Forgive me all you physics majors out there I'm just rolling with an idea. I apologize if I make any mistakes.

Disclaimer – I don't own Harry Potter

Three weeks into his first year of primary his teachers had noticed him getting restless in classes. He was above the level they were holding him at. He wanted to learn more and he was attempting to read ahead most of the time. Whenever he was called on in class for group reading he'd look up slowly, not knowing where to read from and not really wanting to stop reading the chapter he was on. He grasped the concepts faster and he didn't want to keep reviewing. He wanted to go ahead, onto something new and unknown.

It was rare, but not at all unexpected in little Harry's case, for a student to be pushed a grade forward so they remained academically challenged and once it had become clear that he was beyond the first year they allowed him to go forward.

The second year teacher looked at the name with some excitement. A new student popping in wasn't rare in the least, but from a lower grade? She hoped he was as impressive as her friends in the teacher's lounge claimed he was.

Students trickled into the room, took their seats and then she saw him. The small boy with dark hair standing near the door. His clothes were too large for his frame and his glasses barely sat on his nose properly but he stood up straight, his chin held up firmly. She could see the shadows under his eyes, almost hidden by his hair falling around his head wildly. There were some laughs at his mangy appearance from the students but she withheld judgment.

"Class, This is Harry Potter." She said, drawing their attention to her. "He's been bumped up a grade and he'll be joining us from now on, say hi." The class chorused their hello and Harry waved back before asking where he should sit.

He'd turned seven with various blows from his uncle to various parts of his body before being dropped unceremoniously onto the bed in his cupboard. His body hurt and shook as he tried to hug himself into a corner and wish the Dursleys away from him.

He never did anything to them. He cleaned, cooked, did well in school. He did the best in school! In the two years he'd been going he'd been brought up five grades. He was beyond what anyone expected of him. They didn't care for that, though, they looked down at him as they beat him into submission. They hurt him for doing better than Dudley every time grades went out. They hurt him whenever he was boosted a grade.

They hurt him if he was breathing too loudly from the cupboard when they were watching the telly.

Harry shut his eyes tightly as tears slid down his aching cheek. Why wasn't he allowed a loving family? What made him different than all the other kids in his classes? Their parents smiled as they picked them up from school. They asked how their day was. Petunia showed up to get them and if he happened to be slower than Dudley then he walked himself home. There was no love or happy feelings in the Dursley household.

Just shame. . . Pain. . . Fear. . . He cried himself to sleep as he rocked back and forth on his mattress asking whatever deity that would listen to take him from the hell he'd been forced into.

Physics.

The name reminded him of physical education which he did poorly in due to his size. He was only eight and all the opposing players in whatever game they were playing sixteen or seventeen. He was required to take the class for the duration of his stay in the secondary school. The Headmaster had said that he didn't expect Harry to remain in the school long and the PE classes were required for graduation.

It's only saving grace was that the beatings stopped. He had to change in the locker rooms and Vernon wouldn't be seen as the child abusing monster he was. The verbal abuse only grew though. Harry could deal with that though. He was an eight-year-old child that was about to graduate secondary school. He already had scholarships for University lined up.

Vernon had spoken up about it. Saying he would not allow Harry to go but he wasn't considered a genius for nothing. The scholarships more than paid for all the classes and books. The rest would fall into his pocket and he'd promised the money to Vernon. He didn't want it and if it bought him a pass to further his learning he was happy to give it away. The Dursleys never looked at Harry for what he was anyway and a few pounds for a blind eye was more than worth it.

What they refused to see was a genius of the highest caliber. Even now, when he was eight years ahead of where he should have been, he was still top of his class. He had no trouble remembering his studies, he could recall word for word what the text said. He comprehended theory that his year mates had trouble getting a grip on.

His favorite class was physics though. He already knew that he wanted to go into some field of theoretical physics. He wanted to be a PhD. A respected authority figure that people could turn to for advice. Despite some disagreement from his current peers when he was initially installed into their class they looked to him when they were unsure. His teachers praised his work and breathtaking despite the lack of effort he put into it.

It was easy. He simply looked at it and noticed something that made sense. The logical conclusion. He didn't fully understand how it was so hard for everyone else. Even his teacher missed some aspects that Harry corrected for him. Harry had the decency to feel bad for the man when the class laughed. The teacher smiled happily, waving off their laughter, and just told him that he wasn't as smart as Harry. He knew more than enough to teach and be happy but once Harry got to university the man knew that the boy would quickly bypass him.

