"Albus, I need to speak with you," Minerva announced as soon as the Great Hall emptied of students. "It won't take long. I merely have a question for you."

He considered, knowing that answering even one question wasn't likely to be a short affair when it was Minerva asking, but he nodded and directed her to a small room off the side of the hall.

"Go ahead," he said when the door had closed behind them.

"Why must the child live with his aunt? Why are you so set on that? Why not live in our world? There are plenty of people who would take him in."

"He is already being hailed as a hero," Albus began. "The Prophet has deemed him the Boy Who Lived. They have declared that it was he who somehow destroyed Voldemort, a mere baby. They're saying he must be the strongest wizard to live. You know how much influence they have on the general wizarding public. Even Xenophilius Lovegood has printed similar statements in The Quibbler. It's everywhere. People on the streets are praising him. If he grows up in our world, he will never have a moment's peace. He will be celebrated everywhere he goes. He will also be secretly hunted by those who wish to punish him for the defeat of their Dark Lord. His safety is key."

"Why?" she asked.

"Why what?"

"Why is his safety so important? Not merely for the morale of wizarding kind. There has to be an additional reason. You must believe Harry holds the key to defeating Voldemort if he returns."

"When he returns. Yes, I believe Harry is key to defeating Voldemort completely once and for all," he corrected her. "I told you all of this or nearly all last night outside the Dursley's house and in our meeting this morning," he reminded her.

"Yes, you did," she acknowledged. "I also know you well enough and for long enough to know that there is more to it than that. You know something else. There is another reason. You know that the child would be living with a family in secret. Their house could be placed under the Fidelius and made Unplottable. His appearance could be changed. He could even be sent to live in a magical household somewhere else in the world. We both know former Hogwarts students who have moved to other continents. Growing up in that house with his Muggle relatives, he will know nothing of our world. He won't be ready to face Voldemort when the time comes."

"His parents were both very capable and intelligent. It stands to reason that he will be as well," Dumbledore reasoned.

"Albus, I'm quite concerned about what will happen when he begins to show signs of magic. What will his aunt and uncle do? How will they react? Petunia doesn't even want to raise the boy, for fear he's magical. When he begins to show signs of magic… I just don't know what she might do. Not to mention, the transition to Hogwarts is hard enough for our Muggleborn students. You know how I feel about the need to add a Wizarding world introductory course of study for our Muggleborn and Half Blood students raised as Muggles."

"Yes, you've made that quite clear. It's never been a problem before."

"It most certainly has, but we'll return to that discussion another time. This is about Harry. It will be even harder for him, a child raised as a Muggle but known throughout our world. Have you even begun to think about how overwhelming it will be for him when I call out his name for the Sorting and the entire student body stares at him and begins to whisper, as they most certainly will? What about when he has to go to Diagon Alley to buy his supplies for first year and encounters adults who recognize him, no thanks to the leak about his curse scar. Several of the students were whispering about it. When he boards the Hogwarts Express the first time people will be looking for him, knowing he's coming that year. So, I ask you again. Why? Why must he specifically live with his aunt, who wasn't even designated to care for him by her own sister?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I believe that Harry has an additional layer of magical protection by living with his aunt."

"What would that be?"

"Lily died to save him."

"Parents have died to save their children before," Minerva pointed out. "Did they all have this additional protection? And, if not, why Harry?"

"Meet me in the Room of Hidden Things after the students have gone to bed this evening, and I will explain," he answered.

"You can't tell me now?"

"I could give you a guess, but by this evening I believe I can answer with more definitiveness."

"Fine, I will see you then." She nodded stiffly and turned to leave, then turned back suddenly. "I'll be out for a few more hours, but I will return by supper."

"Minerva, where are you going?" he asked.

"To purchase all of the additional things the Dursleys will need to care for Harry and to deliver them."

"That is unnecessary."

She glowered in his direction. "It is most certainly necessary. They are in no way equipped to handle a second child. It's bad enough that they don't want him and that Petunia has to deal with her sister's death, but to leave them nothing other than the child is simply unacceptable. Don't worry, I will pay for it myself, and I will buy from Muggle shops to avoid suspicion."

"Minerva-"

"Stop Albus!" She demanded. "You are not going to change my mind."

"I still say this is unnecessary."

"Of course you do," she snarled, then stalked out of the room.