I'M A TERRIBLE PERSON INSIDE I'M SO SO SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING! I feel like a terrible person and I'm so sorry this took me so long to write. My updates will be much more consistent though, that I promise you. I was much busizer over spring break than I anticipated but now my life is going back to normal a little bit so hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon.

Happy Holy Thursday/Good Friday/Easter Vigil/Easter celebrations! Have a wonderful Triduum.

I haven't had this Beta'd yet so if there are any errors just pm me and I'll fix them. Thanks so much for being patient with me and sticking with this story! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.


Later that same night

Harry gently got up, trying not to move the bed too much. He knew that Ginny was a very light sleeper so he had to be very careful. Ron was on the floor on the air mattress that practically had his name on it while Ginny lay next to him, sleeping like an angel. Harry smiled to himself. His best friends had opted to stay the night so that tomorrow, his first full day with Dudley, wouldn't be so hard. An owl was scratching at the window, and not just any owl. He managed to get out of the bed without it creaking under his bum. He silently moved his feet around the redhead on the floor on his way to his window.

He opened the window and the owl dropped the newest letter in his hand. With a smile and a whisper, he told the owl to wait for a minute. Carefully he sat down at his desk and opened the letter.

Dear Harry,

You do realize that we're ten, right? I haven't fallen in love yet and my mother says that I wont until I'm older and that she'd better be a Slytherin. Personally, I think she's just joking but I'm not sure. I know that I love my mother though. I think I just feel affectionate for my father. He can be really scary sometimes.

Uncle Severus says really bad things about your uncle. No offense Harry, but its kind of funny. I don't even know what most of the words mean but the tone of his voice is just creepy. The look on his face when I mentioned your uncle was priceless.

I'm glad you liked it. Perfect timing it seems. And really? You finally got to ride one alone? That's so exciting, Harry! Maybe that Sirius fellow isn't so bad.

Write soon.

Draco

Harry smiled at his friend's sarcastic comments as he grabbed a new piece of parchment and a quill. He described his new situation with his cousin and aunt and sent the letter on it's way, completely ignoring the Sirius/Severus banter. He sighed happily as he turned around to get up and winced as he noticed Ginny, sitting straight up in the bed, her arms crossed and a confused glare on her face.

"Explain." She whispered.

Harry sighed; his attempt to avoid her knowing about Draco was ruined. He couldn't keep anything from her. "How long have you been up?"

"I was already up but trying to sleep. I couldn't fall asleep with Ron's snoring."

Harry chuckled. So he hadn't even had a chance.

"So who were you writing to? And who would write you at this late of an hour?"

"Draco Malfoy."

Ginny's eyes bulged. "No way."

"Yes way." Harry said as he moved back towards the bed.

"How do you even know him?"

"Well," he started, "maybe you were too young to remember but after Sirius' mother died we went to a restaurant to celebrate."

"I remember that. But I don't remember Draco Malfoy being there."

"Exactly. We ran into Draco Malfoy and we taught him how to play without cheating or paying players off. A few years ago, he wrote to me and since then we've been talking. Ginny, he's nothing like his father. In fact, he doesn't even really care for his father."

"Really? I know his father is a meanie. That's what daddy says at least."

Harry was now sitting on the bed, next to Ginny. They were slowly getting closer, although neither realized it. "Draco isn't mean at all. He's a little sarcastic, and doesn't always know when the joke is over, but he's really kind of nice. He's really funny though. If he ever meets Sirius and Sirius can get over the fact that he's a Malfoy, I think that they would really get along."

Ginny smiled and laughed. The two laid down in silence. "Harry?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Ya, Ginny?"

"I have a question."

"And I have an answer."

"If we're sleeping in the same bed, doesn't that mean we're officially married?"

Harry smiled and laughed. "Of course it does." Ginny giggled and the two cuddled and fell asleep, despite the loud snores from the floor.

GHGHGHG

June 23th, 1991

It had been almost a year since Petunia and Dudley had moved into their new home with the Potters and Sirius. There was a new garden in the backyard that was beginning to grow beautifully, without the help of magic or magical plants. Every morning and every evening, Petunia would spend hours tending to her garden. It gave her the peace that she needed ever since her divorce was finalized with Vernon over six months ago. She had gotten full custody of Dudley except on Christmas, the one day that she had to drop Dudley off at Private drive. Every other day, though, she got up, tended to her garden, went to work at the grocery store, went home, helped Lily with dinner, and went back to her garden. She still maintained a normal schedule regardless of the strange house that she lived in. While she enjoyed her sister's generosity, there was only so much weirdness that she could take.

On the other hand, her son, Dudley, had become joined to the hip with Harry. They were constantly over at the Weasleys and whenever they weren't, the two youngest Weasleys would be at their house. Slowly but surely, she was growing an attachment to these two. The young blonde that they hung out with was much stranger than the others, but Petunia didn't complain because she was just glad that Dudley had friends here. The freakiness she just had to look past.

