Harry Potter and the Breaking Into Britain

By Elk99

Ch. 1 - As Normal As Normal Could Be

A/N: Hello! Just so you all know I am not abandoning my story, Harry Potter and A Tale of Rivals, but I realized I have so many ideas floating around my head I couldn't concentrate on just one story. I have been considering doing something like this for awhile, ever since I saw that there was a Potter family in America connected with Harry Potter. What if there were American Potters still alive that were able to take Harry in in lieu of the Dursleys? How would he turn out? Would he still be in Gryffindor? Who would he befriend if he was raised by magical relatives? So here goes! Anything recognizable belongs to JK Rowling. I'm just here for the ride.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter of number 9, Eton Place, a magical neighborhood which developed as an offshoot of Vanderbilt Avenue, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything common or embarrassing because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.

Mr. Potter was the Director of the Wizarding Resources Department of the Magical Congress of the United States of Americas. He was a slim man of medium height, largely defined by jet-black horn-rimmed glasses and carefully parted black hair, made possible with the application of a liberal amount of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, a British potion a family member had invented. Mrs. Potter was thin with dark brown hair perfectly coifed at all times in order to ensure her appearance was at its best for social and surprise visits with the other well-to-do witches in the neighborhood. The Potter's had one daughter, Mallory, and in their opinion, there was no finer young lady anywhere.

The Potters had all they could want. They lived in a piece of prime real estate among the magical neighborhoods of New York City. Mr. Potter enjoyed a well-paid and comfortable job in the MACUSA, and Mrs. Potter took great pride in overseeing the maintenance of their home. They had even found an agreeable Governess to look after their daughter while they attended the requisite social functions as necessitated by their positions on the social hierarchy.

The first workday of November was significant to Mr. Potter. It was the day he presented to the President, his annual report on the previous year. There was a lot to go over. Wizarding Resources had distinguished themselves for assisting in what would have been an otherwise disaster early in the year after a series of miscommunications rendered the management team of the Quodpot World Finals completely ineffective.

It was with a cheery whistle that Mr. Potter stood in front of his wardrobe, deciding whether to include his ruby cufflinks with the white dress shirt that would go under his pinstripe robes. With a jab of his wand, his tie was fitted snuggly around his collar as he eventually decided to don the cufflinks as well. They had been a gift from his mother, whose family had no shortage of precious gemstones back in Britain. He only wore them on special occasions. He grabbed his cloak from the wardrobe and draped it over his arm before heading down to the breakfast room, where his wife had given up trying to feed their daughter.

"Is the Ghost here yet?" he asked his wife, referring to their morning paper.

"No," she said, displeasure evident in the way she pursed her lips. "You would think that they would do a better job considering your position in the MACUSA."

"It is my position that is likely the reason they do not," he chuckled in response, wolfing down some scrambled eggs and bacon. "But no matter, I must be off. I'll grab a copy at the Office."

Mr. Potter managed to land a kiss on his daughter's head before kissing his wife and heading out the door and onto the street.

"Morning, David," someone called out, to which Mr. Potter waved cheerily in response.

The Wizards and Witches who found themselves fortunate enough to live on Eton Place were typically business executives or high-ranking members of the MACUSA. Like Mr. Potter, the latter often found themselves waiting together at the edge of the boundary between Eton Place and Vanderbilt Avenue, a strictly No-Maj street, for the bus that would take them to the Woolworth Building. It was evident that none of the witches and wizards had received their copy of The Ghost that morning as there were a few complaints and mutterings before conversation turned to more mundane events such as the ongoing Quodpot season.

Had the paper been a few minutes earlier, Mr. Potter would have suspected that his normal day would not go normally at all. Instead, he was subjected to a few raised eyebrows from bus passengers and even more whispered mutterings once he was safely in the confines of the MACUSA. Not putting stock in petty whisperings of others, Mr. Potter went about his day, settling into his office and sending out one of the assistants to grab a copy of the paper.

"David, please come to the President's Office."

