CHAPTER 1: An Unexpected Invitation
Dudley Dursley sat on the living room couch, stroking the hair of his fourteen year old daughter, Laura Mae Dursley. It was a hot, humid morning. Dudley and his wife, Lena, had decided to take a break from work and have some family time. Unfortunately, neither of them had come up with anything to do.
The muggy, drowsy stillness in the house was broken by a loud shriek from Lena Dursley.
Startled, Dudley pushed himself off the sofa (with much effort, for his three-hundred something pounds were no easy burden) and stomped awkwardly towards the kitchen to see what the matter was.
Lena was standing near the stove, the bacon and eggs she'd been preparing momentarily forgotten. On the polished countertop, grooming itself, was a handsome tawny owl. Clamped in its beak was a fancy roll of parchment, tied with a golden ribbon and adorned with an ornate P.
"What is it?" gasped Lena, looking like she'd seen a ghost.
"That's an owl, m'dear," said Dudley, positively dumbfounded.
Lena, who'd gotten off the couch to check on her mother, inhaled sharply at the sight of the bird. The tawny plumage and odd parchment seal triggered a memory inside her. "Father, is this how those...magic people...send their letters? You said that Grandpa Vernon wouldn't let your cousin Harry fly his owl, Hedgewing or something, because Harry was magic and could send letters using...using...Owl Post!"
Dudley shook himself. "Spot on as usual, Laura darling," he said, gazing at the owl with interest. "I do believe that my dear cousin has sent me a letter." He reached out towards the owl.
"Careful, Dudley," said Len nervously. "It may bite."
The owl, however, showed no signs of violence, but instead dropped the parchment neatly into Dudley's hand and waited patiently as he unrolled the parchment.
It read:
To Dudley, Lena, and Laura Mae Dursley
You have been cordially invited by Mr. Harry James Potter and his spouse, Mrs. Ginevra Weasley Potter, to the eleventh birthday of their youngest daughter, Lily Luna Potter.
Where: 45 Lingsten Road (The Potter Mansion)
When: 11:00 am on the day you receive this