Chapter 4

AN: It is implied that between the end of chapter three and the beginning of this chapter, Harry began reading about the wizarding world. He learned his own history on the night that his parents died, and is no longer considered muggle raised.

~Greengrass Manner~

Harry Potter awoke at the call of the beautiful witch he had known as his mother for nearly six years. Harry was just over a week away from his eleventh birthday, and had recently been studying information beyond that of the average first year. Last night, he fell asleep reading a book on advanced ancient runes, thinking about the possibility of enchanting the human body with certain runes of power.

"Daphne, Harry time to wake up!" shouted Aeliana up the stairs.

Harry was glad almost every single day that he did not have to grope around blindly for the awful muggle glasses he wore as a child. Within a week of arriving at Greengrass Manner Johnathan had set up an appointment with the healers at St. Mungos to have his vision fixed permanently. Harry learned so many new things about the wizarding world and had spent most of the past six years learning as much as possible about magical affairs. He was able to take advantage of Aeliana's knowledge of potions by learning to brew nearly perfect potions at N.E.W.T level skill. Harry had also spent time learning the theory behind the other subjects such as Transfiguration and Charms, but one of the greatest things he learned while living at Greengrass Manner was to be a child.

As Harry was making his way down the stairway to go see off his father, he thought about the excitement of all the possible games he could play with his two sisters. Most recently they liked to pretend that they were all fully grown wizards/witches and "cast" spells at each other. For Daphne and Harry, it was extra fun because they would both be making their way to Hogwarts this year. Daphne had received her letter at her eleventh birthday in April, while everyone was sure Harry would be getting his within a few short weeks. Sometimes they would act like they were Aurors hunting down dark wizards, usually Cacus, and this was Harry's favorite activity. Every time he got to go with Johnathan to the ministry he would beg to go speak to some of the Aurors; all but the one covered in scars named Alistair Moody.

"Have a good day Dad," said Daphne sweetly.

"As long as you don't cause too much trouble here at home," smirked Johnathan, "then I promise as soon as Harry get his letter next week all five of us will go to Diagon Alley for your schools supplies."

"But Daddy, why can't I go to Hogwarts?" wailed Astoria already knowing the answer she was going to get.

"Sweetheart you know you have to wait until you turn eleven, then you can join these two!" chimed in Aeliana.

"It's just not fair, I want to go this year." Pouted a put down Astoria.

Harry smiled at the thought of Astoria getting to join him and Daphne at school before saying, "Have a good day dad!"

"You as well ma' boy!" Johnathan clapped him on the back, "tonight we can work some more on your occlumency if you really want to." He inwardly groaned at the thought though. He was constantly amazed that Harry never seemed to tire of studying, He had already learned most of the theory the school would be able to teach. Johnathan was sure that as soon as Harry had the chance to use a wand he would excel through all of the basics He left the house thinking about the great things the black haired boy would do in life.

…

"Harry what house do you think you're going to be in?" Daphne spoke thoughtfully. With her hands on her chin and elbows on the floor.

Harry sighed before responding, "Well to be perfectly honest, I'm not really sure Daphne…I mean-"

"Yea, but don't you want to just know already?" she said exasperated. "Mom was Ravenclaw, and dad was a Slytherin. So I think I'll be a Slytherin."

"Well Daphne, I'm obviously pretty smart so I think I have potential for Ravenclaw," said Harry thoughtfully for nearly the hundredth time, "yet my parents were both Gryffindor, and I'm very hard working so I might even be acceptable for Hufflepuff."

"You don't want to be in Slytherin Harry?" pouted Daphne. "Why not?" she said defensively.

"Well I'm not even a pureblood for one!" Harry said with a smirk.

"Yea I guess, but-"started Daphne once again!

"But nothing, the only reason I would really want to be in Slytherin is if you are…and even then that would be pushing it" Harry grinned at her.

"I wouldn't want you there either Jerk" She smacked Harry on the shoulder before running away giggling.

"Harry!" cried Astoria, "make me a potion…please?" she began to beg.

Astoria had recently become very fond of a potion that would cause a simple bubble to come out her mouth when she spoke. It was a simple potion that could be bought merely for the entertainment of children at most apothecary shops, but she always liked it better when Harry made it himself.

Harry sighed lightly, "Don't you ever get tired of those bubbles Tori?" he questioned in a big brotherly tone.

"Never!" shouted the eight year old before attacking Harry with a hug. "So will you please please please make it for me?"

"Alright if only because you said please" Harry grabbed her hand and lead her towards the kitchen to gather the supplies. "Besides, you look rather goofy with bubbles coming out your mouth every time you talk."

"I think they're fun, and mommy laughs at them too," she pointed out to Harry.

"You know, when I leave for school I won't be able to make this for you anymore" Harry jabbed at her.

