"NOO! I DON'T! YOU CAN'T thump MAKE ME!"

"Mummy will have a chocolate cake waiting for you when you get back!"

"I DON'T WANT TO GO! I WANT TO PLAY VIDEOGAMES!"

Petunia Dursley had managed to get Dudley ready and brought him down to the kitchen as he kicked and screamed throwing a tantrum, "how about daddy buys you a new game that you can play in the evening?"

This seemed to have calmed Dudley down enough to stop his fake tears from falling, "a new one everyday?"

Vernon Dursley looked up from his paper and smiled. "Little tyke surely knows how to negotiate, I'll buy you a new one every week!" He stated looking proudly at his son.

Dudley considered the proposal as he took his seat and emptied all the eggs and sausages onto his plate. "But…" sniff "what about him? He ruins everything!"

"Don't worry about him, he knows better than to ruin your first day! Don't you boy!"

The fourth occupant of the kitchen at number 4 Privet Drive sighed to himself, he had been looking forward for school to start again. Unlike most children who preferred holidays to school, the raven haired boy with bright green eyes looked forward to getting away from the house and his so called family. He had spent the entire summer either being locked in his cupboard under the stairs, spending the day trapped with mrs. Figg and her cats or doing an endless list of chores.

Harry Potter finished drying the dishes that he'd used to make breakfast and filled a glass of water from the tap before taking a seat at the kitchen table and picking up a dry piece of toast (the only thing left of breakfast). "Yes sir" he whispered looking at the table as he ate the dry toast and took a sip of water to help it go down.

"Now listen here you ungrateful brat, we took you in when nobody else wanted you, we feed you and put clothes on your back! Despite your freakishness we keep you around! Don't you dare lie and cheat this year, remember what happens to hooligans like yourself!" Vernon barked at Harry before getting up to leave kissing his wife and patting Dudley on the head.

Harry didn't reply, he remembered when he'd done better than Dudley last year aunt Petunia had locked him in the cupboard for two weeks, only letting him out to do chores or use the bathroom, he'd lived off water the entire time. When he'd gone back to school and fainted while running away from Dudley and his gang the school nurse had been worried about Harry's malnutrition, being a six year old he'd told her about his home life honestly, hoping that another adult could help him out. That clearly hadn't happened uncle Vernon had taken him out of school for the remainder of the term claiming that Harry had an eating disorder and was going to get help. Harry had left school for the rest of the term only to live in his cupboard or work like a slave.

Harry slowly got up and exited the house making his way to school, this year he would not do well or tell anyone anything. Aunt Marge as he was forced to call uncle Vernon's sister had spent a week in summer telling Harry how lucky he was that his family didn't beat him into obedience or drown him like she did with mongrels. Being a seven year old child Harry didn't realize that emotional and mental abuse was as bad or worse than physical abuse. All he could think of were the hours he could spend at school, away from the Dursleys.

Harry walked into class and took a seat near the front sitting alone. Last year Dudley had made sure that everyone would be scared to talk to Harry threatening to beat them up if they befriended him. At first Harry had been hurt and lonely but soon between classes and the library he'd forgotten how nice it'd felt to have friends for one week. Everyone except Harry was sitting with a friend when miss Harper walked in, their second grade teacher.

"Good morning class" she said smiling at her new class, before taking the roll call. I'm miss Harper, this year you'll all be working in pairs she looked at Harry who suddenly looked uncomfortable, before she could continue mrs. Wilkins the principle knocked on the classroom door, "I'm sorry for disrupting the class miss Harper but we got a bit late completing paperwork."

"That's alright I was just getting to know my new children" she smiled and said in a calming voice as she walked over to the door to thank mrs. Wilkins. Harry was just thinking of how kind miss Harper looked and sounded, unlike mrs. Sanders his first grade teacher who would look at Harry the way aunt Petunia did, with disgust. He was sure she'd understand that he had to work alone, there were 11 students in the class after all. He also noticed how Dudley was looking at him with an evil grin on his face along with his best friend Piers Polkis.

He was brought back to the present by the sound of miss Harpers soothing voice "class this is Miabella Ducce, she's your new classmate. Miabella why don't you take a seat here with Harry, I'm sure you can get to know the rest of your classmates at break time." Miabella smiled at everyone before taking her seat.

