Chapter 3 The Letter
"Its time, Minerva."
Minerva looks at Dumbledore, slightly confused. "What do you mean 'It's time'?" Minerva is wearing a nightcap and looks as though she has just been woken from a sound sleep.
"Never mind that Minerva, tell the others there will be a staff meeting first thing tomorrow in the staff room."
"Alright Albus, but what's it about?" Minerva asks slightly perplexed, as it is 2.5 months before the new year begins.
"Our little lost wizard, Minerva," Albus tells her with an increased twinkling in his eyes.
Minerva looks shocked as she realizes whom the Headmaster means. "You don't mean.?"
"Exactly."
"But how?"
"I just got this years letter from his guardians." Albus says holding up the tube so that Minerva can see it.
"But it's too early for that this year."
"I'll explain at the meeting. Just contact the other professors and get some sleep, Minerva."
The next morning the staff gathers in the staff lounge. The door opens and in strides a tall pale thin man with black hair and a nose that looks like it has been broken at least once. He is dressed in long black heavy robes. "Minerva, just why did Albus call this meeting? What's so important that we must get up early after the students are gone for the summer?"
McGonagall turns to the man and answers, "I'm not sure Severus. Albus didn't tell me anything other than a rather cryptic remark about 'Our little lost wizard'"
"Wonder what he could have meant by that?" a short wizard asks as he comes floating into the room.
: He couldn't possibly mean. nah!: Severus thinks as he claims a seat by the fire at the far end of the room and wait for the Headmaster to arrive and start the meeting he called the previous night.
In walks Albus. He's carrying a cup of tea, which he sips from. "Good morning. I see you all made it. Severus, how are you this morning?" Albus walks over to the chair next to Severus and sits.
"I'm fine Headmaster, but what is this meeting about?"
"Yes Albus, exactly what did you mean by 'Our little lost wizard'?" Minerva asks as she takes a cup of tea for herself, and sits on one of the couches that lined the room.
"Tea Severus?"
"No thank you Headmaster."
"Well Minerva, late last night I received the yearly package from Harry Potter's guardians.
Hagrid snorts and says "Guardians heh- ye mean his kidnappers."
"No Hagrid. I mean the people who have taken care of him for the last ten years. The ones who have made sure that he is happy," Dumbledore explains to Hagrid.
Severus thinks for a moment and asks "But don't they usually send the package on July 31, Harry's birthday?"
"True, but this years package included something extra, a letter. It says: 'Dear Headmaster:
Harry is doing well. He has earned his brown belt and his sifu (master) is very proud of him. As you know he will be 11 this year and we feel that its time for him to attend Hogwarts as his parents wished. Instead of returning Harry's letter with this package we would like to invite you to come and see how Harry is doing for yourself. Doing so will allow you to explain Hogwarts to him personally. One of us will be arriving in your office to pick you up at 6:00 pm GMT on July 31. Please make sure that there are no active magical experiments going at that time. We believe our method transportation to be compatible with all the types of wards currently in place at Hogwarts, but cannot guarantee there will be no unfortunate adverse results occurring because of the combination of unknown wards and our mode of transportation.
Please do as we ask
We look forward to your visit
Harry's Guardians'
A woman with short white hair and yellow eyes looks astonished "Albus you can't be considering this!"
"Madame Hooch (A/N: What is her first name anyway) is correct, Headmaster. How do we know these people mean you no harm?" asks the short-floating wizard.
"Really Flitwick. (A/N: Any one know his first name) if these people are half as powerful as they say, there's nothing we can do, except do as they ask. After all they did give us a warning."
"Exactly right, Severus. Every year the package from them appears on my desk with only the slightest tremor in the wards. Remember Minerva, how we tried to track the packages form those first few years?"
"Yes Albus, I do. We never got anywhere. Once we figured out which set of magical frequencies to look at we still found only the slightest traces of magic, and those traces seemed to have multiple magical signatures."
Dumbledore look serious ad states flatly "I'm going." Albus then left the room to a chorus of "But.What about.and Are you sure?" None of the others noticed that Severus maintained his silence.
They turned to Minerva and one of them asked, "What does the Book of Magical Children say about Harry?"
She thinks for a moment and then looks shocked at something she remembers. " Harry's name is listed, but his location has been obscured since Godric's Hollow."
"How is that possible, that Book was established by the Founders?"
"I.don't.know."
The room degenerates into muttering, Severus is still silent.
A voice is raised "How can we trace the source of the magic when they come to get the Headmaster?"
Several of the staff proposes ideas. While this process is bandied about Severus looks increasingly perturbed. Finally he speaks up, "Do you really think its wise to attempt to tamper with magical skills we know nothing about in the face of the warning we have been given? Should we take the chance that there will be disastrous results?" Severus than gets up and leaves the room thinking: Those fools. They don't know what they're up against! They can't penetrate the blocks that are facing them.
On July 31, about 1 PM CST, Harry and his Guardians are gathered in the living room. All of the furniture has been moved to the walls, so that the central area of the room is clear.
"Harry, for your lesson in mage craft today, you will be observing first hand the creation and use of a Gate. A cross Atlantic Gate." Renee informs Harry who is standing next to her.
Sara turns to Paul and asks "Have you informed the others that we will be using a Gate this afternoon?"
"Yes, I told them yesterday."
Harry looks at them and asks "Is it necessary to tell others when you are going to Gate?"
