Summary:Harry has always wanted to be normal. But when he finally gets his wish, is it really what he wanted?

Disclaimer: I own the plot and nothing else...

The Beginning of Normalcy

Chapter 3

Becoming Ryan Hansen

Harry woke up the next morning not knowing where he was, but it didn't take long for the events of last night to come back to him. Harry groaned as he rolled over. He was 'dead' and would soon be getting a new look. Then Harry was hit with another thought. He hadn't replied to Ginny's last letter. Maybe he could find a way to tell her that he was really all right or something.

Harry mulled it over while he showered and dressed. Finally he came to the conclusion that he'd talk toDumbledore about it. Surely Dumbledore could help him at least write to her once even if he didn't tell her that he was all right. Harry walked down the corridors towards the Great Hall for breakfast. In the Great Hall, the house tables had been replaced with one long table. Harry figured that this was because there weren't any students here for the summer. Well, there weren't till now, he thought glumly grabbing some toast.

"Harry, when you're through with breakfast, meet me in my office." Said Dumbledore from a few seats down.Harry nodded and Dumbledore went back to his own breakfast.

Ten minutes later, Harry was ready to meet with Dumbledore in his office. Dumbledore had already left the Great Hall about five minutes ago with an older lady that looked familiar to Harry.

The walk to Dumbledore's office was silent. Harry wished that he could be normal for once, no dying or fame, just normal. Normal with two parents that loved him and friends that he could see. Harry was starting to get a bit angry with all this mess of him 'dying' and crap. Suddenly, there was a tinkling noise from Harry's right.

Harry turned suddenly and groaned. The vase that had once stood on it's stand was now in hundred's of pieces. Harry just sighed and continued walking to the gargoyles at the end of the hall. He would have fixed the vase, but he had left his in his dorm, so he couldn't.

He stopped in front of the gargoyles, which seemed to look a bit expectant.

"Chocolate Frogs, Fizzing Whizbees…" Harry kept listing all the wizarding candies he knew. Then he started on the muggle candies. The gargoyles remain in place till he finally got to "Kit Kat" at which the gargoyles sprang aside revealing the familiar revolving staircase. As he walked up the stairs and knocked on the door, he wondered how the headmaster had discovered that particular candy.

A voice called out for him to come in, so he entered and saw Professor Dumbledore and the lady he had left with earlier.

"Harry, this is Janet Whitticker. She will be helping us create your new look. After she is finished helping us her mind will be blocked to prevent her from telling anyone about this and to keep her from accidentally letting anything spill." Seeing a look on Harry's face that clearly stated, 'Why would you do that?' Dumbledore quickly explained. "This will help Janet in the long run too. If someone happens to find out that she helped change your looks, then she would be in danger as well. This is also a part of her confidentiality agreement, which gives her customers the option of having her mind completely blocked to partially wiped."

"So you change people's looks for a living?" asked Harry. The older lady nodded and smiled. She was wearing plain black robes lined with silver. She looked somewhat like Neville's gran, but less severe. Wordlessly, Mrs. Whitticker got out a piece of parchment and her wand. Muttering an incantation, she pointed her wand first atHarry and then at the parchment. A picture of Harry appeared on the parchment. A closer look informed him that it was exact and not moving like most wizarding pictures.

"You said he needs to be unrecognizable right, Albus?" said Mrs. Whitticker in a somewhat melodious voice.

"Yes, Janet, that is correct. What color hair would you like, Harry?" said Dumbledore turning to Harry with a twinkle in his eyes. Harry grinned. This part was going to be fun.

"Maybe blonde, not platinum, or black, but definitely not red. I haven't given it much thought really."

"We'll make several pictures and then you can just choose the one you like the best." Harry nodded and Mrs. Whitticker pointed her wand at the picture. With one incantation it had doubled and with the second two incantations, one had black hair and one had dirty blonde hair.

"Er… Mrs. Whitticker?"

"Call me Janet, dear."

"Oh, er.. all right. Janet, don't you think we should do something about that?" said Harry pointing to his scar.

