Chapter 1: 1992

Harry Potter had been stigmatized all his life. From the moment he came to live with the Dursley's he had been punched and prodded by Dudley, his vile older cousin, bossed around by his aunt, and generally disliked by his uncle. For almost a decade he had suffered, the only reprieve coming when Dudley left the primary school just one year ahead of him. Hed moved on to a fancy, expensive, preparatory school. Harry's future lay in a school for criminally inclined boys. For once he didn't even care. But all that changed one afternoon. While shuffling through the mail he saw a thick rough envelope addressed not to the Dursleys, but to him. Careful, making sure Dudley was not watch Harry slipped it into the vent to the cupboard under the stairs, where he slept. Later that night he read the letter. He didn't believe it at first, certain it was some cruel joke of the Dursleys. In fact the more he thought about it the more he was certain that was the case. And so he pushed the letter from his mind and rolled onto his side to sleep.


Harry moved towards the platform of Kings Cross station reeling. He'd come far from believing that first letter to be a hoax. The last three months had been a blur and he was still trying to figure out what had happened. But somehow he was here. Having spent the whole day shopping in a magical street next to a giant who bought him a pet owl! Now he was looking for a platform called 9¾ if such a place even existed. Yet some part of him still doubted that it was all an elaborate hoax, that the Dursleys would pop out at any moment and reveal that everyone were actors and that it was all a ploy to make him look like a fool. As he walked down the platform of Kings Cross trying to ignore the stares he was getting from all sides from the bight snowy owl on his trolley he spotted an unusual group. A plump woman with flame red hair leading five children like ducks down the platform. Harry's curiosity would be the death of his someday he reasoned as he crept forward to peer at the small group

"Alright, off you go love." the woman said as the tallest boy nodded and rushed forward. Harry watched then gasped silently as the boy disappeared just as his cart would have struck the brick wall. Harry watched the four other children then waited for the woman to follow before he strengthened his resolve and took a leap of faith charging at the wall. He glided through it perfectly and stared in wonder at the train before he glanced at the clock and began rushing to get his things in the baggage car. As he stepped into the cabin he glanced at the platform and felt a slight twinge of jealousy at the all children wishing their parents goodbye. He spotted the large family from earlier and noticed how the youngest boy seemed annoyed at his mother and scoffed.

"He really is foolish isn't he." an airy voice said beside him. Harry glanced over, staring at the blond girl beside him in wonder.

"How did you-"

"I could see your thought on your face, your nose was screaming it." the girl said matter of factly. "my name is Luna by the way. Luna Lovegood. It's very nice to meet you Harry." Harry's face instantly twisted into a grimace.

"ah. Right. Nice to meet you too." Harry said as he self consciously covered his scar with the shock of hair in front of his face

"Do you like pudding?" the girl asked suddenly. Harry blinked a bit

"Uh… yeah? Who doesn't?"

"Oh good! We can be friends then." she said before she smiled a bit and grabbed his arm pulling him down the corridor of the train.

"Whoa! Hey, where are we going?!" Harry asked.

"We're meeting a friend of mine." Luna said before she brought them to a halt and knock on the door to a compartment. Harry instantly recognized the red headed girl as the one trailing behind the long line of boys at the entrance, including the boy who did not appreciate his mother's farewell.

"Hi Lu! Who's this?" the girl asked with a slight smile.

"Hello Ginny, this is Harry. He likes pudding." Luna said before she sat down across from the girl with a dreamy smile.

"Hi Harry, I'm Ginny, oh and this is Colin." Ginny said gesturing to the mousey looking boy next to her. "He couldn't find an empty compartment."

"Hi. I'm Harry… is that a camera?" Harry said hoping to draw attention away from himself.

"Uh, yeah… I'm still kinda certain this is all a dream… I want photographic evidence yeah know." Colin said before he pulled his camera out fully

"Tell me about it." Harry said quietly before suddenly the train jerked forward. The four all exchanged weary glances before smiles slowly bloomed over their faces.

"Here hoping this year is loads of fun." Ginny said sheepishly.