"Not really, Harry. Its just courtesy so that they won't be surprised, and they will be prepared," replies David.
"It's time to start. Paul, would you do the honors?" Maria asks Paul.
"Sure Maria." Paul turns to the center of the room and begins to create the Gate. As the doorway of energy appears in the room Maria turns to the others and asks if everything is ready. Harry didn't quite understand what they were talking about.
Sara hands a large bundle of cloth to Maria and one to Paul once the Gate is open. They shake out the cloths and put on what turns out to be two floor length cloaks. Harry turns to Renee and asks, "What's going on?"
Renee turns to Maria and Paul as if to say 'go on'. She turns to Harry and says, "Just wait Harry, you'll see." Maria and Paul walk through the Gate after pulling their hoods up. The Gate closes behind them.
Dumbledore is sitting at his desk in his office when a Gateway made of energy opens in front of him. Out of the Gate walk two tall, cloaked figures. Dumbledore looks up from the paperwork on his desk. "I've been waiting for you. You're right on time."
The shorter of the two figures lowers its hood revealing Maria. She turns to Dumbledore and says "Thank you for doing as we asked in regard to the wards. Are you ready to go?"
Dumbledore nods and says, "Just let me let Minerva know I'm going." With that he turns to the fire and tosses in a handful of powder. He calls out "Minerva!"
A head appears in the fire. It's Minerva McGonagall. "Yes Albus?"
"I'll be leaving now," Dumbledore tells her. He turns to Maria and say, "I'm ready to leave now."
Maria turns to the other cloaked figure and tells him, "Paul, open the Gate so we can leave."
Back in the Post living room Harry turns to Renee and asks, "Where did they go?"
"Just wait, they'll be back soon," with that a Gate opens in front of them. Out step Maria, Paul, and a tall older man Harry doesn't recognize. Harry turns to Sara and asks, "Who is that?"
"Harry this is Albus Dumbledore. He is the Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He knew your parents."
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? What's that?" Harry looks to David and Renee, curious. Renee turns to Albus and says, "Why don't you tell him that? It is your school after all."
"All right Harry. Hogwarts is the school your parents attended to teach them magic," Dumbledore explains. "Oh, so that's where they learned it," Harry says.
"Harry, that's not all. Headmaster, tell him more about Hogwarts, please," Renee asks Dumbledore.
"When your parents were 11 they each received a letter inviting them to attend Hogwarts. They attended school there for the next seven years. Now that you are 11 it's time for you to get your letter."
David turns to Harry and says, "Why don't you show the Headmaster to the upstairs guestroom, he may need a chance to unwind."
Harry, being a well brought up polite young man, turns to the Headmaster and says, "Sir, please follow me. I will show you to your room." With that Harry leads Dumbledore out of the room and up the stairs.
Sara, Renee, and David turn to Maria and Paul. "So, how did it go?" "Where's his luggage?"
Maria answers, "Everything went fine. I didn't see any luggage but he said he was ready to go and he was expecting us." Paul pipes up, "I think he accepted the experience of Gating rather well. Does not seem to have had any nasty side effects like the ones David sometimes has. He had the most beautiful phoenix sitting on a perch behind his desk."
Harry shows the Headmaster into the room where he would be staying.
"Is there anything that you want or need, sir?" Harry asks Dumbledore.
"No. Thank you Harry," Dumbledore replies.
Harry turns to leave and says, "I'll let Sara know you're settled in."
Fifteen minutes later, Sara knocks on the door. "Headmaster? Are you settling in all right? How is the experience of Gating sitting with you? Any negative side effects?"
Yes, I'm settling in all right," Dumbledore replies. "Gating was an interesting experience."
"Things were a bit rushed earlier. We apologize. There was an emergency prediction that we needed to make sure the authorities knew about. Would you like something to eat?"
Dumbledore has changed out of his robes and into a nice shirt and a dark pair of slacks. "Something to eat would be nice."
"Later this afternoon Harry has Taichi practice. I'm sure he would welcome your presence. This evening we will be having a special dinner to celebrate Harry's birthday. Maria thinks that would be a good time to present Harry with his Letter," Sara tells Dumbledore.
"I would love to see how Harry is doing. I agree, after dinner would be a great time to present Harry with his Letter," replies Dumbledore.
Downstairs Maria can be heard talking to Harry. "You have practice today, remember? Don't forget your saber or your bow. Sifu called and said he has a special lesson planned for today." Harry pauses in gathering his things for the lesson. He looks apprehensive, "Aw man. Sifu's "special" lessons always leave me sore, stiff, exhausted, or all three. But they sure are fun."
"One more thing, Harry. Would you mind if the Headmaster observed your lesson today. We think t would be a real eye opener for him," Maria said.
Just then Dumbledore and Sara walked into the kitchen.
Maria turned to them and asked the Headmaster what he would like to eat. " We have chili, spaghetti with meat sauce, stew, and of course, sandwich fixings."
Dumbledore turned to Harry and asked, "What would you recommend?"
"The chili is very good," Harry replied. "In fact, I'll have some myself."
"That sounds great Harry," Dumbledore said.
"Remember not to eat heavily Harry," Sara reminded him thinking of the Taichi lesson he had later that afternoon.
After they have finished eating Harry grabbed his stuff and headed to the door. They all head to the car. Sara turned to Dumbledore and sayed, "Don't forget to put o you seatbelt Headmaster."
"Oh yes. It has been a while since I was in an auto," Dumbledore responded.
