If Harry hadn't forsaken logic

My shame at having taken so long to post this is miniscule compared to my relief, because I finally did it

Note: As can be seen, there a lot of structural changes, additionally the pace, as promised, has been accelerated, somewhat. Canon year 1 will kick off either in this chapter or 3, depending on how much I can get done here.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Disclaimer: I own the system upon which I write, not Harry Potter

Chapter two:

Albus ran his hand through Fawkes' dazzling red plumage, the phoenix in question trilled happily, bringing a smile to his face. Fawkes would always cheer him up, no matter the circumstances, he thought fondly.

As usual, his conscience was plaguing him, and at the centre of the hailstorm of guilt, regret and doubt was Harry Potter. The boy was the central component of one of the few plots of his that had made him re think, doubt and worry about the possible ramifications of each and every step.

Surrounded by countless portraits containing the preserved consciousnesses of the previous headmasters and headmistresses, Albus internally debated seeking their counsel, only to nod his head in resignation of the fact that they were far too ignorant of the importance of the greater good to help.

For he had long since decided to dedicate his time and efforts to securing a future that fit into his ideal of the greater good. Essentially being a magical Britain that was at peace, the bigotry of the purebloods watered down to a mild amusement of their magically inept peers and the muggle borns a healthy, productive part of their society.

Indeed was such a beautiful visio- no, eventuality, he forcefully reprimanded himself, he had to have full conviction in his plans. Ahh where was he? Oh yes, was such a future not worth the suffering of a few? Was not the pain of a single child more than atoned for by ensuring a happier, productive and sustainable existence for thousands more?

He wholly believed it was, then why did his heart prick ever so? Why was he hounded by guilt every time he thought of the young lad? When he had already consigned himself to a future that seemed so bright, he shouldn't have to face such emotional turmoil, especially since the upcoming trials were sure to be demanding.

He sighed in acceptance; some weaker parts of his psyche would not rest, regardless of the flawless logic he provided as penance. Making the attempt to console such thoughts pointless, better to ignore them and keep working to see the ushering in of a better, brighter future for all.

After all who else would weather the burden of leadership and sacrifice if not him? Conveniently forgetting, as usual, the true sacrifices were being endured by others who had no obligation to do so.

Fortifying his heart and sweeping away his moral scruples to a corner, he began to plot for the upcoming year.

Nicholas had fortunately agreed to consider shifting his stone to Hogwarts should the need ever arise, however dubiously. No matter, he was sure that Voldemort would attempt to steal it from Gringotts, consequences be damned, the lure of the powers the stone contained would make sure he tried stealing it.

Mind drifting away to his faculty and whom he would be enlisting for the trials he would set up for young Harry, once he arrived, Albus nearly missed registering the magical presence of his deputy headmistress making her way to his office. It was only due to the immensely complicated rune stone scheme that he didn't.

He smiled for a second, talking to Minerva would certainly improve his mood and she could provide fresh ideas for his Harry's trials, only for his face to crinkle in worry. The ward that detected the intentions of the person seeking entry was warning him of a possibly violent confrontation.

The results of his wards perplexed him, as did his sensory abilities. Why would Minerva seek to harm him? Unless she had found out about his plans, or even worse, Harry? But that was nigh impossible, the Dursleys would never let Harry contact any one they deemed below their standards of "normal". Thus he zeroed in once more on her magical signature, just in case.

The results were not comforting, it appeared that the ward schemes were correct and Minerva was tremendously pissed off, at him of all people. Rubbing his forehead in anticipation of what was appearing to be a painful confrontation. He missed the smirk on Phineas Black's face. Albus adopted his grandfatherly look just as Minerva entered.

As she rushed towards Albus' office, Minerva lamented her blind trust and faith in the man, if only she hadn't trusted his every word 10 years ago so foolishly, she would have stepped in to make sure Harry didn't have to endure a life she was sure he had found torturous and horrid.

Now however, it was too late to fix the errors of the past, and all she could hope to do was behave in a way that would compensate for her ignorance and rash decision all those years ago. While Harry's letter hadn't blatantly stated that he was suffering, she had enough experience to read between the lines.

She had been counseling and teaching children for years, she had learnt how to deal with all sorts, and to her, Harry's letter was nothing less than a confession. Oh yes he'd been subtle and very careful in articulating the bare minimum, yet she had literal decades of experience with other children who had gone through similar traumatic experiences.

She was impressed with his plan of action, he was clearly angling for a meeting which would present to him the answers she was increasingly suspecting had been denied to him by the Dursleys, additionally, an adult's presence would prevent the Dursleys from harming him, even though she was sure Petunia and Vernon wouldn't stoop to physically harming Harry.

You've done enough Harry, now let us adults step in and make right what we've done wrong, she thought to herself, the desire to help the poor child blazing in her eyes. Striding across the well lit corridor, at the end of which stood a gargoyle crafted from stone, taking a moment to roll her eyes at the eccentricities of the headmaster.

"Sherbet Lemon" she enunciated clearly, instantly prompting the gargoyle to step aside, thus revealing a slowly ascending circular staircase. Now so near to the man who had so rashly ruined the life of an innocent young child, Minerva's rage spiked to levels that did not bode well for Dumbledore's life expectancy.

She moved up the staircase faster than she ever had before, her fury letting her ignore the pains of old age. Reaching the oaken double doors behind which she knew she'd find the man responsible for her being apoplectic with anger, Minerva contemplated the wisdom of breaching the topic she was set to with such emotions.

Only for her to throw aside any last minute ideas of turning down her temper, Albus had fiddled far too long with the lives of others and she had turned a blind eye to his machinations for long enough. The fact that his ploys had finally led to giving a pure, innocent orphan a horrible childhood when he deserved so much more was the breaking point.

Forgoing knocking for pushing open the doors rather violently, Minerva strode into Dumbledore's office. Regardless of the number of times she had entered the room, she still felt the need to give an appreciative glance to his choice in décor. If only for how well it fit into his persona of an aberrant old genius.

His office was large and circular, shaped like a dome. Where ever she looked she could see silver instruments on spindle legged tables and walls ready to throw off the weight of the innumerable portraits hanging from them. Finally her eyes fell to the claw footed desk behind which sat the man who had her blood pressure fit to burst.

Seeing him smiling congenially, in the typical grandfatherly fashion he always adopted, broke any semblance of control she had over herself,

"You bloody bastar-"

"Ah Minerva please, calm yourself, there is no need for such vulgarity. Really I'm shocked that you would resort to such a choice in word-"

Albus' hastily cutting off of Minerva was reversed as she returned the favor, tenfold. Her fury multiplying instantly at Dumbledore's audacity to try and chide her. Especially when he was the one in dire need of schooling.

"How dare you? Do you have any idea as to the pain you've brought to poor young Harry? And now you have the nerve to attempt to scold me for being upset and reacting accordingly to your deeds, as is my right?!" seethed Minerva.

Never before had Dumbledore's face paled quite so rapidly. His heart sank faster than an anchored down corpse. His mind was going haywire, he couldn't believe it, not only had Minerva found out about the consequences of his plans, but judging from her words the state Harry was in seemed to be the worst of the possible scenarios.