"Of course, dear. What color eyes do you think?" Harry hesitated, seeing this Janet decided to make a suggestion. "Maybe brown or blue. Not green, it might be a give away. Violet is a girl's color but we could do it if you'd like too. I don't suggest yellow, it's a bit spooky. Hazel might be okay." Harry nodded.

"How about brown or hazel with the blonde hair and blue with the black hair." Said Harry. Janet nodded and made the changes.

"Okay, that parts done. Any height changes?"Harry shook his head.

"I've grown a bit over the summer, so there's no need to change my height."

"Okay, would you like to try one?"

"Sure."

Janet pointed her wand at the picture of Harry with black hair, blue eyes and no scar then at the real Harry. Harry didn't feel any different, but looked in the mirror when Janet motioned for him too.

Looking in, Harry saw a face staring back at him that looked nothing like his. This boy had striking blue eyes and black hair. The contrast was not in the least bit odd, to his surprise, instead it was rather neat. His facial features hadn't changed much just a slightly less angular face and not as prominent cheekbones.

"Ready to see the second one?" Seeing Harry's nod she repeated the process with the second picture.

This time when Harry looked in the mirror he saw the same facial features as before, but his hair was dirty blonde with hazel eyes. This look was a bit too normal, he decided, but it didn't look bad.

The third picture was the same but with brown eyes.

" I like the first one." Said Harry. "Is there any way to make my hair a bit longer? It might tame a bit better if it's longer."

"Sure, dear."

"All done, Harry?" said Dumbledore, seeing Harry's nod he continued. " You know what comes next, Janet."

She nodded and Dumbledore preformed the mind-blocking spell. Once that was done she nodded a good bye to the headmaster and left.

"Now then Harry. I suppose you're wondering what your new name is." Without pausing to hear or see Harry's answer, he continued. "Your name is Ryan Hansen. Your story will be that your parents were recently killed by Voldemort leaving you an orphan. You were at a friend's house when he attacked there for you don't know exactly what happened. You found them lying in your living room dead when you came back from your friend's house the next day with the dark mark above the house. The family I arranged for knows this and won't bring it up, but if they do it's good to be prepared. Your birthday was August 1st. Not too far off your real birthday, I know, but this way it won't be too confusing. You were an only child. The family you will be going to live with is the Johnston's. Sarah and Mark have one child, a girl, Charlotte Johnston, in Gryffindor. She will be going into her fifth year and is good friends with one Ginerva Weasley, if I am not mistaken. Now for other matters, as soon as I perform the charm to switch your looks, we will be going to get you a new wand at Olivander's. While we are there, I will get you your schoolbooks as well as an owl or falcon.Sorry a snake might be a give away and Charlotte is allergic to cats.You will keep your old wand, but you are not to use it unless you have no other choice. Keep both wands with you at all times. Have you got all of that?" Dumbledore paused.

"How many people besides you will know that I am alive?"

"Only Remus, Tonks, and Moody will. They won't know of your new appearance though, unless they figure it out on their own."
"One more question. Can you send Ginny a note that you 'found' among the rubble of the Dursley's house?"

"If this note was to look like it had been through a fire and was not to say anything about you being alive, yes. Deliver it to me as soon as you are through writing it. Now then if you have no more questions, let's get this charm done. Which picture did you decide on?" Harry handed Dumbledore the picture of the teenager with somewhat shaggy black hair and blue eyes. "Good choice." Said Dumbledore approvingly, before muttering the incantation. "Now, go get your trunk and the cage, we will be leaving for Diagon Alley as soon as you get back."

"Yes, sir." Said Harry getting up to leave.

"Oh, and Ryan, don't worry about the vase. I'll fix it later." Said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes. Harry just nodded, dumfounded that once again Dumbledore seemed to know everything.

Twenty minutes later, Harry (A/n: from now on he will be referred to as Ryan, by other characters, just so you know) was ready to go. He had somehow managed to write the letter to Ginny and make it sound realistically like he only had a few minutes to write it before he needed to go fight Voldemort.

After saying the password to the gargoyle, Harry walked up the stairs and through the open door.

"Ahh… Ryan, are you ready to go now?" Harry nodded and Dumbledore walked over to the mantel. Reaching into a clear jar full of green powder, Dumbledore said, "Remember your name is Ryan Hansen and whatever you see and hear try not to show to much emotion over remarks you may here about your former self."

