Hi everyone! This is my first time writing anything, ever. Any reviews appreciated!

We are just starting off and laying the groundwork. I have much more

written but none of it is publishable! I tidied Chapter 1 and

want to see what you guys think.

I plan to take this through Harry's time at Hogwarts. With some canon but

very much AU. I want to expand on the lore of the magical world that

J.K Rowling created.

Characters in this story belong to J.K Rowling I am but a mere hobbyist that wanted to put

his thoughts out there.

Halloween, Dumbledore's Office

As Halloween celebrations took England by a storm, a man, an incredibly old man you would probably say if you saw him, sat at his desk. Perusing documents with a frightening intensity. Every now and again he would get up and pace around his office with his hands folded behind his back as he stood tall looking almost regal. It was of course trepidation that made him abstain from joining in the usual celebrations. The reason behind his obvious feeling of apprehension was that this man was no other than Albus Dumbledore. The headmaster of Hogwarts. Leader of the light. Currently, the leader of the opposition fighting the self-proclaimed Lord Voldemort. Albus Dumbledore was going over plans and schemes that he has put it in place in order to defeat the Dark Lord.

As he was pacing, his face suddenly looked fearful. A sense of dread washed over him. He has remembered a location that he should not be able to recall. No, and yet Albus Dumbledore now remembers the location of Godric's Hollow – the residence of James and Lily Potter, and their young boy Harry.

'No..' – He murmured quietly to no one in particular. 'Fawkes! Take me to them now!'

And in a blinding fiery flash of light Dumbledore disappeared holding the tail of his phoenix Fawkes. He knew that the only way for him to remember Godric's Hollow was for the Fidelius charm to fail. Only reason that would happen was with James and Lily's death.

Godric's Hollow

The scene in front of Albus' eyes. He could never describe it. Not matter how long he stood and stared at it wide-eyed. Where the house should stand, there was a ruin. It looked as if it caved in on itself. Whatever magic was imbued into its walls failed – or was overpowered.

Albus could not delay the inevitable any longer. Taking his wand out he began moving slowly towards the house. Soundlessly stabilising the house with magic to preserve what remains of it.

He first came across James, lying lifeless on the ground. Covered by debris of the first floor and tiles from the roof.

'I'm sorry James, I promised to do all I could do protect you and your family. I failed' – Dumbledore spoke quietly as he knelt down to clear the rubble and to close James' eyes. 'Farewell, dear friend.'

He knew where Lily would be. Her maternal instincts would have sent her to little Harry. She'll be by his side.

Harry's room was the last remaining location still intact on the first floor. Dumbledore made his way to the door. What he saw made him gasp. Pieces suddenly started fitting together. His eyes fell to Lily, her eyes showed no sings of life as she lay next to the cot. Darting across the floor, he saw tattered remains of a black robe.

'What happened here Tom?' He asked quietly as he moved across the room. Slowly, he did not want to frighten the child.

For Harry Potter sat quietly in his cot, his face covered in tears – the boy probably cried himself hoarse, could not make another noise. If seeing Harry alive was not a shock to Dumbledore, the fact that he was surrounded by raw magic was. He fell to his knees upon reaching the cot, he could not hold it in any longer. Despair was threatening to take him over if not for the slimmer of hope he felt seeing Harry alive.

'Lily, oh Lily. What you did, whatever you did. It saved him. But you knew that he would have to face him again. I will do what I can, I promise, all I can to make him ready, when the time comes. He needs a childhood; he needs to grow up without our world poisoning him with its backwards ideals'

He looked back at Harry, noticing a scar – in a shape of a lightning bold on his forehead.

'So this…' He mused quietly as he reached in to pick Harry up as he has done so many times in the past.

Harry instinctively put his hands up and let himself be lifted from the cot. The magic that surrounded him seemed to realise that he is now safe and retreated. It did not disperse as Albus expected. It retreated into Harry.

'You are full of surprises my boy' – Albus told little Harry with half a smile. 'Let's take you to Hogwarts and have Poppy look you over'

'Hmm, Anti-apparition wards, though I doubt that would have saved you' – He spoke back to the house.

A loud pop! and Albus turned around pointing his wand straight at the eyes of a man who appeared at the gates to the house.

'Sirius! What have you done?!'

It looked like a fire was lit inside of Albus Dumbledore, he suddenly looked taller. He had this aura around him, aura of power. It is common knowledge that Albus Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards in the world – seeing him like this, it would terrify even the foolhardiest Gryffindor.

