Summary: Harry was left on the doorstep at the age of one. What would have happened if the Dursleys had done what they were supposed to do? What if Harry got a proper childhood and knew of his magic?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this, except for my own character Arianna Rosier.

A/N: This is my first fic so please go easy on me! Any advice though is greatly welcome!

--

Chapter 1: The boy who lived

Nearly ten years have passed since the Dursleys had woken to find their nephew on the front step, but things did not change much for the residents of Privet Drive. The sun rose to light up the same tidy garden and same neat house. Only the photographs on the mantel piece showed how much time has passed. Ten years ago there had been lots of pictures of two baby boys, but they were no longer babies and now the photographs showed the two cousins learning how to ride their bikes, riding on the roundabout at the fair, playing computer games and holding mock fights.

The boys were asleep at the moment in their respective bedrooms but not for long as two alarm clocks sounded throughout the house. Waking up with a start Harry sighed, it was Dudley's birthday today which meant that he had to do all the chores. Sighing he sat up and pulled his glasses on, he got out of bed and changed into a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

When he was dressed he went downstairs into the kitchen. The table was almost hidden behind Dudley's presents. It looked like Dudley had got the new computer he wanted not to mention the second TV and the racing bike. This was also good news for Harry as it meant that he would get Dudley's old computer, TV and bike. Uncle Vernon had always favored Dudley that is no secret but Dudley and Aunt Petunia saw them as equals. So whilst Harry only got one present every birthday Dudley always shared his.

As close as the two boys are they couldn't be more different in looks. Dudley was much bigger in size and had a lot more muscles. Harry however was skinnier and had messy black hair and green eyes as opposed to Dudley's neat blond hair and blue eyes. Harry had a thin face, knobbly knees and wore a new pair of brass-rimmed glasses. The only thing Harry liked about his appearance was a very thin scar on his forehead which was shaped like a bolt of lightning.

Uncle Vernon entered the kitchen as Harry was turning over the bacon.

"Hello!" He barked, by way of a morning greeting. The two had established a sort of civil relationship and tried to stay out of each other's way as much as possible and addressed each other as little as possible.

Harry was frying the eggs when Dudley arrived with his mother. Dudley nodded in Harry's direction as Harry called out, "Happy Birthday." Harry set the bacon and eggs on the table as Dudley finished counting his presents. His face fell. He had a large, pink face, not much neck under his thick, fat head.

"Thirty-six," he said looking up at his mother and father. "That's two less than last year."

"Dudley, you missed one from me." Harry spoke up after swallowing a mouthful of bacon. He threw his present over the table and watched as Dudley caught it and nodded his thanks. Harry had saved up his pocket money to be able to afford the present.

"Okay, thirty-seven then." said Dudley going red in the face. Harry recognized the signs and gobbled down his breakfast as fast as possible in case Dudley turned the table over in a tantrum.

Aunt petunia obviously scented danger too, because she said quickly, "And we'll buy you two new presents while we are out today. How's that popkin? Is that all right?"

"So that would give me...thirty-nine...okay, but Harry is picking them for me." Dudley sat down heavily and grabbed the nearest parcel and began opening them. Harry smiled and brought a plate of bacon down for Dudley to start eating. The two knew each other so well that words weren't necessary. At that moment the phone rang and Aunt Petunia answered it talking to Uncle Vernon all the while.

Harry watched Dudley unwrap the racing bike, a digital camera, a remote control aeroplane which he gave straight to Harry, sixteen new computer games that they will split later and a video camera. He was ripping the paper of a gold wristwatch when Aunt Petunia came back from the telephone trying to hide her relief.

"That was Marge, one of her dogs has come down with something and she won't be able to make it." She said. Aunt Marge was Uncle Vernon's sister, whom everyone disliked despite Uncle Vernon's best efforts to change their minds.

Before Uncle Vernon could respond the door bell rang – "Oh, Good Lord, they're here!" said Aunt Petunia frantically – and a moment later, Dudley's best friend, Piers Polkiss, walked in with his mother. Piers was a scrawny boy with a face like a rat who had a habit of following Harry and Dudley around trying to be cool.