Harry glowed under the praise.

Unfortunately, despite all his academic success, he had few friends. He didn't get to go out at home, his 'family' didn't let him go out and risk the neighbors seeing him so he didn't know any of the other children. In school, he progressed too fast for any of his acquaintances to become more than that. Anyone that approached him wasn't looking for friendship. They wanted his help with a project or homework. He was a means to an end to them, not a person.

Really though, normal people didn't progress as quickly as he did. The conversations he had with his classmates bored him. They started on something outside of school and he'd distance himself from it because education was his life. If they started on the school work he'd get excited and go on and on and eventually get over their head. Nobody could match him.

Nobody could keep him satisfied.

University was entirely different that any other schooling he'd done. It was also so much more enlightening. He'd tested out of so many classes that it had left the counselors gaping like fish. The classes he was placed into were far more challenging than any of his previous, for the first two weeks. By then he'd finished the textbook and could quote the text. He was able to give definitions and even original tricks to help him remember certain things. Everyone was, naturally, amazed at his academic prowess.

So amazed, in fact, that his teachers would clear parts of their schedule when he asked for private help. They found themselves having intense debates with the young boy that they were often on the losing side of.

His eleventh birthday was approaching quickly though, and he was in one of the campus labs working on a miniature field. He'd had an idea for a game. Just something that popped into his mind. It felt familiar but he couldn't place it so he just did what he did best and went to the lab.

"Harry!"

His heart lurched at the noise. He turned around immediately to see his professor standing in the door the older man smiled kindly at him before walking over to him. He set down a few notebooks and the course book that Harry himself had. "Not very surprised to see you here lad. What are we looking at then?" he asked as he looked at Harry's small field.

"Just a little game I'm trying to work on, Sir. I'm afraid it's not going to be finished for quite some time." Harry responded as he moved to the side so his professor could see it properly. "The idea is to have the stick move." he pointed to the small twig of metal floating over a large magnet. "After I figure out how to do that I had wanted to make a ball move around the field. It would only be capable of preset movements and the goal would be to catch the ball."

He picked up a miniature basket that fit between his fingers, "This would go on the tip of the stick to grab it." He shrugged as he moved to give the man a chance to examine it. He didn't have much more to do anyway so the man's appearance hadn't been ill-timed. A few assignments and then he'd have to go home. He tried not to spend too much time there. As little as possible most days. But he still had to sleep somewhere.

"This is marvelous Harry." The man said suddenly. He looked to the boy and saw the quiet pride. "I have some students who I'd imagine would be able to help with your movement problems. I'd be happy to introduce them if you'd be willing to allow others into this little project."

Harry's eyebrows rose at that. He'd planned on doing it all on his own. That would have taken a long time though. A team though.

"That sounds wonderful Sir."

He laughed quietly to himself as he copied the student's names and contact information onto a clean sheet of paper. "Here you are." He said, sliding the paper into Harry's waiting hands. "Now, my curiosity is satisfied, I'll toddle off. Wouldn't want to take up too much of your time, would we."

"You're no bother at all, Sir." Harry folded the note and pocketed it before moving to put away the field. "I'm about done here anyway. Heading up to the library to finish some homework."

"Of course. Can't let a mind like yours go stale. It would be such a terrible waste"

His birthday came quickly.

Harry found himself sitting alone on the edge of campus. He needed a quiet place to study before finals and with the rest of campus in such a fuss the library was much too crowded. He wasn't expecting the finals to be for too challenging but he was hoping for a surprise. He'd begun correcting his teachers again so, hopefully, they would pull something out of their obscure file that he would have to figure out on spot. He still had to go through his dissertation but he felt more than prepared for it.

He'd written it on the idea of controlling matter at the molecular level. He'd gone into a depth he hadn't originally planned on but one he'd started he'd become possessed with the ideas. Controlling the functions of atoms could allow for almost anything. You could turn air into water, turn water to lava. His professor had been awed by the idea but had informed him that the idea was ahead of its time. They had no technology capable of doing what he was proposing.

Harry simply smiled and told the man that he'd build them. He already had plans after he graduated. He would never have problems getting grants to gather a team to put his ideas into reality. It would be years of work. Many, many years of work but the results would change the natural way of life. He was still very young though and he had plenty of time.

