Ch -1: Meeting Harry
It was a regular day at Little Whinging, Surrey. The sun was out, children were playing at the playground, traffic was at its usual leisurely pace. Private Drive seemed like your typical little street, but something was going on in No4 that the other residents were not aware of.
Vernon and Petunia were seen as a perfect family to all the neighbours and had tried very hard to keep it that way. Until one fateful Halloween night, when Harry Potter was dumped on their doorstep. Harry had a tough life, which was sad to say as he had only lived 10 years as of yet.
For as long as he could recall, Harry had been with the Dursleys, abused by them, made their servant, and treated like dirt. At first, he couldn't understand why they did it and had tried very hard to be as good as Dudley so that they would love him too. But once when Harry was 7, he had made the mistake of asking why they loved Dudley so much and didn't love him? Vernon had given him a good beating for that saying "Freaks like you do not deserve to be loved". Harry had never asked THEM a question again, he had also come to a conclusion:
Earlier they used to punish him for getting better marks than Dudley resulting in him lowering his grades. But now, he decided that he wanted to study and go to an A-list university. Not wanting to look like a nerd and also influenced by Dudley and Vernons weight, Harry decided to join the football team of his school but, for now, he was too small and skinny. So he needed to train his body and his mind. From that day every day, Private Drive would see a young boy early in the morning jogging rounds around the street. The library was at the end of the town; and the rumours about Harry. Hence, the librarian didn't give him weird looks and actually quite liked him. After this declaration of doing better in studies was made, Harry had read through his textbooks and finished them. He had understood the text and got bored with it, so he started reading books above his level at the library. He read about various topics like finance, art, culture, literature, science, maths etc. The first time he answered in class and got top marks in an exam, the teachers thought he was cheating, with good reason too! He had never got anything above a 'C'. The teachers made him take an IQ test, and the result surprised him a lot but more so the teachers! Harry knew he was moderately smart because he had an easy time learning and retaining things, but this was really too much!
Harry's IQ level was 170! He was a genius! From that day Harry aced every test, he was the most sought out person in the school because of his grades but also because he had joined the football team and was the best player they had. The Dursleys were infuriated, but what more could they do? Punish him? Put him in the cupboard? They already did that. They also knew that they couldn't physically hurt him, because others would notice and, they couldn't let that happen could they? They were obsessed with being normal! Even if they didn't realize how abnormal they were. Life continued without interruption for some time. Harry was recovering from his malnutrition because his coach had noticed. He wanted to complain about it, but Harry had stopped him. He had told him that every time someone tried to complain about the Dursleys or stick charges to them, they would either be relocated or forget all about it! Harry did not want to lose his coach. Only at this line did his coach; Jacob Anderson, agree to not go to the authorities, but he still made Harry promise that he would eat good meals at school. Harry, of course, immediately agreed! The Dursleys couldn't take those meals away from him, and if Dudley tried, his coach would show him. He was getting really good at avoiding Dudley
One morning when Harry went to get the mail, there was a letter addressed to him, scrawled in green ink and on parchment. Looking around to see if anyone noticed, Harry swiftly threw the letter into his cupboard, went back inside to give Vernon his mail before he started to scream at him! Throughout the day, Harry was bouncing on the balls of his feet, not that let anybody see that! When at last he was "dismissed" to his cupboard, he speedily ran and locked the door from inside. Slowly he picked the letter off his bed and started to read:
Mr H. Potter,
The Cupboard under the Stairs,
4, Private Drive,
Little Whinging,
SURREY
Harry opened the letter,
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr/Ms. [Surname],
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
The term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring if they desire an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK.
To say Harry was shocked was the understatement of the century! He couldn't have guessed that such a world existed. Another thought came to his mind if he was a wizard, it stands to reason that his mum and das were ones too! But how would he find out for sure? Harry couldn't really just walk up to aunt Petunia and ask her. The Attic! Of course, there was bound to be something in the attic. He decided to ask his aunt to allow him to clean the attic. But first he ha to write a reply to "the letter" as Harry called it! :) He took a piece of paper and a pen (From Dudley's school bag, because he wouldn't miss it)