Chapter 1- The Plan
July 24th, 1988
Like any day since he was dropped off on the Dursley's doorstep, 7 year old Harry Potter woke to his Uncle Vernon furiously rapping on the door and yelling "Wake up, you little freak!" he rolled over and sighed. It was always the same old, same old- wake up, get an insane list of chores, not finish them, get in trouble, no dinner, sleep and repeat. Even on the days that he did finish his chores and get dinner, it was always the small burned bits and not enough to keep him nourished and awake. Harry would often fall asleep during the day, which would lead him to missing his chores and the whole cycle. He desperately wished for someone, anyone to save him from his suffering as he got up and tried not to fall asleep.
Minerva McGonagall was sitting behind her desk grading the previous years' exams when she realized something didn't feel right. Ever since that night when Albus left Harry on the doorstep of Number 4 Privet Drive, Minerva cast a spell to check on Harry during the week before his birthday every year and she could feel that something was wrong. The wise woman quickly sent a patronus message through her patronus to Poppy Pomfrey and Severus Snape, her only colleagues that knew about the spell she had cast upon the child. When the professor and mediwitch rushed through the door with a worried look on their faces, Minerva quickly cast as many silencing and locking spells on the door she could, so that Albus wouldn't be able to eavesdrop and motioned for Severus and Poppy to sit down.
"The boy is in trou-," Minerva started but got cut off as Severus exclaimed, "What! Who, where, when, why, and how?!"
"Severus?" Minerva had never seen the man act like this.
"Sorry, but… I had promised Lily that I would keep an eye on her son, as much as I hate James though."
"You care about him!" Minerva and Poppy registered, showing the sides of themselves the students rarely get to see.
"Well, I guess maybe a little." Severus admitted, looking a little uncomfortable.
"Ok, Severus' feelings aside, we need to figure out what to do about Harry," Poppy said, realizing the man's unrestless state, "And soon." Minerva and Severus nodded as the animagus conjured up some biscuits and firewhisky to enjoy as they contemplated how to save the young Potter boy.
By the time the two professors and healer had finalized their strategy, dusk had come upon them.
"Ok then, we will all meet at the gates at 6 in the morning." Poppy confirmed as the 2 professors nodded in agreement.
"See you all in the morning!" Minerva called out as her closest friends left to return to their chambers.