Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

A/N: So this is a revision of the original first chapter. the beginning is the same but Harry's Part has changed.

(Gladis Johnson, St. Paul's , July 10th 1991)

"Good morning Sir. How may I help you?" chirped the receptionist at St. Paul's. Gladis Johnson had been working at the London based orphanage for 3 years now. She considered herself blessed to have been raised in a loving home, knowing that most of the children that came to reside in this particular establishment often came from neglective and abusive households.

Gladis had been startled by the sound of the not so subtle cough of the gentlemen standing before her. When she finally looked up from the papers that had consumed her attention it was to meet what should have been a decidedly intimidating stare. It was surprising for Gladis, as ex-police officer, that someone had been able to sneak up so close to her desk without her noticing. She prided herself on always being aware of her surroundings. It was partly this trait that had gotten her the job she had now. It was important to always be aware of who they were letting into the building and near the children.

"I have an appointment with Mrs. Bennings" he answered in a cold stiff voice, articulating his words carefully. The man's dark glaze and menacing sneer would have frightened your average person . But compared to some of the people she had been unfortunate enough to encounter on the force, his stare was unimpressive.

"May I have your name please, dear?" she asked sweetly

"Severus Snape"

(Severus Snape, St. Paul's)

There are many times when it can be said that Severus Snape hated his job. This was most certainly one of those occasions. After having endured the sickeningly sweet receptionist, Severus was now being forced to navigate his way 'through the yellow hallway. All the way at the end', as the over jovial woman at the desk had directed him, that was being bombarded by gremlins. Children everywhere! Running, screaming, laughing, breathing, and being a general nuisance to his life. And to make matters worse, 'the yellow hallway' truly was that repugnant color, and appallingly bright as well. Even when he finally came to his destination,and had entered and shut the door behind him with unusual haste, he was still unable to block out the painful noise that was the uncontrolled laughter of dozens of children and would be forced to suffer through the muffled sound until the end of his visit.

Severus was pleased to note that the sitting room outside of the director's office was not emulating the color of the hallway, but was instead done in tasteful creams and browns. The click of the door that led to the directors office, broke him from his musings. The director, Mrs. Bennings, entered the room. She was dressed elegantly in a flattering light blue summer suit. She was petite and appeared to be in her fifties, but held herself confidently and had a youthful glint in her eye, that was strangely similar to that of his employer. The man shuddered at the possibility of his eyes starting to twinkle as a consequence of over exposure to children.

"Professor Snape. Its a pleasure to finally meet you" she greeted him pleasantly. He was surprised by the deep smooth voice she emitted.

"And you madam" He answered shortly as he firmly shook the hand she offered.

"Please, have a seat" She motioned to the cream leather love-seat, where pastries and tea had been set out.

"We are very excited to have one of our children attend such a prestigious academy. I know you mentioned in a one of our previous conversations that his parents both attended.. Hogwarts was it?"

"Yes. Hogwarts Academy" he replied, irritated at having to repeat previously explained information. " Lily and James Potter both graduated in 1978 and had the young Mr. Potter's name added to the record of student admissions for future attendance after his birth in 1980. At that same time his tuition and board for seven years in our establishment were paid in full"

"Yes. That's wonderful to hear. One of the things I meant to discuss today with you was payment methods. Its nice to know that Harry won't be burdened by debts. I would hate to think that Harry would have to pay it back after he graduates" she replied airily, looking very relieved.

"Now then, for the orientation weekend you spoke of, you will have to sign him out with you listed as his temporary guardian." She handed him a depressingly thick stake of forms. "You will be personally responsible for him from July 10th to July 20th. I've also included the guardian forms that will need to be filled out for the months he spends in school. Under that is his medical history report. For now you only need to fill out the top pages that concern the summer orientation. If you need need any assistance filing out the information, please feel free to ask. "

Then she had the nerve to smile at him.

(Harry Potter, July 21 1991) A/N: Harry will always be in first person

I'm was not a fanciful boy. Life had taught me early on that flights of fancy, while pleasant, would never protect you as much as the hard, cold truth. Despite this it was not hard for me to believe that magic existed. In fact the existence of an entire magical world hidden from the entire population of non-magical was quite relieving. The knowledge that there was an entire community of people like me out there made me feel like like less of a, well…freak.

So as creepy as the tall man with the bitter sneer, should have been, he seemed to me more like a dark angel that was taking me from a world where I didn't really fit in to one where I was normal.

Not that any of this seemed normal to me. The wall that opened from the Leaky Cauldron to Diagon ally was definitely not normal. The goblins at the bank, including his solicitor Griphook, that informed me that I was actually a Duke (when I turn 15 at least), from the old and nobel house of Potter, which meant I was rich, was not normal. I had gaped like a fish at Griphook, until my guardian?/professor? had scolded me for my 'deplorable manners'.

The least normal thing of all to me was that I was supposedly famous for killing a dark lord that killed my family. After almost being mobbed in the leaky cauldron the Professor had take nme to a restaurant in Astrid Lane, right off of Diagon Alley, to explain why everyone seemed to know my name.

"I'm famous for killing my parent's murder" was my stunned reply to the almost ludicrous story he had just told.

"Yes"

"That doesn't make any sense. I was baby. I don't even remember that day" I rambled, almost hyperventilating because of the pressure in my chest.

I had never even knew they were murdered. My aunt and Uncle had told me they were killed in a car accident. 'Good for nothing drunks. They got what they deserved' my uncle had once told me.'

"I had no idea"I whispered softly. I was openly crying now, my breathing was out of control.

I reached over and grabbed onto my professor's robes as I cried. I just needed something to hold onto for a second that felt real. I don't cry often. Crying at the Dursley residence meant pain, and crying at the orphanage was often ignored. I was surprised when I felt his arms tighten around me reassuringly. He didn't say anything else and just waited for me to finish. I was grateful that he never mentioned my breakdown for the rest of the shopping trip and treated me like before, speaking in sharp,clipped tones.

After having spent much of the day, getting school books, a wand (the wand maker was truly strange. He kept muttering things about greatness), wizarding robes(they look like dresses) and uniforms, a magical trunk, and a serpent familiar (apparently its weird to talk to snakes here too), I've been left at the train station to find platform 9 and 3/4 (what?).

Another lesson life has taught me today:

Nothing is normal.