AN: Sorry I took a while to update, I've had exams but I've only got english to go now and then Summer when I can update all I want. This chapter is a bit of a filler and I struggled with it but I think it turned out OK in the end. I also pre-apologise for any '70s errors I may make, do tell me if I make them. Oh and I edit my own work and I'm known for being terrible at editing particularly on the computer, again please let me know, so I can fix it if anything jumps out at you. Please, Please Review, it means a lot to me. Seriously I was just about skipping for a week when someone wrote a sentence. Sad but true.

EDITED

Several weeks had passed since the Hogwarts letters had arrived at Sunnyvale Boys' Home and Severus and Harry had yet to reply, much to Harry's distress. Severus however was completely unaffected by their inability to reply, simply stating

"We don't have an owl and they know that."

When Harry inquired about how they would know, Severus had simply smirked before saying mysteriously

"Wizard's have their ways."

Harry was unsure about whether Severus actually had no idea or just enjoyed feeling superior. Harry was convinced it was the latter. He had soon found himself falling into a routine. It was the Summer Holidays so they had no school, leaving Harry and Severus with a large amount of free time. They would wake, eat breakfast, do their chores as quickly as possible and then dash to the local library. Severus would bring the 4 battered wizardry books he owned and they would study them in preparation for Hogwarts. Severus seemed to have a natural inclination for potions and from his reading Harry felt the most intrigued by transfiguration; the idea of turning something into something else was incredible. Both boys loved the spells for hexing your enemies and were dying to get their wands so they could practice on their classmates. Not that Harry wanted to truly hurt anyone but he felt a great rage bubbling in his chest whenever he thought back to the moment that had cemented his and Sevs friendship.

It had been Harry's 2nd night at the orphanage, the day after the Wizarding World had been revealed to Harry.

The two boys had been walking towards the dining hall when they had bumped into several other boys who were approximately the same age as them

"Hey, new boy! You don't want to hang out with the freak." One began, strutting up the corridor and purposely thudding into Severus as he passed. Several of his friends followed obviously enjoying themselves.

"Yeah, he's just a total loser. Who'd want to spend time with him? Unless of course, you're a freak too!"

"Nah, Edward. Harrys cool. He's going to come with us right?" said the first boy who was obviously the leader looking expectantly at Harry.

During the whole conversation Severus had been staring at the floor, looking both ashamed and resigned. He clearly expected Harry to leave with the other boys despite the fact that he had just changed Harry's world for the better.

Harry however had been horrified at the boys calling Sev a freak, it had bought back horrific memories of Dudley and his life at the Dursley's. However Harry's horror soon turned to anger. He took a step towards Jeremy and said

"Well thank you for your offer" Jeremy smirked, sure that he was about to acquire a new follower "but quite frankly I hate people like you and have no wish to even talk to you let alone spend any time with you."

"Whatever! Go hang out with the freak then, you stupid bastard."

At this Harrys deceptively calm façade shattered, he took a step towards Jeremy raising his fist even though he knew it was suicidal odds fighting against 5 bigger, stronger boys.

Jeremy laughed. "What, are you going to beat us up, Potter?" he mocked. In that second he sounded so much like Dudley that Harry snapped. His magic flared and all 5 boys flew into the wall without Harry lifting a finger.

"Come on, let's go Sev! I'm not hungry anymore."

Severus had stared at Harry, literally gob smacked before stuttering. "T-thhank you, I don't think anyone's ever stood up for me before." He looked incredibly embarrassed but also awestruck.

It was only later that he discovered that it was not normal to effortlessly throw people across the room because you were mad, even for a budding young wizard. Then again, Harry had never been normal and there had been positive outcomes from his little stunt. Jeremy and his 'gang' now stayed far, far away from Severus and Harry. They hadn't snitched of course, who wants to admit they single-handedly got beaten up by the new boy even if they weren't sure how it happened, they now had a very healthy level of respect for Harry Potter.

Severus had been more relaxed and friendly since the incident, it appeared that once you got passed his barriers Severus was really just a rather precocious, scared little boy. Rather like Harry actually, not that either of them would ever admit it.

Harry's 11th birthday came and went with more studying in the library. The boys desperately wanted to buy new Wizarding books but Sev explained that you had to get them from Diagon Alley. Severus knew all about it but unfortunately had never been there and therefore had absolutely no idea about how to get there. It was one of those things that they desperately hoped would be resolved when they got their 'Muggle-Born' visit. However they were starting to worry that they wouldn't get one since they were both half-bloods even though they were stranded in the Muggle world.

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On the morning of the 11th of August however it happened. An elderly gentleman in mismatched clothing with a long beard turned up at the main office. After a brief conversation with the receptionist, the women manage to ascertain that he was sincerely interested in both Severus Snape and the mysterious Harry Potter. She went to find Matron Smith muttering about 'good for nothing Hippies' the whole way.

Smith was at first reluctant to take a break out of her busy schedule after taking a look at his appearance but was soon obliging to his wishes after a quick swish of his wand.