Based on the terrier shaped Patronus and the friendly voice, he could tell it was Collin Longworth, the President's Chief of Staff. It must be somewhat urgent if he decided to send a Patronus rather than the Ministry approved memos. Thinking this had something to do with his annual report, he quickly gathered his materials and swept out of the office, just missing his assistant bringing him a coffee and a copy of the paper.

Collin Longworth was sitting in one of the armchairs in the President's office, which noticeably lacked the officeholder herself. There were two gentlemen sitting across from him. One was wearing unassuming black robes used by the British Diplomats, and the other was wearing a florid magenta robe with golden stars moving across it. What was perhaps most noteworthy was that Mr. Potter recognized the man in the florid robes, with his long white beard and twinkling blue eyes which hid behind half-moon spectacles – this was Albus Dumbledore, defeater of Grindelwald and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.

"Ah, David," Collin Longworth waved him over. "Allow me to introduce Albus Dumbledore, ICW Supreme Mugwump as well as Chief Warlock of the British Wizengamot, and Griswold Fawley, British Ambassador to the MACUSA."

"A pleasure to meet you Supreme Mugwump, Ambassador," Mr. Potter shook hands with the Britons. "Collin, I didn't realize you were occupied, I can come-"

"No, no you are in the right place," the Chief of Staff assured him. "The President was called away and has allowed us the use of her office for the moment. Have you seen the papers today, David?"

"I have not," Mr. Potter responded stiffly. "I have been preparing for today's presentation."

"That's gonna be pushed off," Collin dismissed casually. "Especially after… well I better let Mister Dumbledore explain."

Until that point, the old Wizard had been staring at him intently until his cue. "Mr. Potter, it is with much joy that I tell you that only a few nights ago, the Dark Lord known as Lord Voldemort was defeated, and many of his followers rounded up. It is with much regret however that I inform you of the death of your relations, James Potter…"

Mr. Potter stiffened momentarily. James Potter? Dead? He had only met his cousin twice before, and that had been in the latter's final year at Hogwarts when he had come to New York for his wedding. He knew James had recently married a classmate, but their wedding had been private due to the ongoing war. Regardless the two were hardly close, but still… James Potter had been his only remaining family.

"Wait excuse me, sir," Mr. Potter interrupted. "James and his wife… Lily... they had a son... Harold was it? What of him""

"Most curious indeed," Dumbledore mused. "Harry is his name, and he is now the only known survivor of the killing curse. It seems that when Voldemort tried to kill young Harry, he himself was vanquished."

Stunned, David Potter sat back in the chair he had taken. James had a son, who survived the killing curse. Incredible. "Will there be a funeral?"

"That is why we are, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore smiled sadly. "You are the only magical relative, by law or blood left to either James or Lily Potter and thus are assigned responsibility of their estate until Harry comes of age."

"The boy... what will become of him?"

Dumbledore and the Ambassador shared an uneasy look before the latter spoke up. "Mr. Potter you have the right of legal guardianship under the laws passed by the International Confederation of Wizards. British Magical Law is a bit different. Under our laws, Muggle relations in-country take precedence over magical relations out-of-country."

"We think it would be best for young Harry if he were to be raised in Britain, and resultantly, with his muggle relations," Dumbledore finished.

"You want the boy to be raised by No-Majs?" Mr. Potter asked incredulously. "For a connection to Wizarding Britain that he won't remember?"

"The Boy is down for Hogwarts," Dumbledore began.

"I don't care if he is your next Merlin," Mr. Potter said firmly, almost in shock of his own conviction. "I have nothing against No-Majs, but the boy has magical family, he himself belongs to the magical world, and as a result, he should be with magical family. My wife and I will fight for him."

"You were not even sure of the lad's name," Ambassador Fawley hissed.

Mr. Potter looked at Longworth. The bulky blonde man met his gaze for a few seconds before turning back to Dumbledore and Fawley. "Listen, gents, I can say with confidence that the President will support Mr. Potter's parental rights to young Harry. David and his wife are respected members of the community with few enemies. We'll stand by them if we have to take this to court."

