Author's note:

I do not own the Harry Potter universe or anything that comes along with it. That honor goes to its magnificent creator, J.K. Rowling. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it!

(Edit 12/5/2021: This was first published in late 2020.)

Prologue: Primary School

"Harry, what was your favorite birthday present?" The boy had been sitting a little too quietly for his teacher's comfort during the students' sharing session.

"Um..." Harry tried to make up some whimsical dream of getting the new PlayStation for his birthday, something only Dudley would ever get. He knew better than to tell the truth, for that had gotten him nowhere in the past. "There was one time, on my sixth birthday, my aunt and uncle brought me to the aquarium. It was fun because I got to see lots of new fish!"

In actuality, that had been Dudley's present; Harry had been forced to stay with Mrs. Figg, listening to her talk about her cats. It wasn't that Mrs. Figg or her cats were boring; in fact, they were an amazing change from his uncle's house and all his chores. It was just that Harry wished that he could talk about going to the aquarium without making it up as he went along.

The teacher raised a skeptical eyebrow before prompting, "Well, what's one thing you learned at the aquarium?"

Harry blushed red. "Um... I don't remember, Ms. Marlene." The class burst out laughing and Harry looked down at his feet. Marlene cocked her head in concern. She had a feeling Harry was not telling the truth.

"See me after class, Harry."

Marlene remembered the day Harry Potter walked into her classroom. She had nearly fainted of shock. It had taken several visits to the washroom and a Calming Draught to ease the emotions that were coming at her. She had never really accepted Lily and James' death, and now a miniature version of the two was going to be taught by her. He has James's hair, but Lily's eyes, she thought.

But something was off. Harry had neither James's liveliness nor Lily's spunk. The poor child was quiet and introverted, and he never answered questions in class and his grades had been dropping, even though she could tell that he was a smart child. The thought that he might have been faking his performance crossed her mind, but Marlene shrugged it off, assuming that living without real parents must be difficult. What she didn't understand was how hard it was for the young boy.

After class, Marlene gently pulled the young boy to the side. "Harry, if there's anything wrong, you have to tell me, all right?" Harry nodded in affirmation.

"There's nothing wrong, Ms. Marlene," he lied easily. Harry knew better than to reveal anything about his home life to anyone, even if he trusted them like he trusted Ms. Marlene. Uncle Vernon would always find out, somehow, and the punishment would be worse than the last time he told. Uncle Vernon had threatened him.

Marlene shook her head. She would be having a stern talk with her (almost) godson's guardians, whoever they were.

Sneak Peek Into Next Week:

Marlene tries to intervene in Harry's home life and sees how good (or bad, depending on how you view it) of a job Dumbledore has done to keep Harry safe.