theHuntress101 - Can't tell you that. It's not gonna happen for a while, though.

RedRangerBelt - Yeah. Of course. Spoiler alert! Yeah, that's where Sally and Percy used to live. You'll find it out, later.

HPWallFlower - No, Percy will not be there in this fic. That's why I haven't put it under the crossover archive.

Enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own the works of Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling does.

Words – 3668


Harry sighed as a small soup bowl was pushed through the cat flap in his door. Uncle Vernon had fit it months ago when Dudley had said that it was Harry who had knocked down Mrs. Figg after stealing poor little Dudley's cycle.

He never wanted to eat the cold soup which in the first place didn't have enough nutrients a soup as an appetizer dish should have. His fruits had sustained him for years but they were getting rather monotonous. Yesterday, he had discovered Maple leaves were rather nice to taste.

In fact, every leaf, flower, stem, root (without the mud) tasted good and satisfying. Harry knew that he could survive for a long time in the wild as long as the plants allowed him to let them eat them.

He could imagine Percy laughing himself silly if he ever got to know about it.

And then Mum would say, 'One of my boyfriends had once said...'

Harry even missed her 'boyfriend' stories. Percy and Harry would always groan when she recalled all her ex-boyfriends. Sighing, he sprinkled some lemon juice over the soup before proceeding to eat it.


His finger had just grazed over the edge of the slightly broken window pane. Harry ignored the dull throbbing. Years of playing the guitar right under the Dursley's noses had made the skin on his finger tips rather numb. Mr. Petronile Dastel, who had gotten along quite well with Sally had agreed to teach Harry how to play mainly because the boy was a child prodigy.

He was bald with kind brown eyes, who was one of the only people around who actually was nice to Harry.

Mrs. Leslie Bishop, the Librarian always let him take the book of his choice, with the promise of him returning them within the week.

Mrs. Figg, though slightly crazy with her mumblings would treat Harry like an adult. Letting him do whatever he wanted in her house when the Dursleys would leave him there. This was due to the fact that her cats loved him, but Harry respected her distance.

And of course, the Wilmanson Triplet, Elsa, Leila and Sanya who thought him to be their role-model. Though their parents would never have let them stay with Harry, the girls where smart enough to sit with him when their parents were busy.

Harry knew that they hated it whenever he wouldn't come. He had to play his guitar for them so that they would throw his book at his head. How they'd get their hands on it was a mystery Harry had yet to figure out.

He heard his door knob and he looked up to his aunt, her hands dripping wet.

"Your punishment's over. Make Dudley his bacon."

Harry wordlessly got off his bed and went straight to the kitchen. It had been more than three weeks since the zoo incident. He had no idea where the boa was, but hoped that it got to a ship safely.

Then he saw his aunt wash something in the sink. The smell coming was quite horrendous.

He had an idea for what it was but dismissed it and went to the pan. He kept to his thoughts, trying to not look into the sink and sat down to start on his breakfast when Dudley paraded into the room wearing what might have been the official dress code of an alien spaceship. Harry then remembered that he was going to a school called Smelting's where people were forced to wear maroon tailcoats, orange knickerbockers, and flat straw hats called boaters. He had a thick knobbly stick and banged it against the couch to alert the others.

Aunt Petunia burst into tears and hugged him and said, "My little Dudleypie is all grown up!"

Uncle Vernon, grinned proudly and announced, "Yes, I can definitely saw that this is the best day of our lives!"

Harry had one hand squashed up against his cheek, his elbow resting on the table as he had a completely bored expression. He wondered what Percy would have said and then realised that his brother might have been too busy laughing to say anything.

Dudley smirked and waved his stick close to Harry who ignored him. There was a sound of the mail sliding through the slot in the front door. Uncle Vernon turned a page in his newspaper and said,

"Get the mail, Dudley."

"Make Harry get it."

"Get the mail, Harry."

"Make Dudley get it."

"Poke him with you Smelting's stick, Dudley."

Harry dodged the stick and went. Apparently, his uncle was in a good mood today.

There were three letters. A mail from Uncle Vernon's sister, Marge. (Or Monster Marge, as Percy used to call her), the electricity bill (which would be no doubt larger, due to what Dudley had done to the TV last week) and a letter for Harry.

He could have sworn that his neurons stopped functioning for a second before working over time.

Was Mum finally writing to him? Was she going to come back? Did Percy finally convince her to take him away?

