A/N – This is a story I originally wrote while waiting for the Order of the Phoenix to be released. I've decided to re-write it with some changes. I will be writing this alongside Through Sapphire Eyes and this will also contain an original character who will also be Hermione's love interest.

Chapter One – A New Home

Harry Potter, an unusual boy by even wizarding standards was doing the same as many boys his age, laying back on his bed relaxing. Those other boys would probably not be laying there, however, to await the arrival of their Headmaster during the summer holidays. This was not a surprise to Harry, after the events of the previous school year he had predicted that Professor Dumbledore would make plans to have Harry removed from his dubious home in Privet Drive.

The letter did not state where Harry would be going but he assumed that it would be to the home of his best friend and adopted family the Weasleys. Harry had not received any letters from his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger but this he had a feeling, was due to his Headmaster. Like Harry, he understood that mail could easily be tracked and that it had to be kept to a minimum to ensure everyone's safety. Plus Hermione was in Bulgaria on holiday at the moment visiting her 'friend' Viktor Krum.

Even though Harry suspected there had been a blanket ban on mail sent to him, he had received another letter that week, but it was from such a surprising source that Harry knew that Dumbledore would not have thought to include the writer in the ban. The letter was from Fleur Delacour. The letter was on the bedside cabinet to Harry's right, and even though he had read it enough to be able to remember the letter word for word, he picked it up and read it again.

Dear Harry,

I hope this letter finds you well although given the circumstances I can understand that this is very optimistic on my part. I can honestly say that I am unsure as to why I am writing to you. I suppose the reason is because I do not think I thanked you enough for what you did for me during the Tournament. I also realised that I failed to apologise to you for the 'little boy' comment I made the night we became Champions. So let me start with that I am truly and deeply sorry Harry, not just for my rudeness but because of how far from the truth that comment was. Fifteen you may be, but a boy you are not and I will never see you in that light again.

Now comes the thanks yous unless you feel I need to...I believe the word is gravel some more. If so feel free to write back with how much gravelling you think I should do.

Anyway first I want to thank you for saving Gabrielle during the Second Task. Now before you start arguing this point with a letter like a mad man, hear me out. You are not the only one who took that song very seriously, I did as well, and when I failed to even find Gabrielle I feared I had lost her forever. You see I am part Veela and the added powers I receive from this are fire based which means being submerged in water for that amount of time weakened me and made me easy prey for the Grindylows. When I saw you emerge with Gabrielle I cried so much from sheer joy. By the way I have been badgered by said 'angel' to give you her love and best wishes and her hopes to see you soon.

Now I knew after that I had been very wrong about you. You see I had thought the tales of your exploits while in Hogwarts had been exaggerated. Now I see that you are the hero everybody says you are. So it comes to no surprise to me that you were the hero again during the third task. I'm not sure what happened to me when Viktor attacked, although I now know that he was under the Imperious Curse. When I woke up I was told that you had found me unconscious and sent up red sparks and saved me. We both know the sort of monsters that were inside that maze, so I have no doubt that you saved my life. So not only are you the hero from the stories but you are my hero too. Before you start spluttering like I know you will I am NOT turning into a brain addled fan girl.

Now for some good news, I have decided to finish my seventh year at Hogwarts. I think Hogwarts is a wonderful place and I feel that I would do even better on my N.E. there than at Beauxbatons. There are also a few people I would like to get to know better, the first of which is you Harry, as well as your friend Hermione. You see she and I share a common trait, we both love reading and studying. I would also like to enlist your help with something. I know that you are immune to my allure (that's the Veela power that makes most men brain dead vegetables) I would like if you could help Ron focus when I am around as I am sure I will be Sorted into Gryffindor.

I do have other motives for attending Hogwarts, but I will keep them to myself for now, but I will tell you if you decide to reply which I hope you do Harry.

Fleur Delacour

xxx

Harry had decided that he would write back to the beautiful young Veela, but only when he was at the Burrow. Until then he had decided that reading the letter at least five times a day was a good idea. Other than this new little hobby he had also completed most of his summer homework. He smiled at the thought of Ron finding this out; he would definitely think Hermione was becoming a bad example.

He glanced at the clock and saw that it was eleven fifty-six. According to the Professor's letter he would be arriving at midnight and wished to speak to Harry's family. He had informed his Aunt and Uncle of this, which was met with the usual good grace of his Uncle, that is of course until Aunt Petunia had basically told him to shut up. From what Harry could gather, his Aunt remembered enough from the stories that her sister told of the powerful wizard and decided that it would be stupid to insult him in anyway.

Harry picked up both letters, the one from Fleur being folded carefully and put in his back pocket, a habit he had been practising since the letter arrived. He then went and sat on the bottom stair facing the front door. At exactly midnight a light knock came to the front door. Harry approached it with his wand out and thrust it in front of him as he opened the door.

"Good evening Harry," Professor Dumbledore said, looking both approving and serious.

"Good evening Headmaster. Tell me, who was present with us in your office after the Third Task?"

"Sirius Black, your Godfather and unregistered Animagus, known as Padfoot of the Marauders."

"Thank you Professor," Harry said lowering his wand. "Please come in."

Dumbledore stepped inside and waited as Harry closed the door. "I must say Harry that I am impressed."

"Well when you have someone shouting 'Constant Vigilance' every ten minutes it makes you a bit paranoid. Even if he was a psycho."

Dumbledore chuckled at this. "Just so you know, the real Alastor Moody is just as bad as the imposter, but he is right."

"Then how come you didn't check I was really me?" Harry asked.