Class went on smoothly, Harry sat quietly listening to miss Harper. Soon the bell rang and it was break time. As soon as Harry stepped out into the corridor Dudley and his gang pushed him into a corner, away from any teachers eyes. The rest of the children knowing what was going to happen ignored the scene and ran out to the school playground, wanting to share their summer stories with their friends.

The rest of the day went by in much of the same manner, Harry kept to himself doing his work and being ignored by everyone else. Except Miabella who'd tried talking to him several times but he just ignored her. The entire week went by in the same manner, finally it was Saturday.

Harry had been looking forward to school but now that wasn't a safe haven either. Everyday Dudley and his gang would rough him up because he was working with the new pretty black haired girl with blue eyes. Dudley had a crush on her but she seemed to want to talk to Harry instead. Why can't everyone just let me be Harry thought for the hundredth time that day as he was tending to aunt Petunia's garden. He spent the day working cursing his luck.

At dinner time Dudley had finally told his parents that Harry was trying to steal his new girlfriend. Uncle Vernon had threatened Harry with a beating and locked him in his cupboard without food while aunt Petunia had promised to take her ickle Duddykins, the ladies man, shopping tomorrow. Harry was exhausted from the days work and drifted off to sleep on an empty stomach listening to his aunt and uncle gush over their big boy.

He spent the rest of the term either being threatened by his cousin, punished by his aunt and uncle or desperately trying to ignore Miabella. Apparently Dudley couldn't get himself to threaten her and she refused to leave Harry in peace. Harry eventually stopped telling her that he didn't want to be her friend and only talked to her when they needed to work together. Finally the Christmas break rolled in and for the first time ever Harry was looking forward to spending all his time with mrs. Figg and her cats. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were taking Dudley to spend Christmas with Marge.

Harry was sitting on the swings in the playground near Privet Drive, with Dudley gone his gang had stopped Harry hunting for the holidays. The playground was deserted it was too cold for anyone to be outside, besides being Christmas Eve everyone was at home with their families sharing a warm dinner with loved ones. On his way to the playground Harry had passed by houses where he could see families laughing and children playing. Mrs. Figg had passed out after having one to many sherries leaving Harry to spend the evening as he pleased.

He sat on the swing wondering what his life would have been like if his father hadn't taken the car after drinking. Would they have loved him? He knew thanks to his aunt that his father was unemployed but he didn't care, he wouldn't have minded being poor as long as he was loved. He looked up at the sky, the stars were twinkling madly tonight, I just wish that someone loved me! He was so lost in his thoughts, that he never noticed that suddenly there was another person on the swing next to him.

"Hello Harry!"

"Arghh" he screamed and fell off the swing onto the cold hard ground.

Miabella burst out laughing.

Harry stood up getting over his initial shock and snapped at Miabella "what are you doing here? I don't want to be your friend! Please just let me be!" Why was she following him? Ugh just let me be, I don't need more trouble!

Miabella managed to stop laughing just as Harry turned to leave "please, wait!" But Harry carried on walking away forcing Miabella to jog after him, "don't you want to know how you ended up on the roof when you were running away from Dudley and co?" This got Harry's attention making him stop suddenly. He turned to look at Miabella wondering what she'd say.

Miabella knew it was now or never, she'd spent months trying to get him alone so she could explain. She didn't want to do it like this but it had to be done, so she grabbed his hand and said "tipsy" and with a 'pop' they both vanished into thin air.

One minute Harry was standing in an empty street and the next he was in a warm living room, "how?" Was all he could whisper while he took in his surroundings wide eyed.

"Magic!" Miabella said with a smile.

Instead of scoffing at her or questioning her, Harry being a seven year old child still innocent and open to possibilities smiled back at her, a genuine smile something he hadn't done in a very long time "brilliant!"

Miabella decided to explain everything to Harry before giving him a tour, so she led him to the couch in front of the fireplace where two steaming cups of hot chocolate and cookies were already waiting for them. They both settled down, Harry hesitated looking at the snacks but when he looked at the warm smile Miabella gave him all his fears faded, she made him feel welcomed.

"So why don't I first do all the talking and later you can ask me any questions that you might have…" Harry nodded while sipping on the hot coco.

"Ok, so my name is Miabella Rosabella Ducce and you are Harry James Potter"

"James?" Harry couldn't help himself, nobody had ever told him his full name before.