Maria, who was driving, said to Dumbledore with out turning away form the road, "I think that you will find Harry's lesson interesting. His Sifu is a Grand Master and is teaching Harry the energy side of Taichi as well as the physical side. I do ask that while we're in public you refrain from doing any of the more flashy magics. Please. The people of the base will ignore any subtle, unusual things. This is the base of operations for the Cassandra Project after all. They're used to unusual things, and they know when not to ask."
Dumbledore seemed puzzled by something. "You've mentioned this "Cassandra Project" before. What is it? And what did you mean by "Base of Operations" and "they know when not to ask"?"
"Sara, you want to handle this?" Maria asked.
Sara turned to the Headmaster, "the Cassandra Project is run by the American Military. It involves developing reliable precognition, distance sight, and healing that is similar to 'healing touch' but is more reliable and can be learned by almost anyone. In case you didn't notice you're currently on an Air Force base. All of the people you see around you are military personnel, their spouses, or their dependents. They know when not to speak and when not to see."
Just then, the car pulled into the parking lot of a park. Harry calls out, "We're here! The lesson is outside today."
About halfway through the lesson Harry and the Sifu put down the sabers they were using. Earlier they had practiced with the bow. The Sifu turned to Harry, "All right Harry ground to the earth and the sky. Center and reach for the energy. Feel it flow through you, filling every nook and cranny with light and heat."
Maria turns to Dumbledore and asked, "So what do you think so far?"
Dumbledore replieed, "Very interesting, but what are they doing now? It looks like they're just standing there."
"Use Oversight. You'll see," said Maria.
Dumbledore concentrated for a second and then what he was seeing changed drastically. Now Harry was almost glowing, suddenly the energy began to move. Harry seemed to be directing it. It reached out to touch one thing after another. Seeming to be examining each thing, some of the energy seemed to caress the things for a moment. Each place where the energy lingered was a plant that wasn't quite as healthy as it could be. Once the energy moved on, the plant was now healthier than before.
"Harry! Stop playing around!"
"Yes Sifu. Sorry," Harry replies.
"Since you are obviously ready, let's start the actual exercise."
The next thing Dumbledore saw was Harry's energy 'reaching' for the Sifu. It then wrapped itself around him, almost like it's looking/feeling for something. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Harry is learning to identify injuries, energy blockages, and scar tissue using chi, the energy of life," Sara explained to Dumbledore. "He's really good at it for his age."
"He has lessons like this along with anatomy, and strategy at least once a week," Maria explained to Dumbledore.
"Strategy? Why lessons in strategy?" Dumbledore asked confused.
"Why to go with the lessons in military history and leadership of course."
Dumbledore asked in astonishment, "These are a part of the normal school curriculum in America?"
"No. Not even in the Department of Defense schools, at least not at this depth," Sara explained. Dumbledore seemed even more confused by this, "Well then why does he have these lessons?"
Maria turned to the Headmaster to explain why Harry gets the lessons he does, "Albus! Do you really think that we would raise a child knowing that he would, at the very least, face the forces of Darkness-"
Sara interrupted, "-If not have to lead the fight against those same forces- "
Maria continued, "-and not teach him strategy and leadership."
"Really! Use some common sense. Of course we did!" Sara said.
"He took to it like a swan to water. He's a natural," Maria explained.
After a delicious dinner of homemade chicken and dumplings they sat in the living room to discuss Harry's time at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was sitting across from Harry. "Harry, usually a Hogwarts Letter is delivered by owl mail on the child's eleventh birthday."
"Owl Mail? What's that?" Harry asked perplexed.
Dumbledore explained, "In the Wizarding world we use owls to deliver letters and packages. As we weren't sure of your address, and the fact that there re very few cross Atlantic owls, we couldn't send your Letter that way. Instead I'm here to deliver it in person." With this Dumbledore handed Harry an envelope addressed to: Harry Potter
Address Obscured
Harry looked a little confused by this but opens it to read the letter anyway. It said:
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, Int'l Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins n September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours Sincerely Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress"
Harry turned to Maria and asked, "Why is it addressed to 'Mr. Potter' Maria?"
"Harry, your parents named you Harry James Potter. When they died there were two choices of where to place you. One was with your mother's sister Petunia, her husband and spoiled whale of a son. You would have grown up miserable and repressed. They hated those with magic, including your mother Lily. The other option was to place you with a wizarding family where you would have grown up a celebrity. You've seen how child stars turn out. It's never pretty. We couldn't allow either of these to come to be, so we took you, and adopted you," Maria explained.
"Oh yeah. I remember. After that monster Voldemort killed my parents right?" said Harry.
Sara responded, "Right Harry."
Paul said, "Since Hogwarts starts on Sept 1 you get and extra two weeks off."
Dumbledore looked at Harry, "How did you know about Voldemort?"
Harry responded matter-of-factly, "They told me, of course."
This little bit of information startled Dumbledore. "How much have you told him? And do you think that was wise?" he asked turning to Maria.
Maria responded "Only that his parents knew magic and were murdered by a human monster by the name of Voldemort and that they gave their lives to save Harry's."
Dumbledore replied, "That seems appropriate."
They headed into the kitchen for cake and presents.
"Blow out your candles and make a wish Harry."
Harry blew out the candle and Renée served the cake.
Maria handed Harry a small/medium package and said, "Open it. It might come in handy this year at school."
