Author's note: I own nothing. The character, plot, setting and everything you good readers recognize all belong to their respective owners.

Prologue: The Unexpected

Dark days ahead.

Nervous whispers can be heard from every corner. Everyone was tense. The whole magical community of Britain is anxious with the coming school year.

The chilling atmosphere that everyone felt is heavy and ominous especially with the Dementors that freely roam around. These creatures are one of the most hideous and foulest fiends that ever existed. They feed upon humans, they take away all hopes and happiness with their unholy presence until their victims fall to despair and insanity. The worst of all, they can literally suck the soul out with a 'kiss'.

These creatures usually reside at the hells on earth, they guard the infamous island known as Azkaban, where dark wizards are imprisoned. But Four years ago the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge announced that he will unleash the Dementors. Because four years ago, one man shook the wizarding world to its core right after the fall of Lord Voldemort. Four years ago, one man made the impossible. Four years ago, one man escape the Azkaban.

That one man was named Sirius Black. Betrayer of the Potters and butcher of muggles, the non-magical folks is on the loose after breaking out on that prison. Many claimed that Black had used his dark arts to drive off the horde of Dementors to escape as he is unable to cast a Patronus charm.

Many believe that he will rise as the new dark lord.

Taking advantage of the situation, Lucius Malfoy and the other head of pureblood families use their influence to demand the whereabouts of Harry Potter. The tension quickly rose as the wizarding community voiced their concern. It is a common knowledge that the late Potters appointed the mad man as the godfather of the Boy-Who-Lived. Everyone is so sure that Black will attempt to get his revenge on his godson for the defeat of his master.

It took Albus Dumbledore a considerable efforts such as using his titles and pulling favours to convince the ministry not to interfere with the boy's. They relented but headmaster knows that he can't keep them at the bay forever. Everyone is so sure that Sirius Black will act sooner or later as the school term starts, when finally the last Potter make his appearance at Hogwarts.

Albus is sitting in a lone stool at the Hogshead. His face was lined with worry, his grandfatherly aura is gone and the usual twinkle in his eyes were absent. He remembers his visit on Privet Drive Number Four four years ago. Just after the news of Black's escape headmaster personally checked on Harry Potter. The blood wards was still there but it was weakening. It only means two things the boy is alive but far from home.

Upon his further investigation, he learned that the startling truth. The Dursleys took a vacation on America four years earlier and they never returned. He was unsure what to think of this revelation. Harry Potter and the Dursleys is away for quite some time and their exact location is unknown. The Dursleys weren't wealthy enough to afford a place abroad and the money that Dumbledore provided to support raising Harry is left untouched.

'At least he will be safe from his Sirius and Tom' Dumbledore thought bitterly imagining the child is lost and ignorant of his heritage. He blamed himself for the death of James and Lily along with the many others. He blamed himself for not seeing that Sirius Black would turn to the most hated man. He vowed that he will keep the young Harry alive, he promised that he will shape Harry Potter to be a savior he ought to be. A fierce warrior with virtues of a saint. Dumbledore owed them that much but now he feel powerless. His search for the boy was fruitless. The trail went cold after years of searching. The boy disappeared without a trace, even the trace for underage magic.

Dumbledore didn't mean what he thought. He feels guilty that the wizarding world needs Harry Potter because the boy was prophesize to vanquish the Dark Lord. It should be him. He is, after all the responsible for bringing that blight to the world known as Voldemort.

Speaking of the Dark Lord, Nicholas Flamel his old friend ask him for an advice. The alchemist suspect that Voldemort is targeting him and his family because of his greatest invention the philosopher's stone. Both wizards of the old had agreed to place the stone at Hogwarts. They were convince that the Dark Lord was after to its power to produce the elixir of life, which will make anyone who drinks immortal. They plan to lure Voldemort and stall his return to power.

"Albus" his younger brother, Aberforth grunted.

Albus Dumbledore turned to see a Patronous charm. A silvery wisp of a cat was approaching him gracefully and it spoke with the voice of deputy headmistress. "You had a visitor. In your office. Inquiry about school"

And with that the Patronus charm disappeared. With a frown Albus made his way out of Hogshead after bidding his goodbye to his brother in which Aberforth grunted in reply.

The headmaster apparated just outside the school gates. He took his time to get in his office. Albus wonders how influential this visitor is, because normally, the board of governors handle these kind of situation. Sometimes even Professor McGonagall entertain the inquiries of those who visited the school and assures them the wellbeing of their child.

Albus pondered on the questions he keep repeating to himself. He knew deep inside that Sirius will never betray James and Lily to Voldemort but nothing suggest that Peter Pettrigrew could disappear without a trace but a bloody finger. Where is Harry Potter? Are the Dursleys dead?

"Accid Pops." Albus murmured softly, the stone gargoyles moved and the entrance of his office spiraled into existence. The headmaster's office was a large circular room. The walls was surrounded with cabinets, bookcase and the portraits of all previous headmaster. The fireplace was crackling giving the room a comfortable temperature. The sorting hat was snoring on a glass case in a corner, unaware to its surroundings and Fwakes the phoenix is in his perch beautiful as ever, his feather resembles the soothing fires in the hearth. Albus observed his familiar as the phoenix stare back to the man he recognise from both magical and muggle newspapers.

Dumbledore was mildly surprised that Bruce Wayne, the prince of Gotham City. The businessman was dressed in dark coat, his black hair was elegantly swept back, his aristocratic face has a defined jaw and calculating blue eyes was staring back to the phoenix before turning to look at Dumbledore. The headmaster noted the man's imposing build and his light step as the billionaire industrialist greeted him.

That's odd. He thought.

