AN:

I already hate this chapter, and I haven't even started writing it yet. This will be a quickish bit of the story, because I don't really want to focus on Harry's early life. I would rather get right in to his years at Hogwarts, and moving on with shaping him in my version of the avatar.

Chapter 03, Early Years

"Bloody hell," mumbled Harry as he ran.

He was being chased by his cousin and his cousin's friends. This was a daily ritual, see how far the poor little freak could run before they caught him. Harry hunting they called it, but Harry called it Harry hell in his mind.

Harry's life with the Dursley family wasn't great, but probably could have been worse. He wasn't mistreated, but he was never loved either. Harry knew this wasn't right, but was thankful non the less, as he'd heard stories about what it would have been like to live in an orphanage. His clothes were reasonably new, he had three meals a day, and he had a bedroom of his own. Yet, he wished he felt comfortable enough with his relatives to ask them to deal with this nonsensical game.

Harry's legs were tired, but he knew he had to go on. He was faster than the pursuing gang of boys, but they had more endurance than him, and he was very well aware of this.

Suddenly, he stumbled over a loose stone and pitched forward on to his side. He knew these paths well as he had to run them daily to get back home, and was sure he would have remembered a stone big enough to trip him. He cursed under his breath.

"Haha," cried Dudley putting on a first of speed to get to his cousin before the others. "You should have picked a different route cousin. Lucky for us, you didn't. I am glad I put that big stone in the way."

"Really Dudley, I don't know why we have to play this game every day. I know your stronger, and I've never said otherwise. Could we please not do this today?" asked Harry.

"Now why would I let you go? It's my lot in life to keep you in line, and yours to take it, and to keep quiet about it," said Dudley with an evil grin.

The other gang members soon caught up.

Remember boys, don't make it obvious what we've done. My parents don't need to know how we treat the little freak do they?"

They snickered and got in line.

Usually Dudley picked maybe one other to help him dole out Harry's beatings, but Harry knew that this time, everyone would be involved. He looked over his shoulder at his tormenters. There were 5 of them, including his cousin. Non of them were as small or as skinny as him, and non of them would show mercy, especially in front of the others in Dudley's gang.

The first punch came. Harry jolted sideways as it landed on his rib cage. The second, third, and fourth landed on his shoulder, his other side, and finally his face. The beating continued, and Harry grew worried, as they never kept going this long.

"Please stop, you've had your fun, now let me go," he pled.

He was worried as they usually got a coupe of hits in, and then ran off laughing. This time was different though, and he knew it.

"What's going on here," shouted a new voice.

The boys jumped away from Harry in fear. They knew what could happen if they were caught, and didn't want to deal with the consequences.

"Well? I'm waiting," said the new voice.

"It was … a … friendly misunderstanding," said Harry.

"There's no need to stick up for them Harry, what they were doing is wrong," said the voice kindly to him. "I'll give you to the count of three to get out of here, and I'll also warn you that I'll be watching. If I catch any of you bothering anyone again, I'll be speaking to your parents. There's no need for this nonsense from you boys."

The boys quickly ran off.

"Well that's unfortunate, I didn't even get to count to one," said the man coming over to Harry. "My name is Remus, and I was a friend of your parents. I would have talked to you sooner, but I was ordered by … certain people to keep my distance."

Harry was dumbfounded. A friend of his parents? Really? Here? All he knew of them was that they had died in a terrorist attack on his family 9 years ago.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" asked Harry.

"Think back to your earliest memories," said Remus. "Does the name Moony mean anything to you?"

Harry thought back. He had an unusually good memory. He remembered a party, his first birthday party. There was a man there, who had shaggy greying hair.

"Yes, I do remember. Come closer, and I'll be able to see you better," said Harry.

"Hold on, I'll need to do something, and you'll recognize me much better," he said, pulling a long stick out of his pocket. "This can be our little secret."

He flicked his wand, muttered something Harry couldn't catch, and … shifted to a much more recognizable form.

"Yeah, I remember you now. Uncle Mooey," said Harry, somewhat lost in thought.

"That's me cub," said Remus. "Now will you let me help you up?"

"Sure," said Harry, not used to many people speaking to him kindly.

Remus helped him up, and took him to a small flat on the edge of town. There he was cleaned up, and given something cool to drink.

"Ah Harry, it's been to long. I've been watching you though, there is a group of us who are tasked with your protection, despite the wishes of the Ministry of Magic. Do you know how your parents died?"

"Yeah, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia told me they were killed by terrorists," said Harry.

"Well, that is true, but there's much more to it. Tell me, do you find your self doing odd things when your in stressful situations?" asked Remus.

"Yeah. There was this one time when I grew all my hair back after Aunt Petunia cut all my hair off. It happened overnight, it was like magic. There was also this one time when I turned my teacher's hair blue when she called me out in class when I didn't do anything."

Harry went on to tell Remus about several other incidents. Some of these included what Harry had thought was some sort of teleportation, telekinesis, and some weird mind control on spiders.

"Well that proves it," said Remus. "You're just as magical as your parents, myself, and many others are. You're a wizard Harry. A wizard or witch is someone who can tap their body's energy to produce many types of things. This is something we call magic. You can use it to change something in to something else, control objects around you, and even to move from place to place. These are all normal things for someone like yourself Harry, so don't be afraid. That little change that I did back at the park helps me to stay hidden from unfriendly people."

