A/N: I have been editing the chapters, so that way the spelling should be better, If you notice any other mistakes, please point them out to me. On that note my beta, Amorous Erised is unable to beta for me and so I would like to know if anyone wants to take over, if so please send a PM. I don't own Harry Potter.


It was July 31st, Harry's eleventh birthday and also Dumbledore's one hundred and tenth. He was currently in the sitting room of the cottage Albus had bought after Harry's time in St Mungo's, he had sold his summer home so the two could move into the country allowing Harry to fly outside on his toy broomstick. They both had stayed there for a few weeks to give Harry time to recover before they went back to Hogwarts and faced the masses, that being the students whom hadn't realized they had been staying with the Boy-Who-Lived for the then past five years.

The cottage had become a place for the both Harry and Albus to spend time together at weekends and during the Summer Holidays, as well as for part of the Christmas break. This was a little strange for the two at first as before, they had used the old summer house strictly for summer and spent the rest of the time at Hogwarts. However, it wasn't long before they got used to it and they became closer because of it.

Over the years, Harry picked up many of the quirks that Albus Dumbledore possessed, such as his love for all things sweet, especially Sherbet Lemons. Harry also learnt to be patient, gained a love and respect for muggles as well as wizards, and so didn't have the same prejudices that plagued many in the wizarding world. He also gained other traits related to Dumbledore such as humming a tune at strange time such as going down corridors in school or even while reading. He also liked wearing unusual robes, believing robes should be worn at all times during the day unless entering the muggle world, which his father agreed with. Night wear however, could be anything.

Albus Dumbledore, however, became more open with his feelings to those closest to him, especially his son. Many around him noted the change and considered Harry to be the best thing that happened to him. As Harry got older, Dumbledore slowly lost his doubts concerning whether or not he should be raising the boy. He also managed to juggle his responsibilities so that he could spend more time with his son. He still, however, hadn't told Harry the prophecy and the reason why his parents had died. He felt that although Harry was proving to be an exceptional child, he was just that, a child. He also admitted to himself that he didn't want Harry to lose some of his innocence and carefree attitude.

Now, however, Harry was waiting for Albus to come into the sitting room with his presents and was bursting with excitement. Albus had been more protective of Harry since the incident. The boy had a smile on his face just at that particular thought. Harry had been insistent on calling Dumbledore 'Dad' after Albus had confirmed his feelings towards him and the elder wizard would freely admit that he was proud Harry wanted to give him that particular title. Harry also admitted that he felt wrong by calling Albus by his name.

It wasn't long after his recovery that Albus had broached the subject of Harry taking his name which, to Harry, made it feel more like Dumbledore was his dad. And so, after some paper signing from both father and son that Harry James Potter became Harry James Brian Andronicus Potter-Dumbledore. To be fair Harry requested the extra names. Dumbledore suggested Brian because it was one of his middle names and it was also normal enough to fit in with Harry's first and middle name. That was where Harry had the idea to have a strange name as his last middle name. So his name was in an odd way the opposite to Dumbledore's in regards to how Dumbledore has three strange names before a normal name, not including the last name while Harry has three normal names and then an odd name, not including the surname. This, although Harry didn't know it, meant Dumbledore had declared Harry his heir.

It may or may not seem odd to others but after all this was completed, Harry and Dumbledore seemed to be much closer, in fact they were. Fawkes Dumbledore's phoenix familiar also seemed to be around more and more cheerful than either wizard had ever seen him. The years had gone by and along with Harry being reacquainted with the wizarding world and had met some of his future teachers, the majority of which he liked (except for the ever scowling Snape and the annoying Trelawney), no matter how he felt about the teachers, he treated all of them with respect even becoming friendly with some.

At eleven, Harry still had long Auburn hair that reached his shoulders and his eyes still twinkled. He was taller than most eleven year olds while still keeping some of his baby fat. While not thin he wasn't fat either as he got plenty of exercise meaning he was a healthy boy.

Harry looked up when he heard the door being opened. Walking in with his long silver beard and, was that Rugrats pajamas he was wearing? Along with a pile of presents, was the venerable Headmaster himself. Why his father insisted on carrying his presents to him instead of using his wand Harry didn't know but it had become a sort of tradition and so, didn't mention it. In fact, he felt it made the whole process more personal maybe that was why?