"Yeah… and maybe I can figure out how to make my pictures move! Professor McGonagall showed off a moving picture when she came to explain things to my parents… my parents don't have magic you see. It was all kinda shocking for them when a great big owl flew into our kitchen." Colin told as he chuckled a bit

"My dad is obsessed with muggles… bit embarrassing really." Ginny admitted with a wince.

"My aunt and uncle don't really understand magic either." Harry explain vaguely.

"I just have my dad. He's the editor of a wizard magazine." Luna said with a smile.

"Wizards have magazines?" Colin asked, riding on the same train of thought as Harry. With that Luna began on a long spiel about magazine editing and issues of her dad's magazine The Quibbler. the more Harry heard about it the more he realized it was like one of those 'quack newsletters' uncle Vernon was always talking about. But Luna didn't seem to care that Colin's eyes had long since taken on a glazed quality or that Ginny was looking at the scenery. Suddenly there was a startling knock on the door. The four looked over as an ancient woman smiled at them.

"Anything from the trolley dears? We've got licorice wands, chocolate frogs, pumpkin pasties?" Harry looked around and noticed that Colin and Ginny both seemed to flinch with each new candy listed while Luna was respectfully keeping her mouth shut. Harry thought about this then smiled and stood.

"We'll take one of everything please." he said before brandishing a handful of gold. Colin's mouth dropped open while Ginny' eyes suddenly lit up with recognition. Luna just kept on smiling dreamily. As so the four ate the new mound of sweets.

"I never liked licorice much… but this is not half bad." Colin said as chewed on the wand.

"Here Harry, this one doesn't look too bad… thought you never can tell with berties…" Ginny admitted before searching the bag again. Harry nibbled a bit of the red and brown and coughed heavily.

"I think that's either cinnamon or chilly powder… either way it's ghastly." Harry choked before he tossed it into the pile of wrappers accumulating on the floor

"I had one that tasted like rotten fish once." Luna said as she bit into her cauldron cake. Harry and Colin both gagged while Ginny stared at her unimpressed.

"Fred and George figured out a spell to pull all the vomit flavoured ones out and tried to force me to eat them all at once, haven't you noticed that I've been tossing them all out the window?" Ginny said with a harrowed look on her face.

"Your brother sounds more and more like jerks the more you talk about." Colin said worriedly. Ginny laughed.

"Yeah they can be pretty awful, but their family so I guess I'm stuck with them ya know?" Ginny reasoned. The rest of the ride was amicable, the four took turns changing as the sky grew dark.

"So… what do you think Hogwarts is gonna be like?" Colin asked Harry as they waited for the girls to change.

"Honestly. I have no idea." Harry admitted. Part of him hated that. Supposedly both his parent were powerful magic users and he knew nothing about their world. He reasoned he'd have to start studying right away. He wanted to know as much as possible. As the girls opened the compartment and the boys joined them again Ginny was buzzing in her seat.

"Finally… after all this time finally! You have no idea how annoying it is to listen to four people talk about how wonderful Hogwarts is every year when you're not old enough to go yet." Ginny said with a grin.

"I can imagine." Harry said with a smile. Eventually, the train came to a stop and Harry spotted Hagrid amid the sea of students. The boats to cross the lake seemed rickety at first but he and Colin got in them alright when they turned around the corner Harry couldn't stop the rush of air leaving his lungs. Hogwarts was huge! He hoped they gave out maps or something. Slowly the boats reached the little boathouse and all the students stepped out. The small group slowly made their way up the long steps until they steep in front of a very large door. As they stood there waiting an austere-looking woman stepped forwards.

"Greeting all and welcome. My name is Professor McGonagall. I welcome you all to your time here at Hogwarts. Now. in a few short moments you will pass through these doors and be sorted into your house. There are four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Whilst you are here at Hogwarts you will live and take your classes with your houses. Obeying the rules and performing well in classes will earn you points, while any rule-breaking," at this the woman gave Harry a warning look that he didn't understand making him frown in consternation "will lose you points. The house with the most points at the end of the year wins the house cup." she waited for this message to sink in before she turned around and left them again.