Harry opened the package revealing a knife and sheath. Dumbledore looked at it closely and was shocked. "That's an atheme!"
"I thought it would be handy this year," Maria told Harry and Dumbledore.
Paul handed Harry a box. Inside was a new pair of inline skates. "Since you outgrew your pair. I trust it won't be a problem Headmaster?" Paul said as Harry tries on the skates.
Renee handed Harry a backpack. "Remember the carpet bag in 'Mary Poppins'?"
Harry looked at it, "You mean the bottomless one?"
"Yeah, its something like that," Renee explained. "Just be sure you can pick it up."
Sara pulled a package shaped suspiciously like a book from behind her back. "Since I'm not sure how you're going to keep up your Qigong lessons, I thought this might help."
Harry unwrapped the package revealing a book entitled "Qigong Through the Ages" written by a succession of chi masters through the centuries. Harry flipped it open in the middle and saw that the pages were blank.
"What good is this? " Harry said displaying the blank pages. "When you're ready for the knowledge it will appear. You'll have to continues your energy exercises yourself."
Dumbledore looked astonished, "Isn't that a lot of responsibility for a lad so young to take on?"
Maria responded, "We expect more from Harry than the average child, and he has always lived up to our expectations." With that Harry turned beet red proving his redheaded heritage.
David handed Harry another book shaped package. "Here, I think this might come in handy." Harry opened the book to reveal a book. Upon opening the book and seeing its blank pages he said, "More blank pages?!?"
David explained, "This is for you to write in. What has happened and what you think might happen."
Dumbledore turned to Harry and handed him a book saying, "I apologize for not having birthday wrapping paper, Harry."
Harry took the book entitled "Hogwarts a history" thinking to himself: this is almost as bad as getting underwear for Christmas!:
The next morning they sat down to breakfast. "Most families don't have time to eat together in the mornings but we eat as a family as often as we can," Sara commented to Dumbledoreas she was setting out plates of eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit and boxes of cereal. "Do you want some toast?' she asked pulling the toaster towards her. "Waffles? Juice, milk, coffee, tea? We have Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Darjeeling."
Dumbledore said, "Such a large assortment for such a small family?"
Renee responded, "We have access to materials form all over the world. After all, this is a very diverse community we live in."
Paul walked into the kitchen carrying a cup of coffee and asked, "What would you like to do today Headmaster?"
"I don't know. What is within a convenient distance?" Dumbledore asked.
David stumbled in to the kitchen just then, half awake. "What about showing him around the base. That way he can see Harry's friends."
"Great idea David," Maria said as she sat down to eat breakfast. "David, are you alright?"
David looked at her while getting a cup of coffee, "I'm fine. I just need to stop by the office to talk to the Commander at some point today. There's something she needs to know."
Later that day, after lunch, Dumbledore, Maria, Renee, and Sara were watching Harry with his friends in the swimming pool.
Dumbledore turned to the three of them and said, "We need to decide where Harry's going to meet Hagrid."
"We will be staying at the Lower Tadfield Airbase*. Hagrid will recognize that he's at the right place by the sign that reads "Pease Is Our Profession*". We'll be there in a week and will be staying until school starts," Sara explained. Maria turned to Dumbledore and said, "We will send a letter so that Hagrid can get onto the base, but he will need some kind of identification with a picture.
Dumbledore said, "I'll make sure he has some when he picks Harry up on August 10."
"One of us will be accompanying Harry to Diagon Alley. It's the only way he'll be safe," Renee told Dumbledore.
"Hagrid will bring the key to the Potter vault with him. What do you mean "it's the only way he'll be safe'?" Dumbledore demanded.
"The way Harry's protections currently work, its best if one of us is with him. It works like a Blood Bond," Maria told Dumbledore.
"A Blood Bond? What's that?" Dumbledore asked.
"It's based on some of the oldest, most basic, and strongest magic. Our magic regards Harry as our child. His magic regards us as his parents/protectors. Even "Muggles' know of this type of magic. "Muggle" children often become 'Blood Brothers/Sisters'. One thing, tell Nick Sifu says Hello," said Maria.
Later that evening Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts. After he left, Harry's Guardians presented him with one last birthday present.
"We didn't want the Headmaster to know about this one," said Maria as David and Paul carried a trunk into the room.
"It's from all of us," Renee told Harry.
"It's not just a regular trunk Harry. Put your hand on the crest and focus your chi," Maria told Harry. He did so and to trunk opened to reveal an empty interior.
"No one but you can open this trunk. Just make sure you close it each time you open it," Paul told Harry.
Sara handed Harry a key. "Here, close the lid, put your hand on the crest, put the key in the lock and turn it. I think you'll find something interesting."
Harry put his hand on the crest, the key in the lock, focused his chi, and turned the key. As the lid opened a staircase was revealed.
"Go on, Harry," David said.
Harry went down the stairs into a lushly decorated library. They followed Harry down the stairs.
Renée went to the end of the room and pointed out a cubby the size of a small box of Kleenex®. "This is how you will be able to send and receive mail from home. You will be able to send home letters anytime you want, but we will only be able to send you a letter once a week, and a small package every other week, except for emergencies, of course."
Paul pointed out that the size limit was only for the time when the packages were transferred and that Harry knew how to 'Zip' and 'UnZip' matter reducing it in size.
Harry looked dumbfounded, and then burst into a huge grin.
A/N: * The first one to get this reference gets a cookie.
