Chapter 3

3rd August 1991

Nearly a month had passed since Albus discovered the disappearance of Harry Potter. Somehow, the boy had fallen off the face of the earth. The Dursley's obituary said they had died in the United States, which slowed down investigations considerably. Once it became clear that the Boy Who Lived was not in England, he had been forced to alert the Ministry of Magic. They in turn alerted the Daily Prophet and the whole wizarding world had been in an uproar since. MACUSA was being less than helpful, claiming that they had no record of any wizard by the name of Harry Potter in America. When asked if their muggle government might know anything, they said they could not say. Apparently magic/muggle relations in were not as common across the pond. He had continued his own private investigation. Severus, Minerva, Alistor, and Hagrid had all tirelessly searched as best they could. Stroking the head of his familiar, Phaux, his musings were interrupted by the sound of the gargoyle moving and footsteps climbing the staircase.

"Come in," the headmaster beckoned, after the knock.

Minerva strode in briskly, "There is a person at the gates, Headmaster."

"Is it the ministry?"

"No, Headmaster, I believe it is a muggle, but he is not deterred by our wards."

"Have Hagrid bring him in. We can obliviate him if need be."

A few moments later, Hagrid entered his office followed by a tall, powerfully built man with dark hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in a tailored muggle suit, that looked to be expensive. He walked with a confidence that boasted wealth.

"How can I help you sir?" Albus asked politely.

"You're the headmaster I presume?" the muggle had a distinctly American accent.

"I am," he replied extending his hand, "Professor Albus Dumbledore; this is my Deputy, Professor McGonagall."

"Bruce Wayne." They shook hands, Albus remarking the strength of Wayne's grip and gestured for him to take a seat.

"My ward received a letter from this institution earlier this week. Naturally, this came as a surprise, as none of us had ever heard of Hogwarts. I resolved that I would like to see the school for myself before I decided whether or not to allow him to attend. After all, Scotland is a long way from Gotham City, especially for an eleven-year-old."

As Wayne spoke, Albus was puzzled. How had this American muggle even found Hogwarts? Who was his ward and why did he receive a letter from Hogwarts rather than Ilvermorny? These were all questions that needed answering.

"Pardon me, Mr. Wayne, but there must be some mistake. Hogwarts only accepts students from Great Britain and Ireland. Your ward, if he is a wizard, should attend Ilvermorny which is the Wizarding school in America."

"No Professor, you see he was an English citizen up until recently and I guess that the British bureaucracy is such that the magical government must have missed his adoption and immigration to America."

"Interesting, and what is your ward's name, Mr. Wayne, perhaps we can see if he is indeed listed on our roster for First Years."

Wayne's eyes glinted as if he thought he somehow had an upper hand in the discussion, which was odd considering nothing of real importance had been discussed yet. "His name, Professor, is Harry Potter."

The room fell silent as the tomb. Albus could not hide his surprise at the revelation, Minerva looked as if she were so utterly shocked that she might fall, and Wayne looked pleased with himself. Albus recovered quickly attempting to act as if the name meant nothing more than it would for any other student.

"Ah, yes, I do recall his name. His parents were both students here; it is only fitting that Harry study here as well. I can assure you that he will be comfortable here and receive the very best in education."

"And Security?"

"He will be safer here than anywhere, Mr. Wayne."

Wayne looked as if he were trying to read Albus's mind, it was not legimancy but had an eerie similarity that he had never experienced from a muggle.

"One more question, Professor."

"Of course."

"Why did I not learn of Harry's magical abilities until recently? I feel that it is something that would have been good to know shortly after taking custody of him."

"Like all government affairs, Mr. Wayne, some things fall through the cracks and take time. Muggle/Magic relations take even longer, it is probable that Harry's adoption simply got lost in, as you called is, 'the British Bureaucracy.' As for Harry not telling you himself, I'm sure the boy has his reasons. Perhaps he is not yet comfortable enough to share such a personal secret of his life. After all, Mr. Wayne, there is a Statute of Secrecy for a reason."

Wayne's brow darkened at the headmaster's words. Obviously disturbed by the idea of his ward withholding something from him. The tall man rose from his chair,

"Thank you for your time, Professor Dumbledore, I'll talk to Harry and make sure that he wants to attend your school this Fall and will send you a reply shortly."