"Oh this is so exciting!" Ginny squealed happily.

"Isn't it though. Tell us are there any more of your Weasley's coming?" a dark-skinned boy asked with a smirk. Ginny frowned and tossed him a dirty look alongside the three new friends.

"Ignore him. Harper Rowle thinks he's a born again god, but from what I've heard he's not very intelligent." Ginny said with a smirk. Harry and Colin snorted a bit and chuckled but Luna began guffawing loudly with laughter causing everyone to turn and stare at her. She sighed contently after a while.

"That was funny." she said airily. Just as she said that McGonagall returned.

"If you'll follow me." she said before she led all the students down the hall to an even bigger door. As she stepped towards it the doors spread wide open and Harry's mouth fell a bit agape. The hall was huge, filled with four massive tables, at the front of the room massive stained glass windows reached up to the ceiling, high above them candles floated casting the whole place in a gorgeous golden glow. The ceiling itself seemed to be made of gorgeous seamless glass showcasing the starry sky above. As they moved down the hall Harry noticed a shabby hat sitting on a stool. McGonagall beckoned them to stop as they reached the stairs leading up to the table where all the teachers were sitting.

"Now!" she called to eth small group "when I call your name you will step forward." she lifted the tattered hat "I will place the sorting hat upon your head, and you will be sorted into your house." a small shaking girl behind Harry heaved a sigh of relief.

"Dad was joking about the dragons… I am going to write him such a letter!" she whispered to the girl beside her.

"Alison, Catrina" the aforementioned girl jumped before making her way up to the front. She sat on the stool and the hat was placed on her head. It was so big that it slipped down over her eyes causing a small snicker to ripple through the hall. After a few minutes, the hat suddenly appeared to have a face again and cried out.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the girl jumped up and walked towards the table where the people were all clapping and smiling at her.

"Creevey, Colin!" McGonagall called. Colin took a deep breath and smiled at Harry before stepping forwards. It only took a few seconds before.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Harry watched as he followed Catrina and smiled at her. Slowly the names went by. Clara Fitzgibbon walked to Gryffindor with a little spring in her step while Luna skipped happily over to Ravenclaw humming beautiful dreamer dreamily. Anna McFlagen was under that hat for almost five minutes before rushing over to Gryffindor while Morag McNair was placed into Slytherin in almost four seconds. More students went up to the hat and were placed in each of the houses they were meant to go.

"Potter, Harry!" McGonagall cried. Almost instantly a buzzing rang through the hall, like a swarm of bees waiting to strike. Harry took a deep breath and, with an encouraging grin from Ginny stepped forward and sat on the stool. As the hat settled over his eyes the sound of the hall disappeared.

"Hmmmm." a voice whispered in Harry's head making him jump a bit. "You are a tricky one. Loyalty to be sure, even now you hold your new friends dear. A thirst for knowledge oh yes. And bravery in spades. Plus that thirst to prove yourself as something more… oh yes. I can see it now. They will see you on to greatness. And you will be great." Harry suddenly couldn't help thinking of the wand shop describing Voldemort. "What kind of greatness you achieve is entirely up to you Harry Potter, but I think; yes. Better be… SLYTHERIN!" the hat was ripped off of Harry's head rather unceremoniously. McGonagall was gripping it in her hand so hard Harry feared it would rip in two. She was staring at him in shock. Up at the head table the headmaster was staring at him thoughtful stroking his beard. The student were all eerily quiet. Suddenly a small clap rang out. Harry scanned the crowd and saw who it was. Colin was smiling and clapping for him slowly Luna joined him and then Ginny started clapping too. After a few second more hands joined in until all the hall was clapping. Then a few Slytherins started cheering and whistling as Harry walked towards them. Morag looked at him curiously before offering the seat next to hers which he gladly took before he offered her a handshake. After she graciously took it Harry turned his attention back to the sorting. his slight grin turned to a scowl as Harper Rowle sauntered over towards him having just been sorted into Slytherin.