"Surely there is something we can,"

"Mister Dumbledore," Mr. Potter cut in. "Harry belongs with family who understands him. I appreciate that he is now the hero of your country, which is why being raised here would be the best for him, to eb away from such nonsense and hero worship."

"I agree with you, Mr. Potter, but it was the explicit wish of his parents that the boy attend Hogwarts. Funding-wise, they already took care of it," the wizened wizard said carefully.

At this point, Mr. Potter addressed Longworth. "Can we grant the boy citizenship without giving up his British birthright?"

Longworth thought it over for a moment. He started his career at the MACUSA as a legislative aide. If anyone knew, it would be him. "There is absolutely no precedent for it," he began carefully, "but if the ICW suspends the British Estate until he reaches his age of majority – American majority that is – he could be granted citizenship based on familial situation. He can never be heir to the American Potter Estate if he wishes to take up the British Estate upon majority though."

"That is fine," Mr. Potter cut in. "Not a problem in the slightest, and that would allow him the choice between Ilvermorny and Hogwarts."

Dumbledore and Fawley did not seem totally satisfied with this compromise, but gradually the former nodded slowly. "Young Harry is currently at Hogwarts under the care of our Madam Pomfrey. You can pick him up from there when you come to settle James and Lily's affairs."

"Mr. Dumbledore," Mr. Potter acknowledged politely. "Mr. Fawley. To the both of you, congratulations on the end of your war."

Mr. Potter took the rest of the day off, letting his Deputy and Collin Longworth know he would be out of the office until he was able to deal with this. Truthfully, he was unsure of what he had just committed to. His wife was going to kill him.

It was only a few days later that the Potters found themselves traveling via Portkey to the British Ministry of Magic in London. Not knowing how long they would be, they had brought Mallory with them and had hired a nanny for the duration of their stay, figuring that she would be able to watch over their daughter as well as Harry when they picked him up from Hogwarts.

Briefly meeting with the Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold, who thanked them profusely on behalf of Wizarding Britain, before the fly-away woman rushed off – the Ministry was in the throes of prosecuting Death Eaters – and left the Potters to be escorted by Albus Dumbledore, who as it turns out, was also the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Potters would be renting a home in Oxford which apparently used to belong to a woman named Marlene McKinnon. Ms. McKinnon was a war casualty and absent a will, her property had been taken by the Ministry. After dropping their luggage off and waiting for the nanny to arrive, a woman named Arabella Figg, the Potters accompanied Professor Dumbledore aboard the Knight Bus to the Wizarding Village of Hogsmeade, which was one of the worst trips the Potters had ever taken in their lives.

Slightly disheveled in comparison to the ever serene and smiling Albus Dumbledore, the Potters disembarked from the purple triple-decker (or however many decks that monstrosity was according to Mrs. Potter) to come in full view of the famed Hogwarts Castle.

"It's beautiful," breathed Mrs. Potter.

"This is the village of Hogsmeade," Dumbledore began the tour guide part of his role. "Founded by Hengist of Woodcroft as one of the first completely non-muggle settlements, it remains the oldest one in Great Britain, today. We allow students in third-year and above, with parental permission, to visit Hogsmeade on select weekends."

"Has it been dangerous due to the war," Mr. Potter asked curiously.

"The Wards of the School can as-needed extend to the Village as well," Dumbledore responded. "It does provide a stretch of resources, but we think its valuable the students be allowed access to civilization under the appropriate supervision. If you were not the magical guardians of young Harry, I would have suggested you rent a room here in Hogsmeade but I am afraid if word were to get out you would be quite swarmed with well-wishers."

They made their way to the wrought-iron gate which separated the Village from the Castle grounds. The Potters could not help being impressed. Both loyal to their home school of Ilvermorny, they could still appreciate the ancient Castle the idea for their own school had been based upon.

Dumbledore led them to the Hospital Wing, where they passed many curious students. It looked like there had been parties throughout the hall.

"You must excuse the students," Dumbledore explained. "There has been much celebration as of late."

