Chapter1

"Albus I'm sorry, but I can't let you do this to him." Minerva McGonagall stood in front of her long time friend, Albus Dumbledore, with a look of quiet fury on her face, motioning to the bundle in his arms. "The boy has been through enough already, and I'm telling you now. I've watched these people all day. If you leave Harry with them, he will never know a day of love and happiness in his life; no one deserves that."
Albus and Minerva had arrived with Harry at the home of his only living relatives, the Dursley's, and Minerva was not pleased, to put it mildly, at Albus' plan to leave the boy with them. Albus sighed, his face weary and drawn from the long days events.
"I know Minerva, and I wish there was another way, but this is where he will be safest." Minerva shook her head violently, "No Albus, I'll take him. He will be safe with me. I can care for him and he could be with others of his own world."
"Minerva you can't," he whispered, trying not to wake the boy, "what would you do with him? You teach during the day. The stress wouldn't be fair to either of you."
Minerva knew this question was coming and was ready. "The house elves could watch him during lessons, or I'm sure Poppy or Ro would help. You know how much they each love children."
Minerva looked into his questioning eyes as a flash of something undefinable passed through them. She had never seen that look from him before. "You really want to do this Minerva, don't you?"
Albus looked at the Dursley's home. It was neat and not a twig was out of place in the darkness. The very thought of these people made him shutter and he sighed, slowly nodding his head. "Alright Minerva, you can bring him back to the castle with us. And, if it would help, I would like to assist you," he cradled Harry closer to his chest, "we could split the work." A look of uncertainty flitted across his face. "That is, of course, if you don't mind."
Minerva couldn't believe what she was hearing. Only a moment ago he was going to allow those horrid muggles raise the boy, and now he wanted to help. She truly believed she could never understand the man standing in front of her. She watched them as Albus readjusted the blanket around the sleeping Harry, stroking his hair. She couldn't help it, Minerva smiled.
"You really are quite the natural with him." Albus met her eye and grinned.
"I spent quite a bit of time raising Aberforth when we were younger. I guess it's one of those things you never forget." Albus shifted his hold on the boy and leaned toward Minerva. "Would you hold him for a moment?" Minerva only nodded as she cradled Harry in her arms, and watched as he buried himself deeper in her chest, heaving a sigh much too large for someone so small.
Albus moved away from the pair and began writing a note. Albus closed his eyes for an instant, and there was a gold flash in front of him. Fawkes had arrived and trilled a happy note as he came to rest on his owner's shoulder. "Fawkes, I need you to take a note to Poppy for me. It's important that she get it before we arrive. Thank you my friend, and don't worry I did remember to pick up a box of phoenix snaps for you while I was in London." Fawkes rubbed his head against Albus' cheek and, with another happy note, was gone again in a flash.
Albus turned and the scene that met his eyes warmed him. Minerva was standing basked in the moonlight, slowly swaying with Harry in her arms. She looked so beautiful. Albus went to stand by Minerva's side once more, placing a steadying hand in the center of her back. "Come my dear, it's getting late, and all this cold air isn't good for any of us. It's still a fair walk from the gates to the castle."
"You're right, it is getting late and Poppy should probably take a look at him before he goes to sleep." Minerva watched as, with a tenderness she had never seen before, Albus tucked the blanket tighter around Harry, letting his hand graze hers on the way down. Minerva couldn't help the rush of excitement that coursed through her body as their hands touched. "It was just the events of the day," she told herself, trying to rationalize her feelings.
After replacing the lights to their respective lamps, the unusual trio apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts. The castle loomed over them as the group made the slow, quiet journey back to the main hall of the castle, each party lost in their own thoughts, and little Harry asleep, his thumb firmly ensconced in his mouth. Albus escorted Minerva to the Hospital Wing, and Minerva noticed, to her surprise and delight, he never removed his hand from its place along her back.
Poppy hurried over toward them and took in the scene before her. Albus was standing behind Minerva with a look of complete, and undeniable affection etched across his face as he watched her cradle the boy. Poppy reached them and dipped a hand into the blankets, pulling them back slightly and smiling at the sight. "So this is our little Harry. He certainly has grown since I last saw him. Bring him here you two; I need to look him over before you take him home Min."
"Don't call me Min," Minerva shot even as she placed Harry on a bed. Poppy pulled the blanket away to reveal Harry in his purple starred pajamas. She ran a few tests, and other than the cut on his forehead, nothing seemed wrong with him.
"Everything seems fine," she said placing a bandage over his cut, "I can't do anything for his head; it will have to heal on its own. Just make sure he gets plenty of rest." Poppy cast a cursory glance at the two professors in front of her. "The same goes for the two of you. Term doesn't start for another month; enjoy it while you can."
"Thank you Poppy, and don't worry, we will," he said as he turned to Minerva. "Shall we go Minerva, I'm sure you both would like to get to bed." He once again led her toward the door, slowly turning his head to Poppy, who only nodded at his unspoken question. A smile flitted across his lips and he nodded in return.
The group slowly made their way toward Minerva's chambers and entered after giving the password. Minerva stopped in the middle of the room as she took in the sight before her. A new door had appeared in her livingroom. She turned to Albus, a puzzled look on her face. The smile she received only confused her more. "Albus, what did you do?"
"Why don't you go through the door and find out." Minerva, with slight trepidation, moved through the door and into a pitch black room. "Lumos," was said behind her and the room lit up, bathed by torchlight, and stunned Minerva into complete silence.
It was a nursery. The walls were a sky blue and a beautiful mahogany crib sat in the corner; an antique rocking chair sitting next to it. A chest, presumably for clothing, sat next to the changing table. The most startling feature, though, was the ceiling. It resembled that of the Great Hall, and the evening stars shone brightly down on them.
"Do you like it?" Albus asked behind her.
"Like it," she stuttered, "Albus how did you pull this off. It's absolutely beautiful."
"I'm glad. I sent a note to Poppy, asking her to charge a few things to my account for Harry. I thought he deserved a good first nights sleep."
Albus looked down at Minerva and noticed her eyes were shimmering in the firelight. They held a look of awe as a single tear slid down her cheek. Albus rubbed the tear away as he stepped closer.
"This is where I leave you tonight. Come to me in the morning when you and Harry are awake; we can have breakfast together and discuss what shall be done." He leaned over and brushed a stray hair out of Harry's face. "Sleep well child. Tomorrow begins the next great adventure." He gazed at the woman who's arms held his new son. "Goodnight Minerva; sleep well."
"Sleep well Albus, and thank you. For everything." Albus smiled gently and walked out, leaving the two alone.
Minerva took a minute to watch Harry as she placed him in his new crib. The boy wrapped himself around a stuffed kitten there and sighed, content, as he slept. "He's so small," she thought.
"Good night lad, dream well, and remember, there are those still here who love you, and those gone watching over you." She kissed his head, and stroked his hair before going to bed herself. Another door, leading to her bedroom, appeared next to the crib. Minerva laid down that night, truly happy for the first time in many years. As she closed her eyes, the image that filled her dreams was that of the flash in Albus' eyes.