A/N: Another story I wrote during the Summer of '22 but am only publishing now.

You should be aware that my writing here is different. I tried not to rush it this time. So, it is not as fast-paced and lighthearted as my other stories (at least that was my goal). And some disturbing things happen in it. But as a whole, it is a fix-it story. (because I like those)

There is also nothing crack-ish in this one (I think) and no really funny situations. Just a few, sometimes cute, toddlers.

Also, some reoccurring themes from other stories might be included, but I hope this one is unique enough that you won't get bored with it.

I also didn't follow every storyline of this story to its end. But there is a Bonus chapter with a list of glimpses of what happens to everyone (I think) in the future.

Disclaimer: Not mine and I do not make any money with it!

November 1st, Sunday afternoon, Hospital Wing Hogwarts

Poppy Pomfrey was stumped. The baby – well, the toddler – in front of her had a wound on his forehead, which she just couldn't heal. At all. She tried everything but it wasn't working. It seemed to be a wound that was above her training to heal and needed the healers of St. Mungo's to look at. Maybe even a curse breaker.

But Albus was right, her colleagues would not be as professional as they would need to be. The news about the fall of You-Know-Who had broken already, and the little boy in front of her had been announced to be the defeater of him.

Idiots.

She had cleaned the wound and banished a little bit of nutrition potion into the boy's stomach. She was just glad for the magical diaper. Poor Muggles had to change them by hand.

At times like this, she was especially glad that she was a witch.

Albus, who was watching said, "Well my dear, it seems you have done all you could. It is time, I leave little Harry with Lily's sister and her family. Hagrid will collect him soon and bring him to Surrey in that marvelous contraption of Mr. Black," and after having said all he wanted he serenely walked out of the Hospital Wing.

Poppy was quite astonished and alarmed about it. She started to list all the reasons why this was a bad idea in her head.

First of all, the boy was not fully healed yet. She could not release him to the hands of Muggles with a magical wound on his forehead! It was just not done. And Albus deciding that over her head did not sit with her well. She understood the safety concerns the Headmaster had cited but there were ways around that.

Second, why ever was Harry to go to Lily's sister? She knew for a fact, that the Potters had a will, which clearly stated to whom Harry was to go to, in the case of the worst thing happening. Lily had even written to her about it. She also knew that Lily's sister was not on that list. That they hadn't even been on speaking terms by now.

Third, why would Sirius hand Harry and his bike over to Hagrid if he was a traitor? Hagrid had told Albus and her, that Sirius had said something about 'hunting down the rat'. This was definitely saying he was hunting the real traitor. 'Rat' was another word for traitor, after all, and someone must have ratted the Potters out. But Albus had insisted that Sirius himself was the traitor. Why? Sirius loved James and Lily, but especially his sworn godson. His magically sworn godson, whom he could not betray in the first place without losing his magic. And Sirius a follower of You-Know-Who? The white sheep of the Black family as he called himself? Preposterous! But well, if the Dark was bigoted about Muggles, the Light was obviously discriminatory regarding the Dark families and painted all their members with the same brush. Poppy should know as she was born a Flint. Anyway. Albus was clearly playing with that prejudice, to make Sirius into the bad guy in public opinion.

But why?

Nothing was adding up.

She knew she didn't have much time before the half-giant came to get Harry. What to do? Let Albus pull the strings? He was the Leader of the Light after all, and usually Poppy trusted him. Albus certainly had his faults but all in all, he was a good man, Poppy was sure of that.

Or should she do what she thought to be right?

This was one of the decisions, which would define the rest of her life.

A little snuffling sound pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked down at little Harry, who snuggled into his blanket, sleeping on. Well, that decided it. Her patient, as well as her own judgement, had priority over her loyalty to her employer. She needed to bring Harry somewhere safe and to one of his potential guardians first.