"Its time, Minerva."
Minerva looks at Dumbledore, slightly confused. "What do you mean 'It's time'?" Minerva is wearing a nightcap and looks as though she has just been woken from a sound sleep.
"Never mind that Minerva, tell the others there will be a staff meeting first thing tomorrow in the staff room."
"Alright Albus, but what's it about?" Minerva asks slightly perplexed, as it is 2.5 months before the new year begins.
"Our little lost wizard, Minerva," Albus tells her with an increased twinkling in his eyes.
Minerva looks shocked as she realizes whom the Headmaster means. "You don't mean.?"
"Exactly."
"But how?"
"I just got this years letter from his guardians." Albus says holding up the tube so that Minerva can see it.
"But it's too early for that this year."
"I'll explain at the meeting. Just contact the other professors and get some sleep, Minerva."
The next morning the staff gathers in the staff lounge. The door opens and in strides a tall pale thin man with black hair and a nose that looks like it has been broken at least once. He is dressed in long black heavy robes. "Minerva, just why did Albus call this meeting? What's so important that we must get up early after the students are gone for the summer?"
McGonagall turns to the man and answers, "I'm not sure Severus. Albus didn't tell me anything other than a rather cryptic remark about 'Our little lost wizard'"
"Wonder what he could have meant by that?" a short wizard asks as he comes floating into the room.
: He couldn't possibly mean. nah!: Severus thinks as he claims a seat by the fire at the far end of the room and wait for the Headmaster to arrive and start the meeting he called the previous night.
In walks Albus. He's carrying a cup of tea, which he sips from. "Good morning. I see you all made it. Severus, how are you this morning?" Albus walks over to the chair next to Severus and sits.
"I'm fine Headmaster, but what is this meeting about?"
"Yes Albus, exactly what did you mean by 'Our little lost wizard'?" Minerva asks as she takes a cup of tea for herself, and sits on one of the couches that lined the room.
"Tea Severus?"
"No thank you Headmaster."
"Well Minerva, late last night I received the yearly package from Harry Potter's guardians.
Hagrid snorts and says "Guardians heh- ye mean his kidnappers."
"No Hagrid. I mean the people who have taken care of him for the last ten years. The ones who have made sure that he is happy," Dumbledore explains to Hagrid.
Severus thinks for a moment and asks "But don't they usually send the package on July 31, Harry's birthday?"
"True, but this years package included something extra, a letter. It says: 'Dear Headmaster:
Harry is doing well. He has earned his brown belt and his sifu (master) is very proud of him. As you know he will be 11 this year and we feel that its time for him to attend Hogwarts as his parents wished. Instead of returning Harry's letter with this package we would like to invite you to come and see how Harry is doing for yourself. Doing so will allow you to explain Hogwarts to him personally. One of us will be arriving in your office to pick you up at 6:00 pm GMT on July 31. Please make sure that there are no active magical experiments going at that time. We believe our method transportation to be compatible with all the types of wards currently in place at Hogwarts, but cannot guarantee there will be no unfortunate adverse results occurring because of the combination of unknown wards and our mode of transportation.
Please do as we ask
We look forward to your visit
Harry's Guardians'
A woman with short white hair and yellow eyes looks astonished "Albus you can't be considering this!"
"Madame Hooch (A/N: What is her first name anyway) is correct, Headmaster. How do we know these people mean you no harm?" asks the short-floating wizard.
"Really Flitwick. (A/N: Any one know his first name) if these people are half as powerful as they say, there's nothing we can do, except do as they ask. After all they did give us a warning."
"Exactly right, Severus. Every year the package from them appears on my desk with only the slightest tremor in the wards. Remember Minerva, how we tried to track the packages form those first few years?"
"Yes Albus, I do. We never got anywhere. Once we figured out which set of magical frequencies to look at we still found only the slightest traces of magic, and those traces seemed to have multiple magical signatures."
Dumbledore look serious ad states flatly "I'm going." Albus then left the room to a chorus of "But.What about.and Are you sure?" None of the others noticed that Severus maintained his silence.
They turned to Minerva and one of them asked, "What does the Book of Magical Children say about Harry?"
She thinks for a moment and then looks shocked at something she remembers. " Harry's name is listed, but his location has been obscured since Godric's Hollow."
"How is that possible, that Book was established by the Founders?"
"I.don't.know."
The room degenerates into muttering, Severus is still silent.
A voice is raised "How can we trace the source of the magic when they come to get the Headmaster?"
Several of the staff proposes ideas. While this process is bandied about Severus looks increasingly perturbed. Finally he speaks up, "Do you really think its wise to attempt to tamper with magical skills we know nothing about in the face of the warning we have been given? Should we take the chance that there will be disastrous results?" Severus than gets up and leaves the room thinking: Those fools. They don't know what they're up against! They can't penetrate the blocks that are facing them.
On July 31, about 1 PM CST, Harry and his Guardians are gathered in the living room. All of the furniture has been moved to the walls, so that the central area of the room is clear.
"Harry, for your lesson in mage craft today, you will be observing first hand the creation and use of a Gate. A cross Atlantic Gate." Renee informs Harry who is standing next to her.
Sara turns to Paul and asks "Have you informed the others that we will be using a Gate this afternoon?"
"Yes, I told them yesterday."
Harry looks at them and asks "Is it necessary to tell others when you are going to Gate?"