"I'll try, professor." Said Harry before throwing the powder into the fire. He jumped in yelling, 'Diagon Alley.'

Harry landed in a fireplace just off the bustling street .Harry got up and brushed himself off. A few seconds later, Dumbledore came out of the fireplace after him, brushing himself off as he stood up.

"Where to first, Professor?" asked Harry.

"I figured that we should go get your wand first. Then maybe your books, and robes. Last of all we'll get your owl or falcon, whicever you decide." Said Dumbledore walking off towards Olivander's.

Harry would have protested to Dumbledore getting him an owl, but Dumbledore's tone left no room for argument. As they walked down the street, Harry noticed that most people were wearing black robes and somber expressions. It was just about all Harry could do to keep from yelling out that Harry Potter was still alive, so there was no need to mourn.

Dumbledore kept away from most crowds of people, but in a crowded street this is a rather difficult task. Harry suspected that once again Dumbledore wasn't telling him everything. Harry also hadn't seen the Daily Prophet since the beginning of summer, so he had no idea what people were saying about him.

That is until he happened to overhear an older lady saying to her husband, 'who's to stand up to you-know-who now?' It saddened Harry greatly that people could loose sight of hope that easily. So what he was 'gone'? There were plenty of other more talented and braver people out there. Hope was easy to loose, but hard to regain, Harry mused. Somehow, the world would have to find hope again.

Suddenly, Dumbledore stopped breaking Harry out of his reverie. Harry looked around where they had stopped and noticed that they were right outside of Olivander's. Dumbledore didn't hesitate long, just long enough for Harry to notice that there was someone else in the store, Neville and his gran.Harry sighed. He wasn't looking forward to meeting all of his former dorm mates again, but he had to do it sometime. The tinkling of a bell above the doorframe alerted Mr. Olivander and the shop's other occupants of their arrival. Mr. Olivander simply nodded to Dumbledore acknowledging his presence. Dumbledore nodded back and stood patiently off to the side to wait.

From the looks of the stack of boxes next to Neville, he had tried a lot of different wands without much success.Harry watched as Mr. Olivander almost yanked a 10-inch oak wand with a dragon heartstring and replaced it with an 11-inch maple wand with a unicorn tail hair. Neville waved it and gold sparks came out of the end. Mr. Olivander smiled. His work was done. He enjoyed the tough customers or so he said, but it was always a reward to see a wand choose it's master. As Neville's gran paid for it, Neville looked around finally noticingHarry and Dumbledore.

"Hello, professor." Said Neville looking at Harry.

"Hello, Neville. This is Ryan Hansen. He's going to be attending Hogwart's for the first time this year." Said Dumbledore motioning to Harry.

Harry stepped forward and held out a hand.

"Hello." Said Harry as he and Neville shook hands.

"Nice to meet you, Ryan. I hope to see you in Gryffindor." Said Neville cordially before leaving the shop with his gran.

"What can I do for you, Albus?" said Mr. Olivander flipping the open sign around to where it would read 'closed' from the outside.

"Mr. Hansen here, will be needing a new wand." said Dumbledore. Mr. Olivander's measuring tape began to take Harry's measurements while Mr. Olivander looked at him critically.

"Albus? Is this who I think it is?" Seeing Dumbledore's nod, he continued saying, "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Potter." With that he disappeared for a moment, but reappeared quickly with several boxes in his arms. "Try this one 12 inches willow, dragon heartstring." Harry had barely had it in his hand a second before Mr. Olivander took it away and replaced it with a '13" elder, unicorn tail hair.' This process continued for about five minutes, Harry was starting to get a bit impatient, but Mr. Olivander seemed to grow more excited as the pile of discarded boxes grew larger. Mr. Olivander disappeared for a moment and came back with just one more box.

"This one should work. 13 inchesbirch, unicorn tail hair." This time, Mr. Olivander was right. As soon as he held it,Harry felt the familiar warmth spread through him as he had almost six years previously. "Good. Take care of that now, Mr. Hansen."

