WARNING! A large and lengthy response to reviews. I usually will not respond so individually to writers, but I will on a rare occasion, like this one. Others might find answers to some of their questions in other responses, though. Normally, I will simply answer any questions that others have, so please do not get used to this. Thank you.

Szelij, thank you for reviewing. This story is neither in the category of parody or humor, if that is what you're worried about. I never said that I was definitely going to write an original character into this story. I only asked what other character everyone would like to see. I know exactly what you mean, though. I have seen horrible OC's done. I have also read stories where they were done fantastically. Most OC's that have been done poorly are those where the character was highly underdeveloped. If I did chose Melinda as the other major character, and I will only do so if the majority of readers want me to create her, then I will develop her to the best of my abilities. She wouldn't even be the primary character during Harry's time at Hogwarts. It is a challenge for a writer to do so, and that is where I am willing to try. To be honest, I am glad you have offered some criticism. If you ever have questions about my story, go right ahead and ask them. If there are mistakes, tell me. If you want to tell me that I am failing in my attempts to be serious and mature for a plotline that is overused and underdeveloped (half the time) then tell me (to be honest, I don't know what other sort of story you are suggesting, but if you want to ever give me suggestions for a different story, one that you think fits my writing style, then feel free to e-mail me with them). Receiving criticism is part of being an author and I am more than willing to accept it (sometimes I think it might be the best part, as long as it isn't flames). Also, if you have a preferred primary character besides Harry, tell me who he or she is. The pole is on my author's page. Also, if you want to see my thinking for my story, scroll down a little ways.

Zizzo, the backpack is easy to answer. I had put in that he got it from a yard sale (rummage/garage sale are also other terms used for the same thing). My thoughts were that he used the money that he had been siphoning to purchase them, and the sale was somewhere in his neighborhood. It is my thought that Harry's aunt and uncle don't like to see him and either assign him chores or send him out of the house to prevent themselves from seeing him (this is said in the third book when Marge is visiting). My thoughts are that he got them during this time. It would be fairly easy for him to sneak it into his cupboard if he were careful enough. You mentioned that you had seen several other small plot holes. Are they worth mentioning? I will try to patch them up as much as I can.

QueMontgomery, look under #7 for other characters. I am very willing to take suggestions if you have them as well. He will definitely experience trials and hardships. And no, this is definitely not going to be a "Harry-goes-bad" story, nor will it be a super power Harry story. He may end up wiser and darker, though, depending on my mood. Just remember the -er in darker. It just means that he may end up a little hardened from his life, but it will not lead to evil!Harry, or even come close. It will have Dumbledore be slightly manipulative, but I am going to refrain from it being evilmanipulative! Dumbledore. I have made Harry capable of wandless magic, if you didn't catch that, but no more than anyone else is. The difference is that Harry is completely oblivious to the restraints the wizarding world believe are on magic (thus needing to use a wand). He will also have to work very hard at it. I guess that explains what my story is and is not.

Geminia, thanks for the vote. Later in the story I will try to place Hagrid in the role that he played for Harry in the books, though if you remind me then, I could possibly highlight him more. Unfortunately, you might have to do without any accent, as I am horrible at writing them (I might have to look back to how J. K. handled it). I share your sentiments on good stories with Ron as a major character or as a nice one. I am one of the firm believers that Harry has found good friends in Ron and Hermione. They have their differences, but all of them do. Ron is jealous of Harry, and Harry is jealous of Ron. Both are jealous of the other being richer than the other (Ron-family). In the end, I really do think Ron will be more than willing to stand and watch Harry's back when he's fighting Voldemort. What would you suggest for the summary? I really hate those things.

Emikae, I like your thoughts. He will probably live on the streets, unless I bring in strong ingenuity and Gringotts bank (but not the Potter vault). I, too, once had the thought of him living with an old lady. It actually started as him doing chores for her, but unless others start voting for old ladies, then I'm afraid that is not going to happen. Something could happen with suggestion e. I could definitely see that happening.

Snickers Lambchops, Civenus, brenngt14, and Chou ni Natte -- thank you for reviewing and putting in your thoughts for which character should be the second primary character.