"What a surprise Potter. We'll be dorm mates you know." Harper said holding out his hand

"Lucky me." Harry gripped denying him the shake. Harry turned towards the hat one last time as Ginny stepped forwards and was sorted into Gryffindor as soon as the hat brushed the top of her red hair. Harry caught her eye and noticed a grin blooming on her face. As soon as she sat down she was swarmed by four boys who all shared her freckles and hair as they shook her head and congratulated her. He felt a slight pang in his chest at that when suddenly the hall grew silent and Dumbledore rose to his feet.

"Let the feast. Begin" Dumbledore said as he spread his hands. Suddenly the trays before them were filled with piles upon mountains of glorious food. Harry's mouth started to water before he began piling his plate full of food. Suddenly the empty place in front of him was filled by three boys.

"Hello there." a blond in the middle said, while the two hulking boys beside him began stuffing their faces. "My name is Draco Malfoy. And I think Mr. Potter you and I will have a wonderful relationship."

"I don't even know who you are." Harry said with an unimpressed frown. The blond started to sputter before he laughed.

"Oh, Harry! You have such an excellent sense of humour!"

"Don't. call me Harry." Harry said in annoyance. "We're not friends." Draco's face turned into a snarl.

"Well, you don't have any friends anymore, do you! I noticed your little band on the train. You think Weasley will still be your friend now that you're in Slytherin?! Not likely!" Draco took a breath and straightened his immaculate tie. "Besides. Weasley's aren't the sort of wizards one should associate with. They aren't exactly… polite society." Harry stood up and slammed his hands on the table.

"Never insult my friends again Malfoy!" Harry snapped angrily. The student around them all quieted, including the Ravenclaws behind them. Draco glared at him and stood up himself, straightening his robes with a snap before turning to the two boys that followed him.

"Come along Crabbe, Goyle. Potter obviously has no idea who he's dealing with." with that he walked off, the two boys trailing behind him with plates full of food leaving Harry to his meal.

"You're insane." Morag hissed in his ear.

"Why?" Harry asked as he took a bite.

"That was the Draco Malfoy! His dad is on the board of governors, their one of the most powerful wizarding families in the world! You don't insult them, they insult you and you laugh about it with them!" Morag said quietly. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Ah Morag I don't think you noticed but I'm the most famous wizard in the world. I think I'm allowed to ruffle a few rich people's feathers." Harry said tiredly.

"Well Potter just be careful, you keep making enemies and the world will get very difficult very quickly." Morag said before she continued her meal.

"Thanks for the tip." Harry said before he too went back to eating.


Harry looked over his time table at breakfast with a raised eyebrow. For today it looked like he had double potions with Gryffindor then transfiguration and charms. He sighed thoughtfully before grabbing a last piece of toast and shoving it in his mouth before collecting his book bag. He was reading 1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi when someone walked up beside him and bumped his shoulder and he coughed and pulled the choking piece of bread out of his mouth.

"Oh my gosh sorry!" Ginny cried worriedly "are you alright? I didn't see you were eating!" Harry looked at her wearily.

"Are you going to do this every Monday?" he asked carefully.

"What? Make you choke? I hope not." Ginny said sheepishly. Harry stopped and looked at her.

"Aren't you going to be keeping our house rivalry alive." Harry offered sarcastically. Ginny suddenly understood and grind.

"Bollocks to house rivalry." Ginny said happily. "You're my friend Harry. I'm not gonna let something silly like the colour of our ties bring us apart." Harry stared at her shocked before Ginny laughed and gave him a hug. Suddenly a dark chorus of boos rang across the hallway.

"Look everyone, Potters got a spotty blood traitor for a girlfriend!" Rowle cried. Harry marched over and clapped him on the head with his textbook.

"Shut it Rowle. She not my girlfriend." Harry growled. Suddenly the class door banged open and Snape stood staring in the doorway. Harry swallowed and straightened up. Snape looked at the small crowd of children and pointed into the room without a word. Everyone took their seats. Ginny dutifully sat next to Harry causing the pair to exchange a smile. The pair knew that from this day forward, nothing would challenge their friendship.


