Standard disclaimers apply, please see author's note at the bottom.

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Rafe took his skateboard out early one early morning of late June, and made loops around Surry, taking curves riding down hand rails and ramps. Listening to his CD player, he kept the music up loud, not caring if the noise was bothering those he was walking past. He saw his next jump, a hand rail not more then fifty yards away, but what he didn't see what the fifteen year old green eyed boy that he nearly ran over. He stopped his board, and pulled his headphones off his ears and held out a hand to help the boy, he schooled his features when he realized who he hit.

"Sorry man," Rafe said, "didn't see you there."

Harry Potter shook his head and wiped his brow with his shirt. "No worries, guess I wasn't watching either."

The two boys stood there a moment each catching their breath, when Harry finally spoke. "Hey you just moved here right? Number two Privet Drive?"

Rafe nodded and stuck out his hand. "Rafe Connors my parents and I just moved here from New York."

"Harry Potter, I live at Number four with my aunt and Uncle," he said still trying to catch his breath.

"Out for a run?" Rafe asked, taking in the running cloths and Harry's disheveled state.

Harry nodded. When it was clear Harry wasn't going to say anything else, Rafe went on. "Yeah there is a boarding school up here that my parents want me to go to. To tell you the truth I'd rather have stayed in New York," Rafe sighed and shrugged. "But what are you gonna do, ya know?"

Harry nodded in sympathy, "Which boarding school?"

Rafe looked at Harry for a moment, wondering if he should tell him or not, when he shrugged casually. "Oh you know, same one as you."

Harry looked at Rafe in surprise, or perhaps it was suspicion.

"You know wizards, witches and such. I'll be transferring in this year. Like I said though, I would rather have stayed in New York." Rafe said with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Why is that?" Harry asked, generally curious, after realizing that Rafe was indeed a wizard.

Rafe shrugged, "I've lived in New York my whole life, and coming here, well I guess it will take a bit of getting used to."

Harry nodded sympathetically, but still a bit skeptical about Rafe Connors. Having a good part of his life looking over his shoulder, wondering if some rouge follower of Voldemort was either going to kidnap him or kill him on the sight. Harry knew he would have top be cautious about Rafe, not trusting Dumbledore enough to contact him and ask him. Harry could, and would figure this out himself. He figured his "minders" would get word back to Dumbledore soon enough.

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And sure enough, it did.

Albus Dumbledore sat back in his chair listening to the report from Tonks about Harry's meeting with the new boy.

"And what did the boy say his name was?" Dumbledore asked popping another lemon drop in his mouth.

"Rafe Connors," Tonks answered, anxious to hear what Dumbledore wanted to do about this possible new threat to Harry. "Do you know the name, Headmaster?"

After Sirius died, Tonks took it upon herself to be in Harry's corner. Remus usually the first to volunteer for guard duty to be close to his honorary Godson, was now in recluse in some little town in Quebec, not even talking to the boy, even though she was sure Dumbledore called him back to England to try and talk to Harry. It made Tonks boil with rage that Remus thought that Harry was responsible for the death of his best friend. Tonks vowed if she ever got hers hands on her long time crush, things weren't going to be pretty.

"I am not sure," he said furrowing his brow. The name sounded so familiar, but he just couldn't place it.

"Well, we'll be sure to keep an eye on him," Tonks said confidently.

"And you said it was just the boy and his mother living there?" Dumbledore asked.

Tonks nodded. "Yes, I over heard a conversation they were having, and it seems the father is away on some sort of business."

Dumbledore sighed. He didn't like this one bit, but what could he do. "Perhaps," he said settling back in his chair, "I could invite the boy and his mother to Hogwarts for a meeting. Minerva has already received his application, and it has been approved… yes maybe a meeting would be the best thing, to decipher just who the Connors really are."

Tonks nodded smiling a bit. She secretly hoped that Rafe Connors was just a normal kid, because Harry could really use a friend.

They were interrupted a few minutes later, upon hearing a knock at the door. Dumbledore called for the intruder to come in, and Tonks was surprised to see a man of his late thirties stepped gracefully in to Dumbledore's office. He had auburn hair and bright blue eyes, which looked calculating around the room. Spotting Tonks he held out his hand and quietly introduced himself.

"Good morning, you must be Tonks, I've heard much about you, a rising star in the Auror field. My name Randall Quinn and I am the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher this year." Randy said smoothly.

Tonks raised her eyebrows in suspicion. "And just how do you know me, Mr. Quinn?"

"When I moved to England from America, I made a point to check with the ministry and check to see what kind of law enforcement was protecting us. You name was mentioned by the Ministry as one of the best."

Tonks nodded, though not truly convinced.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and motioned for Randy to sit down.

"How can I help you Professor Quinn?" Dumbledore asked in a tone that said "just make it quick."

Quinn stepped forward and handed Dumbledore a stack of folders. "Just turning in my lesson plans for the year as requested Headmaster."

Dumbledore nodded and put the papers on his desk. "Was there anything else?"

"No sir, I have a few errands to run in the Alley so I bid you a good day Headmaster, Ms. Tonks, it was a pleasure to meet you." he said and left.

