Chapter 1 – Summer Departure

The end of year feast was wonderful, and everyone was anxiously waiting for tomorrow when they would leave for summer vacation. Harry was basking in a glow of approval he hadn't felt since this time last year, when he saved the philosopher's stone from Voldemort. By now, the whole school knew what had happened down in the Chamber of Secrets. It wasn't that Harry looked for trouble or recognition. They just seemed to find him. But it was nice to be appreciated for a change, and Harry felt content in spite of the Slytherins. They were telling anyone who would listen that there was no way he could have killed a basilisk — that the whole thing was a lie. But no one was listening to the Slytherins. The only thing that cast a shadow on his good mood was going home for the summer break. He felt sad that he had to leave the castle and return to the Dursleys. Over the past two years, Hogwarts had become his home. Thinking about his aunt, uncle, and cousin, made it seem like an eternity before he would see his best friends, Ron and Hermione, again.

Tomorrow would come soon enough. Right now, the three were sitting around a table in the Gryffindor common room sharing a last evening together before departing for summer vacation. Ron and Harry were playing a heated game of wizard chess, while Hermione immersed herself in a library book she was going to have to check in tomorrow before leaving. Ron was the first to notice Professor McGonagall walking towards them looking stern and formidable in her dark green robes, witches hat, and square wire rimmed spectacles. She walked right up to their table and looked at each of them in turn.

"What are you doing here, Professor?" asked Ron, who was surprised to see her in the common room. Professor McGonagall never came into Gryffindor tower unless there was something really serious that needed her immediate attention.

"I am head of Gryffindor house, Mr. Weasley," she said sternly. "Or have you forgotten?"

Ron looked ashamed. "I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to be rude. I was just surprised to see you — that's all."

Her expression changed to one of reflection. "It's true I rarely come into this part of the castle. And no offense taken, Mr. Weasley. Good evening, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger."

Hermione had put down her book and was looking at McGonagall with great interest. "Is there something we can do for you, Professor?" she asked.

"I need to speak to Mr. Potter," said McGonagall urgently.

Harry froze. Hermione nodded to Ron, and they pushed their chairs away from the table preparing to leave. McGonagall slid her glasses down her thin nose, slightly, so she could peer over them. She did this quite often when evaluating students, and it had the added advantage of making her look quite intimidating.

"You two might as well stay," she said in a defeated tone. "You'll end up being involved in this sooner or later — I have no doubt."

Ron and Hermione re-seated themselves and gave her their undivided attention.

Harry looked worried. "Has something happened, Professor?"

"I'm afraid so, Mr. Potter," she said apologetically. "There's something rather odd going on at number four, Privet Drive."

"Odd? What do you mean?" he asked.

She picked up a pawn that Ron had taken and was absentmindedly turning it over between her fingers as she cleared her throat nervously.

"The headmaster and I have just been informed by the Ministry that illegal magic has been detected at your aunt and uncle's house."

"What?" Harry gasped in surprise. "There's no one there but my aunt, uncle, and cousin?"

"That's what has us concerned," said McGonagall, who suddenly realized she was holding a chess piece and put the pawn back down on the table. As she did so, she thought about Harry and how much he had been like a pawn all his life. "Do you three mind if I sit down?" she asked irritably.

"Of course not, Professor," they replied.

Everyone slid their chairs a little closer together to make room. Professor McGonagall borrowed a chair from another table, seated herself, and straightened her robes and glasses.

"Does the Ministry have any idea who's doing it?" asked Hermione thoughtfully.

"No," said McGonagall flatly. "But Professor Dumbledore and I have an idea who may be behind it."

Harry quickly sat up straight. "It wasn't me. I didn't do anything. I swear Professor!"

She gave him a disappointed look. "I know it seems that whenever there's trouble, you three are always involved. But not this time, Mr. Potter."

Harry looked relieved. "Then, who?" he asked.

