Through The Looking Glass

by Balthazar23

In his third year Albus Dumbledore comes clean to Harry. Harry claims his inheritance and is entrusted in the care of the Headmaster himself. Someone goes missing without a trace and Harry must find a way to handle the burden of being the Wizarding Worlds savior, main pairing will be Harry and Hermione, rating may change. Harry becomes Dumbledore's apprentice in my story they're 15

1. Chapter 1

Harry dwelled upon his previous year at Hogwarts, he saved the school! From Tom Riddles basilisk. He has friends! At first he thought that his friends had possibly forgotten him but the second year at Hogwarts proved they would actually stand by him for better or for worse. Soon the car stopped at the house in Little Whinging and Harry laid eyes upon the perfectly trimmed lawn and the budding flowers in the garden. Harry made his way up the stairs to the smallest bedroom and started to pack away his things. The day passed fast and soon the sun fell.

It was a warm night in Little Whinging, not a noise could be heard. In the smallest room of number 4 Privet Drive laid Harry Potter. Jet black messy hair, emerald green eyes. He stood 5'4 and was much skinnier than an average boy his age. He wore oversized pajamas that were worn from lack of proper washing. He was sound asleep. Suddenly, there was a noise at the window, pecking at the glass. Harry stirred and opened his eyes. Harry made his way through the clutter that scattered the floor.

"what could that be? At this hour" Harry thought to himself

Harry made his way over to his window and was surprised to see a brown barn owl. Harry opened the window and the owl climbed into the room. The owl stuck out its leg for Harry, presenting a letter. Harry carefully removed the letter. Harry unrolled the parchment and begun to read.

Dear Harry,

Harry, I hope you have arrived back at your relatives without any incident. I think the best way to start is by saying in many ways, I have wronged you. I have withheld things from you with the intentions of keeping you safe. But, after the trials you have faced I can see now that you deserve to make these decisions for yourself. I was close to your parents Harry and they left their final requests in my trust, a trust I have broken. You were not supposed to be left with your Aunt and Uncle's care. In the case of your parents death you were to be left with your godfather Sirius Black, Sirius now resides in Azkaban. So I could not put you in his care. However, your parents had more than one person to care for you in the case of their death. In the case that Sirius was unwilling or unable to care for you, guardianship was to be entrusted to me. I was supposed to be the one to care for you and provide you the home you needed. The reason I left you on your relatives doorstep was because of the special protections on their home. When your mother sacrificed herself to save you her blood protected you, the same blood that runs through your aunts veins. It made it unable for anyone wishing to harm you to find you. After the fall of Voldemort their was chaos, any of his followers would've sought you out to seek vengeance for their master, so I made the decision that you would be safest at their home. I however did not consider the dangers from inside the home. The lack of love they have shown you is something that has shocked me beyond that I can say. I thought perhaps even if they couldn't love you as their own they'd at least give you the things that any human being deserves, like respect and proper food and living space. I am so sorry Harry, I should've checked up on you, I should've stepped in, I should have listened to your parents wishes. I can only ask that you find it in your heart to forgive me. Now I will do all I can to regain your trust and make this right. And to do that I will be arriving at your home tomorrow at 8am. We will be traveling to Gringotts so you may claim your inheritance. The Potter family has a vast fortune and once had immense political power. I kept these things from you because I wished you to have a normal childhood, as normal as you could being the boy who lived. But I am giving you the choice to accept the responsibilities of your family. I would also like to make right on your parents wishes and extend an invitation to become a part of my family, the way it was supposed to be. I can understand if you do not wish this but I however find myself duty bound to try.

Love, Albus Dumbledore

Harry slowly sat down and took in everything he had read.

"I was supposed to live with the Headmaster? Who is Sirius Black? Vast fortune?" Harry's mind was going a mile a minute.

Harry had a mix of emotions, he felt betrayed but he also understood some of the Headmasters reasonings, even if he didn't agree with them. Harry couldn't even be sure if he would've made different decisions himself in the Headmasters position. He had to at least give the Headmaster credit for owning up to his mistakes. He was also close enough to his parents to have their will, which meant that they trusted him. He decided that he should at least give the Headmaster a chance. Harry decided that now would be a good time to get to bed. It had to be close to 11pm and he had to get up early for the Headmaster's arrival. Harry laid down in his bed and drifted off to sleep.