"That is exactly why I should get to come with," stated Astoria matter of factly.

…

Harry was seated at the table on the morning of July thirty first while Cacus served him a plate of eggs. The family was in the middle of a discussion about Cornelius Fudge being elected Minister of Magic when a small brown owl tapped at the window.

Aeliana jumped up to open the window and beamed when she saw the green lettering on the envelope. "It's for you Harry!"

Harry smiled up at her thankful that the letter actually came, up until now he had still had just an inch of doubt within his inner being that he wasn't a wizard. He had always thought that perhaps these kind folks may have made some possible mistake, that they were wrong in thinking him a magical being. Finally he had his confirmation, and not just from anyone, but from the very same person that left him on the door steps of his abusive aunt and uncle.

"Aren't you excited sweetheart?" Aeliana looked somewhat shocked that Harry only seemed mildly interested in the letter before him. Although Harry had always seemed somewhat above the rest the world.

"Of course I am mother," he paused letting his green eyes pass over her brown, "but I can't stand the thought of reading anything from Dumbledore…he left me to be abused."

"I suppose I can't blame you any Harry, but this a great day!" Aeliana looked hurt at the thought of Harry remembering his horrible days in the muggle world. "You're eleven today, and this evening the five of us are going to get school supplies for you and Daphne."

"I just love when we go shopping!" cheered Daphne, "I really want a cat mom."

"If I were to get an animal, I think I'd love a white snowy owl." Harry thought aloud handing the letter back to his mother.

Astoria felt like she was being neglected, "I want to get something too!"

"Of course you do Tori," Johnathan spoke with a smile. Glancing at his daughter, "I would never dream of letting you feel left out."

"Then why can't I go to Hogwarts this year?" pouted Tori even though she knew it was useless. "I'm being left out of that."

"Tori do you really want to go to school, or just be with Daphne and me?" Harry scrutinized. He looked Tori strait in the eyes waiting for her to answer.

Tori started cautiously, "yes I want to go…well…I mean" she paused knowing Harry had gotten her, "I guess I don't want to lose you!"

Harry stood up and wrapped her in a warm hug conveying all the love of a brother, "Tori we can still write each other and we'll see you at Christmas." He gave her a squeeze, "then in two years you get to join us!"

"You promise to write me Harry?" Tori looked honestly afraid to let go of him, she had grown very close to him over the past several years.

"Every week I promise to send you a letter, and I'll even make sure Daphne writes you!" Harry smirked over at his other sister. Sometimes there was a just a connection between the older two that neither of them could explain.

"Alright you three, go and get whatever you plan to bring to Diagon Ally" Aeliana shooed the children up stairs, "can you believe today is the day that they finally get their wands Johnathan."

Johnathan shifted his eyes from the daily prophet in front of him lowering it to the table. "It does seem like only a week ago that we brought Harry home." Johnathan smiled while standing up from the table, "he's going to show the wizarding world a thing or two that boy!"

"Top of the class would be my best guess" Aeliana agreed walking towards her husband. She place her hands on his shoulders leaning in to kiss him sweetly.

Johnathan wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to kiss her lips then whispered, "Bloody close I bet."

…

AN: so sorry to interrupt the chapter, I just wanted to state that I skipped the entire scene at Diagon Ally because I really have no interest in writing about the confrontation in Olivander's. I feel like if were to write anything about collecting their school supplies I would end up almost being forced to write that scene. If you really wanted to read about that scene, then I'm sorry…go read the actual book its very…curious

~Harry Potter~

Harry sat at the table skimming through his Defense Against the Dark Arts text book. His eyes went back and forth seeming to just sift through the information without pause. Most of the theory seemed very similar to that of Transfiguration and Charms, It was all about the intent of the spells not really the motion of the wand or the words being said.

"Have you thought about a name yet Harry?" Aeliana asked referring to snowy owl now up in Harry's room. Harry's eyes had shined when he saw the owl, and there was just no way that they could deny him the beautiful bird.

"Well I think I know a name that fits really well," Harry looked up from the book smiling, "Hedwig, a majestic name for a majestic owl." He walked away from the table to head towards the stairs.

"Sounds like a beautiful name, it suits her well." Aeliana watched Harry leave the room wondering if he was going to collect one of his other school books. Harry never got bored with his books, he had read what seemed like half of the library. Touching on all sorts of subjects of magic including history and theories for the future of magic.

…

September 1st seemed to come upon all of them very quickly after the shopping trip to Diagon Ally. Harry had spent the remainder of his time reading through as much of his text books as he could, skipping over the book for the history of magic class. He had already read through the copy in the Greengrass Library.