"All I'm saying is he's barmy." Harry argued as he dropped his books at the base of the tall old tree growing in the transfiguration courtyard and proceeded to climb up the tree.

"He's not that bad." Ginny countered.

"You're in the class with me Gin! You see him! He stares at me for God's sake!" Harry argued triedly.

"To be fair almost everyone stares at you." Luna mentioned. Harry just ground.

"Why don't they take a picture, it lasts longer." a bulb flashed blindingly. "Colin!" the blond was snickering until Ginny thwacked him on the back of the head.

"Ow! Oh, come on he asked didn't he?" Colin reasoned still shaking with mirth.

"We should probably head down to class." Luna reminded Harry quietly.

"Ugh, you're right." Harry groaned quietly. "I think I forgot my dragon hide gloves this morning…"

"Sprout always has spares." Ginny offered as she clamoured down the tree. "Just borrow one of hers!"

"Yeah but the stuff you get from her is always… pre-used." Harry said with a slight whine as he held up the rear of the group coming down the tree.

"You're starting to turn into a stuffy pureblood Harry." Colin remarked with a touch of melancholy.

"Shut it." Harry said with a laugh as he playfully shoved the small Hufflepuff. The group had a small laugh before Harry and Colin waved the girls off and headed towards herbology. As they walked down the halls Harry spotted Professor Snape walking with a purpose down the hall. He eventually stopped in front of the pair and Harry gave Colin a glance. Which the blond understood as continued on his way to class.

"How can I help you, Professor?"

"The loyalty of your friends is rather astounding ." Professor Snape said quietly. Harry smiled.

"Why thank you, sir."

"It's not a compliment Mr. Potter but a warning. Do not take their loyalty for granted." the dark professor said with a cold tone. Harry's face changed.

"I'm sorry Professor but what kind of fool do you think I am?" Harry asked, very straightforward. The potions professor visibly rose an eyebrow.

"Mr. Potter I am not a fool myself. I would never in this lifetime think you one." Snape argued.

"Good. Then you would do well to stop trying to tell me to stop interacting with my friends." Harry said with a smile. Professor Snape visibly repositioned himself in a rare display of shock. "I could see through that a mile away Professor." Harry said with a grin before he walked down the hall feeling rather proud that he had put the ever austere Severus Snape in his place.


Colin was the first to barge into the portrait of the Hufflepuff common room. The few older years looked at him strangely before his three closest friends rushed in after him. Harry collapsed on the floor and panted heavily.

"My whole life flashed before my eyes." Luna said in a shocked tone. "I haven't discovered enough new species yet." she lamented.

"That is the definition of a dog that hasn't been walked enough." Harry said with his heaving.

"Tell me about it!" Ginny said in agreement.

"Creevey! What's going on!" the Hufflepuff prefect demanded as he loomed over the mousey blond with his hands on his hips.

"Sorry, Luis… it was the closest common room." Colin said wearily. "I wasn't climbing Ravenclaw or Gryffindor tower and Ginny would get lynched if we went down to Harry's."

"I like having a head." Ginny argued, raising her tired arm up

"They wouldn't behead you. Just lop off a few of your fingers… and maybe an arm if Marcus Flint was awake." Harry commented plainly

"Gee thanks, Harry." Ginny said sarcastically

"It's not that I'd let them!" Harry argued. "I just couldn't really stop them either!"

"Who knew taking a detour would almost cost us our lives." Colin said quietly.

"Sounds like a normal day at Hogwarts." Luis said with a shrug before everyone went back to their work allowing the three non-Hufflepuff first years to catch their breaths.


"This year just keeps getting weirder." Harry commented as he closed the door behind him to the small abandoned classroom where his friends had begun holding late night meetings thanks in part to a strange anonymous Christmas gift from Harry and an interesting charm Luna found in the library.

"First that three-headed dog, then the troll… fiasco. Now, this incident this morning.