"Harry my dear boy, a Death Eater may be able to assume your looks, but none would be able to match your magic signature."

"You can sense Magical Signatures sir?"

"Not normally, only when the witch or wizard is amazingly powerful."

After this baffling comment Dumbledore made his way to the living room.

"Ah Mr and Mrs Dursley I apologise for the inconvenient hour, but I could not come during the day just in case."

"Please Professor Dumbledore, have a seat," Aunt Petunia said obviously intimidated by the Headmaster.

"Thank you my dear Petunia."

Harry went into the living room and stood by the door.

"Now the reason I have had to come at this late hour is due to the unfortunate circumstances the wizarding world finds itself in. At the end of the last term at Hogwarts, Harry witnessed the rebirth of Lord Voldemort."

CRASH

Aunt Petunia had dropped the teapot, sending broken china and scalding tea everywhere. Dumbledore repaired the damage with a wave of his wand.

"I see you remember the name Petunia. Yes Lily's murderer has returned. He tried to murder Harry but he greatly underestimated your nephew who fought Voldemort to a draw and escaped. He showed the same bravery as his father and I'm sure you remember the stories Lily told you of James in battle."

Petunia nodded. "I didn't believe her. I didn't think it possible that he was capable of it. James looked, well quite normal."

"Well let me tell you Lily was not exaggerating. James Potter was one of the most powerful warriors that fought against Voldemort with me, Lily was not far behind. Harry however is more powerful than both of them combined."

If Harry was shocked at this statement, he didn't show it. His Aunt and Uncle on the other hand...

"Him? Powerful?"

"Yes Mr Dursley. Few could match the power of Harry. Even fewer could hope to become stronger. I am considered to be one of the most powerful wizards alive. In a few years Harry's power will dwarf even mine."

Harry could not hide the surprise this time and Dumbledore chuckled at his expression. "All will come clear Harry, in time."

"If you say so sir."

Dumbledore still smiling turned back to the Dursleys. "Now being that Voldemort has returned I have decided that Harry will be better protected with a Wizarding family. I am aware you are familiar with the Weasleys? In any case Harry will no longer return here ever. Which, I am sure Harry will not regret. You see I am well aware of the neglect he has suffered at your hands and had I been in a position to do something believe I would. However, Harry needed the protection his mother's sacrifice and blood gave him. If he didn't need this then I assure you he would not have been living here. I'm not going to deal out punishment to you, however, remember this, Harry could have blasted you two into oblivion any time he wanted and never be prosecuted for using Accidental Magic. Remember how lucky you are that your nephew is a pure soul."

He Headmaster rose to his feet and surveyed them with a look Harry had never associated with Dumbledore. A look of pure disgust and loathing.

"Harry fetch your trunk and owl. We will leave for the Burrow immediately."

"Yes Professor."

Harry darted upstairs to get his belongings a little more than confused. If he was so powerful why couldn't he beat Voldemort? How could he ever hope to be as powerful as Albus Dumbledore? Harry came to one conclusion. Dumbledore was always a little on the crazy side, now he had gone full blown nut job.

Harry charmed his trunk to be feather light. After all a Ministry owl was not going to find him at privet Drive anymore, and carried it with Hedwig's cage down to the front door where Dumbledore was waiting.

"Come Harry, time to start a new and much better life."

The two wizards, both heroes of the Light, both of who hated titles of that sort, left Number 4 Privet drive and walked along the road until Dumbledore indicated they should stop. As he did harry felt a shiver.

"The wards."

"Pardon Harry?"

"Every time I walk down this street I get a shiver, I get the same while entering the grounds at Hogwarts. It's the wards, am I right sir?"

"You are indeed Harry. Tell me, how long have you been able to sense the wards here and the ones at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked.

"The ones here for as long as I can remember and the ones at Hogwarts in my third year, the first time I snuck into Hogsmeade," Harry replied.

"The first time? Harry you are definitely your father's son."

Harry was surprised that Dumbledore was amused at his confession of multiple rule breaking. "Well sir I thought it only right to carry on the Marauder's legacy."

"I couldn't agree more Harry, though I have three things to say. Exercise caution. Do not let Minerva catch you, and if she does I know nothing of your nocturnal activities," Dumbledore said with a wink.

"I'll remember that sir."

"Good. Now Harry I will be taking you by Side-Along Apparition. It will be unpleasant being your first time, but do not worry you are safe. Just hold my arm tightly and do not let go."

Harry gripped Dumbledore's arm while holding his belongings with his other hand. Dumbledore turned on the spot and Harry was hit with the uncomfortable feeling of being squeezed through a rubber tube. They appeared with a pop facing the Burrow. Harry had to lean forward on his knees and take several deep breaths.

"I'm impressed Harry, most people lose their supper the first time they Apparate."

"I haven't ruled it out sir. Sir can I ask you a favour?"

"Of course Harry."

"I know that the blood wards around Privet Drive will fail very soon. Would you be able to ward the Dursley's house with standard wards to protect against wizards?"

"Of course Harry. I was going to anyway. I'm surprised you care so much, I don't think your Dad would have done the same," Dumbledore said.

"Probably not. My Mum would have though."

"Very true dear boy. Now I believe Molly is waiting to feed you up so let's not disappoint her. I will wait here and watch you inside and then I will return to Privet Drive. I will see you on September the first Harry."

"Thank you Professor for everything."

"You're welcome Harry."

Harry picked up his belongings and walked the short distance to the Burrow's kitchen door. He knocked on it and it was opened immediately.

"Welcome home Harry dear."