Chapter 8. McGonagall's Fury

Minerva was at her desk rechecking her syllabus and other paperwork in preparation for the beginning of term tomorrow. She was excited about seeing Harry and Anissa again. It had been a week since her last visit, and she was having withdrawals.

They frequently sent her letters – Minerva was impressed by the beautiful snowy owl that delivered their letters – and she had slowly gotten to know them through her visits. They were such amazing, loving children, and she could feel herself starting to really love them.

A smart knock came from her office door and before she could say anything, a dark head poked through the opening. Minerva smiled at the figure that strutted confidently towards her with a Cheshire grin. Minerva's heart smiled.

"Sirius Black," Minerva said with a small smile. He was one of her favorite students. Not that she would tell him so. His ego was big enough already. "It's about time you came to see me, young man. We have a lot to discuss, namely why you've been with Mr. Potter when I know Dumbledore forbade it. Although I told him you wouldn't listen to him, so I don't know why I was surprised when I saw you with him."

Sirius took the seat in front of Minerva's desk and leaned forward. The look in his eyes made Minerva pause and sharpened her focus like a cat that was stalking its prey. She sat up straight and waited. Sirius rarely had the look he now had on his face, and she had a feeling this was going to be a very serious discussion.

"Min, I need your help," Sirius said solemnly. Minerva nodded for him to continue. "I need you to help me convince Dumbledore that Harry needs to live with me and be under my protection."

Minerva sighed, "Professor Dumbledore, Sirius, and you know he will not change his mind. That man is almost as stubborn as I am."

"Yes, but I now have the proof that will enable me to get him out of that hell hole he lives in. He is abused Min. There are times that he can barely move, and they still force him to do all the chores. Please Min, he won't survive there much longer." pleaded Sirius.

"Excuse me? Albus would never let Harry stay where he is ab–" Minerva paused.

She remembered Harry's horrible relatives, how rude and obnoxious they were, and what they kept calling Harry. Freak. She recalled the cryptic things Harry had said at Diagon Alley and during her subsequent visits, and the way he reacted to his uncle, it had made her wonder at the time. They were abusing Harry? How dare they! She'd kill them!

"Exactly what kind of proof do you have, Sirius? That is my kitten, I will know the truth, and I want to know, now." the feline Animagus hissed, her magic pulsing angrily.

Minerva's eyes had narrowed, her pupils turning into slits, and it was a look Sirius remembered from his school days when he had engaged in hexing matches with James. This was what he needed, a pissed off kitty to set loose on Dumbledore. She was a fierce, fierce lioness when it came to protecting her cubs.

It did not surprise him that Minerva was already claiming Harry and Anissa as hers, they did have that effect on people. He heard about their day in Diagon Alley, and he had heard them call her Min, just like he did. He had seen Min visit them at the park as well. That made him happy. Min was the best, and she would protect her kittens with her life.

"I would like to wait until we are with the headmaster, as he has a Pensieve, and you will be able to see my memories for yourself. I think you will agree with me that Harry would be a lot better off with me. Maybe even Anissa too, she's not that much better off." explained Sirius.

"I see. I suggest we make our way to the headmaster's office, immediately."

Sirius had to practically jog through the corridors. Minerva was walking with a purpose and angry magic was radiating from her being. The people in the portraits she passed leaned away from the pressure of her magic. Sirius had to admit that she was quite impressive.

Minerva reached the gargoyle at the bottom of the spiral staircase in her full angry glory. If the statue was waiting on a password it was going to be highly disappointed. And it looked like it knew it too, with the apprehensive look that filled its face.

"As Deputy Headmistress 'n' Heid o' Gryffindor Hoose ye WULL allow me access tae th' headmaster's affice. Ah dae NAE care whit bloody sweet th' auld coot haes fur a password. Ye WULL grant me access NOO!"

Sirius chuckled at hearing Min's thick Scottish accent, that was how you knew she was really angry, when you could barely understand what she was saying. Minerva was a sight to behold, and since the statues at Hogwarts could express emotions, this one was showing its fear.

It immediately gave Minerva the access she oh so politely requested. Sirius could not blame the gargoyle. He would not have stood in her way either. They had arrived and Sirius was not disappointed when the explosion came. Minerva blasted the door open and stormed in.

"ALBUS PERCIVAL WULFRIC BRIAN DUMBLEDORE!"

