It was a dark and still night. Everyone was asleep, well almost everyone. A small boy of almost seven, though you wouldn't tell that by looking at him, was slowly creeping down the street, hoping to stay undetected. He had just run away from his relatives. The child knew that if anyone saw him, he would be caught and then there would be an awful punishment for him. Most likely he'd be beaten and then locked in his cupboard without food or water. It had happened before, though it was other things he was punished for. The child decided that he should leave after he'd heard his relatives discussing the possibility of leaving in an orphanage, but he'd also heard how horrible life was in orphanages. So he ran away.

It was still dark when he reached the woods outside Surrey. Hesitantly he glanced back, but after a moment nodded to himself and started walking again, soon disappearing into the woods, not to be seen by the world for many years to come. This decision would change his life, for the better, but also cause a lot of trouble for one manipulative headmaster. Of course, the child did not know this when he set off to live a life on his own, or else he might have changed his mind out of fear. This child, by the name of Harry James Potter, had just disappeared from the world.

-

Harry didn't know how long he'd been walking, but it seemed like eternity to him. He was deep in the forest now and the sun was high in the sky. With a sigh, he sat down to rest for a while, before going on. He knew that the farther away he was, the less likely it was that he'd be caught. He opened his backpack and took out a bottle of water. There wasn't much left, he'd have to find a place to get some water from. The boy drank a little and then recapped the bottle and placed it in his pack. Harry then stood and started walking again.

After an hour of more walking, Harry was ready to collapse. Suddenly he stepped into a clearing where it looked like someone had set up camp. Before he could turn back and run away, a girl around his age came out of the trees on the other side of the small clearing. She had dark red hair and, if what Harry saw was correct, blue eyes. She spotted him and her eyes went wide, before she put down whatever she was holding and started walking towards Harry.

"Who are you?" asked the girl. When she got closer, Harry saw that she did indeed have blue eyes, stormy blue, to be exact.

"I-I'm Harry Potter." stuttered Harry.

"Harry Potter, you say?" the girl asked and stopped a few feet from Harry. "Show me the scar!" she commanded.

Now Harry got suspicious. "How do you know about my scar?" he asked.

This seemed to make the girl a bit confused. "Everyone involved with the Wizarding world knows of Harry Potter and the infamous scar. Where have you been living, under a rock?"

Harry was in shock. How could everyone know of him and his scar, and if they did, why was he left with his relatives? Furthermore, how could there be a Wizarding World if magic didn't exist? Or did it? "How can they know about me?" Harry finally asked.

The girl looked shocked. But then she remembered what her mother told her. Harry Potter was her cousin, her uncle's son. Her mother had wanted to take Harry to live with them, but some important guy had stopped her, saying that Harry was being raised by his mother's relatives, due to some protection. She didn't remember it all, but she knew for certain that those relatives were muggle, thus it was possible that Harry actually didn't know what he'd done as a baby, or even know about magic. "Show me your scar and I'll explain everything, she said. "I'm Kara, by the way."

Harry did as she asked, lifting his bangs to reveal the lightning bolt shaped scar. He did not really understand why she wanted to see it or even how she knew about it, but she had promised to explain. In addition, there was something familiar about her.

"Well, come sit down." Kara said, and moved to where a small fire setting was made, it was not burning yet though. Harry did as the girl asked, again, and sat down opposite her, placing his bag next to himself. "My full name is Karolyn Maria Black, and I your niece. My mother Maria was your aunt, your father's sister. My father Sirius is your Godfather and was Uncle James' best friend. Dad was put in prison after your parents were killed, but he's innocent. Mum wanted to take you and raise us together as she was your aunt, but Dumbledore stopped her. He's some important man in the Wizarding World. Anyway, he said that you were to live with your other relatives, some horrible muggles mum said, because of some kind of protection. Mum said that she had wanted to take you away from there, but Dumbledore threatened to have her thrown in prison like dad and me put in an orphanage. So she left with me and went into hiding in case Dumbledore thought she would be a threat. We lived like that for years and mum taught me how to survive on my own, should something happen to her. She said that she'd had this bad feeling and it came true. One night someone came to our house. Mum hid me away and told me to stay there as quiet as possible and not to come down no matter what happened. That was the last time I saw her. I came out of the hiding place hours later, everything was a mess, and mum was nowhere. I took the things mum had packed for me should something like this happen and then left. That was about three months ago."

