Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe is NOT mine! It belongs to JK Rowling, Warner Bros and Scholastic Books, I only own copies of the books and films. I am just having some fun in the sandbox that Rowling created. There will be some OCs that I've created that will inhabit the Wizarding World.

Author's Note: Just want to let everyone know that this story will not completely line up with the canon story as set down by JK Rowling when she created the amazing Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The main change to the Harry Potter timeline is that Hogwarts starts two years later than in canon, so Harry and company start their first year Sept. 1, 1993. The events of the Harry Potter story remain the same, up until the start of this story, so books 1-5 all happen in the same fashion, just two years later. The other main change is that there will be a deeper exploration of the Potter family.

"We have arrived sir."

Captain Anderson looked up as he felt the car come to a smooth halt. Outside the window, Anderson saw a fine-looking two-story house behind a black metal fence.

"Thank you," Anderson said, handing over several paper notes to the cabbie. "Please keep the change."

"Much obliged sir."

Anderson stepped out of the cab and unconsciously straightened his attire even though he was not in uniform. Making sure he had a firm grip on his case, Anderson approached the gate.

"Who is it?" a brusque voice asked over the intercom.

"It is me Major," Anderson said. There was a sharp buzz and the gate began to swing open with a creak. Anderson walked up the drive and approached the front door. It swung open before he reached the top step, and just inside the door was an older man, dark-haired that was streaked with silver and sharp brown eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses.

"Matthew," the older man said, moving aside to let Captain Anderson enter the house. "You do not need to address me as Major son, I've been out of that game for years now."

"Apologies sir," Matthew said, though both men knew he wasn't actually sorry. "Arthur," he added at the raised eyebrow from the older man.

"Good," Arthur said. "now you said on the phone that you believe you have found my grandnephew, how?"

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation in a more comfortable setting sir."

"Very well," Arthur said. He led Matthew down the hallway and into the study tucked away in the back of the house. "Have a seat."

"Thank you sir."

"Now what have you found?"

Matthew opened up his briefcase, withdrew a folder and placed it on Arthur's desk. The older man picked up the folder and opened it.

"Is this verified?" Arthur asked after a few moments.

"As much as we could without going to the boy's residence ourselves," Matthew said. "The holes in the boy's file are consistent with someone who became part of that world. There were no records of him attending a secondary school, very limited early life information. The answers he gave at the station did line up with the story that Elizabeth has read about in her schoolbooks and what you have told us."

Arthur looked down at the folder again, removing the photo from the top of it. "He does look like Charlus did in his youth," Arthur said. "How quickly can we approach him?"

"I believe the smartest plan moving forward would be to approach him this weekend, or perhaps early next week," Matthew said. "I can have someone watch over his home to gain more information. I met Harry briefly before he came to the station, and I could tell that something was wrong."

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked, his voice gaining an edge.

"It is only a feeling sir but I do not believe Harry is treated all that well by his guardians."

"Explain!"

"When I asked him about his family, he called them his relatives," Matthew said. "He also seems very timid when speaking to those older than him, not just in a respectful manner but in a fearful manner."

"You think he's being abused?"

"I do not know for sure sir," Matthew said. "That is why I believe we should be patient before approaching Harry. I have also heard from my contacts that Harry was involved in an incident at the other Ministry a couple weeks ago, and that he was injured in some fashion."

Arthur exhaled sharply with his hands trembling. "Find out everything you can Matthew, everything."

"Yes sir."

"Boy, you will listen to your Aunt and help her around the house today," Uncle Vernon said as Harry made to leave the kitchen after serving breakfast. "I won't have you run off again and leave your Aunt to do all the chores herself."

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," Harry said without turning around. It had been just over a week since Harry managed to sneak away from Privet Drive and visit the recruiting office. Each morning, Harry had woken before dawn and would go for a run around Privet Drive and the neighboring streets. He would also stop by the play park between Privet Drive and Wisteria Walk and completed a routine of calisthenics. He knew that an Order member was still following him but it did seem that whoever he had managed to sneak away from had kept that quiet from the rest of the Order. If they had, Harry was sure that the Headmaster would have confined him to the house in some fashion.

"Hmph," Vernon grunted, looking back at the morning paper.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Harry returned to the kitchen where Dudley was rummaging through the icebox.