As Harry dressed that morning he considered leaving his wand in his trunk for transport, but was too excited about the idea of getting to use it. He tucked it away inside his jacket; he was hoping he could practice some of the beginning spells on the train from King's Cross Station. As he began lugging his heavy brown drunk down the stairs to the main room he thought about the upcoming year. Harry was not overly excited to really go public where he knew people would treat him in a special manner for something he didn't really do. Every time he had to leave the manner to go somewhere with lots of other people, people approached him to thank him. After five years of it, he attempted to stay around the manner as often as possible with his books, Daphne, and thoughts of the future.

As Harry walked into the family room, he could hear his parents running around the house to make sure each of them had everything they needed.

"Harry, did you pack each of your robes?" Aeliana looked frantic.

Harry scoffed lightly rolling his eyes in the process, "of course I do mom."

She looked at him as seriously as any mother could, "and all of your quills, you didn't forget them did you?"

"How could I forget mom" He walked towards her to embrace her, "you reminded me yesterday…and the day before." He looked up at her smiling.

"I know Harry, I know…but you and Daphne are really growing up." She smiled with a tear brimming her eyelid, "I mean you're off to Hogwarts already and Tori will be in only two years and-"

"Mom we're still yours for several years to come, and even after Hogwarts we'll be sure to visit you as often as we can." Harry stroked her back slowly, attempting to comfort her back to happiness.

Johnathan walked into the room helping Astoria with her trunk, "Are we all ready to leave then?" He grinned at Harry, letting the trunk drop onto the floor.

Harry nodded and reached down to pick up his trunk. Johnathan looked at Aeliana and she nodded her confirmation that she was ready to leave.

"Astoria!" Johnathan shouted into the house, "time for us to be on our way to the train station."

"Coming!" She came running from the upstairs and smiled at the rest of the family. She grabbed her dad's hand and started to lead them all to the door.

Harry and Daphne smiled at each other before following their parents out the door and into the front yard.

"Ready for this adventure Daphne?" Harry asked smiling at the girl he loved nearly like a sister.

"As long as I have some family there," she inclined her head towards Harry smiling brightly and tossing her blonde hair over shoulder, "I should be okay."

"Alright Harry and Daphne grab your mother's hand," he motioned for them to head over to their mother's open hands, "and Tori you can take my hand."

Astoria smiled up at her father glad that he had asked her to hold his hand.

"Everyone's ready then?" he looked around at the family he loved, "on the count of three then. One. Two Three!"

Johnathan and Aeliana turned hard on their heels concentrating hard on the train station neither of them had visited in several years. At the moment they turned, all three of the kids felt like they were being stuffed through a very tiny pipe no bigger than a quarter before their feet slammed into the hard ground. When they landed it was all a rush of sights and sounds the three kids had not really seen before. There were families all over the place with their children preparing for the goodbye. Some families were obvious first years like them, while others were just going back for another year.

Johnathan turned to the two children he was about to say goodbye two smiling with a single tear of joy about fall. "You two better be the best kids we have raised you to be." He paused before laying a hand on each of their shoulders looking them each in the eye. "I expect a lot of great things from both of you, and just remember; no matter what house you each end up in, you are still family." The children nodded understanding exactly what their father meant. He did not want them to become rivals in the case that they were separated over house lines.

"Aeliana aren't you going to say goodbye?" Johnathan tapped on his wife's shoulder as she was looking away.

She turned around wiping the tears from her eyes, "of course," she whispered. She embraced both of her children, "I am already proud of you two, and expect to be kept proud while you are at school." She sniffled a little at the sound of the train. "Now get up on the train because it is nearly eleven o'clock, and remember I love you!"

As Harry and Daphne were boarding the train they turned around to wave back at their parents. Neither one of them knew exactly what was waiting ahead of them, but they were very excited to find out. They were walking down the aisle when Harry noticed a read headed boy rushing towards the doors to board the train waving to a tearful mother and what appeared to be his sister.

Harry turned to Daphne, "go ahead and find a compartment, I'm going to go make sure that redhead is alright."

"You'll come find me afterward won't you?" Daphne said hopefully. Despite the fact that they had lived together for years, neither one of them felt exactly like siblings. She preferred to know Harry around her as a means of support.

"Absolutely, now go get a compartment before they're all full." Harry turned to head towards the train doors and nearly bumped into the boy. "Excuse me there." Harry smiled at the boy in front of him. He seemed to be wearing slightly shabby clothing that looked a little overused from being handed down so many times, and clutching a rat in one hand. "Weasley right? I'm Harry Potter."

The boy's face went nearly as red as the mop of hair on top of his head. "H-Hi I'm Ron," The boy smiled shyly. "You're really The Harry Potter?" He began to form a smile.

"Uuh yea, but let's not shout it out to the whole train hey Ron?" Harry tried to say it as kindly as he could, but he got sick of the people who treated him like he was super special.

