AN: Hello again! I decided on a midweek surprise for all my faithful readers! I think I'll be posting at least a shortish chapter on Sunday as well, though, so it's a double week!
Again, thanks all for the reviews and commentary! It makes my day to hear that people actually read my ideas...
This chapter is donated to my second ever reviewer, 'eternal vampire'. Thank you for individually commenting on each chapter so far. It means a lot to me, and inspires my writing each time I sit to write more.
The Love of Family
Chapter 3: New surroundings and Confrontations
July 8, 1991- 7:30 am, Bedroom, North Wing, McGonagall Manor; Scotland
When Harry awoke next, he could move immediately, and knew he'd just woken from a deep sleep, not unconsciousness.
However, he didn't recognize the room he was in at all. Feeling a little nervous, he reached through the twin bond. He sighed in relief.
Matt was asleep, and while he wouldn't wake his twin up, he could feel Matt was content. If Harry were in trouble, then Matt would be sleeping restlessly, or not asleep at all, Harry reasoned.
The boy groped at the table he could vaguely see next to his bed, silently cursing his bad eyesight. He hoped they were there, he needed- aha! There they were! He slid the cracked and dirty black-framed glasses over his nose, relishing in sight again. He realized that these glasses were most likely not his prescription, but as they were the only available, he got along just fine.
At his first sight of the room he was in, the boy let out an astonished gasp. It was grand, and yet wonderfully comfortable and warm. The room was the biggest he'd ever seen, with a large, full-sized, four poster bed, a large wardrobe, a big oak desk with a chair in front, two bookshelves built in around the bed, and two armchairs by a window. The bed was long the wall with a door, and it gave him a magnificent view of the chairs in a reading nook in the far corner, of a door in the far wall that probably led to a bathroom of sorts, and directly across from his bed, two large, glass, bay windows that doubled as doors, leading to a balcony.
Harry looked around in amazement. The bed was certainly the most comfortable he'd ever seen, let alone slept on. No wonder he'd slept so well! The room's colors were predominantly blue and gold, and the bed's covers and sheets went with that scheme. The curtains around the bed were deep midnight blue, and he knew they'd effectively block light out, but they were open right now. Perhaps someone wanted him to wake at a reasonable time…
There must have been some mistake- this wonderful room couldn't possible all be for him!
Harry tentatively stood and walked to the center of the room, watching in amazement as his feet literally sunk into the plush, gold carpeting. He turned in a small circle, taking in the sunshine and warmth in the room, and feeling truly free and light for the first time he could recall. He felt no fear here- just happiness.
He stopped facing the window, suddenly curious as to where he was. He walked over and gaped at the view.
As far as the eye could see were rolling green hills, and vast blue sky. The sun was shining down, and to the right and down a hill, Harry could see the glint of water.
He'd never seen the ocean before- or really, any climate at all! This was a wonderful place to be, he just wished he knew where he was, why he was here, and who he was with.
Was he with Auntie Min? She'd said she had a manor- was that this place? He'd never seen a manor, so he didn't know what to expect of one.
Walking over to the wardrobe located next to an unidentified door, he pulled it open, wondering if there'd be anything inside.
To his surprise, there were actually a few items of clothing! And further inspection showed that they'd fit Harry.
He was tentative about putting on the new-looking blue jeans and green t-shirt, but he was still in the hospital-looking white pajamas, and didn't want to go out into the rest of the house dressed like that.
And for some reason he was feeling rather adventurous. Maybe it was good, that he was opening up and becoming more outgoing.
But it scared Harry, because behavior like that always got him in trouble before.
Looking around the room, as if expecting someone to pop out of nowhere and stop him, he took the clean clothing and opened the unknown door. It was a bathroom, and Harry quite happily used the supplied to wash his face and brush his teeth, before dressing.
Ah, how clean teeth could somehow just make everything seem brighter. Not that Harry's morning needed brightening, but Matilda at the orphanage had never seen to their hygienic needs, and Harry liked having his teeth clean.
He quickly pulled his thoughts away from that path, determined to make the most of this day and not spoil it with horrible memories.
After concluding that he was ready to leave the room, and that there was nothing left to explore in the immediate vicinity (the desk and shelves were surprisingly and disappointingly empty; Harry had wished that there would be a book or two), he walked to the door.
