The bold parts are quoted directly from JK Rowling from "The Philisopher's Stone" and the quote is in accordance with Fair Use. I don't own it. She does. Damn.

There was a horrible smell in the kitchen when Harry went in for breakfast.

It seemed to be coming from a large metal tub in the sink. He went to have a look. The tub was full of what looked like dirty rags swimming in gray water.

"What's this?" he asked Aunt Petunia. Her lips tightened as they always did if he dared to ask a question.

"Your new school uniform," she said.

Harry looked in the bowl again.

"Oh," he said, "I didn't realize it had to be so wet."

"Don't be stupid," snapped Aunt Petunia. "I'm dyeing some of Dudley's old things gray for you. It'll look just like everyone else's when I've finished."

Harry seriously doubted this, but thought it best not to argue.

He sat down at the table and tried not to think about how he was going to look on his first day at Stonewall High – like he was wearing bits of old elephant skin, probably.

Dudley and Uncle Vernon came in, both with wrinkled noses because of the smell from Harry's new uniform. Uncle Vernon opened his newspaper as usual and Dudley banged his Smelting stick, which he carried everywhere, on the table.

They heard thechime in the front of the house, indicating a visitor was at the door.

Vernon looked at Petunia and asked, "Is there anyone we are expecting?"

Petunia shook her head. "Nobody that I know of. It's probably a solicitor or one of those Jehovah's Witnesses." Her face took on a look of disapproval.

Vernon wasn't going to be interrupted in his meal. He glared at his nephew and said, "Boy, go and get rid of whoever it is at the door. We are mid breakfast and if it's so important they can come back at our convenience!"

The family of three went back to eating – or dying clothes as the case may be – as Harry made his way toward the front door.

When he opened the door, there were two people at the door. The man, dressed in old-fashioned brown tweed, looked like the oldest man he had ever seen. The woman in a prim, old-fashioned dress looked at though she was unhappy with something. It didn't appear that she was directing her unhappiness toward him though; he was quite chuffed about that.

Harry enquired, "Can I help you?"

The man nodded, "Yes you can. We are here to see Vernon and Petunia Dursley on a matter of some importance."

Harry was a bit nervous as he tried to fend of the visitors as his uncle had directed. "I'm sorry. They are mid breakfast. I was told to tell whoever was at the door that if it's important that you can return when at a more convenient time for them."

Harry really didn't like being the "rude nephew" in the eyes of whomever Vernon or Petunia wanted him to get rid of. For the last several years, both had used him to be rude to undesired visitors when they didn't want to be bothered.

If he was rude to someone important, he was sent to his cupboard without food. No one ever really explained how to tell "important" from "undesired" though. It was rather annoying.

If they were really annoyed, Dudley was encouraged to "play" with him later too. Vernon and Petunia had never really abused him, per se, but were completely unconcerned about Dudley being a bit violent in their interactions – boys will be boys and all of that rot.

The old man took on a stern expression for a moment, although Harry got the distinct impression that he was not being stern toward Harry himself. The man then smirked a bit.

"Very well. Tell your Aunt that Albus Dumbledore and companion will be waiting in the front garden until it is convenient. We will pass the time by conversing with neighbours and passerby. Make certain your aunt and uncle know that we have all the time in the world."

Harry's eyes got a bit wide at the old man's response. If there was one thing that Vernon and Petunia Dursley did not want, it was being seen as too outside of the normal to the neighbors. Being "friendly" to random strangers was not considered normal in this neighborhood – stuffy and socially competitive lot that they were. It would drive his Aunt Petunia up the wall.

With a small, private grin, Harry decided that whomever the old man was he knew exactly how to push the buttons of his aunt and uncle.

Harry had learned through long experience how his relatives would react to things. The skill made for a much better opportunity to avoid unpleasantness. If he could avoid the indirect beatings given visa vie "Harry Hunting" he was actually pretty happy. He also had learned long ago to not try to protest, as there was no help from the average person. Complaints got you no where.

And so Harry made his way back to his breakfast, a much smaller one than his Aunt provided his cousin and Uncle Vernon of course. He sat down and took a few quick bites.