"Mum is out back," Dudley said, glancing up as Harry entered.

"Oh, thanks."

"Potter, wait a minute," Dudley said. Harry paused and turned to face his cousin. "I just wanted to…wanted to say…"

"Say what?"

"Thank you."

"Thank you?" Harry asked.

"Mum told me more about those black ghost things that you drove off last summer," Dudley said. "She said that she learned about them from this boy who lived in the village where she and your mother grew up in. She said that those things would have killed me if it wasn't for you."

Harry's mouth fell open at his cousin's confession. He couldn't remember Dudley ever saying anything remotely like that to him, ever.

"I have been a total arse to you the whole time we've known each other," Dudley said. "I never did anything good to you, treating you like trash, and to be honest, you could have easily just left me. But you didn't, you save me."

"You are my cousin Dudley," Harry said. "No matter what else, we are that, Dudley."

"Ok cousin," Dudley said before turning slightly red and looking back into the icebox.

Harry shook his head as if to clear it before making his way out the back door.

"Get over here and start spreading that mulch," Petunia barked, pointing to the pile of bags of mulch next to the back garden. There was a wheelbarrow with a rake and pair of work gloves next to the pile.

"Yes, Aunt Petunia," Harry said.

Wiping his brow clean of sweat, Harry looked over his work. He had used all the bags of mulch, spreading them out evenly across the flower beds around the house. The next step was to trim the lawn but he would tackle that after lunch. Harry put the wheelbarrow back into the garden shed and made his way back into the house.

On the counter, Harry spotted a sandwich and a glass of winter. After washing his hands and face, Harry sat down and quickly ate the sandwich. Even though it wasn't the most filling of meals, Harry was grateful and wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Placing the plate and glass in the sink, Harry reached out to turn on the tap when he heard the front doorbell ring.

"Don't just stand there boy, get the door," Petunia snapped from the parlor.

Harry sighed and walked over to the front door.

"Good afternoon son, may we come in?" an older man's voice asked.

Harry blinked as he recognized one of the men on the doorstep as the man he spoke with in the Dursleys' car.

"Who is at the door?" Petunia snapped.

"My name is Matthew Anderson ma'am, and this is my father-in-law Arthur," Anderson said politely. "May we come in?"

"Who are you and why are you here?" Petunia demanded; her arms crossed.

"My colleague here is Captain Matthew Anderson of Her Majesty's Army, and I am Major (ret.) Arthur Potter," the elderly man said. "We are looking for a Harry James Potter."

"Why are you looking for the…my nephew?" Petunia asked, her eyes darting to stare at Harry.

"Perhaps it would be more prudent to have this conversation inside ma'am," Anderson suggested, glancing over his shoulder. The car parked in front of the house, and the man in uniform at the doorstep had seemingly drawn the attention of some of the neighbors. Petunia's lips thinned as she spotted the crowd growing outside.

"Yes, yes, please come inside," she said, now a broad welcoming smile on her thin face. But all in the room could tell that it was false. Harry stepped aside to allow the two men inside, and then closed the front door.

"Please sit down," Petunia said, gesturing to the couch. "Can I get either of you gentlemen some tea or coffee?"

"No thank you ma'am," Anderson said as he and Arthur sat down. He then turned to Harry and said, "Perhaps you'd join us Harry, if I may call you that?"

Harry glanced at his aunt, who was glaring at him but she remained silent, and so Harry nodded. He sat down across from the couch, while Petunia took a seat in the other chair.

"Why are you here, looking for my nephew?" Petunia asked.

"Your nephew came by my office last week," Anderson said. "You didn't know," he continued, seeing Petunia's expression.

"No, I did not know," Petunia said, turning to face Harry. "What were you thinking?"

"I turn 18 in a little over a month," Harry said.

"What about your…schooling?" Petunia asked.

"I believe I have learned all I can there."

Petunia was about to say something else when the front door swung open. "Petunia, whose car is that out front?" Vernon shouted. "No good free…" Vernon trailed off as he realized that there were others in the sitting room.

"Vernon, these men are here about…Harry," Petunia said.

Vernon swung his beefy head toward Harry, his face already turning red. "What have you done now boy?" he snarled.