Today though, today was different. Today, it was Dudley's birthday and she smiled as she looked out into the backyard and noticed all five children laughing hysterically.

GHGHGHGHGG

"What did you just say, Luna?" Dudley asked, holding the ball that he was about to throw to Ron for a minute as he looked at her, confused.

"That there are Crumple-Horned Snorkacks in Sweden."

Dudley just looked at her with a confused smile in his eyes and looked back at Ron, throwing the ball back to him. "Don't be ridiculous, Luna." Ron said, replying for Dudley.

"Let it go, Ron. For all you know, they do exist." Harry said, defending his blonde friend's sanity.

Dudley couldn't help himself and let out a chuckle. Unfortunately for the rest of them, the tall, thick giant's chuckle happened to be a contagious one. As soon as he laughed, Ron began laughing. Then Ginny, who was sitting on the grass giggled next to Harry who was next to laugh. And even though she tried not to, Luna began to laugh from where she was sitting next to Ginny. Soon the light laughter became a laughing fit for all of them and Dudley was bent over, unable to control his laughter.

Many minutes later, once the laughter had finally died down, Dudley chucked the ball at Ron. "We should go over to your house, mate."

Harry smiled and stood. "I agree, Birthday Boy. There's not much to do at my house since Sirius is at work."

"So true." Ginny said. "We should sneak into the broom cupboard now that the twins are home!" She winked at Harry who couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hang on, I have to ask my mum first. Luna, want to come with me?"

"Sure, Dudley." Luna said with a smile.

"Well, I'm going to start heading over. I want to see what Gred and Forge are up to!" Ron said as he began to walk to the road.

Now that they were alone, Ginny took Harry's hand and sighed. "Harry," she laid her head against his shoulder, "when do you think Luna and Dudley are going to get together?"

Harry's head shot up. "Wait, what did you just say?" He said in disbelief as his jaw dropped.

"You must be joking, Harry. Isn't it obvious? He looks like he's head over heals for her!" Harry's eyes glazed over as he went through his memories of his two friends together.

"Merlin. You're right." Harry said quietly as Ginny laughed at his slow discovery.

"They're just so obvious. I can't believe you didn't see that." She said with a smile after her laughter had died to a giggle. "Come on, let's head over. You know Petunia said yes and Merlin knows what Fred and George could do to Dudley while he's there without us."

Harry shrugged, "Luna can protect him." He smiled and looked in her chocolate eyes. "Ron's the one I'm worried about." He said as he sprinted towards the burrow.

Ginny feigned shock, "Wait for me!"

Meanwhile, there was a woman watching the backs of the two children from the window, thanking God that everything in her life had played out for the better.

HGHGHGHGHG

July 30th, 1991

"Sirius, you said it was supposed to get here today! Everybody else already got their letter because their birthdays were earlier!" Harry said as he jumped up and down grabbing his laughing favorite godfather's shirt as he did so.

"Harry, would you calm down. Dumbledore won't want to bring you your letter and wish you a happy birthday if you're jumping up and down like that."

Harry's face dropped. "But mum, Sirius promised me!"

Lily smiled at looked into the ten-year old's eyes. "Dumbledore promised Sirius that he would be here at noon. It is currently eleven fifty nine. I think you can calm down for one more minute."

Sirius' barking laugh filled the small living room of their home. "Moony, you're going to have to calm him down. He's as excited as James was when Lily said yes to Hogsmede after six years' worth of asking."

Remus Lupin had joined them for the occasion. Although he was usually working whenever he could, he had taken off today because Harry had asked him to. Harry wanted his entire family there, he had said to him. Remus couldn't help but melt when Harry had begged him to come.

"Sirius be quiet you're not helping." Lily said just as the flames in the fireplace began to brighten.

Harry stopped jumping up and down and watched closely as his future headmaster walked out of the fireplace.

"I still don't understand how that works." Dudley said, whispering in his ear.

"It's magic." Harry whispered back in awe, eyeing the letter in Dumbledore's hand.

"Lily, Sirius, Remus! How nice to see you. Petunia, Dudley." He greeted the two muggles just as warmly as he had the wizards, even if Petunia had gripped Dudley's hand and pulled him towards her.

Harry's eyes followed the letter patiently as the older man greeted the adults in the room. Finally, Harry gripped his mum's hand as Dumbledore approached him. "Ah, young Harry. Has anyone ever told you how much you look like your father?" Remus and Sirius gave each other a knowing look as Lily watched the interaction between her husband's mentor and her son. "It's truly remarkable. And the way you've kept your eye on this letter since I walked in, I would dare to say that you may act a little bit like him too." Dumbledore leaned down to whisper in Harry's ear, "Between you and I, you may want to keep some distance between yourself and the potions professor, Mr. Snape." The old man chuckled. "Now I won't make you wait any longer, here you go, Harry." He said as he handed the boy the letter. Harry's hands trembled as he looked up at his mum. She nodded her head in approval and he gently took the letter from Dumbledore.

