"Boy! Come down here!" A beefy man called Vernon Dursley shouted up the stairway, and Harry came down from the toilet, which he was currently cleaning. "Boy, we are going to a dinner party and Dudley will be at Pier's house for his birthday party and a sleepover. You will stay in the house and clean it for your aunt until it is spotless. Got that?" Uncle Vernon barked, causing the small boy to jump with fright. "Yes, Uncle," Harry replied meekly, and the Dursley left the house after informing Harry they would be back tomorrow morning.

After a speeding dusting of the house, Harry ran out in the bright sunshine, glad that there was only a week until the summer holidays as he could see more of Aunt Minnie then. He brought with him a pencil, a sheet of paper and a box of color pencils, 'borrowed' from Dudley's desk. He began to sketch the view: a tall pine tree, the scarlet roses which are the pride of Aunt Petunia's garden, the small fish pond, and – quite unexpectedly – a grey tabby cat with the familiar green eyes.

Harry's reaction was astonishing. He tossed everything on the grass, and rushed to give the cat a big hug. When Harry finally released it, the cat transformed into the woman she really was. Thankfully, none of the neighbors were around to witness the transformation, or the Dursleys' will have some awkward questions to answer.

"Aunt Minerva!" Harry greeting her, who was currently wearing her favorite emerald green robes, exactly the same shade as Harry's eyes. "Hello, Harry. What are you doing?" Minerva gave the small boy a warm smile, which the students of Hogwarts will be astonished at, for they assumed the usually strict Professor incapable of anything as jolly as smiling.

"I'm drawing" was the enthusiastic respond. While Harry was rambling about the view, the brand of the color pencils and such, Minerva was peering in the windows of No. 4.

"Aren't your relatives at home, Harry?" Minerva asked, concerned. "What? Oh, no, they're not. Uncle and Aunt are going to a party, and Dudley is at his friend's house. I'm going to cook dinner and breakfast myself, but I'm scared of the stove. They'll be back tomorrow, so I can play with you the whole day, Aunt Minnie," the happy boy said, unaware anything was wrong.

Minerva was beside herself. What sort of people would leave a boy of seven all alone in a house and to manage his meals all by himself? Well, the Dursleys of course. Minerva scowled heavily. Trying to calm herself, she asked Harry, "Where's Mrs. Figg?" It turned out she had tripped over one of her cats and was currently staying in the hospital. Minerva sighed. How typical of Arabella.

"How often and when did the Dursleys started to leave you alone?" The tiny boy frowned. "Once every month or so… And I think it started when I was four or five, I can't remember." The shoulders shrugged, as if being left alone in a house was no big deal in the world.

Minerva didn't say anything for a moment, apparently deep in thought. After five minutes or so:

"Harry, how would you like to spend the day with me?" The emerald green eyes widened, and Harry began nodding so hard Minerva was sort of surprised it didn't fall off.

"Well, then, what are we waiting for?" Minerva held out her hand invitingly, and Harry grabbed it without a moment's hesitation. The pair of them turned on the spot, and Apparated away.

Yay! An update the very next day! I'm so proud of myself! (Actually, most of the credit goes to my friend, Zoe tabbycat, who threated to hex me on Monday if I don't finish Chapter 4 soon. So to thank her, please read her stories!) Sooo... Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and a round of applause to chailatteandmusic, who gave me the first review. (Sorry, I keep forgetting to mention you!)

So long,

Bianca tabbycat

P.S. Voting time! Where do you want Minerva and Harry to go for their outing: Diagon Alley or Hogsmead to Hogwarts? Please review!