He stood there for almost five minutes, working up the courage to open it. Taking a deep breath he did so, and promptly fell over backwards.
For right as he pulled the door open there had been a very loud POP, and a small, wrinkly, creature had peered at him rather eerily through large, wet eyes.
July 8, 1991- 6:35 am, Breakfast Room, McGonagall Manor; Scotland
Minerva sipped the last drop of her tea and ate the last piece of toast crust with raspberry jam from her plate. She pushed back her seat with a sigh on content as a small house elf hurried forward to clear the table.
McGonagall Manor had been left to her by her father many years ago when he passed away fighting in the war against Grindewald. He had been scorned in society for leaving the ancestral house to his older daughter instead of younger son, but had made the decision regardless. His son at that point had been living in the States, married with two children and a much-loved job.
His daughter, Minerva, had been the one he doted on, after her mother had passed away during the girl's childhood. She had taken a job teaching at Hogwarts, and though she loved it very much, he father wanted her to have somewhere besides her lonely rooms in the old castle to come home to- he wanted to leave her a piece of her childhood.
And Minerva treasured the home she'd been left. She'd made sure to offer her brother the opportunity to live there with his family, but the life he was living in a busy American city was so different from the wilderness she escaped to in the Manor. And her brother didn't fit into his old life anymore- the Manor was only visited by them at holiday times, now.
But Minerva visited as often as possible, even if it did get somewhat lonely in the large house all by herself. But the grounds were exotically beautiful Scotland- with the ocean nearby, sunshine almost all summer, and green hills as far as the eye could see. It was cathartic to be here, and it brought back fond memories Minerva liked to remember.
The House was four stories, with two towers. Her suite of rooms was on the second floor, along with two other rooms. One of those was the one she'd had made up for Harry.
The third floor was comprised of more guest rooms, a few studies, a formal sitting room (never used, though), and a staircase that led up to one of the towers.
The fourth floor was mostly a large library, that while held as much varied and interesting reading materials at Hogwart's library (if not more, in some areas), was vastly different in its structure. It was large and airy, with enormous windows on the walls not covered by shelves that let in sunshine in streams. The room was more like a story and a half tall, and the shelves reached up that high. There was a large fireplace and many chairs and couches to read on.
Suffice to say, this was Minerva's favorite room, and the one she could most often be found in. and if she wasn't there, then she was very likely to be in the tower that's entrance was located in the library, that had a short, winding staircase that led to a round room with a chair that overlooked the whole grounds.
That was her favorite place to read.
The bottom floor was comprised of a living area, an office of sorts that doubled as a much smaller library (mostly used for school-related work), a formal dining room not used much, only if there were guests on Christmas, and the Breakfast room, a small nook with a large bay window that overlooked the distant water. That was where she ate most of her meals, as it was also more continently placed for the twenty small elves that were employed by the McGonagalls to get to and from the kitchen.
Minerva followed in her family's belief that house elves deserved kindness, not only because their work would be better, but because they were living creatures that deserved rights of their own.
The one now clearing her place, Mippy, smiled up at her. "Mistress be wanting anything else? Mippy can get it for Mistress!"
Minerva shook her head kindly. "No thank you, Mippy. I'm so full, though breakfast was wonderful as always. Please thanks Stu for me."
The little elf beamed as if she had been given the compliment, though Stu was the cook who made all the meals.
"Mippy will be doing that for Mistress! What are Mistress's plans for today?"
"I actually have a meeting I need to get to, Mippy. I won't be long- no more than an hour, I should say. Though I hope to be back in half the time. Could you do me a favor while I'm gone?"
"Oh yes, Mistress! Mippy would be pleased to!"
"You remember the young boy who I brought home last night?"
"Yes Mistress, Master Harry James. You said he is to be living here, Mistress."
"Yes, Mippy. He's probably still asleep, and I hope he sleeps a bit longer. But can you monitor the hall, and greet him if he wakes while I'm away? He won't know where he is, and I don't want him to be frightened."
"Oh yes, Mistress, Mippy will be doing that happily." The elf skipped in place a few times, "yes she will! Mistress can go to her meeting knowing young Master will being all taken care of!"
