4
As soon as Harry and Hagrid had tried their tears, Albus waved them out the door. Silently once again the three men made their way up to the castle. Half way up, Albus decided that he should probably inform his wife of their imminent arrival. Today of all days he wanted peace between them. After all today was the day they would become parents. Withdrawing his wand from his sleeve, he raised it and mutely created a patronus in the form of a phoenix.
"Inform Minerva that I'm on my way with Harry and Hagrid. And then race to Filius and tell him to come to my office."
The phoenix flew off and left the men yet again in silence. But before the silence got too heavy, Harry turned to Albus and regarded him seriously.
"What will happen during the adoption? I mean what is required of me?" he asked carefully. "The muggle way is just some signatures on some papers and that's it."
Albus smiled softly at that and answered Harry in detail. He understood that there were still many things that the boy didn't know about in the Wizarding Community and he found Harry's enthusiasm endearing. Hagrid beamed, too, understanding Harry possibly a bit better than Albus himself did. Hagrid could not rely on reading a person's mind as Albus could and had to understand Harry on a deeper level. Albus hoped he would learn to understand Harry on that level as well in due time. He was not at all sure he would make a good father.
All these years ago when he had wooed Minerva McGonagall, she had tried to avoid him and stay as far away from him as possible. Albus had been more than worried about her behaviour. She seemed to love him but something was standing between them and she refused to forget that. Then the war against Grindelwald had started and she as an Auror had fought against him and his followers. Albus had been a nervous wreck, fearing for her life every waking moment. His worst fears had soon been realised and his precious Minerva had been gravely wounded during one mission. After defeating Grindelwald Albus had rushed into the military hospital where Minerva had been brought to. He had knelt there beside her bed and begged her to tell him what he did wrong, what he had to do to make her his. With a painful expression she had told him to go away. But he had persisted and asked her again and again. Every day had he come to her, helped her recover and wooed her with new vigour. Months later Minerva finally cracked and blurted out what was bothering her.
"I was your student, Professor Dumbledore! They will talk about us and never leave us alone. There are millions of women who would marry you in an eye blink. Young, beautiful and unscarred women. I am only an insignificant young Auror, not yet fully trained and really unsuitable to be a wife. My uncle and cousin were among those dark wizards fighting for Grindelwald. It is known!! It would discredit you, Professor! The great defender of Europe marrying a nobody connected to the most evil and darkest wizard of the century!! And worst of all ..." Minerva had screamed all her doubts, all her agony out into the world, sobbing every now and then. She had sobbed even louder at that and hit her face in her hands. "... I-I c-can't bear children a-anymore ..."
She had turned around and fled but Albus had jumped up and stormed after her. He had caught her around the waist and turned her around before kissing her passionately. He still knew the exact words he had said to her after coming up for air.
"I love you, Minerva. Nothing can change that. And regarding children ... I have more than my chare. Hogwarts is full of children."
Minerva had smiled at that, still tearfully but bravely, and he known then and there that he had made the right decision.
And then all of a sudden a young, muggle-born and brilliant witch had confidently entered their life. She had then proceeded to turn it upside down with a breath-takingly innocent and disarming smile.
Now her son stood before Albus with the same sincerity and innocence in his eyes. Albus swore he would rather die than let this child go unprepared and alone into battle. He saw now the flaws in his plans for Harry and Voldemort, the same flaws Minerva had pointed out from the beginning.
"The ceremony is a bit more complicated, I'm afraid", he explained and chuckled when he saw the alarmed expression of the boy. "Don't worry, Harry. The procedure entails that we bind our magic together. You see, as James' and Lily's son you have their magical gifts. You also have the combined gifts of your family throughout the generations. To make the adoption complete we will have to combine our gifts as well and immerse them in our souls. Minerva will feel as if she carried you nine month in her womb and was connected to you by the umbilical cord."
Harry starred at him for a moment with wide-open eyes. That was unbelievable. Magic was able to do that? He was amazed and a little disconcerted. At the same time he was filled with pride and overwhelming happiness. His parents really lived on in him, not just because he looked like them.
"I will guide you through each step", reassured Albus and placed a strong and protective hand on Harry's shoulder.
Harry smiled up into his face and nodded solemnly. He was not troubled at all as long as his new parents were there with him.
----
Minerva and Albus stood in the middle of the Minister's office which had been magically enlarged to fit the whole Wizengamot. Because all the people involved in the adoption were famous and very important not just a member but the whole Wizengamot had agreed to preside the adoption.
"We will light five candles. You see them standing on the floor already. They are connected with lines in the form of a pentagram. As soon as the pentagram is completed you will feel a small tucking notion and some of your magic is absorbed from you. It won't drain you complete and even significantly, though. The same will happen to Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall."
At that the second leader of the Wizengamot (after Dumbledore) glanced at Dumbledore sharply and coughed audibly. He couldn't believe that the leader of the Wizengamot and his friend had never told him about his marriage with Minerva McGonagall. Dumbledore coughed as well and looked to the floor, scuffing his foot like a chided child.
"I'm sorry", said Dumbledore quietly.
Minerva, though, glared at Frederick Forbes intensely and Harry had to laugh quietly. Apparently his new mother could intimidate not only students but also grown man.
"Could we get started, please? We made reservations to celebrate", demanded Minerva, eyeing the entire Wizengamot threateningly.
