Chapter Two: The Letter From Hell

Dear Aunt Anne,

I know you haven't heard from me for a while. I need help thought; I don't know who to turn to. You might have heard what happened in the Daily Prophet, what ever they are saying is a lie. I'll tell you the real story.

I'm in hell.

I have no idea why I ever wanted to have children. Alright I didn't give birth to Harry, Lily did, but now that she is gone he's all mine and I don't want him.

I never knew babies could cry that much! Yes, I can deal with 30 rowdy fifteen year olds for an hour, but a baby. It seems the great Minerva McGonagall has meet her match, my students would die of shock.

Yes, you heard right I am taking care of a baby. Well not just any baby, this is the Great Harry Potter. Not that that makes any difference to me, to me he is like the grandson I never had. Lily was like a daughter to me, poor girl, her parents died when she was just nine years old, and then she was forced to live with that sister of hers, Petunia.

When I heard Dumbledore wanted to send Harry there, well, it was just unacceptable. They would never understand him. So I took him.

You are right again, never-broke-a-rule-in-her-life Professor McGonagall took a baby with out permission. Of course they'll have my wand for it, and a lot of money I don't even have, but I couldn't do that to Lily and James.

So I apparated to Godic's Hollow that night, after saying my final words to Albus Dumbledore. My one time mentor and friend, I don't know what he is now. It was a wreck, the house was gone, with only crater lefts to show were it once stood. The hardest part was seeing Lily and James' bodies, which had survived the explosion almost intact. They had been my favorite students, though James was, I'll admit, one of my hardest, but I always knew he had a big heart.

Then I saw him, little Harry, still in his crib, crying. He was a little dusty from the explosion, but other then that he was fine, except for the cut on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. Not many people know that I have a soft spot for babies; it almost broke my heart to see him there.

I got him out of course right before the muggles started coming, with their cameras and microphones like these was a show for their amusement.

I apparated to a homeless shelter near my hometown in Nottingham. I use to have a muggle friend who lived there; it was the best place I could think of.

And that is were I am today, in hell. The baby cries day and night for his mommy and daddy and paddy. I have no muggle money or a place to go, for I know they are looking for me. The people here are nice; they are teaching me about raising a child. I told them he is my grandson. That his parents died leaving me a huge debt, which forced me into bankrupts.

I have no clue were to go, what to do with him. I am thinking Australia, somewhere with good muggle schools. They wouldn't look for me there, I'll find work or something, give him a good life. He wouldn't have to grow up famous either, but I can tell him about magic and his parents. When he is older.

I'll change my name so he can go to Hogwarts when his older, posing as a muggle-born or something. I will figure that out later, when he is eleven, that seems so far away right now.

As I said earlier I need help, I need to throw them off my trail so I can disappear. Could you please tell the ministry or Dumbledore or someone that I am in a different country? Maybe America.

You will probably never hear from me again and I will never know if you helped me out in this time of need. If you do, I am eternally grateful.

Your Niece,

Minerva McGonagall

"Thank you Miss. McRyan for informing the ministry of your niece's intentions," the Minster of magic told the old women, smiling.

"Your very welcome dear," the women said in a surgery sweet voice, "anything to help find the young hero. Though I am surprised she asked for my help, we were never very close."

"She must be very desperate then. Well no matter, I'll have someone go to Australia right away. Harry Potter will be safe in his Aunt and Uncle's house by Monday."