The Path Least Taken

by MonsterSlut

In 1985 Vernon Dursley is killed in a fire, Petunia and her son were saved by her niece, the widow to reevaluate her treatment of her. Harleen Potter grows up loved and cared for, inseparable from her cousin. At the age of seven, Dudley has his own bought of accidental magic. Both children will soon be heading to Hogwarts and neither will be messed with. Fem!Harry/Nice!Dudley

2. First Year Part II

++++++ So this would have been up yesterday if not for the worst thing to happen to fanboys/fangirls everywhere since the Black Plague.

FanFiction . net was down!

I was devastated!

And according to Twitter-so was everyone else lol

Literally!

I have made up my mind on some of my pairings as well, some may surprise you, others not so much.

Harley/Cedric

Dudley/?

Petunia/Remus

Hermione/Fred or George

Draco/?

Neville/Lune - I mean how could JK not put them together? They're so CUTE!

Any other suggestion will be taken on board.

Houses have also been decided.

This story will be more AU then canon but as Tay-Tay says-make the moves up as you go.

Enjoy the chapter about a universe I do not own.

As stated previously, I am Australia so my spelling and pronunciation will be different and I do not have a beta.

BIG SHOUT OUT TO WHOMEVER NOMINATED THE PATH LEAST TAKEN FOR A COMMUNITY.

Cheers! ++++++

Two

Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Principal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry entered the three bedroom apartment looking around, judging. It was small yet homely, evidence of children were plastered all over the place.

Dirty shoes. Soccer balls. School bags. Homework. School books.

Once she had judged the Dursley's to be the worst sort of muggles but now Minerva McGonagall could see that the death of her husband had made this woman a much happier person. The sound of screaming children brought a smile to her face that disappeared quickly when Petunia sternly told them to sit down.

Two children still in their pajama's came and sat on the couch, each either side of Petunia. "You look just like you're mother," Minerva blurted out.

She looked up at Petunia with an obvious frown. "If I go to Hogwarts will everyone say that to me?" she questioned.

Petunia kissed her head. "I'm sorry but they will. You're famous, remember. Lily was also popular at her school." She turned to Minerva. "I sat both Dudley and Harley down several years ago and explained everything to them. They both know about the Dark Wizard and the war and what Harley did as a child."

"Harley?" Minerva question.

"Harleen's boring," Harley moaned. "And Aunt Petunia only calls me that when I'm in trouble."

"She get's trouble a lot!" Dudley teased.

Harley stuck her tongue out. "Shut up, Dudley!" She reached across and punched him.

Dudley punched her back.

"Enough!" Petunia snapped, putting her stern voice on. "Or you'll spend the rest of the day in your rooms with no TV or snacks. Just lunch."

Both children apologised to each other than to Petunia. Minerva was impressed. She shifted in her seat. "Miss Potter's name has been down at Hogwarts since the moment she was born, Mr Dursley's name also. I had hoped to bring both their letters together but a mix up had them sent by post instead. I came today to show Ms Potter and Mr Dursley to Diagon Alley."

"I will be going with them," Petunia assured Minerva. "Neither Harley or Dudley should go through such a change without anyone they know. I would like to know more about the community before sending them in alone."

Minerva nodded. "High unorthodox, Mrs Dursley. But for Miss Potter I will make an exception." She handed Petunia a piece of parchment with an address on it. "Please be at the address this afternoon at one PM. I will meet you there to show you around Diagon Alley."

Petunia stood up to show Minerva out. Truthfully she had been very nervous about this day but now that it was over she knew it had been all in her head. A reminder of her beloved husband. She looked down at Dudley and Harley who were eagerly awaiting permission to read their letters. Petunia smiled and nodded, giving them what they wanted.

"Read yours!" Harley grinned to Dudley, her hair pulled up on a loose, messy bun.

Dudley ripped his open and started to read.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr Dursley

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

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

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harley cocked an eyebrow. "What's a Mugwump?" she asked.

Dudley shrugged. "Some kind of slug?" he suggested.

Harley giggled and searched her letter for the supplies. "How are we going to pay for this?" she asked, looking worried. She knew they weren't the richest family, they survived from pay cheque to pay cheque and she didn't want to take away all of her aunt's savings.

"What do you need?" Petunia questioned. She couldn't remember what Lily needed in her first year at Hogwarts, but even if she did, it could have changed for all she knew.

Harley scanned through a second time before she read the supply list out.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)

By Miranda Goshawks

A History of Magic

By Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory

By Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration

By Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

By Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions

By Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

By Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection

By Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,

Luncinda Thomsonicle-Pocus

Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

"In Diagon Alley, I remember Lily mentioning it," Petunia spoke, "there is a bank there called Gringotts. That's where the Potter Fortune will be."

Harley's bottle green eyes grew large. "Fortune?" she asked.

Petunia nodded. "Yes. Your father was an only child. His fortune would have been left to you. However I haven't seen a cent of it since you arrived. Despite being promised money to help me raise you." She knew that James Potter was a wealthy man and she had an inkling that Harley's money was being held hostage by the so called Wizard of Light, Albus Dumbledore. The man said jump and everyone said how high. It angered her to no end how he pulled people's puppet strings.

Dudley frowned. "Maybe those bankers can do something to help?" he suggested. "Like when Marge tried to take dads money off you"

Petunia raised an eyebrow. She hadn't thought about that at all. Sometimes Dudley surprised her. "I think we shall discuss that whilst we collect our funds for your school stuff. After lunch I want you both to have a shower and dress in respectable clothes. Not your good clothes, comfortable but respectable. Put your letters on the table and go play."

"Wanna play computer games?" Dudley asked his cousin.

Harley shook her head. "I'll watch. Maybe with my instructions you can finally finish that stupid level."

The two sprung up from the couch and ran off laughing and shoving each other.