"Professor Dumbledore, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Bruce Wayne offered his hand with a charming smile and for a very terrifying moment, Albus couldn't see a notorious playboy. But a certain student from the house of Slytherin. Thankfully, Albus was a master occlumen and no emotion crept on his face as he accepted the hand.

"The pleasure is mine Mr. Wayne" the headmaster said and sat behind his desk, he then ask Mr. Wayne to take a seat. He offered him his lemon drops and the billionaire politely declines. As a master legilimen, Dumbledore was able to asses Bruce Wayne during the pleasantries. The man is certainly act like a royalty but the old wizards noticed the well-hidden tense in his posture. Bruce Wayne is ready to leap in action. Dumbledore had the luxury to spend a century being surrounded with the best martial wizards. He didn't even need to mention that some of his professors are member of his order that fought the war against Voldemort.

"Now how could I help you?" Dumbledore asked, knowing full well that this is not just a simple inquiry about a school. After all, all question can be answered by the board or Minerva. Although it is possible that the man is pompous and deemed the only worthy to talk to is the highest authority or the person in charged. Just like the Malfoys. But the headmaster highly doubt that. After he saw that haunting smile, he immediately knew that this Bruce Wayne wants something from him. "It is unusual for me to have any visitor during summer"

"I'm sorry headmaster but this is not a social call. I would like to discuss the possibility of enrolling my son at your school"

"Every student is welcome to Hogwarts Mr Wayne, we accept students from abroad." Dumbledore replied. The Hogwarts was one of the first schools for magic in the whole world. There are several times that it accept foreign students, as witchcraft and wizardry was considered evil by the muggles and they hunted anyone who they suspect that practicing magic from the past. "But I'm curious Mr. Wayne, why would you consider to look into us? Surely there are a number of fine magical academies closer to your home?"

"You see Professor, my youngest fell in love of learning his talents inside a castle when he received his invitation to study here, I can't say no." Reaching in his coat Mr Wayne produced the Hogwarts's acceptance letter.

Dumbledore almost raise an eyebrow, the man didn't hand him the acceptance letter instead the billionaire look him straight in the eye. The headmaster is certain that Wayne will strike.

"So I promised my son that I will consider his request after making sure the school is safe." Bruce's voice become more business-like.

"I assure you Mr. Wayne Hogwarts is safe as any magical school could get. Although accidents is always a possibility when you house a large group of children for ten months, especially when magic is involved."

"What about the Dementors?"

Dumbledore pause before replying. Mr. Wayne is well informed for muggle. "The school was heavy warded and they will keep uninvited guest away and the minister had agreed to pull the Dementors off before the school term starts."

"Then what about Sirius Black? What would stop him from entering your school if he could break an impenetrable prison?"

Very well informed indeed.

The headmaster narrowed his eyes. A sinking feeling settled on him at the billionaire's words. Dumbledore's mind is racing. Bruce Wayne subtly implied that Sirius black maybe after his son. The headmaster had a guess and he didn't like it. "And why would you think that a criminal will go after the school."

Bruce Wayne just continued to stare, silently. It made the headmaster feel agitated. The idea to read the billionaire's mind pops from his head.

"The Hogwarts is safe. As long as I'm here Mr. Wayne, Sirius Black cannot touch any of my students."

"Can you say the same headmaster even if my son's name is Harry potter?"

"P-pardon me Mr. Wayne?" Dumbledore's blood run cold. He visibly lost his composure for a second.

"I know that you actively searched for him when he disappeared from your world and judging you're your reaction, it is certain that you are pleased to know that Harry Potter maybe alive and well. I know that you want him at your school, as much as my son want to be at same school as his birth parent but I know it will be dangerous for him to return given by his history."

Dumbledore was gobsmacked. "How did you-"

"That's not important sir, now before I agree to send my son to study here I want you to tell me everything. I want the truth Dumbledore and don't dare to hide anything from me."

The Headmaster met the icy glare he receiving with his own.

"You seems very informed Mr. Wayne. I must say I'm impressed." Dumbledore let out a tired sigh. The Boy-Who-Lived! He couldn't track him since the boy for years and he might finally got some answers. Albus didn't know what to think that a mere muggle could hide Harry Potter from the wizarding world. The man was very cunning and very deceiving, he didn't miss the threatening tone when Wayne he demanded for information.

Dumbledore didn't like him a bit and the possibility that, if this man had raised Harry Potter, he was sure that the boy will be placed in the snake pit.

"I'm raising a Wizard and I do everything in my power to understand and protect my son Dumbledore." Bruce said in a very stoic tone. "Now tell me that truth."

Dumbledore took a moment. He is now considering to obliviate the man as he fingered the Elder wand which is hidden under his desk. But instead, he let his magic to release and wander freely, touching the surface of Mr. Wayne's mind. His Legilemency met a sturdy barrier. The shield viciously resisted any attempt to prove the mind. Then when something much more peculiar happened, a dark silhouette of muscular creature that inspire fear and fury to anyone who dare to invoke the wrath of Bruce Wayne flashed on his mind, so before any damage was done Albus pulled away.

Very intriguing.

Bruce Wayne narrowed his eyes. Clearly unamused and expected his proving. "I didn't come here to play with you old man, I want answers!"

Fawkes began to sing as the phoenix sense his master's distress. With sigh the headmaster beamed at his familiar before letting out a resigned sigh and with a twinkle in his eyes he began. "Alright Mr. Wayne I tell you everything you want to know, but I beg you not to share it to anyone."

"I understand."

An Important Note: As you all notice this is a massive AU, where some of DC comics and of course Harry Potter were heavily meshed together. Some events from the books and comics will be change with intent even some character will be fleshed out differently from their counterparts. This chapter is a good example to see some major changes and I had to say I had fun experimenting the possibilities of putting Harry in care of the bats.