AUTHORS NOTE:

When I started writing this story, I sat down and thought about what I liked and what I didn't like about the many Harry Potter fanfics I have read. That being said constructive criticism is welcomed but requests to change plot will be ignored, as will pointless flames.

Disclaimer: that Rowling lady owns the characters etc. not me

Prologue

It was a quiet night in Little Whining, Surry, or so it seemed. The neighborhood, if it could be called that, was full of generic families in generic houses. People who lived there prided themselves on being normal, and conformist. One family in particular prided itself on being especially dull, the Dursleys, who lived on Privet Drive. Vernon Dursley was a fat walrus of a man with watery blue eyes and dull brown hair. He worked at a firm, Grunnings that produced drills, and was particularly fond of yelling at his secretary. His wife, Petunia, was a study of contrast with her husband. She was a tall, skinny woman with a horse like neck. Her favorite pastimes were doting on her son, keeping a ridiculously clean house, and spying on the next-door neighbors. She could best be described as a dreadful gossip. Their afore mentioned son, Dudley, was even at the age of two a spoilt brat. To get what he wanted all he had to do was cry. Little did they know their lives were about to change forever on October 31, 1982.

A man that would have been most unwelcome on Privet Drive, had anyone been awake to see him, appeared as if from nowhere with a small pop. This man had long silver hair, a flowing beard and a crooked nose. He wore long flowing robes and had startling blue eyes that were framed by a pair of half-moon spectacles. He took out a small silver device that closely resembled an old Zippo liter. However, when he clicked it a flame did not appear, instead the streetlight closest to him flickered out. The man continued the process until the street was completely dark. Task done he put the odd device away and proceeded down Privet Drive in the direction of the Dursley's house. When he arrived in front of their house he noticed a cat sitting on the retaining wall between the driveway and garden. This cat, which had markings around its eyes that looked like a pair of glasses, was staring at a most un-catlike manner at the house. The man spoke up, "Professor McGonagall, I might have known I'd find you here." The cat which transformed into a woman, who had a stern expression upon her face and hair that was pulled back into a severe bun, upon being addressed and asked "Is it true Dumbledore? Is You-know-who really gone?" The man's face took on a pained look and he replied: "Yes Minerva, he has been defeated, at least for now." McGonagall gasped, "Then is it true James and Lilly…" Dumbledore seemed to sag slightly as he responded "Yes my dear I'm afraid so, which is why Hagrid is on his way here with Harry right now." The woman said "Albus, are you sure I've been watching this family all day, they are the worst sort of muggle." Dumbledore sighed "I'm afraid so, they are his last blood relatives, and if he was raised in our world he would be famous, I want to give him a chance to grow up without that burden." The woman hesitantly responded "I suppose you're right Albus it would be for the best."

Just then a giant man arrived on a flying motorcycle. The man was easily eight feet tall with a full beard and shaggy hair. He approached the two professors, "evnin' Dumbledore, professor I' got lil' Harry wi me here" he showed them a small bundle that was soon revealed to be a sleeping two year old. The child in question had Jet-black unruly hair, and when he was awake for them to be seen the most startling green eyes. Professor McGonagall pointed at an inflamed area on his forehead, which upon closer inspection surrounded a cut in the shape of a lightning bolt. "Albus, is that where?" she gasped. Dumbledore nodded sadly "Yes indeed my dear it is." Dumbledore took a letter out of his robes and laid it on top of little Harry, who had been laid on the Dursley's front step. "This letter explains everything to them, we must be off it's getting late." Reluctantly the three turned away and left little Harry where he was.

The next morning Petunia Dursley went out to get the milk. She soon noticed the strange bundle and picked it up. Once she realized what it was she screamed, "VERNON COME HERE NOW."…

Chapter 1

JUST OVER NINE YEARS LATER…

Harry Potter sat by himself in a compartment on the Hogwarts express contemplating all that had happened in the last few weeks. He was still having a hard time accepting he was a wizard, it just didn't seem real to him.

