Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Chapter 1 :My What?

It was a pleasant summer day, and the season had just changed over. The sun shone brightly, just enough to warm the skin, and a cool breeze kept the worst of the summer heat at bay. 

Danny could nearly fall asleep on a nice day like this. “Did you see that Maddie dear I finally hit it” the excited voice of Jack Fenton rang across the once empty battleground, startling Danny out of his near unconscious state. Right, he had been tussling with Skulker, it was a fun fight, but a tiring one. Danny had stopped in the air to take a moment to relax, but look what that had led to, Danny took a shaky breath as he looked down to his side, where his father had shot a well-timed ecto-ablast, a large wound was oozing ectoplasm with small speckles of red littering it. He presses his hand onto the wound, the small size of his hand barely able to cover the full wound “where are you ghost scum?” the once familiar voice of Maddie called out now dripping with a haunting quality.

This wasn't supposed to happen, his parents weren't due home for another day, they were out making a ‘huge business deal’, Jack had said, with the GIW, some new research venture or something. Danny's head bumped against the collapsed bus stop he was hiding behind. His parent's voices became more frustrated the longer he stayed hidden. He tried to call his powers to just sink through the floor to disappear, anything, but nothing was working, small flickers at most. Tears started to well up in his eyes, whether it was from the frustration, pain, or just the bone-deep exhaustion he was feeling, Danny wasn't sure.

“Well if that ghost scum wont show his tail we will just have to try this new tech on this instead” Jacks far to chipper voice called along with the inaudible cry of a blob ghost. Danny's core flared as he jumped up from his hiding spot, his side weeping more ectoplasm at the sudden jarring movement. His steps falter as he stumbles into the open, his parents were standing a few paces away, his father holding a gun one Danny had never seen before, and his mother had a small dog like Whissle in her mouth “Haha the GIW was right Maddie make the sound of food and they come running this whistle will do us wonders” Jack laughs boyishly “wha-” before Dannys sluggish mind could comprehend what was happening the gun fired a single shot hitting him strait in the chest Danny expected a stinging pain from a ecto shot or a hole in his chest at worst but what he got some may call better but he would call much worse. Electricity shot through him, a scream ripped through his throat as Danny involuntarily dropped to his knees. The Lichtenberg scar running up his arm scorches as he relives the pain of his death “Stop acting, we know creatures like you don't feel pain” Maddie chastised coldly as she stalks forward with purpose just like his mother always does and it's fine that's his mama she doesn't know it's him Danny will get away and every thing will be fine, he’ll get home and they will boast about nearly catching that ‘Ghost menace’ and dad will have made fudge and every thing will be fine.

The sound of footsteps coming to a stop in front of him pulls Danny from his mind. The electricity had stopped “When had that happened?” Danny mused, looking up at the figures in front of him, when had his face even hit the ground? Why were the figures so blurry? He couldn't make them out properly. Oh, he blinked his eyes a few times; he had been crying.

Suddenly, his teeth clash together as a rubber boot collides with his jaw, sending his body sprawling across the asphalt. The impact was more painful than usual. Danny had rolled onto his back, his limbs crumpled in every which way. He took a moment to just stare at the sky, his black hair had fallen over his eyes, making it harder to see the clouds, not like it mattered, Danny preferred to look at the stars anyway… “fuck” Danny realized his error he had detransformed when did it even happen? How was he so out of it that he didn't even realize it happened? Danny tried to get up, he needed to explain what was happening. Did he even know what was happening? How where his parents taking it?

Another blow, this time to the ribs, once again not expecting the hit, Danny's body is tossed aside like it weighed nothing, blood splattered along the asphalt from the now reagitated wound. It was his mother, Danny realized as he landed on his side, facing his parents, his dad was standing further back, it looked like he was in shock, but his mom was striding forward, blood staining one of her shoes. 

“Mama, please stop, I can explain,” Danny wheezed out, struggling to stay upright and conscious.

“Maddie, what if it's just pretending to be our son?” Jack mutters a desperate sense of hope that his son is back at home, and this was some cruel ghost trick.

“Nonsense Jack ghost don’t bleed”, Maddie Scowls. The sound of an ecto gun charging causes Danny's pointed ears to pin back. “How did I not notice sooner? Im a terrible ghost hunter,” she mutters, not a mother, a ghost hunter, that's what she cares about. Jack had stepped up next to Maddie. Danny had never heard him be that quiet, but it could be the loud gun pointed at his head or his near-total dissociation with this whole event.

