Lovelle wasn't quite sure what had been done about her aunt and uncle, for when she exited the cupboard with Harry, both adults, along with their whale of a son, could not be found.

Now, hours later, as she sat beside her sleeping brother within the Hogwarts hospital wing, the girl came to the conclusion that she really didn't want to know. Despite those pigs probably having received what they deserved…Lovelle just didn't want to hear the gruesome details. Being an eleven year old child (a female, no less), surely no one could blame her. Besides, they were gone, away from Harry now, and that was all that truly mattered in her eyes.

Looking over towards the headmaster, two professors, and Madame Pomfrey (whom she'd only met for the first time today), lovelle also realized, as she watched the arguing quartet standing by the doorway, that she could never inform them of her past with Mr. Coleman.

Yes, she knew that Wool's cook deserved every ounce of justice the Dursley's had been dealt, but bringing attention to that man would inevitably put Evangeline (the woman who had cared for and raised her up until now) in the spotlight as well.

Regardless of Miss Turner never harming the child, others could easily blame the woman for failing to see the mistreatment taking place right under her nose.

Lovelle sighed at the thought; her eyes lowering to the hand she held firmly within her own. She simply couldn't allow for any distress to fall upon her old guardian. Still caring deeply for the mousy lady, it would hurt her more to cause Evangeline grief over any time Mr. Coleman had ever touched her.

This would secret would simply have to remain lovelle's to keep.

…Well, her and Maggie's. The blonde had taken notice, but her friend made her swear never to tell out of embarrassment and fear. Reluctantly and foolishly, Miss Williams had no choice but to consent.

"He will not be going back there, Albus!" McGonagall had instantly disregarded the very thought.

The loud tone had caused lovelle's eyes to shoot up towards the group once more, interested in just where this conversation would lead.

"What do you suggest, Minerva?" the headmaster had argued back in a way Miss Evans had never seen before. The elder man appeared completely worn as opposed to his typical calm demeanor. Also, his eyes were far from twinkling which frightened lovelle a bit to be honest.

"Place Mr. Potter in a home he shall be cared for," the transfiguration professor stated; her Scottish brogue prominent as she was upset.

"With whom would that be?" Albus harshly inquired. "The boy needs protection. Nowhere would be safe enough-"

"Just as he was safe with the Dursleys?" Minerva interrupted. "Have you not seen him, Albus?" she directed his attention towards the boy's unconscious form. Currently, Harry held fast asleep in one of the infirmary's many beds; his sister sitting at its edge, watching them all intently. "How you could even think about returning him…" the animagus drifted off, shaking her head in dismay.

"I may have implied that, Minerva, but I did not mean it in the way you believe," Dumbledore insisted before explaining, "So long as Harry continues to call Privet Drive his home, we could alter Petunia's memory and return her there with him. She would care for the boy as if he were her own and would have no recollection of the past. Petunia would remember her relationship with Lily differently-"

"Obliviating a muggle is illegal," McGonagall reminded him, "Not only that, but she, along with her horrid husband, deserve to remain in prison to forever repent for their crimes. Why you do not agree with this is beyond my knowledge," she looked at Albus in sheer disappointment.

"I do," he corrected, "but the bloodwards-"

"To hell with them!" Minerva snapped, causing lovelle to jump. "Mr. Potter will never return to Privet Drive so long as I remain alive," she put her foot down. The professor's decision had been made immediately after bearing witness to the extent of Harry's poor lifestyle through Vernon's memories.

"I agree, headmaster," Poppy intervened. Having been the one to perform a full body scan upon the boy, she had no choice but to side with McGonagall. "There must be some way for you to locate another home for the child."

Dumbledore began pacing and Miss Evans wondered why her father had yet to say anything. She knew Severus didn't care for her brother by any means, (that much lovelle could base simply upon past discussions; although she hardly knew of his reasons) but surely that couldn't mean he would send Harry back. The potion's master was not heartless. A downright git at times? Yes. Heartless? No.

"Look," lovelle chose to speak her piece in the midst of the newfound silence, removing herself from her current position as she bravely approached the set of elders. "I honestly don't know what these bloodwards are, or why they're so important," she began truthfully, "but I'm sure…no, I'm positive that they can't be worth the suffering Harry's been put through." The girl then turned to the headmaster, "I know he wouldn't be allowed to stay here at the castle because the rules go against that," she continued grimly as she hardly wanted to be separated from her brother once more, "but couldn't he stay with the Weasley's?" Lovelle practically begged. If there was no way for Harry to remain with her throughout the school year, she'd settle for the second best alternative: allowing him to stay with the only family she trusted.

