A/N: Sorry for the short chapter after such a long time.

1 September

Harry gripped Vernon's hand as they stood on Platform 9 ¾. He was both excited and terrified about going to Hogwarts. He was aware that Dumbledore already had lackeys and he would do anything to get Harry in his control. His heir ring ensured that no one could use potions or poisons on him. In addition, Trighock, Severus, and Remus created a necklace that would protect him from mind magic and was enabled to create a shield when needed. These items and knowing that at least some of his family were close by helped ease his fears but he still had nightmares several times the month before.

Vernon gave his hand three squeezes and smiled down at him. Harry leaned into him a little. He hated leaving his da, though now that he and Amelia were together, Harry was glad he wouldn't be so lonely.

"You okay?"

Harry looked up at him, "Yea?"

Vernon snorted, "You don't sound so sure."

He sighed, "I'm nervous. I'm really happy to be going but -."

His da knelt in front of him and made Harry meet his eyes. He put his hands on his shoulders.

"Harry, love. You're going to do great and you know that you're well protected. You have the mirror to contact me and your uncles. You also have the journal to talk to Sev."

"But what if Dumbledore calls me to his office?"

"Then you ask your Head of House to go and stay with you. That is your right as a student. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded and Vernon pulled him into a hug, "I love you."

"I love you too, da."

Draco raised an eyebrow as he saw the red head press his face against the window. The boy met his eyes and glared at him before stomping away.

"Weasley keeps peeking in here. I guess that confirms him being one of Dumbledore's lackeys."

Theo rolled his eyes, "Was there really any doubt?"

"Aunt Amelia says that The Weasley's have been under his thumb since the first war. She thinks that the only ones that have gotten away from him are the two eldest. And they could only do that by leaving the country."

None of the kids were surprised with the information. They had overheard Ronald Weasley loudly proclaiming that he was best friends with Harry Potter during their trip to Diagon Alley. They also overheard Ginevra Weasley talking about becoming "Lady Potter". After he heard that, Vernon went to Gringotts to make sure no marriage contracts were in place or could ever be created while Harry was underage and without his consent.

Harry pulled his baseball cap lower before going back to his book. The horcrux was gone and the scar was no longer cursed so it wasn't as prominent as it used to be but it was still visible enough for someone to know who he was just by looking at it. He also chose the seat in the corner of the compartment so that his friends would block the view from the door so he likely didn't actually need the hat but he continued to wear it anyway. He wanted to keep his identity secret for as long as possible. His family suspected that Professor McGonagall would refer to him as "Harry Potter" or maybe (if he was lucky) "Harry Potter Dursley" when she called him up. If she used either of those names, his Uncle Severus explained what he would need to do to ensure his school records reflected his proper name. It irritated him that this was actually knowledge he needed to have. He was legally adopted in both the magical and muggle world. His name was legally changed when he was a toddler. He shouldn't have to bring so much attention to himself on the first day. He shouldn't have to perform magic just to prove his own name.

Three hours into the trip, a bratty girl named Hermione Granger interrupted the peaceful time the friends were having by slamming the door open. She demanded to know if they'd seen a toad named Trevor. Before getting an answer, she tried to boss her way into the compartment when she saw Draco perform a simple cleaning spell after Hannah spilled her Every Flavored Beans (which she dropped because Granger startled her). Susan and Hannah refused to allow her to bully her way in, causing the girl to refer to them as snobs and bigots. They had been confused on why they would be called names just for not allowing someone to aggressively into their compartment but she refused to explain anything.

Harry had stayed quiet with his head down until he felt his magic tingle beneath his skin. He looked up and met the blue eyes of the tall, shy boy standing behind Granger. He gave him a small smile and the boy smiled back before blushing and looking away. Before Harry could say anything, Granger grabbed his arm and stormed away.

The rest of the ride to Hogwarts was uneventful and before they knew it, they were standing in the Great Hall. Draco looked at Harry and rolled his eyes as they heard Granger go on and on about the enchanted ceiling. Harry tried not to laugh and turned his head to look at the head table. He caught his uncle's eye and "scratched" his nose, a sign that they had established that meant "Hi. I'm okay." Severus gave a quick nod before turning to watch the sorting.

"Abbot, Hannah"

Harry clapped has his friend got sorted into Hufflepuff and clapped even harder when Susan was sorted with her.

Professor McGonagall got through the "D's" without calling his name and Harry had to grit his teeth.

Harry clapped again as Theo and Draco went into Slytherin (to no one's surprise) and finally it was his turn.

"Potter, Harry"

He stepped forward but just out of reach of the Professor and the Sorting Hat. He turned around and faced the rest of the students, raising his wand slightly above his shoulder as he did so.

"Let it be known from this day forward that my legal name, as noted by both magical and muggle law, is Harry James Potter Dursley. I request that Lady Hogwarts and all present to hereby refer to me as Harry Dursley. So mote it be."

The tip of his wand glowed brightly for a moment and the entire student body and staff saw magic quickly swirl around him, recognizing the name change.

Harry turned back and sat on the stool. The professor's lips formed a thin line and she quickly put the hat on his head.

"Ah. Mr. Dursley. You are one of those children who can fit in any house."

"Is that bad?"

The Sorting Hat chuckled, "Not at all, Mr. Dursley. It is a rare gift to be powerful enough that all Hogwarts houses would accept you. Many could fall into two houses and one child many, many, years ago would have fit in three. The last time I had the chance to meet a child who could be in any of the houses, the founders were still teaching. No, no, it isn't bad at all Mr. Dursley. I look forward to seeing what you can achieve."

"Better be HUFFLEPUFF!"

Harry handed that hat back to the professor and made his way to the Hufflepuff table. Hannah and Susan both gave him a hug and then let him sit down.

To say Albus Dumbledore was angry would be an understatement. Oh, he didn't show it on his face but he was fuming. After all this time, he finally had Harry Potter in his grasp but instead of the ignorant and down-trodden child he was hoping for, it was very apparent that he knew at least something about magic. He had hoped that putting him with Lily's bitter and hateful sister would make him malleable. Instead, this Harry Potter was well taken care of and very happy.

Albus still had no idea where the boy grew up. When he had met with Petunia, he learned that she never even saw the child. Her ex-husband had taken him and she had no idea where he had gone after the few months he lived with his friends. Albus hadn't been able to use magic to find them so he had to assume they had help in disappearing.

To make everything worse, instead of his Gryffindor Golden Boy, he had the NERVE to be sorted into Hufflepuff of all places. Now Albus had to completely rearrange his chess board. The first thing he needed to do was bring Ronald Weasley and his family to his office. Perhaps Hermione Granger also. Hopefully, he could get Harry resorted before the month was over. He wished he could just change which houses attended classes together to ensure Harry could be around his Lions. Unfortunately, it would be too suspicious, especially since Severus had been trying to get him to do it since he started teaching. Perhaps he could open up the discussion with Severus regarding it. This way, if he couldn't get Harry resorted, he would have a Plan B already in place.