AN: I apologize if my Hagrid accent sucks. I tried at least. Can't 'ave 'im speaking perfect English, now can I mate... (Sorry again) Oh, I don't have any of the books with me so I'm doing all this basically from memory. Harry doesn't have glasses either… Have fun.

Disclaimer again: Her work not mine, just a toy for me.


Chapter 2

Escape and Rebirth

The showers promised on the news turned out to be what was nearing to be the storm of the century. Harry sat in bed of the smallest bedroom of Number Four practicing his magic as the wind beat heavily upon his window. Concentrating, he cast a silencing charm around his room allowing him to be as loud as he wanted but still be able to hear what went on around him. Harry tested the charm, he screamed at the top of his lungs and watched and waited. Hearing only the sounds of the raging storm around him and the ragged snoring of Dudley in the next room, he assumed that the charm had indeed worked.

Harry began his nightly routine of casting every spell he knew, faster and faster, until he reached perfection. He never knew where he learned these spells but they had been ingrained in him long before he could remember. Harry could feel the power of his spells pulse all around him. His scar beat in time with his magic letting him know it was there, guiding his magic.

Again and again, spell upon spell he cast and dispelled. A fluid music of magic flowed around Harry, swirling around him as he cast each spell. Spells blurred into one another, a sphere of water hung in the air only to be frozen solid in the blink of an eye and turned into steam in less than half of that. Bending his magic as he pleased, he practiced unsure of as to why but knowing it was crucial he did. Mastering these spells became his obsession, driven by nothing but the need to control his power. After a while, his spell routine drew to a close and he moved on the next part of his nightly training.

Harry concentrated on himself letting the magic flow through him. He felt himself changing, his limbs growing, expanding. His nails began to grow and become claws. Fur covered his body, his eyes narrowed. Where Harry Potter stood there was only panther, a black panther with bright green eyes. A white patch of fur rested on the front of collar in the shape of his scar, standing out sharply from his black fur, a sword entwined with a serpent. He continued with his training deciding to begin with more physical exercises.

"Accio. Accio. Accio," he chanted in his mind.

Harry jumped and dodged as three of Dudley's old broken toys flew at him. He turned and rolled; focusing on the flying toys, he summoned them again with the spell before they smashed into the wall, which was a difficult task within the confined room. Half an hour later, his paws began to ache, his mind began to tire, yet he pressed on. An hour later, he finally had to stop.

"Expelliarmus!" Dudley's old TV smashed into the wall.

"Diffindo!" Dudley's broken RC Airplane split in half crashing on both sides of Harry.

"Reducto!" Dudley's bent air riffle turned into a pile of ashes on the floor. He focused once more and changed back into his human form.

"Reparo." Harry said wearily and the items were restored once more. Harry smirked as he collapsed on his bed and stared at his bedside clock.

Tonight was the eve of Harry Potter's birth and having only three minutes until midnight Harry stared at the clock with attentive rapture. A new year of life, a new future. His thoughts dreamed of what would come. The wind howled through the trees, calling into the night. Two minutes Harry's thoughts ran once again to Hogwarts, doubts started to grow in his mind. How am I going to get there?

The rain crashed against the house shaking it to the foundation.

One minute. What about all the items school list?

Three seconds. Hogwarts…

Two seconds. Wizards…

One second. Friends…?

Midnight! Happy B…

BOOM! The thunder outside was deafening, lighting struck directly overhead. An itch began directly below Harry's shoulder blades.

Boom! Again?

Boom. Boom. Boom. No, someone was at the door. Pounding on the door.

Boom. Boom! Crash! (AN: Onomatopoeia, got to love it)

Harry raced downstairs - Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley following closely behind. Beyond the doorway stood a giant of a man with an umbrella held in one hand, the rain pouring all around him. Lightning flashed behind him as he crouched, entering the house.

"What the fuck are you doing in my house?" yelled Vernon.