The presents were mainly from Albus but he did notice a few from some of his soon to be teachers and his best friend he had made that Dumbledore had connected him with which was Neville Longbottom, a shy but good-natured and forgetful boy whom Harry had taken a liking to almost instantly when they had met when Harry was eight.

Harry wasn't surprised the teachers had given him books such as 'Transfiguration: What's It For?', 'Charms for newbies' 'Astronomers guide to Astronomy'. Neville had gotten Harry a book on seawater plants called 'Seawater plants and their uses' as well as Gillyweed in a container full of water 'for breathing under water' the note had said. Dumbledore thought the gift could one day come in use and should therefore be preserved, never mind the fact that it would just be rude not to, not that Harry didn't appreciate his gift. Harry then started to open gifts from his father which were: a bag full of Sherbet Lemons, Sugar Quills, Chocolate Frogs which Harry liked to collect the cards from, he had managed to collect nearly all of the cards such as Agrippa, Ptolemy and Morgan Le fay only missing three cards, those being Merlin, Albus Dumbledore and Ironically enough, Harry Potter. When he had first found out he was on a chocolate frog card, Harry had asked Dumbledore why, who in turn explained that Harry was famous for surviving the killing and so was put on them, He also mentioned that chocolate frog cards are also known as 'Famous Wizard/Witches Cards'.Harry then had been given a few books which were Muggle in nature like 'Peter Pan', 'Sherlock Holmes', 'The Belgariad' and finally, 'The Malloreon'.

It had taken Dumbledore a while to get Harry fully interested in books but once he had, Harry was hooked. He couldn't stop reading. He had even read a fair amount of Dumbledore's collection of both magical and non-magical books. This meant Harry would be attending Hogwarts with a fair grounding in the theory behind the magic he would be learning, as well as the history of the wizarding world and also different potions. When he was nine he had found Dumbledore's spare wand and had tried practice magic with it but was caught and told he wasn't allowed until he had his wand which he wouldn't get until he was eleven. The only time he wasn't reading was when he was spending time with his father playing chess (both muggle and wizard) and other games or when he was out flying.

Dumbledore himself received a few gifts, mainly books and a few sweets off of Harry. But they were unimportant to him as he much preferred seeing Harry enjoying himself and being happy and that, he thought, was the best gift he could possibly receive.

Once Harry had finished skimming his books and opened his last few presents which were a few robes for casual wear as well as some dress-robes, he had hugged his father and thanked him. Dumbledore had returned the hug as well as giving Harry a quick kiss on the cheek wishing him a happy birthday which Harry returned before they went into the kitchen to have breakfast which happened to be Pancakes, which both the Dumbledore's loved.


It was while they were eating said pancakes that a tapping could be heard from the kitchen window. Dumbledore went up and opened it. A large barn owl flew in and straight to Harry carrying an official looking letter. Harry quickly untied it from the owl and saw that it had the Hogwarts letter and just stared at it.

'Well are you going to it open it, my boy.' Dumbledore asked, after a few minutes. Harry just dumbly nodded but made no move to open it. 'It's finally arrived,' Harry said,' I'm finally going to Hogwarts.' Eventually Dumbledore had to threaten to open the letter himself before Harry tore it open and began to read aloud:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

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

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr Dumbledore,

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

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

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry looked up, confused. 'How come people have to return a reply on the same day they get their letter? Wouldn't it be better to give them time to reply?' Harry asked. Dumbledore looked a little sheepish before replying, 'Other prospective students received their letters earlier in the month Harry, I rather thought, it would be a nice birthday surprise if yours arrived today.' He paused before saying 'And seeing as I'm headmaster of said school, no owl is necessary.' Harry just grinned at Dumbledore before reading the next piece of parchment.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Uniform

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

Set 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 Force: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard sized size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

'Can we get the school supplies today?' Harry asked as soon as he had finished, 'I'd really like to own my own wand.' And so it wasn't long before Harry and Dumbledore were ready to go on a shopping trip for school.