Minerva smiled at the kind elf that she was closest to of all the creatures- the little thing was so darling, and took such good care of her when she was sick. She knew she could trust the elf with Harry, and Mippy and the others had assured her the night before that they'd be gentle with him.
He would be in good hands, but she couldn't help but make a stop on her way out of her room, five minutes later, hat and cloak in hand. She peeked through the door located in the wall across from her own.
The room was a masterpiece- a few years before, when she thought her great-nephew would be moving with her for a year or so (a long story involving the magical authorities and underage magic in America, but straightened out his mother (her by niece) who worked in the American Ministry) she'd gotten the room made up somewhat.
But a few days previously, when it had been decided that Harry would move in with her, her great friend Rolanda Hooch (flying instructor in Hogwarts) had joined her with a shopping spree in Diagon Alley, where they had purchased bedding for the four poster (and then charmed the rest of the room to match), a few sets of clothing to last until she could take the boy for his own, necessities such as a toothbrush, paste, pajamas, and the like. To Minerva's disappointment Rolanda wouldn't let her peruse Flourish and Blotts Bookseller, but she agreed in the end that it made more sense for Harry to choose his own activities that he'd enjoy for his free time.
The room had ended up very nice, if she did say so herself. But what pleased her far more than the grand room she'd put together was the lump of nearly-eleven-year-old boy under the soft golden comforter.
She'd been waiting for this for years, though she hadn't realized it. She'd always wanted a child, but Harry was more than that. He was a link to two of her brightest students Lily and James; he was an intelligent and polite young man that needed to heal from an abusive past; and he needed her. That was the most special part.
It wasn't like a newborn babe, who was dependant on their mother because they were helpless otherwise, it was like approaching a wild animal that was hurt, and knowing that any sudden movements and it would bolt.
And it was the pleasurable feeling when the animal finally trusted you and approached freely.
She couldn't wait to start with Harry and earn his trust, though she wasn't disillusioned at all. She knew it'd be hard.
She gave one last smile at the small figure beneath the blankets. Then with one twist of her wand, the curtains around the four-poster opened a bit wider. Poppy had advised her to let him sleep as long as he would naturally, but that too much sleep could also negatively impact his mental health. She said a healthy start in the morning would be between seven and eight.
So Minerva would let the sun wake him naturally at the correct time. She just hoped she'd be back by then! Albus had known that she'd want to be home with Harry, so he'd arranged the meeting early for her convenience.
At the thought of the meeting, and the purpose for which it had been called, Minerva scowled darkly.
She shut the door softly and moved down the hallway to the sweeping staircase and down to the ground floor. The various little elves cleaning and doing the morning chores (opening the curtains to let in light, watering the house plants, fluffing pillows, etc.) all made small bows or curtseys as she passed, but all knew their Mistress didn't like big shows of allegiance, and preferred them to work efficiently.
All were also clothed in pristine uniforms that didn't count as clothing, the male's uniforms complete with tiny trousers and shirts with jackets, and the female's with skirts, blouses, and little aprons.
One young male named Lu stopped Minerva on her way to the living room fire- the one used for flooing, as it was largest and cleanest.
"Mistress, a letter arrived after your morning meal- Lu brought it for you." Lu was different from the other elves, as he was a little more educated and spoke with more sophistication than most.
Minerva smiled down at the elf with the little butler suit- he was head of the elves for the main house (no one would dream of taking the duties in the kitchen away from Stu, the best chef Minerva swore she'd ever seen in the Manor).
"Thank you, Lu. I'll take it now." The elf handed over the letter, and then moved to supervise some younger males who were using the elves unique magic to move a couch aside for vacuuming- many couches had been dropped in the household in this manner before, hence Lu's rather hovering attitude.
Minerva glanced at a clock hanging against the far wall of the entry way she was in. The old grandfather clock had been handmade and enchanted by her great-great grandfather when he inherited the Manor, and it showed the time as well as the location of any current family members. It would only show 'work', 'school', 'home', 'vacation', or 'danger', but it was still comforting to have it. The only family members that had shown up for this generation had been her, her brother, and his son and daughter. Their children should hypothetically have been added upon their first visit to the Manor, but none of them had made the trip yet except for one, and apparently the magic of the clock hadn't deemed him worthy of a McGonagall (she didn't blame it- she was never more glad that they lived in America than when she remembered that otherwise that impertinent, rude, and selfish young man would be in classes! And besides, he had his father's surname of Brown, so the clock wasn't even discriminating against the family.)