"Shut yer pie 'ole Dursley," the man at the doorway exclaimed, "I'm 'ere for 'arry"

Thunder shook the walls.

"Er. Not to be rude but… Who are you?" questioned Harry.

"Eh? Oh, I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Gamekeeper and Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Hogwarts? You mean the school in the letter? So, I am really going!" excitement broke through his voice.

"Of course your 'arry! You've been on the list 'fore you were even born. You'll make a hell of a wizard one day!" You'll make a hell of a wizard one day…

"Stop saying that word you freakish… freakish… OAF!" screeched Petunia, huddling behind Vernon.

Hagrid turned and glared at them.

Dudley had taken it upon himself to faint at this instant, which Vernon could only think of one explanation too, "You... You… Leave my son alone! I will not be attacked in my own house. If you do not leave this instant I will be forced to call the authorities!"

"Ah, shut up, Dursley, yeh great prune," Hagrid pointed the end of his umbrella at him.

Vernon recoiled, blood draining from his face as if facing down Death himself. Lightning once more lit the house and thunder deafened the pounding rain.

Thousands of questions exploded in Harry's mind. At random, he picked one, "Why are you here now?"

"Well 'arry, happy birthday! It's not every day that a boy turns eleven now is it? Professor Dumbledore sent me to come take you to get your school supplies."

"Dumbledore? He's the headmaster right?"

Suddenly, it clicked; Hagrid had an epiphany of sorts and said barely above a whisper, "You mean, you don't know. You know nothing do you?"

Harry shivered. Thoughts of being left here with them swirled in his mind. "I'm sorry. I never knew. All I know is what was in that letter."

Hagrid continued in the same voice facing the Durselys, his eyes narrow, "You never told him. About our world, HIS world. Lily and James would be turning over in their graves, bless their souls. How could you?"

"We knew he would just as freakish as my sister. We decided to stomp it out of him as any normal person would do. We knew if we let his abnormalities continue he would get us blown up just like his parents were."

Harry face twisted in rage and confusion, "Blown up? Blown up! You told me that they died in a car crash!"

"CAR CRASH! Lily and James were great wizards and could never be killed in a car crash," Hagrid shook the house with his voice.

"They were freaks! Just like Harry will be if he goes to that school with that freak of a headmaster. Freaks! All of you!" Petunia's face twisted in gruesome hatred.

"Never insult Albus Dumbledore in my presents!" Hagrid pointed his umbrella at Dudley still out cold on the stairs. A flash of light shot from the end of Hagrid's umbrella struck Dudley. A small pink tail began to sprout and corkscrew. Soon Dudley had a perfect pig's tail sticking out from his rear. Petunia took a moment to faint.

Quickly, Vernon's faces began to regain color until he really did start to look quite like a prune. Then the dam burst, "I do not want your kind in my house! You freaks get out now! If you came for the boy, TAKE HIM AND LEAVE! But if you leave make sure you don't come back." He said the last part in a deathly quiet voice which send a tremor down Harry's spine more than any beating he and ever received.

"Very well, Dursley. 'ave it your way. We'll be going now. Come along 'arry"


Harry glanced back at the Dursley's. A small part of him cried out that he should feel sorry, that he should miss them, but one look at Vernon's purple face with his eyes seething with anger, Harry knew he did not belong here. He never belonged here. He looked to Hagrid and saw his future. Following right behind Hagrid, Harry shut the door, closing that chapter of his life.

The rain beat heavily upon Harry's face, ice-cold pelts washed over him. Shivers overtook him partly from the cold, partly from fear, partly from joy. He felt a joy knowing that he would never have to come back here again. Still, a part of him felt a sadness of leaving his old life behind. Spider's webs of lightning illuminated the sky as if the earth itself was taking a picture. He looked up at Hagrid and Hagrid smiled brightly back, and Harry knew that his new life would be much better than his last.