“Dad, Mama, please, it's me, Danny. I promise ghosts aren't as bad as you think, just let me explain” Danny's words were interrupted with hiccups and gasps as tears welled up in his eyes and poured down his cheeks sadly for him falling upon dead ears.  

Jack's eyes were cold, and his voice was low and level. It was unsettling for a man like Jack Fenton to say the least, “When did you take him from us?” his eyes locked onto Danny's “Were you ever my son? Were you ever alive?”

With another sob, Danny shakily attempted to answer but failed as he could only offer failed sentences and choked cries.

Maddie raises the gun, aiming it directly at Danny's head before Jack holds up a hand, “Wait, Maddie I need to know” Jack turns back to the downed ghost “I need you to tell me Ghost, was the boy I cherished, the boy I found and claimed as my own was he ever alive?”

“Found me?” Danny asked. Was he not their real son? But before he could inquire more, the sound of heels running towards them snapped the thick tension hanging in the air, and everything started moving.

“Danny” Jazz yelled as she ran towards her brother. Danny had said he was going out to fight Ghost-X, she thinks, but he had been gone a while, and you know how big sisters are always worried, not normally about the half-dead 10-year-old brother going to fight a random fully dead ghost, but that's just what she has to deal with now. Sadly, her worry was not misplaced. Jazz was full on dead sprinting towards her little brother, her parents standing over his small, crumpled form, but as nearly as she laid eyes upon him, he was gone, a portal had opened up under him, taking him to ancients knows where, but Jazz would rather that than hear right now.

When the portal opened, Maddie attempted to get a few more shots in before it closed, most hitting Danny on his back as he sank through. She let out a frustrated huff before turning to Jazz “Jazz sweetie, we have some terrible news. I think we should head home” She turned towards her husband, who still hadn't moved his eyes locked onto the space where his son- ghost where the ghost had vanished “Come on hunny, let's go” Maddie says gently. Jazz shot a small look back at where Danny disappears as they begin to walk home, she sends a mental prayer to whatever could be listening to make sure her brother is safe and turns her back on where he vanished.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—            

Danny doesn't remember much of the last 2 months. Since Clockwork had pulled him into the realms, Danny's form had immediately retreated into his core. A shimmering four-pointed star-like gem, a deep blue, nearly black with white shards dancing within it like snowflakes, a nearly invisible outline of Danny remains gently curling around the exposed core as he drifts in an ethereal-like sleep, and that's where he stayed for the next two months, his wounds slowly stitching back together under the watch of Clockwork.

It had been two days since Danny had woken up, his clothes were still caked in dried blood and ectoplasm. He was dazed and confused, adrenaline still pumping through his veins, most of it had been a blur. Danny knows he was taken to Frostbite and there was some test? But then he was back at Clockworks tower, and then he might have fallen asleep? Danny shook his head, it was all so confusing, but if he was remembering correctly, someone said he should expect that. With a deep sigh, Danny leans back further over the armrest of the giant evil throne Danny had somehow been given legal ghost ownership of, and wasn't that another mess Danny needed to wrap his head around. He really needed to get his blob ghost in order.

What he did remember was, well painful to say the least. It had never taken Danny this long to heal. Sure, it hurt, but from what he knew and was told, the wounds were minor. Even on a bad day it would only have taken him 3 days maximum. These were the points he brought up to Frostbite, and he did not like the look he got back.

“Normally, Great-one, you would be correct, but these are not normal circumstances” Frostbite’s head shook as he started to pace around the room Danny didn't remember moving too “It's your haunt, well more specifically, your lack of a haunt.”

“What? But Amity Park is my haunt. Did something happen? Is everyone okay?” Danny sits up quickly, expecting the normal rush of emotion that comes with any threat against his home, but he was left feeling empty, sure his pulse still thrummed at the thought of Jazz or Sam and Tucker being hurt, and that deep-seated need to protect was still there, driving him like the the lifeblood he lost but it was wrong he was missing something “Frostbite, what's happening.” Danny's voice wavered, his hands clutching at his chest where his core would be

“There's nothing wrong with you, Great-one, it's just this last attack it was a breaking point for your core, it couldn't handle the emotional strain, and it…” Frostbite's words trailed off as the yeti turned to look Danny in the eyes, “Your core has rejected Amity Park as a home, as your haunt.”

