Reading Harry Potter

Chapter One

1st November 1981

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley

 It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that last night James and Lily Potter were murdered by Lord Voldemort. Harry extraordinarily survived and since you are his only blood relatives I request that he stays with you. He should be with his Godfather Sirius, but due to circumstances that is no longer an option, and the ministry will not allow him to stay with his unofficial Godfather Remus.

  News travels fast and Harry will be famous already. That is one of the various reasons I have sent Harry to stay with you. A child living in the world of fame will have twice as big a head by the time they are 5. I know for a fact James and Lily, especially, would not have wanted their son to become arrogant.

  All of their belongings have been put into their vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley. I have the key for this vault and will send it to Harry when he turns 11 where he will have full access to everything inside. 

  As, of course you must know, Harry is a wizard, so at the age of 11 he will receive an acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Wizardry. He will attend the boarding school for seven years, just like his parents, and then he will no longer need to return to you. Before he turns 11 I expect he will attend nursery and school with your son Dudley.

  As he is a wizard it is expected as he grows up he will not be able to control his magic. Accidental magic is very common in magical children and is never anything dangerous. It might be something small, unnoticeable, like changing the colour of a jumper, or lifting a book without touching it. If there are any problems related to accidental magic, please feel free to talk to Miss Fig who will be more than happy to help.

  I have enclosed in this letter enough money to look after him, to pay for clothes, food and anything he need for school before Hogwarts. I expect, Petunia, you will remember how to get to Diagon Alley and Platform 9 ¾ but in case the information has slipped your mind I have left a map and further instructions.

  Your new neighbour Arabella Fig will be at hand to help you at any point and will watch over Harry whenever necessary. She will also report back to me every week about how Harry and you are doing. When Harry is older there is a letter attached from his parents, written just days ago. I imagine it will explain everything to him that you and I cannot. I have given them their privacy and have not read this letter and I insist you do not either.

  I wish I could talk to you face to face about what has happened but I am a very busy man in the Wizarding world so I am needed else where. Your world might not have been affected but the Wizarding world is celebrating after many years of hardship so I need to help control the festivities. There is a heating charm over his basket so he will not get cold while he waits on you.I wish you the best of luck and trust you will raise Harry like your own.

Regards,

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Wizardry

Everyone was sat in shock. Tears were common all around and Sirius didn't even care to count how many times his voice had broken during his reading. Lily was the first to speak.

"I... What about Harry? You can't have sent him to my sister's! She hated me and she'll hate Harry just because of that. Why can't Sirius look after him. He should be his legal guardian. What happened that stopped him from looking after his Godson?"

Nobody had any answers. Dumbledore's eyes no longer twinkled and even he was lost for word. His thoughts however never stopped, questioning and disregarding many ideas but never coming to a conclusion.