Chapter Three
As Minerva looked up at the moldering house, a trembling of worry shot through her. She thanked the stars that Harry hadn't been placed with those horrible Dursleys, but she had worried the past ten years what sort of influence these Addamses would have on the poor boy. She still remembered the day she and Dumbledore had left Harry in their care.
Harry had been at Hogwarts for a short period after the Dursleys refused to take him and Minerva had spent some considerable time with the small babe. Harry had been so very beautiful with the softest hair and sparkling eyes, the perfect combination of Lily and James. Her heart ached for the loss of two of her favorite students. Despite his antics with his fellow Marauders, James was particularly skilled in Transfiguration. She had never been prouder of him than the day he had mastered the skill of becoming an Animagus at only fifteen years old.
As wild as James had been Lily was just as kind and gentle, always willing to help someone else in need, no matter what their house. Despite Lily's professed annoyance with James, Minerva could see the growing affections the girl had for him, and it warmed her heart when the two stopped fighting each other and became a couple. She wept with joy as she watched her two students walk down the aisle. She beamed with pride when it was announced they would be expecting a child. And she cried with sorrow when they were killed far too young, leaving their infant son alone in the world.
Minerva had experience raising children from her younger siblings and her many nieces and nephews, and so had considered herself a potential guardian of the young boy, but Dumbledore had been insistent he be raised amongst family. For an entire day she had watched the Dursleys and their deplorable nature as humans, let alone Muggles, and had been so very thankful when Petunia had outright refused to take Harry in. Once more she had implored Dumbledore to let her take care of Harry, and for a few days the boy had been loved and safe in her care, but Albus had found these Addamses and snatched Harry away from her.
Now as she stood before the crumbing mansion, she hoped the son of James and Lily Potter had not been harmed or corrupted by the macabre and bizarre nature of these unusual people. She had dressed in a green tartan ladies suit befitting Muggle fashion, her hair tightly pulled back into a bun, held in place by a green, short-brimmed hat; being a Half-Blood she was more familiar with non-magical customs and styles than other Witches. Her companion, however, there was little that could be done to make him seem unnoticed by Muggles, due to his sheer size.
Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts had come with her, for protection he said, in case the Addamses tried causing her any trouble, though Minerva suspected that he simply wanted to tag along because he'd never been out of Britain before and had wanted to see what it was like, here in America.
The two had taken a portkey from London to New York, and then a train to Kingsport, New Jersey, and finally a Taxi to arrive at the Addams house. The Cab driver had been quite shocked to see Hagrid and initially professed he'd never fit in the car, but Minerva deftly cast an undetectable extension charm to aid in squeezing the half-giant into the small cab. When told where they were going, the driver was aghast, asking if they really wanted to go to the creepy old Addams place. That worried Minerva, but she confirmed that was indeed where they wished to go. The driver had dropped them off, muttering under his breath about weirdos and freaks, which only fueled Minerva's apprehensions.
Gathering her wits, Minerva walked forward to open the gate, but it swung open of its own accord, creaking loudly. Not a good sign in her book. Carefully she looked around in case anybody was looking, but thankfully the neighbors remained within their homes. Minerva walked through the Gate and Hagrid squeezed through with some effort. As soon as they were through, the gate slammed itself shut loudly and latched itself. Shaking her head, Minerva walked up to the front door.
She remembered what Dumbledore had told her about the doorbell, so she decided to knock instead. Just as Albus had described, the door creaked open and Minerva found herself face to face with the towering Butler, looking as though he'd climbed out of the grave. "Follow me." The cadaverous Butler intoned and motioned for the two to enter.
The inside of the house was moderately better than the outside, certainly bizarre but nothing too different than most wizarding houses. Gingerly Minerva walked around the polar bear rug, which Albus had also warned her about. Hagrid unfortunately could not be so delicate and trod directly onto the rug. An angry roar came from the bear's head, startling Minerva's already jangled nerves. Hagrid looked down and gave a small chuckle, then stepped off the rug.
Lurch motioned for the two to wait in the living room as he stalked to find his master and mistress. Minerva carefully sat in the dusty loveseat and surveyed the room. It was quite elaborately and eclectically decorated, just as Albus had described. She glanced over at the sneering samurai armor, and the taxidermy head of a swordfish with a human leg sticking out of its mouth and shook her head resignedly. Hagrid was examining the two-headed tortoise in fascination, wondering where he could find such a fabulous specimen alive. From down the stairs bounded Mr. Addams, his eyes agleam with childlike mischief.
"Ah, Professor, so glad to welcome you to our lovely home!" Gomez reached out his hand to Minerva who carefully took it. Gomez brought Minerva's hand up to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. Gomez turned to face Hagrid and a look of thrill filled his face.
