This is my first Harry Potter story, so bear with me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does. Fun fact: Did you know J. K. has more money than the English Hierarchy? No joke! Look it up! All OCs and concepts are mine. If you want to use them, ask first, OK?

And now, the story!

Harry Potter and the Shaman

[xXx]

Privet Drive, June 10 1988

Little Boxes on the hillside,

Little Boxes made of ticky-tacky,

Little Boxes on the hillside,

Little Boxes all the same.

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one,

And they're all made out of ticky-tacky

Little boxes all the same.

It was a beautiful Friday in Surrey. Not too hot; not too cold. The sky was blue and full of clouds. A gentle breeze blew eastward. All in all, a perfect, normal day on Privet Drive… which made the song "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds all the more appropriate to sing in the uniform, plastic, skeleton-in-the-closet subdivision, which we call Privet Drive.

A young man was singing; he looked no older than 18. He was of above average height with a lean build. His hair was dark brown under a tall, rounded hat decorated with a belt of coins with square hole stamped through. He had an angular jaw, high cheekbones and an evenly proportioned nose. His eyes were hidden behind black, horn-rimmed Ray Bans with pitch black lenses; hiding his eyes from everyone. He wore a pair of jeans, a pair of Adidas Samba's and a plaid, woven long-sleeve button-up sewn using black, brown and white threads. Underneath, he wore a white T-shirt. He wore pins for bands like Dead Boys, Fear, and Bad Brains on the left chest pocket of his shirt. So far he appeared to be just a little out of the ordinary, like other rebellious teenagers who lived on this street; the ones that the neighbors gossip about. But then there were features that really made this mysterious, singing figure stand out.

The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing intricate, black tattoos of Native-American tribal design seemed to begin at his palm, stretching to the back of his hand, moving past his wrist, up his arms and further under his shirt, hidden to others. He held a stick in his left hand; long enough to be a cane. At the top of the stick was a large knot; a gold ring was skewered through it, jangling loosely as he walked. The body was marked with etchings of travels; chronicling its owner's journey. On his back was wooden box with two straps threaded through the back, so the man could transport it like a backpack. The box was decorated with talismans of Asian origin, possibly Japanese. He finally had a satchel hung off of his left shoulder, resting on his right hip. A hilt of a knife poked out, barely visible. The young man wasn't from Surrey, he sure as hell wasn't from Privet Drive. But he walked down the street at a leisurely pace, singing "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds until he reached No. 4.

The man knocked on the door with his stick, cradling it in the inside of his elbow. The door opened and a horse-faced housewife answered the door, Petunia Dursley.

"What do you want," she asked, annoyed, on the lookout for her neighbors who would gossip about them consorting with this… "Abnormal".

"Hello, Petunia. I'm here for Harry," the man answered with a small grin. He had an American accent. Petunia looked shocked, then narrowed her eyes; giving him a look of disgust.

"You," she spat. "Get out of here! I won't deal with your freakishness."

"Not without Harry. I'm getting him out of here, peacefully or otherwise," he shot back with an edge in his voice. He pushed himself inside.

A fat man waddled into the front hallway.

"Who's at the do—WHO ARE YOU!" Petunia's husband exploded at the stranger who entered his home.

"I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that you have forgot, you ignorant hippo."

Mr. Dursley's eyes widened in revelation and his face turned puce. "YOU!"

"That's right, Vernon. Me," the stranger answered. "Now where's Harry?"

"WHY SHOULD I TELL YOU ANYTHING, YOU BRAT! I WANT NONE OF YOUR FREAKISHNESS HERE!"

"Again with the 'freak' thing. Jesus, don't you people have any new material? You really are a cog, aren't you?"

"GET OUT OUR HOUSE! NOW!"

"Not without Harry," the stranger countered. Then he heard a knock. He looked around, attempting to find the source. There was another knock, which the stranger had found to originate from a cupboard under the stairs. The stranger's face morphed into shock, then disgust as he looked at the Dursleys, who were now joined by a fat blond that the stranger deduced to be their spawn.

"You bastards!" the stranger yelled at the pathetic family. He then ran over then slid to the door. It was sealed shut with 4 different locks.

"Harry, are you in there," he asked frantically. He heard a quiet 'yes'. "Harry move back away from the door, I'm going to get you out!"

