Returning to Hogwarts

Hogwarts would be resuming after the New Year. Minerva was growing increasingly nervous about showing up with Harry in tow. Albus had denied her request for leave stating that there was not enough time to find someone to fill her positions. Minerva would have to personally select someone for each position before the new school year. She and Harry desperately needed that time alone together to bond and heal from all that has happened. She still had to figure out what to do with him during her lessons. She supposed he could stay with her in class until he got old enough to start some primary lessons of his own. Perhaps she could speak with Andromeda. Her schedule was flexible unless she had any active cases that required her personal attention.

After a sleepless night of tossing and turning she decided to floo call Poppy and ask her to come through for a visit. Maybe she should ask her to bring Pomona and Rolanda. The more people on her side the better, and she hadn't had the chance to send the women an invite. Having a toddler had taken up all of her time. She went over to the fireplace and threw in a pinch of floo powder. Sticking only her head in the green flames she called out "Poppy Pomfrey, Hospital Wing, Hogwarts"

Poppy turned around with a shriek. "Merlin's beard Minerva. You scared the life out of me. What can I do for you?"

Chuckling Minerva apologized and nervously replied, "I was wondering if you could step through for a quick cup of tea. Perhaps send a Patronus for Pomona and Rolanda to join as well if they're available. There's something I'd like to discuss with you all and get your advice on."

Poppy looked curiously at her friend, wondering what could possibly be making Minerva so nervous. She had never seen her like that. Not even during the wars with Grindelwald or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. "Alright. Let me get the wonder twins and we'll be right there."

After Minerva's head disappeared from her fireplace she quickly sent a Patronus to both Pomona and Rolanda. Hopefully they could be there quickly. She had a feeling that whatever Minerva wanted to discuss, it would change their lives. Thankfully she didn't have time to get lost in her musings as both women burst through the doors to the hospital wing.

Pomona looked around with concern in her eyes, "Poppy, what is it dear? Your message sounded urgent." Rolanda nodded next to her, silently agreeing with her.

"Minerva has asked that we meet with her. She'd like our advice about something, though she did not say what exactly." Poppy admitted.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go see what's going on with Minnie today." Rolanda said while clapping her hands together.

Poppy shook her head "You know she hates to be called that, Rolanda. Almost as much as you hate Rolo. ( Pomona had to cough to try and hide her laughter.) Whatever it is I have a feeling that it's no laughing matter. So please, try and restrain yourself dear."

Rolling her eyes, Rolanda made to cross her heart and motion to lead the way. Soon the 3 women were standing in the living room of Kitt Cottage looking at a subdued and exhausted looking Minerva. Once seated in the kitchen with their tea, the three women looked expectantly at Minerva. She looked more tired than they had seen her in a long time, with bags under her eyes as if she wasn't sleeping.

Sighing Minerva tried to find the words that she needed to say. "Thank you for coming. I find myself in need of advice. I've recently done something that I never imagined myself doing in my wildest dreams. After I learned of the Potter's death I tried to find out what was going to happen to poor Harry. What I learned concerned me greatly. Poppy, do you remember Lily talking about her muggle sister Petunia?"

"Nasty hateful girl if I remember right. No matter what poor Lily did, that girl was nastier than ever. I dare say she could've given a death eater a run for their money." Poppy sighed, shaking her head. She lost count of the number of times Minerva had brought Lily to her for a calming draught thanks to that wretched woman.

"Yes, well apparently Albus took it upon himself to have Hagrid liberate Harry from the wreckage, bring him to Albus and then he planned to drop him on the doorstep of Petunia and her husband before anyone could get there. He told Hagrid to refuse Sirius should he show up, and prevented Sirius from being able to get to Harry even though he is the boy's godfather. Knowing that woman and her attitude for anything having to do with the Magical world I couldn't let him do that. It would have doomed the poor lad to a life of misery. I…" Minerva was interrupted by an ear splitting wail from the second floor. Before the other women could ask what that was, Minerva was already out of the kitchen and up the stairs to Harry's room. Gathering the poor lad into her arms she kissed his forehead and rubbed soothing circles on his back as she made her way back downstairs.