After a long, uncomfortable silence, in which McGonagall fiddled with her glasses, she answered, "your cousin, Dudley."

Harry nearly fell off his chair. His mouth was hanging wide open. "Dudley! You can't be serious! How could you possibly believe that Dudley can do magic?"

"I'll admit, at first it seemed unlikely," she said. "But all the evidence points that way. Not that he knows — or his parents. They're the most clueless muggles I've ever seen! Which is why I came to you, Harry."

Now he was even more shocked. "Me?" he asked.

"Yes, you, Harry!" she continued. "Professor Dumbledore and I are going to need your help. Sooner or later, someone from Hogwarts will have to talk to your aunt and uncle. We think it would be better if you prepare Dudley first — so it won't be such a shock for him."

"I think I'm the one in shock, Professor!" he said. "Dudley? A wizard? How can that be?" Harry looked from Ron to Hermione. They were watching him closely.

Professor McGonagall took a deep breath and composed herself. "Your mother and Dudley's mother were sisters," she explained. "Lily was quite a gifted witch. And although your Aunt Petunia isn't magical herself, she carries the magic gene, which she passed down to Dudley."

"But Dudley's never shown any sign of magic at all," he argued. "Why now?"

"Sometimes magic shows up late in muggle-borns," said Hermione, who was, herself, a muggle-born.

"It's true," said McGonagall. "I've seen cases where muggle-borns didn't manifest their magic until they were adults."

"And you want me to tell Dudley he's a wizard?" Harry asked sarcastically.

"We want you to prepare him for the truth," said McGonagall seriously.

Harry was thinking about his life with the Dursleys and looking desperate. "Professor! Do you have any idea how much they hate magic? I might as well ask them to give away everything they own and move to Alaska!"

"Nothing quite that drastic, I assure you," came a low, soft voice nearby. They all turned to see Professor Dumbledore standing by their table and stroking his long, white beard thoughtfully. "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not, Professor," they answered together.

Dumbledore materialized a chair from thin air and joined them at the table. "Professor McGonagall and I are quite aware of how much the Dursleys hate magic, Harry. We also know how much magic terrifies your cousin. That's why we came to you."

"I don't see what I can do," he said doubtfully. "They never listen to me."

"Maybe not your aunt and uncle," suggested Dumbledore. "But have you ever tried talking to Dudley about the magical world?"

"No," said Harry, spitting like a cat and looking angry. He was remembering all the times he had been chased and beaten. "All my life Dudley has bullied me. I've been too busy staying away from him to talk to him."

"He's a great bullying git, Professor," added Ron in a nasty tone.

Dumbledore gave him a scathing glance over the top of his half-moon spectacles, and Ron shrank down in his chair.

Professor McGonagall adjusted her glasses again and addressed Harry quite sincerely. "Have you ever stopped to consider that Dudley might be jealous of you?"

"Jealous!" he exclaimed in disbelief. "My aunt and uncle give him everything he wants! Why would he be jealous of me?"

"Maybe he wants what you have, Harry?" suggested Hermione.

"And just what would that be?" he snapped at her bitterly.

"Magic," said Dumbledore quite calmly. "I wasn't going to tell you this, Harry, but I think it might help you to understand. When your mother got her letter from Hogwarts, your Aunt Petunia wanted to come, too."

Harry's eyes grew wide with surprise and he gasped. "What?"

"Yes!" said Dumbledore gently as he looked at Harry with those soft blue eyes that seemed to look right through you. "She even wrote to me and begged me to let her come. I couldn't, of course. She had not a drop of magic in her. I've always regretted having to turn her down, because it created a rift between her and your mother that never healed. That's why she hates magic so much — or pretends to. She was jealous of her sister."

"And you think Dudley bullies me because he's jealous of me?" asked Harry, still not quite believing it.

"Yes," said McGonagall. "And, of course, your aunt and uncle's attitude doesn't help matters either. But after he realizes there's no need to be jealous anymore, he may stop bullying you. He might even be your friend."

