A/N Well, JKR didn't transfer me any money yet, so I'm assuming I still don't own the Potterverse. I wonder how hard it is to cast an imperious curse…..

"Daddy, the freak burned my bacon," whined Dudley as he stuffed his face.

"BOY! I warned you," said Vernon as he began to grin. "Get over here and take your punishment."

"Now, now Vernon," interrupted Petunia. "It's the last day of school. Plenty of time for that over the summer before we put him to work."

"Hmm, yes. You're lucky boy! Got a stay of execution for now."

"Now hurry up freak!" Shrieked Petunia. "Get Dudley's things together and out the door."

"Yes Aunt Petunia," Harry replied evenly. Still, he couldn't prevent the shiver of anticipation that ran through him. If everything went according to plan, he would never set foot in this accursed house again. As he passed his cupboard, he couldn't stop himself from taking one last look. It wasn't much, but it was his. And despite all he'd been through, he found that he would miss it in some strange way. As he took his last look, he couldn't help but think that this should always be his, even if he wasn't there. This was where Harry Potter lived, it belonged to him. He concentrated, and he could feel the soft presence of his powers as he wished that this would always be Harry Potter's cupboard, and that no one would ever change that. With a final look, he slammed the cupboard door (ignoring his Aunt's screech), turned and headed out the front door, quietly muttering "good riddance," as he left.

"Ha, you're going to get it tonight freak," taunted Dudley as they walked to the bus stop. "Worse than ever. Dad even said he'll let me have a few shots, how'd you like that, huh?"

"Of course, that would be lovely Dudley. Perfect." Harry responded in his usual monotone.

"Whatever, freak," spat Dudley as the bus pulled up. "You'll get yours."

When they arrived at school, Harry made sure that he got off the bus right in front of Dudley. As he going down the last step, he deliberately tripped and fell hard onto the pavement grabbing his ankle.

"You clumsy freak," laughed Dudley. "I didn't even push you this time."

"Whatever," Harry spat, "just tell Mrs. Adams I'm going to see the nurse."

Harry began to hobble toward the main building as Dudley waddled towards their classroom. When he was certain Dudley was out of sight, Harry darted behind a tree to make himself invisible and then ran to the alley.

"Jack, Row, you here?" Harry shouted, making himself visible again.

"Right here, mate," replied Jack anxiously as he stepped out from behind the dumpster. "Everything ready?"

"Ready as it will ever be. Come on, we've got at least a couple hours before Mrs. Adams asks the nurse where I am. We need to be long gone by then, and our bus leaves in 5 minutes."

Row and Jack looked both excited and terrified at the thought of finally escaping. Although Harry had been over his plan many times, Row couldn't help but worry what would happen to all three of them if they got caught running away.

Sensing her fear, Harry soothed her. "Don't worry Row, we can do this. Even if they catch us, I'll fight us out of it. I'm done hiding, from now on I'll use my powers for all three of us, and nobody will ever run our lives again except us. I swear it."

Seeing the look of fierce determination on Harry's face and the assuring smile on Jack's, Row smiled. "Ok Harry, we're with you, let's go."

The plan was simple. After using his mind-reading powers on his aunt, Harry had been able to find out the PIN codes to all three of the Dursley's bank accounts. For the last 4 nights, he had been sneaking out at night with his aunt's bank cards and withdrawing money from her accounts. Add that to the cash that his uncle kept stashed under the seat in his car and Harry had been able to procure almost 10,000 pounds that the three of them would use to get a flat in London. From there, Harry would change their appearances to make them unrecognizable and make Jack appear old enough to be out on his own. Once they were settled, Harry decided he would try to use his powers to help as many people as he could, and hopefully find a way to make some money as well.

The first part of the plan passed smoothly. It wasn't until the trio reached London that they discovered a problem.

"Uh, Jack?"

"What's up Harry?"

"Have you ever been to London before?"

"No. Why, haven't you?"

"Well, not exactly. To be honest, I don't have the first clue where we should go to find a place to live."

Jack looked thoughtful. "Well, my dad always used to complain about Hackney in East London. Said there were real seedy places there, so we should check that out. At least until we have some money coming in."

Harry shrugged. "Hackney it is then, let's go."

After a trip through the underground and a rather long walk, the trio arrived in East London. Despite appearances (it looked like it had been build 40 years ago and forgotten about), Harry had to admit it looked like a good place to start. After some quick searching and a few awkward questions, they settled on a corner motel with a weekly rate of 115 pounds. Harry put the illusions in place and sent Jack in with enough money to pay for a month. Jack emerged 10 minutes later with a broad smile on his face.