"Certainly, Mr. Wayne, thank you for taking such attention in your ward's education and wellbeing. And I reiterate, Hogwarts is the finest magical institution in the world."

They shook hands, "Thank you. Good day."

Bruce walked out of the office, memorizing every turn he took out of the castle. Nothing about the castle had surprised him yet, it only took dealing with magic once to learn to expect the unexpected. Upon reaching the gates, he bid farewell to the large Gamekeeper, and began his trek to his helicopter. Pulling what looked to be a Geiger Counter from his suit's pocket, he quickly inspected the readings. He built this device a couple of years prior for a purpose and one purpose only: measure magical energy waves. The readings from around Hogwarts were off the chart. There was enough magical interference in the area to disrupt even the strongest signals. If he wanted to learn more about the castle's inhabitants, he would have to do it the old-fashioned way. Getting re-entry into the castle would be difficult. Unless he overestimated Dumbledore, which he did not, there were undoubtedly wards surrounding the grounds. Not the kind of wards that can be dismantled and reinstated on a whim; these wards must allow ways for students and visitors to pass. The gate naturally would be the portal to the grounds, but there is always a backdoor. Always. Five yards away from the gate, the Magi-Counter lay on zero. Taking a homing device from his pocket, Bruce buried it in the ground. That will have to do for now. Now it was time for him to do his homework on Hogwarts.

4th August AD 1991.

"I take it your meeting went well, Sir?"

"Yes, Alfred, thank you."

"And presumably there will be future visits to Scotland?"

Bruce sat down in the back seat of the limousine as his butler closed the door, "That will be up to Harry."

"Quite right, Sir." They drove on towards the Manor as Alfred updated Bruce on events concerning Wayne Enterprises, Gotham City in general, and of course, the always complicated Wanye family: "Miss Gordon sprained her ankle last night, she is fine, but I recommend keeping her off duty for the time being. Master Richard is currently visiting from Blüdhaven, and Master Timothy is spending the afternoon with his classmates from Gotham High but will return for super and evening activities."

"Damian and Harry?"

"Both are at the Manor."

"When we get home, have Harry meet me in my study, Alfred."

"Would it not be better to wait, Master Bruce?"

"I'd rather get this over with. Also, Dick might be a calming influence if he needs one."

"As you wish."

Harry tentatively knocked on the door of Bruce's study. He rarely went in there, and Bruce had never asked for him to meet in there.

"Come in, Harry," Bruce's baritone sounded from within. Pushing the door, Harry entered. Bruce stood looking at the portrait of his parents and him. Harry had never talked much about Bruce's parents with the man. Bruce shared that they had been killed when he was a boy, when he had first adopted Harry and that had been something that Harry felt they had in common. Then he learned that all the boys, except Damian, were orphans and for once he felt like he belonged.

"Harry, is there anything about you or your family you would like to share with me?"

Harry froze where he was as Bruce turned to look at him. He was terrified and confused now. What did Bruce mean by that? Was he angry at Harry? For what? Harry had tried to be honest with the man ever since he took him in.

"No, Sir. I think I told you everything I know."

"Harry," Bruce looked at him sternly, as if his piercing blue eyes looking deep into the boy's soul, "are you keeping any secrets from me?"

"No," he was scared. Bruce had never interrogated him before, so why now? Bruce continued to look at him, reading his face and body language daring him to show any signs of a lie. Harry stared back defiantly, doing his best to not buckle from the stare. Finally, after what felt like an agonizing long period of silence, he gave away and broke eye contact.

Bruce sighed, and his entire demeanor changed, "I believe you, Harry."

"Can I go now?" Harry asked now utterly confused.

"No," Harry stopped mid turn, "I need to show you something."

Bruce reached inside his suit coat and removed an envelope with a wax seal and green ink. Harry recognized it at once as the letter that had been delivered by the owl. "This was delivered for you."

"Damian took it from me."

"Yes, you have to admit, Harry, mail delivered by an owl in broad daylight is strange."

"But it's mine."

"Which is why I'm giving it to you now. I'd appreciate if you opened it right away."