"¡Caramba! My good man you're even taller than Lurch! Wonderful to meet you good sir!" Gomez enthusiastically shook Hagrid's hand, despite its size being nearly three times his own. Hagrid smiled and thanked Mr. Addams. Unlike Minerva, Hagrid seemed quite at home with these Addamses already.
"Mr. Addams, I wonder if perhaps we could see your young cousin? We must discuss his future at Hogwarts." Gomez turned and gestured upstairs.
"Aw yes, young Harry is up in the attic with his siblings and Uncle Fester!" Suddenly an explosion shook the house, jolting Minerva from her chair. Gomez simply chuckled and shook his head. "Aw children, what will they get up to next?" Gomez motioned for the two wizards to follow him upstairs.
Minerva followed Mr. Addams up the stairs, passing several unusual portraits. One picture seemed to depict a married couple, but closer examination revealed the two figures shared one body. Another portrait depicted a sailing frigate blown in half, the canvas trickling water.
Gomez led the two wizards to a door marked with skull and crossbones and a notice to keep out. Another explosion rumbled behind the door. Gomez opened the door and entered the room. Various knives and guns lined the walls, chests and suitcases were stacked here and there, and in the corner was a muggle electric chair that looked suspiciously well maintained. Beside it sat a small guillotine and a basket of severed doll's heads. This did not settle Minerva's already jangled nerves. She looked towards the window where a small group was gathered. The fat baldheaded man in the dark coat sat by the window of the attic room, a slingshot in one hand and a small, smoking grenade in the other. Three children sat beside him.
"This time I'll get him right between the eyes!" Fester cackled and drew back his slingshot and fired the grenade. A whistling filled the air as the small projectile flew, before landing with a loud explosion. A small girl in pigtails with a pair of spyglasses was watching out the window.
"Missed, just three degrees off, Uncle Fester." Fester frowned and snapped his fingers, then moved over to allow a pudgy boy in a striped shirt to line up his shot. Minerva moved closer and glanced out the window. A scarecrow was poised in the back garden, surrounded by smoking craters.
"Go on Pugsley, blow him sky-high!" encouraged Fester. Pugsley closed one eye, lined up his shot and loosed his grenade. The projectile flew and collided with the scarecrow. Another explosion and the straw and rag figure was reduced to smoking ruin.
Fester and Pugsley cheered, and the girl politely applauded. In the garden, the butler, Lurch positioned another scarecrow where the last one stood. Pugsley stepped aside to allow a dark-haired boy to take his position. The boy lit a grenade and lined up his shot. He took a breath then loosed his grenade. The bomb hit the scarecrow square in the face and exploded in flame and fury.
The boy turned, with a smile of triumph on his face. Minerva's heart caught the sight of this young boy. After all this time, to see him grown, looking so much like James, but his eyes, the same beautiful green as Lily.
Harry was handsomely dressed in a dark green shirt and a black waistcoat, dark trousers and boots, his hair swept back, prominently displaying his scar. Minerva had asked Albus if there was anything that could be done to heal it, but he told her such a dark curse could not be easily hidden, and even so, some scars could come in handy.
Harry noticed Gomez and his guests and stood up, smoothing his clothes of wrinkles. Fester and the others stood from their game as Gomez, McGonagall and Hagrid entered the room.
"My friends, allow me to introduce my dear brother, Fester, and my beloved children, Wednesday, Pugsley, and of course, Harry." Fester walked up with a big smile on his face and offered his hand.
"Hey there, big fella, put her there!" Hagrid took hold of Fester's hand to shake, when an arc of electricity sparked between their hands. Hagrid gave a brief yelp of surprise, inspecting his hand, but he wasn't hurt. Fester apologized for the sudden spark between them, saying he needed to remember to ground himself before shaking hands.
Minerva approached Harry, inspecting the boy closely. He seemed to be perfectly healthy as far as she could tell. The Potters had always been lithe of frame, but Harry was of a strong and wiry build. She suspected he'd make quite a Quidditch player, once he was older; his father had been a natural on a broom, and she wondered if Harry would share his talents.
Minerva held out her hand to the boy. Harry shook her hand courteously, a pensive look on his face. He seemed to be examining her just as she had with him. Minerva felt somewhat self-conscious about this, not used to being sized up by a child, but she mentally shook herself of the uncomfortable feeling. Hagrid offered his own hand to Harry.
"Ye probly don' remember me, Arry, but I were the one what rescued ye ten year ago." Harry thought for a moment. He did have recurring dreams of a giant picking him up, and carrying him away on a flying motorcycle.