Hm, Alice would be best but where was she? Poppy was confused. She had visited Alice, Frank, and little Neville not that long ago! But where? Augusta, her old friend, who lived at Longbottom Hall should know.

Poppy waved her wand to pack her healer's bag, which contained quite a few of her possessions, and with the shrunken bag in her pockets, Harry pressed against her breast, she Flooed to Longbottom Hall.

She was greeted by an earnest-looking house-elf and led to Augusta Longbottom, nee Diggory. Who stood by the entrance door deep in thought.

"Gus! Sorry for the invasion. I need your help!"

Auguste turned to Poopy at once, blinking as if waking up. "Poppy! You just missed the Headmaster! Is it true that it is safe for Frank and his family to leave their safe house?"

"I am not sure. Why rush out of hiding? Wait a few days, until things settle down a bit. And I need a safe place for Alice's godson here, anyway. Could you bring us to them? Quickly?"

Augusta frowned and thought for a second. "May I cast a 'Homenum Identificare' to ascertain your identity?"

Poppy looked shocked for a second. It was the height of bad manners, to even speak of that spell. But in this case…, "You may," she agreed.

"Homenum Identificare."

A pink spell hit Poppy and a banderol with 'Poppy Pomfrey' written on it appeared above her head and a smaller one with 'Harry James Potter' above the sleeping toddler.

"Very well. Come, Poppy."

The clearly very cautious and alert Augusta led her to the Floo and said, "The Longbottom family lives at the Herbarium."

She then threw the Floo powder into the fire and called out. "Herbarium!"

Herbarium, Same Day, Late Afternoon

Poppy's head cleared of the imaginary cobwebs she didn't know were there and the knowledge of the location Alice, Frank, and their son lived at was known to her once more. This had to be the Fidelius Charm she had heard about. A truly amazing piece of magic. So, Gus was their Secret-Keeper. She was shown an incredible amount of trust, especially after what happened to the Potters. She suspected it was partly due to the presence of the little, sleeping child in her arms.

Soon, all three were in the Floo-room of the Herbarium and walked to the living room from there.

Alice and Frank sat on a couch together while Neville played. The little boy was sitting on a blanket that was warded like a Muggle playpen but without the bars. His toys were plush plants and garden animals, like plush insects, snakes, and worms. He looked very focused.

Poppy went to the concerned-looking Alice, who gasped and stretched out her arms for Harry. As soon as she had him Poppy asked if she could take off the sleeping spell on the child. It was not healthy to use for a much longer duration.

Alice nodded, looking worriedly at the wound on Harry's forehead.

Poppy took the sleeping spell off, so Harry could wake up now when it was time for him to do so naturally.

As long as he slept, Alice was going to keep holding him.

"So, do you know what happened with Lily and James?" Poppy asked.

"Yes, Mother always sends the Prophet or brings it. We read it. But we are confused why Peter would betray them?"

"Peter? Peter Pettigrew? Albus told everyone, that Sirius was the Secret-Keeper. Are you sure?"

The Longbottoms in hiding nodded.

"What is he playing at? It does not add up, at all!" Poppy exclaimed. She then told the Longbottoms of her day and her concerns about Lily's sister, the wound on Harry's forehead, Sirius' defamation, and her decision to prioritize her convictions and Harry's wellbeing above all else.

Augusta was quite concerned now as well, "So, Dumbledore does not want Harry with his legal guardians due to safety concerns, but wants Alice and Frank to come out of hiding at the same time, saying it is safe now? He is twisting reality into any form he needs it to be, don't you think? My advice would be to stay in hiding for a while and send a warning to Black, in addition to start looking for a way to heal Harry."

All looked to the boy who had woken up in the middle of Poppy telling her story. He had been a bit cranky and confused, asking for his mummy, but now was happily playing with Neville and his toys. There was no fight about them, as Neville preferred the plant toys and Harry was quite taken with the snakes and insects, making hissing and buzzing sound effects, much to Neville's delight.