Harry rolled his eyes. "That'll be the day!"

"But she's right, Harry," said Hermione encouragingly. "He may not dislike you as much as you think."

The color was rising on Harry's neck, now, and he was on the verge of losing it.

"Don't you understand, Hermione?" he said through gritted teeth. "My aunt and uncle taught him to hate me when we were children!"

"I know it's hard," said Dumbledore sympathetically. "But you're going to have to make peace with Dudley. He is your cousin. He is a wizard. And he will be coming to Hogwarts."

Harry cringed and gave Dumbledore a deplorable look. "How do you know?" he asked more aggressively than he had intended.

"I used a revealing spell on him," explained Dumbledore, ignoring Harry's rudeness. "Of course, he doesn't know it. But he's definitely a wizard."

"No!," Harry shouted at the headmaster. "How do you know he's coming to Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore was surprised by Harry's brashness. But under the circumstances, he let it pass and continued quite calmly. "There really is no choice, Harry. It would be too dangerous otherwise."

"Dangerous?" he asked.

"Yes, dangerous," replied Dumbledore. "All magical children must learn to control their magic. Otherwise, accidental magic will occur. It's not a problem in children. But as a person grows older, their magic grows stronger. An adult wizard with no magical training is dangerous to himself and everyone around him — a catastrophe waiting to happen."

"And if a person doesn't use their magic and learn to control it," added Professor McGonagall, "it will build up inside them. Sooner or later, those forces will burst like a dam and be released all at once — completely out of control."

"Is it really that serious?" asked Ron in disbelief.

Professor McGonagall looked at him severely over her wire rimmed spectacles. "I once knew a man who refused to use magic, Mr. Weasley. One day he got into an argument with his brother. He became so angry that he shouted, 'I wish you had never been born!'. His brother vanished, right before his eyes, and was never seen again."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at Professor McGonagall in horror. She bowed her head and stared at the floor for a moment, remembering. Then she continued. "That never would have happened if that man had learned how to control his magic."

"It's an extremely delicate situation," said Dumbledore. "That's why we need you to ease Dudley into the idea of being a wizard. You're going to have to get him over his fear of magic."

Harry thought for a moment, turning over what they had just said in his mind. "But how can I do that, Professor, if I'm not allowed to use magic?"

"I've already talked to the Ministry," said Dumbledore. "Considering the situation, they've agreed to let you do some magic at home over the summer — but only in front of your cousin. No one else must see it. It's very important that you keep this between you and Dudley. Do you understand?"

Harry couldn't help but smile. "Yes, Professor. I promise. When are you going to talk to my aunt and uncle?"

"As soon as possible," answered McGonagall.

"But not before you have a chance to win Dudley over," added Dumbledore.

Both professors stood up to leave. "Give it some thought, Harry," said Dumbledore with an encouraging smile as they departed, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione staring at each other dumbfounded.

"Wow!" said Ron. "They actually gave you permission to use magic at home over the summer!"

"This is serious, Ron," Hermione warned. "Harry could get into a lot of trouble if he breaks the rules." Then she gave Harry a warning look too.

Ron started clearing the chess board. "What are you going to do, Harry?"

He fiddled with a rook. "I don't know," he said, handing the piece to Ron.

"We'll do anything we can to help," Hermione offered.

"I know," he said. "And I appreciate it, Hermione."

Ron yawned as he gathered up the chess pieces and stored them in a wooden box. "Well, there's nothing we can do tonight," he said. "And I need to go to bed. Got to finish packing in the morning."

Hermione picked up her book and slid her chair away from the table. "And I have to finish packing my library before I can go to bed."

"You'll need a couple of house elves for that!" joked Ron. She glared daggers at him, and he put up his hands as if to shield himself. "Sorry!" he apologized quickly.

Hermione shook her head and took another look at Harry. "Are you alright?" she asked, concerned.