'Dumbledore… I… sorry… I… need to catch a rat!' – Sirius was stuttering, he was shaking, the words coming out of his mouth made little sense. As Albus was about to apprehend him, Sirius twisted on the spot and disappeared.

'How could you Sirius? Your best friend.' – Albus sighed as he wiped a tear way.

He looked back at the house. There was nothing to salvage he would take Harry to Hogwarts and come back to deal with James and Lily. He sent his Patronus to the Ministry – 'Voldemort is gone. Vanquished by Harry Potter'

With that he reached the gate and twisted on the spot Dumbledore apparated away with little Harry.

Hogwart's Hospital Wing

A stern-looking elderly woman burst through the doors of the hospital wing. Having spotted Albus standing there she was about to launch her many questions at him. That was until she noticed Madam Pomfrey reading vitals of none other but James and Lily's son. She stopped and raised her hands to her chest.

'Albus! It is true then? Owls have been flying in with the news for the past hour! What happened? How? Are Lily and James…'

Albus just gave a small nod towards his deputy headmistress. In an uncharacteristic show of emotion, Minerva McGonagall started crying – even Albus looked uncomfortable.

'I just can't believe it. They were so young, and now little Harry is all alone.' She sobbed standing over an empty bed.

'Albus what will happen to Harry now? Where will he go? I could…'

'No Minerva, Harry will go to his last remaining family. Lily's sister, Petunia. I have yet to go speak with her and her husband.'

Dumbledore raised his hand to stop Minerva from interrupting.

'It is important that Harry goes to live with his aunt. Lily… she performed a ritual. It's what protected Harry when Voldemort went to kill him'

'A ritual? What sort of ritual can stop the killing curse Albus?'

'There isn't one.'

'Then how…'

'The ritual required Lily's willing sacrifice. It then imbued Harry with her magic and the Potter family magic. It was how, when Voldemort turned his wand on Harry, the accidental outburst of magic upon seeing his mother collapse lifeless on the floor in front o him rebounded the killing curse towards Voldemort himself. Harry was still surrounded by this magic when I arrived it was keeping him safe.'

'Albus, you speak as if magic was sentient! For goodness sake he is just a babe! How could he have enough power to stop an unstoppable curse?!'

'Dear Minerva, isn't magic sentient? Isn't it a force that we as wizards and witches are so privileged to be able to control? Is it not our intent that allow us to take the magical energy that's within us and direct it outwards? Yes, magic did protect Harry. It will continue to protect him from ill-intent if he lives under Petunia's roof. For as long as he can call that place a home. He will be safe there from those on the outside wishing him harm.'

'There are still those that follow Lord Voldemort. Those who believe he has not died, and they are correct'

'You mean…'

Albus just nodded as he continued.

'That is right, he will be back. Until then Harry will live with his family in the muggle world. I will personally explain to him – tell him that he's a wizard and tell him about his parents.'

'Poppy?'

'He's ok Albus. Not a scratch on him, apart from that awful scar. There is nothing I can do about it – the magic inside it is keeping me from closing it. If I cannot close it, I can't make it disappear'

'I didn't expect that you would Poppy. He will have that scar his whole life. But scars are useful reminders. I will take him to Petunia now.'

'Albus? May I?' She took Harry into her arms. 'Bye Mr Potter. I will see you back in this castle in 10 years.' She sniffled as she handed Harry back to Albus Dumbledore.

'I will see you tomorrow Minerva. Good night Poppy'

With that Albus Dumbledore walked out of the infirmary with Harry on his arm. He hated the thought of leaving Harry with Petunia. Knowing full well her attitude towards magic. She shunned her sister for it.

'I do hope that putting a bind on your core will keep your accidental magic from flaring up too much. It is the least we can do not to antagonise your relatives even more.' He thought to himself as he carried Harry out of the castle.

'I am terribly sorry Harry; you might not be happy where I'm about to take you, but you will be safe. It is the right thing to do. I hope you will be able to understand that when I see you next time'

Albus sighed as he reached the edge of the wards. Twisting on a spot he disappeared with an audible pop.

That's all for chapter 1. Next chapter will be from the point of view of Harry. Dealing with the Dursley's and with bullying at school.

It will jump through the years and end before Harry's 11th birthday.

I have omitted Hagrid from this story on purpose so far - he will return don't worry!

Let me know what you guys think so far (criticism is welcome!)