Dudley came up behind him to look over his shoulder, curious as to what the letter would say. With shaking but gentle hands, he read the address:

Harry Potter

The Living Room

17 Market Road

Ottery St. Catchpole

Devon

He turned the letter over and fingered the red wax seal on the back slowly.

"Would you get on with it already? I want to see what it says!"

"Dudley!" Petunia said from behind as the rest of the adults began to laugh. Harry's face turned red as he quickly went past the seal and pulled the letter out of it's envelope and opened it up.

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 Harry Potter,

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 awat your owl by no later than 31 July.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

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 Wuentin 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, and owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus

Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

"Wow." Harry said.

"Wait, you actually have to wear a pointy hat at this place?" Dudley said in confusion as the adults wizards laughed.

"Well, lately McGonagall has been much lighter in her insistence on the students wearing them. The only time they're truly necessary is at dinners."

"Wait, really? I always hated what that hat did to my hair. Kids these days, they don't know how good they have it." Sirius said to Dumbledore who promptly chuckled.

"Your hair? What about mine! I could never smooth it down the right way afterwards!" Lily said with a laugh.

Remus bent down to Harry's height and whispered in his ear as Dudley leaned in to try to overhear what he was saying. "Between you and me, little prongs, your father loved it when she took her hat off. He said it made her look even more perfect. And not to mention that Sirius loved the way his hair looked as if he'd just been on his broom." Harry and Dudley laughed hard. Lily and Sirius' laughs diminished quickly while Dumbledore's eyes sparkled even more than they usually do. Petunia remained in the back of the room, watching the scene in front of her unfold.

"I think I'll take my leave then. Harry, make sure you buy only what's on the list. Brooms, no matter how much Sirius tries to persuay you, are off limits and I will have to confiscate one if you bring one." Dumbledore said with a wink as he walked towards the fireplace. "Oh, and Lily, I'd like to meet with you soon, if that's possible. If you could visit me at my office any time this week I would be quite pleased. Enjoy your time in Diagon Alley." The mentor said as he threw the green powder into the fireplace and was gone.

"I will never understand that man." Petunia said after a moment of silence. "Lil, what do you think he wants with you?"

"I have no idea Tuney, I have no idea."

The questioning silence of the room ended with a heavy but swift knock on the door. "Come in." Lily said as the group turned their attention to the door which quickly opened. In came a heard of red headed children, all eager to see Harry's letter.

"Right on time, guys." Dudley said. "The old creepy dude just left."

"What did he say?"

"The headmaster actually delivered it by hand?"

"Were there any,"

"Surprises that came along?"

"Do you get to take a broom with you?"

Harry was shocked to see Percy with them, but glad that he cared enough to come. There was a good chance though that he simply didn't believe the twins when they said Dumbledore was hand-delivering his letter for him.

"Sorry we're so late," Ginny said, finally speaking up as the rest of her older brothers had already bombarded him. "The twins were arguing with Percy over whether Dumbledore would actually show up to deliver the letter or not. Percy kept saying that the man would have much better things to do until Mum finally kicked us out of the house." She said with a giggle and a sigh. "You may want to tell them about it before they all explode."

Harry's eyes brightened as he turned to the readhead sea and began to recant his story.

Remus sighed as he watched the group of children captured in Harry's story telling abilities. "When did he get so old, Padfoot?"

"I don't know, Moony. It feels like just yesterday we were on our way to the hospital to see the little bugger for the first time."

Remus looked down at his feet and at Lily, who was now talking to Petunia. "Remember how proud James was?"

Sirius gave out a bark of a laugh. "Oh yes, he sent us at least six patrunuses. The first was that she'd had the kid, the second was that he was all normal, and then the other four were him telling us things the kid had already done. Like wiggle his toes and blink. He was enraptured by the kid." Sirius said, his eyes playing the memory.

"Dud, you can't be serious." The twins said as they looked at the muggle.

"Harry's really famous,"

"In our world. Very famous."

Dudley looked at his cousin sizing him up. "But there's nothing special about him except for that weird scar on his face."

Charlie began to roar in laughter as the rest of the kids began to join in an awkward laugh, including Harry himself. Fred and George simply continued to stare at the boy in disbelief as the rest of the family stared at the laughing kids in confusion.

Fred and George looked at each other and smiled.

"You know what happens now, brother." Fred said with a smirk.

"Should we warn him?" George said quietly, their conversation masked with the laughter of their friends and siblings.

"Oh no, he'll figure it out himself. If he's smart enough." Fred said, a matching smile playing on the matching boys' faces.


I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I only have one or two more chapters maximum of "Before Hogwarts" soon the chapters will be reading "Year One"! I'm so excited to finally get into the story!

Please Review! I really appreciate feedback!