"Yeah," he said halfheartedly. "Dudley, a wizard? I can't wrap my mind around that one."

"Bet he ends up in Slytherin house!" said Ron, sneering as he picked up the chess set to leave.

"Don't even joke about it, Ron," Harry warned. "He could be as bad as Malfoy!"

"No one could be as bad as Malfoy," Ron sighed.

After gathering up their things, Ron and Hermione climbed the stairs to their respective dorms leaving Harry alone at the table with his head in his hands. Finally, he stood up and started to leave.

"I guess I might as well go to bed too," he mutter to himself as he climbed the stairs.

Harry woke early the next morning. He hadn't slept well at all. He dreamed that Dudley turned himself into a giant bulldog and chased him down the street. It was still dark except for a few rays of pale light that filtered in through the windows. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, Harry looked around to see his dorm mates still fast asleep. He could hear Ron snoring. He got up and dressed as quickly and quietly as possible, then made his way down to the common room where he sat alone for a while in the twilight, thinking.

"How am I going to tell Dudley he's a wizard? And once he knows, how am I going to convince him it isn't something bad? Is Dudley really as stupid as he seems? Or is he just pretending so he can get away with whatever he wants?"

These were questions Harry needed answers to right away. If Dudley was producing accidental magic, the sooner it was dealt with the better.

"But what will Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia say?" he wondered. "Will they forbid Dudley to come to Hogwarts? And if they do, could Dumbledore do anything about it? What about the Ministry for Magic? Would the Dursleys be in trouble with them for not giving Dudley a magical education?"

A million questions flooded Harry's mind. He had some idea of what might happen, but how to keep it from turning into a disaster eluded him.

Gryffindor students started to drift slowly through the common room on their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. No one noticed Harry sitting quietly in the shadows. Then Harry saw Ron.

"Oy! Ron!" he called.

Ron leaped in fright as he stared into the darkness where the voice came from. Then he saw Harry.

"Jumpin' Gargoyles, Harry! What are you doing hiding in the dark?"

"I'm not hiding!" Harry said defensively. "I woke up early. I'm just sitting here thinking."

"About Dudley? The Dursleys? The secrets of the universe?" said Ron flippantly, trying to lighten Harry's bad mood.

"What's this about the secrets of the universe?" asked Hermione.

They turned to see her coming down the girls' staircase carrying a book and a copy of the Daily Prophet in her arms.

"We were just wondering what your next project would be," Ron said sarcastically.

"Very funny, Ron," she said with a sigh.

He smirked at her. "I found Harry down here hiding in the shadows."

Harry jumped up from his chair feeling put out. "I wasn't hiding! I was thinking!"

"We understand," she said reassuringly as she glared daggers at Ron. "We'll help you sort everything out."

"Well, can we do it at breakfast," Ron added. "I'm starving!"

"You're always starving," she said sarcastically. He threw her an annoyed look, did an about face, and headed for the portrait hole. She and Harry followed.

The Great Hall was already filling up for breakfast. They found empty seats halfway down the Gryffindor table and joined their classmates. Ron started heaping scrambled eggs and bacon onto his plate, while Hermione watched in disgust. After a few seconds, she shook her head and turned to Harry.

"I know all this seems overwhelming," she said. "But it might end up being a really good thing."

"How do you figure that?" mumbled Ron through a mouthful of bacon and eggs.

Hermione was going to say something about not talking with your mouth full but decided against it.

"Well," she began as she buttered a piece of toast, "Harry and Dudley are cousins — by blood no less. And they grew up together. If things had been normal, their relationship would probably be more like brothers than cousins."

Harry reached for the pumpkin juice. "What planet do you live on, Hermione?" he asked.

"I said 'if'," she repeated. "I just think it's a shame that the two of you never had the kind of relationship cousins should have."

"And whose fault is that?" he grumbled, setting down the pumpkin juice and looking at her in frustration.

