Setting Things Right pt. 2
Lucile set a steaming mug of tea down on the worn wooden table her and Minerva had finished resurfacing together just a few days before and stared at the fireplace expectantly. Like clockwork, the flames flared green and her bristling mad wife stepped out. “Good evening love, I made you a cuppa.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Minerva said, her anger visibly lessening as she sat at the table and wrapped her hands around the mug. “So I know we’ve talked about it before but how would you feel about me bringing Harry to stay for a few days?”
Sitting down across from Minerva Lucile tilted her head curiously. “You know I want nothing more than to bring that boy home and show him the love I’m sure he’s not getting with those awful muggles but I thought Albus told you we couldn’t do that?”
Minerva snorted into her tea before setting the mug down and smiling dangerously at her wife. “Dumbledore no longer gets a say in that poor boy's future. I went to check on him tonight and discovered the Dursley’s were keeping him in a broom closet-”
“Wait, he’s barely three years old and they have him in a closet?!” Lucile interjected sounding as outraged as Minerva felt.
“Not for much longer, when I saw that I went straight back to Hogwarts and made a scene in Albus’ office. The old codger is now on his way to the Minister's office to start the process of getting Sirius freed from his wrongful imprisonment and I am going over to the Dursley’s to collect Harry until Sirius is fit to take him in himself.”
Nodding Lucile set her mug on the counter and smiled at Minerva as she pushed away from the table. “Well then I best go make sure his room is ready, do you think Ivey would mind giving me a hand?”
“Mizz Ivey would be more than happy to help Mistress Lucy get ready for the babe to come stays here!” A slightly squeaky voice piped up from the stairs into the kitchen.
Lucile smiled at the intense little elf standing before her, before she had married Minerva she had never imagined she would willingly call another being her own but Ivey was something else altogether. “Well then, let's go get started, would you be willing to charm the walls red while I make the bed?”
Watching the mismatched pair go up the stairs while they talked about plans for Harry’s room brought a smile to Minerva’s face for a brief moment before she stood and made her way up the stairs and out of the Manor.
Five minutes later she was standing on the steps of number four Privet Drive listening to who she could only assume was Dudley wailing about wanting another sweet while she waited for someone to answer her knock.
“What do you want? We aren’t buying whatever you’re selling!” A somewhat purple-faced man groused as he pulled open the door.
“I’m not selling anything Vernon. I’m here to collect Harry Potter and take him away from the mistreatment he is suffering at your hands.” Minerva replied, her voice cold.
Vernon, realizing he was facing a very dangerous woman, took a startled step back. “Now I assure you we are not mistreating the boy. He’s fed and clothed and has his own room, that’s more than enough.”
“Fed less than the screaming child in the kitchen I’m sure, and his room is a broom cupboard not fit for a child to live it. But it is no matter, his godfather has been located and Harry is no longer your problem. If you would please collect him and any belongings he may have we will be gone and never darken your doorstep again.”
Taking one last look at the woman standing on his stoop, Vernon nodded to himself before stepping aside and beckoning her into his house. “If you would come inside and take a seat I will let Petunia know what is going on and then collect the boy for you.”
Minerva nodded and stepped into the home but did not move to take the offered seat, opting to stand just inside the door to wait as Vernon scurried off to the kitchen to find his wife. She was still standing there stiff and unmoving ten minutes later when Petunia came out of the kitchen holding a scrawny child and a nearly empty looking diaper bag which she immediately shoved towards Minerva.
“Vernon told me you will be taking him off our hands, good riddance I say. Strange things have been happening around him and I’d just as soon not have to deal with that anymore.” Petunia sniffed her disapproval as Minerva settled Harry on her hip.
“Yes, I’m sure it must be so difficult for you to take care of your deceased sister's son.” Minerva snapped back, resisting the urge to cuddle the boy closer. “Thank you for watching over him for the last two years but we best be going now, have a nice life Petunia.”
After the door snapped shut behind her Minerva rested her cheek on Harry’s unruly hair and just held him close for a moment, thankful she had gotten him out before the mistreatment got to actual abusive levels. Finally, with a muttered curse that would make life difficult for the Dursely’s for the foreseeable future, she turned on her heel and apparated back to her Manor where she was sure Lucile and Ivey were waiting to spoil the boy in her arms with love and affection.
{{Part 2 out of 5 | part 1 }}