"Young Harry came by the recruiting station in Greater Whinging last week," Arthur said.

"Recruiting station," Vernon stammered.

"Yes, it seems that young Mr. Potter has thoughts of serving Queen and country," Anderson said. "Now normally we wouldn't be making a house call but these are very specific circumstances."

"Why would there be specific circumstances?" Vernon asked, entering the sitting room and coming to a stop behind Petunia's chair. "If the boy wants to do something worthwhile like serving in the Army, I say let him. He's been nothing but trouble for us, maybe the Army can straighten him out."

"Vernon…" Petunia said but she was cut off by her husband.

"We never wanted the boy," Vernon said. "He was dumped on our doorstep the night his drunkard parents got themselves killed in a car wreck!"

Harry surged to his feed. "My parents did not die in a car wreck!" Harry shouted.

"Do NOT raise your voice to me boy!" Vernon thundered, stomping toward Harry. "Your father was a drunken lout who got himself and your bitch of a mother killed, and because of them, we got stuck with you."

"You will not speak of my nephew like that sir," an elderly voice growled.

"Who are you to talk to me like that in my own home old man?" Vernon roared. The older man slowly rose from his seat, straightening his suit jacket. Vernon was not a tall man, though his width made him an intimidating presence. The older man was several inches shorter than Vernon but when the man looked into Vernon's beady eyes, it was Vernon who backed down.

"My name, sir, is Arthur Edward Potter, formerly Major Potter of Her Majesty's Army," the elderly man said. "I faced down the Nazi scourge before you were even a twinkle in your father's eye boy so sit down. And the man and wife you were disparaging in front of young Harry, were not just his parents, they were also my nephew and niece-in-law, and I will not have them spoken about as such, especially from the likes of you."

"Nephew?" Petunia and Vernon shouted.

"James Potter was the son of my older brother Charlus," Arthur said.

"My dad had an uncle?" Harry asked, his mind spinning.

"Yes, he did," Arthur said, turning to face Harry.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"I am a Squib," Arthur answered.

"A Squib?"

"Perhaps this isn't the best time for a discussion," the other man said. Harry and the Dursleys had jumped at his voice, they had forgotten he was even there. "Harry, you came to the recruiting station, so I must ask, is this truly something you are committed on doing?"

Harry opened his mouth but then closed it as his mind began to work. Was he really doing the right thing? It wasn't like Harry could really tell the military why he needed to be trained. There was no chance that they would take him seriously if Harry said he needed training to fight this evil wizard. He'd be laughed out of the building at best case, the worst case would be that he'd be shipped off to a mental hospital.

"Harry?"

Harry blinked as a query brought him out of his thoughts.

"Why did you come to the station, asking about enlisting?" Arthur asked.

"I…I need help," Harry admitted.

"Need help?" Matthew asked. "With what?"

"You can speak freely young Harry," Arthur said. "Matthew here is aware of the magical world."

"He is?"

"While I am not a wizard, my daughter is a witch," Matthew said. "She will be attending Hogwarts in the fall. Oh, and I am your cousin-by-law it seems.

Harry fell back into his chair at the new revelation. "Cousin?

"Matthew here married my daughter," Arthur explained.

"Oh, ok then."

"Harry, you have no idea how long I have been searching for you but I do need to know your answer to Matthew's question: Why were you thinking of joining the Army?"

"Voldemort is back," Harry said. "He's been back for over a year now, and since he seems to want me dead so much, I know that he's going to come after me again and again until one of us is dead for good. I haven't gotten any training at Hogwarts, so I thought…"

"That if you joined the military, they'd train you to fight against this Voldemort character?" Matthew asked. Harry nodded.

"It wasn't the best plan, I know," Harry admitted, "but I don't have anywhere else to turn. The Ministry is useless, Dumbledore spent the last year ignoring me, I just don't know what else to do. He killed my mum and dad, my godfather was killed by Voldemort's follower, and he will keep coming after me until he finally succeeds." Tears began rolling down Harry's cheeks.

"I am just a kid, who has just five years of schooling, and Voldemort has decades of experience and knowledge over me. How am I supposed to beat him?"

Harry looked up when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. It was Arthur who had crossed the room to stand in front of Harry. The old man was looking down at Harry with a warm smile.

