Oh wow, I copletely forgot my disclaimer on all my previous chapters. If anyone knows how to edit a chapter I'd be much obliged.
I sadly do not nor have I ever owned the Harry Potter series. It all belongs to J.K. and believe me she wont give it up.
The rest of the last summer before Harry went to Hogwarts could only be described as some of the happiest times in Harry's life. Every day he would wake up and have breakfast with his entire family. The twins would leave to go to their respective jobs. Then he and Nate would usually go out plot and play till lunch. Then after lunch with Nate and his parents he and Nate would go to the garage and the fun would really start.
They had discovered early on in the summer the muggle sport of bmx, which was popular in the United States, and motor cross. Since Nate could use magic year round because of his tutoring he created jumps and half-pipes for their dirt bikes and bmx bikes respectively. They weren't good yet but they had managed to avoid any broken bones or serious injuries. Though the numbers of scrapped knee's and elbows was at an all time high.
The first time they had showed their mother their new skills she had shrieked and then fainted. Albus would have caught her but he was too busy staring in awe at what his sons were doing. He'd been joining them with their ridding ever since, he would never do jumps or tricks that they did but he would let them know if he spotted them doing something wrong that he could see. Minerva had been a bit harder to persuaded but she'd eventually let up and now she would watch them from afar with an array of medical supplies.
When they showed the twins the new sport Lizzy started ranting about them having a death wish and Evan, surprisingly stayed away too. Though for an entirely different reason. He couldn't afford to get hurt or his Quiditch coach would kill him, while Lizzy who had been working in St.Mungo's was now all the more aware of how easily they could be hurt.
They then spent three weeks down in their cottage in France before going to the Mcgonagall family manor for the last month of summer. During that time Nate buckled down and started to study for the OWL's. Which he would be taking a week before the Hogwarts term started.
Nate enlisted Harry to help him study, their mum had refused to let them ruin the beautiful grounds by building jumps so he had nothing better to do. Nate would make Harry read questions from a practice test and he would try and answer the question fully with out looking at his notes. This as a result taught Harry some things he wouldn't have other wise learned for a few years.
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It was August the thirty first, the day before the new Hogwarts term started and only Albus, Minerva, and Harry were left in the Mcgonagall Manor.
The twins had recently moved into a flat in downtown London that there parents had purchased. They would share it for the duration of thier schooling. Harry had visited it the other day and couldn't help but be a bit envious of the twins. Albus and Minerva had paid for it, so it was of course in the best neighborhood and had a great view. If that wasn't enough they'd gone over board and lavished it with more things than the twins would know what to do with. His mum had cried something about her babies being all grown up. Albus almost had to carry her out of the flat. The twins had been embarrassed because Albus had had to carry Minerva out past some of their new neighbors. Harry had thought the entire thing was hilarious. Though by the looks Evan was giving him he would regret laughing later.
Nate had taken his OWL's and had gotten a family record of twenty six OWL's. The only thing he hadn't gotten and 'O' on was divination. He claimed he did it on purpose to make their mother feel better. That ment he would start his NEWT training abroad a year earlier than the twins had. He'd also decided he would take his NEWT's by the time he was sixteen instead of the normal eight-teen. The only down side of that was that he would only be able to come home one weekend every month. Something which left Harry depressed, but he'd been reasoned with that he couldn't disappear every weekend without someone noticing. Nate had left to go introduce himself to his Defense master two days ago and Harry already felt as if been away forever.
With everyone gone Albus and Minerva decided that they would stay in to night with Harry and have a quiet evening to themselves before they returned to Hogwarts.
Harry was sitting in his room on the floor in front of his trunk, not knowing what to do now that he was packed. He knew tomorrow would start a new chapter of his life and he was afraid.