After he took what he felt he could get away with, he repeated the message he was given. "Aunt Petunia, the guy at the front door told me his name was Albus Dumbledore and he and his companion will be waiting in the front garden until it is convenient. They decided they can chat up the neighbors and passerby until you two can see them." Harry took another bite nonchalantly while watching the reactions of his relatives.

Petunia's face took on a chalk white color, and Vernon's face was not much better. Something about their visitors frightened the living daylights out of them. She whispered loudly to Vernon, "It's THEM!"

Vernon turned to Harry and Dudley and said, "Get to your rooms! Now!"

Dudley tried to protest that he hadn't eaten his full breakfast – he had the second plate still to go – but unlike the past, Vernon was having none of it. When he looked to his mother for support, he could see he would have no help there. He was allowed to take the plate with him, but he still wanted to know what had happened.

Harry, being much more programmed to retreat, was much quicker to his cupboard. Unlike Dudley, however, he was within earshot of the sitting room and so might have his curiosity fed much more easily.

Vernon and Petunia were speaking in low hushed voices. Vernon was enraged, while Petunia was whingeing a bit.

Finally he heard the front door snatched open. He heard Vernon's voice trying not to yell for the neighbors to hear: "What are you people doing here!? We decided long ago that we wanted nothing to do with your unnaturalness. Go away and leave us alone!"

Harry was now very curious. What was so unnatural as to create such a note of fear and anger mixed at the same time?

He also heard the door stop abruptly as though thrown closed and someone put a foot or something else in the door.

He heard the old man's voice, "I am certain that you do not want this conversation gossiped on by your neighbours." The old man sounded a bit angry, though he also sounded confident.

He heard the movements of the people in to the house. Petunia sounded like she was staying as far from them as possible. Vernon began blustering, "I asked you a question! Why are you here?"

The woman answered, "We made a discovery when we were sending out the invitations." Her voice became much harsher. "Imagine my surprise when I found the address for Harry Potter to be The Cupboard Under the Stairs!"

What?

They were here about him?

They had learned about the cupboard?

He strained to pick up any more information.

Vernon's voice was just as harsh. "We had to keep his unnaturalness away from our son!" Petunia made a noise of agreement.

The old man's voice took on a somewhat sinister tone. As this was against his Aunt and Uncle and not himself, he was less inclined to become scared. He knew the two adults he lived with considered him diseased somehow – although he had never figured out why.

"Unnaturalness?" There was a pause. "You talk about unnaturalness? I am certain that if I asked your neighbors none would consider keeping a boy in a cupboard natural!"

The man's voice was VERY scary sounding.

Vernon made a noise that sounded a bit like, "Mimblewimble."

"When I saw the address, my deputy and I made arrangements to inspect Harry's circumstances. For your sake, I hope that he is undamaged and healthy. If he is not …." At this, Harry felt a sensation of something pulsing through the house. It was not an unpleasant sensation for him – it actually felt rather warm and comforting.

Vernon and Petunia apparently did not have the same response as he heard a distinct thump from where Petunia's voice had been and he heard Vernon fall in to one of the chairs making small noises.

The older woman's voice came through. "Albus, you might have pushed it a bit far. Why don't I take care of Vernon and Petunia" (could a human voice be poisonous?) "whilst you retrieve young Harry so that we might present his invitation."

Harry nervously moved to the back of the cupboard. He was a bit frightened he could admit to himself. Although the two visitors had apparently come here for his sake, it usually paid to be a bit careful.

Suddenly, there was a polite knock on his door.

He hesitantly called, "Yes?"

He heard the old man, his voice much more friendly than when he was talking to his Aunt and Uncle. "I and my Deputy wish to discuss your schooling for the coming year. May I come in?"

Harry looked around at the small cupboard. He fit in – he was a bit short – but he didn't think the tall, older man would also fit. He finally replied, "I'll come out." He moved to the door and slowly opened it, being careful to not appear too nervous. Strangers didn't react well to that.

The old man had a very friendly look as he stood waiting for Harry to emerge. If he didn't know better, he would have thought that the man knew him quite well and quite liked him. He was immediately less nervous, if still a bit hesitant.

