A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews, so far only one person has said that they've figured out who Mister Smith really is. For those of you that haven't reviewed, but know who he is, congrats. For those that have not figured it out yet, take a look at everything in the story from the manner in which they talk, to their dress, even to the chapter titles themselves. Almost everything I write is a clue to who Mister Smith really is and to what Harry has been up to for the last ten years. Enjoy!

The last month that Harry and his father spent together was probably one of the best times for the pair, but also felt very short to them. Even with all the time that they had before, it seemed incredibly final that Harry would be returning to school and his dad would be going off on his own for an extended period of time; no matter how short it really was. The pair enjoyed their time with one another just as they had when Harry was growing up, but they stayed slightly closer to London just in case they might miss the train. They were even able to visit a few of his closer relatives including Uncle Jack, Aunt Martha, and Aunt Gwen when the trio was able to get a few days off.

All too soon, September the first came upon them and it was decided that Harry would be riding the train; if for nothing else simply because he told Daphne that he was going to be there. So on the sunny Saturday morning a pair of oddly dressed people stepped through the entrance to King's Cross station in the heart of London. The elder Smith had changed into a well fitting blue suit, but kept the ankle length coat over top of everything as well as the trainers that he continually wore. He seemed to be a mismatch of fashions with the coat from the early sixties and to seemingly well pressed, although odd color, suit.

Harry was wearing what would become his school uniform without the robes overtop to announce to the muggles that he was different. He wore black slacks with a white collared button shirt that he left open at the top to show the white undershirt that he was also wearing. He too also wore light trainers, an odd combination, but he would change footwear on the train if necessary. It seemed slightly more mature on the short eleven years old, but it suited him well. The pair had dressed and then came to the station slightly early so that they could enjoy their breakfast at one of the many vendors around the train station without having to worry about rushing to get to the platform.

Sitting down at one of the many tables situated just inside the station the pair enjoyed a few breakfast sandwiches while watching the comings and goings of the many passengers on the train. True to function most of the people simply ignored the pair; meeting loved one's or sending others off on the journeys that would lead them into their lives again. It was all very fascinating to watch the muggles get on and off the large metal cars while no one seemed to care about those around them. It was as his dad had said years ago most people ignore things that are right in their faces.

"Well, I suppose we should be going; it's still about twenty minutes to go, but better to get there slightly early." The elder Smith catapulted the empty bag and wrapper into a nearby trash bin with expert skill while Harry missed twice before simply dropping it into the bin.

"I guess, are you sure that I have to go?" Harry stuck his hands in the oversized coat that he was wearing, being careful not to jostle the snowy white owl that had been perched on his shoulder through much of the morning.

"Yes, for the last time, you have to go. You did enjoy it last time." Smith gathered up the trolley that held the trunk and cage for the trip on the train. He had refused outright for Harry to have his things shrunk down and said it would be better if he arrived just like the rest of the students.

"That was different, and you know it."

As they moved down the short flight of stairs to get to the lower platforms there seemed to be a rather large commotion on one of the tracks, but they both ignored it. Stepping along between the pillars of platforms nine and ten they arrived at a seemingly blank wall and appeared to be staring straight at it for a time before the elder Smith spoke.

"You see it?"

"Yeah, it's as plain as day. With this much interference you would think someone would have noticed." Harry touched the edges of the barrier and felt his hand tingle slightly before pulling it back.

"That's what's great about non-magical people, really, no one feels this kind of magic in the air, nor can they sense it like you can. They generally ignore things that they don't see or understand, you remember what happened before." Smith smiled and rocked back and forth on his heels for a moment.

"Attention all passengers traveling on the nine forty-five train to Cardiff, there has been a delay of several minutes due to a fuel leak down the track." The voice announced over the intercom system just as men started running down the tracks of platform ten to get further down the line.

The initial squad of men seemed to be the normal engineers that would be around any normal train station, but the second squad seemed much more military than simply security for the station's sake. The four men wore black flak jackets with M-16 military grade machine guns at their sides and red berets on their heads pulled to the side slightly. They seemed to be blocking off the area to the tracks from a few other official looking people that were trying to break through. One of the men came close to the pair.

"All right, the train will be running in a few minutes, just a small fuel leak, nothing to worry about." The man seemed to stop at the pair of strange men for a second and look them over. "Sir, may I see some identification?"