They finally reached the Hospital Wing, where they were met by the Matron, Madam Pomfrey who had been taken care of Harry. After a few greetings between them, the Matron led them into her Office, where a crib sat next to the desk. Mr. Potter was almost overcome at the face that looked up at him. It was the trademark Potter hair, but those eyes… they were soul-piercing green.

"The scar?" asked Mrs. Potter, pointing to the rather prominent lightning-bolt scar on the baby's forehead.

"We do not know," Madam, Pomfrey said. "Many Healers from St. Mungo's have been here over the past day and nothing has been determined."

"As of now I suggest doing nothing until it becomes a problem… if it does at that," Dumbledore added. "Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knew that is a perfect map of the London Underground."

Unable to decide whether to be bemused or perturbed by the Headmaster's comment, the Potters decided quietly to move on, turning their attention back to Harry. Mr. Potter watched his wife with apprehension initially. She had been horrified by his recounting of what happened to his relations in Britain, and while he knew another child so soon and so close to the age of their daughter was not in their plans, family mattered, and leaving his relative to the care of no-majs who could not understand their world while they were perfectly able to do so was wrong on so many levels.

Any doubts he may have had over his wife's sentiments vanished as she took Harry in her arms. She was a natural with a child, looking right in her element, and not for the first time did he count himself grateful to be married to her. "Hello Harry," she cooed. "We are going to take very good care of you."

With a small smile, David turned to the Headmaster. "I think my wife and Madam Pomfrey can take care of themselves as far as Harry. Do you think we could discuss what needs to be done here on out?"

"Certainly," Dumbledore said, the twinkle in his blue eyes seemed to be a bit more watery. "We can go to my Office."

The next week was spent by David meeting with the Gringotts's Goblins on matters ranging from the Potter Properties to the will and testament of Lily and James Potter, which was fairly straightforward, leaving everything to Harry with the exception of a few friends such as Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, although the latter had apparently gone off the deep-end and landed himself in the Wizarding Prison.

While the Goblins were tough negotiators, Mr. Potter was pleased with the results of their meetings. He and his wife had discussed the matter of finances and had decided without question that while they took over the vaults of the British Potter Estate, they would remain closed with the exception of Harry's trust vault. They would raise Harry as their own and would have his trust vault readily available to him upon his entry to school, just like they had a vault set aside for Mallory in New York. As far as they were concerned, Harry was family, not some sort of burden.

The Potters had made the mistake of venturing into Diagon Alley one free afternoon with Harry and Mallory in strollers, which was a mistake as evidenced by the swarming of well-wishers and journalists that descended upon them once they realized who they were. Mr. Potter did look similar to James Potter and after that it was easy to look down and see baby Harry with his lightning-bolt scar.

The visit to Godric's Hollow was incredibly emotional. For their first trip, they left Mallory and Harry with Mrs. Figg. The damage that had been wrought on the House was incredible. They could hardly believe a baby had survived this. If anything, their resolve to protect young Harry was strengthened that day.

The funeral was the next day and was officiated by a Wizard named Elphias Doge. The cemetery was filled to capacity and some, with dignitaries such as Millicent Bagnold, the Minister; Barty Crouch, the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement; Alastor Moody, Auror Chief; Dumbledore and the entirety of the Hogwarts's staff; Lily and James friend Remus Lupin, and countless others. Lily and James were lain to-rest together, with an inscription from Corinthians carved into the tombstone. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. It was incredibly appropriate.

The Potters spent a great deal of time talking to Remus Lupin, who was practically inconsolable with grief. With great difficulty and for the sake of Harry, they got over their stigma of Mr. Lupin being a werewolf, and requested he visit them often in New York when Harry was older so that the young boy could have a connection to his parents.

Mallory and Harry seemed to get along quite well for their age, which was quite a relief to the Potters, fearing how their daughter would take the new addition. Admittedly, while they loved Mallory and would love Harry, parenting was not their strong suit, and it helped that there would be a Governess in New York as well.

