Look who's back from the dead! Well after reading so many fanfics and deciding that there wasn't really enough good ones out in the open I finally decided to continue my fanfic adventures. This story is for me to enjoy later when I get bored and I hate boredom. It starts off slow because I like reading more than I do writing so enjoy!
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The street was lit by the muggle street lights, but despite this Minerva's eyes were well equipped to see the gentleman in the long purple cloak appear from nowhere at the end of Privet Drive, her sensitive ears barely able to detect the faint 'pop' of displaced air that was the trademark of apparition. He took a long glance around and reached deep into his pockets, his hand emerging clasped around a large silver lighter. Striking a pose, he aimed the lighter at the nearest street lamp, which flickered briefly before the light seemed to be transferred from the lamp to the tip of the lighter which burst into a small yellow flame. With a click it was extinguished, and he moved on to the next streetlamp.
A minute later the entire street was dark, nothing but the house lights dimmed by curtains illuminated the street, and the elderly and strangely dressed man advanced down the street towards four Privet Drive. He stopped, briefly, at the low wall that abutted the garden and waited.
He was not disappointed, and in one swift move that was one part leap and one part twist a women emerged seemingly from the shadows around his feet. She eased the muscles in her neck somewhat and placed her glasses on the bridge of her nose before greeting him.
"Albus, is it true? About Lily and James?" she asked, deep frown lines and the general gloom exaggerating her already aged features.
"I'm afraid so," he replied, voice heavy with grief.
A small sob escaped from the woman and her shoulders slumped. Albus Dumbledore gingerly wrapped an arm around her in an attempt to console her. "At least Harry is safe."
"Where is he Albus?" She eyed his cloak suspiciously, almost daring him to produce an infant from within its folds.
Dumbledore looked to the sky, his eyes scanning the horizon, "I entrusted him to Hagrid, I felt he would be safer with him." Silently they understood the implication and the real reason they were there – there were people out there who would do harm to Harry Potter.
"Are you sure that is wise?"
"I would trust Hagrid with my life," Albus replied, "and you know how fond he is of Harry. I thought that it might be easier for him if he had a chance to say a goodbye. At least for now."
Professor McGonagall followed his line of sight and though she was unsure what she was looking for exactly, she watched with perhaps greater intensity than him. She opened her mouth to speak, and then hesitated slightly but now resolved to make her opinions known she forged onwards. "Albus, are you sure about this? They really are the worst sort of muggles, you know. Lily would not have approved, certainly not. Why must he grow up here of all places?"
"Because here he will be safe, Minerva, above all he must be safe. We failed, despite our best efforts, to save his parents and where we have failed so many times before little Harry has succeeded. He has afforded us all some measure of peace in our lives for the price of peace in his, that I am sure. The least we can do is make sure he is safe."
"What makes you think he will be safe here, Albus?"
He was silent.
A rumble approached, the low growl of a powerful engine steadily increasing in the silence of the night, and a bright light grew in strength in the sky. Soon enough that growl become a roar and the light became blinding as a huge motorcycle with a giant rider descended from the black. Rubber squealed on tarmac, surely leaving behind large skid marks as the brakes worked their hardest to bring the careening bike to a stop.
The engine stalled, and the light flickered out. The giant astride the bike dismounted, pulled the goggles up his blackened face and smiled a wide, bushy smile towards the elderly professors. He reached down and extricated a bundle of cloth from the sidecar, which looked almost comically small cradled in his huge arms.
"'ullo, Professors," he muttered, giving the street a suspicious, side-long glance.
"Ah, Hagrid! No problems, I trust?"
"Not at all, Sir, little 'un fell asleep as we were flying over Bristol," he looked fondly down at the little bundle, frowned and carried on, a little choked up, "I saw what's left of the house, it's ..."
"I know Hagrid, I know," all three stood for a moment in the darkness, united and yet alone in their grief for friends they did not have time to mourn.
"Well, I 'ad better be going Professor, I borrowed this bike from Sirius and I 'pose I should be getting it back to him,"
"Where did you see him?" Albus gave Hagrid an intent look, and the trademark twinkle in his eyes seemed to both grow cold and amplify "This could be important, Hagrid."
"At the 'ouse, of course," he looked confused, "he was there before I was 'o course. Must have arrived on the bike. Was him who managed to pull Harry out of the house and found him these blankets. Looked almost half-mad, you know? Merlin only knows what it must feel like to lose a friend as close to him as James were."
"And he just gave Harry to you?"
"Oh, aye, not a problem there. I told him that you knew somewhere he could be safe until things settled down an' all. Seemed distracted to tell the truth, told me to take the bike and to see 'arry here safely," Hagrid frowned again, "He said that he didn't expect he'd need the bike no more, odd I know, but to be frank, I was just glad of the lend."
Dumbledore tried to make sense of this information, but try as he might there was still no way to get over the facts of the situation. Strange behaviour or not, there was no concrete explanation he knew of that allowed for his innocence. He would have to track Sirius down before the Aurors did if he ever expected to hear the full version of events. But the problem of Sirius Black would have to be solved another day, there were other things to take care of.
"Very well Hagrid, if you please?"