Smith smiled slightly as he produced a small billfold and showed it to the young man in the beret. He seemed to stiffen slightly as he looked the man up and down before snapping off a standard salute. Smith groaned as he rolled his eyes slightly at the actions of the young soldier while his son was snickering next to him.

"Oh, don't do that. What do you need?" Smith stuck his hands in his pockets and waited patiently.

"Sir, I think that we might be able to benefit from your expertise in this area." The young man kept his voice low in a manner that many would consider conspiracy, but they both seemed to understand what it would mean.

"Harry, are you going to be ok getting to the train by yourself? You have my number if you need anything. Be good and I'll see you at Christmas time; hopefully this time it'll be quieter." He bent down onto his knee and gave the young man a fierce hug before he disappeared along the platform with the man in the red beret.

The figures disappeared into a sea of people and then seemed to hop down on to the tracks and up along the main tunnel that took them along between the stationary trains. Harry watched until he couldn't see the figures anymore in the distance and sighed a little. Petting the snowy white owl on his shoulder he looked around for a moment and put his back to the barrier, trying to think about what it would mean going to school. He had been with his dad for so long that it was going to be hard being away from him. His brain reminded him that he had been away for a while when he was being taught magic to begin with, but his tutors were close by and his dad helped him with that as well.

"Where's Platform nine and three quarters?" The scratching voice carried over the crowd of people even as it seemed to be getting closer. Harry looked up slightly annoyed that someone would blatantly announce that there was such a thing as a platform nine and three quarters; why not just announce to the muggle government that magic existed under their noses.

"Mum, what are we waiting for; we're going to miss the train?" The young whiny voice came just as the crowds seem to part and a large group of redheads came barreling towards the barrier. In the lead was a portly woman with a small girl by the hand; she seemed to be dragging the poor girl along the platform. Behind her trailed four boys all pushing identical trolleys as well as identical trunks and worn out looking clothing.

"Dumbledore said that he would be around here somewhere looking for the platform. We can't just leave him here, the poor dear." The woman seemed to be looking around for someone as if the person in question would appear out of no where. "He said that he should be scrawny, small with black hair and green eyes, not to mention that scar."

Harry's hands flew to his forehead as he considered what he should do in this situation. They were looking for him, but why? It didn't make any sense for someone to be looking for him on the platform when he knew how to get there perfectly well. Maybe they expected him not to be able to find the platform. He made a mental note to ask his dad about it later on as he carefully stepped backwards through the barrier pulling the trolley with him. Just as he was disappearing though the young redheaded girl turned around and seemed to be staring directly into his eyes just before the bricks solidified on his side.

He breathed a sigh of relief as he turned the trolley around and pointed it towards the scarlet steam engine that was puffing out white steam in all directions. Smiling slightly at the outward show of magic as parents and family had gathered around the train and were sending off their small children. Some appeared to cling to their parents in fear while others couldn't get away from them fast enough, darting onto the train only to stick their heads out and wave to their parents one last time. A few more uptight families didn't even hug, just acknowledging each other with curt nods and then the children would scurry up onto the train in perfect posture.

Shaking his head at this, Harry made his way along the train and slipped into one of the doorways. Carrying his trunk easily up onto the train he set it with the rest of the luggage, checking to be sure that it was secured before he set off in search of a compartment. Finding one a little ways down the train that had a good view of the platform he watched as more families thinned out. Just as he was settling down the large group of redheads came bursting through the barrier and nearly ran for the train.

"I told you, mum, I saw him. He backed straight through the barrier." The small girl was fighting with her mum to let her go, seemingly headed for the train after her brothers.

"Don't be silly, Ginny dear, Harry must have met up with someone else; anyway, no one can simply back up through the barrier, the magic doesn't work like that." The woman rolled her eyes as she gave hugs out to the four boys that were hurrying up onto the train. From his vantage point, Harry could watch the proceedings, and not worry about being seen. "Now, boys, I want you to be on your best behavior, and do see if you can make friends with dear Harry once you do find him. The headmaster told all of us that it is our duty to.." She was cut off as a blast from the whistle of the train cut off all communication and reminding everyone to get on the train or wait until next term.

Harry moved in his seat somewhat so that the people on the platform wouldn't be able to see him as he pulled out a phone from his pocket. The owl had moved from his shoulder up to the top of the luggage rack with his trunk, being put there magically when he sat down, and stared down at him a little. Flipping open the phone Harry dialed a number that he knew from heart from using it so often and waited for it to ring. Pausing slightly the phone rang a few times until it was picked up.