He ran. He had been on the streets for two weeks now and the others on the streets had already targeted him. As fast as he could, he made his way to Charring Cross Road (a.n. is that right?). If he could make his way into the Leaky Cauldron, then the kids chasing him would not be able to get him. He nearly lost them all. Only one or two were behind him anymore.

"Gotcha!"

Too late. Harry felt himself be pulled by his pack. It was at times like this that he wished he weren't so small and scrawny. It made him too easy of a target, like now. The boy who had hold of his pack was at least thirteen, and he wasn't lacking in height either. Harry continued to struggle, refusing to let his pack go. It was all he had in the world, in the pack. Carefully, he maneuvered himself so he was nearly facing the boy.

WHAM!

The boy immediately let go of Harry and his pack to protect his most sensitive area from further attack. Once again, Harry took off. He knew he would have to pay for that move later, but he couldn't seem to care right now. He had to get to safety. There! The Leaky Cauldron was only meters away. He immediately slowed down and slipped thru the doors that served as a gateway between the two human worlds. He immediately made himself blend into the shadows. It was difficult, though, as his muggle clothing served as a reminder of his differences from the others here. Still, after only a few inquiring glances, no one paid him anymore attention. Still, he made certain the multicolored knit cap was covering his scar. He was safe here from one sort of people, but was in danger from another sort. Why couldn't he just be normal?

He looked at the clock that was mounted on the wall. It was ten fifteen in the morning on September first. It was the first day of school today, for many students. Harry wondered what he would do with himself now that he didn't have school. Maybe he could learn at the library. The flames in the fireplace turned green, startling him out of his thoughts. He watched, astounded, as a red headed teenager popped out of the fireplace and immediately moved out of the way, only to see another tumble out, and then another, and it went so that a total of eight redheads had tumbled through the fireplace. So that must be the floo. Harry had never seen anyone use the floo network, but then, he had only used the Leaky Cauldron to hide once before. Looking at the redheads, he immediately realized that they must be the Weasley's, all seven children and Molly Weasley. Harry's eyes immediately went to search for the one who would be Ron Weasley.

Looking, he could see that the one who was probably Bill already had the beginnings of long hair, as it was shaggy, but it was still too short to tie back. The twins were easy to place, as they were identical, and Ginny as well, as she was the only girl. Then, he saw the boy who was most likely Ron, as he looked to be the youngest of the boys. He had a slight scowl on his face as his mother went about unshrinking three trunks. Every one of them were wearing muggle clothes, but aside from the boys who were wearing jeans, thus having their shirts easily match, Mrs. Weasley had on a floral apron covering a plaid print dress and a green beret on her head, while Ginny was wearing a purple shirt with a red skirt. Both were plain. Overall, Harry didn't suppose they were dressed too badly, except that he didn't think purple and red went together, nor did he think that an apron should be worn if you weren't working in the kitchen. He also supposed it wasn't as bad as what was described in his fourth book, with men wearing dresses and such. No, they didn't look horribly out of place.

He stared longingly as Mrs. Weasley began straightening all her children up, the care she had for them obvious. Still, he laughed silently as the eight year old Ron squirmed under his mother's affections. Coming across seeing the Weasley's, thus confirming that they actually existed, was a surprise, but a welcome one. He did not dare to approach them, but he did give a small wave to Ron, who had taken notice of him. Ron blushed red as his hair when he realized that he was being watched as his mother smothered him with attention. Still, when Mrs. Weasley had moved onto another one of her sons, Ron gave a small wave back.

All too soon for Harry's liking, the Weasley's made their way to the muggle entrance of the restaurant, the three eldest boys pushing their trunks on carts. Obviously, they were off to Hogwarts. Harry didn't bother to follow them, as he honestly did not know what to do if he did, but he did know, right then, that he wanted Ron to be his best friend, just as he was in the books. It would be nice to have a friend.

Author's note: According to J.K.'s website, Charlie would have graduated from Hogwarts the year before Harry and Ron entered their first year, and Bill was two years ahead of Charlie, thus in this chapter, Bill would be in his seventh year, Charlie would be in his fifth year, and Percy would be in his second year. The twins still have a year to go before they start at Hogwarts themselves. If you haven't let me know who you want to be the second main character yet, let me know.