Author's Note: First of all, obviously I don't own Harry Potter. It belongs to J. K. Rowling. I'm not making any money from this. I'm simply doing this because I need a creative outlet. Also, after reading a good amount of Harry Potter fanfiction, I felt like making one that matched my tastes and preferences in terms of plot, pairings, and personalities. Hopefully others you guys will enjoy reading this. Reviews are always appreciated, good or bad. Though I don't necessarily want bad reviews, I do appreciate being told how I can improve.

This story will be focused on a more independent and more intelligent Harry. He isn't necessarily a genius or a bookworm, but he does think more logically. It should be noted, though, that it takes him some time to gain obtain independence in the magical world. He needs a bit of help at first. He will have access to new things because of his ancestry and Potter heritage. In my opinion, my Harry has taken on some of the more redeeming qualities of the boy Tom Riddle. Anyway, I'm done rambling now. Enjoy my story!

Harry Potter was having the most magnificent dream. He was flying above London, admiring how everything looked from above. However, he himself wasn't flying. Instead, he was in the sidecar of a large, black motorcycle that soared through the sky as if it were driving upon the air itself. Harry, who had originally been too amazed by the view to notice, was startled to see that the motorcycle had another passenger. Driving the large motorcycle was an equally large man with long hair and a thick beard, which covered his face in a way that prevented Harry from identifying the him easily. Overcoming his surprise, Harry reached out to tap the man on the shoulder, meaning to ask who he was and what they were doing on a motorcycle high above the ground. He had just brushed the tip of the man's overcoat when a loud voice startle him.

"Wake up! Now!"

Harry, startled, blinked as the magical landscape before him faded and became the blurry outline of a wooden ceiling coming down in steps. He was back in his cupboard.

"Hurry up! Don't you dare fall back asleep!"

Harry sighed and reached for his glasses. His vision focused, but he wondered if this sight was really any better. He sat up and tried the door. Finding it unlatched, he came out to find an angry Aunt Petunia glaring at him. With his head down, he walked over to the kitchen and started making breakfast, one of the many chores required of him. When breakfast was made and relatives had taken their helpings, Harry was permitted to sit down and enjoy his own meager breakfast. Meanwhile, his relatives had begun discussing Dudley's school, which he would be going to in a few day's time.

"Nonsense, Petunia! I was never hungry while I was at Smeltings! They treat their students right and help them grow into the men they will become! Aren't a good enough example of Smeltings's success?" Uncle Vernon chuckled, amused with what he considered a humorous joke.

"I'm just worried about how Dudley will adjust," mused Aunt Petunia. "I've heard that every boy has chores he has to do. My little Dinky Duddydums shouldn't be forced to work himself to the bone!"

"I'll just make the other boys help me, Mum. I can be very convincing."

Harry fought the urge to crack up as Dudley contorted his pig-like face into what he must have thought to be a very persuasive expression. He knew that laughing, however, would result in punishment and continued staring at his plate as he happily enjoyed his meal. His happiness came to an end when the mail arrived, causing Dudley to reach across the table and smack Harry's head with some stick and yell at him to get the mail. As his uncle and aunt expressed their happiness with Dudley's "persuasiveness," Harry grudgingly got up and went to get the mail.

When Harry arrived at the door, he was surprised to find a letter out of place amidst the bills, tabloid magazines, and other mail of his relatives. Lying on the mat and bearing the seal of an unknown but impressive crest was a letter addressed to him! Not only did it have his name and address, but it even mentioned his cupboard. Harry was flabbergasted. This person knew who he was (few did), and they even knew which room he slept in. Harry had no idea who had written to him or why, but he had a feeling it was important, and important people were not to be ignored.

"Hurry up boy! I want my mail before I leave for work! I don't have all day!"

Uncle Vernon's shouts brought Harry back to reality. As much as he would have liked to take this letter and read it right away, he knew his relatives might not be too keen on him receiving a letter. They worked furiously to make sure he was not associated with them in any way. His aunt and uncle might upset the person who wrote to him or claim he didn't live with them. Harry also wouldn't put it past Dudley to "accidentally" steal his letter and flush it down the toilet (or at least something along those lines). His mind made up, Harry quickly hid the letter under the doormat. He would wait until he was alone to see what this was all about.

Harry's chance came a couple days later. His relatives were off to take a tour of Smeltings's. His uncle would want to catch up with all his old schoolmates, and Harry felt confident that he would have the day to himself. He opened the envelope and found a few folded papers. He looked at one and was astonished at what he found:

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 September 1. We await you owl by no later than July 31. Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

(from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Harry had no idea what to think. He was under the impression that a school was interested in him, though he had no idea how he had gotten into their records. However, he had never heard of a school by the name of "Hogwarts." It seemed an odd name. Even odder was its mention of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That was probably a mascot, though, or maybe some sort technical term he wasn't familiar with. Even with his uncertainties, though, Harry was overjoyed. This could be his chance to escape the Dursleys and their influence. His spirits dropped, however, when he thought of the books and equipment. The Dursleys wouldn't buy him a second-hand schoolbook, much less pay for him to go to what was clearly an important school. He didn't even know what to do to "owl" this Deputy Headmistress and explain the situation. Tossing the paper on his bed, he noticed more writing on the back. It said that if he were in need of an owl he was to tap the paper and say his name. Harry did so, and less than five minutes later he noticed an owl standing by the kitchen window holding out its leg. Clearly this was some sort of trained bird that would deliver his mail, though Harry couldn't understand what was wrong with the post office. He sat at the table and wrote his letter:

Dear Deputy Headmistress,

My name is Harry Potter and I received a letter from your school. I would be very happy to attend, but I don't think my guardians will be willing to pay my tuition or other expenses. Is there some sort of educational assistance fund that could aid me? Also, why does your school make note of Witchcraft and Wizardry? What does that mean? Are they mascots or philosophies of some sort? Please let me know if there is anything that can be done. Also, if you must send me your response by trained owl, please do so today before 7pm. If this is not possible please have it placed under the outside welcome mat so my guardians won't see it.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Harry gingerly held the letter out the owl, which swiftly snatched the letter and flew away. Watching it go, Harry sighed and hoped that things would work out.

Author's Note: Well, that's that's the first chapter. Sorry for the lack of action and shortness, but I didn't want to just rush into the story. You can consider this a bit of a prologue. Hopefully it didn't bore you too much! Things should accelerate from here. Please let me know what you think by leaving a review and letting me know if I did any good or not. Thanks for reading! The next chapter should hopefully be up in the next day or so (or earlier if I get the inspiration).