Thanks again to everyone leaving reviews 3
Here's a new chapter for you to enjoy. I've been a bit busy, but hopefully should post the next update in about a week, maybe less if I feel like it xD

Enjoy!

I arrived at the castle as night fell. The students had already returned to their common rooms, except, perhaps, for the Weasley twins, who were likely planning their next prank. But it didn't matter—I didn't have the heart to go on a hunt this evening. And, after all, it was always amusing to see Severus seething with rage at their endless antics…

I shook my head with a smile. Such thoughts were hardly appropriate for the respectable Hogwarts professor I was meant to be. If they struck again, I would reprimand them, as I always did, I thought as I climbed the staircase leading to my quarters. As I opened my door, I added mentally: "And I will laugh a little..."

I stepped inside, and my smile faltered slightly. I had expected this, yet I had still hoped to postpone the conversation until morning. The lights in my quarters were on, and a warm fire crackled in the hearth. The Headmaster was seated comfortably in one of my armchairs, gazing into the flames. When I entered, he lifted his eyes, feigning surprise, as if he hadn't been informed the moment I set foot in the castle.

"Good evening, Minerva. Your presence was missed at the feast tonight."

"Good evening, Albus. I suppose we really must have this conversation now?"

"Indeed. You vanished from the school for two days, and contrary to what you claimed, your mother's grave received no visitors during that time."

"No need to beat around the bush. Yes, I was with Harry."

"Harry?"

"Yes, the young Potter."

"I'm listening."

When I finished recounting to the Headmaster the destruction of the garden, Harry's escape, and the day we had just spent together, he merely sighed deeply before turning back towards the fire.

"Minerva, Minerva… I understand your concern for this child, your affection for him, but you must realise that what matters is not fleeting satisfaction—his safety is paramount. If his mother's protection were not a factor, it would indeed be preferable to place him with another family, perhaps even at Hogwarts itself. But without his mother's protection, he would not be alive today. I know this family is far from ideal, that yes, they mistreat him, but it is the safest option for him. Better this discomfort, however severe, than a constant mortal threat looming over his life. Besides, I have a feeling that now they have met you, the Dursleys will be less inclined to mistreat him, won't they?"

"Albus, that is not enough. We cannot ask him to endure seven long years with these Muggles. I told him I would find him a better family, and I will. The Dursleys may fear repercussions for now, but soon their resentment will grow. They will become even more vindictive, afraid of the boy himself, humiliated by the blow I have dealt to their domineering pride. I will not yield this time."

The Headmaster met my gaze, just as he always did when his decisions were questioned. But unlike Severus usually did, and unlike the previous occasions when I had found myself in this position, I did not look away.

A crackling sound from the fire drew both our eyes at once, breaking the silent battle of wills. Yet, whatever he had seen in me must have given him pause, for his tone softened as he spoke again.

"Minerva, if that is how you feel, I promise to consider removing him from their care in two or three years, when he has learned enough magic to be placed with a wizard powerful enough to ensure his safety. Perhaps a Hogwarts professor…" He affected a thoughtful air. "You could take on that role..."

So, he had not missed the shock I had felt when the boy had asked me to be his guardian.

Seeing that I did not reply, he stood and smiled broadly.

"Come now, Minerva, let us not dwell on this for the moment. Harry will be at Hogwarts in a matter of months, and we will look after him. In the meantime, Merry Christmas!"

He handed me a small parcel, which I opened with a faint smile. As expected, it contained an assortment of sweets—Chocolate Frogs, Sherbet Lemons, Liquorice Laces, and all manner of confections I couldn't even name. There must have been nearly two kilos of the stuff.

"You're trying to make me fat, Albus," I said in mock reproach. "Well, here is your gift—take care of it."

With a flick of my wand, I sent my present towards him. He caught it with a delighted grin, which only grew wider when he saw what it was—a thick, warm woollen scarf.

"I heard you complaining about the cold the other day, and I had run out of ideas for sweets or books you wouldn't already know."

"It's perfect, Minerva. Thank you!" he said, wrapping himself in the bright red scarf (which I had chosen precisely to annoy Severus).

"Merry Christmas, Albus."

After that, we parted quickly, and I found myself alone in my chambers. I sat on the edge of my bed and pulled from my pocket the camera I had used to take a photograph of Harry and me. I retrieved a sheet of photographic paper, then waved my wand to develop the image.