"Ryan, wait over there for a bit while I talk to Mr. Olivander." Said Dumbledore pointing to a corner close to the door. Dumbledore and Mr. Olivander talked for a moment, before Dumbledore calmly aimed his wand at Mr. Olivander's head. Mr. Olivander didn't object so Harry knew immediately that he had agreed to it. Harry realized that Dumbledore was probably blocking Mr. Olivander's memory as he had blocked Janet Whitticker's.

Dumbledore rejoined him without a word and they headed towards Flourish and Blott's.

"Er… you know what books I need right, professor?" said Harry when they entered the bookstore.

"Yes, I do, but we'll be getting a few more books that aren't required for school."

Harry was curious, but he knew that this was not the place for this discussion as any of the people nearby could easily overhear.

Harry followed Dumbledore as he grabbed a book on each subject thatHarry would be taking, which incidentally happened to be the same classes as last year, plus some books on wandless magic, animagi, interesting hexes, useful jinxes and muggle martial arts as well as hand to hand combat. Dumbledore paid for the books and they left heading for Madame Malkin's whereHarry was fitted with new robes. Dumbledore also insisted upon supplying him with a new set of dress robes that were black with blue trim the color of his eyes.

After that they headed to the Magical Menagerie for Harry's owl, there were owls of all sorts, barn owls, screech owls, snowy owls and even a black one. Dumbledore suggested a beautiful golden falcon. Harry looked at him a bit skeptically but agreed with Dumbledore that she was beautiful. Once again Dumbledore paid even though Harry protested. On their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, Harry spotted a familiar redhead and bushy brown haired girl bustling towards a new shop. Harry strained to hear what they were saying and managed to hear part of their conversation.

"Honestly, Ron. You'd think you were going to visit Hades, not your brother's joke shop." Hermione was saying.

"But they always make me the target for their jokes." Ron protested.

"Yes, but you have to admit that they're funny."

That was all Harry heard as they passed, but it made him feel good to hear his former best friends arguing just like they had at Hogwart's the year before.

"I suppose you would like to see your investment before we go." Said Dumbledore turning to Harry with his eyes twinkling.

"How'd you know about that?" asked Harry. Harry had always known the headmaster tofind out abouta lot of things that he hadn't been told, but Harry had always assumed that someone told him. This was one thing that he hadn't told anyone about and was confident that Fred and George hadn't told anyone either.

Dumbledore didn't say anything, but lead the way to a shop that Harry hadn't seen before. The sign above the shop read, ' Weasley's Wizard Wheezes'. In the front window display were the fireworks that Fred and George had set loose in the castle last year as well as a miniature portable swamp. A tinkling bell signaled their arrival and one of the twins came out to greet them.

"Hello and welcome to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, what brings you here today, professor and…" said the twin in an over exageratedly polite voice.

"Ryan Hansen." Harry supplied sticking out his hand.

"Fred Weasley. Nice to meet you, Mr. Hansen. Feel free to call George or I if you need anything." He said shaking Harry's hand before sweeping off to greet his brother and Hermione who had just walked through the door.Hary started to look around. Down one aisle he found the traditional Canary Creams with Ton-Tongue Toffees and other candies. Down the next, he found many other useful pranking devices.Harry decided touse a bit of his money to buy some trick candies to try out sometime.

When he set down his items on the counter, he was surprised to see Hermione working the cashier's station.

"Will that be all, sir?" She said.

"Er… yes." He said handing her the money.

"I haven't seen you before, do you go to Hogwart's?" she asked as she put his purchases in a bag and counted out his change.

"I was homeschooled last year, but I will be going there this year." He said.

"See you on the train, maybe, then." She said before turning to help another customer. Harry nodded and went back to where he had left Dumbledore to find him talking to Ron.

Dumbledore had just said something about memorial service, which Harry could only guess to be his own. Harry felt a twinge of guilt at this. He hadn't wanted to cause his friends any grief but now as Hatry saw Ron talking to Dumbledore, he could see grief and hurt clearly written in his face. Ron nodded as Harry joined them.

