#Author's Note

I wasn't sure what I should write here, or even if I should write here at all. But, Since I feel I should put some info before the beginning of the story, I will have to try something.

This story is the sort of thing I always wanted to write, but never quite knew how. It was only when a friend make a joking remark (about people born in 1996-1997 not being recognised as muggleborns because the death eaters destroyed the lists) that everything clicked into place. Up until then I was familiar with HP fanfiction (HPMOR,Harry Potter and the Nightmares of Futures Past and Harry Potter and the natural 20 being prime examples) but never wanted to write one. I also always wanted to write a boy goes to magical school story that explores the magical world in a more deep, adult scope.

And than it all clicked, and I had in my mind a story.

Well, being without any real experience in longform writing (unless you count writing up to 8000 words and abandoning the idea an experience, in which case I am Tolkien) I expected it to die pretty quickly.

Three chapters in I decided to actually try posting it online, and see where it goes.

So, without further ado - I hope you enjoy this little creation of mine. Obviously this whole thing wouldn't be possible without JKR, that created a world that made my childhood better, and is nice enough to let as come back to play with it as adults.

A side note - I am not British, nor is english my first language, so if you spot any mistakes with my writing I would be more than happy to know and fix them.

So, enough chitchat. Let's begin.

Chapter 1 - A Warm Summer Day

It was a breezy afternoon in the small suburb of Kanes, one that brought a much needed reprieve from the summer's glaring sun in the sky. It was the perfect day, rare for this time of year, and that made Daniel all the more excited as he walked into the community center.

He looked at his watch, the mechanical one that his dad got him for his tenth birthday last year, and for the umpteenth time checked the time.

He wasn't truly nervous about being late, but he really wanted to try and surprise his dad for once, and not make any mistakes that will ruin his chance. It became a tradition of their's, one of many they held for his birthday, that his dad would surprise Daniel. It started with the teddy bear incident when he was seven, and never went away.

This time, Daniel had the perfect plan. He told Dad that he will be at Francis' until 5pm, but in truth told Francis beforehand that he will be getting back early to celebrate with his dad.

And so it happened that the time was 4:15pm, and Daniel was in the Lobby, walking up to Mrs Saunders the receptionist and smiling almost uncontrollably.

As he approached her desk, Mrs Saunders gave him a surprised look. She was an older woman, older than dad at least, with short hair that was dyed blazing red and light brown skin. She always wore very bland jeans and t-shirts, but she did have a wide variety of jewellery Daniel always found fascinating. Today she had huge hula earrings and a ring with a big yellow gem and an intricate design.

"Oh, Daniel dear", Mrs Saunders voice was filled with the sort of surprised indignation she expressed every time he did something only mildly inappropriate, and maybe a hint of careful worry, "But your father told me he will be picking you from a friend at 5! Why are you here then, looking all giddy?"

"Shhh, miss Saunders!" He tried his best to keep his voice down, despite his excitement, but failed completely, "I'm surprising dad for my birthday! It's our tradition, and I finally won!"

"Ohh, I see" smiled Mrs Saunders, her wide hula earrings dangling as she moved her head, "well, happy birthday sweetheart! your dad told me all about the plans for tonight, and it sounds like you are going to have a blast. You know, just the other day I heard Molly T-"

"Miss Saunders! I really need to get to dad before he finishes his class!"

"Oh, sorry dear, I was getting carried away. He is supposed to be finishing Tai Chi in about ten minutes, so you can just go there and surprise him. It's usually room 2, but if I know your father he took everyone outside to enjoy the breeze"

"Thanks Mrs Saunders! Have a good day!" He yelled to her, already on his way outside, skipping with excitement. Dad was going to be so surprised!

He snuck behind the building and into the courtyard, staying close to the walls so his dad wouldn't see him outright. He could see his dad's class, all following dad's lead and copying his movements. The long, circular hand movements were slow and controlled, somewhat mesmerising to watch, and Daniel suddenly felt the urge to join them in the act. But he stopped, reminding himself that he was not there to practice but to surprise dad.

Luckily for him, his dad was facing the opposite direction from Daniel, meaning he could just walk up to him without being seen. Dad's students would see him, but that was fine. Most of them were too focused on their movements to notice anyway.