Harry did as he was instructed, he pushed is glasses up on his nose as he held the letter up. As he read the letter, he felt a range of emotions flood through him.

"Is this some kind of joke?" he asked as angry tears began to form in his eyes, "'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry' do you all think that I'm stupid?"

"Harry, this is not a joke. I had the best resources investigate it before I gave it to you, and this 'Hogwarts' is a legitimate school."

"But magic can't be real."

"Think, Harry, all those times that the inexplainable happened around you, those were early signs of accidental magic."

Harry looked at his guardian. Bruce wasn't the kind of person to carry on a practical joke like this. His face was stoic, and his voice lecturing, nothing to give the impression of teasing. "But how can I be a wizard?" He finally asked, accepting that Bruce was not jesting.

"From what I have learned, Harry, your parents were both magically inclined, and thus so are you. Obviously, your Aunt and Uncle either didn't know, or kept this fact from you either out of malice or intended on telling you when you turned eleven."

"I'm betting they hid it. The Dursleys wouldn't have been the type of people to like magic," Harry grumbled.

"Regardless, Harry, you need to decide whether or not you whish to pursue this. If you wish to go to Scotland and study magic, I will not stop you. If you wish to stay in Gotham and continue to live as a non-magical person, you may do so." He paused, squatted down in front of Harry, put his hands on his shoulders, and added, "whichever you choose, this will still be your home."

"You– you don't mind that I'm a wizard?"

"Harry, you're my ward, you are part of this family. You being a wizard does not change that."

Harry hugged Bruce around the neck, "I want to go," he whispered

"Then we will make the arrangements for you to be there September first."

"Do the others know?"

"Only Alfred."

Pushing his guardian to arm's length, "Should I tell them?"

"Do you want to keep it a secret?" Bruce questioned.

"Well…"

"Harry, it's up to you whether to tell them. However, I recommend that if you tell anyone, you keep this in the family."

"I'll tell them."

"Then go ahead and do so."

Harry turned and walked out of the room clutching the letter in his hand. He was a wizard. His parents had been a witch and wizard. Him going to Hogwarts felt as if for the first time, he had a part of them he could grasp. He wasn't sure how he was going to tell his adopted family, but he did know that knowing he was a wizard made the world make more sense.

"So, are you going to tell him your little secret?" Dick asked Bruce.

The older man remained seated in his computer chair in the Batcave. Dick was leaning against the desk still wearing his Nightwing uniform, looking intently at him, "No."

"Wait, come on. You mean you're going to withhold this from him even after you found out he's a wizard?"

"It's because he's a wizard that I won't tell him," Bruce replied while typing on the keyboard.

"I know you don't trust magic, Bruce, but he's part of the family, he deserves your trust the same as the rest of us."

"It's not Harry I don't trust. It's all the other wizards. There are too many wizards too skilled at mindreading to trust him with it. Not that he would share the knowledge willingly, but that it might be taken from him."

"You could always teach him to shield his mind the way you taught us."

"He's leaving for Hogwarts in less than a month; there isn't time to train him. It takes years to build mental defenses that can withstand a wizard's probes."

"Harry's too smart and too curious not to find out on his own. What are you going to do when that happens?"

"I have a contingency plan."

Dick rolled his eyes, "Of course you do."

Bruce finally looked away from the computer, "Zatanna is coming on Wednesday to help give him a brief jump start in magical education before the school year starts. While she is here, she will build a defense in his mind that will hopefully prevent anyone from stumbling into it. It's only temporary, until he can build more of his own."

"And how are you going to explain to Harry that you know a witch if you're not going to tell him about Batman?"

Bruce stared down his eldest ward, the raven-haired young man was obviously bating him for something, "I'm a billionaire, Dick, it's not hard to believe that I hired her."

Dick shook his head, "The lengths you go to lie to us, Bruce, will never cease to amaze me." He straddled his bike, "why don't you just tell him the truth?"

"I just told you, D—"

"No, not the whole Batman thing; just tell him the other half of the truth."

"Which is?"

Dick smiled cheekily at his mentor, "she's your ex!" with that, the young man roared his bike to life and left the cave for Blüdhaven.