Harry stared at the heavy yellow envelope.

Mr. H Potter,

The smallest bedroom,

No. 4, Privet Drive,

Little Whinging, Surrey.

He turned it and frowned. There was a thick emblem of a badger, eagle, lion and a snake around the letter 'H'. Percy couldn't have drawn that. Sure he's always said that 'H' was a main part in Harry's life especially with his scar resembling the letter in lower case.

But he felt that this 'H' was different.

"What are you doing, boy? Checking for letter bombs?" Uncle Vernon chuckled at his own words.

No, I'm thinking, but you wouldn't know what that means.

Harry slipped the letter under his shirt and gave the other two to his uncle. He ate his breakfast, ignoring what Uncle Vernon complained about or the smell getting even more horrible or Dudley whacking his leg every now and then.

When he finally finished his work, he cleaned up and ran outside. Making sure that no one saw him, he climbed over the gate and started running. For the first time in nearly three years he felt something that was close to hope blossom in his chest.

He reached his usual training spot and climbed up his tree which was right above the river.

Breathing in the smell of the earth, forest and fresh non-polluted air, he took out the letter and stared at it again.

The first doubt came only when he saw the red wax with a seal the same as the emblem. Wax wasn't in use at this age and time. Was it a code for something? He smelled the letter and then realised that there was a faint tingling sensation from it. As if the letter couldn't wait for him to open it.

He carefully tore the flap open and took out the letter which was a yellow coloured paper. Parchment would be a more accurate term for it. It was longer than a Type A paper and thus read...

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump of International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Harry J Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry frowned. A school. The letter had accepted him into a school whose name was not 'Stonewall High'.

His Mum's voice rang through his head. A school. For him. He was different. A whole school for people as different as him?

It sounded hogwash! Hogwarts! What kind of school name was that?

Harry looked into the envelope to see another folded parchment.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK.

Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus

Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

Oh yes, wizards and witches and magic and spells and potions. Made a lot of sense, it did! (Notice the sarcasm?)

Harry closed his eyes. Magic. That's what he could do. He listened to the sounds of the forests. They told him he was special.

The tingling sensation of the letter faded away completely.

Harry turned it to look at the emblem. The 'H' was for Hogwarts. The symbol was certainly not drawn. It couldn't be printed either. It was embossed as if a custom made sticker was attached to the letter. The material was heavy and obviously expensive. If it was a joke, it was a very costly one.

Harry decided to go with the large part of his brain that was screaming, Yes, you can do magic! You're a Hogwarts student, now!

Harry took a deep breath and looked up. He had to reply by his birthday. How? He could flick a plain sheet from his uncle's study and get a pen with a proper refill. But he would have to explain his situation.

How was he supposed to get the letter to these people? There was no return address. More to the fact, there wasn't a stamp either. How did it go through customs?

He had no idea, where the entire world was!

There had to be a clue. Harry re-read the letter in vain. It wasn't written from where to buy all the equipment. Harry glared at the letter. Shouldn't these people make sure that the students understand what they have in their hands? If they wanted the children to not think it was a practical joke...

Harry sighed and came to the conclusion that the only person close to him who knew the slightest hints about magic was his aunt. She had to know something!

On the other hand, he had another idea...


Headmaster Albus Dumbledore,

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,

Dear Headmaster,

I have received your letter of acceptance into your school. Unfortunately, it does not contain any necessary information of from where to purchase all the equipment. Furthermore, the letter was sent in the mindset that I have knowledge of the Wizarding world, where I don't. This letter has not followed the normal method of letters sending and receiving and so, I'm at a loss on what to do about the situation.

Please reply soon,

Yours sincerely,

H Potter.

He slid the folded A-4 sheet into an envelope and leaned back against his small chair. His room had been neglected since yesterday when he had received his letter and there was the evidence of the newspapers, books, papers and over-flowing dustbin.

Maybe he could use his magic to get the letter to the school. Harry kept the envelope on the window sill and stared at it.

After a few minutes of not blinking, he shut his eyes to get rid of the burning sensation.

He'd have to ask his aunt then. This was not good...

The sound of ruffling feathers made him look up and nearly jump. He was staring at a big brown owl who was staring back at him smartly. Much too smartly.

"Will you deliver the letter?" Harry asked uncertainly. The owl hooted softly and stretched out its leg where there was a dark blue tag to clip on the letter comfortably. Harry frowned. The owl was trained well.