After he left Tonks turned back to Dumbledore, with a questioning look on her face.

"He is the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher?" she asked skeptically.

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes his record was quite impressive, and truth be told, the job does seem to be cursed so there have been no other applicants for the job."

Tonks nodded, but was still suspicious of the man.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to set up and I believe you have guard duty soon." Dumbledore said.

Tonks looked at her watch and nodded. "Good day Headmaster she said and left.

Dumbledore settled back in his chair and popped another lemon drop in his mouth. He then sent off a letter to the Connors' and went to speak to Minerva to get whatever information he could about the boy.

If this new family was any threat to Harry Potter, the savior of the Wizarding world, his weapon to ending the war for good, then he would have to do whatever it took to get rid of the threat.

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A few days later…

It was days like these, Harry thought as he holed himself up in his room, with books scattered everywhere, that he knew his parents loved him. The potions that his father had left for him were defiantly coming in handy when it came to training. He made several more trips into Diagon Alley to purchase more books and to take more items out of his family vaults, all without being caught.

So when July rolled around he was pleased at the progress that he had made. And with the help of a time turner that he had found in his vault, instead of the three weeks it seemed like he had been studying, it turned out to be three months of hard studying. And it had certainly paid off.

But as Harry, who always wanted to be just a normal kid knew it was more likely for old Tom to fall on his knees in front of Harry and beg for mercy, Harry knew there was no point in even dreaming. So when a Goblin by the name of Weezer popped into his room on afternoon in the middle of training, Harry wasn't surprised at all.

Flashback….

I apologize for the intrusion Lord Potter Black, but I have taken note of the number of trips that you have made to your vaults for information, and I am here to offer the help of the Goblins in your fight against the dark lord. For it has been written amongst the ancient Greek Seers, that a boy with the mark of the coming storm would fight the battle that would change the history of the Wizarding world."

"So much for being normal," Harry muttered to himself.

"The Goblin gave him a strange look but went on. "The Goblin nations have identified you as that boy."

Harry wiped his brow with the back of his hand and sat down on his bed.

"Can you tell me the prophecy," he asked.

The Goblin nodded.

A child shall be born

That bears the mark of the coming storm

He shall be the force that drives the darkness to light

But not without great loss for the fight

He shall taken by the Goblin's as one of their own

And wield the power that was once unknown

But take great heed in this crusade

For a quatrain shall forever change the plans that have been laid

Four signs shall be unearthed to insure a means to an end

To forever ensure the future of light or dark

Must all rely on where the chosen one embarks

Harry slid off the bed and on to his knees as he took in the meaning of the prophecy. He rubbed his hand hard across his face and looked at the Goblin again, who was waiting patiently for a response.

"Okay," Harry said standing up. "What do I need to do?"

End of flashback…

It turns out that the Goblins had a very intense training regiment for Harry, and with the help of his time turner he spent the equivalent of six months training, even though in reality, it had only been three weeks.

That had chosen to train in a secure training room deep with in the bowels of Gringotts. Harry was first looked over by a Healer and given many potions for the malnutrition that he suffered when he was little. After six months of training, thanks to the time turner, Harry was now a respectable six feet tall, he figured he would hard to recognize when he went back to school.

After one very grueling training session with knives and daggers, Harry and Weezer, who had become very good friends, discussed the two prophecies and the war.

"Weezer, what is a quatrain?" Harry asked taking a long drink of water.

Weezer cleared his throat and took a moment to think of the best way to explain it. "A quatrain is most commonly referred to as a verse of poetry containing four lines, but do you remember what the next line of the prophecy was? It explained that a quatrain was four signs that will ensure a means to an end. Four signs or maybe four things that will come to pass that will end the war."

Harry nodded. "And do you know what these four signs are?" He asked, not really expecting him to say yes, and he wasn't disappointed when Weezer shook his head no.

"No Harry. The Council of Goblins have been working for many years to find the answer, but we have come to a dead end each time."

Harry rubbed his sore shoulder that had been cut in the fight and asked, "and what about the "Power that was once unknown?"

Weezer sighed. "We think that the power can be wielded with a sword." Weezer took Harry by the hand and led him into a private room and motioned for him to sit.

"Let me tell you a story Harry about an ancient sword that has long since been considered a myth…."

TBC

A/N: Okay so pop quiz. (It's just two questions, so don't freak) The winner will get a preview of next week's chap as a prize.

1. I have introduced three new characters (human) in the story, one, you've just met. So who can tell me the ONE thing that these three characters have in common. I'll give you a hint: A name, (both first and last) does not just identify a single person.

2. Another new character has been identified and has an interesting link to the heading of this part. It's pretty vague, but easy to figure out if you know what to look for. Hint: Know Your Synonyms!

Good luck!

I am very happy to be getting g such a good response to this story. So please keep sending me reviews. I don't like to beg or threaten not updating, so please just help me out here and tell me how I'm doing. I'm considering updating twice a week, so review and tell me what you think. Thx

I'm still looking for a beta for grammar and spelling, so give me a shout if you can help