28th June 1989
There exists a street in a town just out side of London, England in which, where it not for the numbers attached next to the front door, the houses would be near indistinguishable from one another. All these houses along this street are two stories, with three bedrooms, a small drive way leading from the road to a small single story garage along with a perfectly manicured lawn, some would say this street lack character all being copies of their neighbours, however there does exist others that enjoy this sense of same, this sense of normal.
It is with one of these families that enjoy their sense of normal, that things that are anything but normal occur it is here that is the home to the Dursley family plus one other, this other is Harry Potter, none other than the magical society of Britain's saviour. It is here that a boy who is almost nine lives, in a house that shows no love, a house that expects more from this boy than any other would, it is here that this boy works like a slave and is treated like a burden upon this perfectly normal family.
"Boy" comes the shrill cry of a woman in her mid thirties, this woman with a long horse like face, light brown hair and a thin body covered by a long summer dress continues her shout to the small child outside the house "That flower bed best be perfect by the time Vernon gets back from work".
"Yes aunt Petunia" came Harry's reply through the open front window, I really need something to drink thought Harry as he worked in the mid-day sun of late July, I've been working outside for the past six hours. "Aunt Petunia?" asked Harry, thinking about all the times that his aunt has ignored him, choosing to carry on with what she was doing even if Harry was the only sound that could be heard.
"What do you want boy?" came back the reply through the window. Thank god she chose to reply to me was the thought going through Harry's mind before replying.
"Can I have something to drink please?"
"The hose is out there boy, drink from that." came the terse reply "Just make sure the neighbours don't see. Don't want them to think there is anything strange here"
"Okay Aunt Petunia" despondently replied Harry, why cant I just have a normal drink in a glass from a tap, came Harry's thoughts as he began to get up to move towards the hose, still I suppose it's better than nothing.
As Harry began to move over to the hose and the tap that he was to get his drink from he never noticed the man watching him from across the road. Watching a young boy work through the summer on his hands and knees with no tools or anything to protect himself with. But this wasn't the thing that worried this unknown man the most, no, it was the face that he could see upon Harry, it was the look of someone who had been beaten down, of someone that had all but given up hope of anything going their way in life. It was with this thought that the man decided to cross the street,
"Boy?" as he said the world he couldn't help but regret them as Harry slightly almost impossible to notice flinched from the sound of it almost as if he was expecting the worst to come.
"Yes sir?" replied Harry uncertainly wondering why this man that as far as Harry could remember he had never seen as he began to turn to face him.
"Are you happy here?" now whatever Harry expected this stranger to say that was not it, turning to face him properly now he could see that this stanger was similar to him in some ways he seemed to have dark brown hair that looked impossible to tame, he stood just over six feet in height wearing what appears to be some form of cloak which was made even weirder by the fact it was the middle of summer and no one in their right mind would wear a heavy cloak like that.
"I... I'm... I'm not sure what you mean, sir?
"It's a simple question bo... lad, are you happy living here?" Harry didn't miss the strangers choice in changing what he called him, thinking that this stranger couldn't get any stranger he decided to reply.
"I'm happy here sir" Harry stated with no emotion in his voice, turning his eyes from the stranger and looking down at his worn trainers that were a few sizes too large, another 'gift' from his cousin that he should be 'happy' and 'grateful' to have.
"If your sure about that lad, it's just.. I've seen you out here, that look on your face, no child should look like that" at this Harry eyes snapped up to look the the stranger breaking him from his internal monologue of hate of his 'family'. Looking at the stranger now Harry could see a strange look on his face, one which he couldn't recall any adult ever giving him, a look of concern and worry, Harry began to wonder who this stranger really was and why he would show him such emotion. This look confused Harry so much that he replied before he could stop him self.
"I'm not" the strangers eyes snapped back to him looking straight into his eyes, Harry felt as if this stranger was looking into his very soul into everything that was him, "I'm not happy here... sir".
"If I told you that I could take you away from here, away from all of this what would you say?"
"Yes" came the reply from Harry before he even had a chance to think about it, and when what he said caught up to him Harry's eyes widened realising that he just told some he's known for less than five minutes that he would leave this place with him. If he was being honest with himself he knew that even if this stranger took him and killed him then at least he could be away from this place and with his parents.
"Take my hand" the stranger said while lifting his hand towards the him. Harry looked at the offered hand for all of a second before reaching out and grabbing hold, it was at this point that he thought this could have been his worst decision ever as his body began to feel like it was compressed a pushed through an opening much too small for someone to ever fit through.