Quickly reigning in his increasing sorrow, frustration and worry about plans ruined thanks to sensitive information reaching one of the last people he would have wanted, Albus decided on how he would tackle this new problem. Letting out a practiced sigh, he began

"Look Minerva, while I can certainly unriddle the situation that has you so enraged, before you decide to give in to that old Scottish temper, please bear in mind that I have not been aware of Harry's conditions since I handed him over to his family. At best I only had a few fears lurking away at the back of my head, which Arabella dispelled whenever she and I discussed young Harry's condition."

The hastily thought up, yet efficient explanation managed to make Minerva stop considering hexing Albus. Truthfully she had been seriously considering the ramifications of doing so. This new information however cooled her down a bit. She quickly made it clear

"Regardless of your apparent ignorance regarding Harry's situation, it does not excuse your complete and utter failure as not only his magical guardian, future headmaster and dear friend of his parents. I shudder to think how both James and Lily would feel if they knew this was how we treated their lone child, one they entrusted to us."

Minerva's fiery words cut deep into Albus, regardless of his tendency to view people as chess pieces; he had still cared deeply for Lily and James. She had managed to shake him out of his immovable persona that weighed his words before speaking thoroughly.

"As I stated Minerva I had no idea what Harry was going through, if I had been aware of even the slightest hint of the boy being mistreated by his family I would have nipped any such issues in the bud.

Additionally, while I am confident in your ability to read between the lines and ascertain the truth, you have not mentioned how you came to know of such appalling news. From what I can gauge, you must have either received a letter, or while highly unlikely, yet still possible, Arabella found out about Harry's apparent maltreatment and saw fit to inform you before I. Lastly, even if Harry has been treated egregiously, it is worth bringing about the arrival of the greater good."

Albus wouldn't have normally mentioned that phrase in front of her; Minerva had made it quite clear how vehemently she opposed such utopian unrealistic ideals. But her scathing words had struck a nerve and he had slipped. He sighed discreetly, knowing the incoming reaction would be hard to cope with.

Indeed normally Minerva would have erupted at mention of such a taboo topic, especially when Albus had already enraged her so, but his previous statement "apparent maltreatment" had gotten her thinking. For all her experience and understanding of such delicate scenarios, she still did not know for sure.

For all she knew it could be much worse, she was certain Harry was being abused and thus the only question was the intensity. And instead of immediately making arrangements to contrive a meeting, she had wasted time yelling and castigating Albus. Her guilt and shame tripled and thus her response was not what Albus expected.

"Do not get me wrong Albus, I am severely infuriated by the fact that you once again brought up your personal beliefs, especially those which you know I detest, but now I have realized every second we waste arguing, Harry could be suffering as we speak. The most humane course of action would be to immediately set up a meeting with him and find out for ourselves the situation he is in."

Albus was relieved that Minerva had decided to at the very least, postpone her tirade. Deep within his jaded psyche he was relieved at being placed in a situation where he had to go check up on Harry and ensure he was, at the minimum, being treated like a fellow human being.

"Minerva your insight has spared Harry of any future injustice. Acting on your words I shall save time and share my thoughts later. Please pen a letter to Harry informing him that we are willing to meet at whatever date and time he wishes, preferably as soon as possible."

Nodding stiffly, Minerva left with considerable haste. Mind ablaze with plans for the future and the possibility of Albus changing his mind if Harry's situation was abysmal enough, she made her way back to her office. While she hated considering it, if Harry had been mistreated enough, she could get him out of the Dursleys' house.

And possibly into the arms of a loving and jubilant family like the Weasleys, Minerva smiled in fond remembrance. Yes, living in such a caring and friendly atmosphere would do wonders for Harry. She was certain that growing up in such a hostile environment had severely warped his personality.

The boy currently on the minds of Albus and Minerva was mentally rehearsing the questions he would ask whoever Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall sent. While he did not believe for a second that a meeting had been assuredly arranged, he couldn't risk being unprepared if it did occur.

It was one of the many lessons the Dursleys' had managed to instill within him. The more he planned and prepared for any eventuality, the higher the chances he would be able to manipulate unfavorable situations to his advantage and not be taken off guard. An example of which was when he convinced Uncle Vernon to let him accompany them on Dudley's birthday outing.

That day he had practiced his arguments well beforehand the Dursleys had set off and it had paid off. Since he had known they would go somewhere to celebrate, and he really hadn't wished to be left at Miss Arabella's. Ironically, he had gone through a similar experience this morning after sending his letter

.

After having gone back to bed, he had woken up and found Aunt Petunia dying a few of Dudley's old clothes gray, according to her they would have ended up looking like any other uniform of Stonewall High. The local public school he was going to attend.

However he had managed to change Aunt Petunia's mind with a hastily conjured argument. He told her that if he went to school without the proper uniform, the teachers would end up questioning her and Uncle Vernon, as they were the adults responsible for his clothing. It had been a visibly infuriated Petunia that had grudgingly conceded.

Harry was proud of himself for having been able to avoid that bullet. He still wasn't sure of whether he would be going to Hogwarts, and in case he wasn't, he did not want to show up at Stonewall wearing dyed rags.

He smiled, while the "It would make other adults suspicious" argument did not always work due to the story Aunt Petunia had spread about Harry ruining his clothes on purpose. Which was why he was made to wear Dudley's old clothes, there were a few occasions where it did. Such as in a case where it was a new school and he was supposed to be getting a uniform, rationally, it couldn't have been damaged beforehand.

He was currently resting in his cupboard. He had managed to complete his chores for the day but Aunt Petunia had run him ragged. Her anger at having to buy him new clothes had fuelled her drive to make him labour in the scorching heat of July. As a result, he was numb with exhaustion.

But even with the bodily stress clamoring for his consciousness to give way to sleep, his mind refused. Anticipation and dread for the upcoming possibilities stopping him from falling asleep. He desperately wished he could write down all of his questions on a piece of paper. So when and if he did get his meeting, none of his queries would go unanswered.

While he doubted it would happen, it was still possible in the excitement of finally learning the truth he would get distracted and forget a few questions. But it was too dangerous to steal more paper and risk being found out. If the Dursleys got their hands on such an item, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Sighing wearily in acceptance of the futility of attempting to pen down his thoughts, Harry gave in to his body's cries and finally fell asleep.

The next morning he was surprised to find himself waking up just as early as he had yesterday. The house was quiet and a few rays of light had slipped through the cracks of his cupboard's door. More than slightly disconcerted by the second occurrence of this strange phenomenon, Harry wondered why he had woken up.

Last time thanks to his early rising he had been able to hand over his letter to the owl. What if? His heart hammered away as bizarre theories erupted within his head. Barely containing a squeal of delight, Harry let his imagination run wild.

What if Professor McGonagall had received his letter and sent back a response? It sounded insane and ludicrous, but then again, was anything about this entire situation, as his aunt and uncle loved saying, normal? He was awake now, might as well go out and look. At worse Uncle Vernon might wake up and scold him for traipsing around at ungodly hours.

Which was well worth averting a predicament where the Dursleys got their hands on the response from Professor McGonagall. That is, if she decided to respond and it has been sent, he reminded himself. While he was still uncertain, he couldn't help being filled with hope. Thus he surreptiously made his way to the front door.

Once again he managed to open the door without making any noise. Thanking whatever deity governed the world Harry made his way to the garden. He could see no owl or letter lying around anywhere. He had been expecting this but he was still disappointed. Yet instead of making his way back inside, he decided to linger about for a few minutes.

