The Unexpected Visitor

"Are you sure about this Albus?" Minerva McGonagall stood just in front of the Headmaster's desk, arms folded across her chest as she looked Albus Dumbledore in the eye, feeling a slight sense of deja vu; she remembered being just as worried about the decision they'd made fifteen years ago when they'd left Harry Potter on the doorstep of the Dursley's home.

"I believe that the Order will be able to protect her." Dumbledore replied, knowing that Minerva was right to have her doubts about this decision, but there was nothing else that they could do.

"Yes, you are right about that." McGonagall said softly, as she thought about what they were planning. "I just hope that this is the right thing to do… we both know how he has been ever since… going back. And he doesn't even know what has happened yet."

"I trust you will be able to explain everything to him, Minerva." The tone of Dumbledore's voice was calm as he spoke, "And we have to believe that he will do the right thing. If not for her sake then perhaps he will do it for the woman he once loved."

"What of her family?" She couldn't help but ask.

"There is no one left. Voldemort has seen to that… she is the last of her name." Dumbledore said grimly, these were dark times they were living in once more and the only thing they could do was to lay low until the time was right.

"But… surely… her uncle…" Minerva started to say and then stopped herself when she realized that it was of no use.

"He does not know of her existence and that is how it should be; it would be dangerous to try and expose him to any danger, given his current situation, I fear that he would not be able to help."

"Very well Albus, I will take her there myself." Knowing that this matter had been sorted out, there was little else to discuss.

"I am glad to hear that." Dumbledore said to McGonagall, "She is with Hagrid now."

Having received her orders, Minerva swiftly left Dumbledore's office as she bade him goodnight and made her way to Hagrid's hut located on the boundary of the school. Her fears had been justified given everything that had happened this summer with the Triwizard Tournament; the grounds were protected with extra charms and security measures, but there was every chance of spies lurking in the shadows, the sooner McGonagall took the girl to safety, the better it would be. When she reached her destination and knocked, Hagrid appeared almost immediately when he opened the door.

"Professor McGonagall ma'am." Hagrid greeted her with a smile as he stepped aside to let her in.

"Hagrid, how is she doing?" She asked, glancing around the house and found who she was looking for asleep on the couch there.

"Jus' fine." He said, and then noticed that McGonagall was dressed for traveling, "Is it time already?"

"Yes." Minerva stated simply, "Professor Dumbledore's orders."

"O'course. I'll jus' say… goodbye ter her… now." Hagrid had known that this arrangement was only temporary but he had grown attached to the girl in the few days she'd been here. "Where is she goin' to go?" He asked.

"I'm here to take her to Grimmauld Place. She's going to be living with Sirius Black." McGongall said.