Dumbledore was exhausted, as soon as Minerva had left, he was quick to begin contacting people. He needed to find those he could trust to watch over the boy until the school year started. His list was short, outside members of his own staff there where only a few families he could think of. The first thought had been the Weasley's, he knew Harry would find a loving home and environment there, something the boy would for sure need. It took him only a few minutes to realize that wouldn't be the best option. For one, he could not in good faith ask the family to take another child under their care even for a short while. The problem of defense was also there as well, as much as he loved Molly and her husband, they were not the best fighters nor the worst.

"No, I will need to find someone else… there must be someone…"

The Longbottom's were also out of the question, Augusta was much more capable of defending the boy with her own personal magic and the magic of her manor, but he knew that was not the atmosphere Harry needed at the moment. The stern old woman had a way with children that wouldn't work the best with what the boy had been through. Harry needed a much more loving household.

"Bones? No not loyal enough… too close to the ministry. The Tonks? Hm… tempting but I'd rather Harry not learns about his connection to the black family for a little longer. Maybe Minerva herself? No… too much work to be there for the boy."

It was while lost in these thoughts that a slight ping went off in the back of Dumbledore's mind. He stopped pacing back and forth and sat down at his desk. He knew the ping to mean someone was coming up the stairs to his office. It had been some time since Minerva left, so he was quite confident she had returned with the boy.

The expected knock came to the door and Dumbledore put on one of his old smiles he was famous for before giving permission to enter. His smile did become more genuine but also sad as he saw the boy enter behind Minerva. It seemed he had bought himself some new clothes as he did not seem to be wearing the rags she had described to him. The boy truly was the spitting image of his father, he had the same messy hair as James and the dark black color to it James had inherited from his mother. His eyes were still just as green as when he had last seen him as a baby, but the boys abuse was also clear to see. He was small, unnaturally so for a boy his age. He couldn't tell too closely with the clothes the boy had on, but he seemed skinny as well.

He gave the boy a second to stare around the office in wonder, it was the reaction many young students had if they ever found themselves in the room. His collection of odds and ends always seemed to enthrall those who were younger while causing those older to roll their eyes. "The innocence and wonder of youth…'

After a few seconds he cleared his throat and smiled once more at the boy as he now had his full attention.

"Welcome Harry, it is so good to see you again. Please sit, we have much to discuss."

-(Earlier in the Day)-

Harry's time at Ollivanders had been longer than he expected. He had begun to believe he would never find wand and would be sent back to the Dursley's. All hope was saved however when he finally was matched with a Holly and Phoenix feather wand. Of course, with Harry's luck nothing could ever be that simple. That's why when Professor McGonagall rounded the corner just as Harry was leaving the shop his mind was still processing just what his wand being the brother to You Know Who's wand would mean. As much as he hated to admit it, he was tired, stressed, and confused. So much had happened over the past few hours that he barely even registered McGonagall's words about their soon to be trip to Hogwarts.

He only woke up when the Professor had grabbed his hand in hers, and suddenly the world as he knew it was gone. It was as if something had hooked him by his legs and was yanking him at an unthinkable speed. All the while he felt as if his body where being stretched to the point where he felt for sure he was going to die from the pressure. Only just as fast as the sensation had taken over him it had left him as he fell face first into the ground.

"OW"

"I did warn you Mr. Potter, first time apparition is never a fun thing to experience. Are you okay to stand?"

The stern but soft voice of the Professor was now coming through to him as his mind was suddenly very clear once more. The first thing he noticed besides the pain in his head was the cool air around him. He looked up to see McGonagall holding a hand down to him which he grabbed as soon as he could. He tried his best to brush off any dirt that had gotten on his new clothes before he took in his surroundings. One thing was for sure, he certainly wasn't in London anymore. Around him was nature, and it was beautiful. If he had not paid more attention, he would have though the Professor took them to some place in the middle of nowhere, but he quickly saw a bit further ahead a small dirt road that he assumed was the path they would follow.

The air smelled fresh, and the sounds of wildlife could be heard around him. In the distant trees he could hear birds chirping and the noise of the wind as it blew between branches causing a pleasant sound. He quickly found the pain from his forehead receding as he took in the sights and a small smile came across his face.

"Thank you, Professor, what was that just now?" He looked at her puzzled as he asked. He really should have paid more attention, but how was he supposed to know that they where about to teleport across the world.

"I see you did inherit your attention span from your father Mr. Potter. I just spent minutes explaining to you how we where to travel and that your things would be moved to your new living arrangements when they were decided. I had some unseen helpers take care of them before we left." She took in a deep breath and quickly cleared the frustration out of her voice before continuing. "But I shall tell you again, what we just did was apparate. It is a method of travel used by older wizards and witches for quick and easy travel, you will learn it in your later years at Hogwarts."

Harry's cheeks immediately flushed red as he realized how much he missed. One more quick look around did indeed confirm that his things were gone besides what he carried on him. "Was I really that out of it?"

"Sorry Professor, it's just been a long day… I've learned so much, made my first friend only for them to leave shortly after, I- I'm sorry…" He was surprised when the older woman knelt and put a hand on his shoulder. He didn't know why it surprised him; she had been nice to him all day. It just felt odd after spending your life with people who saw you as less than human in many ways.

"It's quite alright Mr. Potter, older and wiser wizards would deal with all this news probably worse than you have. I sense great courage and strength in you. Use it well this coming year, will you?"