After all, this is exactly what had happened last time. There hadn't been any owl when he first looked around and then it had suddenly arrived. A soft hoot knocked him out of his worry. He smiled in relief, there it was, the very same owl that had brought him into this ridiculous new world.

It flew down to him from a neighboring magnolia tree and as it did Harry raised an arm. It settled down on his outstretched limb and dropped the letter that had been held in a vice grip in its beak. Harry managed to get his free arm under it and felt the thrill of a plan gone smoothly ensconce him.

Heart pounding in joy, regardless of what the letter contained, he had still successfully sent a letter to a self proclaimed school of magic via owl and gotten a response. Shooting said bird a grateful look, Harry murmured heartfelt thanks. The owl tittered affectionately and in a sudden flurry of movement, took off.

He quickly stuck the letter within the waistband of his jeans and silently made his way back inside. The Dursleys' neighbors loved to gossip and he did not want to be seen creeping around this early and risk word spreading to aunt Petunia, in spite of how implausible it was that someone would be up and about at this time.

Each step to his cupboard was full of the fear of being caught when so close to attaining an external link to help him, and the sheer happiness of having gotten a response. He once again settled down with his back to the door of the cupboard, took out the letter and began to read.

Written in green ink, in quite the elegant font, were the following lines

Dear Harry,
I am tempted even now to engage in explanations of the magical world and answer your questions, but from the way you wrote to me I felt strongly that you weren't in the most hospitable of places. And thus while normally any such meeting between a student and any teacher takes at least a week to coordinate; I have decided to pay you a visit in two days time. With me shall be your hopefully, future headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. If you are not comfortable with this arrangement please write back with the owl that delivered to you this letter. If you choose not to I shall assume you have no such issues and will make plans to visit in two days. We shall see you that evening.

Sincerely yours
Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Harry finished reading with a satisfied smile. His face had flushed in embarrassment when he read that Professor McGonagall had deduced something was up with his living arrangements. He had thought his writing was extremely subtle and close ended. Clearly it was not so. It struck him that if he had decided to change the timings, he would not have been able to do so, seeing as the owl took off immediately after handing him the letter.

Shrugging amicably, he chalked it off to the eccentricity of this new world of magic, too preoccupied with the contents of the letter to pay it any more attention.

Thoughts wandering back to the letter, he was surprised with the addition of Headmaster Albus. Even if a child might seem to have issues at home, and was in need of a proper explanation of the Wizarding world, it seemed highly improbable that such a case would necessitate the involvement of the headmaster himself.

Harry considered for a moment the possibility of this being standard procedure and the faculty being extremely altruistic and devoted to the well being of its students. No, he thought. That's rather unlikely and someone with as many positions as his, as listed in the Hogwarts letter, shouldn't have time to visit any ordinary student for an explanation.

Thus there must be some hidden agenda or reason behind his accompanying Professor McGonagall. Harry wanted to be able to plan ahead but with this unexpected element, he could only resolve to be slightly more cautious in his meeting. Mind made he settled in for a quick nap, eager to get some more rest before aunt Petunia would wake up and start ordering him around.

The next two days were a whirlwind of rehearsing, drowning in doubt and desperately trying to pretend as if nothing was out of occurrence for him. He managed to scrape by without alerting the Dursleys' to the possibility of something being out of the ordinary thanks to how deeply ingrained the daily chores were in his psyche.

The day finally arrived, as did a severe case of anxiety and nerves for Harry. They smashed their way through his carefully constructed visage of the usual disinterested obedience with the force of a comet. He couldn't help it, after 10 years everything was about to change. Which was a mild way of putting it Harry realized in a moment of amusement.

The temporary respite from his worry allowed him to muster some form of control over his panic and he wondered if he should warn the Dursleys of possible visitors. He'd been beaten this morning and he feared things might get physical at Professor McGonagall's unprecedented arrival. For all his mental degradation of uncle Vernon, the real specimen was at best a harsh taskmaster and a terror at worst.

As a result of his anxiety he'd forgotten to make sure Uncle Vernon's bacon strips were the perfect shade of brown he liked, and since uncle Vernon had been itching to vent some stress brought about by problems at work his, he capitalized and slapped him. The sudden and vicious display of violence would have reduced Harry to tears a few years ago. Not now though, he'd learned showing pain only served to motivate Uncle Vernon further.

Despite his best attempts of ridiculing him in private and fully indulging in his habit habit of turning uncle Vernon into a comical, quick tempered character, the man was terrifying in person. Harry was aware of this tendency being a coping mechanism but it was all he had to turn to. He was 10 and Vernon an abusive adult with all the power in the world.

His thoughts straying back to whether or not he should inform the Dursleys, he realized if he did warn aunt Petunia, there was no guarantee what uncle Vernon would do when she inevitably informed him. He was currently at work but he'd be back in a while. Dudley was out bullying younger kids in the park with his gang of cronies. Which was his favorite pastime.

But he knew even without the two male Dursleys, the upcoming meeting would not go about smoothly, aunt Petunia would certainly not just nod her acceptance; she might even refuse to let Professor McGonagall inside. Although her surprise at their arrival might distract her long enough for him to urge Professor McGonagall to disregard any potentially extreme actions aunt Petunia could take. Making his decision to not inform the Dursleys worthwhile.

There were still several hours to endure before Professor McGonagall arrived and he was once again beginning to wonder whether or not he should describe to them in detail the acts of the Dursleys. If they didn't remove him from this house and relocate him to a safer environment, perhaps granting him permanent residence within the school, he doubted that any amount of verbal thrashing would alter their behavior.

Since if he did expose the them for the sadistic maniacs they were and he still wasn't taken to a new home, he doubted even the use of magic would stop them from further hurting and torturing him. As it stood Harry was already biased against the Hogwart's faculty, if they'd known in which exact portion of the house he'd been living in for the past 10 years and had failed to take action, he was highly skeptical of the idea that they'd do much this time around.

Deciding to broach this subject if he found his potential teachers expressing a genuine desire to help, Harry closed his eyes and settled down in his cot to meditate. A while back he had realized that the reoccurring instances of events which could only be attributed to either hallucinations or a paranormal force deserved some investigation.

Subsequently Harry had turned to the only sources of research he had, his school's library. And on the instances where he was able to roam outside, the public library. He had not found anything credible within his school library and since he spent all his breaks within its walls while at school, he had wasted little time there and had started visiting the public library.

Harry wasn't unknown there. Years ago he had brought home his first graded assignment, in naïve hopes of his stellar grades carrying the possibility of his aunt and uncle realizing he wasn't a waste of space. Perhaps even being treated with some warmth and care.

All such ambitions had been crushed brutally. As soon as Vernon saw Harry's grades, his rage at Harry having thoroughly outperformed his own son had burst forth and the beating that had ensued taught Harry to hide his remarkable intelligence and to always keep his cards close to his chest.

However that incident had not stopped him from studying. He knew he could break free from the Dursleys when he reached the age of majority. And at that point his skills and education would bolster him immensely.

Thus he had driven himself into his studies with a passion. He'd quickly devoured the contents of his school's library. After which he started frequenting the public library, spurred on by the help of the friendly librarian who had overlooked his lack of a library pass, and after he'd displayed his dedication to reading and immaculate handling of the books, even allowed him to take home a few.

