Hey there!
Here's a new chapter, writen only from Minerva's POV for once. Hope you'll enjoy it!
Thanks again for everyone reviewing 3
I woke up at the end of a long night during which I had barely slept, feeling somewhat stiff. I had spent a lot of time the day before trying to weigh and assess each of Albus's actions during his visit, trying to understand his behaviour and anticipate his next move, but I had come to no conclusion. I was confused. He had appeared friendly and kind, and nothing in his behaviour suggested that he was actually opposed to me looking after Harry. Was he trying to charm my ward with sweets and smiles? To convince him to trust him? Was this another scheme of Albus Dumbledore, the great champion of the light? Or had he truly come in peace, as he claimed? I couldn't find the answer. Nonetheless, one would have to know Harry very poorly to think that a pleasant afternoon would be enough to win his full trust, and I relied on his caution. Since he was not yet aware of my plan to get him away from the Dursleys, Albus couldn't have read it in his mind—assuming he would have dared to use Legilimency on him in the first place.
At that thought, I gave a bitter smile. Why had it come to this, that I now mistrusted my mentor so much, that I suspected him of such things? I knew him too well—him and his totalitarian idealism… And also, how was I going to explain to Harry that the only thing my plan could guarantee him was an escape from the Dursleys, but not that he would be in my custody?
With these thoughts in mind, I got up, got dressed, and went downstairs to prepare breakfast. I did it without using my wand, as keeping my hands busy helped calm my mind a little. I didn't need to wake Harry, as he appeared on the kitchen threshold while I was finishing setting the table, his hair even messier than usual, if that was possible. He looked still half-asleep but gave me a big smile when he saw me, and I smiled back instinctively, moved.
We sat down and started eating quietly, hardly speaking as we took the time to wake up properly. Eventually, as I was beginning the washing-up, Harry asked me,
"The old man who came yesterday, is he the headmaster of Hogwarts you told me about—the one who doesn't want us to spend time together?"
I stopped cleaning to turn to my ward and nodded in reply.
"Why doesn't he want us to stay together? He seemed nice though, I liked him…"
"I'll finish the washing-up quickly, in the meantime go get dressed, then meet me in the sitting room—we'll talk about it, all right? I also need to tell you how I plan to get you away from your uncle and aunt."
Harry obeyed immediately and I cast a few cleaning spells before making a bit of tea. I didn't know how long the conversation would last, and even though we had just eaten, tea could never hurt during a serious talk. Once my chores were done, I joined the sitting room, where Harry arrived a moment later and sat down on the sofa next to me.
oOo
I let a moment pass before starting.
"Do you remember what I explained to you at Christmas, about your parents' death?"
"Yes."
"Well, by dying for you, your mother somehow created a sort of protection linked to your blood, which means that when you're at your aunt's, you're harder to reach for people who wish you harm, because your aunt shares the same blood as your mother and you, and that works as long as you live there. That's part of why Dumbledore chose to place you with her. Are you all right, Harry?"
He looked a little uncomfortable, even sad, and I realised that even though I wanted to speak to him as I would to an adult, talking to him like this about his parents' death probably showed a certain lack of tact. I knew I had no choice, but I should have found a more delicate way to put it… However, when Harry spoke, my worries faded.
"It's just that my mum—it's you now—and I'm scared you'll die too. You're not going to die, are you?"
"Oh, Harry. I can't promise you that, nothing lasts forever, but I can guarantee you I'll make sure it's as late as possible. And I won't abandon you, understood?"
I put my arm around his shoulders and pulled him close to me to add weight to my words. When I felt he was feeling better, I continued my explanation.
"Dumbledore also thinks that no one would think to look for you in the Muggle world, especially since few Wizards are truly capable of blending in there—most live separately in the Wizarding world. For all these reasons, he chose to make you live there. But I think differently, as you know. I think the abuse your family inflicts on you is far more dangerous than letting you live in this world, provided we take a few safety measures. For instance, right now no one knows where you are, except Dumbledore and us. I think that's a good safety guarantee."
I took a moment to breathe calmly once or twice before launching into the next part of my explanation. Harry remained silent.
"As I told you, I think I know how to get you removed from the Dursleys' care. Dumbledore may be stern, but he's far from stupid. Without your mother's protection, I believe you would be placed in the care of Wizards, because as little known as the Muggle world is and as useful as the anonymity it offers may be, a Muggle and a ten-year-old child cannot fight against an experienced Wizard. I even think Albus might decide to place you directly at Hogwarts, as close to his power as possible."
"How are you going to break the protection?"
"I'm not going to break it myself, Harry. I'm sorry, but your aunt will have to reject you. If she does, the house she lives in will no longer be your home, and the protection will vanish. I would have liked to avoid doing this, as it will put you in danger, but the thought of you constantly exposed to what your family could do to you frightens me too much. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I think if I explain the protection to your aunt, it might be enough for her to break it. In fact, it's possible she's already heard of it but doesn't know why it exists. I had originally thought that if you did something she considered a major misdeed, it might work, but I think explaining it to her might suffice."
Once I had finished speaking, we remained silent for a while. I could almost feel Harry thinking beside me. Eventually, he spoke, uncertainly:
"How do you know it'll be you who gets to keep me afterwards?"
I flinched. He was thinking almost too well. But I knew I would have to explain that to him sooner or later anyway.