They walked side-by-side down to the end on the street, clothes soaked to the bone. At the corner, Hagrid raised his umbrella and flicked his wrist. Harry was about to question what was going on but the moment it crossed his mind, above the thunderous roar of the lightning, a loud BANG echoed around the neighborhood. A bright purple triple-decker bus now stood before them with the words "The Knight Bus" written in big gold letters on the side. An odd surprise engulfed Harry, not the noise, nor the bus, but how perfectly normal this all was to him. Almost. The doors open and a man leaned out, "You call for the bus, eh?"

"Aye, we did. Need to get to the Leaky Cauldron. I'm 'ere on Hogwarts' business. If you could make it quick, bit of a hurry and all."

"My name is Stan and I'll be your conductor. It will be eleven sickles to the Leaky Cauldron, each. 'or thirteen you get 'ome hot chocolate, and 'or fifteen you get a bottle of water and toothbrush."

He could not have past for more than seventeen, looking quite well worn and smelling very ripe. He eyed Harry as if trying to place him, but unable to, gave up with a small shrug. Hagrid paused searching for something in his over coat seemingly made up of nothing but pockets. Pulling out two gold coins he handed it to the boy and in a gruff voice said, "We'll take some chocolate, just keep the change."

Harry quick moved on with Hagrid towards the back. Stan came back a second later with the hot chocolate but left less than a second later when Hagrid give him a sideways glance. Hagrid waved his umbrella over both of them and they were dry once more. With another bang, the bus took off again. They rode in silence and Harry took a moment to look around. Outside the window the world seemed to be flying by, houses, cars, and everything else under the sun seem to just jump out of the was as the bus flew through the city. Harry's glaze wondered around the bus noting that it was empty, less Hagrid and himself. Harry's head drooped a bit as an exhausted wariness came over him. As his head nodded for the third time, a loud bang shattered the nights calm and startled Harry out of his rest.

"'e're 'ere 'arry," Hagrid slurred obviously half asleep himself.

As they exited the bus, Harry saw much to his surprise that they had ended up in London. Harry's awe was cut short when Hagrid walk to well hidden a door in plain sight. Opening the door Hagrid beckoned Harry inside as the rain finally died around them.

"Hagrid! What brings you here at this time of night? And a hell of a night it's been. Here for a drink?" The man behind the bar greeted cheerfully.

"'ot tonight Tom. 'e need a room 'or the night. 'ogwarts business." Hagrid said drawing himself up proudly.

"Right you are. Let me show you the way." Tom turned and when up the stairs. "So who's your friend Hagrid?"

Harry introduced himself, "Harry, sir."

"'ye," Tom turned to look at him and a bolt of recognition shot through him. "Bless my word. It's Harry Potter!"

"'right-o Tom," Hagrid interrupted, "We'll be getting to bed now."

Harry took the room down the hall as Hagrid stepped into the one next to it. Stripping Harry curled up into bed, his mind raced at all that had happed tonight. He had left the Dursleys, the only family he knew. He really did not consider them his family, but at least they took care of him, a little. A dull ache settled directly under his shoulder blades. His mind drifted into dreams of what would come, of wizards and broomstick, goblins and hags, and dragons. White dragons.


The morning came too soon as far as Harry was concerned. The sun streamed thought the open window falling harshly upon Harry's unopened eyes. He squeezed his eyes trying to regain the dream so quickly slipping away from him. Dragons. He was flying with them. Along side of them. A white dragon with a rider pulled along side him and… and… Damn it! Lost it!

Harry stomach decided to make itself known. A low steady rumble emanated from his belly and Harry decided that as early as it was, it was time to satisfy his hunger. Getting out of bed, Harry went through his morning stretches. After eleven years in a cupboard, Harry did not feel right if he forgot to stretch in the mornings. Finishing up, he went out and knocked on Hagrid's door. After the third time he thought, He must still be asleep.

Harry tried the handle and to his surprise found the door unlocked. Carefully, Harry entered the room not wanting to wake the sleeping giant. There was a loud tapping noise coming from the window and outside Harry saw a brown owl tapping at the window with its beak. Harry went and opened the window. The owl flew in and circled the room twice before dropping its package near Hagrid as it landed. The owl then made its way to Hagrid and started pecking at his jacket, now disheveled on the floor.