"Er. Hello. … Who are you again?"

The old man kept back as he answered, "My name is Albus Dumbledore. I am the Headmaster for the school your parents attended in their youth. I and my Deputy have come to invite you to attend."

Harry was now very interested. His Aunt and Uncle, when asked about his parents, claimed that the two were no-account lazy drunks who mooched off of society living on the dole. He also was told that they had died in a car crash caused by same. He wanted to learn more.

He stepped forth a bit more confidently. "My parents, sir? I didn't know. My Aunt and Uncle refuse to say much about them."

The old man looked upset at that. "Yes, I am learning that your Aunt and Uncle seem to have certain views of them. I can honestly say that whatever they have told you is very unlikely to be correct."

Harry got a bit emotional at that, even though he tried to hide it. He would have to make sure, but it certainly sounded like the man didn't consider them a waste of space.

The old man continued, "Why don't we repair to the sitting room and sit and discuss it? It would likely be much more comfortable."

Harry moved around the man cautiously, noticing the man looking with some interest in to his cupboard. Having heard that the man and woman were here to inspect his circumstances, he had kind of expected this. He let the man look. When the man was done, he appeared to lose the friendly look, although Harry felt no anger directed toward him.

Mr. Dumbledore made his way to the sitting room, allowing Harry to follow. He was quite chuffed that he didn't have to have an unknown person behind him.

When he entered the room, he saw his Aunt and Uncle both sitting on the couch. They both looked rather green. The woman who had arrived with Mr. Dumbledore was standing near the other side of the room, as though she wanted to keep as far from the couple as possible. She had a very no- nonsense look about her and her face showed great disapproval for the two.

She turned as they entered. Her face settled a bit and she seemed much less intimidating. Mr. Dumbledore took a seat to the same side as the woman, allowing Harry to sit near the door. The old man motioned for the woman to sit down.

Finally he addressed Harry. "We are here to discuss a few items including, as I mentioned, your schooling for the next year. My name is Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster. This is my Deputy, Minerva McGonagall. We represent Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Harry was confused. "I don't understand."

Albus nodded. "Have you ever experienced strange things around you when you were highly emotional or when you greatly desired something?"

Harry thought about it. "Er, Yeah. I once appeared on the roof of the school when I was trying to get away from," he glanced at his Aunt and Uncle and changed his wording, "a bully."

The two beamed at him. That changed a bit when he continued. "A month ago, I accidentally set a snake on my cousin."

The woman, er, Ms. McGonagall, looked a bit alarmed, but Mr. Dumbledore just looked curious. "Set a snake on him?"

Harry was embarrassed. "I was talking to a snake at the Zoo. It was quite friendly. When Dudley and Pierce kind of knocked me down, the glass disappeared and Dudley fell in. The snake got out and then the glass reappeared." (Movieverse anecdote)

Albus chuckled. "I would hardly call that 'setting a snake on Dudley.' It seems you need to be a bit less quick to take blame. Anyway, to the point, this just proves the premise: You are a wizard."

Harry was confused. "A wizard? How can I be a wizard? Magic doesn't exist!"

Mr. Dumbledore looked a bit sad at that, although Ms. McGonagall looked quite disapproving toward his aunt and uncle. His uncle had looked like he was about to say something – but at the look he got he shut back up real quick.

"Well, I can say for certain that magic does exist. I am, like you, a wizard. Minerva is a witch. Shall I demonstrate?"

Harry nodded, quite entranced at the idea. Albus looked briefly around, until he saw the clothes Harry wore. He pulled a stick and then asked Harry, "May I?" Harry was confused, but he nodded.

Mr. Dumbledore pointed his stick and suddenly his clothes, which had been a bit loose (well, very loose) suddenly fit his body perfectly. The belt he had on, wrapped around twice to keep his pants up, came undone, shrunk and connected again – but now only wrapped around once, like a proper belt. Harry was amazed.

That seemed a lot more decent than pulling a rabbit out of a hat! "Wow! That's dead useful! Can you do that to the rest of my clothes? Can I learn to do that?"