"Ah, Ryan. Are you done then?" Harry nodded and Dumbledore said goodbye to Ron and left the store. Harry trailed somewhat after him, off in his own thoughts. Seeing Ron so obviously sad had been a reminder of how hard school this year would be. Harry felt a twinge of nerves and guilt at the thought of school. Nerves for how everyone would think of Ryan Hansen and guilt for all the lies he'd have to tell. Hopefully the teachers would make it a bit easier on him. Then Harry remembered that the only person who knew who he really was is Dumbledore.

Dumbledore stopped and with a jolt Harry realized that they were at the fireplaces.

"Where to, professor?" Harry asked as Dumbledore handed him a pinch of powder.

"Just say, ' Headmaster's office at Hogwart's.'" said Dumbledore kindly.

Harry followed Dumbledore's instructions and was soon back in the headmaster's office with Dumbledore following close behind. Once they were in his office, Dumbledore restored Harry' trunk to its normal size so Harry could stow his new purchases in it, then reshrunk it for easy carrying.

"Now about the extra books we got. I forgot to mention that little bit of information." Dumbledore paused before continuing. "You will be getting extra training in different areas such as martial arts, hand to hand combat, animagi, and extra dueling work. For the last few weeks of summer, I have arranged with your guardians for you to have training sessions here at the castle with me from 7 in the morning to noon. At 7, you will floo here and then at noon I will either give you a portkey or you will floo back. Any questions?" Harry shook his head and Dumbledore continued. "If you ever feel the need to talk to anyone but you can't talk to your friends, then feel free to talk to me. It is time for you to meet your guardians. I am afraid I have a staff meeting and cannot join you. Remember their names are Sarah and Mark Johnston. Your parent's recently died in adeath eaterattack while you were at a friend's house. This portkey will take you directly into their living room where they should be waiting for you. Take care." Said Dumbledore handing him a small button pin that said, 'Smile be happy' on it with the picture of a smiley face.

Three… Two… One…

With the familiar tug from behind his navel and a swirl of light, Harry was gone.

Back at Grimwauld Place, Hermione, Ron and Ginny had just woken up expecting to find that their friend, Harry Potter, had arrived during the night. However, they were disappointed to find that the bed he normally slept in was still fully made and that he wasn't anywhere to be found in the house.

At breakfast that morning, Ron asked his mum, Mrs. Weasley, about him. Mrs. Weasley's eyes got a bit teary and she turned away without answering him. A bit confused Ron, Hermione and Ginny decided to see if Tonks, Moody, or Remus were back yet. A quick peek revealed that Remus was sound asleep in his room, but Tonks and Moody were no where to be found. Hermione suggested that Moody and Tonks had gone back to work since it was past 9 o'clock in the morning already. Ginny and Ron reluctantly agreed with her, but still felt uneasy about their friend's absence. Just then Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, had arrived with a letter for them.

Dear Ginny, Ron and Hermione, it had read.

I am sorry to say that on August 11th around 11:45, Harry James Potter, died. The order members arrived just a few minutes too late. The house was already up in flames, the occupants gone from this world. I found this note amongst the ashes and thought you might want it. A memorial service is being prepared for August 20th. If you would like to speak at it let me know.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

The second piece of parchment was badly scorched around the edges and had been somewhat smeared with ashes.

Dear Ginny, it read.

Thanks for helping me deal with Sirius' death; I don't think I could have survived this long without you. I am sorry to say that Voldemort (don't flinch) is here. I don't have long before I have to go defend my aunt and cousin from him. I must be honest and say that I am not sure if I will make it through this battle alive. Please tell Ron and Hermione that I am sorry. Whatever the outcome of this is, don't loose hope. Never loose hope, Ginny. Keep Ron and Hermione's spirits up; I don't want them to feel guilty about my death if I should die. And Ginny, I- here the parchment was burned and the letter ended. Upon reading this, Ginny dropped the parchment as though it was still on fire and ran with tears streaming down her face, to her room. Ron and Hermione picked it up and read it. When they had finished grief and sadness filled their faces. He was gone. Their friend, Harry James Potter was no more. The-boy-who-lived was gone.

Wow, another long chapter. I seem to be writting alot of these lately. Don't get me wrong it's a good thing. Just a pain in the a to check.

please read and review...