"Oh, hmm, maybe you should tell me what you know first…" Miabella was surprised that Harry didn't know his own middle name. When he carried on looking at her with a blank look she tried to ask him specific questions about what his family had told him and why he didn't want to be her friend.

It took some time but Harry decided that for some unknown reason he could trust her and so he told her about his life at number 4 Privet Drive, how his parents had died in a car crash and how his aunt and uncle were forced to take him in, but they thought he was not normal. He couldn't get himself to tell her that he was a freak but he told her that he did want to be friends with her, but he was scared of his uncle and Dudley was making his life hell.

Miabella sat for a good hour listening carefully to Harry's story, when he'd finished they sat in silence for a few minutes then she whispered "freak". Harry's head shot up his eyes brimming with tears I should have known better…

Miabella didn't realize why Harry had reacted like that thinking that he was upset because of everything he'd told her so she carried on "I heard Dudley call you that, it's not true! That's what they call you right? They are the freaks!"

BANG!

They both jumped, Tipsy had thrown a tray full of sandwiches and pumpkin juice on the center table and was standing with her hands on her hips fuming. "How dares they! Harry Potter sir is being great! Tipsy is teaching them manners, yes she is."

"Err" Harry was looking at the strange creature standing in front of him, she was small with bat like ears and big violet eyes that looked like tennis balls. With a snap of her fingers she cleared out the mess replacing it with a fresh tray of sandwiches and pumpkin juice. Then a man's baritone voice said "Tipsy, not now" making her harrumph in response before vanishing again with a pop.

"That was tipsy, she's a house elf" Miabella clarified looking at the confusion on Harry's face, he was looking around the empty room to see where the man was, thinking it might be Miabella's dad. "Ahem, up here son, it's good to finally meet you." Harry looked at Miabella still confused but saw that she was looking at the portrait over the mantle smiling.

"Hello grumpy, Harry this is my grandad Carl Benjamin Ducce" Harry gave a weak smile and muttered a Hello in response.

"Well first and foremost son, you most certainly are not a freak! I'm sorry it took us so long to find you but we wizards don't know much about the muggle world. And as far as your parents are concerned, they were both magical as well and did not die in a car crash, they were murdered by a dark lord who calls himself Lord Voldemort. You are famous in the magical world because the night he attacked your home he tried to kill you as well, meeting his downfall." Carl wanted to rip off the bandage and help the boy to start healing, still being young it would be easier to mold the child.

Harry sat there quietly committing all the information to memory, so far no one had ever talked about his parents with such admiration, no one had ever talked to him with such kindness. They spent another hour where Carl told Harry everything he'd been able to find out from other portraits about the war and about what had really happened. The children had eaten their food and had finally drifted off to sleep on the couch itself.

The next morning Harry heard a clicking sound but he kept his eyes shut, he had had a wonderful dream about Miabella and magic and a portrait who talked about his parents, he wanted to memorize the warmth he'd felt in his chest before waking up and facing reality. But when he woke up he found himself tucked in a comfortable four poster bed, white linen curtains let soft light through. Drawing the curtains Harry saw that Tipsy was laying out clothes on the dresser.

"Harry Potter is being awake, Tipsy is making a robe your size. You is getting dressed and coming down for breakfast." Harry smiled a toothy smile at the bossy elf and hopped out of bed. He quickly went to the en-suite bathroom and had a shower, Tipsy had left a fresh set of toiletries for him. Getting dressed in the grey silk robes, the first set of clothes that actually fit him, Harry quickly made his way down following the smell of food.

He could hear voices drifting down the hall.

"It is worse than we'd imagined."

"I know Grumpy, but time heals everything…"

"Hmm, Tipsy will get you something that'll last longer and protect you from magical detec…" Carl stopped mid sentence as Harry stepped into the dining room.

Miabella was already seated at the table "Good morning Harry" she beamed when she saw him.

"Good morning son!" Carl said from yet another portrait on the wall facing the entire length of the table.

Harry beamed at both of them "Good morning" he said before taking a seat next to Miabella so he could face Carl as well. He was just about to help himself to the plate full of pancakes, sausages and eggs that had appeared in front of him when tipsy whacked his hand hard startling him.

"You is to be drinking this potion before every meal, tipsy is making sure of it."

