I own nothing in Harry Potter's world other than the things I create and squeeze in. If there are any similarities between this story and any others you have read, it is unintentional. I've read quite a bit of fan fiction and believe this to be, for the most part, as original as I can make it. Please read, enjoy, and review (good or bad).

Prologue

The sun was rising over Number 4, Privet Drive and though all were awake the tiniest resident was still in the dark. Harry Potter was locked in the cupboard under the stairs despite the fact that today, July 31st, was his 5th birthday. A nearly inaudible pop caused Harry to stir, and then to smile for the first time that day.

"Blinkin!" exclaimed little Harry in the loudest whisper he dared to use.

"Good morning, Master Harry, and happy birthday." Replied a small, curious creature. It wasn't much larger than the tousle-haired child, but size was all they had in common. Blinkin had large, bright eyes, with enormous yellow irises. His ears were pointed and slightly floppy and his skin was a very light green color. He reached out to flatten Harry's hair with fingers that looked much too long to be on such small hands.

"Is it my birthday?" Harry asked, slightly perplexed. "I didn't know that. I've been in here so long. Aunt Marge's dog tried to bite me so I kicked at it to keep it away and Dudley told."

Blinkin was furious, but he'd come to expect treatment like this from the Dursley's. It had been nearly a week since Marge's visit. He knew because it was when he's left. For nearly four years now, since Harry had been here, he had divided all of his time between caring for Harry and finding a relative to rescue him. Calming himself, Blinkin turned back to Harry.

"Well today is your birthday, young master, and I have something wonderful for you."

"Really? You remembered my birthday and got me something? They never do that."

Blinkin bristled again momentarily but continued to play it cool, for Harry's sake.

"Of course I did."

Suddenly Harry looked very upset.

"What's wrong Harry?" inquired Blinkin.

"Well, anything I get Dudley takes from me."

Blinkin smiled, and said, "Don't worry young master Harry. This is something that no one, not even Dudley Dursley can take away from you."

"What is it?"

"You'll have to wait a while to find out." Blinkin replied with a grin. "I have to go now, but I will be back before the day is out, I promise." And with that he disappeared with no more of a pop than when he arrived.

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Blinkin reappeared in front of a small blue house. It was in the middle of a clearing in a fairly dense forest. He used the moonlight, which was peeking down into the clearing, to sneak stealthily around the house checking to see if anyone was awake. Spotting a light he crept back to the front door and knocked. Moments later a tired looking young man answered the door. If he was surprised at who had done the knocking, he hid it well. He was very tall, well over 6 feet, with closely cropped brown hair. Wide shoulders and a large build made him seem intimidating but something in his blue-gray eyes caused Blinkin (and anyone else for that matter) to feel comfortable.

"Can I help you?" he asked, in a calming voice, practically devoid of all accent.

"I do not require your help, Alan Reikin, but your estranged cousin does." Replied Blinkin.

"Who's there?" came a female voice, which was followed shortly by a beautiful face and then the rest of her. She was tall as well, but not nearly as tall as Alan. She had brown hair with blonde highlights nearly to her shoulders. She was younger, and brightened a little when she saw Blinkin. He liked her right away She moved from behind Alan, and reached down to shake the elf's hand. "My name is Mae. I've always wanted to meet a house elf. We don't have them over here, but you probably knew that."

"Yes ma'am, I did." Blushed Blinkin. "My name is Blinkin and I'm pleased to meet you. I'd like to talk to the both of you about a cousin of Alan's. He turns 5 today, his name is Harry, and he is in dire need of assistance."

The Reikins ushered Blinkin in and invited him to a seat in the living room. The house was cozy, not too messy just lived in.

Before any refreshments could be offered, Blinkin immediately rushed into the story of the night the Potters were killed. Alan was a little familiar with the name, but it had been quite a while and American news channels are notoriously bad for skimming over world events.

The Reikins were concerned when Blinkin described all this, and then horrified as he told them of how Harry was being treated at the Dursley's. Near the end he broke down in tears, as did Mae.

"How could anyone treat a child like that?" she asked, shaking from anger. "Especially one who had been through so much."

"How is he related to me?" wondered Alan. "I have never heard of a Harry, or a James and Lily Potter. I honestly never knew I had any relatives outside of the U.S."

"I'm sure you know Alan, that you were adopted." He paused for acknowledgement and when Alan nodded, he continued. "Your parents were Jane and Edgar Sullivan. Jane was the sister of James Potter. You were born when Voldemort was rising to power, your parents panicked like so many others and sent you up for adoption in America. Unfortunately, they were killed a month later."

The young couple almost looked excited. Alan hadn't known anything of his parents other than their names.

"So I have a little cousin?" he asked. Then his eyes narrowed. "We have to do something, Blinkin. I have to rescue him. I can't knowingly turn a blind eye to any child being treated like that, especially not a blood relative."

Blinkin clapped his hands in excitement. " Excellent! Harry will be most pleased. He's a bright child. Fairly skiddish due to his mistreatment but I believe deep inside there is a very loving person. I can see from the way he opens up to me." Blinkin was beginning to tear up again and left the room, leaving the Reikins to talk.

"This is all so incredible." Whispered Mae. "Do you think we could care for a child?"

"We'll find a way." Alan replied, placing an arm around her and bringing his forehead down to hers. "Together we can do anything. And I absolutely cannot leave him there. No way. Blinkin?"

The elf returned to the room. "Yes?"

"What's the plan?"

Blinkin smiled, and laid it all out for them.