Half an hour later, Harry was excited about his first trip to the zoo. Although Dudley and Piers have both been before Harry had been too sick to come, he had been taken to Mrs Figg, a mad old lady who lived two streets away. Harry hated it there. The whole house smelled of cabbage and Mrs Figg made him look at photographs of all the cats she'd ever owned. Luckily he rarely went there.

While he drove, Uncle Vernon complained to Aunt Petunia. He liked to complain about things: people at work, Harry's hair, the council, Harry's hair and the bank were just a few of his favourite subjects. This morning it was motorbikes.

"...roaring along like maniacs, the young hoodlums," He said, as a motorbike overtook them.

"I had a dream about a motorbike," said Harry, remembering suddenly. "It was flying."

Uncle Vernon tensed and stopped the car turning around to face Harry as Aunt Petunia and Dudley also tensed up. He looked pointedly at Piers before saying, "Motorbikes don't fly!"

Harry gave a very small nod, "I know that, but it was just a dream."

Uncle Vernon sighed and shrugged turning back to the road muttering something about kids and their overactive imagination. Dudley and Piers snickered as Harry sighed in defeat. The Dursleys had told Harry about his magic when he had turned seven and about his parent's death. Although they weren't able to help him with his magic Harry's family understood.

Especially after a few accidents when his magic got away from him. The most notable of which included the time he turned a girl's hair bright blue after she had insulted Dudley or the time he had somehow transported Dudley and himself into the living room after a prank they played. They weren't able to do much themselves but they did call in the help of his father's old friend, Remus Lupin who taught him many things about the wizarding world.

Harry was informed of his standing; he was the muggle equivalent of an Earl, he had the title of Lord Potter. But he was unable to claim his seat in the Wizengamont until he was fifteen, in the meantime Remus held a seat in his name. His parents had left him several estates, wizarding shares and stocks, Harry was shocked to learn of how rich he is. He was also told of Remus being a werewolf, his father and god-father being animagus.

Harry's parents had seven main properties of which six went to Harry, the other was given to Remus. The main estate was Potter Manor which had been unused in over twelve years. One cottage where Harry had first lived was located in Godric's Hallow and was severely damaged. Harry's other properties included a Holiday villa in Italy, an apartment block in New York and a small residential house in southern Australia.

The last four properties and various other small apartments were being rented out to earn Harry some extra income. He was also earning dividends from his shares and profits from the Potter family businesses. It seems as if Harry owns a number of mining companies as well as a couple of hotels that generates enough profit to cover Harry's entire trust fund in one year.

Harry had hoped to visit Potter Manor before he started Hogwarts that year but Remus was busy and wasn't able to find someone else to come with them. It is the largest wizarding manor in England. The estate consists of extensive gardens and fields, and a Quidditch pitch. There are approximately a hundred rooms altogether, fifty of which are bedrooms with three master bedrooms in three separate 

wings. There is a large potions lab down in the basement, a dueling chamber, several parlors, ballrooms and dining rooms. The wards and enchantments on the manor are amongst the strongest in the country.

They day of Dudley's birthday was a very sunny Sunday and the zoo was crowded with families. The Dursleys bought two large chocolate ice-creams for Dudley and Piers and a vanilla one for Harry. Dudley had one of his best birthdays yet as the boys joked around about the different animals or making kids cry when their parent's backs were turned. They ate lunch at the zoo restaurant and Dudley complained that his meal wasn't big enough so Uncle Vernon bought him another and he gave the first to Harry.

After lunch they visited the reptile house. It was cool and dark in here, with lit windows all along the walls. Behind the glass, all sorts of lizards and snakes were crawling and slithering over bits of wood and stone. They quickly found the largest snake in the place. It could have wrapped its body twice around Uncle Vernon's car and crushed it into a dustbin – but at the moment it didn't look in the mood. In fact it was asleep. Dudley and Harry watched the snake as Uncle Vernon came up behind them. Aunt Petunia had taken Piers to the bathroom.