He gave her a quick nod and another smile which she returned before lifting herself back up. "Now, we must carry on. Just around the corner you'll see Hogsmeade. Of course, beyond that lies Hogwarts itself."

-(Back to the present)-

The office was just what Harry would expect to see in a world of magic. It seemed as if everything in the room had a purpose of its own that he was not aware of. As he sat down in front of the old man, he took notice of one contraption that seemed to be puffing out steam from a long tube on the end of it.

Dumbledore was not what he was expecting. The mans attire looked as if he was wearing a Halloween costume of a wizard. His robe was brightly colored and had what looked to be patterns of stars sprinkled across it. On top of his head sat a long hat similarly colored, though with no stars to speak of. The man had an air to him, one that was calm and friendly. It eased Harry a little even with the awkwardness of the situation. Could this really be the great and powerful wizard that McGonagall had spoken of on the way to the alley? He looked as if he would befriend animals in the forest, not strike fear into dark wizard and witches.

Harry didn't know what to say, but it seemed the man understood as a nod of understanding was given before he cleared his throat.

"I do hope you enjoyed your time in the alley dear boy, find all your school things?" Harry gave a shy nod which only seemed to make Dumbledore smile more. "That I am glad to hear, I can still remember when I went to get my things for first year, its something you will never forget." He nodded once more, but again felt more relaxed. He wished he could build up the courage to speak, but he couldn't find it. Years of neglect at the Dursleys had made him awkward and shy over the years, especially towards adults. The only reason he felt so comfortable to speak around McGonagall was because she had rescued him from his relatives and thrust him so quickly into this new world, he had to trust her.

But Dumbledore, he didn't know what to think of the man. Sure, he did somehow put him to ease while sitting across from him… but from what McGonagall had told him it had been Dumbledore who had placed him with the Dursleys in the first place. He couldn't see why the man would have done that and not at least check up on him.

"I wish the events leading up to our first meeting where not so unpleasant, but I must say something to you, my boy. I made a mistake all those years ago when I left you on the doorstep of your aunt and uncle's house. As I see you before me, I see now fully how I have failed you…" Harry actually felt his face widen in shock as he saw the professor tip his head and tears begin to form in his old and sparkling eyes. "I only can ask that you forgive a poor old man. I will try my best to find you a proper home my dear boy. I will do anything I can to help you, if I must use all the power I possess then so be it."

The headmaster looked up to him once more as if waiting for a response, tears still in his sparkling eyes. Harry was now more uncomfortable. He had never had someone cry over doing him wrong. He had never had someone ask for his forgiveness before. It was a strange alien thing to him. It made something inside of him whirl and he knew he could not be mad at the man before him, for the simple fact that the man even felt this much emotion towards him. It was like when McGonagall yelled and got angry on his behalf towards the Dursley's, and like Bones when she helped him and showed him around the Alley. Never had he experienced people seeming to want to help or care for him like that before. That's why he felt warm bits of water begin to collect at his eyes as well at the sight of the man before him.

"I- I just want to never return or see them again…"

"And I will make sure you never do my dear boy, and if you allowed me, I would even go as far as to find a way for them to face justice for their actions. Would that be okay with you Harry?"

He nodded his head in response and the headmaster nodded back before taking in a deep breath. "Very well Harry, I will make sure this is all taken care of, and I will make sure you have a place to stay over the summer. I plan to try to find you a more permanent home by the end of first year. Though of course if the options I have chosen do not seem to suit you I will never force you into them. I only now wish to see you safe and happy…"

It was then that Professor McGonagall stepped forward and seemed to have a look of sadness but also curiosity on her face.

"I must ask Albus, what are we going to do while we search for a temporary home. It's against the schools' rules to allow children to stay extended time over the summer, do you have anything in mind?"

A bit of that sparkle in Dumbledore's eyes seemed to come back in full force as he wiped away the sadness from his face and smiled once more. "Well of course not for an extended time, but I do believe given another day I can come up with something." Harry watched as the headmasters' eyes quickly flicked over to him before he continued speaking. "So, how would you like to stay just a night in the castle? I might even give you a personal tour before bed of some of the more interesting rooms and floors. A rare opportunity to have a true sneak peak before any of your fellow year mates."

It was at that moment that Harry suddenly felt his unease drop completely, and he grinned as he thought of exploring the school with the man who ran it. His heart also began to lift in hope, and he truly realized he was in a world where he wasn't a freak. He was a wizard

Hello, it is me the mighty Dragon. I have come to give your the shortest chapter yet :) Sorry it is short and for the wait. As I mentioned last chapter a lot has happened in my life. But I am finally now starting to break free of my depressive cloud and find inspiration again. You shouldn't trust me, But I am going to try to plan at least one chapter every two weeks from now on. This one had to be short as the next part I want to all be in one chapter and tacking it on to this would have been too much for me. Also here is a little taste of what I plan.

Two more chapters before we really get into year one.

Next chapter: Harry getting his new home and getting to know the person he's staying with. Will have some lore into gods too which is something I of course am excited to start exploring.

Chapter after: A time jump, starts with the day before the train ride and then the train ride to Hogwarts.

Then we get into year one which won't be the longest as not as much stuff happens because of Harry's new house (sad life of a puff)

Just thought I'd let yall have a little peak behind the curtain to make up for my inactive status. I hope you enjoyed, feel free to comment or PM me with questions. :)