"Not really, Harry. Its just courtesy so that they won't be surprised, and they will be prepared," replies David.
"It's time to start. Paul, would you do the honors?" Maria asks Paul.
"Sure Maria." Paul turns to the center of the room and begins to create the Gate. As the doorway of energy appears in the room Maria turns to the others and asks if everything is ready. Harry didn't quite understand what they were talking about.
Sara hands a large bundle of cloth to Maria and one to Paul once the Gate is open. They shake out the cloths and put on what turns out to be two floor length cloaks. Harry turns to Renee and asks, "What's going on?"
Renee turns to Maria and Paul as if to say 'go on'. She turns to Harry and says, "Just wait Harry, you'll see." Maria and Paul walk through the Gate after pulling their hoods up. The Gate closes behind them.
Dumbledore is sitting at his desk in his office when a Gateway made of energy opens in front of him. Out of the Gate walk two tall, cloaked figures. Dumbledore looks up from the paperwork on his desk. "I've been waiting for you. You're right on time."
The shorter of the two figures lowers its hood revealing Maria. She turns to Dumbledore and says "Thank you for doing as we asked in regard to the wards. Are you ready to go?"
Dumbledore nods and says, "Just let me let Minerva know I'm going." With that he turns to the fire and tosses in a handful of powder. He calls out "Minerva!"
A head appears in the fire. It's Minerva McGonagall. "Yes Albus?"
"I'll be leaving now," Dumbledore tells her. He turns to Maria and say, "I'm ready to leave now."
Maria turns to the other cloaked figure and tells him, "Paul, open the Gate so we can leave."
Back in the Post living room Harry turns to Renee and asks, "Where did they go?"
"Just wait, they'll be back soon," with that a Gate opens in front of them. Out step Maria, Paul, and a tall older man Harry doesn't recognize. Harry turns to Sara and asks, "Who is that?"
"Harry this is Albus Dumbledore. He is the Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He knew your parents."
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? What's that?" Harry looks to David and Renee, curious. Renee turns to Albus and says, "Why don't you tell him that? It is your school after all."
"All right Harry. Hogwarts is the school your parents attended to teach them magic," Dumbledore explains. "Oh, so that's where they learned it," Harry says.
"Harry, that's not all. Headmaster, tell him more about Hogwarts, please," Renee asks Dumbledore.
"When your parents were 11 they each received a letter inviting them to attend Hogwarts. They attended school there for the next seven years. Now that you are 11 it's time for you to get your letter."
David turns to Harry and says, "Why don't you show the Headmaster to the upstairs guestroom, he may need a chance to unwind."
Harry, being a well brought up polite young man, turns to the Headmaster and says, "Sir, please follow me. I will show you to your room." With that Harry leads Dumbledore out of the room and up the stairs.
Sara, Renee, and David turn to Maria and Paul. "So, how did it go?" "Where's his luggage?"
Maria answers, "Everything went fine. I didn't see any luggage but he said he was ready to go and he was expecting us." Paul pipes up, "I think he accepted the experience of Gating rather well. Does not seem to have had any nasty side effects like the ones David sometimes has. He had the most beautiful phoenix sitting on a perch behind his desk."
Harry shows the Headmaster into the room where he would be staying.
"Is there anything that you want or need, sir?" Harry asks Dumbledore.
"No. Thank you Harry," Dumbledore replies.
Harry turns to leave and says, "I'll let Sara know you're settled in."
Fifteen minutes later, Sara knocks on the door. "Headmaster? Are you settling in all right? How is the experience of Gating sitting with you? Any negative side effects?"
Yes, I'm settling in all right," Dumbledore replies. "Gating was an interesting experience."
"Things were a bit rushed earlier. We apologize. There was an emergency prediction that we needed to make sure the authorities knew about. Would you like something to eat?"
Dumbledore has changed out of his robes and into a nice shirt and a dark pair of slacks. "Something to eat would be nice."
"Later this afternoon Harry has Taichi practice. I'm sure he would welcome your presence. This evening we will be having a special dinner to celebrate Harry's birthday. Maria thinks that would be a good time to present Harry with his Letter," Sara tells Dumbledore.
"I would love to see how Harry is doing. I agree, after dinner would be a great time to present Harry with his Letter," replies Dumbledore.
Downstairs Maria can be heard talking to Harry. "You have practice today, remember? Don't forget your saber or your bow. Sifu called and said he has a special lesson planned for today." Harry pauses in gathering his things for the lesson. He looks apprehensive, "Aw man. Sifu's "special" lessons always leave me sore, stiff, exhausted, or all three. But they sure are fun."
"One more thing, Harry. Would you mind if the Headmaster observed your lesson today. We think t would be a real eye opener for him," Maria said.
Just then Dumbledore and Sara walked into the kitchen.
Maria turned to them and asked the Headmaster what he would like to eat. " We have chili, spaghetti with meat sauce, stew, and of course, sandwich fixings."
Dumbledore turned to Harry and asked, "What would you recommend?"
"The chili is very good," Harry replied. "In fact, I'll have some myself."
"That sounds great Harry," Dumbledore said.
"Remember not to eat heavily Harry," Sara reminded him thinking of the Taichi lesson he had later that afternoon.
After they have finished eating Harry grabbed his stuff and headed to the door. They all head to the car. Sara turned to Dumbledore and sayed, "Don't forget to put o you seatbelt Headmaster."
"Oh yes. It has been a while since I was in an auto," Dumbledore responded.