"Well, what are you waiting for," he asked. "Let's go see our new home!"

As it turned out, the room was a far cry from "home." The paint was peeling, the carpet was rotted through, and the bathroom looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a year. Still, as Harry looked around the room he felt an odd sense of satisfaction fill him.

So this is what freedom feels like, he mused.

"Jack, Row, what do you say we head into downtown and celebrate tonight. We can see the sights and have ourselves a big dinner, just the three of us, and toast our future."

Row smiled. "Sounds good to me."

Jack grinned and slapped Harry on the back. "Sounds pretty damn good to me too, mate."

Thus the three teens found themselves enjoying their first night of freedom walking the streets of London and laughing. As he sat at an outdoor café, Harry glanced at his friends and realized that for the first time Jack and Row actually looked their age. The haunted look and worried creases were slowly fading away in the evening breeze. It was as if they had been reborn, together; a brand new family, full of hope and promise. And Harry would make sure that nothing threatened any of his friends again.

Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts

While Harry was enjoying his first taste of freedom, Albus Dumbledore was becoming severely annoyed.

He had received all of the Hogwarts acceptance letters that he had expected except one, and the one he was missing worried him.

There had been multiple letters sent out to the boy, and yet Dumbledore knew from the charms on the envelope that none of them had been opened. He knew when he placed Harry Potter with his Aunt that he would be effectively cut off from the wizarding world, but he certainly hadn't expected that he himself would be cut off from Harry as well.

Even more disturbing was the address that had been on the envelopes to be delivered: the cupboard under the stairs. The thought of locking a boy in a cupboard was abominable, and it twisted his insides to think that he was responsible for placing him there if that was the case. He had re-addressed the letter numerous times, hoping it was a mistake, and yet the address was printed the same every time. This was even more concerning, since it meant that the boy was not only in the cupboard, but also never seemed to leave it. Needing to know the truth immediately, Dumbledore had sent Hagrid to investigate and was now anxiously awaiting his return. If something had happened to Harry Potter……..

A chime started Albus out of his musings, announcing that Hagrid had returned and was on his way up the stairs to his office. Shortly thereafter there was a loud knock at the door.

"Come in, Hagrid."

Hagrid lumbered in with a nervous look on his face.

"Professor Dumbledore sir?" Began Hagrid. "I think you need to come have a look at something at the Dursley house."

"What is it, Hagrid," Dumbledore asked, concerned. "Is it Harry? Is something wrong?"

Hagrid looked sheepish. "I don't rightly know, sir. They said he's run away. I said I wanted to look in the cupboard under the stairs, like the letter says. They told me I'm welcome to try, but I couldn't get it open. I know it ain't usual, but I think it's been sealed. By magic."

"Magically sealed?" Dumbledore's eyebrows rose. "I do believe I will have a look myself. Would you care to accompany me?"

"If it's all the same, sir, I'd like to get back to my hut."

"Of course Hagrid, I'll let you know when I return."

A short time later, Dumbledore arrived in the living of Number 4 Privet, much to the distress of Dudley Dursley, who happened to be watching TV at the time.

"M-MU-U-M!" Dudley stammered as he leapt to his feet.

"What is it Diddyki-," Petunia began sweetly, before screeching, "FREAKS! IN THE HOUSE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? GET OUT, NOW, BEFORE I-," her mouth continued moving, but no more sounds were coming out.

"There now," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "I need to ask you about your nephew, Harry Potter. If you can answer my questions we'll leave shortly." He flicked his want and Petunia could speak again.

"Like I told the other one, he's run away. Almost a month ago now. Just up and left one morning to go to school and never came back. Good riddance, I say."

"A month?" Dumbledore frowned. "Very well. Let's see this cupboard." Petunia blanched.

Dumbledore walked slowly over to the cupboard door and waved his wand, a soft yellow glow formed around the door.

"Most curious. It does appear to be locked magically, although not by any spell I know. Hmmm. Well, best to start with the basics, alohamora."

The door seemed to shiver for a moment, but remained closed.

"Ok, perhaps a bit more power," Dumbledore muttered, before stating more forcefully: "alohamora."

This time the door shivered and finally opened, revealing a very dirty and very empty cupboard, its only contents a ragged cot.

