Harry was having a great time at Diagon Alley with his friends, but Uncle Vernon had warned him to be at the door of the Leaky Cauldron by five o'clock sharp. "Boy, if I have to step a foot inside that freak-place to get you, you'll regret the day you were born," he had said with a snarl. Harry really considered staying at the Leaky Cauldron until school began, after all, he doubted Uncle Vernon would wait for him anyway, but in the end, he decided that it was safer to stay at the Dursley's, at least until Dumbledore gave him the permission to stay elsewhere.

            So at four-forty-five, Harry trudged his way back up the alley to the Leaky Cauldron, weighed down by the amount of packages and bags he had gathered throughout the day. As he stepped into the streets of Muggle London, he spotted Uncle Vernon's new company car parked in the lot across the street. Harry was glad that he was fast for his size so he could sprint through the pouring rain without getting too wet. Nonetheless, Uncle Vernon grimaced as he plopped onto the leather seat in the back with a great splosh! "Hasn't anyone ever taught you to buy an umbrella when it's raining?" he growled.

            "Sorry, sir, I'll think about the next time I'm at Diagon Alley," Harry answered coolly, rubbing is soaked rear even more into the seat.

            "What have I told you about mentioning that—that freak place around here!?" Uncle Vernon bellowed, purpling in the face.

            "Sorry, sir."

            "Too right, you are."

            "You know you have to bring me to King's Cross at the beginning of term if I don't go to Weasley's."

            "I don't have to do anything, with that attitude. I promised when I brought you in that we would stamp that rubbish out of you," Uncle Vernon muttered. "Now we bring you this way and that so you can learn more of it. You better be aware of how good we are to you."

            "Yes, sir, but if you want me to stay, I understand. I mean, if Voldemort is looking for me, he'll kill you as well when he finds me."

            "Alright! I'll bring you to the station! Now be quiet! I'm listening to NPR!"

~*~*~*~*~*~

            Holy crap, it's just as I imagined it! Aidan mused as he stepped into Diagon Alley with Jennifer and Sam. The full blow of the wish had finally faded and Aidan was on his way to acceptance. And there weren't many things that kept him from persuasion. Anything was better than what he had.

            The day that it happened, the day that Aidan was transported to the magical place, he found out more about his new self than he would ever need to know.

            Aidan was adopted by Samuel and Jennifer O'Reilly. Under his name on the family tree was a blank space by the words Adoption Date. Aidan was puzzled but decided to ask later. When he went upstairs after memorizing the family tree, he found a small leather-bound book. He opened it up to find his handwriting scrawled across the parchment, but these words were not his own.

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was my birthday, but what a birthday it was. I haven't seen any of my friends for a while since my parents moved us here over the summer. They gave me this book to record my thoughts. Well, I haven't had a great time, though this does bring a huge burden off my chest. I like the neighborhood we live in but I don't know anyone. I just wish things could be the same. Now I have to start my social life over at some school named Hogwarts. Gosh! I hope the school is nothing like the name suggests.

  I heard that Harry Potter goes to this school though, and he's pretty famous. Maybe if one of the most famous kids in the wizarding world can learn something there it's not too bad.

  I really want to fit in though. I hope I do. Maybe I'll make friends with Harry. I don't know, I just want to do something good for once.

            He was amazed in a relieved sort of way. At least he didn't have to go to school there and pretend like he knew the people there. He could start new. His whole life could be different.

            And now, Aidan was in Diagon Alley. He wanted most to go into Ollivander's but he reminded himself that if he was fifteen and if he had already supposedly attended another school, he would undoubtedly already own a wand.

            So Sam and Jennifer led Aidan to Madame Malkin's Robe Shop to be fitted for his school robes and perhaps pick up dress robes.

            For an hour he stood, waiting for Madame Malkin to finish measuring. The wait was most uncomfortable, standing on a stool without moving. Aidan was most appreciative when Madame Malkin pronounced him done and he could select his dress robes. He finally settled on dark blue robes with silver lining, they matched his blue eyes. He couldn't wait to wear his robes at home either. They looked far better than the Muggle clothing he had to endure his whole life.

            Next stop was Flourish and Blotts, the bookshop. Aidan needed the Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5; The Monster Book of Monsters; Unfogging the Future; and a number of other select titles. The bookkeeper was rather jumpy when Aidan asked for a Monster Book but the trip was nonetheless enjoyable.

            The rest of the outing was filled with retrieving potions supplies and slurping ice cream at Florean Fortescue's. Aidan had never had a more wonderful time in his life, and he couldn't have had it with two nicer people. The wish was the best thing that had ever happened to him. All he needed was a little more research on his magic-self to be ready for what would come next.

~*~*~*~*~*~

 "Albus, how do you expect a fifteen-year-old to pick up magic so quick? He's a born Muggle. No magical talent until we got him situated with the Squib Reversal Team," Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic argued. "If the rumor of Voldemort's return is true, we should not even think about fulfilling this boy's wish. He'll be in danger as well as the rest of us."

"Cornelius, we are all in danger. Muggles, perhaps, more so than wizards. As long as he is present at this school, he is very safe," Dumbledore answered, his eyes twinkling.

"Albus, I am sure you are aware that some of us at the Ministry do not quite agree with your methods?"

"I'm quite aware of that, Minister. Have I failed you before?"

"Diggory," Fudge mumbled.

"I'm sure you are aware, Cornelius, that I did not turn the Triwizard Cup into a Portkey?"

"I know that Dumbledore, but, that Moody—I mean the bloke who pretended to be Moody—you hired him."

"Lord Voldemort is a clever character, perhaps the most brilliant student to ever step foot in this school, therefore I say that far more talented wizards than me would have made the same mistake." There was a sort of finality in Dumbledore's voice that told Fudge that he was wrong. "As I said to you not too long ago, you will have your methods and I will have mine. I will act on what I feel is best and this is what I feel is best. I believe he has already been transferred to the home of Sam and Jennifer O'Reilly in Essex?"

"Yes."

"Very well, he will do fine. I assure you, Cornelius, I have gone to great lengths to protect this school."  

"Dumbledore, if anything should go wrong at all, if one hair on that boy's head is hurt, I will have no choice but to sack you."       

"I see. Have a nice holiday, Cornelius." With that, Fudge turned on his heel, replaced his lime-green bowler on his head and walked swiftly from Dumbledore's office without a second glance.