Six year old Harry Potter was outside reading his book. It was the first year DADA book for Hogwarts. Harry loved reading and learning and wished he could meet somebody else like that. He was lonely. Sure he had a younger sister but Sarah just didn't get him. She just wanted to play, play, play. The young redhead didn't care for reading or learning at all.

It was also Harry's birthday. But Sarah was sick so they had to take her to St. Mungo's, so poor Harry was left alone with his uncle Lupin. Lupin was the closest he ever had to a friend. He taught Harry how to read at a young age which caused the boy to be much smarter then normal six year olds or even nine year olds.

But today, Harry would find, would be his best birthday yet. Events would start to unfold that would heavily effect the future. It all started with him meeting six year old Ali Riddle.

Harry looked up sharply as he heard a twig snap. Coming towards him was a girl his age. She had shoulder length blue-black hair and amber eyes like Lupin. She had a pale face and sharp features. She wore a black T-shirt and jeans. On her feet she wore black flip-flops. She held a thick book in one hand. A smile graced her lips as she approached.

"Hello there. I'm Ali Riddle. What's your name?" she cheerfully, holding out a hand for Harry to shake.

Harry looked at the offered hand wearily. After a moments hesitation he shook it.

"My name's Harry Potter. A pleasure to meet you," he said politely.

Ali giggled. "You don't have to act polite around me. Everybody does and I get sick of it. So what're you reading?"

Harry hid the book behind his back. He wasn't sure if this girl was a witch or not. Telling her about his book would mean she either thought him crazy or it would reveal the world of magic. He was unsure of what to do. And as though she had read his mind she answered the unasked question.

"I'm a witch so it's okay to tell me what you're reading. C'mon, lets go sit on that bench over there," she said.

The walked over to the bench and sat down. A hissing came from Ali's shirt asking if it could come out. Ali said it could and out slithered a small king cobra. Harry slowly backed up from the deadly snake in fear it would bite him. A chuckle from Ali caught him off guard.

"It's okay. He won't bite unless I tell him too. His name is Balthazar. Zar for short. My daddy helped me name him."

"Oh. C-can I pet him?" asked Harry cautiously.

Ali chuckled. "Sure, go ahead."

Harry reached out slowly and started to stroke the snakes head with a finger.

"You're such a beautiful cobra," Harry said in awe.

"Thanksss human," the cobra replied causing Harry to jump and land on the ground.

"Zar's a talking cobra?" Harry asked.

Ali looked at him sharply. To say she was surprised would be an understatement. Only her and her father were parslemouths. So, he really did survive. Apparently he got some of her dad's powers too. She would have to look into this.

"All snakes talk. They talk in snake language. Harry, you're a parslemouth," Ali said slowly, her eyebrows furrowed in thought.

Harry's eyes widened comically. There was no way he could tell anybody this. They would think he was a dark wizard for sure.

"Get back up here. I want to ask you a question," Ali said in a commanding tone.

Harry stood up and wiped off the back of his jeans and green T-shirt from where he fell on the ground. Sitting back down he looked at his new… friend.

"Do you like the dark arts?"

Um…" Harry had never thought about it. His parents never let him anywhere near anything related to the dark arts which was typical of light parents.

Ali just gave a vague, "I thought so," before continuing.

"The book I have with me is 'Dark Arts for Beginners.' You can read it when I'm done if you want. You know, see if you like them. Just don't show you're parents if you borrow it because I don't want my book burned."

Harry thought for a moment. Even if he never used the dark arts knowledge was knowledge wasn't it. He was surprised when Ali nodded as though answering the rhetorical question he asked himself.

"Sure. Are they interesting?"

Ali smiled. "Very. You can do so much with the dark arts. You can become powerful. I'll teach you how to become powerful. In fact, I'll be out here this time tomorrow to teach you," Ali said happily.

"But I don't have a wand," Harry said with a frown.

"Wandless magic, duh. I sense you're really powerful. With training you can become great. These kinds of things need to be nourished early on or the power will fade and you'll become just a normal wizard," Ali said matter-of-factly.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow," Harry said, getting up.

Maybe this wasn't such a bad birthday after all. Picking up his book, he started towards the house only to be stopped by Ali calling his name. He turned around and asked her what she wanted.

"Happy birthday!" was all she said before she ran into the woods behind the house with Zar around her shoulders.

How did she know it was his birthday? It was as though she was a mind reader or something. Harry shook his head wearily before going into the house. Definitely an okay birthday. With a smile Harry headed upstairs to his bedroom to think over the things that just occurred.

An hour later his parents arrived home with Sarah. They found Harry on a chair in the living room reading his book. Lupin sat in another chair. He looked up as they came into the room.

"So, how was Harry today?" James asked his long time friend.

"He was great. Spent most of his time outside with some girl with a snake," Lupin said with a smile.

Both parents looked at Harry questioningly.

With a sigh Harry put down his book and looked at his parents. He should have known Lupin saw her.

Lily and James sat on a scarlet couch next to Harry's chair. Sarah went upstairs to play.

"Who was this girl Harry? Do we know her or her family?" Lily asked.

"Her name's Ali. I met her today."

"Ali what?" it was James who asked this time.

For some reason Harry knew he should lie about her last name. "Ali Smith."

"Never heard of them. Was she a witch?" Lily asked.

Harry nodded.

"Okay. Well, go upstairs Harry. James, Lupin, and I would like to talk by ourselves," Lily said sweetly.

Harry grabbed his book and ran upstairs. What an odd birthday.

"This is only the beginning," a voice in head said.

A/N: This is the start of my new story. Personally, I don't like this prologue to much. Don't worry, it will get better soon. Like it, love it, hate it? Please review.