Author Note: I don't own anything you read here, I have stolen all the characters from J.K Rowling, but if you don't already know that, I really don't know why you are reading Harry Potter fan fiction in the first place.

21/11/07 – Just fixing up some spelling and grammar errors.

Prologue, 1996, Harry Potter 6th Year.

Albus Dumbledore's Point of View.

Harry Potter has never had a very high sense of self worth. Maybe thats what has motivated him to throw himself into danger for the sake of others? A learned character trait, that could have only come from his less than ideal upbringing by the Dursleys. He had after all; grown up being told that he had as much worth as the piece of garbage they had stepped on in the streets last week. After he came to Hogwarts, he started to think better of himself, started to think he was of some worth but still the trait to put everyone else first and foremost, never changed. It is my fault Harry Potter went though what he did, by leaving him to grow up with his aunt and uncle, I doomed him to ten lonely years, and six long summers. I did what I thought was best. If he had stayed in the wizarding world, he might have grown up bigheaded around media and politicians, who put him on a pedestal for their own gain, then drop him when things go wrong. Also I could not allow the possibility of Death Eaters to kill him, in revenge for their old master.

His life was destined to be a dangerous one, whatever happened, and I hoped by what I did, I gave him a bit more time to hang onto his innocence. After Voldemort's first fall in 1981, the Unspeakable's wanted custody of him, to make him in to the ultimate weapon. I could not see that happen to one of my trusted friend's baby boy. To leave him to grow up without emotion, training as a killer before he could even walk, was unthinkable, and to leave him with the Dursleys was the lesser of two evils.

His ancestry shone though even in the cradle. The Potters had always been a strong family, and Lily Evans was unquestionably a powerful witch. The blood of both families shone though in Harry, after only 6 months he was already showing a limited control over magic, toys went flying to him, whenever he wanted them. I remember the night I was invited over for dinner, and the Potters asked me for advice on what they should do. Most young Wizards and Witches power start showing at the earliest of five, and yet their baby boy was already showing limited control over magic. I suggested a block. Nothing that would stop him, something that would merely limit him to a most one uncontrollable act of magic a year, and after he turned 11, I would release a bit more so he would only be above average in class, nothing to attract the attention of Voldemort, and when he was old enough and responsible enough I would take the block down altogether. It was done that night.

It had only one side effect, his eyesight overnight had become as bad as his father's.

It scares me sometimes to think the amount of faith people put in me, that they believe I have the power to make everything all right, but I don't. I do what I can yes, and my position as headmaster to Hogwarts gives me both influence, and respect, but the truth is I cannot work miracles.

I did what I could for the Potters, and I will do what I can for Harry. For like it or not, the future of our world lies on his teenage shoulders. I will help him as much as I can, but in the end, it will all be up to him.

Chapter 1

Quote: Quisque suos patimur. (We each suffer our own destinies) -Vergil

Harry Potter sighed as he looked out the window of Dudley's second room, and decided that life would be so much easier if for once he could go though a year without anyone worse then Professor Snape trying to kill him. As Harry looked out he could see the Order at work, only just across the street was one of Mrs Figg's cats prowling, keeping watch on him, and more then likely, thought Harry, the cat was probably was also there to make sure Mundungus Fletcher didn't skip watch duty again, for the fifth time that month.

Harry was naturally feeling cooped up, overprotected and basically all round pissed off. As much as things were by far better this year, with the Dursleys leaving him alone, for fear of Mad Eye Moody. Harry simply couldn't bear the looks, and the unnatural silence which fell whenever he entered a room, like they expected him to suddenly turn on them. Apart from locking himself in to his room, and pulling down the blinds, Harry could never be alone. He couldn't comfortably sit in the park or walk the streets when the house became too much, when he knew there was an Order member watching him, close by. Moody had already given him strict instructions not to go past Mrs Figg's house.

Not like Harry would want to venture down that way, not when she had kept the truth from him for so many years.

Like the Dursleys had kept the truth from him.

Like Dumbledore had kept the truth from him.

Even in his sleep he was not alone. Cedric, Sirius, his parents, were always around blaming him in an endless repertoire, like he blamed himself. When it was not his guilt tormenting him, it was Voldemort and his latest murder, or temper tantrum.

Harry sighed again, turned away from the window and let himself fall onto his bed face down. Ever since he had returned he felt shut in. It was like he could feel the wards around the house and going outside was like a breath of fresh air.