To Harry his academic prowess was the hand reaching out to pull him away from the grasp of the Dursleys. He clung to it with the fervor of a man possessed. He then scoured the library for books on magic and supernatural instances. He mostly found fantasy based novels and the few books claiming to support the existence of such elements were full of superstition and highly nonsensical explanations.

It was quite by accident that he'd come across a book on meditation and while experimentally flipping through its pages he'd seen a paragraph mentioning how proper immersion into a trance led to experiences unlike anything science had seen. While still doubtful Harry had started practicing the breathing exercises and on a few occasions felt a slight tingling not very different from the one he had felt the day he had miraculously landed on the roof at school.

Regular practice had led to him being able to surround himself within it at will but he was still unable to replicate his previous case of instantaneous transport. Harry however, still practiced it. He found the experience addictive and it always calmed him.

Looking over the past few days Harry came to a startling realization. His tendency to curse had diminished noticeably. He even felt considerably more mature. Which was alarming since even with the all time he gave to meditation he was still prone to frequent bouts of vulgarity. Perplexed he resolved to ask Professor McGonagall and to try and return to his normal self.

His serene expression was disturbed by the firm knocking on the door outside. He opened his eyes and realized that he must have been in a trance for quite a while. He was sure it was Professor McGonagall, which meant a few hours had passed.

His heartbeat accelerated dramatically and he ran outside his cupboard only to see aunt Petunia opening the door.

Surveying the latest tabloid with barely hidden glee in the kitchen, Petunia was content. Her day had gone by pleasantly. Pausing her reading to ponder upon it she recalled the events. Vernon had complimented her choice of clothing and had promised to take them out for dinner properly to celebrate Dudley's acceptance into Smeltings.

As a bonus the freak had spent most of the time within his cupboard, doing what, she knew not but her nose wrinkled in disgust at the boy being huddled up in there for hours. Still it had been a good day. She had avoided having to interact with him.

The knocking on the door jolted her out of her musing and she made her way to it. Opening it with a courteous "How can I help you?" along side, Petunia got a good look at the unexpected visitors.

It took her brain a few seconds to register and evaluate the two people in front of her. An emerald cloak, the face of a woman not to be slighted and black hair drawn up in a tidy bun. She'd seen similar attire on Lily before and was only just beginning to comprehend the nature of the woman when she got a good look at the man standing behind her.

Tall, thin, very old and accompanied by a silvery beard tucked into his belt. The twinkling eyes of the Headmaster that Lily had shown her in the wretched chocolate frogs looked straight into her own and he smiled cheerily.

"Good evening Petunia, I suppose you wouldn't mind us coming in for a cup of tea?" Albus asked happily. That kicked in her mental faculties and with a wordless cry Petunia fell to the floor in a dead faint.

"Oh dear, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the beverages?" Albus remarked with just a slight glimmer of amusement. Minerva sighed and levitated the unconscious woman inside. As she did, her eyes fell upon the child observing them in the hallway. Small in stature, unnaturally thin, a mop of messy raven hair akin to one student of hers that sent pangs of loss reverberating in her heart and the startling green eyes of Lily.

Minerva smiled, "Hello Harry, I'm afraid your aunt wasn't that pleased to see us. I take it you did not inform her of our planned visit?" she asked him.

Harry's response was accompanied with a cheek splitting grin, breaking the look of composure on his face, "No I did not Professor but with good reason. I suppose you could just leave her on the couch in the living room. I don't think she'd enjoy the discussion we're about to have."

Up until the last statement Minerva had been glad to see the smile on his face, but when it morphed into a hard, unrelenting visage she sighed in acceptance. She was saved from having to respond by the timely intervention by Albus.

"You're quite right Harry, it would not be presumptuous of me to assume you do not harbor any affection for us and while that is a fact I regret, Minerva and I are here to answer any questions you have and will do so willingly."

His declaration was met with a stiff nod by Harry who then guided them into the living room.

As Minerva followed Harry inside she pondered upon his reaction to her levitation of Petunia. Asides from a look of triumph in his eyes and the understandable if cheeky smile, he had not expressed any other emotion. This told her two things. Firstly he was a lot more mature and in control of himself than she had given him credit for. As she could not fully ascertain just how mature he was from a letter alone.

When most muggleborn children were exposed to magic their reactions were quite vigorous. Harry however, had taken it in his stride and answered her question calmly. This spoke volumes about the experiences he must have had in order to posses such control over himself. Add to that the miserly state of his clothes and obvious malnourishment, and she all but had a signed letter attesting to the abuse inflicted upon him by the Dursleys.

Judging from Albus' worried look, he had reached a similar conclusion. Minerva swore to herself at the end of the day he'd be getting what he deserved.

The second thing she'd guessed was that Harry had been dubious of the existence of magic, and that her display had removed any such doubts.

The look of surprise in his eyes, despite her initial assumptions that the Dursleys had informed him about his parent's demise and the existence of magic, could have been attributed to the fact that even if a child has been informed, seeing magic in action tends to have an extreme effect.

But she was starting to think the Dursleys had not informed Harry of magic, and if so, God help her she'd rip Albus a new one. The questions Harry had asked in his letter had been aimed towards the workings of magic, the Wizarding world and the financial aspect of attending Hogwarts. Which were questions the Dursleys would have been incapable of explaining, despite what Petunia may have known about the structure of the Wizarding world and the specifics of as to how he'd pay for and attend Hogwarts.

Consequently they had not indicated any lack of information about the passing of his parents. Inspite of her musings, she had not failed to notice the luxurious state of the Dursleys' living room.

It bore all the signs of wealth and arrogance, even if it was on the lower end of the spectrum of affluence, although it certainly wasn't the stereotypical display of financial abundance. Pink hues colored the walls in trailing patterns, indicating a feminine touch. The sofas looked to be comfortable but had elaborately designed armrests and legs. In front of a walled up fireplace was an electric heater crackling merrily. Minerva was proud of herself for being able to identify that particular muggle invention.

Harry had turned it on with a mischievous smirk on his face. While not what Minerva was accustomed to when she visited well of muggleborns, it was still a very well furnished household and that coupled with the immaculately maintained garden reminded her of the fact that the Dursleys were in no financial struggles. If they had, Harry's attire could have been justified but as it stood Petunia Dursley was not going to enjoy the talk she was going to have with her.

One uncertainty she wanted to investigate however, was the truth of Harry's living arrangements. She'd seen what the letter had said, "the cupboard under the stairs" but she refused to believe it. Petunia might have been miserly with Harry's diet and clothing, but she could not accept that Lily's flesh and blood would consign her own nephew into such a barbaric living arrangement.

Thus she would refrain from doing anything until she heard it from Harry himself. The child in question ushered them towards the sofas and as she thanked him and sat down, she spared Albus a glance. It was a tad unusual to see him behaving in such a subservient manner, content to let her lead the meeting.

But the look of deep regret in his eyes made her realize he was just too lost in guilt to be able to try and behave assertively. She knew Albus was a highly accomplished practitioner of the mind arts. It was possible he'd used Legilimency to probe Harry's mind. While she was against such unsolicited breaches of privacy, she knew that at least for now, if Albus was indulging in such methods, he was doing so for Harry's benefit.

The boy mostly seemed closed off and guarded, it would be difficult to help him unless he opened up, and in the instance where he failed to do so, Legilimency was certainly extremely beneficial to their cause.