Daniel walked towards his dad, heart bursting with glee, smiling like he was showing the dentist that he was brushing right. His dad was giving some pointers on how to move the hips, and the majority of students that noticed Daniel approach had the kindness to look awfully interested in hips mobility.

"I have a question too, Mr. Auerbach. Is today the 31st? I recall there is something important that happens today, but I seem to have forgotten what it was".

His dad spun in his place in a blink of an eye, a worried look on his face. "Daniel! What ha-" he stopped before finishing and looked at him with a shock, that quickly gave way for amusement; it was, after all, a tradition he started himself.

"Well well," he said, his tone warm and soft, like a heavy cotton blanket in the winter, "as my dad would have said, 'and so rose the cucumber and smacked the farmer'. Good job son, I couldn't have done it better myself" and he smiled at him warmly.

A million words raced to Daniel's mouth, all trying to win the race and be said first, so it was only natural that he talked very quickly in reply, not stopping to breath even just a bit. "Thanks and you will need to try to do it better next year but did you see how I completely fools you and I know lying is bad but It was for a good cause and I only came 45 minutes earlier than when you expected to see me and besides you should have seen the look on your face!" And he stopped, gasping for air like he just emerged from a dive in the pool. His dad was laughing loudly, and so were his students. Daniel couldn't help but laugh too.

"Well, until next year it is," his dad said, in a mischievous tone that made Daniel wonder if dad was planning something for this year that he didn't see yet. "Everyone, I fear we have to cut our class short, as my son demands some much earned birthday attention." Everyone laughed again.

"Just make sure to emphasise the movement from the hip like I showed you when you practice at home. Have a good day everyone!"

People began scattering, chit-chatting amongst themselves. Some came to Daniel to wish happy birthday - Susan, Zach, Seamus, Madeline, all of his dad's friendliest students. Dad was smiling and talking with them politely when they addressed him, answering questions about the lesson they had, and what he had planned for Daniel ("it's a secret"). When everyone was gone dad gave him a warm smile, looking amused.

"I think we should be getting back home before we start our plans, I was planning on passing there before getting you."

"Is it to pick up stuff for my surprise? The one you didn't get to make before I beat you?"

"Nhm"

"So that's a yes, right?"

"Don't push it, or your birthday present will be getting grounded"

"Totally a yes. thanks dad, Love ya!" and he started skipping towards the front of the building, humming cheerfully.

"I love you too, son" he whispered, adoring smile on his face.

David opened the door to his house and let Daniel rush inside, letting his son "do a sweep of the house" and try to find the surprise.

He wasn't worried - the so called surprise was in the drawer of his nightstand, and it was locked.

But there was no sense in letting Daniel know he had no chance, he thought to himself. At least, not before the child could look around every nook and cranny of the house. Just to let him feel like he could win. After all, it was his birthday.

He chuckled softly from the thought as he went to the kitchen and started making himself a cup of tea. As the water was boiling in the metal kettle, his thoughts wandered towards his son's actions.

In truth, the whole surprise Daniel tried to organise was really good, so when David talked with Francis' mom and found out, he decided to play along and give his son the win. He would still give him a talk about the lying part, but it would be a soft sort of talk. After all, he really was trying to do it for a good enough cause, and the main problem was more about him walking around alone than the actual lie.

The whistle of the kettle distracted him from his thoughts, and he began to pour the water in the cup when he heard Daniel's voice from the living room, calling in delight, "Dad! I found it!"

What? what could he possibly find in the living room that he will think is the surprise?

His question was answered promptly when Daniel marched into the kitchen, a serious look on his face and a thick yellow envelope in his hands,

"Dad, you didn't even hide it, it was on the table! I know you didn't expect me to come early, but you should have expected the unexpected."

How did the envelope get there? David was sure he put it in the drawer when he finished writing it last night. This was surreal. Maybe he took it out at noon, meaning to take it with him to work?

"Well well well," he said in a confident tone that did not betray his confusion, " I wasn't expecting you to be coming with me here, did I?"

Daniel gave him an annoyed kind of look, but didn't reply. He was reading the emerald green letters, and passing his finger over the purple wax seal absentminded. A small smile crossed his face, and when he looked back up at David his eyes were a bit wet, but his smile was shining like a sun exploded inside him. "Thank you, dad. It's the best birthday surprise I could have asked for."

David walked over and hugged his son, his eyes a bit wet now too. "Happy eleventh birthday, son".