"Miss Evans," Albus began, his tone already making it clear that he'd be shortly denying her request, "not only do Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have plenty of their own children to look after fulltime, the Burrow is merely not safe-"

"I want Harry's safety just as much as you do, sir," lovelle interrupted, confused and frustrated beyond comprehension, "but why is it so important that he has these bloodwards? Is there something he needs to be protected from? Because I thought our aunt and uncle were already locked away-"

"The Dursley's are not whom Mr. Potter requires protection from," McGonagall chose to be honest. After all, it was only right for the child to fully know of the wizard who had murdered her mother; how He Who Must Not Be Named would inevitably rise again. For when he did, hardly any home would be safe for Harry to live in.

"Then who?" Lovelle asked the inescapable question, determined to know.

"Minerva-" the headmaster tried, not feeling it necessary for an eleven year old to know of this.

"Would you rather her find this information through a text, Albus?" the professor challenged. "Nearly all of our student population, perhaps with the exception of several muggleborns, knows of the tale. It is practically a bedtime story," she waved her arms about, dramatizing her point.

"Yes, but not why," Dumbledore made that clear. Only he, Severus, and the Dark Lord remained aware of the prophecy. Other's assumed You Know Who went after the Potters for the same reasons he attacked and killed many witches and wizards; that he was a cruel man who took pleasure in doing so, nothing more.

"I imagine that would be quite obvious," Minerva took her turn, clearly falling amongst the category of those who believed the Dark Lord to be out for revenge against Harry: the infant who destroyed him.

That conclusion, however, prevailed only partially valid.

"It's that dark wizard you told me about before, isn't it?" Lovelle finally figured it out. "Percy told me he was dead, but Bill didn't seem too sure," she carried on, speaking more so to herself.

"Indeed, he is" McGonagall answered tiredly.

"And these bloodwards are the only way to protect Harry from him?" she pressed, "Why couldn't you simply put them on the Burrow so that Harry would be just as safe there?" Lovelle inquired.

"That is enough," Severus, at last, stepped into the conversation. He did not wish to hear yet again of how Lily had sacrificed herself for her son. The memory of finding the aftermath was painful enough without having to rehash the past verbally. "You do not need to know why they cannot be placed upon the Weasley's home," he told his daughter firmly. "Recognize that they cannot be and accept it."

Lovelle glared at him, not understanding the sudden hostility.

"Well," Pomfrey started, preventing Miss Evans from engaging in a moot argument, "regardless of where you decide, Mr. Potter shall be staying here in the hospital wing for at least another three days. He is far from well enough to be released sooner than that," she placed her hands on her waist, leaving no room for debate.

"Then it is settled," Albus agreed, "We shall utilize this time to better plan for where young Mr. Potter's future home will be."

And with that, the headmaster exited the infirmary for his office where many more hours of pacing awaited.

"Why couldn't Harry just stay with us?" Lovelle turned to her father. "Amaryllis told me that Hogwarts is one of the safest places there is; and the rules were made to keep students away for the summer, not winter, spring, or fall," she said as if just having had a breakthrough.

Severus scowled at her, despising the very idea of taking in the boy. "Potter is not yet a student, for one," he began, "Secondly, it would not be appropriate as it goes against standard policy. Any child non-related to a professor may not reside in their quarters," he informed her with finality.

"He's related to me, though," lovelle  persisted, "shouldn't that count for something?"

Seriously, if she was allowed to stay throughout the last week of summer, why couldn't he? All of the professors would be around as this was when they returned for planning purposes. So, what was the problem?

"No," he rejected all hope. "And as it is futile, I suggest you quit searching for ways around it. You shall result in nothing more than having wasted your time."

"You just don't like him," lovelle disagreed, "I bet he'd be able to live here if that wasn't the case," she sincerely thought.

Then, not waiting for a response, she returned to her brother; clearly upset.

"It is early yet," Minerva spoke through the tension, "let her spend some time with Mr. Potter for now, Severus," she advised, "At any rate, we really must meet with Albus."

