Chapter Text
Chapter one. Pre Hogwards.
The usual banging on his door woke him up, no later than six thirty, like usual. He wakes up and prepares for the long day ahead.
When he gets out he is greeted by the familiar sight of his aunt, already whispering-screaming like a maniac for him to cook breakfast for her dear family.
Harry hurried because he learnt the hard way that slacking would only hurt him later on if he didn’t receive an immediate hit at the back of his head.
When he was done he took a piece of breakfast and ran to the garden for his next task or chore of the day, gardening. It was the only one he truly liked, no family, no order for hours, just calm.
Sadly he knew he had to come back to prepare lunch and dinner before he could finish completing his chore inside of the house. His so gracious aunt decided he needed to maintain proper hygiene, after the first few incidents when he was younger, now Harry is allowed fifteen minutes in the bathroom everyday before the rest of the family arrive home.
Then, he serves dinners and wash the dishes before going to bed.
-Another day over. He whispered to himself every evening before falling asleep.
That day started like usual, waking up, doing chores, getting the mail.
Harry went over the mail quickly and saw his name written in beautiful calligraphy and he did not hesitate to pocket it for later.
The day was overall uneventful, but the young boy was nagged by the feeling of anticipation and hope that today might be the best day of his life.
And, he was right. When the night fell, he was already locked away in his cupboard. He gently turned on the light after making sure that nobody was awake, and slowly opened the letter, hoping he could keep it in pristine condition.
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.
The term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall sig
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Second page
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Deputy Headmistress MacGonagall.
It was the first time in years that Harry shed a tear. He knew he should not make a single sound as his aunt would usually wake up at the tiniest noises, but he cried, torrents of tears muffled by his pillow. He clutched the letter, trying not to destroy it but the overwhelming feeling of hope and betrayal came crashing down to him. It was way too much for him to handle and he finally passed out, in the dark, all alone in his cupboard.
The next day went as usual, except there was another letter. This time, Harry decided to ignore it and give all the mail in a bundle to his uncle, who was inhaling his food at the table. Then, without another word, he left for the garden to take care of already perfect roses.
When he came back inside, the atmosphere was tense but the adults decided to keep the lies going by choosing to stay in silence.
It did not matter for Harry had to cook and bake for his cousin's birthday, that would take place on the next day.
And, just like that, after finishing his fiftieth dish of the day, he was sent back to his locked cupboard.
The next day he was woken up by the screaming of his cousin and the demanding voice of his uncle asking to be served breakfast.
Thirty six? But last year, last year I had thirty seven!
Harry started serving breakfasts to every one shutting all the voices, all the noises and desire to just steal a present, off.
He came back to reality when his name was called, he answered because what is worse in this house than answering is not answering.
He acknowledged his aunt by a nod and by looking at her for the first time today.
We can't leave you at home, so you'll have to come with us to the zoo.
And don't you dare pull any funny business, boy!
Vernon Dursley felt the urge to add with his booming voice that contained a whole lot of hatred toward Harry. The said boy was conflicted between happiness and fear. He never left the house except for school.
When they arrived at the zoo, Dudley was ecstatic, he and his friend, Pierre, were running everywhere. After an hour they were still hyped thanks to the huge amount of sugar Petunia gave them, but at least they left Harry trailing behind instead of chasing him everywhere.
They entered the reptilian area and Dudley, with his right hand by his side, started knocking on the snakes vivarium. Harry, annoyed , was trailing behind them with a sort of renewed curiosity merged with fear. He could hear voices. A lot of them, a few sounds seemed off but he could hear them and understand as clearly as ever.
While they all started going to the bigger reptilian, Potter stayed behind, just observing one of the numerous snakes that had the chance to meet Dudley, and who was still whining about it.
*Ungrateful human brat. Thinks he can just bang our doors and scream.-*
*That sounds about right, it's Dudley afterall.*
*A speaker? I haven't seen one of your kind in decades.*
*Oh. So that's what I am.*
*Of course, what else?*
*I don't know, snake friend, people tend to hide things from me.*
*What a shame, speakers are often the most powerful of their kind.*
*What do you mean?*
But before the snake could answer, Vernon's booming voice was filling his ears.
