AN: So I've been doing a lot of behind the scenes plotting for this story. This is a short glimpse at what's going on. I've decided that, instead of lengthier chapters, I will write shorter and post more frequently. Also, CW: self-harm. All will be revealed. Soon.

Harry Potter could pinpoint the exact moment their life changed. After Uncle Vernon had told them to go get the mail, it was a distinct paradigm shift in themselves, in the world, and everything was different. Somehow, they knew that the mail was important and it couldn't wait. Of course, why else would Harry stoop to reading their mail in the doorway when any normal person would take it inside and open it from there?

` Well, Harry at least now knew why they felt so different: Magic. It felt so strange to think about, yet so right. The word clicked with Harry, whispered to them and spoke of all their deepest, darkest desires and ambitions. It told Harry that they could rise above and beyond and become what they were truly meant for. Harry wasn't quite sure what they were meant for, but knew they would make something great of themselves.

The meeting with that Professor Snape person left a sour taste in their mouth – something about Snape was just distasteful Harry was quite used to teachers assuming the worst of them, having been branded as a troublemaker with no cause in the past. That Snape felt similar, but different. His dislike of Harry seemed to stem from something even deeper – Harry wasn't sure they even wanted to know what could drive a person to be so irrationally unlikable.

It wasn't for lack of trying, to be sure. Harry could tell that the slick-haired man tried as best he could to be nice to Aunt Petunia, at least. They seemed to know each other, Harry could gather that much. More information would be necessary in that regard.

-HPatTTMA-

Blood trickled down from her wrist into the bathtub. A drop of water falls from her eyes and hits the water. In her other hand, she clutches a small, razor-sharp knife. She lay her head back and let the darkness take her.

-HPatTTMA-

Luna Lovegood could tell immediately what was wrong.

"Daddy, I think time just did a backflip." Xenophilius looks up from the article on reports of Minister Fudge committing bestiality with a thestral and a troll that he was editing for The Quibbler.

"That's nice, dear. I just got some pudding from the store, it's on the kitchen counter."

"Yay! What flavor?"

"Chocolate, the plum is mine."

"Wonderful! I'll let you know if I hear more about the situation with time."

"Of course, Luna dear."

-HPatTTMA-

The trip to Diagon Alley, as expected, was like any other shopping trip. If there was one thing Petunia Dursley was, it was a resourceful shopper. She couldn't believe she'd refused to come along with Lily in her youth, was she really so bitter? After getting all of Harry's school supplies, which they seemed to stare at intently (something was seriously up with Harry lately), the pair went to get some robes fitted. Petunia thought they were rather conservative and they came in the worst colors. And was the pointed hat really necessary? Talk about feeding into stereotypes.

-HPatTTMA-

The heart monitor beeped as it kept track of the girl's vitals. Her parents stood over her, clutching their hands together. Everything would be fine. It had to be.