"Well, it's not your fault, Harry, that —"

Ron interrupted, "That the Dursleys are a bunch of narrow-minded, thick gits!"

"Ron!" she admonished. "That's not going to help Harry."

"No, but he's right, Hermione," Harry agreed as he reached for the platter of pancakes.

She shook her head at both of them as if they were children who didn't understand. "Look, you two! It doesn't matter who's to blame. If you're going to help Dudley accept he's a wizard, you're going to have to find some common ground."

Harry and Ron looked at her as if she had lost her mind, but she ignored them and went on.

"What do you and Dudley have in common, Harry?"

"Nothing!" he snapped, going back to his stack of pancakes.

"I don't believe that for a minute! Do you like food? Games? Sports?"

"Sure," he said, pouring syrup on his pancakes.

"What about Dudley?"

"I guess so. But the things we like are different. I'm from the magical world, remember?"

"So, share some of the stuff you like with him," she suggested. "What do you think Dudley would like about the magical world?"

Harry considered his plate. "The food, for one thing!" he said right off the bat as he swallowed a mouthful of pancake and syrup. "He'd love the food at Hogwarts!"

"And I'll bet he'd go crazy for Honeydukes," added Ron.

"What else?" Hermione encouraged them.

"Well, Dudley loves sports," said harry thoughtfully. "I'll bet he'd enjoy quidditch — once he understood it. I guess I could teach him how the game is played and then show him my Flying with the Cannons book."

"You see?" she said. "There are things you two could share."

Ron put down his glass of pumpkin juice and looked at Harry curiously.

"Does Dudley play chess?" he asked.

"I don't know," said Harry. "I think I saw a chess set mixed in with his video games and stuff."

"Want to borrow mine for the summer?" he offered. "You could teach him wizard chess?"

Harry looked at Hermione. "Would that be allowed?" he asked.

"Of course!" she said. "There's lots of enchanted objects in the muggle world. Just don't go showing it to people who don't know about magic."

"That would be cool, Ron. Thanks!" said Harry.

The more they talked, the more excited they were to think that Dudley would soon be joining the magical world. Ron wanted to invite them to his house near the end of summer, so Dudley could see how a wizard family lives. Hermione thought a trip to Diagon Alley might interest him, too. They were getting quite carried away until Harry brought them back to reality.

"Hang on!" he said, stopping the conversation cold. "We're making all kinds of plans, and Dudley doesn't even know he's a wizard yet!"

"Maybe he does," suggested Ron comically. "If he keeps doing accidental magic, he's sure to find out!"

"That's no way to find out!" Hermione scolded him. "Harry's going to have to explain it all so he won't be so scared. And you can let him know, Harry, that Ron and I are here to help, too. Right, Ron?"

"Sure," he said, though he didn't look totally happy about it.

Harry, on the other hand, was genuinely excited about the prospect of sharing his world with Dudley. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that he would want to be Dudley's friend. But the magical world was bringing them together in a way the muggle world never could. And by the end of breakfast, he felt ten times better than he had done when he first woke up. He could see Hermione's point, too. If he made friends with Dudley, and helped him adjust, they might actually start liking each other. Maybe they could be like real cousins after all.

The Hogwarts Express left Hogsmeade Station right on time at eleven o'clock. Harry, Ron, and Hermione found an empty compartment and settled down for the trip home. The weather was pleasant, and the three talked about their plans for the summer. Around one o'clock, the witch with the food trolley came by, and they all bought cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties. It was a really nice journey. And before they knew it, they were pulling into Kings Cross Station. Slowly, the train emptied of students. Platform nine and three-quarters was crowded with parents greeting their children and pets of every description running here and there. After Harry said hello to Molly and Arthur Weasley, he made his way through the magical barrier to the muggle world, where Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and his cousin, Dudley were all waiting to collect him. No one said much of anything as they got into Uncle Vernon's company car and drove away.