He had a trunk with three compartments, his dad had said no one ever had enough room in the normal one compartment trunks. The first compartment was strictly for his school supplies. The second opened up like a wardrobe so his robes and casual wear didn't become all wrinkled, it even had a place for his shoe's. The last compartment was for all his personal things. Ironically it was the biggest. He had a skate board, roller blades, an assortment of balls, his soccer equipment, games of all kinds, disguised pictures of his family, a muggle cd player charmed to work in Hogwarts, his game boy also charmed, his journal, and a special journal that his dad had made for each of them.
The journal was charmed so that all he would have to do was write the persons name and then his letter and said person would then receive it. Of course it only worked if you had a journal connected to thiers, but it was a great way of keeping in contact with everybody in the family. It would also keep everyone from getting suspicious when he received almost daily owls from his brothers and sister.
He'd already packed almost everything and was debating on a few items that could give away his cover of growing up in the muggle world. He didn't want to leave behind his photo album of him with his mum and dad, or his poster signed y the London Lions, or even his the locket that he'd gotten for his sixth christmas that had the Dumbledore, Mcgonagall, and Potter crest carved onto the outside and a familt portrait inside of the locket.
It was only then that he realized how hard the next few months were going to be. His cover story was that he was raised by a squib aunt. It would explain why he knew so much about the magical world without casting suspicion on him. But he would have to act like strangers to his parents. He would see his mother and father everyday but had to act as if they were nothing more than his professors. When the reality of it was so much different.
His sighed despairingly and laid back on the floor. Truth be told he really didn't want to go to Hogwarts. He'd rather study at home and then go abroad for his NEWT's like the twins and Nate had. He also didn't want to be famous for something he didn't even remember. The idea of people watching him constantly was a little disturbing and it kind of freaked him out.
"Don't think to hard son, your brain might not be able to handle it." an amused voice said from his doorway.
Harry rolled his eyes and looked up not moving from his rather comfortable spot on the floor to see his dad leaning against the doorway. Ignoring the jab from his father Harry asked his father a serious question.
"Is it hard being famous?" he asked looking hard at his dad.
Albus sighed and walked into the room aware that his sons eyes were following him, and flopped heavily down on his bed, his face at the foot facing his son.
"I won't lie to you, it isn't always easy and it can be down right annoying at times. especially in your case seeing as you didn't ask for any fame. " Albus said equally as serious.
"But" he said in a mystical voice that made Harry smile. "If you remember this one simple rule, life will become much much easier."
There was silence for a few moments and Harry stared at him and Albus looked at the ceiling seemingly absorbed. "Well?" Harry said impatiently after a few minutes.
Albus looked at his son with a mock startled expression. "Oh you want to know the rule." he said, then he had to dodge a stray shoe that was thrown at him.
Albus looked at his son completely seriously all joking aside. "Be yourself Harry. Don't let anything anyone says to you bother you. Don't pretend to be something your not for everyone else. Don't try and please everyone. Believe me it can't be done, you'll just ware yourself down and loose yourself. I want you to act however you want. If you want to become a prankster do it, if you decided to be a Ravenclaw be my guest. I want you to do what makes you happy, nothing more nothing less. "
Harry looked at his dad and heard the truth in his words. "Is that why you act the way you do?" he asked his dad. "You know crazy and the like." he added with a grin.
"Partly." Albus answered with a grin. "But there are also two more reasons." Albus cleared his throat and sat up importantly on the bed. "Firstly" he said with an important air. "I act the part of crazy old man with a fondness of bright colors and candy, because the expressions on people faces leave me with endless amusement." Harry actually gaped at his father. He always knew his dad wasn't all there this just proved it. "And most importantly." he said with a small grin. " I do to save all of the young ladies who your mother would hex into obliteration if they were found out to be fond of me. Something that is hard to not become." he finished arrogantly.
By the time his dad had finished his explanation Harry was holding his stomach in laughter. Albus joined him shortly and it was only when the smell of food wafted into the room that they stopped laughing.
"Mmmmm" Albus said with a dreamy expression. "I smell chocolate." He rose from the bed and sent a look at Harry who had also been moving to the door with his nose in the air.