Albus looked over at the couple in stern disapproval before answering, "You will learn such things, eventually, but let us wait to speak on that when we are closer to finished."

Mr. Dumbledore put his stick away and sat back.

"Now, having demonstrated the existence of magic, and having some anecdotal evidence that you have magic, can you accept that you are a wizard?"

Harry nodded. It made sense when he put it that way. The strange things did seem to be when he wanted something bad enough.

"Now, I am inviting you to join our school. Here is the invitation." He stood and walked over and handed Harry an envelope and then returned to his seat.

Harry took the envelope and opened it. The letter was on old-style parchment and written in green ink.

HogwartsSchoolof Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter,

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.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

When he completed the letter, his first question was the product of shock. ""What does it mean, you await my owl?"

Mr. Dumbledore chuckled and Ms. McGonagall smiled briefly. "Ah, yes, the normal method for wizards and witches: Most of our post is carried by postal owls. Although you live with you mundane relatives, you are wizard-born. The charm which produces the letter assumed you would know of owls."

Albus was distracted for a moment. "Perhaps that is something we should modify?" He collected himself and continued, "Yes, well, a matter for another time. Regardless, as we are presently … present … you only need to speak – no owl required."

He then stopped and looked at Harry. "Do you accept?"

Harry answered enthusiastically, "Yes, of course!" Then he had a thought. "Um is it expensive? I don't have money, and I don't think my Aunt and Uncle would be able to pay for it." Well, he knew they could probably pay for it – he just didn't think that they would.

"Not to worry. I'm sure we can make sure you are outfitted and prepared. Your parents had already paid in full for your education, so that is not at issue." Mr. Dumbledore smiled pleasantly at Harry.

Harry himself was relieved. It was nice that someone had planned ahead regardless. He forgot himself for a moment and grinned. "Well, I will certainly accept."

The two visitors stood at that. The man turned toward his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. His tone was much more formal – and much less pleasant. "As our talks with young Harry have shown, your responsibilities have been neglected. We will return to discuss these issues, after Harry's situation has been clarified. He is possible, even likely, to not return this night. If and when he does return, be certain that circumstances shall be changed."

He looked over at Harry and then back to Petunia and Vernon, and spoke to them all. "I want to clarify one point. I made an error, in the interest of Harry's safety. James' and Lily's will, recently unsealed, specifically stated you should have been allowed to protest his placement here."

Suddenly Mr. Dumbledore looked far older. "To create the wards to protect against those who made Harry an orphan, for both his sake and yours, he had to reside with his mother's blood. That is you, Petunia. These wards continue to protect you from others of our society. Should Harry decide he wishes to protest his placement or if you decide to do so, those protections will be gone."

Mr. Dumbledore's face took on a much sterner image then. "One item that I should have made much clearer in my original missive: Such protections are powered by love. Without that, the protections are much weaker. Think on that, until our next conversation."

With that Mr. Dumbledore directed Harry and Ms. McGonagall to precede him out of the door. Harry was quite gob struck at what he had heard. It was obvious that his parents had not died in a car crash of their own making. He also had a warm and yearning feeling at learning his parents' names: James and Lily.

Albus Dumbledore was cursing his alternate in his mind. Harry had been mistreated. He didn't know if he had been actually abused, but he had good reason to expect at least some abuse, emotional if not physical.

This Harry was much less forward than his own grandson, if a bit more polite. He sighed to himself. One must take the good with the bad – even though in his own mind such methods were completely unacceptable. He would much rather have seen Harry cautious of attack but loved than unconcerned and treated with indifference. There was more to life than mere protection.

Minerva McGonagall was mightily impressed with Albus very recently. His actions since the end of the last term were much closer to what she thought they should be than what they were previously.

She had always followed Albus. He had singlehandedly ended the conflict with Grindelwald in which her own husband had died, and had led to fight against V … that monster.

In the past he had operated a bit above everything (completely justified in her mind). Now, however, he was getting down with the rest of them. Hagrid had finally been given a new wand and was now being tutored by herself and Filius. Hagrid was not the brightest in the world, but he had the greatest heart and both felt their time was well-spent.