"It is all right nephew," Arthur said. "It is no shame to ask for help, or to be frightened. So will you let us help you?"

"Help?" Harry asked, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Of course, Harry, this is what family does, they help one another," Arthur said. "Voldemort is not solely a magical world problem. His first rise back in the 70s caused much destruction in the non-magical world, and there are some in the non-magical world who want to make sure that doesn't happen again. So, Harry, nephew, will you let us help you?"

"Ok," Harry said in a small, child-like voice. "I need help, I seemingly won't be getting any from the magical world, so if you can help me, I'd be a fool to refuse it."

Arthur gave Harry a proud smile and clapped him on the shoulder. "Excellent, then perhaps it is time that we take this conversation to a more secure location. Matthew, why don't you help young Harry pack his things?"

"Of course, sir," Matthew said.

"Hold up there, the boy can't leave!" Vernon shouted.

"Why not?"

"Dumbledore says that this is the safest place for me," Harry said.

"That barmy old man said so!" Vernon blustered at the same time.

"And by what right does Albus Dumbledore have to dictate where you live Harry?" Arthur asked.

"He's the Headmaster…"

"And I am your uncle, or granduncle if you want to be legally correct," Arthur said. "You are my blood young Harry, the last reminder of my brother."

"The Dursleys are my blood as well, they are of my mother's blood," Harry said.

Arthur nodded, conceding the point. "But do you want to stay here Harry?" he asked. "Are you happy here?"

Harry froze. He could not recall anyone asking him something like that. No one ever truly asked what Harry wanted. The Dursleys just demanded what they wanted, Mrs. Weasley just steamrolled over anyone in her path to ger her way, and Dumbledore…Dumbledore would give some flowery words, some empty platitudes but then would do his own thing.

'I knew I was condemning you to twelve dark and difficult years,' a memory flashed across Harry's mind. Dumbledore's words during their discussion after Sirius' death echoed around Harry's head. Dumbledore knew he'd be treated poorly by the Dursleys but didn't care as evident by the fact that the Headmaster kept ordering Harry to return to Privet Drive each summer.

"No, I am not happy here," Harry said. "I can't recall a moment that I've ever been truly happy here. I want to leave."

Arthur nodded. "Good, go run along with Matthew while I discuss the new situation with the Dursleys," he said.

The sitting room was silent as Harry led Matthew up the stairs to his room. Arthur turned his gaze on Vernon and Petunia, both of whom felt a chill fall over them.

"Sit down Vernon," Arthur said, pointing to the chair next to Petunia's. Vernon swallowed but complied with the request. Petunia quickly reached over and took her husband's hand, their hands trembling slightly under Arthur's gaze.

"Now I do not have any actionable evidence against you, and it is for that reason along I am not calling the authorities on you. I know for a fact that you have mistreated young Harry," Arthur growled. "Mistreated is being kind of course, he has been abused, I am sure. Oh, you will of course deny it, or claim it was for his own good but we all know that is a lie. You were fearful of him, Vernon, fearful of a babe, and you Petunia, I would wager you were just jealous."

A raised hand from Arthur cut short any response from the two Dursleys.

"Oh Petunia, I know you are jealous of Harry for his abilities, just like you were jealous of his mother," Arthur said. "I was in the same spot as you were Petunia. My older brother was magical, in fact my whole family was. I was the first Potter to not have magic in nearly two centuries, so I know exactly how it feels to be denied something such as magic."

He then turned his gaze on Vernon. "You, Vernon, are much easier to figure out," Arthur said. "As I said, you were fearful of Harry's abilities, which is understandable. But instead of attempting to understand Harry, you lashed out and blamed Harry for your own failings."

"Keep your mouth shut Dursley," Arthur snapped, seeing Vernon begin to swell up. "It wasn't Harry's fault he was left here, yet you blamed an innocent child. But you no longer need to worry about Harry again, he will leave this place and never return. You will never see him again."

"But that Dumbledore said he had stay here to protect us," Petunia whimpered.

"You should have thought about that before mistreating our nephew girl," Arthur said. "If you feel so concerned about your safety, then leave."

The sound of Harry and Matthew coming down the stairs ended the conversation before either Vernon or Petunia could speak again.