Harry and Dumbledore had flooed to the Leaky Cauldron, a pub that wizards and witched went to before entering Diagon Alley. Dumbledore had gracefully exited the fireplace they had arrived in and waited to catch Harry when he came through. For some reason Harry couldn't seem to exit fireplaces without making a fool of himself and this time wasn't any different as Harry had once again stumbled and fell out of the fireplace, unlike the last time Dumbledore was quick enough to stop him from falling onto the floor and possibly hurting himself. 'I'll never get that right.' Harry said. Dumbledore quick to point out that he had gone through the same thing when he was Harry age which Harry was quick to point out was a long time ago in fact it was almost a century ago. Dumbledore scowled at Harry for pointing out that he was no longer a spring chicken even if he did act like it.

The pub was very dark and shabby. The smell was a mix of the many different alcohols that was sold. There were a few elderly women in a corner drinking form small glasses and smoking out of pipes. A small man wearing what looked to be a top hat talking to the barman, Tom. The chatter stopped when they noticed the presence of two of the most famous wizards of the day. They all quickly ran up to shake their hands spouting that it was 'an honour'. This went on for a little while before Dumbledore shot some firecrackers to silence the crowd and saying they must be going.

Eventually they managed to get through the crowd and into a small courtyard that was walled on all sides containing nothing but weeds and a dustbin. Dumbledore withdrew his wand from the holster in the right sleeve before tapping a combination on one of the walls with it. The wall slowly shrank back revealing an archway into a cobbled street, known as Diagon Alley.

Harry had been to Diagon Alley before, of course, but no matter how many times he went there it still amazed him. He supposed that what made this particular visit special was because he was finally going to get a wand. Dumbledore looked down and smiled at the expression on Harry's face, before wrapping an arm across his shoulders and saying 'Shall we enter, Harry? Or would you rather continue staring at the alley?' Harry scowled slightly before grinning and saying 'Are you sure you're ready to go? Don't need a sit down; I'm sure it must be difficult at your age.' Dumbledore lightly slapped the back of Harry's head before saying 'Don't be cheeky; I can still keep up with upstarts like yourself, young man'. Although the tone of his father's voice may have been scolding, Harry knew Dumbledore wasn't that annoyed as his eyes were like stars, they were twinkling so brightly. Harry also knew that his own eyes were doing exactly the same.

Dumbledore then led Harry to Gringotts, the wizarding bank. It was a snowy-white building that towered above all the other shops and had Bronze doors. The bank was run by goblins, in fact, a goblin managed to get on the chocolate frog cards. He was the founder of Gringotts, his name was Gringot. In front of the doors was a goblin in a red and gold uniform that bowed to them as they walked in. Harry and his father both nodded their heads back which surprised the goblin as they weren't used to being shown respect by wizards.

Dumbledore had taught Harry to respect all beings, especially the Goblins. Albus had even been teaching Harry how to read, write and speak some of the languages he knew, both human and magical creature. At the moment he could get by with speaking Gobbledygook, Mermish, German and French. He wasn't by any means fluent in any of them but was good enough to be understood and hold a conversation.

As they came to another set of doors which were silver this time, Harry noticed there were words engraved for visitors to see:

Enter stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sins of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn,

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never your,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

Harry felt that only someone really desperate, stupid or determined would try to rob this bank. As they passed the silver doors a pair of goblins bowed them through, which Harry and Albus again nodded to. They entered into a marble hall. There were about a hundred goblins sitting on stools behind counters, scribbling in ledgers, weighing gold on brass scales or examining stones through eyeglasses. Dumbledore led Harry to one of the counters.

'Good Afternoon,' said Dumbledore in Gobbledygook. 'I wish to withdraw some money out of my Vault, please.' The goblin was surprised to hear his tongue from a wizard before realizing that it was Albus Dumbledore himself. 'Do you have you're key sir?' the goblin asked. Dumbledore gave him the key as well as another one. 'I would also like for Harry, here, to be able to withdraw money from his vault too, if at all possible.' The goblin confirmed the request before calling for a goblin named Griphook, whom they followed towards one of the doors leading off the hall.