"Good thing Professor Snape was there. Or you would have been a pretty impressive stain on the dungeon wall." Colin remarked quietly.

"What I don't understand, and professor Snape agrees with me, is that my potion was perfect. I hadn't made a single mistake. Then professor Quirrell walked in and it almost blew everyone up."

"Whoa… Harry that sound like-" Ginny started.

"It sounds like exactly what you think it sounds like Ginny." Harry said darkly.

"Are you sure that's wise?" Luna said quietly. "Several of the professors already suspect you."

"Not that I've done anything to deserve that. Even Ginny admits that McGonagall has it out to get me, for some reason."

"He's right. Professor McGonagall really does not trust him. She's even told me that I should find other friends."

"You too huh?" Harry commented dryly.

"The difference is I don't know how you can tell what Snape is thinking." Ginny commented suspiciously.

"Talent." Harry said with a smirk. That set the group off into a snicker.


"I hate Malfoy." Harry complained aside Ginny as the pair trudged through the forbidden forest with an annoyed air.

"He's a conniving little bastard to be sure." Ginny complained. Suddenly a twig snapped beside them. Fang visibly began shaking while Harry patted the scared dog.

"Relax. It's just a twig."

"I think he's more afraid of what made the twig snap." Ginny commented matter of factly despite her own fear.

"It's probably just a… oh right, forbidden forest." Harry suddenly realized. Suddenly the aura of the place shifted and Harry's scar began to feel as though it were splitting open. He doubled over from the sheer pain of it. Ginny panicked as the bushes suddenly erupted into flames before over the ashes stepped a tall man in a black cloak. Fang bolted in terror. Ginny growled and drew her wand on the man bet was blasted off her feet and landed unconscious before she even opened her mouth. Harry stumbled back blindly through the pain when suddenly his ears filled with the sound of hooves. He looked up with tears filled eyes and saw a strange creature kick at the man until he ran back into the shadows of the forest and disappeared.

"Ginny!" Harry cried as his mind was finally unfogged from pain.

"Harry Potter." the creature said pensively. Harry looked up into the human face and gaped. Before him stood a powerful centaur with auburn curly hair. Harry had only heard of centaurs in Greek myths back in primary. He had no idea that they were real. "This forest is a dangerous place. Especially for you."

"Yeah, thanks for the tip." Harry said blandly before he turned back to Ginny who was slowly coming to.

"What was that thing?" she asked with a groan.

"He was a man who had committed the ultimate crime and sacrifice." the centaur said before he stepped aside. The two children took in the sight of brutalized unicorn.

"Oh god was that a vampire?" Ginny asked in horror.

"No." the centaur said blocking the children's vision again. "You see unicorn blood has healing properties. But it comes at a price. To kill a unicorn is already a terrible price of the soul, but to then drink of its blood is another matter. It can grant the drinker life even if they are but hours from death, but that life will be forever scarred and mired with pain."

"Why would someone do that to themselves?" Harry said in slight horror.

"One who is desperate… and perhaps fueled by a single goal in mind." the centaur hinted.

"Oh God Harry." Ginny suddenly said quietly and Harry understood.

"Voldemort."


"So he's trying to come back?!" Colin said in a slight panic

"Yes." Harry said matter of factly.

"What are we going to do about it?" Ginny asked.

"Well… given the evidence. We know that the philosopher's stone is here in Hogwarts. It's being guarded by Fluffy and likely several other enchantments. Considering that Voldemort has already gotten past the defences at Gringotts it seems very likely that he will attempt to steal it again from Hogwarts. Once he does he'll likely find Harry and kill him."Luna finished plainly.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Lu." Harry argued in annoyance.

"Well Harry. He's a fully trained wizard that killed at least two thousand people. You're a first year with some knowledge of second and third years spells. It'd be a massacre." Luna argued.

"Can we please stop talking about my death!" Harry cried in irritation.

"So What are we going to do?" Colin asked nervously.

"The way forward is obvious." Ginny said matter of factly. "We go down Fluffy's trapdoor and get the stone before Voldemort does."