Harry felt shock, sadness, and anger course through him. He had another aunt and a niece and a Godfather. He could have live with Kara and her mother, but instead he'd had to suffer with the Dursleys. Why was his Godfather in prison? And what happened to Kara's mother, his aunt? Was she dead or thrown in prison? He was so deep in thought that he almost didn't notice as Kara started talking again.

"... you were raised by the muggles you probably don't know anything about magic. Well, there is a whole different world hidden among the 'normal' world. The Wizarding World." Kara went on to explain everything that she knew of the Wizarding World and Voldemort and everything else. It took them hours, with Kara talking, Harry asking questions and Kara answering them.

-

Albus Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (did I forget any?), Defeater of the Dark Lord Grindelwald, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump, he had a lot of names and titles and even more years on his back. The most important thing about him that you should know, however, is that he is a master manipulator. Not many know of that of course, otherwise he wouldn t be able to use people to his own gain. Currently he was sitting in his office at Hogwarts, deep in thought. It had been nearly six years since the infant Harry Potter vanquished Voldemort. The boy himself was with his mother's relatives, Aunt and Uncle to be exact, unknowing of his fame. (Or so the old man thought.) The elder Potters, James and Lily, were most likely somewhere across the world, or if he was lucky, dead. The Blacks were easy to take care of. Sirius was thrown in Azkaban for betraying the Potters, killing Peter Pettigrew and being a Death Eater, none of which he'd actually done. Maria was a bit harder to deal with as she was a Potter and she had a little brat to take care of. He'd managed to convince her that Harry needed to stay with the Dursleys. That was after he'd threatened her with Azkaban. She disappeared with her daughter for a few years, but about four months ago, he got reports, saying she had been near Little Whinging, Surrey and that's when he decided to get rid of her for good. He found her hiding place after some searching and got through the wards with relative ease. She was alone in the house, the little brat, whatever her name was, wasn't there. When he had asked about it, Maria said that she'd died a few years back of pneumonia. All the better for him. He took her to Azkaban and had her placed in a cell just across from her husband. He had originally planned to place the brat in an orphanage and leave her there, but since she was dead, his job was easier. With Maria and Sirius in Azkaban, James and Lily away and Remus Lupin a werewolf, no one could contest Harry living with the Dursleys. Now he just needed to organize for someone to go and check on him.

With that in mind, he left to terrorize... sorry, talk to his Potions Master Severus Snape.

But after he left, the phoenix shook his head, as if to show his displeasure with the man. And to think people thought him to be Dumbledore's familiar, when in truth he was tied to the school. Shaking his head once more, the phoenix disappeared in a flash of fire.

-

The Dursley family of nr 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, were a completely normal and ordinary family. Vernon Dursley worked in Grunnings Drill Company, his wife Petunia was a stay-at-home mother to their only child Dudley, who was seven years of age. Their home was perfectly normal and identical with the other houses on the street, with its well-groomed grass and beautifully arranged flowerbeds, and a car sitting in the driveway. Until recently last night, however there was another person living in the house with the Dursleys that wasn't so normal. Well, according to the Dursleys and their neighbours he wasn't. That person was none other than Harry Potter, whom we talked about earlier already. And as you know, he ran away. Anyway, the residents of nr 4 Privet Drive are going to be discovering that soon.

Petunia Dursley woke up that morning like most others before it and started to get ready for the day. Then she went down the stairs like always, to wake up her freak of a nephew so that he could make breakfast for them and then start on his chores for the day. However, when she got to the cupboard where the boy slept and opened the door, she found it empty. Looking further in, she noticed that not only the boy, but also the things they'd given him were gone, only the mattress upon which he'd slept and a few rags were in there. With that, she came to the realization that the boy had run away. The woman rushed upstairs to wake her husband, being quiet though so as not to wake her precious son.

"Vernon. Vernon, wake up. The boy is gone." Petunia said, shaking her husband. When she saw he was awake, she continued. "The boy isn't in his cupboard. I went to wake him up and he wasn't there. Some of the things we gave him are gone too. What are we going to do? What if someone comes looking for the boy?"

Vernon sat up in bed, thinking. While he was glad that they were finally rid of the brat, he didn't want the other freaks to come looking for him and then blame them for the boy's disappearance. Plus, their neighbours knew of the boy's existence and it would be suspicious if he just vanished one day. "I think that we should notify the police of this, have them looking for him, though I hope they won't find the brat. Maybe the people that left him on our doorstep took him away. Anyway, we should make it look as if he lived in Dudley's second bedroom, in case they want to see where he lived. It wouldn't do for someone to find out he slept in the cupboard. It could tarnish our name. Now, go make some breakfast and we'll discuss things further then." Petunia nodded and then left. Vernon stood up to go to the bathroom.