The clock had added another name the night before, one that had made her unable to stop beaming for an hour. 'Harry James' was now added as a family member, and she marveled again at magic as she thanked Merlin that the clock hadn't decided to add his real surname.
But the reason she was looking at the clock now was more practical- she needed to know the time. Seeing as it was still almost ten minutes to seven, she figured she could spare a moment for the letter. Albus had just said to arrive at the hour, and although she didn't want to be late, there wasn't that much of a rush.
She headed into the living room as she had previously planned, but she sidetracked from the large hearth to sit on a warm, brown, leather couch. She opened the parchment envelope that had Professor McGonagall written in a child's scrawl, though care seemed to have been taken to make it look neat.
She suspected who this was from, and one glance at the signature confirmed it. Young Matthew Peterson must have borrowed his sister's owl to send the letter, seeing as she hadn't been able to take him to the Alley yet. After the fiasco of finding Harry, she'd arranged with Anna to wait until Harry was more acclimated and then make a group trip for supplies.
The night before, Anna Peterson's nervous head had appeared in her fire, having used the special floo powder Albus had procured for muggle and squib use, but still understandably nervous about having her head dancing in flames. She hadn't let Matt call because she'd been too apprehensive, but they were both worried about Harry.
Apparently Harry had unconsciously called in his mind for Matt, and Matt had been furious when he wasn't allowed to see his brother. Minerva had half expected this letter, to be honest.
Dear Professor McGonagall (or Auntie Min, seeing as you are taking care of my brother, and all),
I want to apologize for my yelling last night. It was rude and disrespectful of me, and it wasn't right of me to take out my worry on you. My only excuse (though I know I shouldn't use excuses) was that I was so worried about Harry that everything else took lower priority.
And I was hoping that maybe I could visit Harry sometime soon? I know you don't want him going anywhere else, but we haven't been together when he'd bee awake for ten years! So please, please, please let me visit! I promise I'll be really good, and I won't upset him or overwhelm him!
Thank you, Auntie Min. I'm really glad you're taking care of Harry. You showed last night that you really have his best interests at heart, and that makes me really happy.
Sincerely,
Matthew Orion Peterson
Minerva smiled. She could fairly feel the part of the letter that had been dictated by Anna as an apology, but she'd understood Matt's anger the night before. She'd been just as worried about Harry as well, after all.
And she could see the rest was completely genuine. He was glad that Harry was staying with her, and seeing as he was Harry's only living relative, Minerva found herself feeling relieved by the approval Matt gave her. Yes, maybe it was ridiculous for a grown woman to feel the need for approval and respect from an eleven-year-old, but she did.
She smiled happily to herself as she refolded the note and tucked it into an inside pocket of her robes.
She went and threw a handful of floo powder into the orange flames; watching in satisfaction as they turned green. And as she entered them and called out, 'Headmaster's office, Hogwarts!' she made sure to wipe her pleased smile off her face.
After all, she couldn't loose her image as a stern professor, and this meeting was one she definitely wanted to be sharp for.
July 8, 1991- 6:55 am, Dungeons; Hogwarts
Professor Severus Snape was rattled. He'd never admit it, of course, but he was.
The day before had not been a good one for him. Ever since agreeing to spy for Albus for the sake of the Light, he'd had to keep in touch with former Death Eaters, preparing for the inevitable day when the Dark Lord would return.
The day before he'd been called to Malfoy Manor on a 'social call', which was really Lucius prattling on for over five hours about 'Mudbloods' and their quest to ruin wizarding society permanently.
After that he hadn't been in the best of moods, and then he'd gone down to Hagrid's cabin to help him with a stray acromantulas. The fact that the rebel had needed to be killed and would provide him with enough valuable venom for three years was a plus- the bite he'd received that had needed an immediate antidote wasn't.
Even though he had complete confidence in his antidote, the moment Hagrid had realized what happened, he'd insisted in his wild but concerned way that Hagrid visit Poppy.