The potion's master seemed conflicted, but only for a moment. Looking as if he wished to speak with his daughter further, he still departed the hospital wing moments later with a disappointed McGonagall in tow.

"Looks like it's just you and me for now, Harry," lovelle told him, regardless of his sleeping state. Peering around the infirmary she noted that everybody had left with the exception of Madame Pomfrey who remained in her office.

Miss Evans, instead of resuming her old position, brought a chair to the left of her brother's bed and decided to wait for him to awaken; not caring how long that would take.

After all, she'd waited practically her whole life for this: a family. Another hour or two would hardly kill her.

Later that night

"Why doesn't he like Harry?"

Minerva watched the child sitting opposite her desk wearily. When it became apparent that Potter would not be waking any time soon, she'd sent for lovelle, stating that it was merely not healthy to sit about all hours.

Once they'd fought over the matter for some time, Miss Evans reluctantly relented and followed McGonagall to her office as Severus and the headmaster were still preoccupied holding a meeting.

Now, the duo sat on reverse sides of a table, speaking of the past. Figuring that both of Lily's children were bound to have many questions at this point, Minerva chose to answer some of lovelle's to the best of her abilities. Barely managing to handle one of the two adolescents, the woman knew she would not stay sane had she opted to meet with them both simultaneously.

"Do you know, professor?" Lovelle  asked again as the animagus appeared to be having an inner debate.

McGonagall sighed. She had no desire to disclose this information, simply because it was not hers to share, but she knew Severus would never tell the girl of his old rivalry with James. He would fail to see any reason for doing so. Minerva, on the other hand, felt that lovelle  should know for it not only concerned Harry, but also further explained why Lily hadn't told anybody about her own existence.

"Your father and James, Mr. Potter's father," she elaborated, "did not exactly have the best of relationships throughout their years as students here at Hogwarts," the professor sugarcoated it.

"Okay…" lovelle  scrunched up her face, feeling like she was missing something. "Did they get into fights a lot, or something?"

McGonagall nodded her head slightly, "Or something," she vaguely acceded. But when her student just kept gazing on in bewilderment, she further clarified. "I am sure the Weasley's enlightened you of the house rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, correct?" Minerva checked, referring to the Molly and Arthur's offspring.

"Yeah, they said the two houses don't really get on," lovelle took her turn in phrasing her words lightly. "Was Harry's dad in Gryffindor?" She knew her own to be a Slytherin, therefore assumed this to be the case.

"Indeed, he was," McGonagall remarked, "but your assumption would be incorrect if you believe their disputes were merely caused by a difference in house."

Lovelle still swore the animagus could read minds; she just knew it. "Why didn't they get along then?" she wanted to know. It must have been something significant if the potion's master was taking out his old hatred for James on her brother (which really was not fair).

"I shall start from the beginning," the professor decided, being that the story was to be a long one. "Lily and Severus had been good friends, from what I could tell, for a great deal of time. Although I am not certain what happened, that friendship ceased to exist into the latter half of their fifth year," this really confused the child, Minerva could easily tell, as her eyebrows had knitted closer together. "Also, it should help to know that James had been quite fond of Lily, despite the two not ever having been close to one another."

"Mum was a Gryffindor too, wasn't she?" Lovelle started solving this all out.

"Correct," Minerva replied with a kind smile. She briefly recalled the day where Lily had been the one sitting in the chair her daughter now occupied. How times had changed…

"So, basically," the eleven year old broke her reverie, "Harry's dad was jealous of mum's friendship with-" she stopped, unsure of what to call Severus.

McGonagall's grin faded a tad at that, "In short, yes, James did not appear to agree with their relationship."

"Well, I guess that makes sense," lovelle drifted off for a minute, "but why weren't my mum and James close if they were in the same house?"

"As I said earlier, Lily and Severus were quite good friends at one point. When James disagreed with your mother's decision to associate herself with your father, he tried breaking them apart. This, of course, did not settle well with Lily, therefore causing her to dislike Potter." Minerva remembered each time the redhead came to her, convinced that James was nothing more than an arrogant toe-rag.

"I wouldn't like him either," lovelle huffed, putting herself into her mother's shoes. If anybody attempted to break off her and Maggie's friendship, or even the one she had with the twins, she'd be beyond furious.

The animagus chuckled at that, lightening the mood. "Yes, well, while I am not sure how it happened, after Severus and Lily ceased trailing after the other, James came into the picture and somehow managed to win her over."