Maria, who was driving, said to Dumbledore with out turning away form the road, "I think that you will find Harry's lesson interesting. His Sifu is a Grand Master and is teaching Harry the energy side of Taichi as well as the physical side. I do ask that while we're in public you refrain from doing any of the more flashy magics. Please. The people of the base will ignore any subtle, unusual things. This is the base of operations for the Cassandra Project after all. They're used to unusual things, and they know when not to ask."
Dumbledore seemed puzzled by something. "You've mentioned this "Cassandra Project" before. What is it? And what did you mean by "Base of Operations" and "they know when not to ask"?"
"Sara, you want to handle this?" Maria asked.
Sara turned to the Headmaster, "the Cassandra Project is run by the American Military. It involves developing reliable precognition, distance sight, and healing that is similar to 'healing touch' but is more reliable and can be learned by almost anyone. In case you didn't notice you're currently on an Air Force base. All of the people you see around you are military personnel, their spouses, or their dependents. They know when not to speak and when not to see."
Just then, the car pulled into the parking lot of a park. Harry calls out, "We're here! The lesson is outside today."
About halfway through the lesson Harry and the Sifu put down the sabers they were using. Earlier they had practiced with the bow. The Sifu turned to Harry, "All right Harry ground to the earth and the sky. Center and reach for the energy. Feel it flow through you, filling every nook and cranny with light and heat."
Maria turns to Dumbledore and asked, "So what do you think so far?"
Dumbledore replieed, "Very interesting, but what are they doing now? It looks like they're just standing there."
"Use Oversight. You'll see," said Maria.
Dumbledore concentrated for a second and then what he was seeing changed drastically. Now Harry was almost glowing, suddenly the energy began to move. Harry seemed to be directing it. It reached out to touch one thing after another. Seeming to be examining each thing, some of the energy seemed to caress the things for a moment. Each place where the energy lingered was a plant that wasn't quite as healthy as it could be. Once the energy moved on, the plant was now healthier than before.
"Harry! Stop playing around!"
"Yes Sifu. Sorry," Harry replies.
"Since you are obviously ready, let's start the actual exercise."
The next thing Dumbledore saw was Harry's energy 'reaching' for the Sifu. It then wrapped itself around him, almost like it's looking/feeling for something. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Harry is learning to identify injuries, energy blockages, and scar tissue using chi, the energy of life," Sara explained to Dumbledore. "He's really good at it for his age."
"He has lessons like this along with anatomy, and strategy at least once a week," Maria explained to Dumbledore.
"Strategy? Why lessons in strategy?" Dumbledore asked confused.
"Why to go with the lessons in military history and leadership of course."
Dumbledore asked in astonishment, "These are a part of the normal school curriculum in America?"
"No. Not even in the Department of Defense schools, at least not at this depth," Sara explained. Dumbledore seemed even more confused by this, "Well then why does he have these lessons?"
Maria turned to the Headmaster to explain why Harry gets the lessons he does, "Albus! Do you really think that we would raise a child knowing that he would, at the very least, face the forces of Darkness-"
Sara interrupted, "-If not have to lead the fight against those same forces- "
Maria continued, "-and not teach him strategy and leadership."
"Really! Use some common sense. Of course we did!" Sara said.
"He took to it like a swan to water. He's a natural," Maria explained.
After a delicious dinner of homemade chicken and dumplings they sat in the living room to discuss Harry's time at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was sitting across from Harry. "Harry, usually a Hogwarts Letter is delivered by owl mail on the child's eleventh birthday."
"Owl Mail? What's that?" Harry asked perplexed.
Dumbledore explained, "In the Wizarding world we use owls to deliver letters and packages. As we weren't sure of your address, and the fact that there re very few cross Atlantic owls, we couldn't send your Letter that way. Instead I'm here to deliver it in person." With this Dumbledore handed Harry an envelope addressed to: Harry Potter
Address Obscured
Harry looked a little confused by this but opens it to read the letter anyway. It said:
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, Int'l Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins n September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours Sincerely Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress"
Harry turned to Maria and asked, "Why is it addressed to 'Mr. Potter' Maria?"
"Harry, your parents named you Harry James Potter. When they died there were two choices of where to place you. One was with your mother's sister Petunia, her husband and spoiled whale of a son. You would have grown up miserable and repressed. They hated those with magic, including your mother Lily. The other option was to place you with a wizarding family where you would have grown up a celebrity. You've seen how child stars turn out. It's never pretty. We couldn't allow either of these to come to be, so we took you, and adopted you," Maria explained.
"Oh yeah. I remember. After that monster Voldemort killed my parents right?" said Harry.
Sara responded, "Right Harry."
Paul said, "Since Hogwarts starts on Sept 1 you get and extra two weeks off."
Dumbledore looked at Harry, "How did you know about Voldemort?"
Harry responded matter-of-factly, "They told me, of course."
This little bit of information startled Dumbledore. "How much have you told him? And do you think that was wise?" he asked turning to Maria.
Maria responded "Only that his parents knew magic and were murdered by a human monster by the name of Voldemort and that they gave their lives to save Harry's."
Dumbledore replied, "That seems appropriate."
They headed into the kitchen for cake and presents.
"Blow out your candles and make a wish Harry."
Harry blew out the candle and Renée served the cake.
Maria handed Harry a small/medium package and said, "Open it. It might come in handy this year at school."