Petunia was just putting the food on the table when Vernon, followed by Dudley came down the stairs. Both males sat at the table and started piling food onto their plates. Then the post came and Petunia went to gather that before sitting down to eat too. After a while Vernon started speaking.

"I think that we'll set Dudley's second bedroom to look like Potter slept there and then I'll call the police to tell them that the boy is missing."

"Why my second bedroom? I need it!" Dudley whined. "And what happened with Harry?"

"He ran away. And you'll get your room back as soon as we're sure that the police won't want to see where he lived or some other rubbish. And remember, when they ask you about him, you cannot tell them that he lived in the cupboard or that he did all the chores. Understood?" Petunia asked. "Because if you do, then they might take you away from us. You don't want that, do you?" Dudley shook his head at that and promised to do as told. After breakfast was done, Petunia started washing the dishes and Vernon and Dudley went to set up the bedroom.

-

Harry and Kara were finishing setting up camp when there was a flash of fire a few feet in front of them. Both looked up to see a magnificent bird with red and golden feathers. A Phoenix, Kara whispered. Both children looked at the bird with awe. Suddenly the Phoenix started singing and it sounded as if someone was whispering in their minds. The voice, which they assumed was the Phoenix s, told them to pack their things and then to take hold of his tail-feathers. The children did as the bird told, but before they took hold of the feathers, Kara asked, Where are you taking us? Home was the answer they got. Shrugging they did as the Phoenix asked and were then engulfed in flames. Surprisingly, it didn t burn them, but seemed warm and comforting. Seconds after it started it was over and the two children were standing in an Entrance Hall of some building. The bird trilled to them one last time before disappearing. Harry and Kara looked around themselves to make sense of where they d been taken. Behind them were large wooden doors and in front stood a huge white marble staircase. There were doors leading off to other rooms but before they could go anywhere, a man and a woman appeared on the top of the stairs. Both had their wands out but when they saw the children they lowered them.

Kara was staring at the two adults in shock. Her mother had shown her photos of her Aunt Lily and Uncle James. These two looked just like them, though a bit older. As they came down the stairs she saw that it was indeed them. But how, when they were supposed to be dead? Aunt Lily? Uncle James? Is it really you? She asked.

The adults looked at her and Harry and then Lily asked, Who are you and how did you get here?

Meanwhile, Harry was standing in shock. The couple had seemed familiar to him though he d never seen them before. When Kara called them Aunt Lily and Uncle James, he froze. How could his parents be alive? And why had they left him? His father hadn t even told his own sister that he was alive and now Maria was probably dead. He was shaken from his stupor when Kara answered the question that had been asked of them.

I m Karolyn Maria Black and this is my cousin Harry James Potter. We were brought here by a Phoenix, where ever here is. Don t you recognize your own son and niece? Kara asked. The moment they heard the names leave Kara s mouth, Lily fainted. Luckily, James caught her. He lifted the woman up in her arms and told the children to follow him. He led them through one of the doors on the left side into what looked to be living room. There was a large window on the left wall, looking out onto the grounds of the house. In the wall opposite the door stood a large fireplace with a couch and armchairs surrounding it. A small table was in the middle of them and a painting hung on the wall above the fireplace.

James laid his wife down on the couch and beckoned the children to sit in the armchairs next to each other. He waved his wand over Lily and she awoke with a gasp. James helped her sit up and then conjured a glass of water for her. She took the glass gratefully and drank the water, while James sat next to her.

Harry broke the silence, asking quietly, Are you Lily and James Potter? After they nodded he asked, voice no longer quiet and laced with anger, Then where have you been for the last nearly six years? Why do you have everyone believing you re dead? Did you know that I had to live with the Dursleys? They treated me like a slave. And you James, your own sister is probably dead or Merlin knows where, while her husband, you best friend is rotting in prison for something he didn t do! Kara has been on her own for the last three months, since Maria disappeared. Why did you leave everyone? The last question was sobbed. Harry fell back to the chair, having stood at some time while yelling. Lily stood up and walked to Harry, wrapping him up in a hug, both mother and son crying.