A month earlier Harry had been taken from a shack on a rock in the middle of the ocean, where his Uncle had taken the family in a crazed attempt to avoid Harry getting his Hogwarts letter. Just after midnight on July 31st, his birthday there had been a knock on the shack's door. Harry had at first thought he was losing his mind, as there was a raging storm outside. However the person at the door continued to knock, and finally Harry couldn't ignore it any longer. He got up and opened the door, he stared at the woman before him, she had a stern expression, hair pulled back into a severe bun, and she was wearing the strangest thing, what looked like a set of robes.

The woman smiled down at him, softening her stern expression a bit, "Hello dear my name is Professor McGonagall I teach at Hogwarts, here is your acceptance letter." Harry took the letter he as handed and asked, "What's Hogwarts?" She said, "surely your aunt and uncle told you?" Harry responded, "told me what Professor?" The woman was about to respond but Harry's aunt and uncle, who had woken up and come downstairs, interrupted her. "That's enough you will not tell him anything about your freak ways."

In response the woman took a stick out of her pocket and said "silencio", Harry's Aunt and Uncle continued to yell but no sound came out, clearly frustrating them to no end, as was indicated by the puce color that Vernon was turning. Harry gaped at her, "How did you do that?" She replied, "Magic Harry, I'm a witch, and for that matter you are a wizard." Harry was doubtful and asked "Me how, I'm nothing special it's impossible." McGonagall replied, "think Harry has anything strange, that couldn't be explained ever happened around you?" Harry thought for a few minutes and responded. "Yes Professor now that you mention it I do, when I was younger my Aunt once cut my hair, shaved it all off except for my bangs, which she said was to cover my scar. I got so upset that I grew my hair back overnight, she was furious." Professor McGonagall responded "see Harry you are a wizard, and it seems that you might be something called a metamorphmagus, that is a person that can change their appearance at their own will. I will investigate that further and let you know what I find out."

She then noticed that Harry had not opened his letter, "Go on Potter open the letter." Harry read through the letter and said "Professor there is a problem, my Aunt and Uncle will never pay for books or tuition" McGonagall glared at Petunia and Vernon, as well as Dudley, who had woken up at this point and was hiding behind his parents. "Not to worry Harry dear your parents left you more than enough money to cover school and your books." This prompted Harry to ask her a question that had been bothering her since she had revealed the truth to Harry, "Professor, how did my parents die, My aunt and uncle always told me they died in a car crash and that that is where I got my scar, but now I don't think that is true." If it was possible Professor McGonagall looked even more furious with the Dursleys than she had before. She rounded on them "HOW DARE YOU TELL HIM SUCH LIES, JAMES AND LILLY POTTER DIE IN A CAR CRASH, I NEVER, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES." The Dursleys, who were still silenced, cowered in fear and attempted to get further back into the corner they had wedged themselves into.

The Professor composed herself and turned to Harry, "Your parents could have never been killed in a car crash, you might want to sit down for this Harry", Harry sat down on the ratty old couch in the shack and she continued, "Your parents were killed by the darkest wizard in history, Lord Voldemort, though do not ask me to repeat the name, I will just call him you know who, everyone does. On Halloween night 1982 He came to your house and he killed your parents. In fact he tried to kill you as well, but he failed, that is where the scar on your forehead comes from. In our world you are famous for it, no one has ever survived the killing curse before, it was thought impossible." Harry said, "thank you professor for telling me, I'm glad to finally know the truth. McGonagall replied "you're welcome Harry, now, if you would gather anything you want with you we will leave now, to go where we are spending the night, and tomorrow morning we will go and gather you supplies." Harry, who had nothing to grab, said, "I don't have anything I want to take I'm ready now professor."

