Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter. Who knew.
To everyone planning on celebrating National Grandparents Day, I wish you an enjoyable day. However, in lieu of that consider the fact that it is also National Hug A hound Day, in that case consider finding a friendly dog and letting them know they are a good boy/girl (bring treats they deserve it). And to everyone else ... I hope you are still having a wonderful weekend!
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Prologue: You've Got Yourself a Deal
By a stroke of luck, Dumbledore was caught leaving Harry on the Dursley's doorstep. As a result of the Harry grows up in a significantly different environment. While still lacking love, what does Harry's future look like coming from a household filled with indifference. As always Harry traverses his new life the best he can.
The night was still, the air crisp with the chill of early November. Little Whinging lay in silent slumber, the quiet suburban houses lined up like sentinels in the dark. The faint hum of streetlights buzzed in the distance, casting pools of dim orange light on the empty pavement. On a street called Privet Drive, in a house numbered four, all was calm, except for a sudden, soft rustling outside.
A figure in a long, sweeping cloak of deep purple materialized at the end of the street, appearing as though from thin air. The man, tall and thin with a silver beard that reached his waist, looked around with an air of gentle curiosity. His blue eyes, twinkling behind half-moon spectacles, took in the quiet street, the neat lawns, and the darkened windows. He sighed, a sound that carried a weight of sadness and resolve, before striding forward with purpose.
In his arms, wrapped in a warm blanket, was a tiny baby with a shock of untidy black hair and a small lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. The baby, Harry Potter, slept soundly, oblivious to the events that had just occurred and the ones that were about to occur.
Albus Dumbledore approached Number Four Privet Drive, pausing just outside the gate. He looked down at the baby with a sad smile, brushing a stray lock of hair from Harry's forehead. "You'll be safe here, Harry," he whispered, though he seemed to be reassuring himself more than the infant.
He glanced at the house, its windows dark, its occupants likely still asleep. He knew what he was about to do would change the boy's life in ways that were both necessary and, perhaps, unfair. But there were few choices left in this cruel world, and Dumbledore had always believed in the power of love, no matter how deeply buried it might be.
With a small flick of his wand, a letter appeared, neatly folded and sealed with a wax emblem. He tucked the letter into the folds of the blanket beside Harry. Dumbledore was just about to bend down and place Harry down, when the front door of Number Four creaked open. A broad-shouldered man with a large, red face and a bushy mustache stepped outside, squinting into the night.
"What's going on here?" Vernon Dursley grumbled, his voice thick with sleep and irritation. He was followed closely by a thin, bony woman with a pinched face—Petunia Dursley, who peered out suspiciously from behind her husband.
Dumbledore straightened; his calm demeanor unwavering. "Good evening," he said pleasantly, his voice carrying the warmth of a greeting, though he suspected it would not be well received.
Vernon's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he noticed the bundle in Dumbledore's arms. "What's that you're holding?" he demanded.
Dumbledore looked down at Harry and then back at Vernon. "This is your nephew, Harry Potter," he replied calmly.
Petunia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "No! It can't be …" she whispered, horrified before staggering slightly, her hand clutching the doorframe for support. "But … what happened? Why is he here? Where's Lily? Where's my sister?"
Dumbledore's expression softened, and he lowered his head. "I'm afraid Lily and James were … killed last night."
Petunia looked as though she might faint. "Killed? But … how?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Dumbledore hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "We are not entirely certain of all the details, but it appears that Voldemort found them and attacked their home. The protective wards around their house were broken. By the time I was alerted and arrived at the scene … it was too late. Lily and James had already been … they were gone. However, Voldemort, who had … for some reason desired to kill Harry … was somehow defeated by your nephew."
Petunia stared at Harry, tears welling up in her eyes. Her hands shook as she reached out as if to touch him, but she hesitated, pulling back. "He … defeated this mad man? But he's just a baby …"
"Indeed," Dumbledore said quietly, "but he did, and because of that, Harry is now in grave danger. Voldemort's followers may seek him out, and Harry needs to be protected. That is why I have brought him here. Your home offers him the safest location at the moment."
Vernon's face darkened further, a deep scowl setting in. "We don't want anything to do with that boy or his kind!" he growled. "You take him and get out of here!"
Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged, though there was a steely glint in his eyes. "I'm afraid that's not an option, Mr. Dursley. Harry must stay here, with his family. It is the only way to ensure his safety."
"His safety?" Vernon spat. "We're perfectly content without your lot meddling in our lives! We don't want him, and we certainly don't want anything to do with your freakiness!"
Dumbledore's eyes sharpened at the word 'freakiness,' but he kept his voice even. "I understand your concerns, Mr. Dursley. However, Harry is now your responsibility. I have placed powerful protective charms around your home. As long as he is here, those who wish him harm cannot touch him. The same protection extends to you and your family."
Petunia stepped forward, trembling. "Why us? Why can't someone else take him in?" she pleaded, her voice thin and desperate.
"Because you are his mother's sister," Dumbledore explained gently. "The blood ties you share with Lily provide Harry with the strongest protection possible. He must live with you for this magic to work."
Vernon's scowl deepened, and he puffed out his chest. "I don't care about your magic! I don't care about any of this! We don't want that boy—he'll be nothing but trouble. You can't just dump him on us and expect us to take him in!"