"Hello, Harry?"

"It's me, dad, and listen before I got on the train…" He was cut off as there was a roar in the background.

"Son, I'm going to have to call you back….No, watch out, and keep an eye on that one." Gunfire filled the ear piece of the phone before a voice came back. "Watch out for the-"the line went dead suddenly and Harry had to groan. It was just another day in the life of Harry Smith as far as he was concerned.

Tucking the phone back into his pockets he looked up at the owl, gaining an inquisitive hoot from the girl. He smiled, shrugged, and stroked her feathers gently as he waited for the train to move out of the station and into the country side. He didn't have long to wait as the train puffed forward and pushed along the tracks slowly inching it's way through the London suburbs and then out into the lush country side. A few minutes after they had already gotten going there was a knock on the compartment door.

Sliding the door open, Harry was assaulted by smells and shouts from down the corridor. He leaned out and watched as a bushy brown missile shot past the door and off down the train shouting about people being immature and acting their age. Turning his attention back to the person knocking he saw one of the redheaded boys standing there looking shocked and scared as well as highly amused all at the same time. Stepping aside, Harry let the boy into the compartment and shut the door again, blocking out the shouts of prefects and students alike.

"Do you mind if I sit here for a while? My brothers are driving me nuts. You haven't seen Harry Potter on the train, have you?" The boy started in immediately, sitting down on the bench opposite of Harry's owl.

"No, can't say that I have, although I don't exactly know what he looks like." Harry sat down and took stock of the boy. He seemed to be pretty lanky with dirt on the side of his nose and his robes appeared to be worn out several holes in the side that had been patched up. He didn't look bad for a wizard, but Harry was a little wary because of what the boy's mother had been saying.

"You mean…you've never heard of him?" The boy seemed completely shocked that someone hadn't heard of Harry Potter. "He's Potter…I mean….he defeated you-know-who."

"Who?" Harry tried to hide his smirk at the boy's seemingly permanent shocked expression.

"You-Know-Who! The dark wizard, surely you know of him. Anyway, mum said that he should be a scrawny kid with short messy black hair." The boy still hadn't introduced himself and already Harry didn't like where this was going. "You kind of fit that description, but you look a lot healthier."

"Why would this Potter boy be scrawny? If what you said about him defeating someone, never mind you wont tell me who, wouldn't he have some extreme magical core or something."

"Oh well, Dumbledore, the headmaster to Hogwarts came by a few days ago and explained it all to us." The boy's chest puffed out importantly, like he was given a duty by the king himself. "He said that Potter would be underdeveloped because of the killing curse that had backfired on him, and it was up to me and my family to help keep him in the light and to help him to develop and become stronger."

"Anyway…" Harry thought of a way to steer the conversation away from what he may or may not have done when he was only a year old. "I'm Harry Smith. Same name, no relation."

"Ron Weasley. I've never heard of the Smiths. Are you a muggle born?"

"Nope, half-blood actually." Harry watched carefully for the reaction of this new boy, but he didn't seem to react at all, simply staring off into the distance through the window. In all truth, Ron Weasley seemed completely indifferent to the boy sitting in front of him and appeared to be contemplating going somewhere.

"I should go; I was told that I should find Potter, because he would need friends to help him through his first few days of school." Ron got up and made for the door before he turned and eyed Harry suspiciously and then left.

Harry let go a huge sigh of relief. It wasn't so much what Ron had said, but the imperial manner in which he had said it. It seemed that Ron got it into his head that he was going to be best friends with Harry without any kind of effort on his part and was hoping on the fame that the young boy would bring. In all honesty, he figured that Ron didn't really care about making any other friends besides the famous Harry Potter; the fact he had ignored Harry Smith seemed to make that statement valid.

After a few minutes, Harry seemed to get a little bored simply staring out at the countryside fly by and the seemingly endless supply of cows. He had counted forty-two so far and it was getting a little tiresome for him. Sliding his truck off the luggage rack with ease he set it down in the middle of the large compartment and made to open it. A click on the compartment door signaled it before the door slid open and a small girl with bushy brown hair stuck her head in with a hard set face. She seemed to be scanning for something.