The Professor said "alright then Potter grab my arm and hold on tightly." Harry complied and the next thing he knew he felt like he was being pulled through a straw. The feeling only lasted for a second and the next thing Harry knew he was standing outside a dingy pub with a sign that read "The Leaky Caldron." Harry asked, "What was that Professor it felt…unpleasant." McGonagall replied, "That, Harry, is called apparition it is one of the primary ways that wizards and witches travel, it does take some getting used to I suppose." She went toward the entrance of the pub, "come we will get some rooms for the night, I will wake you in the morning to go shopping." She walked up to the bar where an elderly man with no teeth was cleaning a beer mug with an old rag. "Tom we need two rooms for the night" The man responded "Right away professor", he then noticed Harry standing there, "bless me is that Harry Potter?" McGonagall sighed, "Yes Tom but don't bother the poor boy." Instead of responding Tom left the bar and grabbed two keys "here you are professor rooms 101 and 102." McGonagall said "Thank you Tom have a good evening." She turned to Harry and handed him the key to one of the rooms, "Here you are Harry, make sure to get a good night's sleep you have a busy day ahead of you." Harry took the key and headed in the direction that the professor indicated. He opened the door and collapsed on the bed.

Harry came awake and for a brief moment wondered where he was. He then heard a knock on his door and a voice said, "Potter it is time to get up, we will grab some breakfast and then take care of your supplies." Harry groaned and replied "Coming professor" he put his glasses on and followed McGonagall down to the main room of the pub. After a quick breakfast they headed out. When Harry asked where they were going first The Professor told Harry, "We are going to go to Gringotts, the wizarding bank, to get you some money." As they made there way down the alley Harry was amazed there were people everywhere, both in robes and in muggle clothing, and the shops he had never seen anything like it. As they walked he saw an apothecary, a broom shop, and many other fascinating things.

Finally they arrived at a massive white building. Professor McGonagall headed up the steps and Harry followed. Upon entering the bank Harry saw the strangest creatures, they were short, with pointy ears and sharp teeth. He asked "Professor what are those things behind the counter?" She replied, "those are goblins Harry, they run the bank." They made their way over to a queue and after a brief time it was their turn. Professor McGonagall addressed the goblin "good morning we would like to access Harry James Potter's trust vault please. " The goblin looked up at her and grunted, "Key?" The professor fished a key out of her pocket and handed it over to the goblin who took it and said, "This appears to be in order, GRIPHOOK!"

Griphook as it turned out was another goblin, he lead them over to one of the carts that lead down to the vaults. After a rollercoaster ride the cart stopped and Griphook announced "vault number 687, Harry James Potter." They made their way inside and after explaining the Wizard's monetary system the professor had Harry fill up a moneybag. After another vomit inducing ride back up they made their way out of the bank.

The professor, who looked mildly sick, said, "alright Harry now that that is taken care of our we will get your school robes, and while we are at it we will get you some new clothes as well." They made their way over to a store with a sign above it that read "Madam Mawkin's, fine robes for all occasions." The professor addressed the woman behind the counter, "Good day we will be needing several sets of Hogwarts robes, as well as some dress shirts and slacks, and some casual clothing too I think." The woman responded "No problem, if the dear would just come this way."

Harry followed her into a room with several mirrors and a stand that was clearly designed for taking measurements. In the room with him there was another boy, he had sliver-blond hair that was slicked back and grey eyes, already in the process of being fitted. Soon after Harry's arrival he addressed him, "Good afternoon I'm Draco Malfoy, I see you are going to Hogwarts as well." Harry nodded and Draco continued on "What house do you think you will be in? I just know I will be in Slytherin, all my family has been." When Harry responded that he wasn't sure Draco asked, "Are you wizard born?" Harry replied, "they're dead but they were both wizards if that's what you mean." Malfoy's response was, "Oh well, good, I don't they should let the others in, I mean the muggle-borns do you?" Harry was saved from responding when the woman fitting Draco finished and the boy left. Soon after Harry was finished and rejoined the Professor, he paid for his clothing and they made their way out.