He didn't need his eyes or ears to know, Mundungus Fletcher had just skipped out on watch duty again. Ever since the beginning of July, he had been able to feel the magic around him. It had been faint at first, only making him feel certain that something had changed slightly. As the month went on, the feeling came with colour. He had nearly jumped out of skin the day he looked out the window, and was able to see the red barrier around the house, the magic that was protecting him while he stayed at Privet Drive. Only a couple of days ago had the feeling changed again. He could now tell what magic was around, what it was meant to do and what spell it was, without even thinking. The feeling that something had changed slightly had been replaced by a knowing of what had changed.

Harry could only imagine the trouble he was going to have a Hogwarts with all the magic, the pressure of the wards at Privet Drive was going to be light as a feather, compared to wards around Hogwarts. He had even briefly considered owling someone to ask if there was a spell he could use to dampen it. But he didn't want to cry for help, or give anyone anymore reason to treat him like a small child who couldn't take care of himself. He had already faced Voldemort four times, it not like he couldn't handle himself in a dangerous situation. He had been looking after himself since he had been old enough to learn how to dress. The Dursleys hadn't wanted to be closer to him then what was needed, even then.

It not like sensing magic was anything special anyway.

Harry couldn't help but laugh silently as he listened to Mrs Figg quietly telling off Fletcher again. For some reason it was not till a couple of hours later did he realize that he had been listening to a whispered conversation from across the road.

After another silent dinner with the Dursleys, Harry sat on his bed and looked out the window, waiting for Hedwig to come back from hunting. What he would not give to be able to fly away, without having to worry about the dark cloud that was Voldemort, which was hanging over the Wizarding world. To be killed or be a killer, both opinion held little appeal; one held a guileful future, the other offered only death. Just because of a stupid scar, he was a marked man, his future uncertain. Only sixteen and already dodging death's foot steps, because of something he can barely remember.

It's not like he was anything special anyway. He was failing Potions, as Snape was kind enough to inform him every lesson. He was an average student in everything, expect for Defense Against the Dark Arts, but even Harry couldn't explain away, why now and then he was able to do incredible things. A corporeal Patronus at thirteen, killing an basilisk at twelve, getting though the tournament that was designed for seventeen year olds at fourteen, and yet he would still have trouble with a simple charm in class. Harry couldn't help but feel like he could only ever do something special when he was in danger. The rest of the time he was just another normal everyday student who just happened to have a famous scar on his forehead.

The next day brought another exiting day of chores (as he was still expected to earn his keep) and doing homework. Chores were something the Dursleys never seemed to run out of and they always managed to keep him doing chores till well after lunchtime. After which he was allowed to do what ever he wanted as long as he didn't hurt Dudleykins, hang around watching the news, go outside his bedroom or worst of all do any M.A.G.I.C.

Due to his free afternoons it had taken less to no time for him to complete all his homework, even with the 8 foot long potion essay Snape wanted. After a couple of lazy and down right boring afternoons, Harry bought out his textbooks, from 1st to 5th year and re-read them all, expect the Lockhart books, which if it weren't for the unburnable charm on them, he would have happily burned long ago.

He had been amazed at all he had missed in his textbooks during the years, which could have helped him in the numerous sticky situations he had found himself in during his Hogwarts career. He came to finally have some understanding as to why Hermione studies so hard, it's because unlike what he would have been learning in a muggle school. Most of the classes, at least the practical aspects of it he would end up using in some form or another after Hogwarts.

He had come to a revelation. What he learned now, could save his skin later on, and who knows, maybe it will give him a chance against Voldemort. Maybe that was why he could do the advanced spells, because of that tiny little factor, that if he couldn't, he wouldn't just lose a grade, he would lose his life or the life of one of his friends. If he applied that to everything else, just maybe he would stand some sort of chance at defeating him.

He had been reading for a solid 4 hours, and was going though his potions book, when he felt Tonk's apparating in, he heard her and Lupin (who was going off duty) talk for a while, before Lupin apparated away. He was just reading about the effects of Batwing in a oil based potion, when he couldn't help but over hear a conversation between Tonks and Mrs Figg. He tried to ignore it, but gave up all pretences when they mentioned him.

"So really, no one's seen him all summer, we only know he's alright because he sends an owl every three days to Remus. Why am I the only one that thinks that this is not right," said Tonks

"Everyone's worried about him, Tonks. It's understandable he wants some time alone, with what happened to his Godfather. He's always been a quiet boy, he just needs time to think things though," said Mrs Figg

"But still it's not healthy for him to stay locked up in that house with Muggles who hate him."