Dumbledore's eyes softened, though his resolve did not waver. "Mr. Dursley, I am not asking for your respect, nor your understanding. But I am asking for your decency. Harry has just lost his parents in a terrible tragedy. He has nowhere else to go, certainly nowhere I can be confident that he would be safer. I know this will not be easy, but I ask that you treat him fairly."
Vernon sneered. "Fairly? You expect us to raise him, feed him, clothe him, just like that? Out of the goodness of our hearts?"
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied quietly. "While I understand that I cannot force you to enjoy this situation, Mr. Dursley. I would expect that he is treated fairly and I can certainly ensure that he is not mistreated."
Vernon barked a harsh laugh. "Not mistreated? And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Dumbledore's gaze hardened, and with a swift movement, he drew his wand from the folds of his robes. He pointed it at the streetlight nearest the house, and with a small flick, the lightbulb shattered, plunging the area into darkness. Petunia shrieked and clutched Vernon's arm, while Vernon took a step back, his bravado faltering.
"That," Dumbledore said softly, his voice tinged with an edge of warning, "was a demonstration. And I urge you to not test me. I will be checking in on Harry, Mr. Dursley. I will know if he is not treated with the care he deserves. And should you fail in this, I will … intervene."
Vernon's eyes bulged with anger and fear, but he remained silent, his mouth working soundlessly.
"I don't expect this to be easy for you," Dumbledore continued, lowering his wand. "But know this—Harry is no ordinary child. He is special, and our world will eventually come to know him as such. If you choose to treat him poorly, you will not only be defying me, but you will be bringing unwelcome attention upon yourselves."
Vernon's face twisted in a mix of rage and fear. "You can't force someone to care for a child they don't love!" he snapped. "You can't make us love him!"
Dumbledore nodded, a shadow of sadness passing over his features. "Perhaps you are right, Mr. Dursley. Love cannot be forced. But decency can be expected, and cruelty can be punished. I trust you understand that."
Vernon glared at him, his mind racing. He didn't want the boy, didn't want anything to do with him or his world, but he wasn't foolish enough to provoke this strange man with his unnatural powers. And then, a thought occurred to him—a way out, or at least a way to make this situation more tolerable.
"You mentioned …," Vernon said slowly, a sly smile creeping onto his face. "That there are no other options you have for him. What if we agree to your terms? What do we get out of it?"
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly. "What is it you're asking, Mr. Dursley?"
"Compensation," Vernon said bluntly. "If we're to raise the boy, we should be compensated. You wizards have all sorts of things, don't you? Gold, jewels, whatever it is you use for money. If we're to take him in, I expect we should be paid for the trouble."
Petunia looked at her husband in shock, but Vernon's eyes gleamed with a calculating look. Dumbledore studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"You would agree to treat Harry fairly, to ensure he is fed, clothed, and cared for, in exchange for financial compensation?" Dumbledore asked, his voice carefully measured.
Vernon nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, those are terms I can agree to, no matter how frea—" he hesitated, glancing at Dumbledore's wand, "—unnatural the boy is."
Dumbledore considered the man before him, weighing the options. He was dissapointed that Vernon's willingness was driven by greed rather than any sense of compassion, but if it meant Harry would be treated decently, it was a price he was willing to pay.
"Very well," Dumbledore said at last. "You will receive a monthly stipend, provided that Harry is cared for. But be warned, Mr. Dursley—if I discover that he is being mistreated, and trust me I will, the consequences will be severe."
Vernon ignored the obvious threat and grinned, his earlier fear now replaced by the satisfaction of a deal made. "You've got yourself a deal, then. We'll take the boy, and we'll see to it he's looked after."
Dumbledore nodded, though there was no joy in his eyes. "Remember, Mr. Dursley, this arrangement is for Harry's protection, not your enrichment. Should you fail to uphold your end of the bargain, not only will the payments stop but you will not enjoy that visit."
Vernon waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, I understand. Just … leave the boy and we'll take care of the rest."
Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, looking down at the sleeping child in his arms. He hoped that this decision, though difficult, would ultimately lead to a better future for Harry … safe from anyone who might wish him harm and allow him to have a normal childhood.
Gently, after whispering a goodbye, he placed the baby in Petunia's outstretched arms. As he straightened up, he gave Vernon and Petunia one final look. "I will be watching," he said softly, his voice carrying an unspoken promise.
With that, Dumbledore turned and began to walk away, his form disappearing into the shadows of the night. Vernon and Petunia watched him go, still feeling the lingering chill of his presence.
When they were sure he was gone, Vernon turned to Petunia with a triumphant smirk. "Well, Petunia, it seems we've made ourselves a tidy little arrangement, haven't we?"
Petunia didn't respond immediately. She stared down at the tiny bundle in her arms, a mixture of emotions warring within her. Fear, resentment, guilt—they all swirled in her mind, but none of them could overcome the lingering dread that Dumbledore's words had left behind.
"Let's just get him inside," she muttered finally, her voice tight. "We'll do what we have to."
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Story Note 1 – This story will be an attempt to look at what would have happened to Harry had he grown up in a better environment. Perhaps not one filled with love but one thankfully lacking in abuse.
Story Note 2 – Of course there will be several big differences from canon going forward although as always I try to only make adjustments to the story that are fallout from the initial change that I made. In this case it is Dumbledore bumping into the Dursleys during the start of Harry's story.
Story Note 3 – Any guesses on things that are about to change? Friends, events, decisions, …
Thanks to those of you out to those of you who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you enjoy them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or reach out to me directly.
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