"Make it move," Dudley wined at his father. Uncle Vernon rapped the glass smartly with his knuckles, but the snaked just snoozed on.

"This is boring," Dudley moaned and started to shuffle away. Harry looked at the snake and was surprised to see the snake open its beady eyes. It slowly raised its head until its eyes here on a level with Harry's. It winked.

Harry stared; he turned around and called Dudley back quickly. "Dudley come here, look at what this snake's doing." Dudley came around to stand next to Harry as the snake made a noise that sounded like hello to Harry.

"Eh...hello." Unsure whether the snake could hear him or not Harry just smiled and nodded his head.

"Harry...what was that?"

Confused Harry turned to his cousin with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean? I just said hello to the snake."

"You were speaking like snake language, Harry. Do you think this is something to do with you being a wizard?" Dudley looked shocked and cast around wildly as he said the word wizard afraid someone was going to pop up.

"Really? I did? Maybe, I don't know much about being a wizard."

Both boys were shocked as they turned back to the snake. "How is it that I can speak to you?" Harry asked the Boa Constrictor curiously.

"You did not know that you're a speaker?" Harry shook his head. "You are called a Parselmouth in your language. The language we are speaking now is known as Parseltongue."

Harry was shocked as Dudley nudged him in the side, gathering himself he turned around to find Piers heading back their way.

"We'll talk about this later." Harry whispered before giving the snake a quick wave and walking off with Dudley waddling behind.

After visiting a couple more animals Uncle Vernon took them to the mall to let Harry pick Dudley's last two presents. As they entered the department store Dudley whispered to Harry, "Pick both for yourself, I have enough."

Before Harry could protest Aunt Petunia came over and ushered them forward muttering about getting Piers home in time for dinner. After half an hour Harry picked a nice chess set and a new Soccer ball. The year they started grade 3 was the year he discovered his talent for soccer, he had the speed and the agility. He was now the captain of his school's team playing as striker. Dudley however was the school's rugby captain in the position of inside centre. The two would spend hours in the park practicing and training.

That night after dinner the two boys gathered Dudley' presents (minus the two Harry had bought earlier in the day) in Dudley's room and divided the large pile into two smaller piles. Harry's pile already contained the remote control aeroplane, and Dudley's old camera. Dudley's pile had his new racing bike, his new digital camera and his video camera. They sorted through the computer games deciding who would like which better. Dudley ended up with ten and Harry put the other six in his pile. By the time they were done Harry had been given Dudley's old TV, his old computer, a new backpack that Dudley didn't like, Dudley's old bike and Dudley's old VCR along with permission to borrow Dudley's videos whenever he wanted.

Summer had arrived and Dudley received news that he had been accepted into Uncle Vernon's old school, Smeltings. Harry would be heading off to Hogwarts unless he didn't get his acceptance letter in which case he would be heading to Stonewell High. Dudley was excited and said that there was no doubt that Harry would get in.

In July, Aunt Petunia took both boys along to buy Dudley's new uniform. Harry fought hard not to snicker at how funny the outfit looked. Aunt Petunia said that they would get Harry's the next day if his letter didn't come. Nodding Harry and Dudley went upstairs to get change before heading out for a run. They were both training hard to make the sport teams for high school or in Harry's case the quidditch team.

The next morning it was Dudley's turn to cook breakfast and they all sat down to pancakes which were Dudley's specialty when they heard the click of the letter box and the flop of letters on the doormat. Without saying a word Harry set his cutlery down and went to collect the post. There were three things there: a post-card from Aunt Marge, a bill and a – letter for Harry.

Harry looked it over as he headed back towards the kitchen, he rarely ever got letters. Aside from a couple of birthday invitations he had only received one other letter from school about him receiving an award. Yet it was addressed to him:

Mr H. Potter

The Smallest Bedroom

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

The envelope was think and heavy, made of yellowish parchment, and the address was written in emerald-green ink. There was no stamp. He entered the kitchen and wordlessly handed Uncle Vernon the bill and the postcard, he sat down and opened the envelope.