"I can't guarantee it. It's possible, but absolutely uncertain. Yet the most important thing is to get you out of there—knowing you're safe is what matters most. If I don't have custody… We can try to negotiate at that point, and at least I'll see you when you study at Hogwarts. And then, if Dumbledore decides to keep you at the castle and become your guardian, we'll still see each other all the time."
I could tell Harry didn't agree with all that, but he said nothing, no doubt aware that escaping the Dursleys was better than not doing anything. But I really wanted him to understand that I wasn't trying to get rid of him, so I repeated it gently. He snuggled up to me and finally decided to speak.
"Don't worry, Minie, I know I'll be freed from the Dursleys at least. And whatever Dumbledore does or says, you're still my mum."
I held my… son in my arms to hide the emotions overwhelming me. He trusted me so much! He was so attached to me! At that moment, I simply hoped very hard that I would be up to the task. And I wondered how many parents before me had thought those same words.
oOo
Once our emotions had begun to settle, I suggested a walk on the moor.
We walked around the loch without hurrying, simply enjoying the nice weather and each other's presence. I told him about the time the twins had secretly brewed a potion to grow tentacles, in preparation for one of their pranks. I'd only found out because Severus had woken me up at three in the morning, two redheads dragged behind him by wand. Harry wanted to know more about Severus, and I hesitated for a moment before launching in.
"He's the Potions Master at the castle, as you must already know. He's quite young, in his thirties. He's not very popular with the students—he's extremely unfair, always favours the Slytherins, and particularly enjoys humiliating my Gryffindors."
"So he's mean, then?"
"I don't think so. He can be extremely irritating, but on the other hand, everyone is against the Slytherins. So maybe he's just showing others what it's like to be a snake day to day. Still, there are far more diplomatic ways of going about things."
"Do you like him?"
I sighed. Severus… So irritating and complex at the same time. I knew Dumbledore trusted him, and with that night years ago, when I had seen what Lily's death had done to him, I couldn't help but feel he was, in some way, on our side. With time and our verbal jousts, I thought yes, despite myself, I had come to respect him and even like him. So I answered Harry:
"I think so, yes—when he's not trying desperately to stop my House from winning its Quidditch matches."
Harry smiled. He had already begun to understand how much I liked that sport and wanted my House's team to be as efficient as possible. In fact, I was already starting to think of a strategy to get Harry allowed on the team in first year, if he ended up in Gryffindor… At that thought, I shook my head. I was incorrigible. And then I remembered the fact that Harry had almost drowned because of his recklessness, and wondered if my idea was really very wise. However, I had to put that reflection off for later, as Harry, after a moment of deep thought, spoke again:
"And Minie, did Professor Severus know my parents?"
"He was at Hogwarts at the same time as them. But I'm afraid he got on very poorly with your father and his friends." I said no more, because I didn't really know what else to say. I wasn't at all sure that my behaviour as a teacher back then had been exemplary. Harry must have sensed that I didn't want to go into detail and asked:
"And my mum? Did he know her?"
"Yes, they even got on quite well at the beginning. It was strange. A Gryffindor and a Slytherin… But they ended up falling out, I think—they didn't speak to each other in their final years at Hogwarts. Still, I don't think he ever truly hated her, despite everything."
"Do you think he'll be nice to me?"
"I've no idea. We'll see, I suppose. But if he does anything to you, I'll turn him into a table, and that'll serve him right!"
Harry laughed, and we continued on our way, talking about the other teachers, the castle…
When we got back, we cooked dinner together, and after the meal we played a game of Wizard chess. Harry was getting better. We then had to become serious again for one last discussion, because Harry was leaving the next day.
"I think I'll put our plan into action in two months—I'll have a few days off again then, which will give us more freedom to act. I'm sorry to have to leave you with them for so long…"
"Without you I'd have carried on living with them anyway, so it's all right."
"If there's a problem, if you feel in danger at your uncle and aunt's, go see Mrs Figgs—she'll be able to help you."
"Mrs Figgs? You know her?"
"She's an old friend of mine."
"Is she a witch?"
"No, she's a Squib. That means she comes from a magical family but was born without powers, or without powers strong enough to practise magic."
"I'd never have guessed she knew about the magical world. I used to go to hers every year for Dudley's birthday, so they could all go off and party. I was bored with her—she's nice, but all she ever did was show me photos of her cats…"
"She doesn't seem like it, but in a crisis she's a tremendous help. She saved my life during the last war against You-Know-Who. I was being chased by Death Eaters and she hid me, in my Animagus form, among her cats."
"Wow, that's cool!"
"I agree with you. So it's clear, right? If there's a problem, go to her, all right? She has a way to contact Dumbledore or me in an emergency."
"All right," said Harry with a smile, no doubt wanting to reassure me.
As it was already late, I helped Harry pack his things for the next morning's departure, then tucked him into bed to tell him a story. I then stayed with him in my cat form until he fell asleep. I watched him for a moment longer before leaving the room. I truly hoped I would be worthy of the trust my… son had placed in me. One thing was certain as I looked at his face, relaxed in sleep: I would fight to the end to protect him.
I tried to catch up on the marking I had fallen behind on before going to sleep, but I soon realised I was too tired. So I went to bed, thinking about what I would say to the Dursleys the next day to ensure Harry would be left in peace until I could get him out.
So what do you think of Minerva's plan to free Harry? And of the kid hearing about Severus and his relationship with his parents before meeting him?
See you soon!