The surprised and fearful look on the headmaster's face was priceless and Sirius almost barked out a laugh. Instead, Sirius smirked when Minerva started shouting and Dumbledore continued to look dumbstruck as he sat glued to his seat.

"WHIT'S TH' MEANING O' THIS? SIRIUS JUIST CAM TAE MAH QUARTERS 'N' TELLT ME HARRY IS BEIGN ABUSED! AH ASKED YE ABOOT THEY MUGGLES! AH EXPRESSED MAH FASHES EFTER AH TEUK HIM TAE DIAGON ALLEY! YE HAE SOME EXPLAINING TAE DAE. 'N' MERLIN HULP ME ALBUS-YE-HAE-TAE-MONY-NAMES-DUMBLEDORE, IF THIS IS TRUE, YE WULL BE OAN TEH RECIEVING END O' MAH WAND!"

Minerva finished her tirade breathing heavily and still glaring. Yes, this was why Sirius asked for Minerva's help. No one could threaten to hex the headmaster and get away with it, except Minerva. Albus was quick to regain his composure once he translated Minerva's Gaelic smeared English.

"Minerva, I assure you that Harry is not abused. There is no evidence to suggest that he is. On the contrary, I have been assured that he is being well taken care of. Unless there is something new that I don't know about, I don't see why we are having this discussion."

Minerva stepped to the side to reveal a smirking Sirius Black. Albus's eyes widened, then he sighed in exasperation. He did not want to have this argument again. Sirius walked up and cheekily planted himself in a chair in front of Dumbledore.

"Hello, Albus. As I'm sure you already know, I have been spending time with my godson as Padfoot. I have been watching him and gathering that evidence you asked for when I first came to you about letting Harry live with me."

Albus was now frowning, and his eyes were no longer twinkling but focused intently on Sirius. He was sure he was not going to like what he was about to hear but he gestured for Sirius to go on. Harry was safest at his aunt's house behind the blood wards, and nothing had happened to them.

"I have memories of listening to Harry speak of his life. How he has lived in a cupboard under the stairs for the last ten years. How he does all the chores and cooks the meals but doesn't get to eat any of it. Also, what punishments he received if he didn't finish his tasks or how they beat him for whatever ridiculous thing they have decided he had done. I've watched them hit him and call him a freak. I've seen the scars on his back from his uncle's belt…"

Sirius was breathing hard, and he had to work to keep his magic from destroying the office. Minerva placed a hand on Sirius' shoulder. As quickly as the anger came it was gone as anguish filled him. Sirius slumped into the chair with tears falling down his face.

"He is such a good boy. So giving, caring, and a joy to be around. How he could turn out the way he has with what he has gone through, I'll never know. But I do know one thing." Sirius looked right into Albus' eyes. "I won't allow this to continue, Albus. I don't care what you or the Minister says. I will be taking my godson away from there."

By the end of his speech, Sirius's eyes were glowing with determination. Albus's face, on the other hand, was grey and he was shaking his head in disbelief. From the corner of his eye, Sirius caught Minerva drawing her wand. Apparently, Albus noticed this too, as he quickly dove under his desk and cast a Shield Charm. Minerva's hex explosively hit his chair.

"ALBUS DAMN YOU DUMBLEDORE!"

Minerva was moving quickly, trying to land a hex on the headmaster, but he was surprisingly fast for an old man of a hundred and fiftyish. Sirius was awed watching Minerva and he made a note to himself to never get on her bad side. She was amazing when hacked off.

"Now Minerva. I know you're angry, but I've had Arabella Figg watching over Harry. She assures me that he is well." Albus was panting now, and he quickly skipped out of the way of another hex that just missed his ankle.

"Crabbit, Albus? A'm beyond crabbit! They ur mah kittens 'n' ye left yin o' thaim at a steid that is abusing him! That Squib cannae see intae his hoose, Albus. She wouldn't knen anythin' that wis gaun oan. A' she cares aboot is her glaikit cats." Minerva shot another curse at Albus, but he blocked it.

Albus tried again, "Now Minerva, I think it is best if we… calm down a bit… so we can continue to speak with Sirius… about this matter."

Albus threw up another shield then dodged another hex. Sirius could tell that Albus was getting tired, and as much fun as this was, he knew he had to stop it before Minerva did something she regretted. Taking pity on the headmaster, Sirius stood and spoke to Minerva.