"Have you seen a toad?" The girl asked Harry as he straightened up from trying to open his truck. "You know, you shouldn't move things around in your trunk, it's against the rules to try and move things around and it would be extremely dangerous as to something falling on you or worse." She spilled out all in one breath without stopping; it was only Harry's training with his dad that allowed him to catch all that.

"Seems kind of silly really, I mean, I need to get a book to read and I need to open my trunk to do it." Ignoring the girl he dipped into the trunk until he was balancing on the edge slightly. His body being more than half inside of it seemed to be impossible given the exterior dimensions of the trunk. "Ah-hah! Found it!" Also seemingly impossible his voice echoed in the trunk until he pulled himself out and plopped down on the bench.

"First years aren't allowed an expandable trunk, school rules." The girl announced pompously, sticking her hands on her hips and glaring at Harry.

"Why? At any rate, it's a special trunk that my dad made for me." Harry spoke slowly, taking his eyes from the book. The book itself looked incredibly old with faded silver writing on the front and the worn leather backing. The girl seemed to stammer for a moment, trying to find a reason why the rule was in place.

"Because it's a school rule, it's in Hogwarts: A History." She said it as if this would end all argument, but Harry simply stared at her.

"You realize that not everything in that book is true, moreover most of the history books that we have are a little off topic. I mean, they say nothing about the zombie invasion during the Christmas holidays of 947, or the subsequent explosion that caused the formation of the Black Lake." Harry scoffed and went back to his book, flipping through a few pages before settling in on a specific section.

"What are you talking about? There was no zombie invasion, otherwise someone would have written about it, and what makes you the expert on history books anyway, it's not like you were there!" Harry hide his smile behind the book as the girl pushed her way into the compartment leaving the door open and plopping herself down on t he bench opposite him. "I'm Hermione Granger, you are?"

"Harry Smith." Wiping away the sweat off his forehead, his hair came loose slightly, but he didn't notice until the squeak from in front of him. Looking up the girl appeared to be staring at his forehead, groaning he set aside the book. "I am Harry Potter, and yes, I have the scar."

"Oh my god, I've read all about you in Great Wizarding Events of the 20th Century, Rise and fall of the dark arts, A short history of magic, and dozens of others mention your name and the scar. Not to mention the circumstances with You-Know-Who." She said all of this quickly and in one breath.

"Who?" Harry couldn't pass up the opportunity.

"The dark lord that killed your parents, oh, I'm so tactless, aren't I?" She seemed slightly ashamed and hung her head, hiding a slight blush that came to her cheeks at the same time. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me, but you're famous."

"Look, most of those books have it all wrong. No one really knows what happened that night, and as for a rebounding killing curse….I don't think that's how it happened."

"But the books…" He cut her off here with a shake of his head.

"Think about it, Hermione, only myself, my parents, and Voldemort, were there. Unless some necromancer has been interviewing my parents, or old Voldie has decided to give an exclusive, no one knows what happened. I certainly haven't talked to anyone over the last ten years." He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest slightly. "It's a good story for sure, but that's all it is. No one knows what happened, and no, I don't remember it."

"But….if that's not what happened, then what about all the books. They can't all be wrong, can they? Oh, now I don't know what to believe." She pulled her legs up to her chest and stared hard at the floor. Apparently finding out that a book could lie was an earth shattering event for the young girl. Gently, Harry reached out and touched the girl's arm, feeling sorry for her.

"Look, its ok. Books can be wrong about the facts sometimes, I mean, books a few hundred years ago thought the Earth was flat, and they were proven wrong. More often then not facts are lost among the sensationalism and time. Hogwarts was built over a thousand years ago, so things will be lost over that time, and people were so happy that old Voldie was gone that they didn't really care how it happened. It's a good fairytale and bedtime story, but that's all it really is. Would you like to hear another story?" Harry smiled as Hermione seemed to bob her head, but the bushy mass wouldn't produce a face as it was hidden from view.

Repositioning his body so that he was sitting more in the middle of the bench, Harry tried to pry Hermione's hand out from around her legs. "It's a tale of monsters, gods and the destruction of the universe; much like the Ring Cycle actually now that I think about it." He smiled as he saw a slight gleam come to the eyes poking out of the mass of hair. "It's about the ancient gods and their war with a great evil. It's about the lonely god, the last of his kind, and his ongoing battle with evil in the universe."