Hagrid was misunderstood in so many ways, and though Severus didn't approve of many of Hagrid's 'pets', he still knew the giant had his rather large heart in the right place, his loyalty was incomparable, and he always meant well.
But all his good intentions had disappeared when he first couldn't find Minerva anywhere, and then when he was told the new occupant of the castle- Potter.
He knew in his mind that James Potter was dead, and that his offspring weren't the same person that he had been.
But Severus was never good with his emotions, and he still had the hurt, the regret, and the despair from the end of his friendship with Lily and her death not even five years later.
And all those tightly bundled emotions had come undone when he'd set eyes on the boy in the bed in Poppy's domain.
When Severus heard that the other Potter boy was the image of James Potter with Lily's hair color as the only resemblance he had to her, he'd expected the other to look the same. But Harry Potter was anything but, and it had scared and shocked him.
So he'd covered up those unfamiliar feelings with the hate and anger he felt for James Potter.
Merlin, Harry Potter looked so like Lily, but there were subtle yet un-ignorable details that reminded him that Lily had actually had children with Potter. Harry had Potter's black hair, but with subtle undertones of red that were almost invisible, and a bit of Potter's face shape. But his small frame and his nose and stubborn chin reminded Severus completely of Lily. And his eyes- Merlin, his eyes were Lily's staring right out at him in an even more vivid green than even Lily's.
But those eyes had held emotion that Lily's never had- instead of laughter, or passionate anger, or kindness, his eyes held wisdom beyond his years, and grief and sadness. That was, before Severus had put the intense fear he'd later seen into them. The boy's eyes had reminded him of his eyes during his childhood, of his father beating him and his mother for possessing magic while he couldn't.
And Severus had felt fury that Potter's son was bringing out such emotions in him. It wasn't right! He was rid of Potter- he didn't want to be involved with his son in any way!
But when he'd reached out to shake the boy's shoulder and stop his irritating staring, he'd watched the boy loose control and scream. The boy thought he was going to be beaten! Severus felt a fool for not realizing that, as well as a bastard for being his normal self and letting his emotions get the better of him.
He was a fool, for upsetting the boy and being his normal bastard self. And he also was a fool for getting on the wrong side of two formidable witches such as Poppy Pomfrey and Minerva McGonagall.
After hearing Harry's cry, both had rushed into the room and pulled him away. Poppy had pushed him out of the door with a livid warning to stay far away, and Minerva had not even looked at him.
But he knew better than to think it was because she wasn't upset with him- she probably was afraid she'd curse him and upset Albus if she so much as looked in his direction. Besides, she was trying to help the boy who'd fallen unconscious.
Severus might feel like a fool, but he wasn't an idiot. He knew why he'd been called to the Headmaster's office this morning, and he knew Minerva would be there, too.
And while he was not coward, he was relieved that his confrontation with her would occur with the Headmaster there.
Maybe she wouldn't be able to hurt him.
And maybe he was just deluding himself.
He shook his head. Being late wouldn't help matters. He swept out of his rooms in the dungeons of the ancient castle, and headed up the stairs. He would just have to hope that Albus didn't put the boy's safety and happiness above Severus's life.
He really wasn't a coward, he told himself, any self-respecting Slytherin would be looking out for his own skin in this situation.
And anyone sane would be wary of Minerva McGonagall in a pleasant mood, let alone a rage. That was a formidable witch- one worthy of respect and admiration, but still formidable indeed.
July 8, 1991- 7:15 am, Headmaster's Office; Hogwarts
Albus Dumbledore resisted the urge to sigh and lay his head on the desk as he surveyed his two Professors over his half-moon glasses.
They were both proud people, excellent Professors, smart, talented, and two of the absolute most stubborn people he had ever encountered.
And that statement covered every one of his one hundred and fifty years.
Minerva was standing in a corner, glaring rather ferociously at Severus, and even Albus was wary of the look the younger man was receiving. Minerva had always been kind to Severus, recognizing him as an outcast when teaching him and trying to help him in any way that she could.
But no one got between a lioness and her cub without consequences, and somehow little Harry Potter (now James) had become Minerva's cub.
He almost smiled at the thought, but stifled it at the thought of what Minerva would do to him if she thought he was getting any amusement out of this little confrontation. Severus wouldn't even notice if he smiled, Albus mused, because he seemed very preoccupied with studying his boots.