Danny doesn't remember much else, some comments about safety and new stable haunts, he doesn't want this. Danny just wants to go home to Jazz and her annoying attempts to care for him, he wants to play Doom with Sam and Tucker Ancients, he would put up with Vlad if it meant Danny got to sleep in his own bed again, the odd shape of the throne only adding to his already low mood.                          

“Little Prince, I need to speak to you,” the old creaking voice of Clockwork called out. Danny had never heard such a perfect humanised version of a grandfather clock until he met Clockwork. “Danny, please pay attention,” Clockwork chastised softly, pulling Danny out of his mind. Suddenly ‘How did he move so fast?’, Clockwork was standing in front of Danny “Are you doing all right?”

“Yes, no, I don't know, why do you even care, you already know what I'm going to say.” Danny huffs, sliding back into the seat of the throne

Clockwork moves past Danny's comment, “It's nearly your 11th birthday”, he states with a knowing smile, his form shifting to that of a young child, his voice taking on a more electronic clock ring.

“I… I nearly forgot,” Danny mutters, “it's not like it matters, you said I couldn't go back to Amity, you won't even let me talk to Jazz” 

“Your core is unstable with the loss of a powerful and connected haunt. We still need to find you new and stable connections before you reopen old wounds”

“I know isn't that why you stuck me in this old castle, cause it's my haunt through right of conquest?” 

“Close, but I placed you here just while you settled back into your core, displacement like that is dangerous, it's about time you start forming those new connections,” Clockwork says, an all too knowing smile pulling at his young face, “I believe you have questions, important ones”

“What did dad- Jack, what did Jack mean when he said ‘the boy I found’... Am I not his son? Are they not my parents?” Danny questioned his form shrinking back into the throne.

Clockworks form shifted back into that of an old man as he waved his staff in front of Danny, the air rippled like a wave, images flickering across its surface until they settled onto a small child, barely a year old, swaddled in a purple cloth. Danny recognised the surroundings, the garden had changed, but he could never forget the sight of his house, his core ached in longing for the home he had idolised. The front door opened as a younger Jack Fenton stepped out, he called back into the house as the visions shifted again. 

“You have many fates, and many paths your future carries, but for this life, I needed to intervene” The air shifted again, showing a middle-aged Clockwork leaning into a crib, lifting one of the two children in it, leaving behind a crying child with heavy lightning like scars covering the right side of his face the air rippled as the visions fade.

“Clockwork, I don't understand. Who was that boy? Why did you take me?” Danny had shot out of the throne the second the visions appeared, studying them intently. He was now floating directly in front of Clockwork “Who are my parents? Where are they?” 

Clockwork took Danny's hands “The night that I took you was the night your family was attacked, you and your brother were the only survivors."

Danny's body sagged slowly, sinking towards the ground, defeated at a loss he didn't know could happen “Wait my brother, you said he survived. Where is he? Why did you only take me?” Danny's head snapped back to Clockwork

“All in due time, my Prince, the time is nearly here to reconnect your timelines, but not yet,” Clockwork says in his usual all-knowing tone, the one that always made Danny feel comforted and annoyed at the same time. “But first, I believe it would be good for you if you still got to have a small birthday,” Clockwork smiled, pulling a small cake out of nowhere, “It's the least we could do, even if it's a few days early”

“We?” Danny questions, causing Clockwork to chuckle and wave his hand, revealing a small pile of presents.

“When the word got out about everything happening, some of your friends wanted to give you some presents even if it's not your death day.” Tears began to well up in Danny's eyes as he flung himself at Clockwork, who was already expecting the impact.

“Thank you… Thank you so much,” Danny mutters, his face pressed into Clockworks' Cape

“Most of them would be here, but I thought it was for the best if this stayed small and you know, I wasn't able to tell anybody in Amity about this for the good of t-”

“For the good of the timeline, I know, I know.” Danny interrupts wiping tears from his face, “It sucks and I wish it didn't have to be like this but I understand thank you anyway…”

“For the good of your health Danny” Clockwork chuckled his form shifting in to a young adult the sound of clocks shifting to a more metallic ring “Well, if you don't mind, I believe I've gotten you a wonderful birthday present, even if you don't understand what it is for a while” Clockwork preens smugly, pulling out a small rectangular case from one of his many robe pockets. Danny opens it excitedly, slowing down quickly once he sees what's inside. 

