3 November 2011

"Harry seems fine," Healer/Doctor Watson said as he emerged from Harry's bedroom. "I gave him a potion to make him drowsy - sleep is often the best medicine. And I don't mean being unconscious as he was."

Jane let out a long breath. Beside her, Sirius did the same, only exaggerated for effect. She mock-glared at him, briefly, but focused on Watson once more as he sat across from them in the lounge.

"What happened?" Jane asked.

"I'm not entirely sure," Watson replied and held up a hand to forestall questions. "My best guess is that whatever protected him from Voldemort before did so again. I hate not knowing for sure, but Harry's circumstances are unique, so almost everything is guesswork."

"Educated guesswork, though," Jane murmured, offering a silent thanks to James and Lily's spirits for whatever they'd done - for it could be none else - to protect Harry.

"Indeed." Watson grinned at her, but sobered quickly. "I'm surprised the curse-breakers didn't find it when they excised the darkness from Harry's scar."

"Or maybe they did, but didn't mention it?" Sirius offered. "Or they didn't catch it because they weren't looking for it?"

"More likely the latter," Watson said wryly. "At least based on my experiences with curse-breakers in the past."

"Perhaps a more thorough examination is in order?" Jane asked. "Because if Dumbledore is correct that Voldemort isn't entirely alive, and therefore can't be killed, then he needs to be contained, imprisoned somehow."

"What, like an indestructible jar dropped into the bottom of the ocean?" Sirius quipped.

"Perhaps with a Fidelius Charm on the location where it was dropped that the Secret Keeper never reveals," Watson added. "But that's for later, once the curse-breakers determine what's actually happened."

"You think they can?" Sirius asked.

Watson shrugged. "It's the only option I see at the moment, though I'm quite disappointed that the ritual we did for Harry ten years ago doesn't seem to have worked properly."

"I remember you saying that Horcruxes are thankfully rare," Jane said. "Should it be so surprising that the curse-breakers didn't know everything?"

"Perhaps not," Watson allowed.

Jane smiled briefly. "I'll ask our colleagues for recommendations for specialists to look at Harry. Thank you again for coming, Healer Watson."

She saw him out, heard the pop as he Apparated away, and turned to head back into the lounge - where she found Sirius talking quietly into his mobile phone, so she altered course to the kitchen to prepare tea.

By the time she returned to the lounge with a platter of tea and biscuits, Sirius had ended his call and had rested his head on the back of the sofa, eyes closed. He raised his head and opened his eyes as she drew closer.

"Paddington said he'd find a curse-breaker to look at Harry again," Sirius said. "This time with the express intention of examining whatever protection he has, and then trying to track down Voldemort's…shade. Or spirit. Or whatever he is now."

"That's good." Jane poured tea for both of them, adding two sugars to Sirius' cup and a dollop of cream to her own.

Sirius took the cup from her. "You don't sound happy."

"Should I be?" she countered. "Everyone thought Voldemort died ten years ago. Then I got Harry, and discovered he had a piece of Voldemort's soul, a Horcrux, in his scar. We had expert curse-breakers remove it from him, and the four others Voldemort made. Now, Voldemort's turned up again, and I don't know what to think."

"Well," Sirius shifted so that his body angled toward her, "he made those Horcruxes before that Halloween night, right? Then he tried to murder Harry, but Lily's protective ritual disembodied him, somehow. Due to the fragile state of his soul - or spirit, whichever - after he'd split it by making Horcruxes, a part of his spirit latched onto Harry and was contained within his scar. The rest of it…vanished, and has been wandering the world ever since. Not being anchored in an object…maybe it couldn't be found?"

"Maybe," Jane murmured and took a sip of tea. "What a horrible existence."

"Until he found Quirrell," Sirius said by way of agreement. "A willing host made things much easier for him."

Jane frowned. "Do we know that Quirrell was willing?"

"Know?" Sirius shrugged. "Unless we find a way to speak with the dead, I doubt we'll ever know. But given how long he was at Hogwarts, and what Hagrid told me about unicorns being killed in the forest, it's a reasonable bet."