Suddenly the exasperation and impatience that Albus had been experiencing earlier turned to pure amusement. It was, after all, the best entertainment to see the resident 'bat' of the dungeons and most feared teacher at Hogwarts revert back to an eleven year old being punished by his Professor with that single look from Minerva.
Albus would be putting this memory into his pensive for some day when he needed entertainment or uplifting. He did that with all his favorite memories- the side effect of them being perfect blackmail material was just a side benefit. Maybe now he could 'convince' Severus to go to muggle London to pick up his next supply of lemon drops!
Some of his joy and laughter must have showed in his eyes or expression, because the glaring/sulking/silence of the last seven minutes and forty-three seconds (Albus had been counting) was broken by Minerva turning suddenly to face the Headmaster.
"Do you find something amusing here, Albus?" she asked in a deceptively calm voice. He knew better- that voice boded trouble. "Because I couldn't think of what might possibly be entertaining in this situation."
"No, no," he replied hurriedly, remembering at the last moment that she probably wouldn't appreciate a 'my dear' tacked on to the end of that statement, "I am sorry to admit that my mind may have wandered at this point; I am very sorry, Minerva. Was there something being discussed?"
He knew there hadn't been any words spoken since Minerva had first glared and Severus, but he figured it was best to tread lightly. Minerva sniffed in disdain.
"No, nothing said, yet," she said in an ominous tone. "I'm waiting for Severus to start."
That seemed to be news to the Potions Professor, who looked both surprised and terrified at the same time, before smoothing his features out again.
But he couldn't keep the guilty look off of his face.
"Minerva, Albus, I regret that my emotions got the better of me the other night. It was not my intention to frighten the boy that completely, nor to hurt him in any way. I had just returned from a trying day in the presence of Lucius and an acromuntula," he saw both contain winces at the mention of both 'creatures', "and my control wasn't what it should have been. I assure you it won't happen again."
"I understand Severus," Albus cut in when he saw Minerva open his mouth to deliver what would no doubt be a scathing comment, "But that doesn't help the boy, after all. The past cannot be changed. How do we know that he will feel safe come September for classes, now?"
Severus looked pained at that. "I am sorry, Headmaster. I know that can't change what's been done. He just reminded me of James, but there's just so much of Lily in him too…" he was speaking softly, as if he had forgotten the other people in the room, "and I wanted so badly to be able to hate him for being a Potter, but Lily's eyes and face and stature were hurting that resolve. And then I saw myself in the eyes, from when I was a child, and I was furious that a child of Potter would be able to make me feel anything besides hate. I let my emotions get out of control as I covered the confusion with all the anger and hate I felt, and the boy's staring upset me more- I don't think I even realized he wasn't moving because he was terrified."
Although Severus spoke simply, Albus could tell he was very much affected by what had happened. And he was guilty and regretful. He was a good boy, after all.
Minerva was still frowning, but not as forcefully or angrily. Now she took the seat that Albus had motioned to earlier that she had denied. Albus spoke to both at once, trying to be casual to put them both as more ease.
"I think some of this is beginning to make sense. See, I had a rather curious visitor last night, I'd say a bit after eleven-thirty." He looked at Minerva who frowned. What was that supposed to…"
"Oh, I suppose Mr. Peterson was a bit upset when I kicked him out of my home?"
Albus chuckled. "Oh, more than a bit." Seeing Severus's confused expression he continued, "Mr. Peterson said that his brother wasn't only crying out aloud, but in their minds as well. He was frantic, according to his mother, when Harry called anxiously for him before disappearing in his mind as unconscious. Then when he wasn't allowed to see Harry, understandably, my dear," he hurriedly added when Minerva opened her mouth furiously, "his mother sent him here to speak with me. He explained a certain… talent, I would say, of the boy's. They both seem to be a touch emphatic, though Harry sounds far more sensitive to emotions around him, and to have a far more powerful gift of empathy. I would say his childhood circumstances influenced the ability. Being able to sense harm that way might have saved his life, or at least health, numerous times. Matthew said it is the only real way Harry will trust anyone. From the sound of it, he might be a real empathic with training, able to not only sense emotions, but influence them too."