“I know you like being cryptic and such, but this is literally a stick in a box?” Danny questions, sure it was a nice stick, the wood was raw, carved into a small spiral, a handle was still barked at the base, Lichtenberg burns spread through the wood

Clockwork chuckled, “Why don't you pick it up? No use in just looking at it.” his eyes sparkled with that old man's mischievousness that only he could manage. With a skeptical side eye, Danny picks up the stick and would you look at that nothing happened just like he expec- his core practically sang, well it was singing if you call a off tune purr-chirps singing suddenly sparks started flying out of the stick filling the dark throne room with cascading stars as his core begins to settle down the stick(?) Can he even call it that? Well, the maybe stick object begins to warm up in his hands until it felt just right, like a fire on a winter night, cozy.

“Quite a nice stick, hmm my little prince?” Clockwork teases, “Remember to keep it safe, you will learn why soon enough.” Danny nods dumbly, still a bit starstruck at the sudden light show as he turns the magic stick? Intangible and tucks it gently behind his ribcage for safekeeping, “Now why don't you go open the rest of your gifts, then we can get to cake, it's such a fun mortal tradition."  

Danny's core felt light, he had spent the last hour opening presents and chatting with Clockwork Everyone had left such nice cards and well wishes. The presents, on the other hand, not to sound rude, but they were odd, odd even by ghost standards. It was mostly books, Clockwork said he had suggested it as the best present to get him. And sure, Danny liked books ever since he and ghostwriter came to an agreement about Christmas. Danny had started spending random afternoons just floating through his library reading every book that caught his eye, so he would love to start his own collection, it was just the subject matters that had him scratching his head.

The first gift he opened was from ghostwriter; and it wasn't a surprise to get books, but ‘ ancient spells tomes and runes ’? And a bunch about something called a muggle? Which were mostly about customs and need-to-know basics, and sure, he had been taking lessons from some of his “enemies” once they figured out he was a young child, it was rare for them to want to pick a fight with a 9 year old, let alone a few month old ghost. Plus ghostwriter had just started on high society customs, but it was still an odd assortment of gifts. 

Lunch lady had gotten him some cookbooks, normal, right, think again, ‘Magic kitchen’s and you’ ‘from Muggle to Magic 107 ways to dine‘ and ‘cooking with a wand’, what in the world was going on? What even was a Muggle? Was it some ghost thing people forgot to mention to him again? At this point, he was afraid to ask, as the pile of books had begun to surround him, and what was with all the magic? Kitty had given him a book called ‘How to Hex Your Ex’, some of the pages had been edited with different ingredients and measurements that were more effective. Danny did not want to know how she figured them out.

Even Frostbite had gotten on board with books about potions and plants for healing and general well-being. But he had always been so strict with his medical practice, Danny didn't take him for the type to be into herbal treatments. There were so many other books that Danny had practically built a small fort around himself, they all ranged from a wide variety of topics, but they all had one odd similarity, they all had something to do with magic? Danny was confused? Out of the loop? And maybe just the littlest bit lost

“Clockwork, I love that everybody was kind enough to even get me a gift, but what does any of this even mean?” Danny asks as he side-eyes the ‘ The Dark Arts and where to use them’ book Vlad had gifted him.

Clockwork chuckles, holding out a small leather book bag, “You might find this useful as well, young prince,” completely ignoring Danny's question again. With a huff Danny grabs the bag, reaching his hand in with reluctance hoping not to find yet another strange book with no explanation. But to his surprise, his hand doesn't hit anything as it continues to sink into the bag impossibly so. Whoa, Danny mouths as he begins attempting to fill the bag with his new collection of strange books, “This is amazing,” Danny mutters as he places the last book in, turning towards Clockwork, “But I don't understand. Is this some kind of Ghost trick? I thought you couldn't share pocket spaces, and I still figured out how to do it myself. Does it have something to do with this magic stuff?” Danny was getting desperate for a real answer Could clockwork not be cryptic for once?

“That is something I can not answer, but I can set you on the right path to find out,” Clockwork muses, his form shifting back to that of an old man, “I do wish you the best of luck, young prince.”

The last thing Danny saw was the smiling face of Clockwork before his vision turns green as he falls through a portal. Clockwork's lair had been replaced with a Grand… Office? One could call it an office, but it looked more like an eccentric collector's showroom, and where Clockwork was just floating, an old man wearing robes stood. 

“Hello, Daniel, I've been told to expect you.”  

