Part XXIX - Minerva's Tale

The day of Halloween, Arabella arrived at Hogwarts Castle. Minerva could tell she had been crying and made a soothing cup of tea for her. “Minerva,” Arabella said not even looking at the tea, “I have some horrible news.”

Minerva felt her stomach drop. “What is it?”

“James and Lily Potter were found by Voldemort,” she said slowly, “They’re dead. It… it just happened today.”

Minerva felt numb. “How did you hear this?” she asked.

“It’s starting to spread throughout our world. The Ministry found out right away and sent for Dumbledore to try and make sense of it all.”

“It seems pretty obvious to me that Voldemort loves to kill,” Minerva said bitterly, “Now Lily, James, and Harry are dead. What’s sense needs to be made?”

“Harry’s still alive,” Arabella said.

“What?” Minerva said, startled. She dropped her teacup.

“Harry’s still alive and Voldemort vanished. They think he’s dead.”

Minerva remembered the spell she taught Lily and felt a wave of both relief and sorrow. She thought of her family. Then she thought about how Lily would was never able to see the Glen.

“It’s not true! Lily can’t be dead!” Minerva shouted.

“It’s true,” said Arabella, “The Ministry put Dumbledore in charge of Harry’s fate. No one knows where he is though.”

Minerva ran out. “I’m going to find Dumbledore and get the truth,” she yelled back at Arabella.

There was only one person who would know Dumbledore’s location. She went to Hagrid’s hut. He looked as though he was preparing to make a journey somewhere.

“Where’s Dumbledore?” she demanded.

“Can’t tell you, Minerva,” Hagrid said, “Official business.”

“I have no time for games, Hagrid. Where is he?” she snarled.

“It’s a secret,” Hagrid said, quite proud of himself for knowing.

Minerva felt a surge of rage grow inside her. “You will tell me where he is Hagrid,” she said. It was not her voice, but rather something deep and terrible. She started to grow. The magic flowed around her body making her appear taller than Hagrid. She was no longer Professor McGonagall, but once again Minerva the Priestess. For the first time since she denied herself the power, she could feel it inside her. The ground around them started to shake and so did Hogwarts. The screams of students inside the castle were audible. Minerva did not care. She was the heiress of the land, and the ground itself obeyed her commands.

Hagrid quailed beneath her furious stare. He was paralyzed in his fear. But in seeing his scared expression, Minerva realized what she was doing. She remembered the darkness that she had been warned about, and how closely her power could approach evil. This was no enemy she threatened, but a friend. Once again, with some regret, she denied herself the magic and returned to normal size. The ground stopped shaking.

“I’m sorry, Hagrid,” she said. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Four Privet Drive, Little Whinging in Surrey,” Hagrid said quietly

“Thank you Hagrid. I really am sorry.” She put a hand on his shoulder. At first he flinched, but then he eased a bit. Minerva thought of how scared of her Arabella was after the duel with Macha. Was that what she saw too?

“I s’pose you heard about James and Lily,” Hagid said, interrupting Minerva’s memories.

“Yes. That’s why I need to talk to Dumbledore,” she said.

“If you wait there, he’ll show up. I’m taking Harry tonight. I’m going to get him now.”

“Who is he with now, Hagrid?”

“His godfather, Sirius Black. I’m picking him up from Sirius.”

Minerva nodded. Sirius Black would be able to protect him

Minerva left Hagrid behind. She went to Hogsmeade and bought a detailed map of Muggle England. She wanted to be at Privet Drive when Dumbledore arrived. It was her duty to know what happened to Harry Potter. As she set upon her way, she felt a bit bitter. How did Harry survive when her daughter could not? Was Sophia less deserving of life. Disgusted with herself, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The night after Harry Potter was given to the Dursleys, Dumbledore requested that Minerva meet with him in his office. She knew he wanted to discuss Harry. She did also. Last night she had offered to raise him herself, but he refused, citing Macha O’Nemen and Tom Riddle. At first Minerva felt insulted, but after some time she realized the comparison was apt, thought it was still a bit painful for her to think that she was not going to see Harry for eleven years.

Dumbledore asked her if she could perform any protection spells to safeguard Harry. She knew of one, but she needed to gather her strength and reread about it. But first, she had to contact Arabella.

That afternoon Minerva barged into Dumbledore’s office uninvited. She found him sitting nervously at his desk waiting for her.

“Minerva,” he said, his face mired with worry, “Have you had any luck finding a spell that can protect Harry? I found nothing, and I fear for him. The secret will not last long.”

“I know a spell Albus. A powerful spell that guarantees no one will find him or his family unless they chose so.”

Dumbledore face shone with relief. “Where is this spell? When can you cast it?”

Minerva looked down. “It’s not that simple. This spell requires nothing less than the most ancient and powerful magic. None, not even a Priestess of the Raven, can cast it alone, and I no longer command that type of power. The spell will require vessels for the magic, at least three powerful magic users will have to lend me their strength. The spell is also unstable and ephemeral. One of these vessels, who cannot be me, will have to live near Harry to ensure that the spell continues to work. All her power will be devoted to making sure the spell holds.

“It’s a variation of the spell used to hide the Glen, but more intricate because Harry and his new family,” she shuddered as she said that, “have to exist in the Muggle world. They cannot be completely removed The vessel is vital because she acts as a gatekeeper, letting people in and out of the spell.”

“You say ‘she.’ Do you have someone in mind?”

“Arabella Figg. I spoke to her this morning. She knows some ancient magic and is a strong enough witch that she can be the gatekeeper. She’s agreed to it. Albus, Arabella has already sacrificed her life and her happiness to protect our world against Dark Wizards. She’s getting old and tired, and she’ll be under the spell’s protection.”

“You make a good case for Arabella,” said Dumbledore, “As long as she is willing to consent to this, then I will make arrangements for her to live in the Muggle world. I assume that she and I are two of the vessels.”

“Yes,” said Minerva, “Will Mundungus Fletcher consent to be the third? He’s strong enough that I won’t need anyone else. And I’d prefer to use people in the Order of the Phoenix because I know they’re trustworthy.”

“I’ll ask him, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” said Dumbledore, “When can we start this spell? I’m afraid the Death Eaters have already begun searching for poor Harry.”

“We can cast it tonight,” said Minerva, “Immediately is best and Arabella is ready.”

She left the office. Almost immediately, Dumbledore made arrangements for Arabella to live in the house down the street from the Dursleys.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That night the spell was cast. Minerva, Arabella, Fletcher and Dumbledore each stood by one corner of the house. Minerva whispered ancient incantations and felt the magic go through each of the vessels and then into her. In her mind she saw the house break away from the world momentarily. In front of her the house completely disappeared and then returned. The spell was complete. Wordlessly four silent figures left in separate directions. The next day, the residents Privet Drive acquired a new neighbor, ‘Mrs. Figg,’ a kindly widow who loved cats and was a bit eccentric.

Minerva visited with Arabella as often as she could. From afar she saw Harry grow into a gangly youth, the spitting image of his father. The Durselys often asked Arabella to watch Harry. She did it eagerly, though pretended it was a hassle. Minerva made sure never to visit at those times. Dumbledore made it absolutely clear that he was not to see Minerva.

During one of her first visits to Arabella’s new house, Arabella asked Minerva if she planned on grading Harry easily while he was at Hogwarts.

“Lily wouldn’t have approved of me lowering my standards for anyone, especially her son,” Minerva replied.

The two women chuckled a bit. Lily would not have approved.

“I wish him all the best,” Arabella said. “He has a tough road ahead of him.”

Minerva just nodded, wondering how accurate that statement really was.