Albus knowing that Minerva could be something of at hot tempered Scot, invited her to share Christmas Brunch with him. After serving her a cup of tea the way she liked it he said. "Minerva I came across some news. While I was gone the Goblins persuaded the Wizengamot to override the seal on the Potter wills and apparently you would have been the third choice for Guardian of Harry."
Minerva frowned. Since Mr. Potter had walked away from her last night she had gotten the feeling she should have understood his comments. But he couldn't possibly remember that she had been there the night Albus placed him with the Dursleys so, what had he meant she walked away from her responsibilities and left them on a doorstep. Suddenly the words Albus just said sunk in. "What?"
"I said you were Lily and James' third choice of guardian, and given how Mr. Potter is less than what we expected, I'd like you to file for guardianship."
"Are you saying that Mr. Potter was supposed to be in my care, and rather than tell me you persuaded me to leave him with those people?"
"At the time Minerva, I really truly believed it would be best. Harry would be safest behind blood based wards, and away from the adoration of the wizarding world. He… he needs a firm hand Minerva and someone of your moral fiber to steer him back onto the straight and narrow. Can I count on you? I realize I'm asking a lot from you but I'm afraid of what leaving him where he is will result in. The wizarding world needs him to understand his place and I can think of no one more qualified to teach him that than you. James and Lily had every confidence in you and so do I. Think about it.
"Quiche?"
....
In the dungeons Severus Snape stumbled to his cupboard where he stored the hangover remedy. He was thankful none of his snakes had stayed the holiday this year. Usually he had at least six that stayed, to stay out of reach of abusive parents but this year their friends had stepped up and they had gone to spend Christmas in welcoming climes. Not him, he had only two choices. The school where he had to deal with Albus' cheerful demeanor, or since he had no students this year his childhood home where he had to deal with haunting memories. Not that he was escaping those this Christmas anyway.
He hadn't had a sound night's sleep ever since the day Draco had fired that spell at Harry Potter.
Haunted green eyes looking at him with disdain and distrust, Harry was more than James' son, he was Lily's too. In the moment Harry had looked him in the eyes as he stood following the attack it was like looking into Lily's eyes in the worst moment of his life. Since that second he found himself looking in the mirror and feeling a sense of shame, not the shame of embarrassment he felt when James had pranked him. No it was the deeper shame of knowing he was in the wrong. It was the shame he felt for having told the prophecy to the Dark Lord and getting Lily killed. The shame of knowing he had failed in his promise, knowing he had been so busy believing the hype he had failed to see the truth. Harry wasn't a clone of James Potter if he had been he would have been in Gryffindor.
....
Neville was excited to wake up Christmas morning. He quickly cleaned himself up and got dressed then he took the pile of presents at the foot of his bed across the hall to Harry's room because he couldn't wait to see if Harry liked his present.
Harry, for once, was actually sleeping in. He only did it a couple times a year. So he was rather startled by Neville's knock. Libby looked at him, he nodded and scrubbed his hands across his face and through his hair.
Neville came in and realized he had woken Harry. "Sorry."
"S'okay. Just gimme a sec."
"Happy Christmas."
Harry gave him a warm look. "Happy Christmas, Nev. Libby, could you hunt us up some breakfast, please."
She nodded and popped out.
Neville set his pile of gifts on the floor while Harry visited the loo and pulled on a dressing gown. Neville looked around and wondered where Harry's stack of gifts was. "Where's your presents?"
Harry smiled, and reached into his trunk. He pulled out four packages.
Neville looked at the small pile. "Thats it?"
"Yeah, unless you have one to add to it."
"I do. I came back from school and put together my gift for you. I had to go through some boxes of my parents stuff to put it together but I hope you like it."
"Nev, not to be nosy but what happened to your parents?"
....
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