Additionally, Albus had secured the release of Sirius Black from Azkaban. He now was in a ward at St. Mungo's to recover from Dementor Exposure and malnutrition. Remus Lupin had also been found and was now visiting regularly.

In a surprising twist, Albus had been informed by another Order member of the location of Peter Pettigrew once the facts had come to light. This gave Arthur Weasley some additional respect in the Ministry, as well as a decent reward. His youngest son would not be introduced to Hogwarts in hand-me-downs.

Albus moved toward Wisteria Walk, toward the home of another member of the Order of the Phoenix. As they walked, Harry interrupted his musings with an exclamation. "Are we going to Mrs. Figg's? Is she a witch?" Something had to explain all those cats.

Albus gently motioned him to be quiet as he looked around to ensure none were close. "One law you should be aware of is the International Statute of Secrecy. Due to troubles in the past, the Magical world has kept itself separate from the Mundane inasmuch as possible. When uncertain, don't talk of magic or related items unless you are certain to be unheard by those not aware. It is the main law which guides the Magical government."

Harry was rather excited to learn more, but kept his questions quiet until they were more private.

Arabella Figg opened the door as the three walked up. She opened the outer door and invited them in. When the door had been closed, they were led to Arabella's sitting room.

Albus turned to Harry. "To answer your earlier question, Arabella is an old friend and colleague. She is not a witch. Magic normally comes from older family that have magic, but at times magic will appear in parents with mundane children. We term these Muggleborn. In the same wise, some children with magic parents are born without active magic, even if they have a related talent. We call these squibs. Arabella is one such."

Harry scrunched his nose. "Muggle and Squib don't sound very nice."

Albus nodded, "Both are accepted and are common usage but did have uncomplimentary roots. The term squib originally was used as a term for a firework that didn't ignite with a fuse, the fuse being the parent and the fire being magic. Muggle is, unfortunately, derived from the term mug – a person easily fooled. Mundanes are viewed that way."

Harry glanced at the others in the room. Both looked surprised by Albus' explanation. He looked back at Mr. Dumbledore. "I notice you use the term 'mundane.' Is that common?"

Albus was startled for a moment. He hadn't even noticed. When he looked at Minerva and Arabella, both were showing signs that this was very unusual. He looked back at Harry. "Thank you for pointing that out – I didn't notice. I recently studied the terms and unconsciously began to avoid the term Muggle when I realized its source. Mundane means ordinary or average but it is not intended to be insulting. I am certain that anyone who is classified as different could take offense. But it is a truth that the average person is not capable of wielding magic."

Harry was curious. "So should I use Muggle or Mundane?"

"While Muggle is considered normal and accepted, it might be of value to use Mundane or non-Magical. I think it would serve to reduce the intrinsic view of those with magic that those without magical ability are stupid or somehow less because of it. Even using Squib might eventually change if an effort starts … somewhere."

Truthfully, it was a habit acquired after researching the words Muggle and Squib – but that was done in his old universe. It was one of a number of things that sparked his interest after his retirement. By the time he found out, he was no longer Headmaster or a politician. That made it quite difficult to promote the concept. His grandchildren regularly followed his own speech patterns though.

Arabella and Minerva both looked thoughtful at the idea. It did seem something that could alter the prejudice in the long term. Wizards and witches were not, as a habit, prone to dealing with small cultural changes. Muggleborns often tried to change too much and Purebloods were set in their ways.

Minerva decided to adopt the change herself.

Harry, just learning of a whole new world, had his excitement directed at the idea of positively changing society. He, of course, did not take his fame in to account as he was unaware of it.

Finally, Albus took the day forward. "Harry, as mentioned to your Aunt, I made a terrible mistake assigning custody to your Aunt in the way it was done. For that, I humbly apologize. I can only justify it by stating it was done with your best interests at heart."

Harry was very curious indeed. "Why was protection so important?"

Albus sat back. "Can you accept the premise that there are good people and bad in the world?"

Harry nodded. That was easily seen.