"Min, as much as I have enjoyed witnessing your amazing spellwork, I do think we have a more important matter to tend to. I know you have a Pensieve, Headmaster, and I ask that you retrieve it, so that you both can see what I have."

Minerva nodded briskly and moved to stand beside Sirius, her wand still clutched tightly in her shaking hand. She was barely even winded after that much exertion and Sirius was impressed. Relieved, Albus waved his hand, and a silver bowl floated out of a cupboard and over onto his desk.

Sirius put his wand to his temple and started to extract the memories he wanted, then the two professors entered. After the viewing, it looked like Minerva was about to start hexing the headmaster again, she looked livid, but then it changed into devastation. Her poor kitten had been through too much, both of them have.

Albus did not want to believe it. He knew Harry was not going to be spoiled, but he had assumed that he would have at least been taken care of. He never suspected that Harry would be severely endangered from inside the very house he had left him in to be protected. That they were actually abusing him…

"I will not have this Albus. Harry will not live there any longer. We will find another way to protect him." Minerva stated, her accent calmed from her devastation.

When Albus did not answer, they turned to him and saw the tears in his eyes. The customary twinkle was nowhere to be seen, and a thick tension of remorse and self-loathing was filling the air. Sirius and Minerva began backing away from the headmaster.

Pure unadulterated sorrow and rage surfaced. The ground began to tremble violently, books and trinkets fell off their shelves, the mighty oak desk slid across the room as if shoved by an unseen hand, and all the windows exploded violently. The past headmasters and headmistresses screamed or yelped as the glass sliced through their canvases.

After a few seconds of this, Albus took a deep breath, and the ground ceased its shaking. Sirius and Minerva dropped their shields. Sirius looked around with wide eyes. That display of power put pure awe into Sirius, and a bit of fear too. No wonder Voldemort was scared of Dumbledore.

As quickly as everything was destroyed, with a wave of his aged hand, Albus put everything back to rights. He apologized to the former headmasters and headmistresses, then turned to Sirius and Minerva. His eyes still shone with a piercing anger.

"I assure you I had no idea that this was happening. I am most displeased with the way the Dursleys have treated Harry."

This was displeased? Merlin, Albus had made the very grounds of Hogwarts tremble. The power that must have taken… Sirius would hate to truly be on the other side of that anger.

"I made sure they understood his importance to our world. I blame myself for his pain and suffering. I should have checked on him personally. You are correct, he cannot stay there, but he will still need the protection of the blood wards to keep Voldemort and his Death Eaters away. I will have to research how to transfer or duplicate them. Please give me till the end of term, Sirius."

"I will make the necessary arrangements to receive Harry at Black Manor. I will reinforce the wards. Thank you, Albus, I appreciate your understanding and help with this."

Sirius paused, contemplating if he should bring up his other issue. He decided he had to, as Anissa needed their help as well. He could not leave her in her current situation, knowing what he did. He cared for her too.

"I hate to add more to this, but I really think we should also consider removing Anissa King from her home as well."

Albus cocked his head and frowned at Sirius. "Why is that?"

Minerva answered him instead. "She is much like Harry. Her family doesn't want to deal with her, and her stepbrother treats her similarly like Harry's relatives treat him. They practically shoved her at me when I said she would be living at Hogwarts, like they were relieved she was leaving. You heard some of it from the Pensieve, but I know there is a lot more. I think it would be good all-around to take her in as well."

Albus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was supposed to be an easy year, one he could enjoy re-meeting the one who had been like a grandson to him. Now he had two families to convince that they needed to sign over their children permanently into another's care.

"You would be willing to take her on, Sirius? That is a big responsibility, and she is nothing to you, so –"

"She is my pup as much as Harry is." Sirius cut in. "You haven't felt them, Albus. Their magic feels the same, like they are one being. I have spent the last three months with them, and I have come to love her. I would be honored to be her guardian."

Albus pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He knew that these two would stop at nothing to keep those kids safe. After a huge sigh he replaced his glasses and looked at the duo. A slight twinkle coming back into his piercing blue eyes.

"I will speak to her parents and get the paperwork for the Ministry. We will have this settled before summer break. I am proud of you Sirius. Now we just need to figure out how to introduce them to Sirius Black."