"That is a nutrition potion son, it'll help you absorb all the nutrients in the food. We need to fix the malnourishment that you've suffered at the hands of those monsters."

"Thank you sir." Harry choked still unused to the kindness.

"Nonsense, call me Grumpy." Harry looked curiously at the old man in the portrait, his hair was stark white but his olive skin was smooth. His eyes were pitch black with sharp aristocratic features. But his smile was warm and his deep voice was kind.

Miabella giggled "my parents died fighting Voldemort as well, but Tipsy brought me here to safety. I couldn't say grandad so he became Grumpy, I think I was trying to call him grandpa but oh well." She stuck her tongue out at the portrait with a mischievous glint in her eyes turning to Harry she smiled warmly, "grandad has been teaching me things ever since and Tipsy is making sure that I am a proper lady."

Carl saw the uncertainty in Harry's eyes "your grandfather, Charlus Potter and I went to Hogwarts together. He was obviously in Gryffindor and I was in Slytherin they are Hogwarts houses, Hogwarts is the magical school that you'll both attend when you turn eleven. Now Gryffindor and Slytherin are known to be arch enemies, but we had met on the train before reaching Hogwarts and being sorted, so despite our house rivalries we carried on with our friendship. Your grandfather even fell in love with and married a Slytherin girl, Dorea Black. I was best man in his wedding and he at mine, we even became the godfather's of each other's children. But most importantly, during the summer of our fifth year we did a blood ritual making us blood brothers."

Miabella cut in, "the ritual used to be practiced widely during Merlin's time, especially amongst the noble families. They tended to not have more than one or two children, thus avoiding their lands and riches trickling into several branches. So if a Lord had two daughters, he would find a blood brother, normally a friend who had two sons. The younger son would take the blood name and carry on the family line."

Harry nodded in understanding, "but what about the daughters?"

"The blood ritual merges two families together in every way but blood. So even though, you are not biologically related to me, magic will recognize you as family nonetheless. That made the daughters of a blood ritual much more appealing for marriage, not only did they bring dowry from two houses but they were magically more powerful as well, as two magical streams combined as one into their core."

Miabella placed her hand a few inches above Harry's belly button. "Your magical core is located right there, in the center of your being. Why do you think your accidental magic was so powerful? If every child started appearing on rooftops or turning their teachers hair blue, yes I heard what happened with mrs. Sanders… well let's just say it would not have gone unnoticed and the muggles would have found out about magic long ago."

Harry had finished eating and was now listening to Carl with rapt attention, the warm smile flickered slightly as his expression turned somber "I had died a few years before your grandfather did, he was the head of HIT wizards and I was the head unspeakable. We were both fighting Voldemort, when he died Potter Manor was destroyed but there was a portrait of both Dorea and him at Godric's Hollow. We would spend the day with one another spying on the enemy and passing information to our kids. But the night your home was attacked the portraits were destroyed as well, without our original frame the one we were painted in we cannot exist. That's how I knew that something had gone wrong, by the time I had figured out what had happened and I could organize a rescue for you Dumbledore had already sent you to your aunts house. I knew I had to get you back, Merlin knows Lily had told us all about her sisters hate for all things magic. Son, forgive an old man for taking so long to find you, you shouldn't have suffered so much…"

"So...friends?" Miabella asked Harry the mischievous glint back in her eyes. Harry laughed and half hugged her while still sitting a family that loves me!

"Well, are you going to give Harry a tour of the manor?"

Harry was so overwhelmed with all the information and everything that had happened since the previous night that he hardly took in his surroundings. His head was spinning with thoughts about his family and magic and him being a wizard, it all felt surreal. Yet he believed with every fiber of his being. There were 10 rooms in the manor with en-suite bathrooms and walk in closets, Harry could choose whichever room he wanted. The library had hundreds of books on different branches of magic, the study was fully equipped for both children to start their magical education under the watchful eyes of Carl and Tipsy.

Once the tour was done Harry realized what had been subconsciously bothering him, "but what about the Dursleys and mrs. Figg? I don't think my aunt and uncle will care much of my disappearance but mrs. Figg might…" right after blurting out what was on his mind he suddenly froze letting his insecurities take him over, will they send me back? Maybe I shouldn't have said anything…

They'd just stepped into the living room when Harry asked Miabella what she thought but it was Carl that answered, "Tipsy has sorted everything out son, don't worry about it." Relief shown on Harry's face but it was short lived as at that very moment Miabella squealed in delight, "look Harry presents!"