"Harry why don't you start with what you know of the Wizarding world, and then based on your current knowledge, we'll start off with an explanation, followed by answering your questions?" Minerva broke the silence that had accumulated ever since they had sat down.

As Dumbledore slowly nodded in agreement, Harry smiled and said "Alright then". His smile made Minerva wonder what was in store and as she nodded encouragingly at him he began to talk.

"While there have been incidents throughout my life that hinted at forces that could not be explained by science, I did not know about the existence of magic up until I got your letter a few days ago."

His declaration left her stunned. Unable to muster a response she struggled to form one and was saved from her quandary by Albus. "Harry if you have been uninformed about magic until now, what did the Dursleys tell you when informing you about your parents' death?"

While Minerva was annoyed at the insensitive inquiry she could not hide her curiosity as she looked at Harry expectantly. "Why of course, the drunkards crashed their car and kicked the bucket." For a second time that evening, she was left at a loss for words. Lily's son, calling her and James drunkards? What was going on?

He had done so with complete normality, as if commenting about an abysmal performance by a Quidditch team. And she had not detected the slightest bit of sarcasm. Harry genuinely believed his parents were drunkards she realized.

She lost her composure but before she could voice her protest, Harry continued on callously, "I'm quite surprised at such a question Professor Dumbledore, although the only reason I can come up with for you asking it is if magic has something to do with the event?" Harry tried to voice his question casually but Minerva could sense the sudden alertness within his eyes, he had been denied information in a cruel move by the Dursleys but clearly he knew something, perhaps he remembered the night it all occurred?

She was still lost in her thoughts but it seemed as if Harry's response to his question had knocked away Albus' initial reluctance to try and engage with Harry, as he jumped in yet again. "Harry if you truly have been led to believe that your parents were killed in a car crash then I owe you yet another great debt, for it was I who instructed your aunt and uncle to inform you about the truth, the fact that they did not is a failure on my part and-"

"You mean to tell me that you are responsible for my being here?!"

Dumbledore was interrupted by Harry's furious cry. He quickly backpedalled, "Harry there are a lot of things you do not currently know, and without understanding the reasoning behind whatever actions I may have taken you cannot-"

"Rubbish. Absolutely damned rubbish!" Harry jumped upright and broke off Albus' hasty attempt at an explanation. Shaking his head angrily as he did so, "I've been stuck here for 10 years. 10 years of torture and misery, these people kept me in a bloody cupboard, fed me scraps and beat me whenever they felt like it. I was their slave all my life, and if that wasn't enough you're suggesting my parents weren't the idiots I've believed them to be. Give me one reason why I shouldn't blame you for all the things I've been through?" Harry spat out, the venom in his voice palpable as he shook in visible outrage.

Minerva was reeling from Harry's revelations, a cupboard? Beatings? Treated as a slave? Was this the consequence of her acceding to Albus' idea of giving Harry to his relatives? Having to acknowledge that she'd abandoned her dear students' surviving child to a group of monsters?

All she could do to stop herself from lashing out and seriously harming Petunia Dursley was remembering the fact that she needed to be a model for Harry, he clearly had only grown up observing vicious adults. It was a wonder he wasn't severely mentally afflicted. With that resolve in mind she resorted to holding her head in her hands in shame.

She did not possess the mental fortitude to be able to respond to Harry, for heaven's sake she couldn't even look him in the eyes right now. How Albus could do so without cowering similarly was a mystery.

Albus meanwhile, was teetering on the brink of losing his calm, his plan hadn't just failed, it had blown apart spectacularly right in his face.

He'd expected that Petunia wouldn't exactly spoil Harry which would make him a humble and easily led along child, one who would crave affection and care, fully enabling him to use the power of love. While all hope wasn't lost for the latter, he had immensely miscalculated the extent of Petunia and Vernon's mental depravity.

He clamped down on his Occulemency in order to stop himself from accidentally saying something that would further enrage Harry. However he felt the need to inquire into Harry's mentioning of his assumption that his parents were fools.

Before he'd mentioned the truth about their death, Harry had been remarkably self composed, asides from the couple of lapses. This eerily reminded him of a young Tom Riddle. He knew the one key difference between Tom's past and Harry's that would counter his anger with the way he had been treated was the sheer love Lily and James had for them.

Through this method he could placate him while also explaining the blood wards at work.

"I cannot claim that I was not responsible for your detestable upbringing Harry, but what I can assure you of is that your parents were not idiots. They were two of the brightest witches and wizards of their generation, and why their love for you? It is nigh incomparable. You do not know this but Lily sacrificed herself to save you my dear boy."

Albus delivered the final verdict with a well concealed look of smugness, simultaneously gesturing amicably towards the boy for him to sit down. There was no need for it however. Harry's ballistic expression had changed instantly and he collapsed on the sofa. No longer was he the enraged child demanding justice, but merely a 10 year old finding out the truth about his parents.

"I…I don't believe you, why would they abandon me to the Dursleys?" His relatives' name was uttered with the same vitriol from before but Harry was visibly distraught. Before Albus could continue, Harry stopped trying to hide his true feelings.

"I spent all my life hating them, cursing them, for not only being useless alcoholics who got themselves killed through their idiotic recklessness, but who cared so little about me that they left me to these monsters. How am I supposed to feel now that I know my mother sacrificed herself for me? The entire story to which I still don't know?" he cried out hysterically, tears forming in his eyes.

For the first time in a very long time, Albus' emotions fully trumped his mental fortitude. With a lump in his throat he sighed in regret, rubbing his forehead distractedly as he did so. He'd assumed Harry was nearing the step spiraling into a life similar to the one Tom had lead. Forgetting that Harry was a child just upset, abused and lost.

Twiddling his wrinkled thumbs for just a second of worry, he gently laid a consoling arm on Harry's shoulder. All the while discreetly nudging Minerva. The action woke her from her bout of self loathing and she hurriedly enveloped the child in her arms.

Normally Harry would have recoiled at such gestures of physical intimacy, scarred from the beatings by the Durselys and made paranoid and suspicious of the intentions of adults. But currently he was emotionally vulnerable and desperate for contact. Thus he allowed Minerva to hug him, albeit hesitantly.

After a few seconds of contact he moved away skittishly. Minerva immediately let go of him, understanding that he needed to be able to have his own space. Her rage at Albus decreased just slightly when she saw the forlorn look in his eyes. "Could you tell me about them?" Harry asked quietly.

Minerva smiled in fond remembrance. "James Potter was the most talented student I ever had. Courageous, reckless and strong willed. His pure heart however did not stop him from becoming a massive pain for the Hogwarts faculty.

His forte was Transfiguration which as you'll come to know is one of the key elements of our curriculum and magic. James was a right devil but I always held a soft spot for him." She paused for a bit, emerging from the depths of her memories.

She immediately noticed how enraptured Harry was, even now he looked at her intently, his eyes begging for her to go on. More than sufficiently motivated Minerva continued.

"Lily was quite possibly the most brilliant muggleborn student to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts. Bright, outspoken and a prodigy at Charms and Potions. Both of which are two more of the 4 major elements of the curriculum. And just like your father she was known for her tenacity." Minerva grew quiet but she was glad to see the smile on Harry's face.

"Thank you for that, I need to know more but I realize there will always be time for past memories later." Harry began earnestly, "So could you tell me now what really happened to my parents?" He asked but the look in his eyes told Albus there was no room for negotiation.