Harry's head was spinning. He had often wondered if his earliest memories were dreams rather than actual memories. He had asked his aunt and uncle, but was often told off for speaking such nonsensical things. He was happy to know now what the truth really was.

"Could … could … could … you … tell me about … my parents?" asked Harry shyly.

"Nothing would make me happier Harry, but I'm sure your Aunt and Uncle are wondering where you are. I'm going to get on the phone, and I guess make contact for this first time in … well … quite a while I think. I'm sure this won't go well," said Remus.

A quick phone call later, some rather loud swearing on Uncle Vernon's part, and it was all dealt with. Harry had his aunt and uncle's rather grudging permission to stay with Remus for supper. He was to be home by 7 though, as he had school the next day. Remus kept his word though, and didn't mention Dudley's idea of fun to his parents.

Over a very could supper of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables, Harry got a brief history of his parents. Harry soaked it all up, and had many questions. Soon however, it was close to the time he needed to be back at his aunt's and uncle's house.

"Is there anything you could do to help me deal with my cousin and his gang? I don't want to hurt them at all, just make them leave me alone," said Harry.

"Well, maybe we could get you in to a self defence class. I'll ask your aunt and uncle when we get there," said Remus.

"They won't go for it, they spend as little money on me as possible," said Harry sadly.

"Not to worry Harry, I've got the ability to take money out of your vault at Gringots if you need anything. It can easily be converted to muggle money, and we can use that to pay for anything you might need," said Remus.

"Wow, that should work," said Harry. "Best not to mention my families money around my aunt and uncle though, they'll want it all for them selves."

"I'll get it all straightened out with them Harry, don't you worry."

As they entered the Dursley's driveway, Harry impulsively turned to Remus, and hugged him. "Thanks for all your help uncle Moony," he said.

"I only wish I could have helped you sooner my dear boy," said Remus hugging him back.

Soon, Harry was back inside, and was getting ready for bed. He could hear Remus talking to his relatives downstairs, and crossed his fingers that everything would all work out.

One week later, Remus and Harry were off to a private dojo, where Harry's self defence training would begin. Harry took to it like a duck takes to water, and as the months passed became quite the student.

Dudley and his gang soon found out how powerful little Harry Potter had become on one hot summer day near the end of the school term. Harry was off to meet with Remus for his lunch break, when he was ambushed by the gang.

"Hand over your lunch money freak," said Malcom, one of the three biggest boys in the gang.

"No, I don't think I will. Please move on guys and enjoy your lunch," replied Harry calmly.

"Let's get M," said Dudley leading the charge.

Harry did well. He blocked punches and kicks, and dealt out light jabs in return. his goal was of course to not hurt the boys, just to get them to change their minds.

"Alright, that'll be quite enough!" said Mr. Pearson the gym teacher.

Harry stood down immediately, but Dudley tried to land one last kick while the teach was looking the other way. Harry though stomped on his cousin's foot, and that was the end of that.

"Harry, please wait here. The rest of you, off to the principle's office. I saw the whole thing, so don't try to lie your way out of what you tell her," said the teacher.

Once the boys had moved on, the teacher asked him: "Anything damaged?"

"No sir," said Harry. "Er … am I going to be in any trouble?"

"I don't think so. If you are, it won't be to much. I saw everything, and you were clearly defending your self, and did more blocking than punching or kicking of your own. I'll also be having a word with Mr. Killingham, he was supposed to be supervising this lunch period."

"Oh good," said Harry. "I really wasn't aiming to hurt them. My Sensei always tells me that martial arts are for defence, not attack."

"He is quite correct," said Mr. Pearson. "How you used them was quite fine. Move along now, I'll get this all cleared up."

"Thanks sir," said Harry.

He quickly met up with Remus and told him all about what had happened.

"Well Harry, I'm proud of you. I'm sure you don't like these boys, yet you showed great restraint in blocking their attacks rather than going at them full out as I know you could have. I'll be sure to let the Sensei know how much your training has helped."

"Now that that's over with, how about lunch? Kicking but makes me hungry," said Harry.

Remus laughed and lead the way to their favourite burger restaurant.

Dudley was sent home for the remainder of the school year, as were the rest of the gang of boys. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia weren't at all impressed with both of the boys. They were angry with Dudley for fighting at school, but also angry with Harry for getting his cousin in to trouble. Harry did his best to explain his side of the story, but it was only after Remus backed Harry up that they let it be.

Harry was eagerly awaiting his 11th birthday, as he knew his Hogwarts letter would come, and he could finally start learning how to be a wizard just like his dad. He vowed then and there to make them both proud.

Deep in a romanian forest, Voldemort was happy. A young and stupid Hogwarts professor had sworn loyalty, and now he would be heading back to england. He had his mind on a certain stone that should help him and Vaatu return to a physical form. Once he was whole again, he would destroy the avatar once and for all.

AN2: There you go folks, a new chapter.

It's not the best, but I hope it'll work. Next chapter should see Harry getting to Hogwarts.

Thanks all for favouriting and following, it really means a lot.