To say the women were shocked as she entered the kitchen with the babe in her arms would be an understatement. They had never seen her with a child so young and rarely saw her without her "teacher face" on. As she sat down and shifted Harry into a sitting position on her lap, he cautiously turned and looked at the women seated there. There was a collective gasp as they took in the Emerald green eyes, Lily's eyes, and slowly looked up to see the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Harry turned back to his Ma and buried his face in her bosom.

Poppy was the first to regain her composure as she slowly asked, "Min, is…is that Harry Potter?" Minerva sighed as she ran her fingers through the boy's hair in an attempt to calm him. "Yes, as I was saying I couldn't leave him there knowing Lily's sister and knowing her wishes for Harry. He deserved better than the life of misery and abuse that he would've been doomed to. Originally I was planning to observe them for a couple days to see if she could change for her infant nephew and ensure Harry's safety and well being. Unfortunately, with everything I witnessed, I couldn't leave him there. I just couldn't." Harry looked up at Minerva with a curious look on his face as he pointed to Poppy, as if asking if he could trust her and could go to her. Minerva nodded and Harry turned back to wave at Poppy and give her a toothy grin. After she smiled back Harry began to reach towards her as he tried to get on the table and scoot across towards her.

Poppy looked confused and only just caught Harry in time as he tumbled over the edge of the table and into her lap.

"Am I correct to think Albus doesn't know that you have young Harry?" Poppy asked while running her fingers through Harry's hair. She noted that the texture was slightly different and it was tamer than his fathers had been.

"No he does not. That's why I called you all here. It's been wonderful having this time off to adjust to having the lad around 24/7. Now with the break almost over I'm not sure what to do. I tried to put in for time off until next year, but Albus denied it. I'm going to have to return to my posts at Hogwarts. However, I'm not sure what to do with Harry while I'm teaching. Right now, he's young enough that theoretically I can keep him with me. The biggest question is do I tell Albus before I return, or just show up with Harry and let him figure it out for himself?" Even young Harry was silent as Minerva finished with her questions.

No one was quite sure how to answer that. Albus may be considered the leader of the light, but he was also known to have a bit of a temper. He had always had this draw towards power and control and he preferred unquestioning loyalty from those around him.

Poppy finally broke the silence, "I think you should come tomorrow with Harry, we'll meet you at the gate and walk with you to your quarters. Let Albus get a good look at you and Harry and how attached he is to you while you're surrounded by a group of friends. He won't do or say anything in front of others. Then you'll need to talk with him privately. Though preferably not alone. At least one of us should be with you and the others can stay with Harry." Throughout her entire speech she never took her eyes off the precious lad on her lap. It was hard to resist those beautiful giant emeralds.

Before Minerva could repeat one of her questions Pomona turned to her with a hand up in front of her bosom to halt Minerva's words. "Of course on the days or times where you can't have Harry there or if he becomes a distraction we will all pitch in and help out. I have free periods, I know Rolanda does as well, and by the looks of it young Harry would be welcome in the Hospital Wing with his Auntie Poppy anytime he wishes." She finished with a wink at Poppy.

Minerva started to protest, "I couldn't ask you guys to do that. You'd be giving up your free..." Poppy interrupted, "Posh Minerva. We're offering. We would be happy to spend some time with this little one. Plus there's the house elves. I'm sure you could assign one of them to look after him, they could also provide general assistance should you or whomever has him need anything. You have your own house elves at McGonagall manor as well who I'm sure would be thrilled to have a babe to look after again. That would probably be a better option, so they aren't answerable to Albus. That was the point of this little meeting wasn't it, to help with a plan. Well, that's the plan. All you have to do is accept it and be prepared for the longest meeting of your life once you see Albus." Poppy finished with a small chuckle.

Minerva sighed, there was no use arguing. As much as she hated to admit that she needed help, she would need them and their support. Their plan wasn't without merit, so she supposed she had better start preparing herself for what was to come.

They spoke for a bit more until Harry started to get fussy. Poppy bounced him a little as they tried to finish their conversation, but this isn't what he wanted so he tried again. "MinnKitti!" he shouted to get her attention as he started clutching at the air towards her. "Ma hungy. Hungy mamma." The other three could only stare in shock and wonder as Minerva took Harry back to her chest and opened her robe for him like she had been doing it for years.