"Hey! Stop that!" Harry said in a fierce whisper. The bird kept pecking, searching.

"Stop it!" Harry called a bit louder.

Hagrid groaned, rolling over he mumbled, "She wants to be paid. Give her five Knuts."

"Huh?"

"Five Knuts, the small bronze coins. They should be in a pocket."

Harry searched through the pockets of the jacket. Finding the coins Hagrid was talking about, he counted out five and put them in a little pouch tide to the owl's left leg. By the time he was done, Hagrid was getting out of bed and raising his hands above his head pushing on the ceiling. His knees popped.

"Time for breakfast 'arry?"

Harry's stomach gave another rumble in response, Harry nodded sheepishly.

"Guess so. 'ell come on, let's 'ead down and see what we can get."

Hagrid gathered his coat and newspaper and headed out the door. Harry followed Hagrid down the stairs and found a seat at a table nearest the stairs. Settling into the seat nearest the wall, Harry glanced around the tavern, taking note of the various witches and wizards milling about or taking in their morning meals. Tom came by and took their orders as Hagrid read his paper. Harry stayed quiet while Hagrid read watching the others go about their business. When their food came, Harry took the chance to ask Hagrid some of the questions swirling in his mind. A question leaped out of his mind, "Hagrid, err, how did my parents die?"

Hagrid's fork dropped onto his plate. He looked at Harry with uncertain eyes not knowing how he should explain it to Harry. Hagrid took a deep breath and let out a long slow sigh. He explained what had happened as best he could. Stuttering over Voldemort's name, the entire bar went silent as Hagrid whispered it to Harry and more than one patron fainted. Luckily, as early as it was, not too many people were around to here the name of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or as Hagrid spat out You-Know-Who. Hagrid also explained that everyone here knew who Harry was and that he was famous!

Harry learned of Hogwarts and Dumbledore, Hippogriffs and Dragons, Vampires and Veelas, and of Seraphim and Succubae. As Hagrid described about the wizarding world Harry's memory recognized the familiarity of these stories, more than he ever thought possible. As Hagrid explained about the dragons, which he did in great length, Harry's mind flashed to his dream.

"Hagrid? Have you ever seen of a white dragon?" Harry asked interrupting Hagrid's gushing about how he'll never have a dragon.

"Eh? A white dragon?" He pondered it for a while, "Can't ever say I have. Heard of 'um though. Those Snow Dragons are extremely rare they say. 'member that long ago they were kinda common. Small as they were fer dragons, people use to try and catch'um. They where really mean though, and frightfully powerful. 'Tis a shame, hunted to near extinction like they were. What I wouldn't give to have one though."

Before Hagrid could start up again on what he would do if he had a dragon, a strange man walked in wearing a turban. Harry's stomach suddenly dropped and his blood felt like ice flowing through his veins.

"Hagrid, who is that?" Harry asked pointing a shaky finger at the man who just walked in.

"Huh? Err, Oh! That's Professor Quirrell, teaches Defense of the Dark Arts. 'Hasn't been the same since he's gotten back though." He leaned closer to Harry and whispered, "I think he's scared of 'is own shadow if ya ask me."

Harry eyed him carefully and he approached and greeted Hagrid. "A-and you m-must be the f-f-famous H-h-arry P-p-potter. It's a-a-a p-pleasure."

Harry held out his hand and Quirrell shook it quickly. But, in that instance, Harry could feel the darkness swirling within him. Harry involuntarily shivered as Hagrid and Quirrell continued chatting.

"Well, Professor I guess we'll be seeing you at school. We've got to be going now school supplies and all."

"O-o-of c-course."