Uncle ripped open the bill, snorted in disgust and flipped over the postcard.

"Marge's ill," he informed Aunt Petunia. "Ate a funny whelk..."

"Oh yes!" Harry said suddenly. "I got in!"

He waved his letter around excitedly which was written on the same heavy parchment as the envelope. Curious Aunt Petunia walked over and read it quickly. She smiled, she knew it would happen. He can't deny who his parents were. She read the letter out loud for the rest of the family:

Dear Mr Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Uncle Vernon closed his eyes as if begging for patience. Finally he sighed and opened his eyes.

"You are to go but only on the condition that you refer to your aunt for everything, I don't want anything to do with that school."

"Yes Uncle Vernon." Harry nodded before turning to his aunt with the question in his eyes.

She smiled, "Of course Harry. How about we head over to Diagon Alley and get you your supplies."

Harry grinned and stood up ready to leave before his aunt grabbed his collar.

"Not before you finish your breakfast young man!" She said firmly as she pushed him down into his seat showing great strength for someone of her built.

Dudley snickered as Harry made a face and quickly finished his breakfast before heading upstairs to get his new backpack. It was another fifteen minutes before the boys piled into Aunt Petunia's car and left to explore a new world. Uncle Vernon had wanted Dudley to stay home or go to work with him but Dudley had argued that if Harry had been allowed to come to his school shopping then he should be allowed to go.

Aunt Petunia drove them into London and found a parking spot seemingly in the middle of nowhere as Harry and Dudley looked round fascinated as they got out of the car. They hadn't been to London before except to see the Big Ben years ago on a family vacation.

"Well this is it." Aunt Petunia said pointing to a grubby looking pub in front of them. If she hadn't pointed it out Harry felt certain he would have missed it. People didn't glance at it looking from the book store on one side to the record store on the other. In fact Harry had a strange feeling they were the only ones who could see it. So this was the famous Leaky Cauldron?

Harry entered the place as Aunt Petunia held the door open for them. For a famous place, it was very dark and shabby. A few old women were sitting in a corner, drinking tiny glasses of sherry. One of them was smoking a long pipe. A little man in a top hat was talking to the old barman, who was quite bald and looked like a gummy old walnut. The low buzz of chatter stopped when they walked in. Then as they decided that they didn't know them they went back to their conversations.

Aunt Petunia led them over to the bartender and smiled, "Hi Tom, we need to get into Diagon Alley if you please."

"And why would I let you in if you can't get in yourself?" The old barman peered at them suspiciously.

"Well, my nephew, Harry here needs to get his school supplies." Aunt Petunia said resting a hand on Harry's shoulder.

At her words the whole room suddenly went completely still and silent.

"Good Lord," said the barman, peering at Harry, "is this – can this be - ?"

He hurried out from behind the bar, rushed towards Harry and seized hi hand, tears in his eyes.

"Welcome back, Mr Potter, welcome back."

Harry was speechless, his aunt and Remus have both mentioned that he was famous but he never had really understood it. There was a great scraping of chairs as Harry found himself shaking hands with everyone in the Leaky Cauldron. He tried to keep a tight grip on his backpack as he wondered through the pup.

Impatient Harry nodded and followed his Aunt towards the back and out into a small courtyard. Meanwhile Dudley was flexing his muscle and put himself as a wall between anyone who dared try and get close to his cousin.

They finally made it to the courtyard and sighed with relief. Tom tapped the wall three times and Harry watched fascinated as the bricks quivered and a hole appeared growing bigger and bigger until they were facing an archway large enough for a giant to fit through. Harry looked at his Aunt's amused face to Dudley's shocked face and realized he must look like an idiot.

Chapter 2: Diagon Alley

"Welcome," Said Aunt Petunia, "to Diagon Alley."

