"Harry, it is wonderful to see you again, my boy." His voice was warm and pleasant. Harry flinched when was called boy, it was usually a sign of Vernon's growing anger. "I haven't seen you since you were a baby. I see you have your mother's eyes, though it would be difficult to miss your father in you."
Harry had never heard such things in his life, he felt warm and confused. Usually pain followed his attempts to discover more about his family.
"No!" Vernon seemed to regain himself, standing and shrieking, "we won't have him go to any school to practice his freakishness! We won't have it!"
Harry felt his chest tighten and hair prickle. The man's eyes seemed to glow! What was he?
"I'm afraid it is quite out of your hands Mr. Dursley." The rebuke was short and contained the first hints of anger in the man's voice since he had arrived.
"When I saw how young Harry's letter was addressed, I was understandably shocked. I didn't believe it. After all, had you two died and your son was sent to live with Lily Potter, I very much doubt that she would have given him a cupboard under the stairs to live in. I see now that I was mistaken, and that young Harry is not safe here. I'm afraid that I have come to collect him, and he shan't be returning."
Petunia looked floored and stammered something unintelligable.
"The wards I set up to defend Harry were meant to defend him against those who might seek to do him harm. My mistake was, it appears, not preparing for the threats which were already inside. When he leaves, they will collapse and you will be vulnerable. Young man," The old man turned towards Harry for the second time, "will you take a walk with me? I feel that we have a great deal to talk about. I am also quite certain I owe you an overdue apology.
Harry looked nervously at the man. He glanced around at the Dursleys and remembered their disgust for him.
He made his decision.
The old man moved to place a hand on Harry's back to guide him from the room. Harry flinched, which caused the man stiffen before gently guiding Harry out the front door. He shut the door behind him and reached into his jacket. Harry looked at him warily, had he made a mistake?
The man presented him with a letter with a yellowing envelope.
"Harry, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I am a wizard, as you yourself are." He gestured for Harry to open the letter. Harry did so and read the contents as they both exited the property of Number 4 Privet Drive.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme
Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
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,
Deputy Headmistress
Harry looked up at the man with confusion. He only saw sad blue eyes. Then he felt something. Something odd. Like he was moving and the world was still. He felt things that weren't his and he stiffened and gasped. The old man's eyes were now wide with surprise.
"Harry, have you ever done or seen something odd?" He asked after a moment more of walking away from the Dursleys'.
Harry felt frightened, should he tell the old man, Dumbledore, anything?
"Hogwarts is a school for magic, Harry. It is a place where young wizards and witches go to learn, and hone their abilities." Dumbledore seemed to eye him carefully.
"Magic?" Harry said softly, almost in a whisper.
"That's correct," said Dumbledore, who was looking at him oddly.
Harry met Dumbledore's eyes and his curiosity got the better of him.
The emotions were heavy, worry, guilt and something else he couldn't identify. He saw a handsome boy in a bed with Dumbledore beside him and he heard…
He was back in his body with a wince. Dumbledore gave him a measured look at that.
"I will have to ask you not to do that again, Harry."
He stiffened, was he going back to the Dursleys? He nearly panicked on the spot.
"I'm sorry sir I didn't know…"
"Didn't know others could do it too? I suspect you felt me enter your mind earlier. Just as you felt it then, I felt it when you entered mine. It is possible for wizards to use this talent, called Legilimency, and dive into the thoughts of another. It is also possible for wizards to defend against this." Dumbledore explained slowly.
Harry nodded quickly, looking at the ground.
"The things I can do, it's all magic then?"
"What else do you do, young man?"
Dumbledore hadn't called him boy again. He must have noticed somehow. Or perhaps pulled it form his head. Harry paused.
"I can see other people's feelings, when I want, sometimes more. Like that boy near the bed…" Harry trailed off again, seeing Dumbledore's encouraging look he continued faster.
"I can move to places I've been to," he started softly, "and I can move things and, when Dudley or Vernon... well, when they were upset, I could heal really quick." He looked down, slightly ashamed. "I knew I was different, but I didn't ever think that…" He recovered after a moment. "I can speak to snakes as well. I found out at the zoo."
Dumbledore looked down at him with guilt and concern.
"Can you do magic? Will you show me, please?" Harry felt the desperate desire to see that he wasn't alone.
Dumbledore nodded after a moment and held out a pointed, knobbly stick. He gestured, and Harry's clothes abruptly changed. The holes mended and the fabric shrunk to fit his scrawny frame. He looked up in shock and glee.
"Thank you," he gushed out.
"For the clothes?" Dumbledore asked curiously raising an eyebrow.
"You're going to let me keep them? I thought after you showed me…" Harry said slowly.