Hagrid and Harry walked away from the table, dropping a few coins to pay for the meal. They came to a wall in the back as Hagrid raised his umbrella and counted, then tapped a stone. For a second nothing happed, just as Harry was about to ask what they were waiting for, the stones began to move on there own accord making a gap in the wall. The gap grew larger and larger until even Hagrid could walk through without any problem.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley!"

Harry's gaze passed over all the shops, a nagging familiarity came over him again. Déjà vu. He shook his head and bumped into Hagrid as he stopped suddenly. "Here we are 'arry. Gringotts Wizarding Bank. It's run by goblins, mean little buggers."

As they enter through the huge marble doors, which were at least twice as tall as Hagrid, Harry noticed the many goblins going about their business. The goblins were rude to Hagrid from the moment he stepped through the door. Harry noticed the multitude of discussed looks shot at his guide as he stepped up and informed the goblins of their business. The ride down the mine shafts were terrifying fast and Hagrid looked a bit green stepping out of the cart. Harry noticed the magic as the goblin opened vault 713. When Harry left, he had a bag full of gold and the key to his safe, and Hagrid with his oddly shaped brown package.

"Harry, would ya mind if I went back to the Leaky Cauldron for a pick me up? Never did like those carts. 'should be back before you finish with your robes." Hagrid asked as they headed to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

"'course not Hagrid. I'll be fine."

Hagrid waved goodbye as Harry entered the shop. As the door closed with a soft click behind him, Harry noticed that there was a pointed face boy being fitted for his clothes by a squat, motherly looking women. His heart began to beat faster, sweat covered his palms. "Hogwarts deary? I'll be right with you, just come stand on the pedestal."

Harry took a sideways glance at the boy next to him, careful to avoid his eyes. He had platinum blond hair with steel gray eyes. He had a poise that spoke of arrogance but Harry had a feeling that it was merely a front. A mask. However, Harry saw through it; he could read the boy as if he had known him for years. "Hogwarts too?" the boy drawled.

"Yeah," Harry tried to avoid his eyes, shifting to his other foot.

"First year?" he asked in boredom.

"Yeah," he stared down at his feet.

"Mine as well. Father is getting my supplies while mother gets my books. Are your parents here?"

"No, they're dead." Harry voice dropped, looking at the boy for the first time.

"Oh," his face dropped ever so slightly but Harry saw, "But they were our kind right?"

"Does it matter?" Where did that come from?

"Of course it does," he quickly snapped, "Father says that mudbloods are inferior; filthy offspring of those filthy muggles." No.

"Don't say mudblood." Why?

"Why are you one?" He peered over at Harry for the first time; an imperceptible gasp escaped his lips.

"No, but it shouldn't matter anyway."

"Well, they are inferior." A lie.

"Do you really believe that?"

"What? Of course I do." His face paled ever so slightly.

"No, you don't." Where is this coming from?

"How..."

"Just drop it. I can tell, you don't give a damn about it really and the way you said it, I doubt your father really does either. It's all a mask, a good one, but I see it in your eyes."

"Who... Who are you?"

"Harry. Harry Potter."

"Potter, the Harry Potter?"

Harry nodded.

"I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. You know, you are the first person that could actually tell when I was lying. Not even my father can read me that well any more. Are you a Legilimen?"

"A what?" Harry asked, his head tilting to the side.

"Legilimen, a person who can read minds. My father is; that is why he can tell when I am lying sometimes. However, I can hide it even from him now. So you must be very good at this."

"Well, no I don't think so. I just can tell. It was the look in your eyes when you lie and the sound in your voice."

"Hmm. I think you might me a natural Legilimen, not really reading a persons mind but knowing things about them, like when someone is lying."

"I guess. I've always had a feeling that I knew things that I shouldn't know."

"We should talk to my father. He would know more about this. However, you cannot tell anyone. A secret is only as good as its keepers."

Harry nodded.

Madam Malkin picked this moment to come back, "Okay deary. Hold out your arms."

About half an hour later, Harry and Draco walked out of Madam Malkin's, each with bags of robes in their hands. Draco helped Harry choose what he thought would look best on Harry.

