Minerva McGonagall was decidedly unhappy with Albus.
"You can't leave him here, they are the worst sort of muggles, I've been watching them all day. They are bigoted, mean, and small minded. Please Albus, reconsider. James and Lily were vehement that Harry not go to them, don't ignore their wishes!"
"Nevertheless Minerva, here is where he must go. It is for the best you see. I have written a letter."
"What an amazing letter Albus! I must say that I will be monitoring this situation very closely indeed and will correct any deficiencies in Harry's care." There were few who could cow the Headmaster. Minerva was one. Albus set his jaw and mind. He would have his way this day no matter her objections.
The headmaster took the small basket in hand, slipped the letter into the basket among the blankets wrapping the tiny child and quickly walked to the door of number 4 Privet Drive. Hagrid stood crying while Minerva scowled and paced like a restless cat.
She was a woman of a certain age, comfortable in herself and a powerful witch. She was nearly the equal of Albus who was widely acknowledged as the greatest magician of the age. She loved and admired the Headmaster serving as his anchor to reality. He did tend to be a bit erratic on occasion. She would ensure this occasion did not end in tragedy.
She kept watch through the night and into the dawn. When Petunia Dursley, Harry's aunt, his mothers sister, came to the door to bring in the milk and eggs Minerva was watching.
Petunia was nothing if not a model of decorum. One just didn't scream into the quiet of the November dawn. She could perhaps be forgiven her angst in that she had suffered a tremendous shock. She had a brand new baby. She bustled young Harry inside and the door closed rather firmly on the prying eyes of the neighbors.
The next several days were pandemonium at the Dursley household. Harry had to be arranged for and that involved several decisions. The Dursleys decided that they should indeed keep the little freak. What would Mrs. Number 8 say if they gave their nephew away for adoption? There was no doubt that the neighbors knew of Harry's arrival. Harry would stay with Petunia and Vernon.
This was not happy news to the natural child of the Dursleys, the baby hippo Dudley. The Dursley's thought that no finer specimen of humanity had ever existed than their Dudders. Dudley was in training to becoming a burden to society, coddled and entitled, due every comfort and whim as if by divine writ. He was adapting well to his upbringing, perhaps showing a natural proclivity to be a berk. The boys were nearly the same age but the similarities ended there. Harry had a sweet nature, happy and energetic when he arrived. At first he constantly asked where his parents were as well as Moony and Padfoot. The Dursleys thought Moony and Padfoot might have been favored toys which was not far from the truth.
The only Potter quickly learned to not ask questions. If he was quiet there was less yelling and hitting. Harry was established in the cupboard under the stairs with a bare mat and a thin blanket. Spiders were his for company and cobwebs his decoration. He had no light, no proper clothes, not enough to eat, never a hug. He did have an abundance of slaps and of being shouted at.
No one will ever understand the mysteries of the human heart. How Petunia could have Dudley and Harry side by side and not love them both was a mystery.
Petunia and Vernon would gush over the children of their betters, being the horrid climbers that they were. Often Petunia would be ecstatic over the daughter of Mrs. Number 12 when they met in the little park or in the local shops of Little Whinging.
Petunia's showy affection and care for the little girl gave rise to a grand plan in Harry's little mind. He would be exactly like little Miss Number 12 and then his Aunt would love him. Simple really.
At the end of another day of spite, short rations, and his aunts sharp tongue Harry was deposited on his little mat in the cupboard under the stairs for the night. He was locked in and left until morning just as always. Just as always he knew that should he become frightened or need care he must say nothing and do nothing. It was better to wait for morning than to be screamed at and shaken so. He learned to bear his fear and pain in silence.
But tonight would be different. Tonight he would change into a girl like the little girl in the park and his Aunt and Uncle would care for him and hug him and stop Dudley from hurting him. Harry concentrated very hard on being like the girl and wished with all his might.
In the dark Harry changed. His hair became long and lustrous, wavy, and blond like that little girl Aunt Petunia made such a fuss over. His body shape shifted, became longer, and his face was rounder - heart shaped. She fell into an exhausted sleep.