In the southern county of Surrey lay the small town of little whinging. One of the dozens of streets that made up the city was named Privite Drive. To most people it was simply another street but to one young boy it was hell on earth. The boys name, Harry James Potter.

Much like the street name it would mean little to most people but to the hidden society it was known by all. You see Harry was a wizard and a famous one at that. At the tender age of one he had survived the unblockable killing curse and defeated the worse Dark Lord the wizarding world had ever seen, instantly making him famous.

His parents hadn't been so lucky and he had been placed with his remaining family, his mother's sisters family. For ten years he had been neglected and abused, denied any food except scraps and constantly beaten.

Finally at his eleventh birthday he had been offered a new chance at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardary. There he had met his first friend and together they had fought off the man that had killed his parents four times along with discovering that his godfather was innocent.

Two months ago his life had started to fall apart. Lured into a trap his godfather had been killed. For the next fortnight he had wallowed in pain and loss. Then the school term had finished and he was sent back to hell on earth but the Order had made it only worse by threatening his uncle.

As soon as he had stepped in the house he was set upon by his uncle who beat him within an inch of his life and then left him bleeding in the hall. He had dragged himself and his belongings up the stairs into his room before he fell unconscious.

Once he had woken he'd sent Hedwig off with a note to the Order and waited for a reply. A week passed and then another yet there was no reply. During that time he had been constantly beaten, yet he was expected to continue with his chores. Each day he could feel his body slowing and weakening due to lack of food and blood and he knew that if he wasn't removed from Privite drive soon he wouldn't live long enough to see the new term.

Then mid-way through July he saw the tell-tale signs of a owl. Thinking it was Hedwig with a reply he felt a flicker of hope but that was quickly dashed when he saw the owl was one he didn't recognised. The owl had flown on silent wings into his room, made one circuit dropping the letter on his bed before flying back out the still open window.

The letter had infuriated him

Harry

I have kept Hedwig at Hogwarts as it is not safe for her to travel as she is to easily recognisable. I can't impress upon you the importance of you staying at Privite drive as the Blood wards haven't fully charged.

I am sorry but you will have to stay at Privite drive until the new term as we can't extract you safely. Upon your return to Hogwarts in the fall you will resume your occlumency lessons with professor Snape.

Yours sincerely

Albus Dumbledore

After the letter he had though over his life and had come to several worrying conclusions. Firstly hadn't his parents left a will. They had knew there lives were threatened so they would have undoubtedly left one.

Harry found it hard to believe that his parents had stated he was to be placed with petunia and her family as she must have known they hated magic. The conclusion he came to was that Dumbledore had either blocked or ignored the will in favour of the blood ward.

That was another thing that worried him. Did the blood wards exist and if they didn't why did Dumbledore force him back each year. There was also the fact that Voldermort had used his blood for his rebirth ritual so that would cancel the ward.

Then there was his adventures at Hogwarts. Hagrid had been the one to pick him up and however much Harry liked Hagrid he knew there were better people for the job of introducing him to the wizarding world. Dumbledore also had Harry's vault key and he had wonder why it was him who had it, why no the bank.

The adventures were another concern. Harry found it hard to believe that Dumbledore had been fooled by Quirrel and then there were the tasks easy enough for a first year to get through. Second year it had been a possessed girl letting a sixty foot killer snake on the lose. Again Dumbledore should have known it was Ginny as he regularly used Legillimency on the students.

Third year it had been the escape of Sirius Black. He had never received a trial. Secondly he was his godfather. Thirdly Snape had timely interrupted them in the shrieking shack. Then there was Dumbledore's comment on him being unable to do anything about getting Sirius a trial yet he was chief warlock.

Fourth Year became even more suspicious. How had he not known about Crouch;'s impersonation of Moody or Barty being under the imperious curse. Also Harry had done some research in the final week of term and had found that he could have been stopped from participating by his magical Guardian and Harry wouldn't be surprised if Dumbledore was his, he interfered in the rest of his life enough.

Fifth year was by far the worst. How had he not known about the blood quill, letting Umbridge take over the school and the battle at the ministry. He should have known that Kreacher was serving a new master thanks to his Legillimency, and why had it taken him so long to arrive at the ministry, he had only arrived seconds before Sirius had fallen through the veil. It spoke of the incompetence of Dumbledore and the Order in general.

Then there was Snape. Dumbledore allowed him to teach at school even though he was a Death Eater continually favouring Slytherins and making the points system a mockery. Then there was his use of Legillimency on students and his 'lessons' on occlumency with Harry. He had researched that to, what Snape was doing wasn't helpful, it was the last step in securing your mind and doing it at such a early stage destroyed what natural defences he had and had made it easier for Voldermort to enter his mind.

He saw brought out by another round of torture from his 'beloved' relatives.

The Dursley's had remembered his birthday though the only present he got was a beating which continued on through most of the afternoon. When they finally left at elevn Harry could feel only pain and was unable to move. Both his legs had been broken in the beating along with one of his arms and several of his ribs.

Half an hour later and he was coughing up blood. Even though Harry knew very little of how the body worked by he knew enough to know that coughing up blood was not a good thing. Finally as the clock beep signalled midnight he closed his eye's.

He awoke to feel none of the pain he had felt earlier. Indeed he felt full and well rested. Blearily opening his eye's he found himself not in the bloody room of his bedroom but rather in a forest.

Raising his head he glanced around, he found himself laying on a mossy floor of a forest clearing. All around were tree's that stretch up almost out of eyesight though he could just back out the bottom of the leaf canopy that filled the sky letting through lances of light.

