to know.
THIRD PERSON P.O.V
"But first things first, I know you have wishes when it comes to Harry's upbringing, but are you sure that Harry's treatment at the Dursleys warrants him not staying there being protected by his mother's blood, it is his best chance at survival" Dumbledore said, but by looking at Lana's expression he almost regretted bringing it up.
"okay firstly, I only just told you that Voldemort literally won't be a problem until Harry starts school, and even then, he isn't really a big one. Secondly and most importantly, have you not been listening to anything I've said, it's not only survival we have to think about, he will be abused, look at him, he is only a baby, are you okay with knowing that his first few years he'll cry after someone to comfort him, not understanding why no one loves him. Sure he won't understand that it is love that he is crying for, but a small child being ignored and mistreated and not understanding any of it, are you saying that is okay as long as he survives? and that is only the first few years. From what I gathered the neglect and abuse only gets worse and worse, can you live with that Dumbledore? because I sure can't, can you McGonagall?" Lana ranted, she could not believe he would even consider it.
"Albus, I cannot condone this, and I believe you can't either, he is just a child, he is Lily and James child for god's sake" McGonagall said her whole-body facing Dumbledore.
"No, I suppose not, we'll have to arrange for his protection another way" Dumbledore said while looking at Harry.
"You have to let him stay with Sirius as well, it is what Lily and James wanted, and whether they are dead or not Harry is their child, we HAVE to honor their wishes" Lana said, it looked like Dumbledore wanted to object to that, but after some consideration he agreed.
"well then, first things first, we have to get Sirius out, that might take a little time, depends how much I can scare the minister with bad press for locking up an innocent, and Sirius a war hero at that" Dumbledore said, more to himself than to McGonagall and Lana.
"What do we do with Harry in the meantime?" Lana asked
"I suppose someone will have to take care of him for a few days maybe, I do believe now that Voldemort is defeated Potter manor might be safe to return to, we were worried that Voldemort might be able to break through it's defenses, but I doubt any of the remaining death eaters will be able to, or dare to try now that their master is defeated, still we will keep it quiet about him staying there" Dumbledore said, almost rambled, she had never imagined Dumbledore like this when she read about him.
"I can take care of him, that is if you trust me of course, I have plenty of experience with kids, it is literally my job to take care of kids everyday as a kindergarten teacher and I've got nothing else to do until we figure out how to send me back" Lana said.
"I will need to converse with McGonagall alone for a little before we make that decision, but at this point you might be the only choice, it's the Longbottom's of course but…" Lana interrupted Dumbledore by jumping to her feat with a little yell.
"oh my god the Longbottom's! You have to send someone there right away, I don't exactly remember when it happened, or if it has happened already but Belatrix tortures them into insanity after the defeat of Voldemort" Lana said loudly with her arms going all over the place in panic.
Dumbledore's eyes widened and he conjured his Patronus and sent it off to the Longbottom's to relocate immediately, and then for his Patronus to find Mad-eye straight after to go and make sure they got out okay.
"I cannot believe I forgot about poor Neville, how could I have forgotten" Lana mumbled to herself as she fell back down into the chair she had just vacated.
"Lana you mustn't blame yourself, you have been put in an unimaginable situation, and that is even to our magical standards of unimaginable" McGonagall put a comforting hand on Lana's shoulder.
"There is so much that need to be said, but at the same time I do not want to reveal to much and change everything, enough has changed already, stuff that needed to change for sure, but it has made the future unsure, even for someone who has read and basically memorized it, it is just so hard to know what to tell and what not to tell" Lana said with a tired expression.
After they got confirmation that the Longbottoms were okay McGonagle first suggested that Harry stay with them, it was the only reasonable thing to do, but Dumbledore hesitated a little. Lana could understand why, having both the boys of the prophecy under one roof, even if the prophecy now pertained only to Harry, after Voldemort made Harry his equal as the prophecy says, but she could understand Dumbledore. Voldemort was defeated, but not dead.
"I think we'll have to take Miss Eriksen's offer and let her take care of him for a few days. It would be good to have them both under the protection of the manor, it is imperative that no one learns what you know Miss Eriksen. Also the potter manor has house elves that would die before letting anything happen to Harry under their watch. I do not believe you would harm him but believe me when I say that elf magic is powerful, they are not to be trifled with." Dumbledore said. She couldn't believe they let Harry stay with a complete stranger, she knew that he would be safe and loved with her, she would never harm him, but they couldn't possibly be sure of that, these magical folks does have their priorities a bit twisted sometimes.
Dumbledore woke Harry up thinking the poor guy really must be hungry, he wasn't wrong, Harry started wailing the second he awoke.
"what does he need? Formula?" Dumbledore asked, it was kind of fun seeing him a little panicked, McGonagle seemed to agree when she shook her head at him and gave a chuckle. Dumbledore was clearly only used to kids 11 and up.
"If you could get him some porridge that would be great, I'll feed him if that's okay?" Lana said as she picked him up from his cot, he seemed to settle a little once he was in someone's arms, poor guy, even if he won't remember it, he knows he's been through a trauma and needs comfort and closeness the most now.
"Mama" Harry said and looked around, clearly looking for his mother. Lana's eyes started watering, no child should have to lose their parents, especially at such a young age.
"Mama isn't here at the moment, but in a few days Padfoot will come and see you!" Lana said knowing that Harry had probably heard the name a hundred times before, she tried to stay enthusiastic in her response, for Harry's sake. Children are experts at picking up the mood from body language.
"Pafoo!" Harry squealed in delight, also looking around for him, but he was quickly distracted by the arrival of a house elf with a small bowl of porridge.
Lana fed a happy Harry who ate with vigor, it must have been a while since he had eaten the poor guy.
Dumbledore went to Potter manor to check it out and also converse with the elves, to explain to them the situation and for them to get the manor ready for a guest and a baby.
Lana was sitting with Harry in her lap unsuccessfully trying to feed him from her lap without spilling all over Dumbledore's chair. McGonagle chuckled at them and with a wave of her wand the mess had been cleaned up.
"Now that is a spell that would be useful with my kids at work" Lana said and looked longingly at the possibility of removing a mess with a simple flick of a wand.
"You like working with kids then, even with the mess?" McGonagle asked, Lana could tell she was trying to get to know her a bit better, she was going to take care of the savior of the wizarding world after all.
"I love it, I don't mind the mess really, it is more important for the kids to be able to use their senses themselves, it's how they'll learn, the mess I can clean up later" Lana said, you could clearly see that she was already missing her home and work.
"This must be weird for you" McGonagle stated.
"Extremely, this just doesn't happen you know, it's too far-fetched to even dream" Lana said.
"But this" she said and pointed at Harry with a spoonful of porridge in his hands either on its way to his mouth or the floor. "this is normal, this I can deal with"
McGonagle smiled at Lana, seeing how she might need Harry just as much as he needs her at the moment.
Dumbledore popped back into the study, startling both Lana and Harry who scrambled up to get his hands around Lana's neck and hid his face in her hair, making the adults chuckle.
"The manor is ready, I think it would be best for Harry if Minerva took him with her using the floo I've connected to my office and for me and you to apparate together Miss Eriksen" Dumbledore said.
"Call me Lana please, I'm from Norway, no one is that proper there" Lana said with a little chuckle. Dumbledore smiled at her and nodded.
McGonagle picked up Harry who looked at her with big eyes and a round surprised mouth, Lana and Dumbledore could help but laugh at his expression.
Having watched Harry and McGonagle disappear in green flames Lana was really glad she was aparating. Sure she knew the flames didn't hurt, but damn it goes against all her instincts to walk into a burning fireplace.
