DISCLAIMER: I do not own the HP universe/characters/anything HPrelated
CLAIMER: I do own JENNIE ANDREWS and THE PLOT
Happy reading!
Also; sorry for the little update gap; my internet has been down...
Oh also, from here on, the chapters will be a little shorter since I want the 'real' story to begin, BUT since they are shorter, I'll update every other day, just thought you'd like to know
8 December 26 1991
Dear Harry,
How can you just wander around the castle in the middle of the night, invisible and without telling – at least – your friends where you are? What if you had been hurt and not able to call for help? You, little man, are a troublemaker…
Aside from strange mirrors which show death parents, are you okay? That mountain troll event in October gave me a heart attack so please don't tell me about another troll!
How are Ron and Hermione? The classes? Did you have a nice Christmas – you didn't tell me so tell me now please – and did you get my gift? I'm still skeptical of the owl from that post order office…
Tell me about something fun in your reply please, and if you have more detentions I won't give you chocolate and raspberry cake for a year!
Daniel and Arabella says hello, they miss you as well.
Hurry home darling, I miss you the most!
Love, Jennie
Jennie finished off the letter and clicked her tongue disapprovingly at Harry's antics; on a certain level she understood his need to explore things, and on the more adult level she was annoyed and worried.
"Come here Sunshine!" she cooed her owl and the bird jump onto the desk and hooted softly, standing very still and looking smug for an owl. Jennie giggled as she tied the letter around the owl's leg and opened the window.
"Fly safely and don't return without a reply", she told Sunshine and the bird hooted once more and then took off, quickly becoming a small prick against the bright sky.
Jennie groaned, stretched and looked around the little room once before leaving and heading downstairs.
"I need a hobby", she muttered and took in the sad sight of her empty home.
"Argh!" she exclaimed, grabbed a hoodie from the chair, her mp3 from the table and rushed out in the hall where she slipped her shoes on before she headed and locked the door behind her.
####
As Jennie rounded the corner she spotted a cat that looked strangely familiar, and when she ran past it the animal gave a strange noise that sounded like a hiss mixed with coughing.
"Right… I need to see you now, pretty loud and clear", Jennie snorted as she jogged to her door and unlocked it; the cat ran past her and when Jennie had locked the door from the inside, removed her shoes and entered the kitchen she found none other Minerva McGonagall sitting by her table looking stern as always.
"Hello Minerva."
"Evening Jennie. I do hope you have time to talk", replied the older woman as Jennie sat down opposite her, not offering anything to drink or eat since the witch had already conjured up a teapot and a plate with cakes.
"I have time. If it's about Harry's nightly escape I already know; he owled me", replied Jennie as she poured herself a cup of tea.
"Ah, no that's not the reason for my visit, although it irks me off. I'm here to ask you what in the world you were thinking when you wrote your last letter to Albus."
Jennie looked at the older woman, took in her stern look and thin lips and decided to be brutally honest.
"I was thinking that he is manipulative as hell, has little care for other's welfare since he believes his actions serve the greater good, which I can understand to a certain point but I still don't like it. I was also thinking that someone has to shake sense into him; great wizard as he is, he has never been told that he might be wrong, at least not told straight out, and I think it'll go down if nothing is done."
Minerva looked, well, stern.
"Minerva, I know you care for Albus, everyone does and I do too, he's likeable and can pass of as someone grandfather. But you can't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about here; he left a small child outside just because that child 'had to be found by the right people', said people being relatives who by now neglect him!" Jennie snapped and watched half amused half satisfied how Minerva actually paled a little.
"Well, yes, I see the wrongs here I really do. But Jennie, to question him in a letter that could be snapped up by anyone!"
"Oh no you don't! you placed charms on my owl, you placed charms on my writing things, hell, I bet you have charmed my house in some ways as well, so don't come and say that I'm being incautious!"
The stared at one another; the blue eyed woman and the green eyed witch. And then Minerva sighed.
"I give child. I have said what Albus commanded me to say."
Jennie snorted.
"Commanded you to say? I need something stronger than tea… Do you like whiskey Minerva?"
"Only a little please."
Jennie nodded, got up and fetched the required whiskey.
"So… You agree with me, but you can't say anything, or what?" she asked as she poured herself and her quest a generous amount of the amber liquid.
Minerva raised the glass and took a sip before she replied.
"Not exactly dear. I think Albus is right in keeping Harry away from the wizarding world when the boy is not in school. I do not, however, agree with him having Harry to stay with his aunt and uncle, no matter how strong protection he has there; the child is unhappy and I object to safety if it leads to sadness."
Jennie giggled; sometimes she found Minerva's expressions very funny.
"Well I do too. Question: what do we do about it?"
"Ah, I'm glad you asked. I have been doing research and there in an ancient ritual that allows a blood protection to be altered; that is, you and one of the Durlsey's will mix blood and Harry will be just as safe, if not safer, here with you", said Minerva and Jennie laughed loudly.
"Minerva, I do adore you!"