A/N: Hey guys! My name's Emily. You can call me Em though. I've been reading on this site for quite some time, but never really worked up the courage to write anything since I've never felt like I'm a very creative person. So this is my first fanfic! Here's some things I wanted to address though:

1. This is eventually going to be HarryXTom/Voldie slash, but it's gonna be a pretty slow burn since it starts with first year.

2. I don't have a beta or anything, so all errors are my own. I'm fairly confident about my writing abilities though (grammar, spelling, punctuation), so there shouldn't be too many big mistakes. That said, I would love to know if there are any commonly occuring or gigantic mistakes. Then I can fix it! :)

3. Please review! Since I'm not too experienced with writing full length stories, I will happily accept advice on how I can improve myself.

Please Note: I will not tolerate hate. Meaning if you leave a review that is obviously just trying to tell me what absolute shit I write, I will completely disregard you. No one is going to make me stop writing, so if that's what you're after, you should find a new hobby. I'm looking for support in the form of critique (or encouragement, of course). If you're spreading flat out hate, you are not supporting me.

Thanks so much for joining me on my writing journey! I hope you enjoy this chapter.

-Em

Chapter One

Harry Potter rushed out of his cupboard and got started on his daily routine. He had learned from experience that it was best not to dawdle; Aunt Petunia didn't like that. Stomach rumbling, he set down his family's meal at the dining room table (his first task of the day was cooking breakfast).

Storming into the kitchen per usual was his cousin Dudley, who by each month was starting to look more whale than human. Seeing the glare his aunt gave him as he glanced longingly at the food, he scurried off to work on his next task. Before he was able to leave the room, he was stopped by his uncle's booming voice, which was muffled by his smacking sounds around his unchewed food - something that never hesitated to make Harry cringe.

"Go get the mail, boy."

Boy. Harry hated being called that word - even when it was the only name he knew until he started school and learned his real one. "Yes, Uncle Vernon."

Vernon Dursley was definitely where Dudley got his looks. Unlike Petunia's skeletal figure, Uncle Vernon was covered in fat with what had to be a triple chin. Needless to say, nothing about the man was pleasant.

No one's gotten the mail for a while I guess, the young boy mused as he sorted through the letters on the way back to the kitchen. Suddenly he stopped dead, his attention caught by a letter with a curious address.

Harry James Potter

Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey

Cupboard Under the Stairs

Looking around to make sure no one had seen, he hurried over to his cupboard and slipped the letter under his cot. Luckily his aunt didn't lock the door when he wasn't in it. I don't understand... That couldn't be for me. Who would send me anything? He closed his cupboard door as quietly as possible, hoping that no one had noticed. I'll look at it later. It can't be anything important anyway, he reasoned. Probably just a prank.

Harry slipped back into the kitchen, taking his family's plates and setting the mail down on the table.

"About time! What took you so long?" his uncle barked. Knowing Vernon, Harry knew he wasn't looking for an answer and continued washing dishes.

As soon as her nephew shut the water off, Petunia grabbed his upper arm and dragged him out of the kitchen, pushing him toward the entrance. "You know what to do next, boy."

"Yes, Aunt Petunia." Of course he did. Make breakfast, water the plants and work in the garden when needed, dust the house, pick things up, mop, sweep, vacuum, etc. He always made sure to find work to do. He'd be punished if he was spotted being "lazy".

Usually his punishments were the same. Being locked in his cupboard for a couple days or going a week or so without food. Sometimes, however, Vernon would pull out his belt if he was having a bad day or if he did something worse. It had been a while since anything horrible happened, though.

When he first started school, he was doing very well (having been excited to learn and be away from Dudley). Unfortunately, he quickly learned that as Dudley was a terrible student, and his aunt and uncle didn't like it when his grades were higher than their precious child. After a harsh beating, Harry started failing on purpose to appease his family. He did have his priorities, after all, and living was definitely in his top 5.

Harry continued his work, eagerly waiting for night to fall when he could get his hands on that interested letter...

"Boy! Are you done yet?" Petunia snapped from the hallway.

"Yes, Aunt Petunia! Just finishing up." Harry washed the last plate of the day, feeling almost overwhelmed with anticipation. He practically ran to his cupboard, although he knew his aunt would be suspicious if he appeared too eager.

"Go on! I won't have you keeping me from my beauty sleep."

Harry held back a snort at that. Is that what she calls it? Her horse-like features were not what people would call "attractive". He held back though, opting to crawl into his cot and pretend not to hear. He waited impatiently for her to slam and lock the door. Only when he stopped hearing her footsteps going up the staircase above him did he finally reach beneath his covers and tear open his letter.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Wow, thought Harry, this guy sure has a strange sense of humor. Internally shrugging, he continued reading.

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 your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Harry suddenly felt a surge of anger. How dare they! With a newfound fervour, he grabbed a sheet of paper and a crayon (both of which he stole from Dudley's second bedroom when he was picking things up) and began his reply.

Headmistress,

No thanks. I know this is a prank, and I don't think it's funny! Magic isn't real. Everyone knows that! Whoever you are, it wasn't smart to choose something that wouldn't fool anybody!

Please don't contact me again!

Harry Potter

There! I'll bet she won't expect that. Leaving it for the morning, he tucked it under his cot and tried his best to fall asleep. In unconsciousness, he dreamed of strange things - things he did not remember upon waking.

A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for reading. Sorry for such a short first chapter. I'll try to make them longer as I go along. Next chapter we'll see how he gets the letter sent and what his response is!

Off-topic kinda, I don't want to make this story too much like the book cuz I find that to be a bit boring to read. But I'm trying not to make Harry completely OOC. He had the same lifestyle as Book!Harry. He's just making some different choices. Later on, those decisions will influence his personality more.

Alsoooo... I'm writing this all on my phone cuz I don't have a laptop. So... Yeah. It sucks.