We didn t know you were alive. Dumbledore told us that Voldemort killed you Harry and his followers, the Death Eaters, had attacked Sirius and Maria and killed you too. He said that Pettigrew betrayed us and that Remus went after him and killed him, but that the rat poisoned him with silver, and that he died too. Dumbledore said that it would be best if we left England so that we d safe from the Death Eaters seeking revenge. We believed him and left, but now I realize that he just wanted us out of his way. That bastard. James swore under his breath, but then stood to join the other three hugging.

After a while they pulled apart and the adults went back to sit one the couch, with Harry sitting in James lap and Kara in Lily s. The older two were constantly apologizing and hugging the children.

Tell us what has been happening. We ve been abroad since November in 1981. We cut ourselves off from the British Wizarding World, to make sure that nothing would remind us of everything that we lost here. James said eventually. He was still hugging Harry, as if afraid that if he let go the boy would disappear.

Where did you go to? Kara asked from Lily s lap.

This time it was Lily who spoke, answering the girl s question. We went to Japan. It was far enough away from Britain and an interesting culture. We ll take you there someday, maybe we ll even return there once the situation here has been dealt with. Now, can you tell us what s been going on?

Well, I can only tell you what my Mum told me before she disappeared. Kara started. Everyone thinks you died that night and that Dad was the one who betrayed you to Voldemort. He was put in prison without a trial. Pettigrew is supposedly dead, they say that Dad killed him. Mum said that it was Pettigrew who was the betrayer. She told me that when she tried to get custody of Harry and Dad released from prison, Dumbledore stopped her by threatening to throw her in Azkaban and me in an orphanage. Mum escaped and hid away from the Wizarding World. She tried to contact Uncle Remus, but Dumbledore had somehow managed to stop her from reaching him. Alice and Frank Longbottom were tortured to insanity. Their son Neville is raised by his grandmother. Here Kara paused for a few seconds, before continuing. About three months ago, someone came to our house. They ripped apart the wards to get in, giving Mum time to hide me away. She d been fearing it for months, teaching me what to do if she either died or was taken away. So she hid me away in the basement and told me to stay there until either she came to get me or three hours had passed. That was the last time I saw her. I waited for as long as she told me to and then went upstairs. The house was in a mess, thing were thrown about and there were burn-marks everywhere. She was gone and so was the one who had come to attack us. Since there was no sign of her anywhere I took the things she had told me to and left. I knew that it wasn t safe to stay there in-case the person who took Mum came back. I left the house and today I met Harry. He d just run away from those awful muggles he was left with. After I d explained everything to him that Phoenix appeared and brought us here.

There was silence after that, the adults trying to process everything that had happened to their friends. However, curiosity got the better of Harry and he asked a question that had been on both his and Kara s mind since they found out that James and Lily were alive. How did you survive the attack when everyone, including your friends and family, thought you died?

Well, you see, we re a sort of a demon, the Fallen. We have wings and certain powers as well as the wizard-magic. The powers are usually released on the 16th birthday of a Fallen. We are resistant to most wizard-magic and as such, the killing curse does not work on us like it does on wizards. It merely knocked us out for a few hours. When we woke up the house was in ruins and there was no sign of you. We searched the rubble for you, but when we didn t find any sign of what had happened to you, we went to Hogwarts to talk to Dumbledore. He said that you d been taken to St. Mungos hospital, but that they couldn t save you and that you were dead. Then he told us that Sirius, Maria, you Kara, and Remus had been killed in an attack. It was then agreed that we would let the public think we died too and then left for Japan. After we find Remus and Maria and have gotten Sirius out of Azkaban, we ll go back there. It won t be safe here then. We ll have to see about the situation with Neville too. James said.

But now we re going to get something to eat and then we ll get you something to eat, before getting you settled in. Added Lily. They stood up with the children still in their arms and started walking towards the kitchen.

TBC.

AN - So sorry that you had to wait so long for this. But I promised that I'd update and I did. It was actually supposed to be up yesterday, but we had some connection problems so I was without Internet yesterday. That shouldn't happen again anytime soon. I hope. Anyway, I got a mini laptop for my birthday and I wrote this chapter on it already. ( Though I couldn't upload it from my laptop.) In a few days I should have Internet connection on my laptop too. I've been using the family computer. I can't promise regular updates, but I will do my best to make sure that the new chapters don't take too long. Okay, reviews are always appreciated and adored. I'll be putting a poll up on my profile about this story, go check it out. Bye

Ann.