Harry smiled at his dad. He knew his dad had been trying to cheer him up and he was great full for it.
They arrived in the kitchen and found Minerva leaning on the counter next to the stove looking the door they entered. "I knew food would lore you in her." was all she said when they walk in the room.
Both Albus and Harry rolled their eyes used to Minerva's antics by now.
The night continued for the family and ended late when Harry fell asleep outside in the swinging chair he'd been sitting in with his mum. They'd gone outside by a small fire pit that Albus had set up to watch the stars and roast marshmallows.
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Harry woke up early the next morning from a mixture of excitement and dread. He'd be going to Hogwarts in a few hours. Quickly he got out of bed and got dressed in a mixture of wizarding and muggle clothing. He pulled on some new tailored black slacks that he'd gotten especially for this occasion. A long sleeve grey button down dress shirt that had some silvery thread mixed in it. And lastly a black acromantula silk cloak that had the Potter family crest above his left breast and silver lining. He also put his wand in a special pocket that was sewed into his slacks.
They had gone shopping for most of his school supplies in an alley in France. There was a lesser chance of being recognized as well as the better quality of clothing. The book list was the only thing they hadn't bought there, instead they had owl ordered it from Diagon alley. They had floo'd to Olivanders and had gotten his wand with minimal problems though Harry was unnerved that he had a brother wand to Voldemort. The fact that it also had a feather from Fawkes balanced the negatives out, and even he couldn't deny how right the wand had felt.
Before leaving his room he even did his hair in a way that Lizzy had showed him years ago. Something he only did on important occasions. It involved a lot of gell and ended with his hair looking stylishly messy instead of the rats nest that it normally was.
He arrived in the kitchen and found his mum and dad already sitting at the table sipping their morning tea and reading the paper.
"Good morning." He said while looking at them as if trying to memorize their features. Which he most likely was.
Both his parents looked up from where their heads where almost touching as they read an article at the sound of his voice.
"Good morning Harry" Albus said while pushing the paper away from him and out of Harry's line of sight. Something Harry didn't miss, he was a very observant child.
"You look very dashing Harry. A proper young wizard if I ever saw one." His mum commented as she patted the seat next to them for him to sit. The seat furthest away from the news paper. Harry decided he didn't want to know. It was most likely about him and his attending of Hogwarts.
"Thanks" he said with a slight blush. He'd spent hours trying to figure out what type of impression he wanted to make in the minds of the people in the magical world. It was good to know his work had paid off, but then again his mum could just be saying that out of obligation.
There was silence for a moment as everyone sat lost in thought.
"What would you like for breakfast Harry?" His mother asked kindly. She looked a little teary eyed. Harry knew his mum was always emotional when one of them left to do something new. She'd burst into random crying bouts for two days after Nate got his OWL's. Harry and Nate had been scared. He just hoped she forgot about the wizard camera.
"Blueberry pancakes?" he asked questionably. They were one of his favorites and he knew his dad loved them too.
Minerva just smiled at him and Albus winked. Half an hour later three satisfied people sat back in there chairs.
"Mum" Harry said completely seriously. "I don't know how I'm going to survive with out your cooking."
"Actually" Minerva said conversationally. "Hogwarts food is very good."
Harry raised a dubious eyebrow at that statement. His father looked at him knowingly. "I've been eating there for almost fifty years" he said sagely.
"Are you all packed yet?" his mother asked, ever the sensible one.
"Yes, I've got everything I could think of packing." Harry answered.
"Good" Minerva said. "We're not going to be able to go onto the platform with you. There is to much of a chance that we'll be recognized. We will have to leave you just before the entrance. Is that ok?"
Harry smiled weakly and nodded. It was time like these he hated having famous parents. "When do we leave?" he asked forcing some excitement into his voice. 'Children were supposed to want to go away from school' he told himself. 'He couldn't hold onto his mothers apron strings forever'
"We can either leave now and go by car or we can wait an hour and port-key ourselves there." His father answered rejoining the conversation.