"Harry before I begin to narrate the events that led to your parents' demise I must first educate you about our world so that you understand exactly what happened and why it did." Albus looked at Harry and on his affirmative nod he continued.

"The first thing you must understand is that the world of non magical folk, that of the muggles, and to be clear, we refer to a non magical person as a Muggle. So there exist two worlds, the Wizarding and the Muggle. The reason I specifically used the word world is because it encapsulates the enormity of the differences between the two. These are two different worlds, not countries or provinces." At this he stopped and looked at Harry meaningfully. Upon Harry's questioning gaze he elaborated.

"It is very important that you fully comprehend this difference. Because moving forward you will experience a cultural change unlike any other. I assume you have already figured some of the aspects by the nature of our clothing and means of communication?" Albus inquired with a look of amusement.

Harry smiled yet again, "You're right on that aspect, owl mail isn't exactly the norm nowadays. Plus if I'm being honest, anyone else dressed in robes like yours would either be arrested for substance abuse, ridiculed for celebrating Halloween too early or accused of public exhibition of their private lives."

"Harry I cannot fault you for your tendency to stray into explicit matters due to the nature I'm suspecting Vernon has but I strongly urge you to suppress such thoughts." Despite his mild chastisement Albus was still smiling and Minerva, to Harry's surprise had laughed.

"I'm not making any promises and I have a lot to say about uncle Vernon, so before we start that discussion, please conclude the one we're in right now" Harry responded evenly. Albus looked embarrassed as he quickly resumed his description.

"Ah yes, forgive me Harry, just the habit of an old teacher to meddle." Minerva's look of long honed exasperation was not missed by Harry. Unaware of it Albus trekked on, "Now in the Wizarding world we have two types of users of magic. Those who support the Dark arts and those who do not. Supporters of the Dark arts are mostly Pureblood families, and to elaborate on Purebloods, this is a concept in our world based on the purity of blood.

Those descended from families without any muggles are known as Purebloods. Those with one parent a pureblood and the other a muggle are known as Half bloods and those with both parents being muggles are muggleborns. An example of a muggleborn as Professor McGonagall mentioned is your mother and your father that of a Pure blood."

"So that makes me a Half blood?" Harry cut in, looking at Albus inquisitively. Albus nodded approvingly, as did Minerva. "You are correct Harry, it might interest you to know that both Minerva and I are Halfbloods as well." Harry was surprised; he had thought a man in such positions of power like Albus Dumbledore would be a Pureblood, as it seemed that Purebloods would be the ones running this world but apparently not.

"Is that just coincidence or is the population of the Wizarding world composed mainly of Half bloods and muggleborns?" He asked and was met with another look of approval by his professors.

"Astute of you Harry, that is indeed the case, and while there is a lot to be discussed on the current issues caused in our society due to the purity of blood, I believe we are getting off track yet again." Albus answered with a look of bemusement. Harry blushed in embarrassment and nodded in agreement.

Albus then continued, "Wizards of remarkable power and skill usually come to lead the faction they support, and in my humble case, I bear the responsibility of guiding the Light. 10 years ago, there was a wizard of similar prowess who was a user of the Dark arts. His name was Voldemort."

Minerva shuddered in fear; Albus saw her doing so and sighed. 10 years and the woman still wasn't used to it. He nearly missed the look of horror on Harry's face. Realizing he must have some previous memories of the night Albus immediately jumped in, "Are you alright Harry? Voicing of his name is met with disapproval by most of our people but that is because they witnessed the bloodshed Voldemort wrought. Do you perhaps remember something?"

Harry looked stricken, with visible effort he responded, "I may remember a bald crank putting down a woman with red hair, just before he turned to me and did the same. But then I can remember hearing screams of pain, followed by darkness." Harry's description yet again left both Professors stunned silent.

Albus was shaken. Harry remembered the night with surprising detail. He mentioned screams and then darkness when Voldemort turned to him. Could it be that his theory was correct all along? He needed to devote proper time to this.

Shaking himself out of his stupor he replied to a still lost in thought Harry, the boy was probably connecting the dots Albus thought idly, "Harry what you have just described is almost certainly the night when Voldemort went after your parents to murder them."

"Is the murderer still around? Or has he been defeated judging from when you mentioned his presence in the Wizarding world 10 years ago? And why did he go after my parents, did they pose some form of threat? What do the screams I heard mean? Sorry you probably wouldn't know about that. And most importantly as the Leader of the Light, why didn't you stop him?" Albus was stopped from his explanation by Harry's sudden onslaught of questions.

The insistent and quickfire manner in which he rattled them off reminded Minerva of a young Lily and the fond memory allowed her momentary respite from her continuous rounds of shock. "No Harry, ever since the night your parents were killed, he who must not be named vanished from the Wizarding world. It was a miracle our people associate with you, as after he killed your parents he turned to you, yet you survived and he did not." She explained gently while resting a consoling hand on his shoulder.

Harry seemed appreciative of the gesture by his posture but his mind was evidently whirling with questions. Before he could launch another array Albus cut in, "It was his failed attempt to eliminate you that gave you that scar."

Albus raised a finger towards Harry's forehead, who traced the lightning shaped mark in a mixture of disgust and relief. "However I believe still he lingers on in our world, I do not have any conclusive proof but his body was never found and a Dark lord of his caliber would certainly have taken steps to prevent any such incidents. Regardless those are just my thoughts and he has not been seen for a decade, and as Professor McGonagall mentioned you are credited for his defeat in our world."

"Your people seem to be on acid Professor, I was an infant, what could I have possibly have done that my parents couldn't have? Pissed all over him?" Harry scoffed derisively, drawing chuckles from both Professors. "Well while we wizards have never been known for our logic and while it certainly seems inane, you must understand that there is little else to be drawn from the event. A massively powerful wizard capable of striking down hundreds of magical folk vanishes when he attempts to murder you."

"I suppose that explains why they'd think that but just in case you're harbouring any suspicions of my magical ability, I'll make it clear, I have no idea what happened and it was probably due to something my parents did." Harry paused for a second to contemplate what Albus had just said. With a glint in his eye he asked a question the Headmaster had been expecting.

"Wait a minute, does that mean I'm some sort of celebrity in your world?"

"Well Harry, as the apparent conqueror of the most dangerous Dark lord till date, you do have a bit of a presence." Minerva was not impressed by Albus' comment and made her disapproval clear.

"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one; it would not be farfetched of me to say that currently you are the most well known individual in the Wizarding world. The only person who possibly hovers around your level of fame is Professor Dumbledore."

Albus nearly groaned in frustration. If Harry had any of the intelligence he had shown, getting him to stay with the Dursleys would be next to impossible now.

"So Professor Dumbledore, what reason do you have to give the people of the Wizarding world for imprisoning their beloved savior in a place where all he's known is abuse?" Harry stated the question evenly but there was no mistaking the animosity in his words. He'd played nice until now but he'd had enough.

"Harry while I truly regret the way the Dursleys have treated you, I never knew of your plight. I placed you here because the night Voldemort attacked your parents, Lily sacrificed herself to protect you.

"In doing so she invoked powerful blood wards that stopped him from harming you, which to this day protect you. And in order for them to remain functioning you need to stay with the Dursleys, who are your only remaining family. So through them flows the protection of your mother."

