Chapter 1: An Introduction
31 July, 1991
It was Harry's eleventh birthday. Usually, he was not excited about his birthday, because the Dursleys hardly ever bought him a good gift. An exception to the tradition was his sixth birthday, when uncle Vernon surprised him with a TV. This event still has him confused to this day, because he is ready to bet his room that he saw one of the family guards quietly convincing Vernon to buy Harry a TV. The Dursleys had been able to afford to pay those people to become their house guards, at least that was the version Harry had been told. He was not convinced that this was the truth, since the Dursleys did not seem very happy with having guards and nobody in the family worked on anything, so that they could pay the guards. The residents of Privet Drive №4 rarely left the house and the front and backyards. It was the guards' duty to do their shopping. Harry was really confused as to how they had any money.
After five minutes Harry thought to himself that it would be better to leave those mysteries aside for now and head down for breakfast. He went down to the kitchen and took a seat. Harry saw that Dudley was not in the kitchen, so he guessed that he was still sleeping. His aunt Petunia was frying eggs and Vernon had hidden his face behind a newspaper.
As Petunia heard Harry sitting down, she turned around and greeted him. "Happy birthday Harry!" Even though she had shown her face for only a second Harry was able to notice that she looked worried.
After another five minutes Petunia served Vernon and Harry fried eggs. The man did not even look at the food which made his nephew even more curious. After finishing with his eggs, Harry decided that it would be best to watch some cartoons on his TV and then to ride his bike in the backyard. As he headed back to the stairs, he turned around to look at the kitchen. His uncle and aunt were looking worriedly at each other but as soon as they saw Harry glancing at them Vernon hid his face behind the newspaper again and Petunia continued to fry eggs for herself and Dudley. After glancing at the kitchen for a few more seconds Harry decided that there was not anything to wait for on the stairs and continued walking up the stairs to his room.
Harry had watched cartoons on his TV for half an hour by this point when he heard someone knocking on the front door. Harry immediately jumped out of his bed, opened his room's door, and rushed down the stairs.
When he got to the front door there two people – one of them was uncle Vernon and an old man with a long beard, dressed in a black robe that Harry did not know. When the man saw Harry, he smiled at him. "Harry! It is nice meeting you!" He extended his hand for a shake. Harry took it. "My name is Albus Dumbledore." The man introduced himself. "Can we have a chat in your room?" "Alright, I guess." Harry replied.
Harry led Dumbledore to his room. As they entered there, the boy saw the guest pulling a stick out. As he swung with it at the door a clicking sound could be heard as if there was an invisible lock. Harry took the remote, turned the TV off and then he sat on his bed turning his sight at Dumbledore. "There are a few things that you must know, Harry." Dumbledore began to speak. "I'm sure that you have noticed my wand." He waved with the hand that held the stick. "As you saw I can do magic with it." He pointed his wand at Harry's bed and then it rose half a meter in the air. Then it slowly landed on the floor again. The boy looked at his bed in shock. "Now I must ask you a question Harry." Dumbledore's blue eyes initiated eye contact with Harry's green eyes. "Have you ever wondered what is the real reason your parents are dead?" Harry nodded. "The truth is that they were murdered by a dark wizard that goes by the name Lord Voldemort. After he was done with your parents, he tried to end your life as well." Dumbledore made a stop here. "But his curse deflected back at him. He died, you survived against all odds. Because of this you are known to many as the boy who lived." He sighed. "Unfortunately, his followers, the Death Eaters have continued to ravage the country even without their leader having a body. That's why there have been guards here ever since you came to live with your aunt and uncle." "Sir?" The boy asked uncertainly. "Yes Harry?" "Am I a wizard?" "Yes, you are. And as you are a wizard you are invited to the wizarding school "Hogwarts". If you agree to come, which I am certain you will, I will escort you to a place where you can buy the things necessary for your education. So, are you coming with me?" "Yes, sir." Harry replied in excitement. "Alright then follow me." Dumbledore ordered as he was leaving the room.