"That is such a basic truth that it is unneeded to be explained to most. In the same way, there are both good wizards and bad. One such bad wizard was a former student of Hogwarts. Unhappy with his mundane upbringing in an orphanage, he decided to use his gifts for revenge and to control people.

"After graduating, he disappeared. When he reappeared, he had refashioned himself into what we refer to as a Dark wizard. A Dark wizard is one which uses magic to harm and control others for his own advancement and put others down. Dark magic is considered magic that is to the normal wizard considered evil or harmful. Unfortunately, there are always a percentage of wizards and witches who are unconcerned about methods or other people when they decide to use power to prop themselves up."

Harry could understand that. History had many men who walked all over others in their own interests. He could easily imagine that there were men who used magic to do the same.

"One belief that is all too common as a rallying point for such people is the idea that Wizards and Witches are inherently better. The often unstated implication is that Mundanes are worse. Of course, this progresses to the idea that some families are Pure – not polluted by Muggles."

Albus shook his head at the history of such concepts. "Purebloods often wield political clout. It isn't really polite to promote ones heritage above others, but it is perfectly acceptable to those who believe the idea. They only marry others which are Purebloods. Muggleborns are considered tainted by such. It is a very ugly belief."

Harry could agree – people were people. Bigotry in whatever form was quite stupid. Vernon refused to allow foreign foods because of its not-normal origin. It was, of course, quite silly.

"This former student, now styling himself Lord Voldemort and the Dark Lord, promoted these beliefs to create influence – quite ironic as he himself was not a Pureblood."

Harry snorted. "Sounds like Hitler and his Nazi party – murderers all of them."

Albus beamed at his understanding. "Exactly right! Most of the Magical world don't talk about or even know of Hitler because at the same time a dark wizard was running rampant in the Magical world and we had our own war. That person also talked about the inherent superiority of Wizards and thought we should control Mundane society for our own benefit."

Albus' face took on a sad look. "Unfortunately, I myself knew this man and we were friends. I even shared some of his less radical beliefs. However, experience showed me that such beliefs were wrong and in the end I was a contributor to his defeat."

Minerva snorted. When Harry looked over she supplied, "Albus was the man who defeated the leader in a duel."

Harry was starry-eyed.

Albus just shook his head. "I did defeat him, but I waited too long." He then concentrated back on Harry. "Anyway, to return to Voldemort," Harry noticed that the two women shuddered a bit when he was named, "he attacked many in the Magical world and in the Mundane. It was only when Purebloods began to be killed that the politicians got behind defeating him. However, he seemed unstoppable – until he met you."

Harry was taken aback. "Me? What do I have to do with it all?"

"Your parents were part of a group that I led which opposed him. Later in the conflict your parents were killed and then he attacked you. The scar upon your forehead is the remnant of that attack."

Harry reached up and brushed his scar. He was always told that this was from the car crash. With what he was learning, the whole meaning behind the scar changed.

"Somehow, through what I assume was something your mother did which called up an old and forgotten protective magic, magic normally considered unstoppable was stopped. As a result, you are celebrated with the title 'The Boy-Who-Lived.'"

Harry was a bit confused at that. "Me? Why celebrate me? You just said it was something my mother did!"

Albus nodded. "I did. However, your mother was Muggleborn. Many in society can't seem to get their mind wrapped around the idea that a Muggleborn defeated the greatest Dark wizard in history. The idea of a Halfblood – Pureblood and Mundane heritage mixed – is much more acceptable."

Harry snorted again. "Well, that's stupid. I was just a baby apparently. What could I do? Throw my nappies?"

Albus chuckled at this. "We Magicals are not a very logical sort and are often rather silly."

Harry and Albus laughed together, with Minerva being a bit insulted at the statement. Arabella actually chuckled with the two that were laughing. Finally Minerva said, "Albus!"

Albus looked over at her. "You have to admit, magic isn't always logical. It does seem to open the mind to illogical thought." Minerva hmmphed but did not argue and so conceded the point.

Albus added one more thing. "You mentioned that you spoke to a snake at the zoo?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah – it was quite nice. We talked about Brazil."