"Firstly, Petunia is a muggle from what I understand, so how does that work? Secondly who do I need protection from? Thirdly, can't you put up some magical protections that will replace this wacky blood crap? And lastly, to hell with you, I am not staying with these animals." Harry enunciated the end of his announcement with a tone of finality that Albus knew would be hard to persuade otherwise.

Minerva was shocked at the questions Harry asked, not because they were unreasonable, but because they made sense. Albus had always claimed Lily's sacrifice lived on in Petunia but Harry made a good point. With her being a muggle, how exactly did that work? And the only surviving death eaters would certainly not be capable of breaching wards set up by Albus.

Apparently Albus had come to the same realization, judging by his look of alarm. Minerva once again held her head in her hands. In their rush to provide a home for Harry, they had completely overlooked basic logic.

But Albus wasn't so easily deterred. "Harry blood magic flows through differently than most forms, and while I cannot explain the nuances, suffice it to say that it does work and it does so through your living with the Dursleys.

"You need protection from Voldemort's enforcers, who are known as Death eaters. While most have been apprehended, there are still a few that have managed to escape the clutches of the law. And while I can certainly put in place protective spells, they all pale in comparison to the power of your mother's blood wards."

Harry wasn't having any of it, he could tell Albus wasn't too convinced himself with the explanation he'd given and he'd be damned if he didn't try his utmost to make the Headmaster relocate him.

"Were the Death eaters imprisoned some time after I was sent here Professor?"

"You are correct Harry, which is why it was imperative for me at that point in time to bring you here." Albus agreed with a smile, glad that he was beginning to see things properly.

"Well then now that the pricks have been apprehended, well mostly anyways, I doubt a wizard like you and your spells could be bested by any of Voldemort's cronies. So I don't need the blood wards, as far as I'm concerned they can all go to hell."

"I'm not being protected if I'm staying with the Dursleys, so how about you ditch this plan of yours to try and force me to stay and move me to a place where I'm for once in my life, treated like an actual bloody human?" Harry hissed out in frustration.

He'd had enough of trying to be civil. He was not going to stay with them and Albus Dumbledore would not stop him.

Minerva's jaw dropped and formed a perfectly made, comical o. The rationality of Harry's demands could not be denied. The only possible Death eaters left with the ability to try and harm the boy could not hope to surpass Albus' protections, additionally Voldemort was no longer around.

So why did the poor child have to suffer more? Just to fulfill needless notions of safety? And like he said, what use was the protection of the blood wards if the Dursleys kept tormenting him. Although she did not want to believe it, she could see that Albus had an illogical obsession with keeping Harry with them. No matter for what excessive reasons.

Well, not in her presence. She had to atone for ten years of criminal negligence and she'd be damned if she let Albus have his way again.

"I agree with Harry, with prominent Death eaters already incarcerated and the few survivors incapable of breaching your wards, I fail to see why he has to stay with these" Minerva struggled to come up with a suitable word.

"Bastards" Harry supplied helpfully.

"Animals" ignored Minerva. "And considering He who must not be named shows no signs of stirring, that is even if he is still around, Harry should not have to endure life in this miserable place". She concluded forcefully.

"Even if I were to concede to your arguments Professor, I believe his reluctance to stay here would be curbed if we gave a severe talking to the Dursleys." Albus still had tricks up his sleeve and he wasn't going to surrender that easily.

"You have got to be kidding me! Do you really think they will stop? I've been here 10 years, I know their twisted minds, no matter how much you might try and school them, nothing will change." Harry argued vehemently.

"I may not know them as well as you do Harry but I will at the very least try and convince them to be better, failing that, to simply treat you like a guest." Albus would not be moved.

Harry's mind buzzed with ideas, he decided he could bargain.

"How about this Professor, you try and talk to them, if they stop their habits, which is something you will monitor personally and check up weekly with me to ensure, then I'll stop protesting. If not you get me the hell out of here."

He was proud of this maneuver. Since he knew it would appeal to the Headmaster's stance but trying to negotiate with the Dursleys was pointless. Neatly becoming a win-win.

Minerva and Albus both nodded their agreement, Minerva a bit uneasily. She did not want there to exist even a chance of Harry having to stay here, but there was little she could do, Albus had already agreed to a reasonable proposition and he was after all the boy's Magical Guardian.

"Well then let us wake up Petunia while we wait for Vernon" Albus cast enervate with a flick of his wrist happily.

"Damn it all but it was not a bleeding good day! Petunia, make me some tea would you?"

He was spared having to wait as any further comments were quelled by the rather loud entrance of Vernon Dursley. The man in question lumbered over to the living room.

Absolute silence pervaded the house. Vernon was speechless, his piggy black eyes struggling to understand the scene before him. His wife slowly rising from the sofa, surrounded by an old man with a beard reaching his stomach and a woman looking as if she wanted to murder him. Standing next to those two was the freak, and the little brat was smiling.

It was the straw that broke the camel's back. "What the hell are you two cosplaying old fossils doing in my house?! And why the hell are you smiling freak? Petunia what did these lunatics do to you?!" he roared in anger.

Petunia herself was only recovering from the shock of waking up to the same horrid scene she'd thought was nothing but an awful dream. Before she could make her confusion and fear apparent Minerva waved her wand.

Both Dursleys found themselves incapable of moving, completely. With another wave she levitated Minerva next to Vernon. "Now that was unnecessary Minerva" Albus scolded, a glare from the Transfiguration Professor shut him up.

"Now listen well you two, the only reason I have not seriously harmed you is because we have agreed to try and talk to you into changing the way you treat your nephew. I will allow you to move but beware, any actions deemed inappropriate and you'll be frozen again."

Minerva's scathing voice instructed them. Meanwhile watching from behind Professor Dumbledore was Harry. He was beaming, this was hands down the best moment of his life.

After a second of staring into their eyes as if to see if they got the message Minerva unpetrified them. Petunia stood silently, casting fearful looks at both her and Albus. Vernon was a different matter. As soon as he discovered he could move again he went off

"I will not be toyed about by you disgusting freaks, if you abominations do not leave immediately I'll call the cops on you. And you boy, if you're the one who arranged this then I'll give you the beating of your life, teach you to try and plan behind our backs-

Vernon was silenced by a visibly enraged Albus. A distinct unnatural presence began to suffuse the room, originating from Professor Dumbledore. Harry felt it and was left in awe. It felt like a humongous cocoon of power and safety. Dwarfing his entire being, leaving him an ant before a mammoth. This was the strength of the Headmaster of Hogwarts Harry realized. He decided he had to attend, if only to learn from this man.

He had seen the look of terror and trepidation on the Dursleys' faces and how they had stilled all movement. He did not want to be the type of person who invoked fear within others, but if it was any of these three? Harry would gladly be the bad guy any day.

Albus had been expecting Vernon to erupt, that was just the kind of person he was. But when the man openly threatened Harry with violence he could not control his temper. A schemer he may be but nothing was dearer to him then the lives he was entrusted with. It was for them he strived to create a better world.

A little verbal degradation was fine provided it made Harry humble and eager for a savior but violence he could not tolerate. And he would not leave the boy to a place so openly hostile. He sighed in acceptance, he had wanted Harry to be under Lily's protections but how could he leave him here in good conscience? Short of harming them or using the Imperius there was nothing he could do to ensure Harry's safety.