Dumbledore insisted on gifting them some rather complex runic layouts for Harry's protection. Mr. Potter, as a relatively high-level MACUSA worker had a multitude of complex protections around No. 9, Eton Place, but after a brief glance at Harry, and fully aware that Albus Dumbledore was one of the most powerful Wizards alive, he took the layouts and promised to set them to their wards promptly upon arriving back at Eton Place.

In all, the Potters had spent eleven days in Wizarding Britain, and they were all too happy to return to New York, where news had already spread about Harry Potter and his connection to the American Potters. Luckily, Americans were not as interested in such events, the War in Britain being too distant and too short for many of them to have started worrying.

Mr. Potter wasted no time returning to work, although not before adding Dumbledore's runic layout to the House Wards. He gave his report to the President and her staff and was greatly acclaimed for his Department's work in the past year. The President even approved a budget expansion for more staff with an increased bandwidth of jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Potter established Harry into the family's routine with the help of the Governess, Miss Alette Keystone. Miss Keystone, while titled as a Governess, also functioned as a nanny for Mallory and Harry. Both children were still so young, the Potters knew there would come a time that they would not remember this, and that made them happy. Life was returning to a normal pace.

Of course, not everything could be expected to return to normal immediately. There was still unfinished business, such as the future of Harry's education. Both David and his father had been sent to a No-Maj school until it was time for them to attend Ilvermorny, which was not recommended by MACUSA, but in Mr. Potter's eyes, being able to survive in the No-Maj world was important. As soon as he had found out his wife was pregnant with Mallory, he had secured her at the Horace Mann School right in the city. He did the same for Harry, acquiring documents regarding his parent's death and proof that he was his legal guardian. When he came of age, Harry would be attending one of the finest academic institutions before he went to either Hogwarts or Ilvermorny.

As they expected, the question of Ilvermorny or Hogwarts would not rest, and the Potters soon received a visit from the new Headmaster of Ilvermorny, Professor Agilbert Fontaine, who had just started his teaching career when both Potters began attending the American school.

"How are you Agilbert?" Mrs. Potter asked, pouring a cup of tea as the two Potters and Ilvermorny Professor sat in the front parlor.

"I am well, thank you, Lucy," the Professor smiled at his former pupils. "And this, this must be young Harry!"

Harry had half-waddled, half-crawled into the parlor and was now looking up at Professor Fontaine with wide eyes.

"Sorry, Mrs. Potter," Miss Keystone dashed in. "I was just putting Mallory down for… Oh… Hello Professor."

"Miss Keystone," Professor Fontaine greeted the young woman. "It is good to see you."

"Thank you, sir," she smiled briefly before taking Harry in her arms and exiting the room with another brief bow to Mrs. Potter.

"Bright girl," the Professor finally said when she was out of earshot.

"She wants to work with children as a Healer," Mr. Potter explained. "Her Healer Chief apparently told her to get some hands-on experience, so she left to become a Governess."

"She always took big moves," the Professor smiled. "She was a Thunderbird through and through. Although she was also selected for Pukwudgie, which explains her career choice."

"She is good with the children," Mrs. Potter smiled, knowingly giving her old Professor the opening he had been looking for.

"Yes well, the staff at Ilvermorny are eager for the eventual time when Mallory receives her invitation to attend," he smiled indulgently. "I should mention that young Harry's name appeared on the books a few days ago as well…"

"Professor Dumbledore won't make it that easy for you to get your claws in him, Agilbert," Mr. Potter laughed. "What made this entire process easier was promising Harry would have the choice. If he wants to attend the school of his parents and grandparents, it is well within his realm of possibility."

"Ah well," Agilbert Fontaine sighed. "Can't blame a guy for trying."

After a nice and cordial visit with the Potters, Agilbert Fontaine bid his farewells and returned to Ilvermorny in New England. After Mrs. Potter shut the dark mahogany door, she turned to her husband with a soft smile.

Now, all would be normal, or as normal as normal could be.

A/N: So there is the first chapter. Let me know what y'all think!