"Sorry." Ron still looked a little sheepish, "I heard rumors from my dad that you had moved to the wizarding world. He works at the ministry, in the muggle division." Ron shifted his weight to help keep the rat up against his chest. "I think he told me that he signed the papers for the two officials that went to collect you…" Ron trailed off almost trying to avoid looking directly at Harry.

Harry thought a moment before asking, "I sent my sister to go ahead and find a compartment for us, would you like to join us Ron?" Harry smiled at the blushing redhead. "We can talk about there instead."

"Umm sure," Ron looked as if this was one of the greatest moments in his life.

"Here let me help." Harry offered to help Ron drag the trunk down the corridor until they found the compartment where Daphne would be waiting.

As Harry walked peeking into each compartment, he asked Ron about his family.

"Well I'm the youngest boy," Ron looked slightly annoyed, "but I have a younger sister named Ginny, she's the only girl though."

Harry questioned him casually, "how many older siblings do you have?"

Ron cracked a huge smile, "five, it's a large family and they're all brothers. Fred and George are twins and they're two years ahead of us." Ron was struggling to force his trunk through a door way between corridors. "Then there's Percy, He's a prefect. After him are Bill and Charlie, but they're out of Hogwarts."

A compartment just ahead of them on their left hand side opened to reveal Daphne. She looked the other way before noticing Harry and smiling. "There you are Harry!" She left the compartment to go help him.

"Here I am," Harry teasingly said as if he were the most important man in the world. He motioned to the red head behind him, "this here is Ron Weasley, I was hoping you wouldn't mind if he sat with us."

Daphne looked him up and down, "not at all, as long as you don't mind that there's already two other people in the compartment." She grinned at the two of them, "Hi I'm Daphne Greengrass." The blonde lead them into the compartment.

Seated in one corner was a dark haired girl named Tracey Davis that Harry had met a few times over the last few years. She could be rude at times, but that was mostly due to her upbringing as a pureblood witch. Across from her sat a girl that Harry was fairly certain he had never met or heard anything of before. She had brown bushy hair and slightly large teeth. The way she was sitting gave two different appearances. One, she looked to be very intelligent with low tolerance; yet she also looked shy and uncomfortable in her seat.

"Hello Tracey, almost forgot you'd be joining us as well," Harry smiled towards the dark haired girl. Daphne had always gotten along with Tracey whenever they came across each other. "And may I ask your name?" Harry looked towards the bushy haired girl before motioning to place his trunk on the above rack.

"Me?" The bushy haired girl said loudly, "my name's Hermione…Hermione Granger." She smiled, "and you are?"

"Hermione this is Harry, the one I was telling you about," she looked towards the red head, "and according to Harry this is Ron Weasley."

Hermione looked them both up and down before shifting her weight to sit up straight and face Harry, "I think I read something about," she paused to think. Suddenly understanding flashed into her eyes, "you're the boy who survived the killing curse." Hermione openly stared at Harry as if she could learn about him through glaring.

Harry rolled his eyes, "yes but can we discuss that later please?" Harry sat down slightly put off by the questioning he was sure was going erupt out of Hermione.

Daphne smiled politely, "is there something else you wanted to do Harry?"

Harry smiled, "actually yes, I was hoping I could attempt a few of the basic transfiguration spells." Harry smiled somewhat sheepishly hoping he wouldn't come off as a nerd. "Does anyone have a match?" He looked around at the others to see if anyone else was interested.

Hermione brightened when she realized Harry was about to attempt magic, "actually I do, but shouldn't we wait until we learn about it in the school though?" Hermione looked around slightly nervous.

Harry smiled seeing that she was really interested in learning, "well I've actually already studied the theory behind the spell, I just want to see if it will pay off." Harry turned sideways to face Hermione then asked, "what about you Daphne, want to try?"

"Oh come on Harry, you know I never really got into reading when I didn't have to." She smacked Harry in the arm, "besides I'm sure when we work on it at school, you'll be able to help me right along." Daphne turned away from Harry to carry on a different conversation with Tracey.

"What about you Ron, care to give it a shot?" Harry glanced in his direction.

Ron looked unsure of weather he would be capable of doing it but shrugged his shoulder anyways. "Sure, I guess I could give it a shot." He pulled his wand out of his pocket and looked to be mentally preparing himself.

Harry grabbed the match from Hermione's extended hand and said, "thank you Hermione," looking at her appreciatively. He set the match next to him and pointed his wand at the red tip of the fire starter. He pronounced the incantation and watched the needle turn a light silver on his first try before returning to its original color. He passed the match off to Hermione and helped her figure out how to pronounce it as well.

AN: I really do apologize that I can't post a new chapter every single day, but I take my time when I write. I will do my best to release chapters every few days or so, but I just don't have the time to write enough every day.