Certain things were clearly apparent by the time he was around 11, based on the social worker's best estimate at least. He was exceptionally driven and extraordinarily talented on the sports field. His ability as a cricketer, in particular, was 'magical' according to his coach. He opened the bowling and batting for his school and county teams, and he had captained his school team for the last three years. He bowled at an impossible pace for someone his age. The opposition always struggled to deal with this pace on its own, but his unbelievable skill extended to the trajectory of his bowling and throwing too. The ball would swing and bounce in peculiar ways that tended to perfectly align with his goals. Throws that were missing the stumps would bounce and smash the wickets instead. A batsman would shape for a hook and the ball would keep low or bounce faster than it should. He had noticed that small things usually went his way if he focused on them sufficiently. He didn't understand why, but he was certainly glad for the results.

He had always felt that he was different to the other orphans. He set high standards for himself in all spheres and enjoyed the praise and admiration he consequently received. His teachers all raved about him and he made sure to always present himself well in class. Coaches favoured him as he repeatedly excelled on every sports field, and his school mates were always happy to have him in their teams. He achieved everything he set his mind to. He also had the advantage of his magic assisting him wherever it could, but he didn't know that. All he knew was that he would make a name for himself through his achievements.

Presently he was walking back to the orphanage after cricket practice. Today he had experimented further and deliberately and specifically willed his arm and the ball to move faster than ever before. His coach had been astounded by the results and had told him that one day he would bowl for England. He had loved it and now dreamed of the fame and rewards of such a feat.

Distracted as he was, he didn't notice the owl that was circling just above his head, waiting for an outstretched arm. Fed up with waiting, the owl landed on the ground a few steps in front of him and hooted indignantly. He gasped and excitedly whispered "Wicked!"

The owl lifted its leg and showed him that an envelope had somehow been attached to it. He looked around in utter confusion at the owl's weird behaviour.

Feeling a complete fool, he tried to soothingly ask the owl, "Err, do you want me to get that off your leg for you?"

If he didn't know any better he would have sworn the owl looked at him mockingly in response. I've heard of trained pigeons, but an owl? I wonder what's in that envelope? He slowly knelt on the ground and hesitantly reached towards the owl's uplifted leg. He miraculously managed to remove the envelope without being bitten or scaring the owl. Completely bewildered, he turned the envelope over and saw 'Harry Potter' written on it in fancy calligraphy. He looked back at the owl in further confusion.

It must be lost or something. Maybe it has two homes and they use it to send letters between their houses for some reason. Seems silly when they could just phone each other or send a letter the normal way. Maybe its part of some kind of falconry training program or something. It probably somehow got confused and now it can't find the other house. How am I supposed to find this Harry Potter though? I can't bring an owl to the orphanage while I try track him down. Maybe if I scare it, yeah, then it might go back to its other home.

"Go! Fly away, rah!" he shouted, but the owl wouldn't fly off. He couldn't believe his ridiculous behaviour but he was just so confused by all of this. The owl seemed to stare at him expectantly as if waiting for something. Not knowing what else to do and extremely curious, he looked at the envelope again.

'St Mark's Orphanage, room 23' he read in smaller script that he hadn't noticed before.

That's my room! What is happening here? They weren't sure about my real name and surname, but, I don't understand any of this! If it might be for me, then I have to open it. Its addressed to my room, I might be Harry Potter, this could actually be meant for me. But why? He looked around but the street was still empty. He opened the envelope and read the first page.

'Dear Mr. Potter

This may come as a surprise but please keep an open mind regarding the contents of this letter. There is an explanation for the strange occurrences you have no doubt noticed in recent years. A reason for every seemingly impossible experience. You are a wizard, and magic is more real than you have ever imagined. Magical people live in secret in England, and indeed around the world.

I understand that this is a lot to take in, but if you are even the least bit curious, if part of you knows that these words are true, please fill in the form included in this envelope and arrange a date and time to meet with a Hogwarts representative. The representative will prove that magic exists if you are not yet convinced, and take you to Diagon Alley to buy your school supplies for the coming year where you will attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry if you so desire.

Please note that the representative will require at least four hours to help you obtain your supplies and you should plan accordingly. We look forward to your response. Simply attach the completed form to the owl's leg and await confirmation of the meeting within the next few days.

Sincerely

Prof. M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'

He sat down with an open mouth as he tried to process this new information. He flipped through the rest of the envelope's contents but couldn't quite convince himself that this was all real. He laughed out loud and decided it was all an excellent prank, but then he looked at the owl that still waited expectantly. He looked back at the letter and wondered. This seems so ridiculous, but, could it be real? I might as well send a response and see what happens, right?

He looked to the owl again before addressing it, "All right, I will fill in this form and see what happens. At the very least I might find out who set up this elaborate prank."

He grabbed a pen from his school bag, completed the form and attached it the owl's outstretched leg. It flew off immediately afterwards and he shook his head in wonder. He grabbed the rest of his things and set off for the orphanage in a bit of a daze. He was certainly looking forward to that meeting.

(-)

At Hogwarts, a flustered Professor McGonagall burst into Dumbledore's office. Apparently unperturbed, Dumbledore cheerily said "Minerva, what can I do for you today?"

"Albus, Harry Potter survived! I sent off a letter to him today! He's alive! Albus, do you think...?"

Albus definitely hadn't expected this news, but he wouldn't enjoy his next few words and the effect they would have on his deputy. "I am sorry, Minerva. James and Lily definitely didn't escape the inferno. It is remarkable that young Harry escaped, and I suspect Lily had a lot to do with that, but the Potter vaults could not have been emptied if either Lily or James had survived that night. I daresay the goblins and the ministry have a huge predicament on their hands now. It is terrible that he should have lost both his parents as well as the inheritance he deserved. But I am most grateful that he survived. I must say I am very curious to meet him."

Minerva visibly deflated at the news. Her eyes watery, she slowly recomposed herself while Dumbledore waited patiently. "It isn't right that Harry doesn't see his inheritance, Albus. I know for a fact that a very large sum was donated to Hogwarts. We shall simply give it all back."

Albus sighed, "Unfortunately that gold is all gone. As you know, many families were terribly affected by the war and that gold was distributed to them to ease the burden of recovery. I can't even reimburse young Harry from my own vaults because those were drained too. To this day I still owe the goblins a significant sum for loans I took to help fund the war."

McGonagall took a seat and stared out the window. "Those were terrible times and our world still hasn't recovered. I just wish more could be done for him. We will make sure he feels at home here at Hogwarts and hopefully find a loving family to take him in. Shall we contact Remus?"

Albus nodded. "Yes, that's a good idea. It may help him cope with his depression if he knows that Harry survived. I will send Sirius a letter too. The Potters meant everything to him. I wish he hadn't dueled with Peter at all, especially so recklessly in such a crowded area. However, I still believe that Sirius is ultimately a good man. The knowledge that Harry lives should provide some comfort for him, even in Azkaban."

Minerva nodded in response. "I will personally introduce Harry to the wizarding world as soon as possible. I just hope he has had some joy in his childhood."

Albus quickly suppressed a flicker of worry before smiling softly at Minerva. "Sherbet Lemon?"