"At least we know they aren't hurting him."

"Did they used to….?"

"They would drop him off sometimes, with his nose broken, or a bruises, he would always say he had fallen down the stairs, no matter how many times you asked him. He wasn't clumsily. So what else can be assumed?"

"Well at least he will be getting out soon, Dumbledore's thinking of moving him to Hogwarts for the rest of the summer." said Tonks

"Good, no one deserves living in a house with people who hate you, especially Harry. He's been though so much."

Harry stopped listening; light was showing at the end of the tunnel, he was going home.

The next week, Tonks information proved correct, and for Harry; who had already spent more then the minimum amount of time at the Dursleys, and worked his way though all his textbooks, Hogwarts was a welcome distraction. That clear Saturday morning, the Dursleys went out shopping for Dudley schools supplies, having left him at the house to complete the list of chores. An hour later Mrs Figg entered Privet Drive, hobbled down the street passing the identical houses till she reached number four, where she walked down the neat garden path, to rap her knuckles against the door.

Harry having watched Mrs Figg enter Privet Drive, had already got his truck door stairs, and the door opened, before Mrs Figg had time to more her hand away for the door.

Mrs Figg smiled and winked, "Wotcher Harry."

"Tonks!" Harry exclaimed managing to sound surprised, despite the fact he had already known it was her due to the feel of her magic, as soon as she entered the street. As Tonks' magic had a noticeable purple glow with a clumsy feel to it.

Tonks nodded, and stepped inside, Harry closed the door behind her.

"I don't know how you stand this place, everything is so…neat." said Tonks looking around making neat sound like it was bad thing, "What does your aunt do, clean all day?"

'You could say that." answered Harry. 'Though usually she makes me do it.' he thought.

"Sorry about the no notice, Harry. Do you need help packing?" asked Tonks

"Nah, I'm already packed." said Harry moving aside, and showing Tonks the trunk laying behind him.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you knew I was coming before hand." said Tonks, wagging a finger at him.

Harry just smiled and hoped Tonks didn't start fishing for information. Luckily she was already busy looking though the enormous bag on her shoulder. Only a minute later she found what she was looking for, bringing out a small, dark brown, teddy bear.

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, don't look at me like that, Dumbledore made it. It will take you straight to his office, in about 10 minutes." said Tonks

Harry nodded, and put the teddy bear down next to Hedwig's empty cage.

"Now are you going to be a nice young boy, and offer a poor old woman, some tea." said Tonks, putting a over dramatic hand to her heart.

Harry smiled, led Tonks into the kitchen, and while Tonks drunk her tea, Harry found some pen and paper.

I am going back to school. See you next summer.

Harry

Leaving the note on the kitchen table, where they were sure to find it, Harry picked up the teddy bear and sat on his trunk.

At 10:30 on the dot he felt a pull at his navel and the last thing he heard before he disappeared was Tonks saying goodbye, before he found himself in Dumbledore's office, and he couldn't help his face coloring with shame as he thought of his behavior the last time he was in here.

Fawkes on his stand in the corner, who had been busy preening his feathers, trilled and then went back to preening as Harry stood up, and look around the office for Dumbledore.

He is coming.

Harry jumped; the voice had seemed to fill his head.

Oh, so you can hear me. I've had a feeling it would be you.

Harry thought wildly, what?

The wall in front of him suddenly had a door that Harry knew for certain had not been there before.

Go on.

Why?

I want to show you something.

Harry walked towards the door, put his hand on the handle and it turned easily. He hesitated…

Don't you trust me?

No, I always made it an habit to trust strange voice that suddenly appear in my head and that won't tell me anything, thought Harry sarcastically. Harry had a sudden feeling that the voice was laughing.

Come, Harry Potter, I will tell all.

Harry walked though the door, and found himself in a room that looked very much like a cross between the Gryffindor common room, and his room at the Dursleys. The room was small but cosy, a four poster bed which sat in the back corner of the room, while a fire blazed in the fireplace, and a deep green lounge chair faced the fire.

This room is different for everyone, as it shows the place you are most at home.

Harry kept looking in wonder, and he realized that for the first time in months, he felt totally at peace. After a couple of minutes, he realized he should have asked something at the beginning.

Who are you?

The question who should be asking is, who are you?

Why have you suddenly decided to talk to me?

Ever since you walked in to Hogwarts I have been talking to you, it was just that you couldn't hear.

Why can I hear you know?