Harry had found a real joy in physics. With a focus, he'd accelerated at an amazing rate. His progression in secondary school seemed almost dwarfed by his new found knowledge. He understood the most basic form of the universe and it brought life into perspective. His teachers had pushed him toward the study groups that focused on frontier science. 'lead the world to a new tomorrow, Harry' they'd said.

He certainly wanted to but his idea of a new tomorrow wasn't a better way to build bridges or cars. He liked fringe science. He liked to think he could put his mind to work and make things people could only imagine in their wildest daydreams. Things that would make the run of the mill scientist flounder about his blatant refusal to accept a concept. The book he was currently reading was on the electrical impulses in the brain. Biology wasn't a part of his major but he'd wanted to take it anyway, along with Chemistry and Electrical Engineering. He'd gotten permission from the Headmaster to run more classes than an average student and he'd proven himself capable of handling the workload.

Suddenly, as odd a sound as it was, Harry heard the sound of an owl. He looked up, scanning the sky for the out of place bird. His eyes widened when he saw the large brown bird flying directly toward him. He ducked his head down as it flew just over him, landing on the table in front of him. It stuck it's leg out toward him as soon as he looked up at it.

Clutched in its talons was a letter that looked to be from some time period in the last century. It was a heavily yellowed envelope with a thick wax seal an elegant H pressed into it. "Is this for me?" He asked tentatively, feeling slightly odd for asking the creature a question. It hooted and hopped forward, nudging the letter at him slightly, leaving him slightly shocked that the owl seemed to respond to his question.

Deciding that it was definitely for him, he tentatively reached out and took the letter from the bird. He eyed it as he pulled the seal up. It didn't make any sudden movements or attempt to fly away. It was just sitting, staring at him expectantly. Finally, as the owl seemed to be fine waiting, he looked down at the paper in his hands.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer., Chief. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation. 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 the first of September. We await your owl by no later than the thirty-first of July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black) 2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear 3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) 4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One)

by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory

by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration

by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions

by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection

by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) 1 set glass or crystal vials 1 telescope 1 set brass scales

Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl or a cat, or a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus

Harry could barely suppress the grin that was growing on his face as he re-read the letter again. He'd had jokes played on him before by the older students. It was never malicious but none of them had been very funny.

This though.

He pulled out his pen and ripped a clean sheet of paper out of one of his notebooks.

Dear Deputy Headmistress,

I would be delighted to attend Hogwarts. Though the news of such a school is quite a bit of a shock to me and I haven't the first clue as to where I would purchase the required course books or equipment. If it would not be inconvenient I request that a counselor writes me to give me the information that is not listed in your acceptance letter. The location of the school, where to buy supplies, etc.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

He folded the paper and looked to the bird. The prankster couldn't be far off campus so he simply handed the paper to the bird. As soon as it grabbed the paper it took off into the sky, flying almost too high for him to see before shooting off away from the campus. With his grin unfading he shrugged as he thought about the idea. Magic was just science that wasn't understood yet. Really, if he was able to complete his projects like he wanted them he'd be able to do what would appear to be magic.

Shaking his head, he pushed his glasses up his nose and looked back to the book.

Minerva McGonagall was a well-lived woman. She'd lived through two wars, one of which she'd fought in, and she'd gone from a government official to teaching at the premier magical school in Europe. She'd had many experiences in her long life, but as she walked away from the Dursley household she could claim that she was quite confused.

She'd gone in response to a return letter from one Harry Potter. The letter that everyone had been waiting for with baited breath. He hadn't responded to his original letter, in fact, it had been returned unopened. Minerva had seen fear creep into Albus's old eyes at what could be construed as a rejection to his acceptance into the school. He'd told her to continue sending the letters to him as he feared the Dursleys were not even giving the boy an opportunity to choose.

She had, out of a sense of duty to the boy, finally altered the location and instead of sending it to his listed address requested the owl deliver it the to Harry himself. They finally got a response and the collective sigh of relief was audible from a majority of the teachers who were looking forward to teaching The-Boy-Who-Lived.

Vernon Dursley was a large man, who she found to be vulgar and offensive but he'd made his message clear. The 'freak' was at the University in downtown Surrey. She had many other questions and, as they were Harry's guardians she had planned on explaining that he would be gone for ten months of the year at Hogwarts. The man hadn't wanted to hear the beginning of it. He'd simply signed the letter and told him to take the boy muttering how he'd prefer that he not return.

She sighed as she began her walk, silently casting point me to find her way to the university.

Peace Out!