"That doesn't make sense," the girl shook her head.

"Teenagers rarely do," Minerva concurred.

"It's like mum was trying to get revenge by going with Harry's dad," lovelle tried finding a reason.

"Possibly," the woman mulled the idea over.

"So, because mum chose James over him, he takes his anger out on Harry?" she put the pieces together.

"Mr. Potter also happens to resemble his father; almost perfectly," she reflected back on the old James she once knew.

"That's still no excuse," lovelle argued, "it's not Harry's fault that mum chose James, or that he looks so much like him," she defended her brother.

Minerva sighed, "I will agree with you on that, Miss Evans," she consented, having been within the same mind on the matter, "but I am afraid nothing I can say will change Severus' thoughts on young Harry," the transfiguration professor admitted, as she and her colleague were currently not on good terms.

Disliking her words, lovelle still had to accept that her father's decisions could not forcibly be altered. He was incredibly stubborn about these things…about everything, actually.

"There's still something I want to know," she began after several moments of silence surpassed them.

"Yes, Miss Evans?" McGonagall pried, curious.

Lovelle took a breath; this question had been on her mind for quite a while now. "Why didn't mum tell him about me?" she asked, referring to Severus. "I mean, I get that she was too young and couldn't keep me because of James; but she still could've told him, right?" the girl inquired in a sad tone. Lovelle honestly thought that just maybe, had Lily told Severus about her, she would have had a chance at a real family.

Minerva was at a loss for words. How could she possibly tell this child that her father would probably not have taken her in? From McGonagall's viewpoint, her old student seemed all too interested in the dark arts. So, when Lily came to her, swearing her to secrecy and asking for help, the animagus consented at the time because she thought Severus unfit for parenting as well.

…Even though the green eyed girl had never mentioned that he was a deatheater. As of now, only the man himself and Albus remained aware of that; along with the other fellow followers of the Dark Lord, of course.

It was only once Severus had established himself as a responsible potion's master (and as his daughter was soon to be a student of his) that Minerva decreed he should know; hoping it wouldn't be too late.

That last bit still remained unclear.

"Professor?" Lovelle interrupted her thoughts yet another time, appearing concerned. "Are you alright?" she asked worriedly. The woman had been silent for at least five minutes now.

Minerva smiled weakly, "I am fine, dear," she assured. Then, McGonagall began searching for a proper response to Miss Evans' earlier question (which was proving to be an impossible feat).

Fortunately for the professor, it was now no longer one she had to worry about conquering as the headmaster chose that precise moment to step into her office.

"Ah, Minerva, I thought the two of you might be here," Dumbledore, eyes twinkling, stepped inside with Professor Snape following shortly after.

"Albus," she greeted, all too pleased with the sudden intrusion, "I take it you are here to share the news with Miss Evans?" McGonagall inquired, despite already knowing. Prior to fetching the girl from the hospital wing, the three adults had solved the Potter equation regarding that of his new home.

"What news?" Lovelle piped up, unknowingly going along with Minerva's newfound distraction.

The female professor smiled, "We have managed to put together proper living arrangements for Mr. Potter," she informed her.

"Really?" greenish eyes were swiftly filled with hope, yet uncertainty, "Where?"

"The Burrow," Dumbledore enlightened the child.

Lovelle beamed, happy with that, but frowned within the next second as if having a mood swing. "But I thought you said it wasn't safe," she reminded him, not trying to dissuade his intentions of sending Harry there.

"I did say that, yes," the headmaster acknowledged before proceeding, "but with the right enchantments, we shall have powerful wards set up, strong enough to keep young Mr. Potter protected for as long as he will remain there."

"And for how long would that be exactly?" Lovelle wondered aloud, getting the feeling that it would not be permanently (until he started Hogwarts, that is).

"Well, it has been decided that he is only to stay throughout the weekdays," he told her, "Nights, he must return here, as well as weekends," Albus concluded. It simply wouldn't be wise to keep Harry in one place, which was outside of the school, for an extended period of time.

"He'll be spending each entire weekend here?" she checked.

Dumbledore shook his head, as lovelle slightly anticipated. "Not quite," he folded his hands, "You see, I had thought, since Mr. Potter will no longer be attending his past primary school, that it would be most efficient if he were still to be tutored, at the very least."

