CH10: Minnie
It was close to midnight and Dumbledore sat in his office working through some papers. The ministry had been working to disrupt things at Hogwarts as much as possible, but Dumbledore had so far managed to block them at every turn. They were in the process of trying to appoint their own 'leadership team' under the guise that 'Dumbledore has finally gone insane if he's raving that you know who is back'. Dumbledore didn't know how many times he would have to remind Fudge, that the ministry had no say over the operations of Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was just about to call it a day when he heard a tapping at the window. He walked over and unlatched the window with a smile, after seeing the owl of Harry Potter at his window. He knew the boy would respond to him. However, upon reading the letter his face dropped.
The letter worried him, it was nothing like what he would expect from the bright and intelligent boy he had come to know.
Even the state of the parchment worried him, the writing was scratchy, it looked like the boy had been shaking, and his writing veered off down the page. He was also sure that the dot of red in the corner was blood, he had worked around experiments involving blood enough to know when he saw it.
Dumbledore decided that it was time something was done about this situation. He stepped over to his fireplace and picked a pinch of floo powder.
'Minnie' he spoke into the fire and stepped through.
Professor McGonagall wouldn't mind his late visit, she was usually awake until the early hours also, and she would be just as concerned as Albus himself was.
Professor McGonagall was spending her evening starting the preparations for the new school year which was now just a few weeks away. Few others realised the work that went in to organising the students and their timetables ready for the start of term.
She was currently working through the list of new muggle-born students, identifying which of the new lot would need a home visit to offer support for their transition into the wizarding world, when her fireplace flamed green.
She looked up to no other than Albus Dumbledore walking through her fire, only he would be able to do such a thing without an invitation and avoid the wrath of Minerva.
'Good Evening Albus, what brings you here at such a late hour?'
'Apologies Minnie, I have just received a letter I wish to discuss with you… It is from Harry Potter'
Minerva rushed out her seat at that to take the letter from Albus' outstretched hand. Few knew how much Minerva cared for the boy, she had been extremely worried with the lack of contact with Harry over the summer and she had sided with Sirius at many order meetings, wishing for Harry to be checked on. However, she was better informed on the wards around Harry's family home and the need for him to stay there.
Minerva read the letter then looked up at Dumbledore with tears in her eyes.
'something is wrong Albus'.
'I know Minnie, which is why I came straight to you upon receiving the letter'.
'What can I do to help?'
'I believe it would be best if you visit the boy, with the ministry watching you are the least suspicious order member to be visiting Harry, you are his head of house after all' Dumbledore gave Minerva a sad smile.
'and look how bad of a job I've made of that' Minnie started, walking over to her side table to fetch a drink.
'Don't be silly Minnie, you always do what is best for the boy, life hasn't been kind to Harry Potter'.
'Okay Albus, I'll visit on Monday, I'll send a letter to the Dursley's to inform them of my visit.'
'Thank you, I appreciate it. Now why don't we have a drink.'