"Sorry about that" the stranger grimacing as the words left his mouth "maybe I should have told you that Apperating can feel a bit... strange if you're not used to it" Harry looked up at him from the floor like he had grown another head
"Really...?" he groaned out feeling like he was going to be sick "you really didn't think to tell me that before you did... whatever that was"
"Yes, it's called apperating Harry, and you should get used to it after a few times"
"Sir... who are you?" Harry question unsure if this was the right choice to come with this man to wherever he is now, especially after that apperating experience along with realising the fact that this stranger that he's only just met brought him to where he is now.
"Did I... Did I really not tell you who I was? And you just came with me to get away from that place?" the stranger looked at Harry astonished at idea that he came with him without knowing who he was, what kind of hell did those people put him through, thought Hadrian thinking of what would have to be done to a child to make them want to leave their home as readily as that.
"My name is Hadrian Ignotus Potter, your first cousin once removed or something like that is what I am legally however what I really am is your uncle on your fathers side" at the mention of the word uncle Harry couldn't help but flinch slightly a feeling of dread coming over him
"You're not like my other uncle are you?" cautiously asked Harry "because... because if you are then... then..."
"I'm not like him Harry, no child should be treated the way you were, no child should have to grow up in what look like cast off from another." the anger Hadrian was feeling began to seep through into his voice "No. No child should experience that, and especially not a Potter child at that."
"What do you mean sir? I'm just Harry, the freak..."
"Don't you ever say that again lad" Hadrian firmly stated as he knelt down to Harry who was now sitting down "you are a Potter and I'm going to teach you what that means and your going to grow up and make your ancestors proud..." voice going down to a near whisper that Harry struggled to hear, yet hear it he could "...make you're parents, my brother, proud".
"But they said my parents were drunks and wastes of space that died in a car crash, why would I want to make them proud of me?" questioned Harry thinking about why he would want to make people that wasted their lives proud of him.
"Now, you listen here lad and you listen good. Your parents were good people, they weren't drunks, and they certainly didn't die in a car crash" Hadrian replied fiercely, his emotions finally starting to get the better of him at how this child to be so ignorant of his family and of what he is. "Your parents died protecting you from a mad man, a man that though he was better than everyone else, that delved into magics so dark it corrupted and twisted him. This man drove fear into the hearts of many a person. Your parents fought him though to protect others, to create a world that would be safe for you..."
"What happened to them sir?"
"Don't interrupt lad" snapped Hadrian, Harry quickly adverted his eyes looking down at the floor where he sat. Hadrian let out a long sigh, his shoulders sagging, obviously whatever it was that happened to Harry's parents had a profound effect upon this man in front of him. "They were killed, killed by the very man they tried to protect you and the world from. He came for them killed both of them in their home and then tried to kill you..."
"Me? Why would he tried to kill me?" exclaimed Harry voice sounding almost hysterical, with thought rushing through his head of why this mad man would try and kill him when he was just a baby, why would he do that.
"What did I say lad. Do not interrupt. The thing is lad we don't know, he could have tried to kill your parents because of them defying him more times than anyone else or..." Hadrian's face turns pensive as he begins to think about the reasons why Voldemort would attack the Potters and why the Potters had gone into hiding, it goes against everything the Potters are taught "some other reason I'm not sure, but came he did and he killed you parents and attempted to kill you."
"But..." Harry tried to interupt thinking about how this man that could kill both his parents could fail to kill him, did he just leave him there instead of killing him? Did he place him with the Dursleys as some twisted punishment for his dead parents?
"Lad, interrupting again" a displeased look crossed Hadrian's face causing Harry to avert his eyes from Hadrian and his story "as I said he tried to kill you, yet it didn't work for whatever reason in trying to kill you his spell rebounded and killed himself, which alone should be impossible as the killing curse can't be blocked. Yet you, a mere babe, stopped this curse and rebounded it back at him killing him in the process."
"You mean to say that I... that I've killed someone?" asked Harry in the most disbelieving voice possible.
"No, not you. No matter how you look at it you did not kill anyone, he cast the curse and it was his curse that hit him. If you ask me it wasn't even you that deflected the curse, you see the Potters are an old family with many ancient books and tomes containing all sorts of magic and rituals and the like. It wouldn't surprise me if your parents found something amongst them that could protect you from a curse as strong as the killing curse and leave you with nothing but a small scar." At the mention of his scar Harry's hand instantly goes towards it feeling the slight ridge of the lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead above his left eye.