He slowly attached the letter and the owl looked at him again.

"I need you to send it to Hogwarts. To the headmaster. If it's no problem, that is..."

The owl hooted, slightly offended by his words and flew away. Harry leaned out to see the direction. The owl flew north and Harry stared until it was out of sight.

What was north of Surrey? London, North England and then Scotland and open seas. He would have to look more into it.


Leslie, the librarian patted Harry's head and left him in the middle of the map room.

Harry had received yesterday's reply in the wee hours of the morning and had set off at once to the library. There had been a bit of dust in this owl's feather and when he had brushed them off, he had made sure that the dust fell on his bed.

The soil was a type found near the border of England and Scotland. The snake hadn't been kidding when he had said that it was very far away.

He looked at reply once again. He liked the slanting looping handwriting.

Mr. H Potter,

The smallest bedroom,

No. 4, Privet Drive,

Little Whinging, Surrey.

Dear Mr. H Potter,

I have received your unexpected queries on our institution in surprise. I do know that, you uncle and aunt have knowledge about our situation. If they have not been able to explain all your doubts or have withheld that information from you on purpose, send back a reply and I will send an escort to personally explain your questions to your satisfaction.

I apologise for the sudden introduction of the Wizarding world and hope to see your letter of agreement no later than July 31st.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore,

Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Order of Merlin, First Class; Grand Sorc.; Chf. Warlock;Supreme Mugwump of International Confed. of Wizards

Harry hadn't expected the headmaster himself to reply back in sincerity. He had sent back another letter as soon as he had read to tell him about having no idea of their world.

Harry turned back to the map of North England and decided that the school was in Scotland. Maybe he should have to ask where in Scotland.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, breathing in the smell of the dust of books. He was lost in his thoughts till Leslie shook him and he got up with a jolt.

"It's nearly lunch time, Harry. Shouldn't you be going?" She chided and he helped her arrange all the maps back and took his small packet of dust along with the letter.

He ran back all the way and knew for sure that he'd be in trouble.

He climbed the maple tree. Perhaps he could convince them that he'd been in his room all the time. It would have worked if Dudley hadn't seen him through the window.

"DAD! Harry's climbing that tree. I told you he wasn't in the house!"

"BOY! GET DOWN HERE, THIS INSTANT!"

Harry sighed. He leapt into his room, hid his letters and went down the stairs, his hands in his pockets. He stood and stared at his uncle calmly.

"Where were you?" Uncle Vernon asked in a forced calm voice.

"The Library."

"What were you doing in the Library?"

"Reading."

"What were you reading?"

"Maps."

"Of what?"

"England and Scotland."

"Why?"

"To find out where Hogwarts is."

Uncle Vernon stopped breathing and Harry took a second to admire the beautiful change of colours in his uncle's face. Normal to red to blue to purple to grey. Spectacular.

"What did you say?" His uncle asked in a deadly whisper.

Harry shrugged as if he wasn't standing next to a bomb.

"Hogwarts. Apparently, I'm not going to Stone Wall. I wanted to confirm this before telling you. I send a letter to the headmaster of Hogwarts and he replied that he'd be sending someone today to explain everything."

"PETUNIA!" Uncle Vernon screamed. Harry's aunt rushed in, wiping her hands in her floral apron. She frowned at the scene. A confused son behind the couch, an unreadable expression on her husband's face and a very calm nephew who looked bored.

"What is it?" She asked unknowingly opening Pandora's box.

"HIM! THAT'S WHAT! HE GOT THAT LETTER! THEY TOOK HIM IN!"

Aunt Petunia stared at her husband and then at Harry. She glared at her nephew.

"How dare you?"

"No, I've never dared anyone for three years." Harry said seriously. His aunt's face was red.

"You freak! I knew it! We should never have taken you in!" She shrieked and Harry asked, "Then why did you? Is it because of the shield?"

His aunt looked shocked. "What? Who told you that?"

"You're asking me too many questions. May I ask a few now? Why didn't you tell me I was a wizard?"

His aunt and uncle staggered back as if he had announced that he was going to destroy the world.

"You...you... you're not going!"

"Yes, I am."

Aunt Petunia blew it, "NO! WE SWORE THAT WE WOULDN'T LET YOU GO! AND YOU MOST CERATINLY ARE NOT –"

There was a crack like a gun-shot and the Dursleys and Harry froze. He flexed his left wrist and the dagger came into his hand. He held it into a defensive position. The Dursleys were quaking with fear.