____________________________________    

  
Harsh winds shook the foundation of the wood pile, Vernon called a holiday home, freezing water crashing against the walls, causing it to shake. Uncle Vernon has dragged the whole family to this small island in the middle of an ocean with only a small shack on it, even though calling this place a shack would be an insult to shacks, as this place was more of a pile of lumber glued together, but that wasn't important Harry's mind wandered, as shivers covered his body. The storm was picking up and Harry was startled as water from the waves outside crashed against the walls, a large puddle formed right where he claimed his bed, which was… annoying. Somehow he was still dry, a sheer miracle for his already shivering form. Never had he been more thankful for Dudley's baggy rags Petunia Called clothes. Harry sighed quietly trying not to wake Dudley, this was shaping up to be his worst birthday yet. He didn't think he could top the last few but he proved himself wrong very quickly. Another crashing wave caused him to jump. Yeah, he was not sleeping tonight. He tried to lay down again ignoring the seconds ticking down to his birthday. The numbers felt like they were mocking him from the electronic watch on Dudley's wrist. 

The seconds slowly counted up, 11:57, 11:58, 11:59 and finally 12:00.

“Happy Birthday… Happy birthday to me.” Harry whispered to himself, his voice was sore and chattering. Drawing a cake in the dirt floor. No one had bothered for his Birthday, the Dursleys were too scared of the letters finding them that they had completely and utterly forgotten… or maybe they just didn’t care, maybe that’s it and he was just being too hopeful, but he was always told he was too naive.

“Please… bring me someone to take me, us, out of this mess.” Harry blew out the drawn-on candles, distorting the drawing of the cake as dust kicked up in the air.

 But there was a sound coming from outside. Harry attempted to ignore them, curling tighter in on himself.

BOOM…       

Harry jumped up, what in the- had the house been hit by lightning? The shaking of the house settled for a mere moment before another powerful strike hit the shack. It was coming from the door, Was there someone out there? Truly, Harry wasn't sure what to be surprised by the fact that someone made it here or that the failed art project of a shack was still standing after the abuse.

Dudley, dazed, mumbled about Aunt Petunia and pig princesses as he slowly woke up, “What?”, looking around surprised. 

Both he and Harry turned towards the stairs as Petunia and Vernon moved quickly down the steps of the second floor; it creaked and moaned under the weight. A flash of lightning shone out as it danced on the water, and a moment later, the thunder came to follow. Petunia jumped, breaking one of the steps of the stairs in the process. Vernon, already startled, raised his shotgun he had brought down at the sudden rumble of thunder and the breaking of wood.

Once again, the door shook under the weight of something against it. Vernon turned off the safety, and Petunia tried to cover her ears. Suddenly, the door swung off its hinges, smashing into the ground, splintering off into a thousand pieces across the room. In its place stood a large figure, you couldn't even see the top of his head as it was blocked by the doorway, “Pardean me”, the giant of a man says the boisterous sound of his voice rattling the walls , as he stepped into the shack “Oh sorry bout that, to” he says carefully stepping over the pieces that was once a door “long journeys always make me a bit forgetful of me manners”

Harry wasn't sure how to react. He had a lot of questions, like why this man had broken into the house, he also wondered how he got here in the first place and with out a drop of rain on him but it's probably not the smartest idea to be questioning when an active break-in was happening, luckily adults didn't like it when he asked Questions, or spoke for that matter, but it just meant Harry was well trained at keeping his mouth shut. Maybe if he just sat perfectly still, he would be left out of the conversation like normal. Sadly, that plan failed nearly the second he came up with it, as the giant man turned to him with a warm expression. At least Harry thinks he's smiling, it's hard to tell when most of his face is covered in a beard.

“Harry, there ye are, just the boy I'm looking for. I haven't seen you since you were big enough for me to hold ya,” The man walked further into the house, plopping down onto the couch next to Dudley, who let out a Squeal and ran to hide behind his mother. Harry would have half a mind to laugh if he weren't actively questioning every decision that led him here.

“You can't be here, this is a crime”, Vernon ordered his voice a few octaves too high to be very threatening, he sounded a bit like a pig.

“Ah, quit yer yapping, I'm trying to have a chat ‘ere,” the man who was yet to introduce himself says as he yanks the gun out of Vernon's hands, simply bending the gun in half before tossing it randomly behind his back Harry had never heard someone sound like a boiling kettle before but Vernon was giving it his best shot.