"Or we alert a Professor and try not to die?" Harry offered.


"Again Ginny. Why did you suggest McGonagall?" Harry asked as he quietly led the group down the forbidden corridor towards Fuffly's room.

"Because she was the only one available! Or did you not notice how many of the Professors seem to be otherwise occupied." Ginny argued.

"Voldemort's doing no doubt." Luna commented.

"I think she's right." Colin agreed. "It's too suspicious."

"Alright. Luna, Ginny, your up." Harry said as he stood outside the door. The pair nodded and Harry pointed at the door.

"Alohomora." the door swung open but the girls didn't throw their readied potions.

"We're too late!" Colin whispered in a horror. The giant three-headed dog Fluffy was fast asleep.

"Well then." Harry said before he swallowed. "Let's go." and he led the way into the dark room, ready to face his fate. Whatever that may be.


Harry woke groggily one bright morning. He frowned tiredly at the bright ceiling, so different from the typical dark and slightly damp ceiling of the dungeons and reached out of his glasses. Putting them on and sitting up he spotted a small collection of objects on the bedside table. There was a potions book, a poorly drawn card and a moving picture of himself and his three friends in their usual tree. Harry smiled before looked at the foot of his bead and rolled his eyes.

"Ah. Mr. Potter. I see you have rejoined the conscious world."Professor Dumbledore said with a gentle smile. Harry turned to face the headmaster and looked at him with a touch of warning. He did not trust the man as far as he could throw him.

"Headmaster."

"How are you my boy?" Dumbledore asked politely.

"I'm well thank you. I'm sure you have heard what happened in your absence."

"Yes. quite. Miss Lovegood's letter was most enlightening. It actually caught me on the way back. It was quite apparent when I arrived at the ministry that that was not where I was meant to be." Dumbledore said thoughtfully.

"Indeed. Is the stone protected?" Harry asked quietly.

"In fact. My dear friend Nicholas believed that it was time that it simply should not be at all. He destroyed it himself. Along with his notes on how he created it." Dumbledore explained. Harry took a moment to process this before he nodded.

"Good. Knowledge like that can not fall into the wrong hands."

"Quite right." Dumbledore commented before he looked at the pile of gifts at the foot of the bed. "I see you've gained a large group of admirers."

"I could care less." Harry commented harshly. The elderly man looked at him thoughtfully. "The only gifts that matter are the ones that a sitting on this bedside." the young boy clarified, gesturing to the first from his friends.

"I see you have garnered yourself some fine friends." Dumbledore commented quietly.

"Thank your professor." Harry said with a smile.

"Well. I suspect madam Pomfrey is itching to tend to you. Good day, Harry." Dumbledore said quietly. Harry frowned.

"So I was right." Harry called after the headmaster. The man stopped and turned back to the boy. "He's still alive." the headmaster sighed.

"Yes, my boy. I'm afraid there is evidence that he is."

"Good." Harry said harshly. Dumbledore's face slipped into a slight shock. "It wasn't a very fair fight." Harry explained darkly. "I'd like to show him what I'm truly capable of."

"Have a good day Harry." was all Dumbledore responded with before turning away. Harry watched him go then sighed, his suspicions confirmed. Dumbledore didn't trust him either.


"What a year." Colin said thoughtfully as he fiddled with his camera sitting once again in the train compartment with his friends.

"Tell me about it. Mum is going to have my head." Ginny whined sadly.

"I think Dumbledore thinks I'm the next Voldemort." Harry sighed.

"He doesn't think you're the next Voldemort. He just doesn't trust you at all." Luna argued. Harry looked at her in annoyance.

"Not helping Lu." Ginny said with a slight chuckle.

"Do you think next year will be this fun?" Colin asked with a smile.

"Oh gosh, I hope not." Ginny whined.

"Agreed." Harry sighed. Suddenly the train lurched forwards on its return journey back to London. Harry leaned out the window and looked up to the wondrous castle and smiled thoughtfully before he went back into the train car and closed the window.


A/N:

.CraZy: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like it.