*BREAK*

3 November 2011

Dear Professor McGonagall,

You will be pleased to know that our family healer confirmed that Harry is in excellent health despite the events of Halloween evening. He will forward a copy of his report to Madam Pomfrey for Harry's record.

Please advise what time I should have Harry back at Hogwarts on Sunday, as I should like to speak with you at that time. Our discussion shouldn't take longer than half an hour.

Regards,

V. J. Moneypenny

*BREAK*

6 November 2011

Though it was only midafternoon, the sun hung low in the sky when Jane Apparated to the gates of Hogwarts with Harry. He squeezed her hand briefly before letting it go and straightening his school robes.

Jane bit back a smile at Harry's independent streak - she'd been no different at that age - and then regarded the large gates before them.

"Is there a doorbell?" she asked, though she'd felt the tingle of wards as they arrived. "Or perhaps we simply shout until someone comes?"

Harry chuckled. "No, there are wards. Someone - probably Hagrid - will be here shortly…there he is now."

The man who approached them could have played the giant in a production of Jack the Giant Killer. His face was almost entirely hidden by a mass of thick black hair and a great black beard, though as he came closer, Jane could see that he was smiling broadly.

"Welcome back, 'Arry!"

"It's good to be back, Hagrid," Harry answered. "You've not met my Aunt Violet, I don't think?"

"Welcome t'Hogwarts," Hagrid said. "Pleasure t'meet ya. Come on through."

"Thank you," Jane said, unsure whether Hagrid was his first or last name. She'd have to remind Harry to use full names in his letters at least once. Harry had already passed through the gates, and she followed quickly, letting the giant gates swing silently closed behind her.

She was happy to follow Harry and Hagrid to the castle proper, listening to them talk about…well, honestly, she didn't really pay close attention to their talk. She was focused, instead, on the coming conversation with the deputy headmistress. She had a feeling it would not be pleasant, and it might only barely be considered civil.

At the doors to the Great Hall, Harry hugged her briefly before going inside to join some of the other students who were…studying? Perhaps, judging by the books open on the tables, but she couldn't be certain given the lively discussion that appeared to be going on.

"D'you know your way from 'ere?" Hagrid asked, and Jane forced her attention away from the students.

"I believe so, unless the route changes."

She'd meant the comment in jest, but Hagrid appeared to be considering the question with the utmost seriousness.

"I don' think so," he said finally. "Routes to the heads' offices change less than the others."

"Well," Jane said briskly to cover a sudden attack of nerves, "if I need help, I can call for an elf. Thank you."

Hagrid blushed - or she thought he did, given the sudden ruddiness in his cheeks - then mumbled what might've been "pleasure t'help," and strode away.

*BREAK*

Jane found McGonagall's office without needing to call an elf, and this time, thankfully, the deputy headmistress was alone in her office.

"Miss Moneypenny." McGonagall gestured her to a seat opposite her desk. "You indicated this meeting would not take long, but I confess I've no idea what we need to discuss."

"Quite simply," Jane took the offered seat, sitting primly forward rather than settling back, "you need to convince me not to withdraw Harry from Hogwarts right now."

"I beg your pardon?"

Jane affected an open, innocent smile. "What part wasn't clear?"

McGonagall's lips thinned so much they almost disappeared. "Why would you consider removing Harry from Hogwarts?"

Jane let her smile fade into the glare she'd perfected on a dozen 00 agents during her career. "That you wouldn't excuse him from your Halloween feast to grieve his parents is sufficient reason, as far as I'm concerned. But if you require more, I offer a possessed teacher - who injured Harry, and you couldn't be bothered to let me know. I had to find out from one of his school friends."

McGonagall met her gaze evenly. "It is Hogwarts policy to notify parents or guardians only of significant injuries or accidents."

"Harry was unconscious for two days, Professor. If that isn't significant to you, I shudder to consider what is."

"Further, it is policy that all students attend all feasts," McGonagall continued as though Jane hadn't spoken. "They are, after all, celebrations."

Jane shook her head. "Lily adored you, you know. She would be devastated to know you think so little of her sacrifice. Moving on," she added over whatever McGonagall might have said, "there was a troll that somehow got into the school - which I understood was one of the safest places in Britain. How do you explain that?"