The other two Professors stared at him with absolute shock, unable to process what they had been told.
Albus grinned happily as he selected another lemon drop to suck on. Yes, that worked quite well. Minerva had stopped glaring and Severus had stopped sulking. And now they would all get along-
"SEVERUS SNAPE! YOU PROJECTED ALL YOUR HATE AND ANGER TOWARDS AN ABUSED EMPHATIC CHILD?"
Okay, maybe there was still a bit more work to be done here…
July 8, 1991- 7:45 am, Hallway, North Wing, McGonagall Manor; Scotland
Harry stared, completely enthralled, at the creature staring at him with horror. Since he had fallen to the floor, he was now about the same height as the little thing.
He could tell it was a she from the little white dress and apron she wore, as well as the delicate, white, silk bow perched around one of her large ears.
Those ears were almost the size of half her head, and were now dropping as he large, tennis ball-sized baby blue eyes filled with tears and her small mouth formed an 'O' or surprise. She was wringing her apron in her hands.
Neither occupant of the hall made any move to break the stillness and silence. The poor creature looked terrified, and Harry was still getting over being startled. But he wasn't scared- this little being was putting off only good intentions, and concern and care. As well as a fierce loyalty he didn't fully understand, but it reminded him of the way Matt's mind felt when he was protecting Harry.
It was a good feeling.
"Hello," Harry eventually ventured, "I'm sorry for startling you."
"Oh no, young Master!" the little being cried in a high pitched and frantic voice, "Mippy is being so, so sorry! Mippy frightened young Master, but Mippy was told to watch for young Master and show him to breakfast. Mippy is so awfully sorry."
"It's really okay, I don't blame you," Harry spoke as he pulled himself off the floor, the little creature rushing to help, though the small frame didn't really help the boy much.
"Oh, young Master so kind and generous, just like Mistress."
"Who is your Mistress?" Harry asked, though he had a fair idea. The events of the day before were all very fresh, though he had desperately pushed the dark stranger to the very back of his mind. But he clearly remembered Auntie Minnie wanting him to stay with her. Was this wonderful place McGonagall Manor?
"Mippy's kind and gracious Mistress being Madam McGonagall, young Master."
"Mippy," Harry began hesitantly, "you can just call me Harry. I don't know what I have to do to be a Master, but I think I'm more comfortable with my name…"
"Mippy will call you Master Harry."
Harry opened his mouth to protest the title, but then closed it again in resignation. Whatever Mippy was, she seemed very stubborn and set to her ways. If she was determined to call him Master then there probably wasn't anything he could do about it.
He gave a slight shrug. Besides, at least Master Harry was better than 'young Master'.
He smiled a little shyly at Mippy. "Were you supposed to show me something, Mippy?"
"Oh, yes, Master Harry! Mippy is so sorry Mippy is forgetting! Mistress wanted Master Harry to see some of Mistress's Manor, and then to come eat breakfast. Come, Master Harry!"
Harry laughed at the small creature, feeling more comfortable with her than he had ever felt with another human being. Except Matt, of course.
They had just reached the living room a little bit later. Mippy had pulled Harry quite literally from the Library, saying he'd have plenty of opportunities to peruse it later. He was wondering if he'd actually be allowed to read those magnificent books- it seemed all too good to be true, but he hoped so.
They had viewed the wonderful grounds from all different windows and perspectives, and had finally reached the ground floor. They stopped by the living room to see the family tapestry briefly before going to eat. Harry was wondering how food and mealtimes worked here. While in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, he'd gotten actual cooked food, and plenty of it. Auntie Minnie didn't seem like the neglectful type, and he hoped that maybe he'd be allowed some toast and the like today. He was feeling hopeful and content until something happened that scared him senseless.
When the fire roared mightily and turned a vivid green, he promptly forgot everything his brother had told him in the last year, and stumbled backward as a rapidly spinning figure took a misty shape in the flashing flames.
AN: Thank you for reading yet another chapter! Please review- it'll inspire my writing, and I so love reading what people think. I do reply to each review individually- as my other reviewers can testify!
Oh, and reviewers get a preview of the next chapter, once again! It might not relate to the chapter largely, but it'll be a part I find funny, interesting, or intriguing.
Again, thank you!
-Golden Sun
