The Alternate | A Harry Potter Original Fanfiction by Ameliapondicus

Chapter 19

Mineva frowned as Fawkes tapped on her window late in the night. Tying a dressing gown around her hastily, she opened the window and the gently Phoenix placed a letter in her waiting hands.

He found them, Minerva. James and Lily are dead.

Minerva dropped the letter to the ground, and felt a hollowness fill her up. Bringing a fist to her mouth, she stifled the sobs wracking her body. It took her several minutes to compose herself enough to finish the letter.

However, Harry Potter survived the Killing Curse. How a five-year-old did, I am not sure. ButI have my suspicions. Please meet me at Number 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey. I'll explain more there.

Albus Dumbledore.

Shaking, she placed the letter in her desk, next to the Head Boy and Girl badges ready to be given out.

************

"Albus!" Minerva had just switched from a tabby cat back to her own self. "Are you positive the letter you sent me was true?"

"Minerva, I was there myself." He said gently, sitting down on the stone wall along the street. "It is true."

"Oh, Albus." She broke down in tears again, wiping her face on a spare handkerchief in her coat pocket. "Where is the boy?"

"Hagrid is bringing him."

Minerva frowned. "Professor, are you sure it is-wise- to trust Hagrid with such a task?"

"I would trust Hagrid with my life." Dumbledore said with a tone of finality. Just then, a dull roar echoed around the empty street. Minerva shielded her eyes as a bright headlight shone in her face. The flying motorbike set down with a loud thud, and she could see the giant figure upon the seat. A smaller boy was strapped to the seat in front of him, fast asleep.

"'Ello, professors." Hagrid grunted. He gently lifted Harry into Minerva's arms, the black-haired boy's head tucked underneath her chin. "Fell asleep just as we was flyin' over Bristol."

"Where on earth did you get the bike?" Minerva pondered.

"Found it in the back shed. Belongs to young Sirius Black."

"Thank you, Hagrid." Dumbledore produced a letter from his pocket, address to the Dursley's of Privet Drive. "This should explain everything."

"You can't mean to leave them with these people?" Minerva cried. "They are horrible!"

"Harry needs family right now."

"And he has family." She said firmly. "He can live with the Weasley's. They would take him in without a second thought."

"It's too late, Minerva. I've enchanted the paper to create a bond between Harry and the Dursley's. It will break the night of his seventeenth birthday."

She exhaled loudly, looking down at the sleeping boy. "How much will he remember?"

Dumbledore shrugged. "A child's mind is extremely adaptable. He should be okay." He motioned Hagrid and Minerva forward, and set the letter down on the front step of Number 4. Minerva gently placed Harry on the step, making sure he was wrapped up warmly.

"Rest, Harry." Dumbledore murmured. "We will see you soon enough." With a final glance at. The sleeping boy, he turned and Disapparated into the night.