Harry Raised By His Maternal Grandparents:

Disclaimer

Lily's parent/s (one or both) are/is alive, Harry is dropped on their/his/her doorstep instead of the Dursley's.

Grew up in a loving but not spoiled home

Lives in Spinner's End (if he grows up knowing Snape is up to you)

Knows of magic and lots of stories about parents, Lily especially of course

Pairings: no Snape/Harry or any other huge age gap ones, except Remus/Tonks. Don't care if slash or not.

Please PM me if you want to take it up!

This chapter below is just my thoughts; you can continue with it or make your own first chapter.

She went out to get the milk that morning, and instead found a shock – and a bundle containing a baby, a baby she'd recognize anywhere.

"Harry," she breathed, terrified with the thought of what would cause him to be there on their doorstep. What had happened to Lily and James? She knew that they had gone into hiding because of a war in their world, but not much more. They tried to keep the details away from them, to protect them.

She bent down, gathering the sleeping child in her arms, blanket, envelope and all, and went back in the warm house.

She headed over to the living room, intent on getting him warmed up by the fire. Honestly, who would leave a young child outside, at night, in November? They might as well have killed him themselves!

She called her husband down, while opening the envelope. It was disgustingly short. She started reading, getting progressively number.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans, it is with a heavy heart I write this letter to inform you that James and Lily have been murdered in their home after being betrayed by their secret keeper. Harry miraculously survived, after Lily sacrificed herself for her son. Her love keeps him and by extension you safe even now, and will continue to do so until he is seventeen or no longer considers this house home. This is because I have erected blood wards that protect you based on Lily's sacrifice.

All the best, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, first class, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

She dropped the letter, her hands going slack, and swayed on her spot. Before she could fall, however, arms steadied her, and led her to the couch.

"Margaret? What is it? Why is Harry here? Where are Lily and James?" he kneeled on the floor facing her, hands on her shoulders.

She leaned forward into him, and choked out the words, as sobs consumed her. "They're dead, Heath."

He held her, tears running down his face as well. He wasn't stupid, he had realized something horrible had to have happened to get either parent away from their son, but wanted to be wrong for the first time in his life.

Harry stirred by the fire, his blanket shifting. Both of them looked up, and shuffled over to him. They untangled him from the knit blue-gray and orange-beige checked blanket, finding him in white pyjamas. However, they couldn't tear their eyes away from the bright red and raw scar on his forehead. It didn't look like it had been treated at all, which immediately determined their first priority.

As they were still in their house coats, they hurried to get dressed and leave for the closest hospital. Thankfully it was Sunday, so they didn't have to call in to work.

Aside from the fact that he needed treatment, they wanted to hurry because they didn't have any baby things at home. If he needed a new nappy or was hungry, they wouldn't be able to give it to him.

Although they didn't have a car seat either, Margaret held him securely in her arms and for the next 40 minutes they drove slowly and carefully.

They parked in the almost empty car park of the hospital, and entered, quickly spotting a manned desk.

"Excuse me, could you point us to the pediatric wing?"

"Second floor on the right, I don't think there has been anyone else in so you should be seen to immediately."

"Thank you."

Sure enough, after entering the waiting room, a doctor was out immediately, bidding them enter his office/examination room.

"Good morning, my name is doctor Richard Allens, what can I do for you?" he had a reassuring smile, and immediately set them at ease.

"Good morning, we are Heath and Margaret Evans, and this is Harry Potter, he is our grandson and has been left in our care this morning, he has a cut that obviously wasn't treated…"

Doctor Allens saw the lightning bolt shape on his forehead, and was out of his seat, heading for a box in his cupboard. "Do you know what caused it?"

They shook their heads, only now starting to think of how their younger daughter and son-in-law perished.

"Where are his parents? I must have his guardians' permission for treating a minor."

"They're dead. That's why he was left with us, we are his new guardians," more tears started to run down her face as Margaret spoke.

He looked horrified, and offered his apologies and condolences. He started dabbing Harry's scar with cotton dipped in alcohol, which started him crying and wiggling. He had been calm and sleepy before, but that was at an abrupt end.

The doctor was obviously used to this, and absentmindedly started rocking and shushing him as he continued.

"How old is he?"

"Fifteen months, he was born July 31st last year. Is he going to be alright?'

"And can you check for anything else, I found him on the doorstep this morning, he could have caught anything!" Margaret was terrified of losing him, especially just after the only daughter that actually spoke with her had just been silenced forever.

The doctor's expression hardened. He couldn't abide child abuse or neglect, and he couldn't understand why someone would hurt an innocent child. "Of course."

He called for all different kinds of test done, to know if he had caught anything. It took hours to get everything done, but by the end they determined that he only had mild pneumonia, which could be easily treated. All involved were extremely relieved.

Meanwhile, a social worker had arrived and was understandably angry that a baby had been left on the doorstep instead of having the usual, and much safer, procedures done. He cleared Margaret and Heath to care for him, seeing as he was their grandson and they were healthy and had a stellar record, but told them there would be twice-yearly visits from him.

Harry's scar had been stitched up after having been disinfected, and they had another appointment in two weeks.

It was dark when they finally returned home, having stopped for the essentials: a crib, a couple changes of clothes, a package of nappies, a car seat and baby food.

They would shop more in depth for him when they weren't dropping from exhaustion, and after eating dinner, putting Harry to sleep in his new crib and calling in to the school they both worked at and leaving a message to be found the next day that they wouldn't be in tomorrow, they fell in to bed. Only then did they allow themselves to grieve.

Over the next few years, Harry grew up happily and contentedly. He knew about magic, and had even visited Diagon Alley a few times. He knew what the wizarding world thought of him, how they viewed him and what happened to his parents, but his grandparents didn't let him get a 'big head' – at least, that was what they called it. What a big head had to do with anything, he didn't know. Maybe it was something magical – or maybe something adult! Yes, that made more sense.

He had lots of friends and no one bullied him. He had a regular sized bedroom – which used to be his mother's, and clothes that fit him, and a lot of toys, too. He was encouraged to ask questions and was praised when he performed well at school. He wasn't punished during bouts of accidental magic.

Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and roses. He did get in trouble sometimes – after all, what child doesn't? But it was always for something reasonable, with an appropriate punishment as well.

All in all, Harry had a typical and happy childhood.