And so they stood there, in silence, maybe for hours, maybe for a minute. When they withdrew, Daniel gave him a big smile again. "Well, " he said, "I can open the letter later, I already know what it says and -"

"Oh no, young man! Your old man sat down all night and wrote you a letter, and you are going to read it! "

"But dad!"

"No buts! You seat down and read your letter, and I will go and cancel the owl trainer that was supposed to help deliver it"

Daniel's look of astonishment was priceless. David moved to the living room to give him some quiet, and called the bird trainer he contacted the other day. It was a short call, and the trainer was understanding of the situation. He was just hanging up when Daniel stepped into the living room with the open envelope in hand, looking confused.

"Dad," he started, but stopped abruptly, looking like he was lost for words.

"What is it Daniel?" He asked, intrigued by his son reaction. Did he make a mistake with making the letter? Maybe his list of school supplies was off, he was plenty tired when he copied that one...

"I like that you decided to making it new, but the part about Muggle special precautions and 'holding tightly for a representative to come and clarify' is a bit much, don't you think?

What?

"What? Let me see that" he tried keeping the alarm of his voice, but judging by Daniel's hurried handing of the letter, he did a poor job of it.

The letter, seemed fine, at first glance. Same emerald green writing, same yellow parchment. But it was only at first glance, because the moment he actually looked at the text, he realised with small panic that this was not his hand writing.

He proceeded to read the letter, eyes widening in every line.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Minerva McGonagall

(Order of Merlin, First Class)

Dear Mr. Aurbach,

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 September 1. As you are determined to be muggleborn, in accordance with the Muggle Special Precautions act, article 13, a representative will join you to clarify on the meaning of this letter shortly after you finish reading it. Please hold tightly until said representative's arrival.

Sincerely yours,

Ainz Worthe

Deputy Headmaster

David noticed that his heart rate was rising, small rush of adrenaline washing over him. This was not the letter he wrote. Someone else came in and left it here. But who?

He started going over people who had the key when he realised that he wasn't thinking straight. Whomever did this, he did it as a birthday prank for Daniel, knowing about his mild obsession with Harry Potter books and the birthday tradition of surprises they shared. So in truth, it wasn't that bad, right?

"Dad? What is it?" Daniel's voice was very quiet, and with alarm David realised that he probably scared his son with his reaction. He smiled reassuringly at Daniel, putting the letter on the living room table.

"Well, it seems someone chose to surprise us both for your birthday" he said, trying to pour as much calm into his tone as he could. He was still a bit shaken, but in the end it was a very funny prank. Was it Darcy, trying to get back at him for the cake prank he did on her engagement dinner? It was a bit far fetched, but he couldn't think on anyone else at the moment.

"What? You mean it's not you who wrote the letter?" Daniel's bewildered look was the cutest face David saw his son make since he was seven, "but who did? And what was your surprise?"

"It's a good question, that I have no answer for, sadly" he said, ruffling his sons hair adoringly, "maybe Darcy wanted to surprise both of us after the pickle incident. As for my surprise - I suddenly feel unoriginal, but I also made you a letter for Hogwarts. Mine was more standard though, less creative license"

"Oh dad," Daniel shot him a wide grin, "I'm sure yours was way better. Unless this one is a real Hogwarts acceptance letter, in which case I'm sure you understand". They both burst with laughter, and David hugged his son again.

A knock on the door interrupted their familial moment. "Let's go see who it is, and after that go have the rest of our plans for the day."

They both started walking idly to the door, "Don't think that the surprise was the only thing I planned for today! It may not be as extravagant as a trained owl, but we do have some fun activities waiting for us!"

"I don't know dad, I'm not sure I can get behind anything now that I know that a trained owl was an option" he shot David a mischievous grin that made David chuckle softly. They opened the door, a smile on their face.

Outside stood a tall woman, probably seventy or eighty years old, rather severe looking and bearing a prim expression. She wore a short of emerald green dressing that David did not recognise, and her greyish hair was held in a bun under a stylish fedora that was cocked to one side. Her eyes, though behind black rimmed square spectacles, were sharp and analysing.

"The Aurbach family, I would presume?"

Her accent was distinctly Scottish, And her intonation sharp and stern. She did not wait for an answer as much as let them stand in shock for a moment.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am professor Minerva McGonagall. I believe you were notified of my arrival."