"'arry! 'arry! You done yet?" called Hagrid from a table across the way in a private looking corner. Harry and Draco made their way over to Hagrid and took seats next to each other as Hagrid stared down Draco.

"Hey Hagrid. Yeah, I finally finished. Uh, Hagrid this is Draco. Draco, Hagrid."

"A pleasure, I'm sure." Draco drawled in his haughty, holier than thou voice.

Harry shot him a look and Draco's expression softened. "I mean. A pleasure to meet you Hagrid. You are the gamekeeper at Hogwarts, correct?"

"Ey' that I am. Draco. Draco Malfoy? 'lot different than I 'spected, I can say as much."

Draco looked slightly offended but realized he was probably right if it had not been for Harry. Harry on the other hand gave Hagrid a look that made him stumble over his words. "Well, then, uh, we need to be going 'arry. Finish up all this shopping and all."

"I'll see you around Harry. Send me an owl sometime."

"Alright. I will."

Harry held out his hand to Draco. Draco looked down and smiled, taking Harry's hand with his own. Harry felt a magic unknown to him form as soon as Draco's hand touched his. The look in Draco's eyes said he felt it too, but neither said a word with Hagrid standing over them.


Harry and Hagrid parted with Draco and continued their shopping. When Harry had finished collecting all his school supplies, less a wand, Hagrid took Harry to get an owl. Harry protested but Hagrid held fast in getting him an owl for his birthday. After which they headed to Ollivander's to get Harry's wand.

There were piles of wands stacked to the ceiling yet ever one that Harry had tried had not even so much as tingled in his hand. Ollivander even seemed disappointed as Harry tried an eleven-inch supple holly wand with a single phoenix tail feather. But just as the rest, Harry felt nothing as he picked it up and gave it a flick. They were there for almost an hour before Ollivander started to worry.

"This has never happened before. None of the wands in my shop ring true to you. There is a spell I can cast that would determine where to find your wand but it will take several days to complete and I would need a drop of blood."

Harry stared at the man and blinked before slightly nodding in response.

Ollivander pulled out his wand and tapped it on the back of Harry's hand. A small bubble of blood appeared at the end of the wand and Ollavander was quick to bottle it.

"I will be ready in three days."

Hagrid had been oddly quiet for the last leg of the trip casting long looks at Harry. As they walked back to the Leaky Caldron from Diagon Alley, Hagrids' beetle eyes glanced over in Harry's direction ever few seconds, his mouth opening but still silent. Entering the Leaky Caldron, Hagrid took Harry aside and said, "Now look 'arry, it ain't my place to say but those Malfoy's never been good. They say that the elder Malfoy was You-Know-Who's right hand man. I ain't saying that Draco is all bad now but be 'areful 'arry. 'on't want to see ya'urt is all."

Hagrid was tearing up, his voice shaky as he put a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Promise you'll be careful 'arry. Just don't want to see you 'urt."

"Alright, Hagrid. I'll be careful. Its good to know someone cares"

"'arry, you'll be staying here fer the next month or so. On September first talk to ol' Tom and he get ya set to go to the Hogwarts Express. Don't ya worry about the meals, I took care of them with Tom, if you need anything just talk to 'im. Make sure ya stay in Diagon Alley, don't go wandering too far."

"Sure Hagrid. I'll be safe."

"'right 'arry, I got to be getting back to Hogwarts now. Be safe and I'll see you in school."

Harry once more found himself in bed at the Leaky Caldron huddled under an enchanted blanket, but now his thoughts centered only on Draco and their meeting in Madam Malkin's. Turning over on his stomach, his back aching once again, Harry let his mind wander once more to thoughts of Dragons and Draco. In his dream, he was once more flying with a pack of dragons. The sky was silver in the moon light. Once more, the single Snow Dragon pulled up along side him. As he faced the ride once more, he felt the familiarity within him grow. Pale pointed face, platinum blonde hair, and steel gray eyes.

Draco.