Harry laughed with amazement as they made their way down the street. Harry looked in shock at some of the shop names. He glanced in amazement at the cauldrons before turning his attention to the owl shop and a store that displayed broomsticks. Amazed Harry looked at the newest one, a Nimbus 2000. In the end Dudley was forced to drag him away.

Finally they reached a snowy-white building which towered over the other little shops. They walked up the white stone steps and entered through a pair of bronze doors. Now they faced a second pair of doors, silver this time, with words engraved upon them.

The boys were lost as to where they were but continued to follow Aunt Petunia until they reached a counter.

"Morning," said Aunt Petunia to a free goblin. "We've come to take some money out of Mr Harry Potter's safe."

"You have his key, Ma'am?"

"Got it right here," she said as she pulled out a tiny golden key from her wallet.

The goblin looked at it closely.

"That seems to be in order. I will have someone take you down. Griphook!"

Griphook was yet another goblin. Aunt Petunia gestured for Harry and Dudley to follow as Griphook lead them towards one of the doors leading off the hall. The goblin whistled and a small card came hurtling up the tracks towards them. They climbed in and were off. Harry was surprised that the cart seemed to know where it was going because Griphook wasn't steering.

The cart stopped at last beside a small door in the passage wall. They got out and watched as Griphook took the small gold key and unlocked the door. A lot of green smoke came billowing out, and as it cleared, Harry and Dudley gasped. Inside were mounds of gold coins. Columns of silver. Heaps of little bronze ones too.

"All yours Harry. The gold ones are Galleons, seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle. Should be easy enough to remember."

Aunt Petunia helped Harry piled some into his bag before carefully zipping it up. They piled into the cart again and left.

"Now what do you want to look at first?"

"Thank you! That would be great. Um...How about my uniform first?" Harry asked unsure as he consulted his list.

Aunt Petunia nodded and led them towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions which was obviously the uniform store. They entered the store and found a squat, smiling witch dressed in mauve whom Harry assumed was Madam Malkin.

"Hogwarts, dear?" she said, before anyone could say a word. "Got the lot here – another boy being fitted up just now, in fact. So one of you boys will just have to wait."

"Actually madam, only Harry here will be attending Hogwarts."

Madam Malkin nodded and gestured for Harry to follow her to the back of the shop. A boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to him, slipped a long robe over his head and began to pin it to the right length.

"Hello," said the boy, "Hogwarts too?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands," said the boy. He had a bored, drawling voice. "Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first-years can't have their own. I think I'll bully my father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."

Harry smirked slightly as he was reminded of Dudley.

"Have you got your own broom?" the boy went on.

"No, not yet."

"Play quidditch at all?"

"Unfortunately no," Harry said remembering Remus mentioning it a couple of times.

" I do – father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"

"No, course not." Said Harry, wondering if there is a point in asking.

"Of course," the boy smiled his agreement, "But I just know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been – imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"

"I suppose, not that I'd get there in the first place."

"Nice to see we are on the same wave length. Name's Draco by the way." The boy, Draco, stuck his hand out and smiled.

"Harry, nice to meet you." Harry smiled back giving the boy a handshake.

"So are you here alone?"

"No, I'm here with my aunt and cousin."

"Oh, what about your parents?"

"They're dead. Died when I was a baby, I was raised by my aunt and uncle. You're lucky you still have your parents."

"Oh sorry, but they were our kind, weren't they?" The boy did sound genuinely sorry.

"Of course." Harry smirked, he was beginning to like this boy. He thought that they might be able to be friends.

"I really don't think they should let the other sort in, do you? What's your surname, anyway?"

Before Harry could answer, Madam Malkin said, "That's you done, my dear" and Harry hopped down from the stool and nodded at Draco.

"I guess I'll see you at Hogwarts then." Harry smirked. As he left he paused and turned around. "The name's Potter. Just so you know."

Without waiting for a response Harry left as he walked out to find aunt petunia had bought him some ice-cream. They stopped to buy parchment and quills after they had finished eating. Harry laughed when he found ink that changed color as you wrote. Putting everything away into his backpack, Harry consulted his list.