"Yes, I think I do remember you; you had a flying motorcycle, didn't you?" Hagrid nearly burst into tears at being remembered after so long ago.
The house suddenly shook and a loud reverberating gong sounded. Gomez looked at his wrist watch and pulled a pocket watch from his coat pocket. He compared the two and smiled.
"Ah, Fester, children, come along. If you would follow us, Professors, my wife Morticia has prepared a sumptuous lunch for us all!" Gomez led the way out of the room. Minerva followed; her eyes still trained on Harry. The group walked downstairs and through a dusty pair of curtains to the dining room.
The long, dark wood table was set with antique china and silverware. A rolling cart was filled with covered platters, which Lurch placed in the middle of the table, one by one. Morticia finished the table setting and greeted her husband and their children. She then turned to Minerva and Hagrid.
"Professor McGonagall, welcome to our lovely home!" Minerva was shocked at how thin Mrs. Addams was, almost deathly frail, and her black dress clung to her frame tightly. Gomez pulled out his wife's chair, seating her at one end of the table, kissing her cheek tenderly. Fester and the children sat themselves. From the kitchen came the hag like woman Minerva had seen before. In her hands was a tray of crystal goblets, each filled with a smoking, blue liquid. Morticia thanked the wizened woman, addressing her as Mother. The Addams Grandmother sat beside her daughter and smiled a crooked and toothless grin at Minerva and Hagrid.
Minerva took her seat at the table. Hagrid gingerly, at least as carefully as he could, sat on the high backed chair he was offered by Lurch. The chair creaked noisily but withstood his weight. Lurch took the covers off the plates of food. On one plate was a roast of some kind, with scaly skin and spines along the back. On another were large, purple tentacles, covered with a reddish sauce. The last was a smoking, silver tureen, filled with a greenish soup, with odd lumpy vegetables and pieces of meat.
Lurch served each person sitting at the table. Minerva sat perfectly still, so as not to let any of the bizarre food be spilled on her suit. She thanked the burly butler, if only to be courteous. Lurch simply grumbled a reply. Hagrid on the other hand seemed quite interested in the food offered.
The family thanked Lurch as he served them, then bowed their heads. Gomez issued a blessing over the meal, giving thanks to the pagan deity of Hecate. 'If only Father could see me now.' Minerva wondered. Her father had been a Protestant minister in life and always gave a blessing to God before each meal. He had been quite shocked that his wife and children were magical, but he loved them dearly, able to reconcile his beliefs with their nature. He would have been less understanding if he had witnessed Minerva, sitting before a meal dedicated to a goddess, denounced by his faith as sinful and heathen.
Minerva picked at her meal carefully, only taking small bites. The food seemed edible, if highly unusual, and certainly not to her taste. The smoking goblets seemed to contain a sour variety of lemonade. Hagrid tucked into his meal with gusto, talking happily with Gomez and Fester while dining. Hagrid had been worried about what kind of wizards these Addamses were, just as Minerva had done, but now he seemed quite at home with the unusual family.
Once the meal was finished, and Lurch took away the plates and left overs, Gomez directed everyone into the parlor for coffee. Minerva was sat in the dusty loveseat again and given a china cup, filled with pitch black coffee that bubbled and smoked. Hagrid was given a large beer stein for his coffee, as his massive hands would easily crush a china cup into dust.
As with the lunch, the coffee seemed benign, just unusual. She took a small sip and felt like steam was coming out her nose and ears. Carefully she set the cup down, daring not to spill a drop, lest it eat through the furniture or floor. She cleared her throat and addressed the family.
"Mr. and Mrs. Addams, thank you for your, hospitality, but now I must insist we begin discussing Harry's attendance to Hogwarts." Minerva pulled out her wand and gave a brief flick, producing from thin air, a stack of folders. She often performed this presentation for muggle-born students and their families. Often it took a few demonstrations of magic for the muggles to believe that she was indeed a witch, but the Addams family were anything but muggles.
She handed a file to Mrs. Addams. Inside were photographs of the school and a description of its history and curriculum. Gomez and Morticia looked it over as Minerva continued her presentation.
"Hogwarts has been the premiere school for Witchcraft and Wizardry in Great Britain, for over a millennium. Its teachers are the finest experts in their field, and the classes are quite comprehensive, to prepare the students for a future in the wizarding world. The students are separated into four houses, each named after the four original founders of the school; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. The students are sorted into these houses, depending on their inner attributes, such as bravery, dedication, intelligence, and shrewdness. I myself am the head of Gryffindor house, as well as Transfiguration teacher"
Harry looked over Morticia's shoulder as she and Gomez examined the papers given by Prof. McGonagall. He had to admit, the school did look impressive and several of the classes listed sounded quite fascinating. The photographs moved like small television screens; small wizards and witches went about their lives, learning magic, brewing potions, casting spells. There was an impressive photo of the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.