 “Sorry bout that, Harry”, the giant says, turning back to the boy, “I've made me way out here to wish yeh a happy birthday. I would of come to yer others but the headmaster wouldn't allow it, but that's not important, I got yer summthan for you, might be a bit squashed but I hope it still tastes to yer liking,” He hands Harry a small brown paper box with a few indents inside was a large cake covered in chocolate frosting and big red letters saying ‘ Happe Birthdae Harree’ it was messy and quite a bit squashed.

But oh, Harry loved it, this man, he really needed to ask his name, had just become his favourite person no one had ever given him a cake before.

“Baked it myself I did, letters and all,” the man laughed proudly as Harry stared at the cake like it was his most prized possession.

“Thank you… Uh, sorry, but I would like to ask… who are you?” Harry questions shyly, practically curling in on himself as he does

“Ah, people always tell me I forget that step, my name's Rubes Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts” Hagrid leans forward, shaking Harry's small hand “And yer Harry Potter, the boy who lived,” before Harry got a chance to ask what Hagrid had meant by that he had turned back to the Dursleys who hadn't moved "Watcha say, mind putting on a cuppa?”

Petunia was the only one to speak up, surprising due to the fact that she looked ready to faint “We don't have anything out here, it.. uhh. .. was a last minute trip.” Petunia muttered, trying her best not to look at the man.

Hagrid stopped to look around before chuckling at the burnt chip packets Vernon had failed to make a fire with earlier before and standing up Hagrid was just big enough to block Harry's view of the fireplace, but when he moved back to the couch, a fire had been lit and was basking the room in a warm glow. Harry felt his body relax immediately, and slowly, so he wasn't noticed, scooted his way closer to Hagrid who was occupied pulling a bunch of items out of his coat pockets. Harry didn't know a jacket could have such deep pockets. He could have hidden his letter if he had a jacket like that. He's drawn back to what Hagrid was doing when he knocked over one of his tea cups with the kettle. He had somehow managed to smuggle into his jacket, where in the world was he hiding sausages? Harry watched on, itching to ask if the man needed any help as Hagrid took a few sips of an amber coloured drink. Soon, the smell of sausages made Harry's stomach rumble. Vernon didn't let him have any of the chips earlier, the fourth packet going to Dudley for seconds.

“Don't touch anything, Dudley,” Venom warned. They still haven't moved from the landing of the stairwell, but Dudley had been leaning closer towards Hagrid as the sausages were cooking.

“Ah, don't worry yer piglet of a son doesn't need any more fattenin' Dursley, I’m sure he'd be just fine,” Hagrid let out a deep laugh. Harry attempts to hide his grin in his oversized sleeve. Hargrid's eyes mull over Harry's small form before putting half the sausages onto a small saucer plate and handing it over to Harry.  Harry’s eyes lit up, they were some of the best sausages Harry had ever eaten! He practically made the first one disappear before having to slow down as his stomach protested, Harry decided to just slowly nibble on the second as Hagrid continued to eat.

Silence settled over the group, and Harry had a thought, It should be fine, right? Shuffling over to Hagrid he asked the kind giant, “I’m sorry, sir, but I'm still not sure who you are? Or why you’re here?” His voice tapering off as he lost confidence. 

“Call me Hagrid, no need for that, sir stuff!” Hagrid huffs, “Makes me feel old, but I'm the keeper of keys at Hogwarts, of course that's why I'm ‘ear, I’m Sure ye’ve known all about Hogwarts don’t ye?” Hagrid straightens his jacket like someone of importance would

“Sorry, sir- Hagrid, but I don’t… I know it’s a school or something but I never knew anything else. Harry asks timidly, Hagrid looked quite shocked at this news. “Sorry again.”

“It's not yer that should be sorry!” Hagrid says, turning back towards the Dursleys “It's them who should be apologising. Headmaster says you weren't getting your letters, but to know nothing about Hogwarts is something else! Didn't yeh ever wonder where yer parents learnt it all?”             
             
“All what?” Harry asked.

“All what!?” Hagrid jumped to his feet impressively fast for a man of his size. It's amazing he didn't hit his head on the roof.  Swinging around on his heels he marched up to where the Dursleys were cowering, “Are yeh telling me that you didn't tell this boy Nothin’?” Well, that was a little mean. Harry knew a few things, Harry's teachers had always given him good grades, it was something he was quite proud of, some teachers even gave recommendations to special schools! That's what he thought it was anyway. The Dursleys wouldn’t have ever allowed it, so he didn’t give it much mind until the letters really started piling up.