Harry thought for a moment. The car or a port-key. "Can we take the car? I hate port-keys." he answered.
"I thought you'd say something to that effect." his father said with a grin.
"Why don't you go get your trunk and any last minute items and meet us in the drawing room." Minerva said.
Harry nodded and walked out of the room. The short trip to his room and back took nearly ten minutes. When he arrived in the drawing room his parents were waiting but they either didn't notice the length of time or most likely stayed quiet about it.
The trip to Kings Cross station took forty five minutes and it was spent in near silence. Harry didn't speak unless spoken to and spent most of the car ride looking out at the passing scenery, and when he was asked questions they were answered in vague one syllable words.
The car pulled up to the station and parked in front of the entrance. No one moved for a moment until Albus spoke. "We're here." he said needlessly.
That spurred them into action. Harry nodded stiffly and climbed hurriedly out of the car. Albus and Minerva shared a worried look before following his lead.
Harry smiled weakly at his mum and dad, he knew they were worried about him, he didn't want them to be. He was just nervous and he tended to block everything out when he was nervous.
"Come on Harry the entrance is this way." Albus said as he picked up his son's trunk and started to walk into the station. Minerva and Harry followed him.
Harry was looking around trying to find some sort of sign of other witches and wizards. He'd never been allowed to meet any that weren't family or close and trusted friends. Which ment he'd never met any other magical children except for his brothers and sister.
They arrived in between platform nine and ten with out attracting any attention to themselves. Harry looked around quizzically. No one had ever told him how to get on the platform and he couldn't see anything magical in nature around.
Minerva decided to end her son's confusion. "Do you see that barrier there?" she asked pointing to a plain looking brick barrier that they were currently standing ten feet away from. Harry nodded. "Its and illusion with muggle repellant charms on it. It's the guardian of the platform."
Harry blinked. He's always envisioned something more elaborate guarding the Hogwarts express. Thought the more he thought of it the more it made sense. There couldn't be something to grand or to obvious, in case the muggles started getting wise.
"Makes sense, but how do I get through to the train." he asked with a frown maring his face.
Albus grinned and answered the question. "To get in you just have to run at the wall." Harry stared at his dad trying to figure out if he was lying or not.
"He's telling the truth." Minerva reassured him with a smile.
Albus smirked slightly. "Just remember the more nervous you are the faster you should run."
Harry nodded, then took his trunk out of his fathers hands. The trunk it self was almost weight less so he didn't have to worry about carry it or anything, but he did have to worry about muggles. It would look odd if a eleven year old boy could easily carry a trunk this large while running.
"Could you um shrink my trunk, please." Harry said. "I don't want to draw attention to myself in front of the muggles."
"Oh of course dear." Minerva said while Albus looked about a bit then used a bit of wandless magic to shrink the trunk to the size of a matchbox.
Harry grinned and pocketed his now tiny trunk. There was a moment of silence before all of Harry's resolve broke and he launched himself at mum, giving her a huge hug. Minerva hugged him back tightly and let a few tears dropped from her eyes. When his mother released him he did the same for his dad.
When he pulled out of the tight embrace he felt much better about his up coming entrance to the world. "I'll see you tonight?" he half asked half said.
"Of course" Albus answered. "Now go and make some friends."
Harry smiled brightly for the first time. "Bye mum, bye dad." he said with a little wave. He turned to leave only to be stopped as his mother pulled him into another tight embrace. This one knocking all the air out of lungs. He was eternally great full she hadn't started to cry as she had with everyone else.
Harry knew he'd miss these hugs in the coming months so he decided to treasure this one for now, because he didn't know how long it would be until he got another one.
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Well this is my fourth chapter. Tell me what you think of it. The next chapter should be coming out next weekend. I'm going to try and update every weekend. Its really the only time I get. The only reason I updated early this week is because I'm home sick and was bored out of my mind.