"Ready to go?" Arthur asked.

"Yes sir," Harry said.

"You can call me Uncle, Harry," Arthur said with a smile. "Well then, we shall take our leave. Come along Harry, Matthew."

Harry followed Matthew, who was carrying his trunk, and Arthur out of the house and to the waiting car. He helped Matthew place the trunk and Hedwig's cage in the boot, then climbed into the back seat with Arthur while Matthew got behind the wheel.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked as the car pulled away from the curb. As it did, there was a sharp crack that caused Harry to look back at Privet Drive. "That was someone Disapparating! I am sure that was someone that Dumbledore had watching over me," he said. "He will know that I've left with someone, he's going to track me down and send me back."

"Calm yourself Harry," Arthur said soothingly. "It will take some time for any message to reach Dumbledore, and he won't be able to find us very easily."

"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked. "You told the Dursleys your name, and they will tell him."

"Even if Dumbledore were to learn my name, he would not be able to find us so easily," Arthur said. "We are quite good at hiding Harry, especially in plain sight."

"Oh," Harry said, though he was still nervous.

After a twenty-minute ride, the car pulled into a covered car park and Matthew parked the car next to a black Range Rover.

"Come on Harry," Arthur said, getting out of the car.

"What's going on? I thought we were going to your home Uncle?"

"We are but we need to take some precautions first."

"Precautions?"

"You are correct that Dumbledore would most likely have some way to keep track of you," Arthur said. "But like many men who have been in power for a long time, Dumbledore probably thinks himself smarter and cleverer than anyone, and thus will have underestimated others' intelligence."

A man stepped out of the Range Rover and walked over to Arthur, Harry and Matthew.

"Harry, this is Lieutenant August Cooper," Arthur said. "He will be assisting us in our deception. Lieutenant?"

"Sir," Cooper said. Reaching into his pocket, Cooper withdrew a wand.

"You are a wizard?" Harry gasped. Cooper nodded, a boyish smile on his face.

"I am, Hufflepuff class of 1991, so missed your debut by a couple years," Cooper chuckled. "Now please hold still Mr. Potter."

Cooper waved his wand over Harry.

"He is clean sir," Cooper said, turning back to Arthur and Matthew.

"Very good, please check on Harry's things."

"Sir."

"What is going on Uncle?" Harry asked.

"We are checking to ensure that Dumbledore or anyone else has not put any tracking enchantments or charms on you or any of your things."

"Found a couple sir," Cooper said. "Would you like to dispel them or should we continue on with the primary?"

"Continue with the primary lieutenant," Arthur said. "The longer we confuse and keep Dumbledore running around in circles, the better."

"Very good sir."

"What is he doing now?" Harry asked as Cooper began taking some things out of his trunk, and put them off to the side.

"There were some tracking charms on your possessions nephew," Arthur said. "What the lieutenant is doing is separating out your things so we can play a little prank on Dumbledore. If we were to just dispel the charms, that would catch the attention of Dumbledore but if they are still active, he will not be in such a rush to find you because he will believe that he can track you down in due time."

"Oh, I see," Harry said recognizing the wisdom in the plan.

"All done sir," Cooper said. "We are ready to go."

"Excellent," Arthur said. "Now Harry, if you would be so kind as to follow me and we will be on our way."

"We are switching cars?"

"We are, just another level of deception."

The trio of Harry, Arthur and Matthew climbed into the Range Rover as Cooper placed Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage in the boot before getting into the other car that they had arrived in. Matthew pulled out of the car park following Cooper but they went separate ways as they exited. About an hour later, Matthew pulled off the M3 and onto the A331. Soon they pulled up to a very distinguished looking two-story home behind a black metal gate and fence. Matthew reached out and punched in a code at the gate, which began to open slowly.

"Welcome to my home Harry," Arthur said.

A/N: Well there you have it, the newest chapter of this tale. And we are introduced to my main OC, Arthur Edward Potter. I wanted to have some fun with the Potter family since we learn so little about them in canon, as well as making the Potters not as purely magical as many other stories do when they had new Potter OCs. I am not perfect with my British military history as well as British-isms, so please forgive any oopsies. Please let me know what you think of this chapter.