Come here boy! We are leaving.
Coming Uncle Vernon.
This encounter left Harry dumbfounded. He never had been this silent on his own. He was thinking about what the snake had meant by ‘‘your kind’’, and he was pretty sure talking to the snake was definitely not normal human behaviour.
It all gave Harry a spike of renewed determination that was graciously welcomed. It's what kept him going until… That one day.
Knocks could be heard at the door at the crack of dawn. It woke up Petunia, and when she opened the door, a shrieking sound was all that escaped her. It resulted in waking the whole house in a panicked hurry. Harry was focusing on the best of his abilities to open the lock of his cupboard with practiced wandless magic. Dudley came running down the stairs with the most pitched scream of ‘‘mammmmaaa'’ he ever made, his father not far behind was stopping on the stairs mad that someone dared to wake him up on his rest day.
However, when the man who was waiting by the door was more than twice Vernon's height, the latter simply stared at him wide eyed, mouth wide open. The Dursley decided to simply hand Harry to the man. The latter was terrified, but he would take anything over the Dursley anytime and breathed deeply before slowly walking to the giant who might destroy the doorframe if he decided to take one more step.
“Harry! Last time I saw you, you were as small as my palm! You grew so much!” He said, or more like screamed while he started getting ready to take Harry to Diagonally. “You know me, sir?” Sudden light and hope crossed the young man's eyes. “Of course Harry! Where we are going, everyone knows you. You're famous! Now, climb up.” He answered with his booming voice starting to create a bit of a commotion while pointing to the motorcycle, urging Harry to take his place.
“I am famous, but why? How come I never knew? Also where are we going?” Harry was at loss, his whole world, or the foundations he created in order for his world to make sense were starting to shake. After all, a stranger, a giant stranger tells him he is famous where he comes from. “Sir, where exactly do I come from? Because I am not famous here?” Harry really tried to keep the questions down but it was just so much. He busied himself by getting on the motorcycle, trying his best to make sense of it all.
To his delight, the other answered, his booming voice shooting partial answers, but it was still better than nothing. “Call me Hagrid, Harry lad. You're a wizard Harry. Just like your mum and dad before you! Your famous Harry, you got rid of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, you survived the curse, the darkest curse. You survived the Darkest wizard, you did the impossible, you killed You-Know-Who, Harry!” Still at loss but Harry realised that at least he now had a valid answer for all the weird phenomenons happening near him. However, that was the only clear answer he got.
“Hagrid, Hagrid! What do you mean by I got rid of You-Know-You? Who is he? Where are my parents then?” For the first time in his life Harry dared to cut an adult in the middle of his rant. He needed to know, whatever the consequences were, he could bear them. It cut Hagrid out of his rant and, surprisingly, for Harry at least, he wasn't mad. No, he was sad?
“Harry, the giant started half sobbing half with a grave tone that sent shivers throughout Harry’s whole body, your parents really tried to protect you. They were the best, lovely and all, but, sadly..” To Harry’s surprise, the giant started sobbing. “Sadly, You-Know-Who didn’t spare them. But, don't be sad! They were wonderful, they died protecting you”.
Harry, to Hagrid's surprise, didn't cry, no, he simply got on the motorcycle by a series of mechanical movements. The giant dismissed it as shock. Only, Harry knew that his parents would not have placed him with the Dursley, if they could avoid it. He never dared to follow this particular thinking path. However, now he couldn't escape what was always his reality.
“He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, is the darkest wizard of the last decade. We never should speak of him again. The dark times are over, let's not bring them back.” He answered while getting ready to leave Privet Drive.
“Where are we going, again?” Harry really wanted to leave everything behind, he really hoped to never have to come back here.
“We are going to Daigonally, where else did you think we can get your stuff?” He answered with ease. “As if I would know” Harry thought, but out of habit, he didn’t utter any of it. “ I don't really know, I just wanted to bring a happier topic back”. “It's alright lad. Get ready, we are leaving!”
“Finally!” Was Harry's last thought before they took off into the sky.