Harry listened to the Professor's speech carefully as she described some of the classes he would learn; charms, potions, defense against the dark arts, even broom flying. Grandmama had an antique broom she liked to take out on full moon nights, to go flying about the neighborhood, high above the ordinary folk of the town they lived in. While she was skilled at flying the broom however, she wasn't very good at landing, often crashing into the attic or into the family cemetery.
When Minerva was done with her spiel, she asked the family if they had any questions. To her surprise and slight delight, it was Harry who lifted his hand to ask. Lily had always been an inquisitive soul, always wanting to learn more about nearly everything.
"I must admit, Hogwarts does look impressive, but why must I attend the school at all? Why can't I stay here with my family and learn from Grandmama? She's already taught Wednesday and me, many useful potions, and hexes. Could I not learn everything I need to here, with my family?"
Minerva was quite shocked at this question. She thought Harry would have inquiries about the curriculum or the school's houses, it never occurred to her that James and Lily Potter's son wouldn't even want to attend Hogwarts. She wondered again what kind of environment these Addamses had given Harry to cause him to consider such a notion.
"Mr. Potter, your name has been in the book of admittance ever since the day you were born, as all wizards and witches of Great Britain have been, for over a thousand years. While you currently reside here in America, you were born in England, thus your name was recorded in the book of Hogwarts. It's not exactly mandatory for you to attend the school, some families do prefer homeschooling their children, but nearly all young wizards and witches of your generation attend Hogwarts. Its teachers are the finest of their perspective fields and the education provided is exemplary, compared to individual study."
"Come now, Arry, t'aint no better school than 'Ogwarts!" exclaimed Hagrid. Minerva felt a little pride swell inside her at Hagrid's statement. She continued to explain that as he was a resident of the United States, he could apply to be a student at Ilvermorny School, but everything was already in place for him at Hogwarts.
"Harry dear, I do believe it would be good for you to attend the school of your heritage." Said Morticia.
"Exactly my boy, great opportunity lies in store for you there!" Gomez added. "Besides, you would be honoring not only us, but your ancestral line as well. Generations of Potter's have attended this academy, such as your birth parents!
Harry continued to think about it. He didn't want to leave his family, his beloved brother and sister, but he did want to make his family proud. He loved Gomez and Morticia has his mother and father, but still he wondered what Lily and James had been like, what sort of life he could have had with them. When Gomez and Morticia had adopted him, they christened him one full moon night in the family crypt, welcoming him into the Addams clan. Before their honored dead and in the name of Hecate, goddess of the moon and patron saint of witches, he was welcomed into their home.
He turned to Wednesday to see what she thought. Wednesday was his partner in all things, from the moment their bond was made, ten years ago. Despite her strong mask of stoicism, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, but also a burning warning, that if he denied himself this chance, she would lose all respect for him.
Harry turned back to Prof. McGonagall. "Very well, I shall attend Hogwarts." Minerva breathed a sigh of relief, glad that she would at last have the honor to teach and guide, Lilly and James's son.
"Term begins on September 1st; a special portkey will be sent to you which will take you from here to King's Cross Station in London. There you will meet the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 ¾, precisely at 11:00 AM. First however, you must purchase your school supplies. Included with your admittance letter is the list of books and instruments you will need at Hogwarts. Another portkey will be delivered to you which will take you to the Leaky Cauldron pub, which is the gateway to Diagon Alley, where all of your supplies can be found."
Gomez and Morticia thanked Minerva for her help in clarifying things and bid her and Hagrid a warm farewell. The Addams family was indeed bizarre, even compared to wizards, but they did seem to be a loving and supportive family after all; a far better sight than the Dursleys had been, and Harry was obviously raised with love and care.
Minerva and Hagrid said their goodbyes and called for another taxi to take them back to the train station, to begin the trip back to Hogwarts. As she and Hagrid rode the train, trying to ignore the stares of the muggles, shocked at Hagrid's size, Minerva thought back to James and Lily. Harry had been quite a gentleman during their meeting, a boy who would have made his parents proud. She could see traits of Lily in his manner and speaking, but she did wonder if he might have inherited James's knack for attracting trouble.
She worried what might happen during his first year at Hogwarts, especially with what Dumbledore had in place at the school this year. She couldn't imagine what he could be thinking, placing such an important object within the castle when it was filled with students, but she knew whatever his reasons, they had to be good ones. She put the matter out of her head and tried to enjoy the ride back to New York. Perhaps she would visit her friend who worked for MACUSA, before they left back home.