Harry sat in his cupboard, the Hogwarts letter spread out in front of him. The reply was detailed, answering all his questions and more. There was a list of shops in a place called Diagon Alley, instructions on how to get there, and a note about someone from the school who would come to guide him. The letter even specified the day and time: July 31st, 10:00 AM. Harry appreciated the consideration, but his relief was short-lived.
A knot of anxiety tightened in his stomach. Someone from the magical world was coming to Privet Drive. Harry had always known the Dursleys hated anything out of the ordinary—they called him a freak often enough—but now he began to piece together why. His superior understanding connected the dots: the way Petunia had reacted to the owl, the way they avoided talking about his parents, the way they treated him like he was something to be hidden away. They knew about the magical world. They must have. And if they did, then his mother—Lily—might have been magical too.
The thought hit him like a lightning bolt. His mother had been like him. She had been a witch. And the Dursleys had hated her for it, just as they hated him. It all made sense now. But it also made things more complicated. If someone from Hogwarts showed up at the house, the Dursleys would lose their minds. They might even refuse to let him go, and Harry couldn’t let that happen. This was his chance—his only chance—to escape Privet Drive and step into the world where he belonged.
Harry’s mind raced as he formulated a plan. The letter had given him the exact day and time the Hogwarts representative would arrive. All he had to do was make sure the Dursleys didn’t meet them. It wouldn’t be easy, but he had his abilities. He could make this work.
First, he would need to keep the Dursleys distracted. Uncle Vernon would be at work, but Aunt Petunia and Dudley would be home. Harry thought back to Dudley’s routines—his favorite TV shows, his tantrums, his endless demands for snacks. If Harry could create a situation that kept them occupied, he could slip out unnoticed.
Second, he would need to intercept the Hogwarts representative before they reached the house. He could wait outside, maybe near the park or at the end of the street.
Finally, he would need to use his Unnoticed Presence ability to ensure no one saw him leaving or returning. He couldn’t afford any mistakes. Not now.
Harry folded the letter carefully and tucked it under his mattress. His heart was pounding, but his mind was clear. He had a plan. He just had to make sure nothing went wrong.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
A week later, the day Harry had anticipated with bated breath finally arrived. His uncle had already left for work, and Harry, through subtle hints and a bit of clever manipulation, had convinced Dudley to go out and play with his friends. That left only Aunt Petunia at home, and Harry was determined to keep it that way.
He sat in his cupboard, his clairvoyance stretched to its limit, scanning the area around Privet Drive for any unfamiliar presence. His mind was a web of awareness, every flicker of movement registering like a ripple in a pond. He couldn’t afford any surprises. Not today.
At exactly 9 o’clock, his senses pinged. Someone—no, something—was approaching. The presence was massive, unlike anything Harry had ever felt before. It was as if a mountain had decided to take a stroll through Little Whinging. Harry’s breath hitched as he focused on the figure. The man was huge, taller than two Vernon Dursleys stacked on top of each other, with a wild beard and an even wilder appearance. His clothes were odd, a mix of heavy coats and patched-up fabrics that looked like they belonged in another century. Harry didn’t need his superior understanding to know this man was from Hogwarts.
Harry acted quickly. He slipped out of the cupboard, his movements silent and precise. He was already dressed decently, having prepared for this moment days in advance. He didn’t want to risk Aunt Petunia catching a glimpse of the man, so he hurried to intercept him before he reached the house.
The giant man was just turning onto Privet Drive when Harry stepped into his path. “Hello,” Harry said, his voice calm but firm. “I’m Harry Potter.”
The man’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Blimey!” he boomed, his voice deep and warm. “Harry Potter! I’d recognize yeh anywhere. Yeh’ve got yer mum’s eyes.”
Harry blinked, surprised. He hadn’t expected to be recognized so easily, let alone compared to his mother. Before he could respond, the man thrust a large, wrapped package into his hands. “Happy birthday, Harry!” he said, grinning broadly. “Got yeh a cake. Chocolate, o’course. Can’t go wrong with chocolate.”
Harry stared at the package, his chest tightening. A cake. For his birthday. No one had ever given him a gift before, let alone remembered his birthday. For a moment, he felt a surge of emotion so strong it threatened to overwhelm him. But years of practice with Emotional Masking kicked in, and he forced his face to remain neutral, his voice steady. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “That’s… very kind of you.”
The man—Hagrid, as he introduced himself—beamed. “Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. At yer service.” He gave a little bow, which looked comical given his size.
Harry nodded, still processing everything. Hagrid’s kindness was genuine, and that was something Harry wasn’t used to. But he couldn’t afford to dwell on it. Not now. “I’m ready to go,” Harry said, changing the subject. “If we leave now, we can avoid… complications.”
Hagrid raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. “Right yeh are, Harry. Let’s get movin’, then.”
As they walked away from Privet Drive, Harry glanced back at the house one last time. He felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension. This was it. His life was about to change. And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to hope that it might change for the better.