“I do know about some things,” Harry calls out, trying to calm Hagrid down “Like maths and stuff.”

Hagrid only waves him off, “Not that Harry, I’m talking about our world, the one yer suppose to be living in,”

“What world?” Harry asks, “Sorry.” he adds quickly as Uncle Vernon shot him a dirty look.

“DURSLEY.” Hagrid bellowed, Vernon had gone very pale very quickly as the conversation had progressed. Harry had a feeling he should be feeling bad for the man, but he couldn't bring himself to, oh right, Hagrid was still talking.

“What was that?” Harry questions.

“Yer parents, Harry, you have to know about them, they were bloody famous. Merlin, you're famous!” 

“What are you talking about? My parents weren’t famous, were they on TV or something?” Harry was sure he had passed the state of confusion a few conversations ago and was just thoroughly lost at this point.

“Oh Harry, yeh don't know… how Merlin yeh don’ know what yeh are?” Hagrid began to mumble, looking between Vernon and Harry, looking a bit lost himself.

A smarter man would have stayed silent, but not Vernon Dursley he only happened to be the world's most annoying man, “Stop! I order you to stop. You will not tell this boy anything!” This, of course, had the opposite effect as it snapped Hagrid out of his bewildered state. 

“Ah go fall off a broom you twat,” Hagrid cursed, “Sorry Harry no need for you to ‘ear that sort of language I just cant believe they would keep some thing like this from yeh…”

“Kept what from me?” Harry, suddenly snapping out of his confusion after being addressed.

Vernon tries to put a stop to what was already in motion, “STOP IT, we swore when we took the freak in that we wouldn't let him find out!” Petunia was near hyperventilating while Dudley just looked around confused.

“How DARE you?” Hagrid shouted, “What gives yeh the right to do or say that?” he turned towards Harry again,  Bending down to see on his level, looking right into his eyes. Sighing he finally said, “Yer a Wizard, Harree.”

“I’m a what?” Harry asked, confused. He had seen books in the library about wizards, but the Dursleys forbade any sort of fantasy books, especially if they were about anything magical saying it wasn’t ‘normal’ or ‘civilized’. It was the only time Harry had seen them get angry with Dudley when he asked for a toy wizard when they were 5. 

“A wizard Harry, what else would yeh be?” Hagrid chuckles lightly, patting Harry on the shoulder “Ah, that reminds me.” he pulls a small envelope from his jacket. How was there still more stuff in those pockets? The letter was a bit crumpled, noticing this Hagrid tried to smooth it out before handing it to Harry.

Harry tentatively reaches out to grab the letter, afraid someone would snatch it away again it looked almost the same as the others, but this one was addressed to his exact location, The Floor, Hut on the rock, The Sea. With a breath, he ripped open the envelope and began to read.

“To Harry James Potter… we welcome you to the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts…Im going to Hogwarts? I’m actually going to Hogwarts?” Harry asks nervously, holding the letter close to his chest.

“Yes, you ar-” Hagrid was quickly interrupted. 

“Not if I have any say about it, we’d promised to put a stop to all this rubbish!” Vernon huffed

“You knew? You knew all along and never told me..?” Harry asked, it made sense why would Vernon ever want to tell Harry burden Potter anything. 

“ Of course, we knew. How could we not? My perfect sister being who she was. Oh, my mother and father were so proud the day she got her letter. We have a witch in the family. Isn't it wonderful? I was the only one to see her for what she was. A freak! And then she met that Potter, and then she had you, and I knew you'd be just the same, just as strange, just as ... abnormal. And then, if you please, she went and got herself blown up. And we got landed with you.” Petunia cried out in almost one breath. Truly impressive how quickly a single breath could turn Harry's world upside down, even more surprising that a woman her age wouldn’t run out of breath in less than half of that rant.

“Blown up? You told me they died in a car crash?” Harry's voice wavered, he wasn't sure how to feel angry? He had the right, but he just felt incomplete, they lied about all this, but why his parent's death?  

“CAR CRASH?! A car crash killed James and Lily Potter? Yeh got to be losing it!” Hagrid said with a snort of laughter.

“We had to tell him something!” Petunia growled at Hagrid. Slowly, the conversation turned into a screaming fit between the three adults. Harry had seemingly been lost and was now just processing all that had just happened, He had just learnt he was a Wizard and the fact that wizards are real, he was wrong about his parent’s death somehow they were blown up? What did that even mean? Harry shook his head, it was a really bad idea to try and visualise that. Uh, the sound of the argument was beginning to get to Harry he needed them to stop yelling.