After serving breakfast Tipsy had quickly put the gifts that Carl had asked her to buy for the children under the tree and she'd left. She'd first gone to number 4 Privet Drive and overridden the wards and charms placed around the property, no one would ever know that Harry had left. After that she'd paid a visit to Vernon's sisters house, where she'd threatened to show herself to Marge if the Dursleys caused trouble for Harry. They were actually really happy to get rid of him, they told Marge that they'd finally sent their nephew to an orphanage, they'd tell the school later that they'd sent him to a boarding school. Finally Tipsy paid a visit to Arabella Figg and altered her senses, she would simply remember that Harry was very happy living with the Dursleys.

"Well son aren't you going to open your presents? Miabella has pretty much torn through her bundle!" Harry looked between Carl and Miabella unsure on how to proceed.

"Oh come on Harry, we are not the Dursleys of course there are presents for you too! Here!" Miabella shoved a package towards Harry who took it with trembling hands, unlike Miabella he carefully unwrapped his gift, they were lenses. "Well you can't wear cello taped glasses Harry, besides I know that even with your glasses you can't see properly."

Carl added his two cents as well "They are magical lenses Harry, you can't hide those gorgeous eyes of Lily behind spectacles. Once you wear them, they'll start fixing your vision till one day it gets corrected on its own, then they'll dissolve themselves. Quite a wonderful invention if I may say so myself, mind you they are only available in the U.S. for now, those wizards are much more open to change then we are in Europe."

Harry profusely thanked them both for his present never having received one before, but Miabella pointed out the rest of his pile, needless to say three presents later and Harry was tearing through the wrapping with as much enthusiasm as Miabella. They were both given a potions set, new muggle and wizarding attire, a set of gobstones, an astronomy model, a calligraphy kit, several muggle and wizarding books and a 100 galleons each.

After explaining wizarding currency to both children Carl made it clear that they were not allowed to spend that money. "You are both very young, but both of you need to learn how to manage your finances. Now that I have you here, before you leave for Hogwarts I'm going to train you in money management and investments." They both thanked Carl and Tipsy for their presents, Miabella gave Tipsy a charm for her bracelet it was a tiny emerald symbolizing Harry. Harry made a mental note to get her one next year when Miabella explained that elves do not accept clothes as they see it as a failure to be freed.

"Yes Harry Potter, Tipsy and her family is being serving the Potter and Ducce family for generations. My brother is protecting Potter Manor when mask men attack." She sniffed then beamed with pride at the loyalty of her family.

Christmas passed by in a blur of color and laughter, Harry went to bed filled with hope for his future, the last thought before drifting off to sleep was I'm finally home.

Carl let the children spend the holidays playing, exploring the house and telling them stories. Finally after a week he told them that it was time to start studying, both him and Charlus had never fully trusted Dumbledore, yes he was a good man but a man nonetheless which made him fallible. Besides this was his family and he'd look after them! If nothing else he'd make sure that they were as prepared as possible to face the world.

The next morning after breakfast both children happily started their lessons, for the first 3 months Carl made them understand the basics of every branch of magic, they only studied theory and practiced their calligraphy. In the beginning it was slow and tedious but with patience and a lot of explaining soon both of them were fully invested in their work. They would even do extra research in the library and write essays to later discuss with Carl.

Finally when spring came in full bloom Carl thought that they were ready to start the practical side of magic. "Now kids, you will start with the practical aspects of your subjects. For potions you both now understand the importance of temperature, time, movement and the state of ingredients. As for spells, you will learn what most wizards consider a feat, wandless magic. Elves are naturally adept at being in touch with their core which makes it easier for them, as most magical humans view them as inferiors they never bother asking them to teach them. But never underestimate anyone, there's always something to learn."

And so both children started their full magical training under the diligent eye of Tipsy, months passed by both Carl and Tipsy showed extreme patience in front of failures (a lot of explosions and mishaps had to be fixed by Tipsy) but they celebrated every single achievement no matter how small keeping the children motivated. Birthdays were celebrated, days would be spent learning and nights would be spent playing games or laughing over stories told by Carl and Tipsy.

Finally the day came when they both received their Hogwarts letters, along with a visitor.