The Girl Forgotten

Haley

October 31st, 1981:

Professor Dumbledore watched alongside Professor McGonagall as Hagrid approached him, the soft rumble of his motorcycle was the only sound that night on Privet Drive. The small bundle in his arms reassured Dumbledore as Hagrid landed and climbed off the motorcycle.

Dumbledore nodded towards Hagrid's brimming eyes. The unspoken words of terrible grief and pain flickered between them. James and Lily had been a beacon of hope for the wizarding world and their untimely deaths were almost too much for Dumbledore to think of.He began leading Hagrid towards the house marked Number 4, Professor McGonagall following their procession.

McGonagall glanced towards Hagrids tear stained cheeks in acknowledgement before turning towards Dumboldore.

"Are you sure he will be safe here?"

"This is the safest place for him" Dumboldore replied as they neared the house.

McGonagall looked unconvinced. "He will be famous in our world. All will know his name. He has saved so much of the wizarding world."

"Yes, he has. But there is much we don't know and he is better growing up away from it all with his family. Until he is ready."

Dumbledore reached towards the sleeping baby wrapped in Hagrid's arms. He softly touched the lightning shaped scar on the baby's forehead and let out a sigh before placing the bundle on the front doorstep. The three wizards moved silently back towards the road before Dumboldore turned to Hagrid.

"Don't look so grim now. You will see Harry Potter again."

"Yes, yes. I just-. Dumbledore, you said he is best with his family but where is his sister?"

Dumbledore stiffened, giving a slight glance towards McGonagall. "There are wards and spells protecting this house and Harry. They are hiding him from threats, from those who still wish to do the Dark Lord's bidding. Harry has become a threat to them."

"Yes but what of his sister? She was not in the house when I arrived."

"I know Hagrid. She will be living with a trusted friend of mine, she will be raised in the wizarding world. Harry will visit her once every summer and for the holidays."

"But why separate them?"

"It is to protect them. The both of them together, I am not sure what would happen. We do not truly understand the effects that tonight's events will have on the children."

McGonagall looked understandingly at Dumbledore as they reached the end of the road. Hagrid's eyebrows furrowed together as he looked between the two Professors.

"But where was she? Where was Haley when You Know Who attacked?"

For the first time in Hagrid's life, he saw Dumbledore's eyes soften and his lips formed a frown as an expression came over his face that Hagrid had never seen before. McGonagall shifted from one foot to the other as if she too had been pondering that question.

"I do not know. She appeared inside my office moments before news broke of James and Lily."

"That is most strange" stated McGonagall as her forehead crinkled in concentration, "Do you believe someone took her?" 

"I am not sure but it is probable that something occurred, there was a reason she was not with Harry. Yet, she was unharmed when she appeared in my office."

Hagrid placed his hand over his stomach where an uneasy feeling was beginning to uncurl. The procession of wizards had reached the end of the road before Dumbledore turned to face them.