"How about books next?"

Aunt Petunia nodded and pointed to the shop called Flourish and Blotts. Whilst they were there Harry also bought a book called Hogwarts: A History and a couple books on his ability to speak Parseltongue. Next they bought Harry's cauldron along with his scales and as brass telescope. Then they visited the apothecary where Harry bought his basic set of ingredients. Last but not least on his list was his wand.

The last shop was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of fine wands since 382 BC. A tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop as they stepped inside.

"Good afternoon," said a soft voice. Harry, Dudley and Aunt Petunia all jumped as they found an old man standing before them, his wide pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.

"Hello," Harry said smiling very slightly.

"Ah yes," said the man. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon, Harry Potter. You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work. Oh and who have we here?"

"Oh Mr Ollivander," Harry took a guess as to the man's name. "This is my Aunt Petunia, my mother's sister. And this is my cousin Dudley."

"Nice to meet you both. Now on to business. Which is your wand arm, Mr Potter?"

"Well, I'm right handed," said Harry.

"Hold out your arm. That's it." He took several measurements he said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr Potter. No two wands are the same, just as no two creatures is the same."

Mr Ollivander went about giving Harry various wands to try. He had hardly raised the wand, however, when Mr Ollivander snatched it out of his hand and handed him another.

"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere..."

Mr Ollivander came back to the front of the shop from his storage room at the back holding a wand case. Harry took the wand fully expecting it to be snatched up again only this time he felt sudden warmth in his fingers. He raised the wand and brought it swishing down through the air and a stream of green and silver sparks shot from the end like a firework.

Aunt Petunia clapped and cheered as Mr Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh very good..." He dragged on, eyed Aunt Petunia, shook his head and proceeded to wrap Harry's wand back in its box. Harry payed seven gold Galleons for his wand and Mr Ollivander bowed them from his shop.

"I have one last place I want us to stop before we head back home."

They entered the owl shop and left twenty minutes later with two owls. Harry carried a large cage which held a beautiful snow owl, fast asleep with her head under her wing. Dudley also carried a large cage only his held an eagle owl that was also fast asleep under his wing. The two couldn't stop stammering their thanks. They made a quick stop to buy another set of parchment and quills for Dudley so the two can keep in contact throughout the year.

The next month Harry and Dudley spent going over Harry's books and getting to know their owls. Harry named his Hedwig from a name he found in A History of Magic. And Dudley named his Hermes after the messenger god. They left their windows open so that the owls could come and go as they please. Harry had memorized his books fairly early in the summer and was now working on taking notes. He had always been studious and was determined to do well at his new school and make his parents proud.

Dudley had read some of the books as well and found magic fascinating; he particularly liked the idea of Potions as it seemed interesting. They read the books on parseltoungue together and were surprised when they discovered that it was passed down from Slytherin especially as Harry knew he was a descendant of Gryffindor.

They celebrated Harry's birthday by taking him to the movies to see TMNT two. Harry has always liked the ninja turtles. He received a new set of clothes from his aunt and uncle. A pair of jeans, a green shirt, a black jacket and new trainers. Dudley gifted him with a photo album for his photos of his new friends. Harry also received a new broomstick from Remus himself.

As September first came closer Harry arranged for Aunt Petunia and Dudley to drop him off at the station. Uncle Vernon muttered something about work before changing the topic. Harry woke at five in the morning and was too excited to go back to sleep. He got up and changed into his new outfit, he checked his list and his trunk to make sure he had everything he needed, checked that Hedwig's cage was shut and then he took his trunk downstairs to wait for the rest of the house to wake. Two hours later Dudley helped Harry pile his heavy trunk in the back of the car, Harry said goodbye to Uncle Vernon and they set off.

They reached the station at half past ten. Dudley and Harry worked together to load his trunk onto a trolley and Harry wheeled it into the station. Harry stopped in between platforms nine and ten looking from one to the other uncertainly.

--

A/N: Okay, so I kind of kept it as similar to the book as possible. Any comments?