Albus chuckled. "I wish I could have witnessed that. However, the ability to talk to snakes is considered by many to be a Dark wizard's trait. You may want to be circumspect in who you inform of such an ability."

Harry was worried. "Does that make me evil then?"

Albus snorted. "Of course not! Phillipus von Hohenheim, more commonly known as Paracelsus, was a very widely respected alchemist and healer who also could speak to snakes and magical serpents. He documented the ability and in no wise was considered a Dark wizard. Parseltounge – snake-speaking – is an ability like a small number of others: You can do it or you cannot. It is usually hereditary – although not always. Through long study, I can understand some of it but cannot speak it."

Harry was a bit relieved at that – he didn't want to be considered Dark.

Albus finally looked back at Harry. "I know this has been an inordinately long explanation. But you had to be prepared for the likely reactions you will receive." Harry nodded. He appreciated that Mr. Dumbledore was up front with him. He also appreciated the background story – made it much easier to understand circumstances.

Albus stood. "We will now travel using magic, with Arabella's permission to use her fireplace. I wish to ensure you get a check-up after your long absence from the Magical world." That Harry could be checked for any damage was unstated.

Harry stood up enthusiastically. He wanted to see some magic.

OMAKE:

'Wulfric' tried to protest what he had seen – even though he was gagged. Such information should be kept confidential! Didn't his alternate know how dangerous such ideas were to Wizarding society? Didn't he care about his image?

The audience cheered and clapped at the image. A particular red-headed woman spoke to her messy-haired companion: "That was well done! Nice and responsible, taking the blame of an error, even it if wasn't really his own." At that she glared at the man in the chair.

The other members of the audience glared for a moment as well. The woman's messy-haired companion, nodded in agreement. "At least he was introduced properly. Imagine if someone (glare) had prevented the full bit of information from being passed on!"

The audience nodded in agreement. One of the twins in the audience called out, "I like this guy! He needs to lighten up a bit, but he's much more admirable than others (glare) I have seen. At least he (glare) knows how to treat people well."

'Wulfric' groaned to himself. His current circumstance was extremely unpleasant for his ego.

A/N: Sorry for the distraction of answering reviews - I don't have another venue to answer non-privately. At least I put it at the bottom so you can skip it.

Wizco: Wouldn't the Executor be either Lupin, Pettigrew or Black? And since when is Weasley a friend of the family.

A/N: They would be beneficiaries. Usually an Executor is someone who is trusted to be impartial. Dumbledore is not a beneficiary, only given authority to make one decision so makes a good alternate. Arthur would be a friend from the Order of the Phoenix – set up through his brothers-in-law originally.

MariusDarkwolf: And I noticed another trap of fic writers you avoided, in a lot of wills they'll say something like "if you're reading this, get Pettigrew for us". Given the fidelius requires trust, at worse they should assume he was tortured not a death eater in disguise.

A/N: A peeve of mine – even if I was guilty in the past. Deliberately avoided both fallacies as the premises are emotional not logical. As a side note, one reason why I didn't make the Dursleys worse – in the books only Marge is already totally unredeemable. The Dursleys got worse in response to circumstances as the books progressed.

alix33: That beard twirler sounds like a curling iron for beards.

A/N: Probably powered by magic – Wizards are silly.

SomeGuyFawkes: I'm not sure you want to use …. to describe the affairs between Dumbledore and Grindelwald, though.

A/N: I am trying to use more formal speech for Albus' thought processes. He is a well educated man and probably uses more formal and full language than those around him, even if he tries to speak more simply because he is an educator. That is a major problem I have personally – I teach adults and I have an extensive vocabulary. I tend to use words that are correct but not colloquial (see there? not unheard of but not a regularly used word). People often don't understand. I try to tone it down – but you probably notice it in my writing style and language. If I wrote it that way (except typos) there is usually a reason. For example, Brits don't usually have porches - they have front gardens. I tend to check online on many things when I write. It also doesn't help that I'm rather opinionated and so can go on and on. Ooops! :)

OH By the way - Whingeing vs whining - it's a British thing. Give a whole new meaning to the name of the town the Dursleys live in. Just google whining vs whingeing.