The stranger heard a tiny 'ok!' and he punched the door in, shocking the Dursleys. He then tore the door out of the way and peeked inside. What he saw disturbed him.

He saw a little boy with messy black hair. The clothes the boy was wearing were way too big on him. The stranger saw bruises over the boy's body and his arms were barely just skin and bones. The boy then looked up at him, revealing emerald green eyes behind taped together glasses and a lightning bolt shaped scar. This was Harry Potter.

The stranger was in shock. But he snapped out of it. He had to get Harry out of here, fast.

"Harry? My name is Ray. I'm taking you away from here, to somewhere safe. You can trust me," the stranger, now named Ray, told Harry as he brought out his hand for the boy to take. Harry was frightened, but he felt like he could trust the man named Ray. So Harry nodded and gave Ray his hand and he was pulled out from the cupboard. Ray couldn't believe how light Harry was.

With Harry out from the cupboard, Ray moved his gaze towards the Dursleys with anger emanating from his frame. The Dursleys felt fear; the spawn ran upstairs to attempt to hide under his bed.

"We're going to have words," Ray said quietly, fighting hard to keep control. Ray moved Harry over to the living room with the mister and missus following.

Ray put Harry down on the couch then removed his satchel and box from his person to the coffee table and floor, respectively. Harry's aunt and uncle sat on the couch opposite. And then Ray began, now much calmer.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly, Harry. I am Raymond Prospero Carnacki. I am a shaman and you are a wizard," he told Harry.

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"Your dad was a wizard and your mom was a witch. They both died protecting you from some bad people."

"But I was told they were drunken lay-abouts who died in a car crash. That's why I do all of the chores."

Ray brought his hand to rub the bridge of his nose, lifting his shades. After his shades lowered, he looked at the Dursleys with disbelief.

"Unbelievable! Only you two would sink so low to lie about the death of good people! Just because they had a better life! You sicken me," he told them with utter disgust. "They were heroes, and you lazy assholes just pissed on their graves and use their son like some sort of whipping boy!"

"They were freaks! Just like you and their son!" Petunia bit back, with equal disgust.

"You're right, I am a freak! But I'm a fearless freak! I laugh in the face of danger! I've done more in five months than the hippo here can do in five years! Tell me, Vernon. You still work at that drill company?"

"SHUT UP, YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" Vernon shouted in rage. Ray didn't even flinch.

"I'll take that as a yes," Ray said then continued, "but that's neither here nor there. I'm taking Harry away from here. Let me show you how."

Ray leaned over and opened his satchel. He pulled out a copy of the Guardian, an English newspaper.

"Petunia, read the headline aloud, please," he requested, giving the paper to Petunia.

"Child Protection Act Passed by Parliament," Petunia read, first confused, but then fearful. Her eyes widened and all the color in Vernon's face vanished.

Ray took the paper back. "Good," he said. "You now understand the implications. I can call the police and the both of you can be arrested and the little fudge ball, uh-,"

"Dudley," Harry answered.

"- thank you, Dudley will be shipped off to foster care. But get this; the wizarding world has had laws like these in effect since the 18th, 19th century. And the punishments are much more severe."

Petunia was shivering; Vernon was sweating up a storm.

"Good to see you understand. Harry, do you want to leave your family? Do you consider this place home?" Ray asked Harry these questions, already knowing the answers.

"They are not my family and this is not my home," Harry answered with determination to leave this prison he's been forced to stay in. Ray felt pressure leave his body. 'Alright, there's the bait. And now to wait for the sucker,' Ray thought over his plan. He looks over at the Dursleys.

"Ok, here's my ultimatum: you let us go quietly. If you try to stop us, the cops come and look at the house, and then you're arrested. You try to stop us violently, I kick your ass, the wizards get involved and you're more than arrested. Believe me, I can kick your ass. You let us go quietly, Vernon gets arrested for embezzlement and other white-collar crimes—"

"What are you talking about?" Vernon is on edge. "How did you know?"

"I found your file, you're being investigated. Did you really believe getting a new car every few months wasn't suspicious? Especially on your salary? As I was saying, you go away for eighteen months and good behavior and you still have a family to go home to. What's your choice?"