Griphook had held the door open for them. Some people would have expected more marble would have been surprised. The passageway they were in was narrow, lit with flaming torches. It sloped downwards at a steep angle with small railway tracks on the floor. When Griphook whistled, a cart came hurtling towards them. Once they climbed in, they were off.

At first the passages were like a maze and Harry tried to remember which way they went, left, right, right, left, middle fork, right, left, but had to give up for it was impossible. He was proud to say that he remembered at least two more turns than before. At one point Harry thought he heard a dragon but was unsure, he knew that the most heavily guarded vaults did have them though. Finally the cart stopped by a small door, which had six hundred and eighty seven in gold lettering above it. Here Dumbledore explained that Harry's mother and father had left him some money, which they were going to take some out for Harry to spend. Dumbledore made sure Harry understood it was additional shopping and for the sweets trolley on the Hogwarts Express as he, Dumbledore, would be paying for his school supplies.

When the vault door was opened, Harry could see mounds of gold, silver and bronze coins. Having lived in the wizarding world all his life, he knew that the gold coins were Galleons, the silver coins were Sickles and the Bronze coins were Knuts. He also knew that there were twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle and seventeen Sickles to a Galleon. After taking a small money pouches worth, they left to go to Dumbledore's vault, 457. This vault was considerably larger than Harry's and was also filled with more money as well. Dumbledore passed this off as due to working a long time as both teacher and then headmaster which, he said, gives considerably more money when Harry had asked.

Once they had finished in Gringotts, they made it back out to Diagon Alley to do some school shopping. They set off first, to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasion. Harry found this place to be boring, due to having to wait so long for the measurements to be done and for his robes to be made. The only interesting point was the conversation he had with a blonde haired boy, who would be attending Hogwarts as well. Harry found the boy to be arrogant and too focused on if his parents were 'our kind'. He's said as much to his father when they left the shop. Dumbledore only replied by stating that people can change and should be given second chances. They both had a good laugh when Harry mentioned the look on the boy's face he had explained that his father was Dumbledore.

They entered Flourish and Blotts next to see it was full of shelves stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather, books that were really small and other books that had nothing in them. After getting his school books, Harry led Dumbledore around the shop looking for a few more books for light reading. In the end Harry left with a grin on his face after buying a few more books such as Pranksters guide to Pranking spells and Defence for the targeted as well as one of the blank books which he found out were journals and figured it would be something he could write in about his time at Hogwarts, Dumbledore explained that he kept one of his own. He had tried to get Curses and Counter-Curses by Professor Vindictus Viridian but his father wouldn't let him explaining that he already had the book and if he really wanted to could read his.

They quickly bought the pewter cauldron and the potions ingredients at the apothecary's, which was a horrible smelling shop filled with barrels of slimy stuff, jars upon jars of herbs, roots and powders lined up along the walls and many other ingredients. They then went to Eeylops Owl Emporium because Harry wanted to buy an owl, which he managed to get a gorgeous snowy owl that was currently fast asleep, he knew that Fawkes would be willing to deliver messages but Harry really wanted his own pet. It was now time for what Harry considered the best part of the day, buying his first wand.


So, father and son stepped into Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382BC. A tinkling bell could be heard somewhere in the depths of the shop when they had fully entered. It was a fairly small place, empty apart from a single spindly chair which Dumbledore ignored and conjured a squashy chintz armchair before sitting on it. At Harry's confused look, he explained that the single chair in the corner looked about ready to fall apart. Harry couldn't help but agree.

'Good Afternoon,' said a soft voice. This made Harry jump. Dumbledore chuckled at Harry's reaction before greeting the man. Ollivander was his name, he looked as old as Dumbledore if not, older. With wide, pale eyes that shone like the moon in the shop. 'Hello', Harry said, pleasantly.

'Ah yes,' Ollivander said. 'I thought I'd be seeing you soon, Harry Dumbledore. It seems only yesterday that your mother was in here buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow, a good wand for charm work.' At this Ollivander moved closer to Harry. 'Your other father, James, favoured a mahogany wand. Eleven inches, Pliable, an excellent wand for transfiguration. I say your father favoured it – really it's the wand that chooses the wizard, of course.'