“How… how did they die? Like, how were they… blown up?” Harry wondered aloud, his voice small, but Hagrid stopped shouting immediately.

“Ah, Harry, I don't know how to tell yer…” Hagrid sighs, “But I've got to tell yeh something, can't let you go ter Hogwarts without knowin’,” Hagrid shoots Vernon a look before he's probably heard quite a few times, but Harry hung onto every word, asking questions every time Hagrid seemed to miss something important or said something Harry didn't understand by the end of it Harry had learnt what happened that night his hand instinctively traced along the large scar on his forehead. Harry remembered the flash of green -the pain- his fingers continued tracing the scar, it was almost soothing.

“I delivered you as a babe’ on Dumbledore’s order, shame you ended up with this lot,” Hagrid points behind him, “But it’s bout time we get going.”

“Not happening,” Vernon huffed. Once again we have established that he is not the brightest of men, “Look boy, I’ve accepted that you're some strange freak, and it's going to need a lot more than a few good beatings to fix, but I'm not letting you go anywhere near the school. You magic types are all the same. It's probably your parents own fault they ended up dead and in my opinion that’s the best outcome.” He spat.

Hagrid, who was mostly standing in shock as Vernon's rant that somehow got worse with every word, before finally snapping out of it when he saw Harry inching away from the angry man, “I’ve had enough of yeh.” Hagrid glared at Vernon, brandishing a pink umbrella with a very sharp point. As if hit with a Stroke of luck Vernon managed to rub brain cells together and back away from the giant man brandishing a makeshift weapon at him. 

“He won't be going, not now, not ever!” Vernon screeched again

“Well, what are you going to do about it?” Hagrid outstretched his arm toward Harry, “This boy has had his name down ever since he was BORN FOR MERLIN'S SAKE! Either way, he’s going.” Hagrid said firmly, “He’s going to the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world, and he’ll be under the finest headmaster that Hogwarts has ever seen, Albus Dumbledore.” Harry didn’t know what to think of the name, it seemed friendly enough, and being the best headmaster sounds like a difficult achievement. Let's hope he’s nice. Harry thought

“I will not pay for some crackpot old fool to teach freak magic tricks!” Vernon yelled.

“Good that ye ain’t paying then,” Hagrid growled, sparks of fire lashing out of his umbrella directly at Vernon only sizzling a few centimeters from his moustache. Petunia nearly fainted at the sight. “I've had enough of yer tonight, but yeh gone ter far.”

“I believe me and Harry should be going now, lots to do tomorrow school shopping and all that, don't want to be behind schedule,” his voice was low and threatening. Vernon just nodded as Hagrid began heading for the door, “Yer coming, Harry, unless you want to stay,” Hagrid asked with a lifted eyebrow. Harry could only shake his head as he ran after the man. 

As they were leaving, Hagrid turned to Harry, “And if you wouldn't mind not telling anyone about that. I'm not really supposed to be doing magic.” Harry nodded, It was reasonable not to let Hagrid get caught as a possible criminal, stemming from the fact that he seemed quite nice.

Outside, the storm had settled down, leaving nothing but a chilled breeze. “Eh, I knew I was forgetting something!” Hagrid said, reaching back into his coat and this time he pulled out… was that… an owl? Harry steps closer. Yep, that was a real living owl, a bit ruffled after being in a coat but otherwise unbothered.

“What do you need an owl for?” Harry asked inquisitively.

“Oh? I'm just sending a letter to Dumbledore. Letting him know I’ve found you and yer safe and sound,” Hagrid places the letter safely into a harness on the owl's leg, and the second it flew away, another owl practically swooped in to take its place, “Speaking of Dumbledore.” Hagrid chuckled good-naturedly as he grabbed the letter of the new owl and began reading. His laughing cut off immediately as he stared intently at the letter, probably rereading it a few times just to be sure, “Well, Merlin be…” he muttered, shaking his head.

“What is it, Hagrid? Is something wrong?” Harry asks, What if Hagrid made a mistake? What if he's the wrong boy? Or they decided they didn't want a freak like him at their prestigious school?

“Well, good news,” Harry sighs in relief. “ It seems your brother is alive, Dumbledore just confirmed yesterday.” Hagrid finishes matter-of-factly 

“What.”

“Yer twin brother Harry.”

“MY WHAT?”