While the magic took effect, I fished a sweet from Albus's box. My fingers brushed against something hard at the bottom, and I pulled it out—a book titled The Quest of Ewilan. Albus knew me far too well—even down to my passion for Muggle fantasy novels.

I set the book on my bedside table and smiled despite myself. He knew me inside out—yet, somehow, he still hadn't realised that I would keep my promise to Harry.

I would return for him.

He would have a family before he set foot in Hogwarts.

And, quite unintentionally, the Headmaster had just given me the key to solving the riddle of how to remove Harry from the Dursleys' custody without allowing him to send the boy back.

I put the camera away and got ready for bed. I read for a while, and before turning off the light, I gazed at the magical photograph fixed on the paper.

His hand in mine, Harry was smiling up at me, his face filled with joy and trust.

It took me a long time to fall asleep.

Could I truly be a mother?

oOo

I spent the remainder of the Christmas holidays in a strange atmosphere. The Dursleys carefully ignored me, never speaking to me, leaving me to fend for myself. Dudley barely left his room, and I had no trouble from him at all. Yet I could sense a growing tension in Uncle Vernon, who seemed both afraid of me and desperate to make me pay for everything he could.

The new term began, and after a week, I truly thought he was going to explode. Until a letter arrived for me. But it didn't come by post—no. An owl landed on the table during breakfast. Uncle Vernon was about to shoo it away when he suddenly paled. He had just noticed the missive tied to the bird's leg.

There were actually two messages—one addressed to Harry Potter and the other to the Dursley family. My aunt untied them while my uncle looked on, teetering on the edge of a fit. She unfolded the note meant for them, reading it almost calmly before handing it to her husband, who made a sudden movement of frustration, quickly suppressed. Then he turned to me.

"Take your letter, boy, and if you reply, don't forget to make it very clear that we do not mistreat you."

Embarrassed by their presence, I took the letter my aunt held out to me, gave the owl some water, and fled to my cupboard-turned-bedroom to read in peace.

The envelope, my name traced upon it in elegant emerald-green script, contained two things. The first thing I noticed was the photograph. Minie and I were in it, posing in the hotel room, smiling. I glanced at her before looking at the camera with a grin. Our hands were clasped, and she too was smiling warmly. My eyes filled with tears.

Then I pulled the letter from the envelope and read it carefully.

"Dear Harry,

I hope the Muggles are still behaving themselves—I assume they are, as everything seems normal according to my information. I am watching over you, and I have not forgotten you. I won't be able to visit before the next holidays because of work, but I have not forgotten my promise.

I would love to hear from you, so don't hesitate to send me a letter back with the owl. I'm sorry this letter is so short, but I have a great deal to handle at the moment—starting with the latest prank from the Weasley twins! I'll tell you all about it in my next letter if you'd like.

See you soon. Love,
Your Minie"

I felt my heart soar. I wasn't alone. She hadn't forgotten me. She was watching over me. She was going to write again.

The next holidays suddenly felt much closer, filled with promises. Without hesitating, I grabbed a pen and tore a page from my maths notebook to write back. It went something like this:

"Dear Minie,

Thank you for your letter—thank you so much! The Dursleys are ignoring me, which is much better than before, and even though I was afraid Uncle Vernon might get angry again, I think after reading your letter, he changed his mind.

I miss you a lot. I can't wait for the holidays.

I'm working as hard as I can in school, even though I know I'm a wizard and none of this will matter next year—it keeps me busy. I'm reading a lot too. I haven't been back to the garden—I don't dare—and I don't know if Dudley's friends would leave me alone like he does now. But since my cupboard has become a real bedroom thanks to you, I feel comfortable in it. Thank you again!

I'd love to hear all about the Weasley twins—I want to know everything about Hogwarts!

Love, see you soon!
Harry"

I hurried to the dining room, where the Dursleys had disappeared, and clumsily tied the letter to the owl's leg. The bird watched me with a stoic expression, then flew off through the open living room window, dropping a fresh pile of droppings onto Aunt Petunia's begonias as it left. I closed the window with a satisfied smile.

That night, as I lay in bed, I gazed at the photograph I had fixed to the ceiling so I could look at it without damaging it. I felt full of joy and hope.

I fell asleep thinking: "See you soon... Mum."

So, what did you think of this chapter? Pretty hopeful one.

See you soon!