The following events take place between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

"Millicent, may I remind you we need to actually get the wards in place before the boy is delivered this evening?" Dumbledore said, his voice raising above the din.

The entire room froze. The twenty or so odd witches and wizards turned and looked at him. A few were open-mouthed at the boldness, others were smiling, and a few others were scowling.

Dumbledore ignored them all and spoke again. "It is merely my concern that we do not lose sight of what is most important." they all leaned forward, expectant of the answer. "Making certain the boy has a home." he said.

Several people sighed. Once witch, Dumbledore couldn't quite remember her name, stepped out from behind the table. She seemed hardly taller than it. "Hem, Hem." she said softly.

A few of the witches next to her rolled their eyes and continued on with their discussion. Dumbledore came to her side. "What may I help you with...?"

"Dolores, Headmaster," she said in a high, girly voice. "Dolores Umbridge." Dumbledore took her hand in his with a brief shake.

"I was simply curious as to why you are in charge of placing the boy in a home, Headmaster." she simpered.

Dumbledore narrowed his eyes for a split second. Before she had noticed, he had them wide eyed and innocent. "I was very close to both Lily and James, Miss Umbridge." he began. "As the wizard they named godson to Harry is currently the prime suspect in their death, I feel it my duty to provide for the boy."

Umbridge eyed him cautiously, but said nothing. She turned away and Dumbledore let out a breath. I shall have to watch her, he decided. She could be trouble in the years to come.

Stepping back to the edges of the room once more, Dumbledore sighed. They were getting nowhere.

-------9:13

Minerva was sitting, stiff-backed on the low garden wall outside number four. In the scant half hour she had been watching, she was horrified. The pudgy boy who lived at number four (presumably Lily's nephew) had thrown his morning bowl at his mother twice, knocked over three flower pots in the side garden, and was currently on the ground kicking and screaming as his mother, a horse-faced woman, was trying to coax him in to the stroller for a short jaunt.

Minerva scowled, but kept her position on the wall as they passed by, the boy, now firmly imbedded in the cushions on the buggy, tears streaming down his face, his voice harsh from the screaming.

-----------9:18

James was running from the back door, which swung wide on its hinges. "Go, Lily!" he yelled. Lily, her red hair streaming behind her, took the stairs two at a time to the nursery. Whirling around, she tried desperately to shut the door, but no luck. Voldemort burst through, a deep cackle rising from beneath his hood. Lily held Harry in her arms, begging him not to kill her or Harry. Voldemort laughed and cast the killing curse.

Severus sat upright, sweat dripping down his face. Why had that particular vision haunted him? He had not love for either Lily or James, and certainly not for the wee Potter. He'd never even set foot in their house, yet the dream had been so very vivid.

Shaking his head to clear the vision, Severus took a deep swallow of water from a glass on the table. He laid back down and settled back to sleep.

---------9:24

Sirius perked up his ears. The door to the Leaky Cauldron swung open on its hinges. He slowly opened one eye. Damn. Only Hagrid. Sirius watched Hogwart's gamekeeper step out onto the now busy London street. A few people looked at him funny, but most simply kept on their way.

"Got ter find me a baby shop." he heard Hagrid mumble as he passed by. Thinking it couldn't hurt to find out why Hagrid of all people was shopping for babies, Sirius got up, stretched and jaunted off down the street after the half-giant.

---------9:29

Remus was sleeping contentedly, no dreams haunting him for the time being. He sighed and rolled over onto his side. A small dream was playing his lips. The room was very warm and cozy, perfect for the first of November. His worn robe was slung over the back of a wooden chair, his broken in shoes on the floor below them.

Remus sighed again and rolled back the other way.

-------9:34

"They've left the house!" an aide cried, entering the room. Everyone turned to the door. "Minister-the muggles. They've left. We should go now." he said, breathlessly.

Minister Bagnold gestured twice and a handful of wizards left the room, wands out. As they swept past Dumbledore, he caught the Minister's eyes. She nodded for him to follow her. Doing so, he watched the aurors and officials scamper down the hall to the exits.

"They'll get it done, Dumbledore." Bagnold reassured him.

"Of that I have no doubt, Minister. My only concern is that they will not be thorough enough given the time restraints." he said matter-of-factly.

She nodded. "I understand, however, these are our best, Albus. They are used to working under pressure."

"Come, come, Dumbledore. Today is a great day. In a few more hours everything will be taken care of. The boy will have a new home, Sirius Black will be in custody and everything will be begin to get back to normal." the minister said enthusiastically.

"How can accurately remember what is normal, Milicent, after so long under this shadow?" he questions so softly, she did not hear.

He walked her up the three floors to her office and bid her good bye, saying he was needed back at Hogwarts. She thanked him for his help and said goodbye.

-------9:47

Sirius was standing on his front paws pressed against the window of 'Nelly's Nursery', a baby store Hagrid had stepped in to fifteen minutes ago.

The sales staff seemed overwhelmed by him, and was bustling to get anything he needed.

"Now," said Hagrid, "I still need a blanket, real soft, now, and warm, to protect the little tyke from the wind and all. And, what? Oh, yeah, I do like that little outfit, it'll go with his eyes. See, they're green, yep, jus' that color." Hagrid was clearly enjoying himself

Sirius had realized the moment Hagrid walked in the store he was there to buy things for Harry. But why he was buying things for Harry he still didn't understand. Maybe Dumbledore was going to move him to Hogwarts for safekeeping.

Watching Hagrid be rung up at the register, Sirius jumped down and stepped back in to the alley. Best hope Peter hasn't wandered out while I was gone, he thought, heading back to the Leaky Cauldron.