"You mean this one?" came the hatred filled voice of Harry "This ugly thing that others laugh at me for, this is the scar that my parents left me?"
"Don't you dare speak ill of the dead like that, especially not of your parents" the sharp rebuttal caused Harry to jump locking eyes with Hadrian who was now standing towering above the small child still sitting on the floor "your parents gave their lives to protect you from some of the worst magic, and you will honour them, you will live up to the Potter name and you will wear that scar as a badge of honour of a reminder of what others gave up to let you live, as a reminder of what you have been through." taking a deep breath Hadrian pauses for a second "You will become a great wizard Harry James Potter, you will become a warrior as many a Potter before you, and you will use that scar to remind you of what it is you fight for."
"And what... what is that?" the unsure reply tumbling from Harry's mouth as a thoughtful expression places itself upon his face, "what is it I'm supposed to fight for? why would I even fight anyway, it's not like it does anything"
"Harry, listen to me" the much calmer and gentle voice from Hadrian did much to soothe the conflict within Harry "Potters fight to protect those that can't protect themselves, that's what your parents did. They fought Voldemort to protect those that couldn't, they gave their lives to protect you who couldn't protect his own. That is what it means to be a Potter we are the shield for those that deserve it and the sword against those that wrongs what is ours." These words spoken by a man that Harry had only just met had a profound effect upon him, he had a purpose, nobody was there to protect him so he would stand to make sure that others didn't have to go through the same as him. This young boy not even nine years old had a purpose, a young boys promise to himself to be the best that he can so that others don't have to suffer like he did.
"Teach me" Hadrian could see that Harry meant those words, he could see the determination filling the young boys eyes "Teach me what it means to be a Potter, teach me to make my parents proud of me"
"I will don't you worry about that lad, but first there's some things we need to do. I need to cast a couple of spells on you, just to see if you're okay, that alright with you?"
"Do what you need to" nodding at Harry's reply Hadrian, what appears to be a long thin stick appears in Hadrian's right hand
"Right Harry, this is a wand" Hadrian holds the level to Harry's eyes, he can see that wand looks like two vines twisting around a central piece that is shaped somewhat like a small obelisk with a wooden ball maybe about an inch in diameter if Harry had to guess attached at the end where Hadrian was holding it. "This is used to help focus a persons magic, they help shape the magic and give it it's effects. Now everyone's wand is different in some way if that be the core inside it, the wood it's made from, the rigidity of it or it's shape, every wand is different. Now I'm going to use this to cast some spells on you."
"Okay" Harry replied beginning to stand as Hadrian began to wave his wand about Harry in intricate patterns muttering quietly to himself Harry began to take in just where it was he was taken to. The room he was in was quite sparse consisting of a small sofa and a table one one side and a fireplace opposite it, Harry though it was odd the amount of space that was kept clear around the fireplace and also why the opening to it seemed to be about six foot tall and just as wide. With a jar on the floor that appeared to contain a green powder, yet there was no logs or gas pipe visible that could make this fireplace work, Harry began to think this was all very strange. The walls around the room were a deep green, with the ceiling a dark ruby colour and white coving around the edge, the floor was a rich mahogany wood giving the room an overall quite dark appearance were it not for the amount of light streaming in from the large windowed alcoves either side of the fireplace.
"My mothers work, don't think dad would of picked any colour except shades of red" a smile adorning Hadrian's face as he though about his parents and the years he spent here as a child. "Right, that's the spells done. Now answer me truthfully Harry" Harry could see the seriousness in his eyes and could only nod as Hadrian asked his question "How many times have you broken bones?" at this question Harry's eyes went wide, the last time he mentioned the abuse of his relatives, no longer thinking of them as family any more, the beatings he got were worse than any other he's ever had.
"I... I think I've broken my arm four times maybe more sir" deciding that honest was best with this man that appeared to be trying to help Harry now "and my leg I think I've broken maybe twice"
"Well Harry it appears we've discovered a magical ability of yours" at this Harry's looked towards Hadrian a questioning look upon his face.
"What do you mean a magical ability?"