As they made their way to their next stop, Flourish and Blotts, Harry asked the professor about the Hogwarts houses. Her response was, "There are four houses Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. No one house is better than the other, they are merely groupings based on a person's dominating character traits. Gryffindor are generally brave and daring; Hufflepuffs are usually kind and loyal, Ravenclaws are focused on studying and academics, and Slytherins are known for their cunning and ambition." They continued on until they arrived at the bookstore.

McGonagall stopped just inside the entrance, "Harry I will gather your school books and in the meantime you may pick out any additional books you would like, I would suggest picking up one about the wizarding world at the very least." Twenty minutes later they walked out of the bookstore and headed towards the apothecary. While there they purchased a pewter caldron and the standard student ingredient set.

Their next stop was the pet store. When they arrived Professor McGonagall said, "I am aware that yesterday was your eleventh birthday and as such I will buy you a pet as a gift, go ahead and pick one out." Harry was initially at a loss as he wondered around the store, there were many animals, and he had no idea what he wanted. Then he saw her, a snowy white owl. When the professor saw her she said, "An excellent choice Potter, owls can be used to send messages." The professor paid for Harry's gift and they left the store.

Their next and final stop was Olivander's. They walked in to the store and were greeted by the owner, "ah Mr. Potter I was wondering when you would come by. I remember when your parents came in so many years ago, yes indeed I remember every wand I've ever sold." With that he proceeded to take Harry's measurements and asked him which was his wand arm, to which harry replied "erm my right." This done he grabbed a stack of wands and had Harry try them out. After a series of disasters that included breaking a pot and setting part of the store on fire they finally found the wand that he was compatible with.

Mr. Olivander said, "It seems none of my usual combinations are working for you, try this it is most unusual, ash with a basilisk fang core." Harry tried it out and was amazed when green and silver sparks shot out of his wand. Olivander seemed puzzled, "most unusual Mr. Potter, however that is a powerful wand, I think we can expect much from you." Harry paid for the wand and they made their way out of the store.

Once they had returned to the Leaky Cauldron Professor McGonagall sat down with Harry. "Harry, after we returned last night I talked to Professor Dumbledore, and told him that I thought you might be a metamorphmagus, to test this he has set up a meeting with the school's healer Madam Pomfrey. She will be here in just a few minutes to do the scan. In the meantime I would like to address the situation with your relatives. I did not like the way they treated you during our brief encounter last night, would you like to stay with someone else for the rest of the summer, and for every summer from now on for that matter?"

Harry was ecstatic; he could not wait for a chance to get away from his relatives for good. He replied "Yes Professor I would definitely like to live somewhere else if it is at all possible." The professor smiled at him. "Excellent, I will discuss the matter further with professor Dumbledore after you are done with Madam Pomfrey." As she finished speaking a woman in a nurse uniform walked up.

"Hello Minerva are we ready to do the scan then?" The professor replied "yes we are Madam Pomfrey, I'll leave you to it." With that she left to go talk to Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey looked at Harry, "Hello dear, this wont take but a second." She took out her wand and said "vultus." Her wand emitted a blue light and lasted for a full minute. When she was done she said, "Well Mr. Potter it appears that you are indeed a metamorphmagus, and oddly enough a parsletounge, that is one who can speak to snakes, though I wouldn't spread that one around." The two of them waited together for Professor McGonagall to return. They did not have to wait long, as just ten minutes later she returned from meeting Dumbledore. When she arrived she looked at Madam Pomfrey expectantly. Taking the hint Madam Pomfrey told her "he is indeed a metamorphmagus professor." She then made her way back to Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall looked at Harry. "Well Mr. Potter being a metamorphmagus is an extremely rare and useful talent, that being said one of our seventh year students has the ability and she is willing to help you with it. Her name is Nymphadora Tonks and she just happens to be cousins with one of your parent's former best friends. Her parents have agreed to take you in for at least the remainder of this summer while she teaches you the basics of your ability."

Harry was jolted out of his thoughts by a knock on his compartment door.

To be continued…