Part One - The Early Years

Chapter 01 - Stolen

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The war was finally over. Harry had defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort and very soon would widely hailed as a hero and the savior of the wizarding world twice over. He didn't think he was much of one, he still felt like just Harry... only exhausted and more than a little hungry.

He sat down across from Voldemort's cooling body and thought about eating one of Mrs. Weasleys home made dinners, about sleeping in his four poster at Hogwarts and about how this was sure to be recommendation enough to get him into the Auror training academy. Life wasn't perfect but things were finally looking up. He leaned back into a small crater the late Voldy had blasted into existence earlier and relaxed... because for the first time since he discovered magic he could relax, there was no one out to get him.

In fact, he thought, at this moment he felt better than he had ever felt before... suspiciously better. His heart began to race and his anxiety mounted as he realized he couldn't open his eyes. He couldn't move at all... had it all been an illusion? Had this been Voldemorts trick from the beginning?

'Calm yourself dear child... for I have come bearing a great gift, to give you hope and a future, not to bring you harm'

The voice had seemed to come from everywhere about him, it had a melodious and inhuman quality that he couldn't quite place... but reminded him somewhat of Fleur. That wasn't right at all though... he was trapped in Voldemort's spell.. he needed to get out. Forcing himself to ignore the foreign sense of calm that enveloped him he struggled to move his body, to get away.

'You're not trapped at all Istari child. I have taken you from the pain and suffering of your old life and will send you to a place of healing. The elves are a gentle and peaceful folk, they will give you the childhood you have always deserved...'

Harry tried to take a calming breath, but his chest wouldn't expand, Harry in fact wasn't breathing at all. It was at this very moment that he came to a critical realization... whoever this was, this magical kidnapper, she had killed him or was about to do so... you needed oxygen to live!

Now wizarding children are prone to accidental magic, particularly in extreme situations, Harry had over the years developed quite the threshold for madness and life and death situations, but this was a bit too much. With the knowledge that his death was imminent, Harry panicked and his magic was unleashed.

"Erestor is simply the most gentle elf. Misfortune has come upon him though, his lady love and their child will pass on while she labors to give birth... I would gift him with a child though, and I would gift you with such a... wait.. what are you doing?!

At her panic Harry felt a moment of triumph. The invisible bonds seemed to loosen against the pressure his magic was placing on them and the very moment they gave way he threw himself as far off as he could.

'NO!' The voice cried. 'That's the wrong way Harry, you're not meant to go that way!'

Harry's final thought before falling into the abyss and sinking into the strangely warm waters of the afterlife were thoughts of success.