"We Aurors have ways to contact another Auror in secret. I will send a message to Sirius and ask him to come to Mother at once and not to trust anyone else, not even Dumbledore," Frank decided and got up. "Sirius is a hot-headed idiot when he is angry, and I guess he is more than enraged with Peter right now."

Frank left the room to do the secret Auror communication thing and Augusta went back to the Hall in case Siris showed up as soon as he got the message.

The other two women talked about possible ways to get Harry the healing he needed. But all they could come up with was, to go to another country, to do so. Frank came back soon and joined the discussion.

They also talked about Poppy's options regarding what to do now. She couldn't just go back to the Hospital Wing, after all.

Right now, all they could come up with was that she either could stay in hiding with Harry or get a memory charm, that would cover this afternoon and all the time in between until she got back to Hogwarts. Both possibilities had their risks and strengths.

Still undecided, they agreed to get some food. Just as they were getting up to go to the dining room, Augusta came back. She had a wild-looking Sirius with her.

"BAFOO!"

"Harry!"

The boy was scooped up and cuddled by a now-crying Sirius. "Oh, pup! I am sorry I could not find the rat and avenge James and Lily!"

"Want Bafoo, not 'at," Harry said firmly.

"Ok, pup. You've got me. You come first, always."

Sirius got a big smile and soon, all seven of them were eating a messy dinner.

Harry wanted his Bafoo with him at all times. Obviously afraid he would disappear again, and Sirius was happy to oblige.

The handsome, young man was coming back to his senses. He was wondering what had ridden him, to leave Harry with Hagrid, of all people. The huge man was gentle with all creatures as one could be, but unfortunately still thoughtless at times. Sirius had once seen him sitting down on the little bird he had fed seeds to for hours keeping it warm in a child's sock. The bird had been flattened and Hagrid inconsolable.

Just the thought of Hagrid accidentally sitting on Harry made Sirius want to barf.

And now, after he had been filled in with all the thoughts and suspicions the others had developed and had already shared, he started to think. "I wonder, how everyone knows, that James and his family lived at Godric's Hollow? Were you told?"

"No. And the Secret-Keeper is still alive, as you said. The charm must have been dispelled. Or it might have been the wording of the secret," Frank guessed.

"Right. But it was the same wording as yours, 'The Potters live at the Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow'. And Harry was still alive. Wouldn't he count as a Potter, as well?"

"Yes, he would. Or was the cottage destroyed more, than the papers said it was?"

"I don't think so? Haven't read the papers yet, though. The roof above the nursery had been blown off. Otherwise, it was ok. Damn, I should call on the goblins, to seal the house. Or the thankful people of our world will loot it for memorabilia!"

"Darn, you are right, write a letter now! Billy!"

"Master is asking for Billy?"

"Yes, bring writing utensils for Mr. Back here."

"Billy will."

Soon Sirius had written an official note to the goblins, asking them to secure and repair the property of his godson and to read the will immediately. He noted that he hadn't been the Secret-Keeper. That it had been Peter Pettigrew after they had switched. He was willing to swear on it.

He added in an afterthought that they should recall all possessions, that were lawfully the Potter's and taken without consent.

He and Alice sighed the letter as Harry's godparents. The goblins had ways to ascertain, that it was a legit letter. Billy then was sent to Gringotts to deliver it. Every minute counted!

Goblins at Godric's Hollow, Evening, Same Day

The goblins at Gringotts, London branch didn't wait after receiving the letter. They had hoped for such a request. The Potters themselves had made no further provisions for them to take action in such a case apart from drawing up a will and the goblins could not move in without an official request made by the legal guardian(s) of Harry Potter.

Thirty armed goblins arrived at Godric's Hollow in front of the cottage 5 minutes after receiving the letter. No one could ever say that the goblins of Gringotts were not efficient! They saw at once, that not only Aurors were all over the property but normal witches and wizards as well and moved in swiftly to remove them off it immediately.