"Okay," lovelle could agree with this, "but where will he go for that?" she still had to know.

"The Longbottom residence," Albus replied simply as if it answered everything.

The girl had to stifle a giggle, "Longbottom?"

"Yes," he appeared amused by her reaction to the name. "In your mother's younger days, she had been good friends with Frank and Alice," the man began elaborating, unrecognizing the fact that he'd hit a nerve with Severus by speaking of Lily. "They had a son, Neville, whom is Harry's age," Dumbledore added, comforting lovelle a bit with that knowledge.

Pleased that her brother would have the opportunity to make friends outside of the Weasley clan, (not that she would have minded if he didn't) she carried on with her next inquisition. "So, Neville's parents will tutor both him and Harry together then?"

"No, Augusta, the boy's grandmother," Dumbledore explained, "will be doing so."

He didn't go any further with that, however; and luckily, lovelle did not ask for any more details about Neville's parents. She assumed Frank and Alice had work on the weekends, therefore always sending their son to Augusta's to look after him. In her eyes, that was the only logical explanation.

"Can I meet them first?" she almost pleaded, feeling the need to do so. Lovelle didn't want to send Harry off with complete strangers. Sure, her mentor and the headmaster seemed to trust the Longbottoms, but she couldn't be certain of her own feelings until she met with Augusta herself.

Albus chuckled, "If you wish, I will see what I can do to arrange that," he consented, causing a large smile to spread upon the girl's face.

"Now that it has been settled, I suggest you retire for the evening, Miss Evans," Minerva advised as eight o'clock was approaching.

Lovelle couldn't restrain the whine that escaped her lips. "Can't I check on Harry first?" she vied for some middle ground here.

Just as her father had declined her wish, Dumbledore said, "Mr. Potter will undoubtedly be staying asleep for the remainder of the night." (Which was true being that Poppy had dosed him with various potions upon their arrival; one being dreamless sleep).

Knowing his words were valid, lovelle still shot her father a glare; upset by his previous actions both in the infirmary and from his instant rejection just moments ago.

"Alright," she sadly accepted Minerva's instruction. Lovelle replaced her scowl with a sweet smile upon turning to face said woman. "Goodnight professor," she bid her farewell.

"Goodnight, dear," McGonagall responded simply yet kindly. She then watched as the child said her goodbyes to Albus before rudely brushing past her father without so much as a single word.

Ten Minutes Later

Severus, if I may have a moment," Dumbledore stopped the younger man just as he was about to follow lovelle (who was already in their rooms) into the dungeons.

The potion's master glowered, his patience running thin. His day had not only been a long one, but he'd also succeeded in having yet another spat with his daughter. Oh, and he had hardly forgotten of the betrayal he felt towards his old mentor.

Still, he replied with a short, "Yes, headmaster?"

Albus sighed, recognizing the look of sheer distrust etched upon his colleague's face; yet continued, nevertheless. "I do not know if you shall ever forgive me," he started off grimly, "but you cannot keep up with this resentment towards Harry, my boy" the headmaster stated honestly.

This, inevitably, caused Severus to recall how Lily had chosen Potter over himself…how he could have had a family if it hadn't been for him.

He despised James Potter immensely…and now, even with him dead, he saw the git every time he looked at said pureblood's spawn.

"He is innocent," Dumbledore persisted, "Stop wasting time fawning over what could have been," he advised. "Instead, take advantage of the family you have now, Severus. Do not allow your past to consume you. Lovelle needs you," Albus reminded him, fully grabbing the opposite man's attention, "therefore, so does Harry to an extent."

Severus relayed the words over in his mind, seeking a way to disagree; but found none.

"I will not be capable of spying for you, Albus," he informed him firmly. In truth, how was he supposed to perform such a task whilst having not only a daughter to keep in mind, but with the boy who lived himself to practically take in?

A vast amount of utter silence drove by before Dumbledore spoke again. "I understand," he relented.

With that, the potion's professor departed for the dungeons below, already aware that Potter would be spending the summers in his home if he ever wished for lovelle to do the same. Extra wards would direly be required, but he no longer wished to presently think about that.

So, as he made way into his quarters, the headmaster held standing where he was left. Yes, he would be able to protect Severus, but would the former deatheater be able to ignore each summoning upon Voldemort's return?

Returning to his office; Albus could only hope.