Thus he decided he would move Harry elsewhere, the Weasleys were an option, Ginevra was also quite enamoured with the tales of the boy who lived he mused. But he had to deal with these two first.

"It is quite obvious you two cannot be trusted with Harry's safety. Petunia 10 years ago I entrusted you with your sister's only son, hoping that you'd see beyond your petty prejudices and care for the innocent child as your own.

You not only shattered any such hopes but you have clearly harmed and abused young Harry. It would have been slightly less incriminating had the leading force behind this mistreatment been Vernon but evidently you have not tired in your efforts to persecute a child who is your own flesh and blood while egging Vernon on. We shall take Harry with us and in doing so the protections against Voldemort and his henchmen should he ever rise and come looking for you, Harry's only remaining family."

"The- the man who killed Lily?" spluttered Petunia fearfully, as Vernon desperately tried to comprehend the gravity of the situation

"The very same, it is what you deserve for harming an innocent child whom you were entrusted with. Admittedly the blame lies with me for bringing him here but I believed I was acting in his best interests. Regardless all I can do now is to try and make up for 10 years of negligence."

"Harry if you have any belongings you would like to take with you, please collect them now." Albus instructed gently.

Harry was ecstatic, at long last, freedom. But he would not let his guard slip so easily. "How do I know I won't be treated similarly in the place you bring me to next?"

Minerva winced, the words were harsh but understandable. Albus nodded in understanding and raised his wand, Minerva's eyes widened in recognition but before she could interrupt he began to speak

"I swear on my magic to provide Harry Potter guardians who will love him and care for him to the best of my ability, so mote it be."

His statement was met by ferocious sparks exploding from his wand. Harry watched with undisguised curiosity

"What would happen to you if you lost your magic?"

"Without magic wizards and witches cannot survive, it is an integral part of their existence." Minerva explained in a solemn manner.

The resulting look of pure relief on Harry's face wiped away any doubts she might have had and she too raised her wand

"I swear on my magic to ensure Harry Potter receives guardians that care for him and do not mistreat him to the best of my ability, so mote it be."

Another round of sparks erupted from her wand. Signifying the binding of the vow. Though she did not yet know it, with her actions Minerva had won the trust of Harry.

"Thank you" was all the emotionally overwhelmed boy could muster weakly, his head bowed in sincerity.

Albus smiled, "Think nothing of it Harry, it was the least we could do to prove to you we have your best interests at heart. Now if you could just gather whatever belongings?" his light reminder made the boy blush in embarrassment once again as he rushed away to his cupboard.

Petunia and Vernon were still in shock, too occupied with their thoughts to do anything as he hurried past. Petunia lost in thought about how they'd survive if Lily's murderer ever came calling. Vernon still trying to come to grips with all the displays of magic he had seen.

Minerva smiled as she turned to Albus, "I'm still going to punish you Albus but I'm glad you listened."

"My dear I deserve it but I would have been a man most unworthy of caring for the children of our world if after listening to physical threats I still consigned a child to such company."

With that honest reflection he walked towards the hallway outside. Minerva followed. As if sensing their movement someone began moving about hastily. Brow crinkling in confusion Minerva stepped out into the passage only to notice a small door jutting out from the staircase she hadn't observed earlier.

Heart sinking in sudden realization, she swiftly threw open the door only to gasp in horror.

A space large enough for perhaps a stroller, brimming with cobwebs and filthy oversized clothing scattered haphazardly, the same that a tremendously mortified Harry was gathering up in his arms as quickly as he could.

"Please just leave me for a moment, I'm getting my stuff." The shame on his face was clear cut. He clearly had not wanted them to see him like this.

Albus was faced with a choice, momentarily abandon his belief of everyone deserving a second chance to punish the Dursleys or to ignore what he had just seen and get Harry out as soon as he could.

Minerva had no such qualms. Eyes reflecting a vengeful storm she walked over to the Dursleys. Who seemed to shrink in stature with each step towards them.

A resounding slap echoed, once and then twice. Harry ran out to see what had happened.

Petunia was staring at the ground in hopes of what seemed that it would swallow her up, with one hand tenderly probing her distinctly crimson face. Vernon kept trying to say something, his hand caressing his face as well, but each time he did the look in Minerva's eyes killed any such notions and eventually he blubbered a faint "preposterous" and went silent.

"I'm ready Professor" Harry's voice, flush with excitement, broke the silence.

Albus took one look at the pitiful look at the handed down, wretched clothes and asked

"Are those Dudley's Harry?"

"Yes"

"And do they mean something to you?"

Harry shook his head resolutely. Albus then levitated the clothes away from him and in one rapid movement removed them from existence. Harry was gobsmacked, this was magic?

With another wave Harry's torn, baggy clothing turned into comfortable, size appropriate jeans and a sleeved shirt. Nodding to himself in satisfaction he smiled at Harry's look of wonder.

Minerva sighed in exasperation, "Really Albus, even when you have the bloody thing on your face!"

The Headmaster had the decency to look ashamed as he gently tapped Harry's glasses and the miles of tape and glue vanished as the glasses were restored to pristine condition.

"Now my dear boy we shall take you to Hogwarts to have you looked over by our extremely proficient nurse, Poppy. I believe you haven't been getting the kind of nutrition a growing boy needs and if not attended to now this could have disastrous consequences for you in the future."

"That would be really kind of you Professor" Harry was struggling to remain calm. At long last freedom was in his reach. He was so elated he could give Dudley, the fat prick, a hug.

"But sir, where will I be taken afterwards? And how will I buy the things I need for Hogwarts?" If I decide to go, Harry reminded himself, but try as he might, his pure joy at being rescued was eating away his plans of being rational and distanced.

"There a few families that would be delighted to have you Harry and after we get you checked up I shall give you an overview of them all and you can decide on the next step. Additionally for your school essentials we'll take you to Gringotts, the Wizarding world's bank so that you can access your parent's vault. From there we can go with you if you like to Diagon Alley, where you'll find everything you need.

We'll also answer all the questions you have about magic, but I daresay, wouldn't you rather we leave this place first?" Albus smiled knowingly. Minerva made her way to Harry and saw his emerald eyes sparkling in enthusiasm as he yelled

"Hell yeah!"

"Vernon, Petunia, this is goodbye, for your safety, I hope we never have to meet again."

With that Albus led the way to the porch of the house. The night air would have stung bitterly but Harry's new clothes kept him warm.

"Your hand if I may Harry? We are about to, what's the muggle word, aha! Teleport, as you would say, to Hogwarts."

Harry's eyes widened in amazement and Minerva chuckled, sensing the onslaught of questions Albus intervened

"Not now Harry, we'll explain the nuances of magic once we have you medically cleared."

Nodding his understanding Harry turned once to look at the house that had been his home for the past 10 years.

He hated it but it had made him strong. Now he was finally leaving and he swore he would not let this chance at freedom go to waste. He would learn and become strong enough to make his parents proud, become capable of stamping Voldemort into the ground if he ever showed up and fully independent. So that he'd never need to be rescued again.

With a final look he turned away to face his professors, both looking at him expectantly. With a deep breath he put his hand in Professor Dumbledore's outstretched fingers.

And just like that, all three vanished from Private Drive, Little Surrey.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Next chapter: Diagon Alley, a new family and progress