"Of course", acquiesced an elderly witch and smiled at Minerva.
Harry, Minerva and Albus gathered in the space between the candles. Harry was rather nervous and eyed the candles with an unsure expression but Minerva stepped smartly closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Never fear, it will be alright", she murmured softly.
Albus took Harry's hand in his and stepped to the first candle.
"The First Candle- is lit to honour and remember birth families. This is a time to acknowledge the separation of children from their birth families and siblings through adoption. It is a time to give thanks and gratitude to birth family for our child and their gift of life. It is also a time to remember the courage and difficult decisions made by birth family", he explained, smiling softly at Harry's expression of shock and joy.
Minerva stepped to Harry's other side and raised her wand to her temple. When she pulled it away from her head a silvery thread of memories clung to the tip of her wand.
Lily Evans stood in the Great Hall as a eleven year old. Her eyes were bulging out and she took in every detail of her surroundings. It was her first day in Hogwarts and she was in awe. Suddenly she met a stern looking teacher with black her tied up into a tight bun. She shrunk back a little, a frightened expression coming into her eyes. But the teacher surprised her by smiling at her radiantly.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, my dear girl. I know it's overwhelming but don't worry. As long as you don't show fear the other students won't bite", she said in a soft voice and winked at Lily conspiratorially.
Then it was Albus' turn to submit a memory.
Albus Dumbledore sighed then let out the breath and groaned. James Potter was ever the mischievous lad and had set one of the teachers desks on fire ... accidentally, of course ... but it did not help that no one in the school liked her whatsoever and wanted her gone from the grounds as soon as possible. Therefore, having ammunition, James was found quite guilty and standing before Albus, smirking at him, trying to win him over with his gorgeous smile. But he knew, that it would not work for Dumbledore was the only man who ever knew all of his tricks before he put them to practice, and all of his punishments before he was proven guilty. James looked into his eyes and shot him a radiant smile, though Albus simply smiled back menacingly and gestured for the boy to sit down.
Harry wasn't sure if he had to do the same thing and looked at both his adoptive parents but they just smiled and Minerva winked at him the same way she had winked at Lily all those years ago.
"You don't have to", she said softly, "we know that you don't have many memories of your parents."
But Harry nodded and put his wand to his temple as well. He gave his mind free reins and was amazed at what his mind produced.
Lily and James sat together on the sofa and watched Harry, astride on a toy broom. Sirius was walking beside him and holding him on the room. He was laughing down onto Harry with Harry beamed up again.
Minerva and Albus beamed at Harry for making the efforts. Then Minerva bent down and put her wand to the candle, lightening it with a casual flick. Then she moved to the second and one man from the Wizengamot launched into an explanation again.
"The Second Candle - honours adopted children and adults. We celebrate those who have joined our family through adoption. They have enriched our lives, challenged us, and blessed us. They have expanded our ability to love and to give."
Minerva and Albus both wrapped their arms around Harry and held him tight between them. It was the closest to heaven Harry ever been. He felt his heart lift right off his chest and felt tears bricking his eyes. Minerva bent over slightly and kissed the top of his head. Albus flicked his wand again and the second candle caught fire.
"The Third Candle - is in honour of the adoptive parents. We recognize those who have become parents through adoption. We support and encourage you in the joy and challenges of committed parenting. We honour you as a family. We honour you for the difficult decisions you have made", the elderly woman, who had talked to Minerva, said and Albus gently turned Harry to the third candle.
"It's your turn to light the candle", whispered Albus softly and Harry was quick to obey.
He beamed at both his new parents. He was definitely honouring them and hoped he would be a good son for them.
"The Fourth Candle - This candle is in honour of those waiting to become parents. As a way of waiting, you learn and prepare for your child to come. May you extend yourselves to and connect with others. We stand close to you in your excitement and frustration. We support you during this difficult time and look forward to the growth and expansion of your family."
Hagrid stepped forward with a box of matches in his large hands. Since the entire Wizengamot was present he couldn't use his pink umbrella. The box was too small for his fingers and he broke the matches before Albus, with a kind smile on his lips, enlarged the box and the matches. For a moment Hagrid beamed at Albus thankfully and then he swiftly struck the match and lit the candle.
"The Fifth Candle - is in honour and concern for children awaiting adoption. We remember those who wait. We remember those children in foster care. We remember those children here and elsewhere who are parentless in temporary homes, orphanages, and on the street. We pray and hope for permanent loving homes for each and every one of you."
Filius Flitwick stepped forward and flicked his wand, lightening the last candle and completing the cycle.
Immediately Harry felt the aforementioned tuck in the region of his heart, or more precisely the region where his lungs ended and his phrenic was. From the wide eyes in Minerva's face and Albus' tight-lipped expression he gathered that they were indeed experiencing the same thing. Violet mist rose from Albus surrounding all three of them while green fog rose from Minerva intertwining with the violet and floating around them. Harry felt a slight draining sensation and a second later blue the colour of his eyes rose in front of his eyes. He watched his magic rising in the air and intertwining itself with the already combined magic of Albus and Minerva. Slowly the three colours mixed and then floated gently back to the wizards and the witch. Harry took a deep breath and felt the magic enter his body. There was suddenly a strong bond between him and Albus and an even stronger one between him and Minerva.