Ollivander came so close to Harry that they were almost nose to nose. Harry could see his reflection in those moonlike eyes. 'And that's where.' Here Ollivander touched Harry's lightning shaped scar with a long, white finger. 'I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it. Thirteen and a half inches, Yew, a very powerful wand. 'At this he looks to Dumbledore before saying 'I'd say what your dad's wand is but I wasn't the one to sell it. That was before my father had retired. I do know, however, that it was a powerful wand especially in transfiguration.'

With that he pulled a long tape measure and asked what Harry's wand arm was which he replied was his right. He was then asked to hold it out. Harry was measured from shoulder to finger, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and also round his head. While he did this, he explained that every Ollivander wand had a core of a powerful magical substance. Such as phoenix tail feathers, unicorn hair and the heartstrings of dragons. He also said no two Ollivander wands were exactly the same as no two of any of the creatures he got his cores from were the same. He then explained that a wizard would not get the same results from another wizard's wand. Ollivander then began to collect some boxes with wands in them for Harry to try.

Eventually Ollivander told the tape measure to stop, which Harry then realised was measuring on its own. 'Right then Mr Dumbledore, let's try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring, Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave.' Harry did just that and no sooner had he started; Ollivander snatched it away before saying 'Maple and phoenix feather, Seven inches. Quite whippy.' Harry tried this too and then another and another, the pile kept on increasing. Harry was starting to get worried, while Ollivander was getting happier. He seemed to delight in having customers that were difficult to find wands for.

'I wonder,' Ollivander said, before going to the back and coming back with a small box. 'Yes, why not? Unusual combination, Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple.' Harry took the wand and no sooner had he done so; he felt warmth run through his fingers. Sparks flew through the end in colours of red and gold. Dumbledore clapped and Ollivander cried 'Bravo Mr Dumbledore! Yes, indeed! Well, well, well … How very curious.' Harry was confused and so asked what's curious. The answer he was given shocked him although he noted that his father wasn't surprised. It turned out his wand was brother to Voldemort's, the one that gave him his scar. Harry paid for his wand as well as a wrist holster and a wand care kit on Dumbledore's recommendation.

Harry was rather down after getting his wand. After they both arrived back at the cottage, Dumbledore sat Harry down and explained that Harry couldn't blame his wand nor its brother for what had happened to him. He said that only Voldemort was to blame and shouldn't be afraid of what will happen if he used his wand. Dumbledore also told Harry the phoenix feather that resides in his wand came from Fawkes, this cheered Harry up a little and didn't seem so glum.

That evening Harry had a small party with Neville and some of the Hogwarts teachers. They played many a game and Harry thanked all those that had given him a present. After the last of the guests had gone, Albus gave Harry one more present, a small jewelry box. This, unlike the others, had special significance. Inside the box was a ring that held the Dumbledore family crest. Dumbledore explained that when an heir reached eleven, he would gain an heir's ring signifying that he was next in line to become head of the family. He also explained that the reason he didn't get the Potter heir ring is simply because he was the last surviving Potter and so was already head of the potter family. Unfortunately he couldn't claim the ring until he was seventeen which was when he would become of age. And so Dumbledore was acting head as he was Harry's adopted father. Harry once again hugged his father for the ring.

When Harry went to bed that night, after his father had given him a hug and kiss on the forehead before saying goodnight, he noticed a feather on his bed. He picked it up and noticed it was the same colour as Fawkes' feathers. A soft trill alerted him to Fawkes' presence and when he turned to look at him, he realised Fawkes was giving him a gift. Harry knew that phoenix feathers were hard to break and worth a lot of money, he also knew that Fawkes wanted Harry to use it, although he didn't understand how he knew. After petting Fawkes as a thank you, Harry went to sleep having dreams of phoenixes, wands and Sherbet lemons before his dreams ended with a flash of bright green light and a high, cold laugh.


A/N: I hope this chapter is better now, I appreciate the reviews I've received and I feel you should know that they motivate me! Also I would like for all readers to tell me which house you think I should put Harry into? I have a house in mind but as you are my readers I will take your opinion into consideration.