"'oh course, Sir ..." he looked down at the rags, and the sweet little baby within, and tried his best to smile his big, bearded smile, but tears ruined it and it took Dumbledores' steadying hand upon his shoulder to get the sobs under control, "Bye then Harry, just fer now, alright?" He placed a scratchy kiss on the baby's forehead, before handing over the bundle.
Swiftly he turned around, fumbled for a handkerchief and blew loudly, almost humorously if it weren't for the situation, before turning to face them again goggles in place, no doubt to hide red, bloodshot eyes. "Alright then, I best get this thing squared away ... G'night Professors."
He swung his leg over the motorcycle, and with a twist of the ignition he was away, the load roar slowly subsiding into the night, a light blinking on the horizon.
Professor McGonagall had stayed quiet throughout this exchange, but now took this chance, "Albus, I hope you know what you're doing. There's a reason that they made Sirius the godfather you know?" She regretted saying it as soon as the words were out of her mouth.
"I know," something flashed across his face, but it was there so fleetingly that Minerva couldn't tell what exactly it was, "but there's something decidedly strange about the behaviour of Mr. Black. If it all turns out alright, then Harry needs be here no longer than it takes to sort out what happened tonight. You know as well as I that we have no real clue what happened at Godric's Hollow."
"Are you really sugges-" McGonagall managed, before Dumbledore cut in "I'm not suggesting anything, but this next week is going to be one long investigation. We have emerged, blinking, into a new beginning and it will take time to figure out exactly what happened during that long night. Just because Voldemort is no longer a threat doesn't mean that there aren't those willing to do harm in his name. Furthermore, I am no more sure today than I was yesterday exactly who I can trust."
McGonagall relented. " I have seen how those muggles act! The husband is a buffon and the child is bloody spoiled. Harry deserves better! He needs a loving family and these people I'm afraid will not be able to see as you Albus"
Albus walked up the normal path, by the perfectly normal lawn bordered with perfect petunias. He reached the normal door, removed his wand, and with a swish, flick and a flash a wicker basket was whisked into existence on the doorstep of Number Four into which the small child was placed. A letter from the depths of Dumbledore's cloak quickly followed it, safely tucked into the folds of cloth.
He straightened up, and peered through the curtains to the front room, on a whim. Before him lay the picture perfect vision of normalcy and stability. Everything the young Harry would surely need in the days, and perhaps even the years to come. It was really for the best that Harry stay here. He would be protected. Among his family. Away from those he would seek to hurt him, use him or otherwise mistreat him. They would simply have to bear losing a third Potter this night, for his own safety. After all it is for the greater good.
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Eight years later (Which makes Harry 9 years old for those of you who cannot do math)
"Ha ha you freak," shouted Dudley as he punched Harry relentlessly. This unfortunately was a daily occurrence at Surrey, England. The famous Boy Who Lived forced to live like a street rat by he abusive "family".
After Dudley and his friends left, Harry got up slowly in pain. It was raining, the piercing rain drops mixed with his tears. "Dammit, I hate them so much" Harry muttered. To his surprise a voice asked curiously " who do you hate so much?".
In front of him, was a little girl with pointy ears about the same age as him. Harry just stared in amazement. "None of your business," he replied with frustration. "Why do you even care?"
"Well, there's many reasons, like for one I could heal you" the pointy-eared girl replied happily. "Also you look like you could use a friend!"
"I don't need friends" Harry angrily replied. "All I need is my life and I intend to keep it that why". But the girl with pointy ears would not have it. After pushing Harry back to the ground, a strange green glow came from her hands.
Harry looking on with shock asked" What the bloody hell is that?. Before receiving a smack to the head.
"My mother said it isn't polite to use bad language" she replied. "Like I said I can heal you! You see I'm an elf in disguise!"
"I don't even know you or believe you for that matter" Harry still staring.
"Well let me properly introduce myself then. I am Vanya, Princess of the Runlaion Elves at your service" Vanya said with a grin. "What's yours?" Harry looking at her with indifference shrugged.
"Harry Potter, the freak, boy, which ever you prefer" Harry answered. "Nothing really special about me though."
"That's not true, I can sense a great power within you. But there are two dominating forces battling each other" Vanya leaned in closer sniffing Harry. Harry for once was puzzled. He had never met someone willing to learn about him. And he had definitely never met an elf before. It was a remarkable moment for him to realize that his life could possible change this very instant. Harry wondered what was so special about him. Why did he end up on the roof after being chased by the fat lard and his dumb friends? Why did his hair grow back after being cut by Horse Head? Why did the teacher's hair turn blue?
As if reading his mind, Vanya responded, " It's simple, you're a wizard Harry. Strange isn't, you seem more like a knight though." Vanya then stood up eyes filled with joy extending her hand, a ray of sunshine appeared on her. "Hey! We could be friends, the Princess and her Knight!"
Harry then did something he hadn't done in a long time. He smiled, a small flame gathered within his heart. Removing the doubts, the fears, and the suspicions Harry look delighted. It was a bizarre feeling indeed. Even though he just met this odd girl who claimed she was an elf, he felt as though he would give his life just to see her smile for one last time. Harry reached up and grabbed her hand, nodding gratefully.
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Well here is the first chapter, next one should be up in about two weeks, I intend to make this story a lot better than my 2 previous ones as they literally sucked. I may end up re-writing them later but for now I'm going to stick and focus on this one. Review!