"You kept him here!" Dumbledore was appalled. "Certainly this wasn't his room? It couldn't be, he was your nephew!"

"He was a FREAK!" Petunia screeched, "just like my sister. Just like the lot of you. He was unnatural and ungodly. He got what he deserved and I'm glad he's gone!"

Dumbledore seemed to age 100 years in an instant. "What do you mean 'got what he deserved.' You let him be hurt? Here, when I put him in your care?"

Petunia Dursley seemed to realize she'd made a mistake, and hurried to correct it. "Of course not, he was always fighting with Dudley, and my Diddykins didn't like that. Boys will be boys, you know."

Certain she was lying, Dumbledore began to examine the cupboard more closely. What he found made him want to vomit. The carpet was thick with dark red stains, and on many of the walls written in what was almost certainly blood was the statement: "I am Harry Potter." Sometimes other things were written beneath the repeating line, things like "I am unbreakable," or "I will survive." It was obvious that Harry's blood had been spilled many times for him to be able to write in it. Seeing this, Albus Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard in the world, slowly sat down on the cot in the cupboard under the stairs, and wept.

2 Weeks Later, London

"Now, ladies and gentleman, watch carefully. You see this pen, it is an ordinary pen taken from this gentleman. You see I have nothing in my sleeves, now watch carefully."

Slowly, Harry closed his hand around the pen, concentrated on making it invisible and weightless, and then opened them to show it was gone.

"Did you see it? Anybody? How about you sir?" He gestured to a middle aged man in a tailored suit standing in the crowd. "Step up now, there you, did you see it? Where is it now?"

"I don't know son, where is it?"

While the man was speaking, Harry levitated the pen in the man's front pocket and cancelled the spells he'd put on it.

Harry smiled. "Well sir, I suggest you check you front pocket."

The man slowly pulled the pen out from his pocket. "Well, I'll be damned if I've ever seen something like that. And right in front of me too." The man reached for his wallet. "Well, that's funny, I was going to give you a fiver for that little trick but I can't seem to find-"

"Looking for this?" Harry interrupted, holding the man's wallet. The crowd roared its approval and the man looked baffled.

"Never trust a magician, good sir," said Harry with a cheeky grin. "We're devious, the lot of us." The crowd laughed.

"Harry that was great!" Row squealed once everyone had gone. "And look, we made almost 30 pounds on the performance alone!"

Harry smiled at her excitement. He had been using his powers as a street performer for over a week now, and although he really didn't like acting like a showman, he had to admit the money was good.

"Yeah, well," he began, "it puts food on the table. And I have to admit it is kinda fun sometimes. The look on that guy's face was priceless. Anyway, let's get back. I want to see how Jack's first day of work on the docks went"

When they arrived back at their room, Jack was lying on the bed, looking exhausted.

"Tired?" Teased Row.

"You have no idea," Jack replied. "One day and I already feel like an old man."

"Well, we had a great day. You should see him now, he's amazing! Had the whole crowd eating out of his hand."

"Yeah, well," interjected Harry, "let's be honest here. I do kinda have an advantage in the magician business."

"You mean the fact that what you do it actually magic?" Row smirked.

"You know, I've been thinking about that," said Jack seriously. "I wonder if that's something only you can do, like a special power, or can any of us do it?"

"Yeah, maybe you're an alien!" Row squealed. "Maybe I can turn you in to the X-files!"

"Shut up Row, I'm serious."

Row held out her hand. "Hi Serious, I'm Row."

"And I'm getting a headache," Harry groaned.

"Well, that's a strange name," Row giggled. "Can I call you I.G.H? Or ig for short?"

"SHUT UP ROW!" Jack and Harry yelled together.

"Boys are no fun," Row pouted.

"Anyway," Jack interrupted, "I think you should try to teach us to do some of the stuff you can do. You know, some of the easy stuff, like making things float."

"Hmm," Harry mused, "ok, why not? We'll start tonight after dinner."

That night when the trio returned from dinner, Harry sat cross legged on one of the beds and motioned for Jack and Row to do the same. He took out 2 sheets of plain white paper and placed it on the bed in front of him, then he placed a red ball between them.

"Ok, now what I want you both to do first is try to clear your mind completely. I want you both to focus on the ball. Focus completely, no distractions. I want you focus on the ball until it is the only thing in the room, until everything else seems to fade away. Once you have that, I want you do visualize the ball moving. It doesn't matter what direction, imagine your thoughts stretching out to the ball and pushing it around, lifting it, hitting it. Just visualize your thoughts hitting the ball."