The uninvited visitors were complaining loudly. Most had heard from friends, that they had gotten some mementos from the Potter house earlier and wanted a keepsake to brag about as well! But to no avail. The goblins called them thieves and summoned everything out of their hands and various pockets.

"I am not a thief!" Shrieked a red-headed woman, pressing a baby to her ample breast. "I was a friend of James and Lily!"

"And still, you take the possessions of their orphaned child without invitation. That is the definition of a thief. Now go, thief!"

The goblin, who had interrupted her search of the kitchen and taken back everything she had picked out already, pointed his spear menacingly at her. She squeaked and ran out of the house to find a place to Apparate home. The need to keep her daughter safe was far greater than her want for keepsakes.

She felt ashamed now, as well. She had forgotten that it was an actual child, she had taken the possessions from. Not just an imaginary hero. Harry was as old as her Ronny!

She had been so caught up in the hunt and the need to outdo Felicity's find of the perfect cooking pot at the Potters that she had forgotten everything else.

Many other people had similar thoughts as they were removed from the property none too gently. Why had they thought that it was alright to take an orphan's things?

The Aurors were feeling quite uncomfortable as well. James had been one of them and they had watched smiling, as people carried off James's and his family's possessions, not one day after the man's death. They now actually secured the property and shamefacedly returned the things they themselves had taken.

[It was this event and the resulting introspections, that made the people of magical England start to think for themselves and not follow any powerful wizard like sheeple anymore – To not think and do as everyone else did, and say phrases like 'Everyone knows, that…' anymore. Historians even marked this day as such. But that was hundreds of years later.]

The Head-Auror went to the leader of the goblins, and they coordinated their efforts. And as soon as the Aurors had finished their investigation the goblins started repairing the roof and the wards.

After the Aurors had left, the goblins started the Ritual of Recall which would return all possessions illegally removed from the house and family in the last month. And soon the house was filled with all the things, the young family had surrounded themselves with again. People even had taken underwear!

One of the goblins, a young father himself, asked his superior if he could pack a bag for the boy. He quickly got permission and went to work. Looking especially for toys and pictures.

They then put the whole property into stasis. One, that only a goblin ritual could break on request of the adult Potter boy or his legal guardian, should he still be a child.

Then they left.

Dumbledore's bewilderment, Late Evening, Same Day

An exhausted Albus Dumbledore sank back into his cushy armchair, to relax for a couple of minutes. He was tired.

Fortunately, everything was going according to plan. The boy was secured, and Sirius was being hunted. The knowledge of who the real Secret-Keeper was, would be buried soon, as the Longbottoms would get attacked this night as well. He had made sure of that. It was incredibly sad that they had to perish but needs must. It was for the Greater Good. Just like the deaths of Lily and James had been.

He still needed to secure the guardianship of the boy and seal the Potter's joint will, but he could do that tomorrow. Now, he just had to deliver the boy to his aunt this morning and wait for Sirius and Bellatrix to play the parts Dumbledore had cast them in.

People were so easily led around their noses and manipulated! He chuckled, patting the silvery cloak, that was draped over the armrest of his chair, and looked at the stacks of books he had taken from the Potter's house. Lily had been such an avid reader!

On his desk sat a small vial of the boy's blood. He would soon use it to link it to some of his devices which would help him to monitor the boy and to link the boy to the property of Lily's sister. The boy would be safe from Death Eaters there, while his magical core would feed the blood wards, and it would keep the boy downtrodden. It was the perfect solution for his goals.

Just as he had taken a sip of his tea all of his newly acquired possessions disappeared. Even the blood! (He should not have used a vial, taken from the Potters. But it had been so pretty, and he had not been able to resist the irony of it.)

Albus jumped up. All exhaustion was forgotten. He rushed to the fireplace and immediately Flooed to the 'Hen's Tooth' in Godric's Hollow. He wanted to rush through the celebrating masses to the apparition point but was halted in his efforts b drunken witch and wizard who recognized him. Unfortunately, everyone did.

