A/N: Hope you enjoy, please be open with suggestions on how to proceed.

Prologue

Part 2: The Realization

It had been a normal day for Harry so far, aside from that strange dream. Dudley had opened his presents, spending time criticizing the minor flaws in every single one while Harry was forced to watch. This had never happened before, but Uncle Vernon did have a logical reason for it in his contaminated brain.

Just before breakfast he had told or rather, threatened Harry, to stay out of the way, but not too far, since Vernon's mind was at war between his common sense which urged him to keep the boy in his room, and the saying he had laid as a foundation in his job, 'Keep your loved ones close and your enemies closer'. Harry had realized very soon that the Dursley's didn't like him, but it wasn't like they tortured him either.

After the whole ordeal with the presents was finished, half of which Dudley didn't bother to clean up, and just left lying on the floor of the living room, Harry was about to go outside for a walk, but was stopped by Aunt Petunia. Then came what Harry had waited for in much dreaded anticipation. Aunt Petunia ordered him to stay where he was, just next to the main door, and walked into the Living Room to speak to Uncle Vernon. Harry could only hear whispers from where he stood, but knew that there was considerable worry and distrust behind the voices.

After about twenty minutes of waiting, both Uncle and Aunt walked out looking mutually exhausted. Harry had seen these faces plenty of times. These were the faces of those people who were about to do something that would go against their instincts and desires. Harry had seen these expressions far too often. While Aunt Petunia stayed back, Uncle Vernon walked forward. What happened next would mark a change in Harry's life with the Dursleys.

"Boy-I mean, Harry" Vernon looked slightly uncomfortable, but found it in himself to look directly at the child he had ignored for the past nine years.

Harry's eyes widened with shock and disbelief, but he made sure to hide it, knowing he was being closely watched by his uncle. Trying his best to meet the gaze of his Uncle, whose presence in Harry's case was almost crippling, suddenly something happened.

'Don't worry, I'll take it from here…'

Like a switch that had been turned on, Harry's mind went completely blank, and he took two deep breaths, straightened his posture and then to Vernon's surprise, met his gaze. The slightest of smiles formed on Harry's pale face, as he responded,

"Yes, what might it be, ?"

Now it was Uncle's turn to be shocked. He stood still for a second. Vernon, who was a successful mind, slightly disrespectful businessman recognized each expression on the young boy's face, and his words rang alarm bells in his head. One of the many changes was the masterful Poker Face the boy-no, Harry was wearing, and the second was the honorific he had used in his words. The final being his green eyes that had pierced through him.

Forgetting who he was talking to, Vernon's inner businessman talked, matching the Poker Face of his nephew, of course, he had forgotten he was his nephew, as he responded, his instincts fully believing that he was talking to a fellow businessman.

"Harry, we will be leaving for the Zoo with Dudley at 12:30PM" A monotone voice, similar to that of a boss notifying his co-worker.

"And?" Harry raised an eyebrow threateningly, for this was now a marketing discussion, both sides locked in a trance, neither wanting to give up the upper hand.

Slightly intimidated, Vernon spoke,"W-Well, we will be expectant of your presence, though I should warn you not to step out of line. Be ready, and look presentable, that is all"

"Why, of course" A small nod of approval, and both parties were off in opposite directions.

As soon as the conversation was over however, Harry stared at his hands, wondering if he was still himself, 'What did I just do?'

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Harry felt like a third party in the encounter, as he stared at himself, realizing much to his fear and displeasure that it was not him who had done the talking.

, gritted his teeth and walked back to the Living Room, leaving a confused Harry and horror stricken Petunia in his wake. It didn't take long for Petunia to follow suite, and soon Harry was left alone in the hallway.

Minutes passed before Harry could regain any sense or grasp of his situation, but as soon as he did, a new confidence and lightheadedness was felt throughout his body. Memories of just a few minutes ago rushing back to him, he sighed at his own stupidity, he should go prepare now, after all, there was only about a span of 15 minutes before it was time to go.

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Back At The Living Room With Our Favorite Half Dead Relatives

Vernon had sat down on his favourite Sofa, and took many deep breaths before he managed to calm himself, the conversation before was simply far to intense. He sighed, the shock seeping through him as he soon realised that what had happened wasn't just a dream. Petunia still looked aghast, as she sat down next to her husband, looking worried and fearful.

"Vernon dear? What happened?" She whimpered. Obviously not grasping the seriousness of the predicament.

When Vernon didn't respond, in fact, she knew that he wasn't as much as even listening, her face contorted into a face of natural disgust as she whispered darkly,

"The boy, he did something, didn't he? I knew it! It was wrong to take him in! He-He's evil" She spat in disgust.

Vernon had heard just about enough, and stared at her in thoughtfulness, before calmly speaking, "Petunia….., I don't know how to explain this, but….the boy, Harry sounded quite strange, as you may have rea-"

Aunt Petunia, overreacting, quickly squealed "Oh, no, not on my little Dudder's birthday, Vernon you have to warn hi-"

"PETUNIA! Listen! That wasn't freakishness, the way he looked, the way he talked, means to say, he acted like a natural businessman, and I to, had the instinctual feeling to comply to his request. My actions were based on years of experience and recognition, but what that boy did, it is surprising. Maybe, we have faulted in our treatment of him. He has many useful qualities" He stated that in a matter-of-fact sense, nodding in satisfaction as to solidifying his stand and leaving Petunia completely stunned. Even Dudley had looked surprised. He had been to his father's workplace many times, and was familiar with the in's and outs of the art.

"But, where is this all going?" Petunia, who had never shown interest in her husband's line of work just stared.

"Hmmm…...Maybe, Dudley will be freed from the burden of the family work, as long as we handle things with care from here on out". Both of the other occupants in the Living Room looked close to fainting, not knowing to feel happy or sad.

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ENDING NOTES: SO, I didn't feel like making the Dursleys complete jerks, and decided to draw out Vernon's business side, an Idea I got from something I read a while ago. Quick notification, Harry is actually nine right now, and Dudley just turned 10. There might be a one year time gap, or I might just prolong the prologue to when Harry receives the letter. Also, this isn't a Business Central Harry story, he will go to Hogwarts. Again, remember to Review, and thank you for taking the time to read.