"What's the paper for?" Questioned Row.

"Well, when I was first experimenting, sometimes I would be trying to move something and something else would move instead," explained Harry. "Or if it was trying to move something on a shelf, I might accidentally move the whole shelf. The paper is here so that if you get a little bit off, we can still tell its working. Ok, no more talking, try it."

Both Jack and Row began to stare viciously at the ball.

"Ok, ok, wait a minute," Harry broke in, "you're not trying to kill it. Just concentrate, peacefully. When you reach the right point, you feel like you're one with everything, it's very peaceful."

"And very Zen Buddhist."

"Very funny Row. The point is, don't concentrate on concentrating. Just look at the ball, start looking at the color, how it's lighter or darker in some places. Or how it has spots on it, or how it is sitting on the bed. Anything. But don't be so fierce or you'll never get it."

They both nodded, and went back to concentrating with Harry watching both the ball and the paper for any sign of movement.

After 30 minutes there had been no movement.

"It's ok, don't give up," encouraged Harry. "Now that I think about it, I think this is a really good idea. In fact, we should try it every night from now on."

For the next 2 weeks, the young trio made the same attempt every night with same results. It was looking quite hopeless until Harry had an idea.

"Ok guys, tonight I want to try something a little bit different. It might be really strange though, so tell me if you think it's too much." They both nodded. "Ok, here's my plan. You know I can kind of read minds right?" They nodded again. "Well, I think maybe I can move your thoughts around too. So I was thinking that I can try to read your minds while you're concentrating and kind of guide you along. That way you'll really be able to see how I do it, and maybe I can get one of you guys to do it too. I promise I won't look at anything else in your head."

"We trust you Harry," Jack said. Row nodded.

"Ok, let's try it then."

Both Jack and Row began concentrating on the ball, and Harry decided to start with Jack. At first he had trouble, since Jack was concentrating his gaze on the ball, but eventually Harry was able to get in and find the familiar movie screen of Jack's thoughts. This time, instead of just watching, Harry started to gently probe inside of Jack's mind, looking for the feeling he associated with his powers. It was a very odd feeling, moving around in somebody else's mind, and Harry quickly found himself disoriented. Eventually he recovered, and found himself looking at… himself?

He was seeing through Jack's eyes! He quickly went through the process he used to access his powers, and then stopped in shock. Just as he was about to levitate the ball, he reached for something and it wasn't there. Suddenly Harry felt horribly empty, and retreated as fast as he could back to his mind breathing heavily. Immediately he focused on himself and was relieved to find all his powers in tact.

"What was it?" Jack asked anxiously. "I could feel you in my head, and you just took over. It was like I was still me but you were in control. Then I felt you panic and just run out. What happened?"

"I'm not really sure," Harry replied slowly. "But I don't think everyone can do this. When I was trying to get you to do it, I, well, reached for something. I don't know what, it was weird. All I know is that once I found out it wasn't there, I felt completely empty and I had to get out. Now that I've felt what it's like without it, I can feel it all around. It's like this big thing inside me, and somehow I just know that's where all my power comes from."

"It's inside you?"

"Yes and no. I have like this, this center inside me, but I can also feel it around me. Kinda like the force I guess."

"And I don't have it?" Jack asked glumly.

"Sorry mate." Harry knew Jack wouldn't like it, but he refused to lie.

"Ah well, what about Row?"

"I don't know yet, she's the next to test. Don't worry, it should be way easier this time."

He repeated the process with row, and when he retreated he had big smile on his face.

"She's got it."

"Really?" Row's face lit up. "You're sure?"

"Positive. I could feel the power in you too, although it seemed a lot smaller than in me. But I guess that's to be expected since I've been using it a lot longer. Let's try it again, and this time I'll actually use it."

Once again Row concentrated on the ball and Harry entered her mind. Fifteen seconds later, the ball started to move.

"I did it! I did!" Screeched Row

Harry and Jack smiled. "Congratulations."

"Well then, Mr. Potter," said Row as she sat next to him. "It looks like you just might have a magician assist soon."

"Well then," said Jack as he leaned back on the bed. "You magic types get out there and make me some money!"

He was promptly pelted by every pillow in the room.

A/N Ok, there's chapter 2. Again, any suggestions are most welcome.