PROLOGUE
Professor Dumbledore,
I do not doubt that you are wondering how and why an unknown child has arrived in your study out of thin air as it were, so first and foremost, allow me to explain myself.
The boy's name is Harry Potter. I would not be surprised if you had already surmised that young Harry has been sent from the future (if you did already deduce as such, I feel at this point it would be acceptable to applaud your intelligence.)
In our time, there is currently a war raging between the entire wizarding world and a dark wizard, who you will know by the name of Tom Riddle (though he is currently more widely known as Voldemort). Soon, a prophecy will be made to you, Albus, by the seer Sybil Trelawney. It is extremely important that you heed what is said. This prophecy will cause Voldemort to target and attempt to kill the infantile Harry Potter, and succeed in murdering his family. He will be raised by his muggle relatives for this reason. I'm afraid that this is unavoidable, and I would warn you of how dangerous trying to change the future can be, although I have it on the best authority that you already know this.
You will not know, however, that Voldemort has managed to anchor himself to this world using horcruxes. Harry has no idea of what I am about to tell you, and I trust that you will not tell him unless for whatever reason it becomes necessary to do so. When Voldemort attempted to kill him as a baby, he unintentionally made Harry into an 'accidental' horcrux – that is to say, a fragment of his soul is to this day, a part of Harry Potter. I do not believe that Voldemort is aware of this.
I have sent him to you for several reasons. Firstly, while I am destroying the remainder of the horcruxes, it is vital that Harry remains unharmed. Voldemort himself must destroy the piece of soul that resides inside Harry before he can be killed (which must be done by Harry himself). It would do no good for any harm to befall him now, in any case.
Secondly, the piece of soul shared between Harry and Voldemort creates a connection of sorts between them. Neither of their minds is safe from the other, and I am aware that this connection can bring about unbearable pain for Harry. I am hoping that by sending him to you, Voldemort will be rendered unable of abusing this connection.
Lastly, both Lily and James Potter are currently in 7th year at Hogwarts, I believe. The untimely demise of both Harry's parents left him unable to know them, so I see this as a way to keep him safe, while hopefully he can find it advantageous.
I know for a fact that the information disclosed in this letter will be held in strict confidence. I will contact you if there becomes such a time that it is safe for Harry to return home.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