Harry opened the package revealing a knife and sheath. Dumbledore looked at it closely and was shocked. "That's an atheme!"
"I thought it would be handy this year," Maria told Harry and Dumbledore.
Paul handed Harry a box. Inside was a new pair of inline skates. "Since you outgrew your pair. I trust it won't be a problem Headmaster?" Paul said as Harry tries on the skates.
Renee handed Harry a backpack. "Remember the carpet bag in 'Mary Poppins'?"
Harry looked at it, "You mean the bottomless one?"
"Yeah, its something like that," Renee explained. "Just be sure you can pick it up."
Sara pulled a package shaped suspiciously like a book from behind her back. "Since I'm not sure how you're going to keep up your Qigong lessons, I thought this might help."
Harry unwrapped the package revealing a book entitled "Qigong Through the Ages" written by a succession of chi masters through the centuries. Harry flipped it open in the middle and saw that the pages were blank.
"What good is this? " Harry said displaying the blank pages. "When you're ready for the knowledge it will appear. You'll have to continues your energy exercises yourself."
Dumbledore looked astonished, "Isn't that a lot of responsibility for a lad so young to take on?"
Maria responded, "We expect more from Harry than the average child, and he has always lived up to our expectations." With that Harry turned beet red proving his redheaded heritage.
David handed Harry another book shaped package. "Here, I think this might come in handy." Harry opened the book to reveal a book. Upon opening the book and seeing its blank pages he said, "More blank pages?!?"
David explained, "This is for you to write in. What has happened and what you think might happen."
Dumbledore turned to Harry and handed him a book saying, "I apologize for not having birthday wrapping paper, Harry."
Harry took the book entitled "Hogwarts a history" thinking to himself: this is almost as bad as getting underwear for Christmas!:
The next morning they sat down to breakfast. "Most families don't have time to eat together in the mornings but we eat as a family as often as we can," Sara commented to Dumbledoreas she was setting out plates of eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit and boxes of cereal. "Do you want some toast?' she asked pulling the toaster towards her. "Waffles? Juice, milk, coffee, tea? We have Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Darjeeling."
Dumbledore said, "Such a large assortment for such a small family?"
Renee responded, "We have access to materials form all over the world. After all, this is a very diverse community we live in."
Paul walked into the kitchen carrying a cup of coffee and asked, "What would you like to do today Headmaster?"
"I don't know. What is within a convenient distance?" Dumbledore asked.
David stumbled in to the kitchen just then, half awake. "What about showing him around the base. That way he can see Harry's friends."
"Great idea David," Maria said as she sat down to eat breakfast. "David, are you alright?"
David looked at her while getting a cup of coffee, "I'm fine. I just need to stop by the office to talk to the Commander at some point today. There's something she needs to know."
Later that day, after lunch, Dumbledore, Maria, Renee, and Sara were watching Harry with his friends in the swimming pool.
Dumbledore turned to the three of them and said, "We need to decide where Harry's going to meet Hagrid."
"We will be staying at the Lower Tadfield Airbase*. Hagrid will recognize that he's at the right place by the sign that reads "Pease Is Our Profession*". We'll be there in a week and will be staying until school starts," Sara explained. Maria turned to Dumbledore and said, "We will send a letter so that Hagrid can get onto the base, but he will need some kind of identification with a picture.
Dumbledore said, "I'll make sure he has some when he picks Harry up on August 10."
"One of us will be accompanying Harry to Diagon Alley. It's the only way he'll be safe," Renee told Dumbledore.
"Hagrid will bring the key to the Potter vault with him. What do you mean "it's the only way he'll be safe'?" Dumbledore demanded.
"The way Harry's protections currently work, its best if one of us is with him. It works like a Blood Bond," Maria told Dumbledore.
"A Blood Bond? What's that?" Dumbledore asked.
"It's based on some of the oldest, most basic, and strongest magic. Our magic regards Harry as our child. His magic regards us as his parents/protectors. Even "Muggles' know of this type of magic. "Muggle" children often become 'Blood Brothers/Sisters'. One thing, tell Nick Sifu says Hello," said Maria.
Later that evening Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts. After he left, Harry's Guardians presented him with one last birthday present.
"We didn't want the Headmaster to know about this one," said Maria as David and Paul carried a trunk into the room.
"It's from all of us," Renee told Harry.
"It's not just a regular trunk Harry. Put your hand on the crest and focus your chi," Maria told Harry. He did so and to trunk opened to reveal an empty interior.
"No one but you can open this trunk. Just make sure you close it each time you open it," Paul told Harry.
Sara handed Harry a key. "Here, close the lid, put your hand on the crest, put the key in the lock and turn it. I think you'll find something interesting."
Harry put his hand on the crest, the key in the lock, focused his chi, and turned the key. As the lid opened a staircase was revealed.
"Go on, Harry," David said.
Harry went down the stairs into a lushly decorated library. They followed Harry down the stairs.
Renée went to the end of the room and pointed out a cubby the size of a small box of Kleenex®. "This is how you will be able to send and receive mail from home. You will be able to send home letters anytime you want, but we will only be able to send you a letter once a week, and a small package every other week, except for emergencies, of course."
Paul pointed out that the size limit was only for the time when the packages were transferred and that Harry knew how to 'Zip' and 'UnZip' matter reducing it in size.
Harry looked dumbfounded, and then burst into a huge grin.
A/N: * The first one to get this reference gets a cookie.