"Well guessing from your reaction to me explaining magic, I'm guessing that you've never seen anyone use magic before" pausing to see the Harry confirm his suspicions "then I guess that your magic worked to heal your injuries, as these show signs of being heal magically"
"That would explain things sir"
"What would that explain?"
"Every time I would get beaten or would scratch myself when I fell over running from Dudley the marks would heal really quickly but I would feel really tired after" upon hearing this a fire began to burn within Hadrian's eyes nodding his head.
"Now Harry listen to me entirely now, no interrupting" fixing Harry with a sharp stare as he began to nod his head "we will have to go back to that house" at this Harry's eyes widened and panic started to set in "only for a bit then we will come back here, you see I need to tell your aunt that I'm taking you and we need to see if there is anything left for you by your parents at that house, okay?" Harry could only nod his head the thought of finally being able to leave his relatives and the pain they caused him, before letting hope settle in his chest Harry had to make sure.
"Then we come back here? And I can live here away from my relatives"
"Yes Harry, if that is what you want you can live with me and I can teach you all about being a Potter and the world of magic" explained Hadrian a small smile showing as he could see the hope in this child in front of him begin to show.
"Yes sir, that's what I want"
"I have to tell you though Harry it wont be easy, I'm going to try and teach you things that you would have learnt growing up, things you would have been apart of for the last eight years. Yet I will teach you all this and more in under two years, it will be hard Harry but if it is what you want I will do it" he had to make sure that this is what Harry wanted he wasn't going to make him do anything he didn't want to but he wasn't lying when he said it would be hard he would make sure that this boy would be the best wizard that he could be.
"Yes sir, I understand" stated Harry confidently
"Well in that case, take my hand" Harry looked at the offered hand not wishing to experience the feelings of the last time he took his now uncle's hand. With a deep sigh Harry took the offered hand.
The feeling of apparating with his uncle was no better this time than the last, as soon as it was over Harry fell to the floor gasping for breath after feeling like he couldn't breath and had all the air squeezed out of him.
"It gets better lad don't worry." Harry sent a glare Hadrian's way as soon as these words left his mouth, not believing his uncle in the slightest "It's also much easier when your doing it yourself" before Harry could reply Hadrian was striding towards the front door of the house he left not even a half hour ago. Quickly picking himself off the ground Harry began to run after his uncle before falling into step with him having to almost jog to keep up with Hadrian's long purposeful strides over the short distance to the door.
"Yes?" the voice of his aunt coming as soon as the door was opened
"Are you Mrs Dursley? Guardian of this here boy?" spoke Hadrian perhaps slightly harsher than what he had intended.
"What has that boy got himself into now? He's nothing but trouble we've tried to keep him in line..." the beginning of a rant from Petunia was interrupted by Hadrian forcefully exclaiming.
"You don't keep a boy in line by beating him and breaking his bones. Now you listen here and you listen good Petunia you're going to sign this bit of parchment with this here quill then you are going to give us anything that was left here relating to Harry and then I'll take him from you" Hadrian's voice rising throughout his speech causing the blood to drain out of Petunia's face.
"You're one of them aren't you? Get in quick and ill sign that stupid bit of paper and you can be gone with the freak" not noticing the narrowing of Hadrian's eyes at the use of the word freak to describe his nephew, as she quickly turned around and walked into the house and up the stairs. "Wait in the kitchen and I'll get that... that... that thing his mother left here" Petunia spat as Harry and Hadrian entered the house to wait in the kitchen.
Almost ten minutes later the sound of Petunia coming down the stairs followed by a loud bang for every stair that she took could be heard throughout the house before petunia turned the corner dragging what appeared to be a large chest. "This is what she left here" no one could mistake the venom of which Petunia used when speaking of Harry's mother as Petunia refused to acknowledge her any more as her sister.
"Now if you will just sign here Mrs Dursley then we can be on our way" the business like tone diffusing any anger that Petunia currently felt as she rushed over taking the red quill from Hadrian and quickly scrawling her signature at the bottom of the parchment before dropping the quill as pain exploded in her hand as the signature began to form scratched into the surface of the back of her hand.
"You... you cut me" shakily stated Petunia, eyes wide in shock.
"I did no such thing that" Hadrian points towards the bright red quill laying on the tabletop "is a blood quill and any contract signed in it is magically binding and cannot be broken, even if signed by a muggle like you." Hadrian stands up grabbing the quill and parchment as he does before grabbing Harry's hand and apparating out of what was once Harry's house to what will now be Harry's home.