Summary :

The story takes place during the summer between Harry's 14th and 15th birthday, while the later was still at his Aunt's and Uncle's.

During a late diner at Grimmault place with the Order, the Weasleys and Hermione, Sirius asked McGonagall about Harry's life with the Dursleys. At the demand of Albus Dumbledore, McGonagall visited Harry many times as an animagi, from the day he was taken under the Dursley's roof to his 10th birthday.

This is then the beginning of her stories.

Hi ! Here is the first chapter of my story ! I am really sorry if there are mistakes, I am French and I want to take the opportunity of this fanfiction to practice and improve my english ! If you are willing to correct me, I would be very pleased :) Enjoy, and tell me if you want the next chapter (it takes me a little bif of time because it's not my native language but I'm doing my best !)

The night was already falling on London, the streets were empty and quiet, as the old woman climbed the steps of number 12. She quickly knocked and waited the wooden door to open, when a tall, rather thin man appeared behind it.

« Oh good Sirius, good evening. » she whispered, grabbing her dress as she sneaked through the door, hugging him brightly. They both walked to the kitchen, being careful not to make any noise in front of Sirius's deceased mother. The room was way more friendly than the corridor, mainly because of the cleanliness and appetizing smell of mrs Weasley's cookery.

After greeting every member of the order, she finally sat at the end of the table, next to Sirius and Alastor Moody. She looked over the room, and noticed how far Snape had sat from Sirius and Lupin. She discreetly grinned, then immediately focused on the new conversation started by Kingsley, who was seated right in the middle.

….

The meeting lasted two hours. It didn't take one more minute of Snape's time to leave Sirius home. Professor McGonagall was about to follow his lead, when mrs Weasley gently grabbed her left arm.

« We were wondering it you wanted to join us for diner ? I've prepared way too much food for all of us, it would be a pleasure to share it with you »

McGonagall watched her talking, her mouth half opened. She had absolutely no desire to stay any longer, as she was profoundly dreaming of her cosy couch and fireplace.

« Well.. » she began, but Lupin cut her off

« It's getting late, I'm sure you quite hungry, stay with us ! »

Why did everyone want her to eat at Grimmauld place ? She started to feel annoyed by this insistence, but eventually agreed. She cleared her throat and nodded, sitting right back at her seat.

« Thank you my dear » she smiled back at Mrs Weasley, who was already running back and forth from the stoves. Sirius eagerly offered to help her, but she shook her head and forced him to seat with the others. McGonagall was impressed by her ability to handle everything, especially with seven children and everything that was going on with Harry and the order.

The smell of the roasted chicken must have spread into the entire house, since everybody was gathering in the kitchen, making the atmosphere even more convivial. She watched Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the twins taking place around the table, smiling and waving at her.

« Do you have any news from Harry ? » she asked when they were all seated, ready to eat.

« briefly » answered Ron, fiercely shredding his chicken leg. « He doesn't talk much in his letters, but he said he was okay, quite bored as usual with the Dursley's.

She sighed, and swallowed a small portion of her tomato soup.

« I know he has to stay at his aunt's house, but it still makes me upset to know him there. This place is by no means warm and homelike.. » she finally snapped, putting her spoon down.

They all looked at her, baffled by her sudden change in mood.

« Oh come on, don't look at me like this, I am certainly not bringing anything new by saying this. The Dursley are the worst muggles he could ever have grown up with. They are vicious, rude, and nasty people. I have watched them you know, for many years. »

Her last sentence caught the attention of more than one.

« What ? You have watched the Dursley's for many years ? » asked Ron, leaving his chicken for the first time. The room had gone quiet.

« Well, yes, but I obviously don't watch them anymore, now that Harry has fully grown up. »

She noticed the insistent looks towards her, and so she kept on with her story.

« When Rubeus brought Harry on the night of October 31st, I had been watching them all day long. I had to know if they were a reliable family, able to welcome an orphaned wizard baby. Well, they were obviously not. But we had no choice, Harry had to be raised in a home where Lily's blood remained. As I was not convinced of Harry welfare, neither Albus did, I decided to observe him from time to time, to check how he was doing growing up»

« How did you do ? To observe them ? » asked Fred, followed by his twin George.

« As a cat » murmured Hermione before McGonagall could answer.

« Indeed. »

She continued to eat her soup, thinking naively that the conversation was over. But out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Sirius staring at her, his folded arms on the table.

« I want to know more » he claimed. « I need to know how Harry's childhood was, I need to know what I missed with my godson. »

The old woman looked up at it, and both remained silent for a while. The others did not dare to speak either, she could even noticed Hermione and Ginny holding their breath.

« Fine » She finally replied. « But Potter doesn't know about this, and I don't want him to discover it. I assume he has never made the connection between my animagi's form, and the cat of his childhood. »

« We won't tell him, don't worry professor » declared Ron who was eager to hear the story.

McGonagall sighed, and brang her hands together, as she started her first story.

It was hot that day, the stifling heat and thick air were surrounding Privet drive, but did not prevent a tabby cat from walking down the neighbourhood.