Very soon the wizard, who introduced himself as Professor Dumbledore, found himself in the boys shared room, alone with them.

All three sat in silence; Dumbledore was assessing the two boys while they returned his gaze watchfully. Dumbledore decided it was time to begin.

"So" he began in a jovial tone, his eyes twinkling rather infuriatingly.

"I believe the two of you recently received letters about your attendance at Hogwarts." It was a statement not a question.

"Hmm..., I believe you were already aware you were wizards and know all about the wizarding world, correct?"

Again it was not a question but the boys decided to reply anyway.

"Yes, sir." They said simultaneously.

He peered at Severus for a moment.

"Ah, yes Severus Snape. I remember your mother, Eileen Prince. Wonderful girl, Transfiguration was never her subject but she had a touch for potions. I was sorry to hear she had passed m'boy'

Severus nodded, bristling only slightly at the 'm'boy' comment. He was clearly waiting for Dumbledore to come to the point.

Dumbledore however seemed in no hurry, apparently happy to keep musing aloud. He turned his attention to Harry.

"I haven't seen you around before. You've got the look of the Potters about you m'boy. Have you any relation to the Wizard family, the most noble and brave house of Potter?" Somehow his eyes manage to continue to twinkle throughout the entire conversation.

"I'm not sure. I don't remember my parents, I don't remember much at all."

"He's been hit by a memory charm." Severus piped up.

Dumbledore performed a cursory legillemency scan expecting to detect deceit but found none. In fact upon closer examination he found Harry's memories of his personal life totally invisible, not blurry as if they were being hidden but totally gone. This sort of result was typical of a memory charm something which was very worrying. Curiously he found that he couldn't get more then a quick glance into Severus's mind before he was roughly pushed out by the boy's natural instinct. It appeared he was a natural occlumens.

'Just like Tom.' He thought.

'No they won't turn out like that, I'll make sure of it' thought Dumbledore.

This was exactly why he had come to escort the two of them to Diagon Alley rather then allowing them to go with his deputy as was traditional.

He shook his head and returned his attention to the two boys who had been staring at him before they had quickly returned their eyes to their feet. Apparently he had been silent for a while; he would ponder his dark thoughts at a latter occasion before he started to act as barmy as he was rumored to be.

He looked at Harry and said.

"That is most concerning, although with the Dark Lord Voldermort on the rise it is not incredibly unusual. I am no Healer; I will get Madam Pomfrey to give you a check up when you arrive at Hogwarts."

"However, I assume you are eager to embark on your shopping trip."

If the two identical gleeful smiles were anything to go by perhaps he didn't have two future dark lords on his hands. He had never seen Tom Riddle look so happy, nor be so intune with another person.

Dumbledore smiled, the twinkle returning to his eyes in full force, he was truly happy for the first time that day.

"Now let's be off."

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Half an hour after Dumbledore had first come, Harry and Severus had arrived in Diagon Alley. It was the place of their dreams; to put it simply they were thrilled. The two of them were gawking at all the amazing sights around them. Colourful stores surrounded them and Harry was amazed at all the products he'd never seen before. Sev had never told him about racing brooms.

"It's quite something isn't it" Dumbledore said with a chuckle, making Harry jump, he had totally forgotten Dumbledore and Severus were there. Dumbledore was smiling at Harry in an indulgent grandfatherly way, which was both comforting and creepy at the same time. Harry had the weirdest feeling he'd meet him before.

Severus tugged on his sleeve and said.

"Come on, Harry! Professor Dumbledore says we've got to go to Gringotts first. It's the Wizarding Bank, he think our families may have left us money and if not there's always the School Fund."

"Bet my family left me nothing." His good mood had evaporated as quickly as it had come but he was feeling so down thinking about his family, that he missed the slightly suspicious look Dumbledore sent him.

They had just entered the magnificent marble building, with loads of wizards whispering and pointing at Dumbledore like he was a celebrity when suddenly there was an amazing flash of flames right in front of Dumbledore, making several people scream and everyone to jump.

"Oh, hello Fawkes!" The professor sounded jovial but Harry could tell that it was now rather forced.

"This is my phoenix, boys."

Fawkes cocked his head and chirped happily in Harry's direction before holding out a letter to Dumbledore. The professor quickly took the note and read it.

A few minutes later he glanced up his face looking old and worried.

"I'm sorry boys, there's very urgent business at the ministry. I have to go; I'll send Professor McGonagall or Hagrid over in a second. I apoligise."

With a look of deep regret he turned on the spot and disappeared leaving many people staring at the amazing professor Dumbledore including two, now alone, 11 year old boys.

Dumbledore had no way of knowing that his decision would greatly alter the course of both boys' lives.

AN: I realised it may be confusing about why Dumbledore thinks Harry is telling the truth about the memory charm and can't find his memories. The idea is that when one travels back in time, ones memories aren't there to anyone else because they're out of the time period. One can't see the past that hasn't already happened. At least that's my theory for this story! Please Review! Thanks.