The tree's themselves were enormous, far larger than those of the forbidden forest Harry guessed it would take over a dozen people linked together to surround the tree. Rising he found himself cloaked entirely in white robes.

'ah I see you have arrived'

Turning Harry found standing face to face with a tall man dressed in purple holding a intricate staff in his right handed, a sword was strapped to his waist.

'Where am I. Who are you and what do you want with men'

The old man let out a small smile 'so many questions for one so you, very well. My name is Merlin'

Harry recoiled in surprise. Merlin had lived over 10 centuries ago and had been rumoured to have been the most powerful wizard of the age, greater even than Dumbledore, to meet him now was...unrealistic.

'to your first question we are in a dream-world of sorts which allows me to contact you in your dreams. I have someone who is dying to see you'

Wondering who it was he turned only to be bowled over, next second he was being licked all over his face. Pushing back the offender he froze in shock. Staring back at him was non over than Padfoot, his godfathers animagus form.

The dog seeing his shock jumped off and morphed into the man harry recognised as his godfather. 'Sirius', jumping to his feet he bounded over to the man embracing him in a hug. Sirius seemed much happier, merriment twinkled in his eye's 'Harry' the single word caused all his worry and tension clawing at his heart to abate.

Pulling back he stared into his godfathers eye's 'I'm so sorry Sirius I didn't realise it was a trap, if only I'd focused more on my occlumency training I might-'

He was cut off by the bark of laughter 'Harry it was never your fault. The occlumency lessons weren't to close your mind, rather to open it. Dumbledore has been manipulating you your entire life as well as mine.

He knew I was the secret keeper yet did nothing to stop my imprisonment. He placed you at the Dursley's knowing full well it was against your parents wishes as well as how they would treat you. Each year he tested you, getting you ready to be his good little martyr, all for the greater good of course before he steals your gold once your dead. He also bound your magic allowing you only a fraction of your true power.

Also your friends aren't your friends, they've been paid by Dumbledore to spy on you, Ginny is in on it too. Ron's been promised money, head boy and Chudley cannon shares. Hermione, books, head-girl position and important ministerial post and Ginny's been promised money and you. They plan to drug you with love potion and once you die taking down Voldermort they get the gold and head of the Potter family title.'

Harry felt his heart be crushed little by little as each fact was revealed, he had always known of Ron's jealousy but to spy on him. Ginny, well he had known of her infatuation for him but was still shocked that she would agree to the plan. Hermione he wasn't so surprised at, she was simply to naive. She worshipped authority and would do practically anything Dumbledore said.

The Weasley's, well at the time he thought meeting them at kings cross had been chance but now he looked back he saw it as a way of careful manipulating him into leaning towards the Weasley's and away from the Slytherin's, thanks to all the bigotry towards Slytherin's in general only backed up by his confrontation with Malfoy.

Slowly Harry felt a fury build up inside him, damn them, damn them all. Sirius laid one hand on his shoulder 'Me and Merlin offer you a new choice one that while challenging will give you great happiness and a chance of a new life, be warned though that evil resides here too'

Overwhelmed Harry blurted 'have you seen my parents'.

Sirius smiled sadly 'indeed I have prongs junior'

Harry started at the nickname 'well any son of a marauder deserves a nickname' Sirius said with a small smile 'Prongs Senior agreed with me so I name thee Prong's Junior' Sirius said pompously pretending he had a sword and was knighting Harry much like the queen did.

'also they will not hold it against you if you leave that world behind them, Lily's exact words were "leave the bigoted pigs to stew in there own machinations". Personally I agree with her, go to this new world, live your own life who knows you might find a girl' Sirius added with a wink.

Harry cheered up slightly at Sirius's banter before smirking 'what's the catch' Sirius looked down his gaze filled with pride 'That's my boy you'll make a fine Slytherin, god I can't believe I said that' Harry sadly smiled. 'The catch is that events in Alagaesia will draw you in and yes you will be fighting evil and be famous'

Harry internally groaned at the through of being famous again 'but then again it can't be any worse than here' he though with conviction. The offer was tempting but their was one last barrier. 'what of Voldermort though, I'm the only one that can defeat him'.

Merlin shock his head 'no the prophecy you speak of was concocted by Dumbledore as a means to defeat Voldermort. Also you should know that Prophecy's rarely come to pass unless you believe them and thus try to complete them like Dumbledore tried'.

Hearing the last stumbling block to a new world and a new start vanish he let out a small sigh. ' I will accept your offer and thank you' Harry stated bowing to Merlin who raised one eyebrow.

'you truly are destined for great things Harry never forget that your will gives you strength and that you must believe in yourself. I will grant two gifts to you, you will find them upon wakening. One is a trunk I crafted not that different to moody's which I believe you have seen.

It holds many wonders and includes a large library, living area's, training area, Potions laboratory yes I know you hate potions but trust me they will be vital besides its easier to do without the 'bat' breathing down you neck' Harry smiled at his description of Snape. 'I'll will leave you the challenge of opening it.'

My other gift is just as important and will lead to great things. Sirius too will leave you a gift which you will find upon awakening. Now go Harold James Potter, know this though, you have the blessing of Merlin greatest Sorcerer of all and Master of Death.'

Harry blinked as he started to feel sleepy, he sagged to the floor wondering at why he had been called Harold, his last view before he closed his eye's was the leafy green canopy of the forest.

'Its been an honour knowing you Harold James Potter good luck with your new life and remember, great power comes great responsibility'