Vernon was still in shock, how was he found out? He was off in his own world. Petunia thought it over. No matter what they chose, they lose. But at least there's a chance to take care of her Dudders. So she chose for them.

"Fine, take the freak. Never darken our doorway again," Petunia answered. Vernon was shocked. How could she do this?

"Petunia! Why?"

"Dammit, Vernon! Think about someone other than yourself and look at the bigger picture! We're up against the wall. We try to stop him, then we get arrested and Dudley goes into foster care! Think about our Duddykins!"

Vernon was angry, but saw there was no other way. He slumped, which is amazing with his physique.

"Get out," he bit out angrily. Ray got up and pulled on his box and satchel.

"Gladly. C'mon, Harry," Ray said and moved towards the front door. Harry nodded and got off the couch followed him. At the door, Ray turned back to the couple on the couch. "If you go and confess now, they'll shave time off of your sentence and maybe put you in a minimum security prison. So long."

Ray opened the door and ushered Harry out then closed the door behind them. It was just then, Vernon and Petunia had the same revelation: How did he know everything?

[xXx]

Outside, Ray and Harry we're walking and talking.

"I'll tell you Harry. We're going to go on adventures. I'll do everything to protect you, I made that promise when you were born. I have a lot to make up for, but I won't let you down."

"But where are we going, Ray?" Harry had to ask. It looked like Ray was about to answer, but then they were interrupted.

"What do you think you're doing, Mr. Carnacki? It isn't safe for Harry," an old voice said. Ray and Harry turned around to see an old man in purple robes. His hair was white, just like his beard, which went down to his waist. Behind half-moon spectacles were blue twinkling eyes. "Harry, my boy, you really should return home to your family."

Ray's gaze hardened then he said, "Harry, may I introduce Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore: the man who dropped you on the Dursley's doorstep. I call him Brian."

"Mr. Carnacki, I must insist that Harry be returned to the Dursley's. I have wards there that will protect him," Dumbledore told Ray. Ray just snorted.

"You mean the blood wards?" Ray asked. "They were barely holding on. If anyone was after Harry, it would barely take two minutes to break through. Harry already broke those. And to top it off, the Dursleys have given up custody."

Albus was shocked. 'Harry broke the wards?'

Ray spoke again. "Did you even check up on him? I found him locked up in a cupboard under the stairs! LOOK AT HIM! He's so skinny! They had him do all the chores! They starved him! They beat him for every mistake! You were supposed to watch him!"

"I thought they would care for him," Albus tried to make an excuse. Ray covered Harry's ears.

"Bullshit! You were too busy fucking around with people's lives! Safety is a two-way street, Brian. For every external threat, there are a few inside. Case in fucking point!" Ray finished motioning his arm towards No. 4 and removing his hands from Harry's ears.

"Lily and James wanted him there," Albus explained, thinking he won. Ray shook his head in disbelief.

"Now I know you're lying. I read their will when I came back to England a year ago," Ray countered. "The real will, not that forgery you made. If anything were to happen to James and Lily, Sirius was supposed to watch over him. If he was unavailable, the Longbottom's were next on the list. With Sirius in prison and Frank and Alice insane, Harry was supposed to go into the care of me or Remus. And since Remus dropped off the map, I'm all that's left."

Albus was about to speak again, but Ray beat him again. "And it never said anything about Harry going to the Dursleys. In fact, it said the exact opposite. And now, the final twist. You witnessed it, Brian! YOU! Goblins take great offence and disrespect of such crimes. They removed you as Harry's magical guardian. I call on the key of Haradin James Potter!"

Out of thin air, a golden key appeared in Ray's hand. He then stashed it in his satchel. Albus was lost. He couldn't do anything.

Ray and Harry walked past him. Ray did some magic on Harry's glasses, making the left lens red and the right green.

"Expect a lot of angry letters, Brain. And there will be an audit. Harry will see you in his first year." Ray turned to Harry. "Keep those on. Don't run off, but if you get lost, trust your instincts ok?"

Harry only nodded before Ray took off his shades and a giant portal appeared. There were millions of lights and shapes and sounds. Ray took Harry's hand and they disappeared.

[xXx]

I finished my first chapter! OF ANYTHING! Awesome! So remember to review. No flames, it my first story. I also need a beta, so PM me or something.