In cases like that, he rued his decision, to clothe himself in ridiculous and colorful robes. He loved being recognized by everyone, normally. He usually basked in the adoration. But today it was a hindrance of major proportions! He could not yell at the people to move and push through like he wanted to. He was the benign Leader of the Light after all! He did his best to tell them he had urgent matters to attend to, but as he had to tell everyone in the pup it felt like, it still did take him nearly an hour to actually reach the apparition point. An hour! For a five-minute trip!

He disgustedly vanished a puddle of puke from the apparition point and popped to the edge of the Potter's cottage. He walked right on, not checking for any wards. Why should he? And was thrown back harshly much to his surprise.

The whole property was empty! No Aurors or people taking keepsakes like he had hinted to a few to start them on it. No one! What the hell was going on?

He pulled out his wand and cast a diagnostic charm at the obvious wards and nearly screamed in frustration. It was goblin sealed! Not even he could break that!

But how? Who had called them? Sirius was hunting the rat and Alice should be busy moving back to Longbottom Hall and then fighting for her life! The goblins could not move without being prompted to do so, could they?

What to do?

By now it was very dark already. Should he go to Longbottom Hall and risk interrupting the necessary fight?

"Point me Sirius Black." His wand spun like Sirius was either dead or behind serious wards. Frustrated he cast, "Point me Alice Longbottom." The wand spun again. Had she not left the safety of Fidelius Charm? Or did they still have the war wards up at the Hall? He had assured Augusta they were safe now, after Tom's fall! They should have taken the ward down! Damn!

A horrifying thought bubbled up and he whispered, "Point me Harry Potter." The wand spun again.

"Nooo!" He sank on his knees onto the ground then and there. This could not be happening! How? The boy should be moving from Hogwarts to Surry now, slowly enough, for Albus to track him!

He was totally stumped on what to do now. The actions of the goblins hinted at the boy being with his legal guardian(s) and out of his hands.

Go back to the Hospital Wing and ask Poppy? Go to Little Whining? To the Ministry? To the Goblins? He needed to be at all of the places at once!

Well, at the Ministry only the night shift was present right now, the goblins would be a hard nut to crack, and the boy was not on his way to Surry but (probably) behind strong wards. Best find out what had happened and go from there.

Albus Apparated to the gates of Hogwarts. He really didn't want to brave any wizarding pup tonight again! Better walk the way up to the castle. It was a shame he only could Apparate within the castle, but not from the outside in.

He made a detour to the Gamekeeper's Hut but found it empty as well.

The Hospital Wing was empty, too!

Where was everyone?

He cast a point me for Poppy and the boy again, but no direction was given again. His point me for Hagrid showed the man in the direction of Hogsmeade. Damn! The half-giant was probably deep in his cups by now and even Legilimency got distorted images when cast on someone intoxicated and casting the spell on Hagrid was difficult at the best of times! But at least, the story of the defeat of Tom by Harry Potter the new hero would be spread more wildly this way.

Minerva! No. She probably didn't know anything either. He had given supple hints about sending the boy to Petunia and she had taken them beautifully and had gone there to observe the shrew. Minerva was his follower and didn't ask many questions anymore. Very convenient. Filius as deputy would have been much harder to steer in the direction he needed to move him. For the Greater Good, of course.

Dumbledore Apparated to his quarters then. He was too tired to think straight anymore. And Invigoration Draughts would possibly make him fall into a coma right now. He already had taken three since yesterday! The advised maximum dosage was one per week!

Hopefully tomorrow he would come up with a new plan and maybe his plans about Sirius and the Longbottoms would still work out.

He slept deeply for the next 15 hours. He didn't even feel the little alert pinch on his left-hand thumb, that told him that Longbottom Hall's wards were being attacked.