Chapter One: The Letter

Enchanted Forest, Four days before The Dark Curse is cast. Snow White and Prince Charming's Dungeon.

Rumplestiltskin was bored out of his mind. He was currently locked up in a dungeon where he could not escape. Of course he could still use his magic, but the bars of his cell are specifically designed to prevent from bypassing them. Not that he would want to anyways. Fore you see, Rumplestiltskin was exactly where he wanted to be. He had lost his only son several years ago due to a mistake on his part. Now he was just waiting for the Queen to cast the curse that he created so that he and several others would be taken to the land without magic.

However something was about to happen that he did not count on. And that something just so happened to be a visitor that entered the area where he was kept. "Ah it does my heart good to see you in such a state Rumplestiltskin." said a cloaked voice with a superior tone. Rumplestiltskin grinned and in a high pitched mocking sing song like tone responded. "Cora. How nice of you to drop by. I hear your Daughter, Regina is going to cast a Dark Curse any day now. Do you plan to become a victim of it as well?"

"Actually, I know all about the Curse and I plan to be far away from here by that time. I just came here to say goodbye and to make sure that whatever you have planned does not interfere with Regina's happiness." Suddenly before Rumplestiltskin could figure out what she meant, Cora reached out and slammed her hand through Rumplestiltskin's chest and pulled out his heart. Looking down at it she noticed it was mostly black with very little red left. "You won't be needing this anymore." said Cora as she crushed it into dust with a smirk. As Rumplestiltskin dropped to the floor, Cora raised her hood once more and left the dungeon to meet up with Hook. After all she only only had four days to get to a safe distance and cast her own protection spell in order to not be caught up in the curse herself.

However in her haste to ensure her Daughter's happiness she made a grievous mistake. For you see the only way to kill The Dark One was by stabbing him or her with the dagger and taking their place. Since she only crushed The Dark One's heart, she practically guaranteed that he would return.

Land between life and death. Just after the Dark Curse has been cast.

Rumplestiltskin floated in a white space wondering what was going to happen now that that bitch Cora crushed his heart to dust. He knew that since he was not killed by the dagger that he would eventually return. It was only a matter of time as to when and how.

Suddenly he heard a musical voice speak to him. "Rumplestiltskin you are about to enter a new world. Fate has deemed that you will be reborn as a newborn. Your soul will replace the soul of a chosen one who will be stillborn. Your memories and abilities as The Dark One and under the name of Rumplestiltskin will be locked until a specific event takes place. That event will be the meeting between your new form and the Savior who will break Regina's Dark Curse. During this new life you are free to do whatever it is you wish. However I present to you a word of warning. Beware of a man named Albus Dumbledore. Despite his grandfatherly appearance, he is not your friend. Now the time has come. Good luck in your life as Harry James Potter." Once the voice stopped speaking, the vast whiteness of the area surrounded Rumplestiltskin and he knew no more.

July 23rd, almost eleven years since Rumplestiltskin was reborn as Harry Potter.

Number 4 Privet Dr. Little Whinging, Surrey England.

It had been almost eleven long years since Harry Potter was born. He was born on the 31st of July to Lilly and James Potter. He was born with messy dark brown hair and almond shaped molten brown eyes with big irises. He was a happy baby and both parents adored him. However on Halloween a year after he was born, a Dark Wizard named Voldemort showed up and murdered both Lilly and James and tried to murder him as well. Unfortunately the Killing Curse that Voldemort used rebounded off of Harry and destroyed the body of Voldemort, leaving the child in a destroyed nursery with a lighting bolt scar above his right eye.

After that, he was left in the care of his Aunt Petunia and his Uncle Vernon. He then spent the next ten years living in a cupboard under the stairs and doing all the chores that the Dursley's could think of. That all changed though on July 23rd when the mail arrived.

Harry Potter was thin and bony with long crimped dark brown hair and big molten brown irises set on almond shaped eyes. His hair framed his face quite nicely and his bangs covered up the horrible lightning bolt scar on his forehead. The only reason why his Aunt allowed him to grow his hair out was because while long it tamed the messiness that it would otherwise be. After being woken up by his Aunt Petunia and having made breakfast for everyone, he was told to go and get the mail that had just been dropped off.

Upon picking up the stack of mail, Harry quickly riffled through the few letters before noticing one addressed to himself. Now being the smart boy that he was, he knew that if his Aunt or Uncle found him with the strange letter they would take it and destroy it. So as he passed his cupboard on the way back to the kitchen, Harry quickly tossed his letter into the cupboard intending to read it later.

That night as Harry sat in his cupboard while the rest of the Dursley's were asleep, he finally opened the letter addressed to him and pulled out what appeared to be two pieces of thick parchment. The first page read as follows:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of 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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. Yours sincerely,Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress[2]

After reading the first page, Harry read over the second piece of parchment and saw the following:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM First-year students will require: 1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)[7] 2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear[7] 3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)[7] 4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)[7] Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.[7] COURSE BOOKS All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk[7] A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot[7] Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling[7] A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch[7] One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore[7] Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger[7] Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander[7] The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble[7] OTHER EQUIPMENT 1 wand[7] 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)[7] 1 set glass or crystal phials[7] 1 telescope[7] 1 set brass scales[7] Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.[7]

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK[7]

Yours sincerely,Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions[7]

After reading over the list of equipment, Harry set the letter and equipment list aside and thought things over. It all made sense when he really thought about it. Over the years he had always made things happen when he was emotional. Three years ago he turned his teachers wig blue, when he was six he ended up on the roof of the school while running from his cousin and just a week ago he talked to a snake in the garden. Luckily he managed to convince the snake to leave before his relatives noticed. After thinking on it some more, Harry suddenly had an idea to make his life a little bit easier. And so with happy thoughts in his head, Harry Potter placed the letter and the equipment list back in the envelope and tucked it under his pillow. He then turned out the light and went to sleep with a smile on his face. After all tomorrow was going to be hell. For his relatives.