"It's my understanding that Professor Quirrell tampered with the wards."

"That shouldn't be possible - not a single professor, anyway," Jane corrected herself. "I understand that any wards can be circumvented or broken. But if Hogwarts is truly one of the safest places in Britain, how is it that a single person managed that feat without alerting you or the headmaster, or anyone else on staff?"

"An investigation is in progress," McGonagall answered. Without elaborating, she looked sternly over her spectacles. "What else?"

Jane smiled grimly. "I saved the worst for last. The worst - worse than all of those combined - thing about Hogwarts is that you have a Death Eater teaching Harry."

"A reformed Death Eater." McGonagall glared at her. "Professor Snape regrets his actions-"

"I don't care," Jane snapped. "He supported the man who murdered Harry's parents. A case could be made that allowing him to teach Harry is psychological abuse."

McGonagall jerked back, the first genuine sign of emotion she'd displayed. "I assure you, there is no abuse at Hogwarts."

"Then we clearly have different definitions of abuse," Jane said flatly. "But please - you were attempting to convince me that Harry should continue attending Hogwarts."

McGonagall eyed her shrewdly. "You seem already to have made up your mind that he won't."

"Not entirely," Jane admitted. "But right now, the most persuasive argument I've heard is his own - that he wants to attend the school his parents did. I respect that, but I have to make the best decision I can for him, regardless of what he wants."

McGonagall stayed silent for long moments, and Jane could practically hear the other woman thinking. Finally, McGonagall sat forward, interlocking her fingers and resting her hands on her desk.

"Perhaps I should be asking what we can do to convince you to let him stay."

Jane allowed herself to relax, however fractionally. At least McGonagall seemed open to listening, even if her cooperation wasn't assured.

"He will no longer take potions with Severus Snape," Jane said. "That's not negotiable."

"But he must study potions," McGonagall pointed out. "It's part of the core curriculum, and he will be tested on it during his OWLs."

"I'll arrange for a private tutor." Technically, she already had, but McGonagall didn't need to know that.

McGonagall didn't appear entirely reassured, but said only, "Do provide a - what do you call it? a sieve?"

"A C.V.," Jane answered. "Curriculum vitae."

"Yes, thank you. What else?"

"Notification of any injury Harry should have. Honestly, that's standard procedure in Muggle schools."

"I will suggest that the policy be changed for all students, not just Harry."

Why was McGonagall being so accommodating? Jane had no idea, but resolved to pose the question to Sirius, James, and also Crispian Paddington when she had the chance. She said only, "I'm sure the parents will appreciate that."

"What else?"

Jane considered that briefly, then decided to charge ahead. "An explanation, perhaps - why are you so intent on Harry attending Hogwarts?"

"Many reasons." McGonagall sat back in her chair, and for a moment looked as old as she must be. "The very least of which is the prestige he brings with him."

"Prestige? He's eleven." Then Jane got it. "You mean because of his ridiculous fame."

"Yes. Not that I - or most of the professors - care, you understand. The parents, however, are quite…pleased, perhaps, is the best word, that he is here with their children."

"Only some," Jane murmured.

"Pardon?"

Jane met the other woman's gaze. "I said, only some parents are pleased that he's attending. Those who supported Voldemort surely aren't. I'd suspect some of them might even be contemplating avenging their fallen master."

"Surely not-" McGonagall began, then broke off with a sigh. "But that's likely wishful thinking on my part."

There was nothing Jane could say to that, so she kept silent, allowing the other woman to gather her thoughts.

"I'll admit that many of my reasons for wanting Harry to remain at Hogwarts are selfish," McGonagall said finally. "James was one of my favorite students - when he wasn't being a rascal - and Harry reminds me so much of him that it hurts, sometimes. I feel like I failed James and Lily both, and I want to make it up to their son."

"You aren't the only one to have failed them," Jane observed. "And while my preference still is to remove Harry from Hogwarts immediately, I will allow him to attend for this first year - with the understandings we previously discussed."

"And after this year?" McGonagall asked.

"I'll speak with Harry and decide then."