They could see a huge silhouette moving through the net of the window. It was much taller than the average man's height. It moved slowly stumbling, now and then over the thin stone pavement around the house.

Dudley scrambled from his spot to hide behind his mother who squeaked.

The silhouette came around the front and then disappeared behind the wall.

The doorbell rang.

For a few seconds, nobody moved. The bell rang again and they heard a series of knocks.

Harry inched forward after realising that the Dursleys were frozen. He made the dagger disappear and opened the door.

There was a mountain of a man who looked down at him. He had lots of wild tangles of hair around his face. He had eyes which looked kind. His clothes were slightly old and his brown coat was faded. He had huge boots and Harry looked up to see the giant smiling.

" 'ello there, Harry. For a momen' , I though' you wes James!"

Harry blinked. The man didn't look mad or deranged. In fact, Harry had the strangest dream of him flying.

"My Dad?"

"Yeah! Do you mind, if I came in?"

Harry opened the door and the giant squeezed in. He shut the door and put a pink umbrella into his coat. Harry stared at it and then looked at the man who smiled at the frozen people in the room.

Uncle Vernon got some of his courage and stammered, "What are you?"

The man blinked, "The Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts, of course!"

Harry said, "I told them you were coming. What's your name?"

"Rubeus Hagrid. I stay at 'ogwarts. Dumbledore told me tha' you had some problem –"

"Yes! He's not going!" Uncle Vernon said.

Hagrid looked confused, "You can't 'ome-school 'im. Otha magical schools are really far away. 'ogwarts is the best option."

"He doesn't need any of this nonsense!" Uncle Vernon sneered and Hagrid frowned, "Nonsense? No, no, you got it all confused. 'arry's had his name down ever since 'e and... 'e was born."

Harry caught the stumble in Hagrid's words. He and whom?

"He isn't going! The boy doesn't need to be any more of a freak than he already is!"

Hagrid lost his calm. He stepped towards Uncle Vernon who stepped back onto Aunt Petunia's foot who screamed.

"Lily was righ' when she said, ya were no good." Hagrid said quietly.

Harry looked up surprised. His parents had known him.

"He...he isn't –" Uncle Vernon tried but Hagrid interrupted him.

" 'arry? Do you wanna go to 'ogwarts?"

Harry looked at Hagrid and then at the Dursleys. "Yes."

"Ya can't stop 'im now, Dursley."

"I can try." The man said and nearly ran back when Hagrid glared at him.

"Try it and I'll flatten you like a pancake. If 'e wants ter go, 'e's goin'."

Harry liked this man.

"Hagrid? I have a few doubts." Harry asked. Hagrid looked at him and smiled.

"Sure! I'll explain everythin' on the way to Diagon Alley. Dumbledore said ter take ye shoppin'."

"Diagon Alley? Now? I'm ready. Shall we leave?"

"Yeah." Hagrid gave a hard look at the Dursleys and turned but Uncle Vernon shouted, "HE'S NOT GOING!"

"Shout a little more, Dursley. Hopefully, ye'll explode." Hagrid said, a little amused.

"I'M NOT LETTING YOU TAKE HIM!" Uncle Vernon's vein was dangerously pulsing and Harry wondered how painful the man's death would be if it actually burst.

Hagrid opened the door and said, "He'll be back by the evenin', I'll take care of 'im."

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I AM, YOU BIG –"

Hagrid shut the door and walked along with Harry. " 'e 'as a bad temper."

Harry nodded. "Where's Diagon Alley?"

"In London. Ye get yer school stuff and lot's of otha' thin' there. Firs', we'll need to get yer money ter go shoppin'."

"I haven't got enough money, Hagrid."

"Sure ye do! We need to go ter Gringotts firs'. It's our bank. Yer trust fund is in there!"

"I have a trust fund?"

"It's not as big as yer family vault, I expect, but it's enough for yer seven yers."

"I have a family vault?"


Yeah, this was real long. I was going to continue and then realised that it would be better in the next chapter. My chap lengths will be irregular depending on the content. It won't go below 2000 words, but it won't be too long, either.

I'm not sure if I got Hagrid's style of speaking right. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know or I'll continue it this way.

If anyone's got any doubts, PM or review me! If it isn't a spoiler, I'll answer them.

Stay tuned for more!

Cabba.