A/N: Thanks SOO much to *blink* and Robert for the wonderful reviews, you guys gave me the motivation to write this chapter, so it's dedicated to both of you. :) Bear with me if Dudley seems too OOC, but considering the fact that no one expected him to be a wizard and we don't know tons about him, I figure there had to be a bit more to him than meets the eye. Reviews are appreciated more than you could know; your feedback gives me ideas and keeps me writing, so keep it coming! Storytime! –K

Chapter 2: Two Strange

For a few minutes the boys just stood there, both in a state of shock. They were… wizards? Harry went on to read the rest of his letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Harry wondered if this weren't maybe some cruel joke. But then, he remembered, Dudley had one too…

He pulled out a second paper. It contained a list of books and other items required for the school. Harry scanned the list, wondering where on earth he would be able to buy "Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1" and a wand. And with this came the sinking feeling of knowing that he couldn't buy any of this anyway, because he had no money. And surely the Dursleys would never put up funds for something like this. It was far too unordinary for him.

At the bottom of the page he noticed a hand-written note:

Mr. Potter:

As you and your cousin will require assistance in obtaining the necessary items for your education at Hogwarts, someone from the school will be sent to retrieve you to collect your things on August 1. We understand that you will not be able to reply by owl, so merely send a letter adressed to Hogwarts through your post and it will arrive through the proper channels. We await your reply.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Harry mentally calculated and realized that August 1st was only a week from tomorrow- well, today, considering the lateness of the hour.

Still in shock, he looked over at Dudley, who seemed to be in just as much shock as he was.

"So…" Harry began finally, tentativelly, "you didn't do this? This isn't some prank of yours?"

"N-no," Dudley replied shakily. "I thought maybe it was you…"

"No," Harry replied, "it wasn't. So you think this is real, then?"

"I dunno. Mum and Dad seemed freaked, so maybe… I guess we'll have to wait for this person to come get us, and then... I dunno."

"It makes sense," Harry said slowly. "I've always been able to do weird things… Things other kids can't. And whenver the weird things would happen, your Mum and Dad would get really angry… I wonder if they know?"

"That'd explain why they were so freaked this morning… But… I've always been able to do weird stuff too. Like, stop kids from moving when I'm beating them. Without touching them or anything… But Mum and Dad never said anything. I don't get it."

"Me either," Harry replied. "So I guess we wait for August 1, then. But we have to send a letter somehow, so they'll know to come get us."

"I'll take care of that," Dudley said. "I'll send one off tomorrow, claim I'm going to see a friend or summat."

"Wow Dudley," Harry said quietly.

"What?"

"I never knew you were that…"

"Smart?" Dudley responded with a laugh. "Yeah, I'm much smarter than I let on, I just have to keep up appearances…" he trailed off. "Listen, you won't say anything-"

"No, course not," Harry promised. "I'm in this too, remember?"

"Yeah," said Dudley distractedly. "I just… I can't believe this. It makes sense, but…"

"I know what you mean. Look, we have to hide it, though. We can't tell your parents, cause something gives me the feeling they don't want us to know about this, or want us to go. They might try and stop us."

"I don't care, we'll figure something out. If all this is real, then I wanna go. I mean, it's obviously not something everyone can do, or we'd already know about it. I wanna be magic," said Dudley. "But you're right, let's not tell them. Oh, hey, d'you want to go to the zoo with us on my birthday?"

Harry looked at him, shocked. "You want me to go?"

"I couldn't care less, but I know Mum and Dad'll ship you off to that weird old lady again, so I figured…"

"Wow, thanks Dudley. Yeah, sure. I'd love to go."

"Right. Well, let's get back to bed before they realize we're gone." Dudley was obviously embarrased by Harry's thankfulness.

"Yeah, ok," said Harry, and they slipped silently back inside and into their rooms, both pondering the strangeness of what was to come.

A/N: Insert section about trip to the zoo here. I know in the book it happened before the letters came, but I decided to flip it a bit. I was gonna write the scene, but JK already has and I can't do it better, so… yeah. All the same stuff happens, except Harry gets locked in the bedroom instead of the cupboard. And nothing else happens until July 31st. Next chapter: Diagon Alley! :)