Because you were born to hear me.

Why won't you just give me a straight answer? Harry asked frustrated

Why do you need one?

I thought you said you would tell allaccused Harry

There is no longer enough time, he is nearly there.

Then suddenly Harry Potter was sitting in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. Harry had only just composed himself as Dumbledore walked in the door, looking a little more world worn then last year.

"Ah, Harry, sorry to keep you waiting, I was in an last minute talk with Professor Snape, I believe he was disagreeing with one of his class lists. But it is of no matter." said Dumbledore sitting down behind his desk.

"Sir…." said Harry, after a couple of second's silence.

"Oh, sorry dear boy, anyway, I wanted to hand you your O.W.L results personally." said Dumbledore, opening a drawer in his desk and handing Harry a sealed envelope, with his name written on the fount in green cursive writing.

Harry opened it slowly,

Mr H Potter,

We are pleased to give you your results of your O.W.L. that you took last school year.

Harry's hands shock as he turned to the next page for his results.

Defense Against the Dark Arts:

Practical: Outstanding + Extra Credit

Theory : Outstanding

Charms:

Practical: Outstanding

Theory: Outstanding

Transfiguration:

Practical: Outstanding

Theory: Exceeds Expectations

Herbology:

Practical: Outstanding

Theory: Exceeds Expectations

Potions:

Practical: Outstanding

Theory: Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy:

Practical: Dreadful

Theory: Exceeds Expectations

Care of Magical Creatures:

Practical: Exceeds Expectations

Theory: Acceptable

Divination:

Practical: Dreadful

Theory: Dreadful

History of Magic:

Theory: Dreadful

Congratulations, Mr Potter, on achieving a total of

7 Outstanding, 5 Exceeds Expectations, I Acceptable, 3 Dreadful + One Extra Credit

Harry couldn't believe what he was reading, he had never expected to do so well, especially in potions! A thought hit him, and he looked up at Dumbledore, who took one look at him and laughed.

"The pages are charmed, so the marker on the theory can't read the name." said Dumbledore, Harry nodded.

"I trust congratulations, are in order, Harry."

"I got seven outstanding," said Harry, faintly nodding.

"I knew you would do well. May I?" said Dumbledore, nodding his head to the result sheet.

"Of course." said Harry, handing it over.

"As I expected, you did better on the practical then on the theory, and you got extra credit on Defence, very good. I suppose your DA tutor groups, helped you."

"Yeah," said Harry remembering how much he enjoyed teaching DA.

"Everyone in the DA did brilliantly in the O.W.L in defense, if I remember rightly." said Dumbledore absentmindedly.

"Even Neville?" asked Harry, surprised

"Even Mr Longbottom managed to scrape though with an Exceeds Expectations in practical defense." said Dumbledore smiling slightly.

Harry sat back in his chair, he shouldn't have been surprised but he was, remember how bad Neville was at the beginning of the year, and how confident he was in volunteering to go with him to the Ministry of Magic, it was amazing how much Neville had improved.

"His grandmother, was so proud of him, that she sent me at letter that she asked to be handed on to his defense teacher, I believe this letter should rightly go to you." said Dumbledore pulling out another envelope, this time, Harry put it in his pocket to read later.

"Thanks you, Sir." said Harry, politely,

"I suppose you are wondering why I have decided to bring you to Hogwarts early." said Dumbledore, making a tent out of his fingers.

Harry nodded.

"Though I realises you will probably find the work load this year heavier, I am afraid, I must insist on adding to it. With the incident, and what I told you last year, I assume you realise the seriousness of this situation."

"I do." said Harry slowly.

Dumbledore looked at him sadly, the twinkle in his eye dimmed.

"You are too young to bear the world on your shoulders." he said finally

"And you are too old to bear it on yours," said Harry, without thinking, "Oh, I'm sorry sir…"

Dumbledore laughed.

"No, don't be sorry, you are right. In war, people are either too young or too old. When I took care of your guardianship, I had hoped to protect you for as long as possible from your fate. But it seems, I can no longer do so. But I can still teach you, all I know. You will need every trick up your sleeve that you can get, but first, I must remove something I placed on you, when you were only six months. This might cause you to pass out, so be warned. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, I'm ready."

Dumbledore, smiled down at him, and then whispered a spell, waving his wand in a complicated movement.

For a second Harry felt nothing, and then he felt like a dam was breaking up inside, and he knew no more.

End of Chapter One.

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By the Insane Ruler of the World

Cartooned.