THOMAS DURSLEY

I live in a house. It's like every other house on my street except the color. Things seem normal but they are most certainly not.

You see, almost 11 years ago my cousin was dumped onto our doorstep. Since then things have been odd… to say the least. Even on the first day of his appearance. I was only 4 years old yet he made random toys appear or other random items that caught his fancy.

My parents tried hiding him and his oddness away but I knew something was different about him and was only proved more right by a whispered conversation my parents had. My cousin was magical, as in wands and brooms and such. I was so surprised and so very interested. It was truly incredible! So instead of listening to my parents who were adamant about keeping away from the baby, I did the opposite and while they were distracted by my baby brother Dudley. I would sneak off to spend time with the one-year-old baby and take care of him, the best a 4 year old could that is.

My parents found out soon enough though and were very vocal about punishing me if I were near "the little freak" again. Now I know my parents very well, especially their weakness to their children and tears from said children. So I… threw the greatest of tantrums. Within an hour I had Harry Potter, my cousin, sleeping soundly next to my bed in my room.

That night as I laid down and watched the little babe I knew I would protect him no matter what. I'm Thomas Dursley, cousin of Harry Potter.

And I did. But I also did more than that. Over the years I taught him, bathed him, fed him, and was his carer. I walked him to school while my parents drove Dudley saying, "That freak could walk!" I agreed and walked Harry to school which was right next to mine. And I did this till Harry was 7 and I was 11. It sucked but it had to happen luckily I had an insane allowance due to my parents having little resistance to pampering their sons. So I ended up buying a bike for him. You should've seen his face when he figured out the bike was for him only. I bought things for him in the past but he truly looked happiest on that bike. I even got a hug and a, "I love you" which was a first and a gift in itself. And it wouldn't be the last.

Surprisingly he picked up how to ride a bike in a few hours. So he was quickly riding to and from school. I got him a lock and chain for it and made Dudley make sure no one messed with it or Harry. He agreed, happy to help. What? Only me and my parents don't agree about Harry. Dudley was my brother and we agreed that our parents were much too harsh to Harry. Even though he practically ignored our cousin to be in better graces with our folks.

Life was pretty nice. Harry and I grew up and became inseparable. Well until Harry's 11th birthday that is. On the wonderful occasion, I took him out to eat and maybe to the library. Don't look at me like that, we like the library so buzz off. On the way there an owl landed in front of us with a letter held out to harry.

I blinked and patted Harry's head. "Well grab it, Harry." Turns out it was a letter from a school called Hogwarts, Harry's soon-to-be new school. Harry's a wizard and will need to go to this school and also have a few things when he does. Which a list included with the acceptance letter clearly stated. But I had no clue where to get most if not any of the stuff so I decided to ask the probably magical owl if it could take a message back if I gave it a treat. The owl nodded surprisingly and Myself, Harry, and an owl were off to get some food.

I decided on a pizza place and while we ate and I gave a piece of bacon to the owl every few moments I also wrote a quick letter to the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.

"Dear Ms. Mcgonogal,

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Harry's cousin Thomas Dursley and Harry just received his Hogwarts letter. I would like to know if, Harry, I, and you can meet and talk more about Harry's future? Please get back to me when you can.

Thank You,

Thomas Dursley.

I allowed Harry to read it as well and when he gave a smile and nod I folded the paper and gave it to the owl who gave a hoot in thanks for the bacon and flew off. As I watched it fly off I patted Harry's head. " I love you bud. And I don't like losing you to a school. " I looked deep in his eyes which my mother told me was the same as my long passed aunt and smiled softly. "So I'll figure something out. Together forever right?" He gave me a smile in return. "Forever." and gave a nod. I love my cousin.

Only a day later Professor Mcgonogal got in contact with us and soon enough we had a meeting time. The woman was very helpful and soon enough she was standing in our living room with only myself and Harry being home. My parents are out and Dudley is over with a friend. She gave Harry a once over before looking at me.

"And you are the young man who wrote to me?" Her voice was heavily Scottish and I loved it. So cool.

I nodded. "Yes ma'am, I've been the only individual caring for him since I was 4 and he was 1. And as his basic guardian, I would like to know about his future and the opportunities that Hogwarts offers him." She looked me over then cast her eyes to young Harry. She asked him if it was true about his situation and after Harry answered yes to everything we witnessed a whispered string of insults. Not towards us but the headmaster of Hogwarts.

After that, we talked and were explained in the most basic of ways everything we needed to know. But she at some point mentioned Harry being away for most of the year and I just couldn't deal with that.

"I don't think so. Harry is my responsibility and I am not leaving with strangers I know almost anything about. I would like to speak with the Headmaster about some kind of alternative to not seeing Harry all year." The elder witch gave me a stern look which I just raised my eyebrow back in challenge.

Less than a week later we were mailed a "portkey" that would somehow teleport us to a town called Hogsmeade which was situated right outside Hogwarts. Grabbing my cousin's hand I looked down to him, " Are you ready Harry?" He shakily held onto my hand and nodded. My little cousin was brave I give him that. I was fucking terrified. With a breath, I called out, "Butterbeer" and with a twist in my gut and a swift feeling like pulling and myself and Harry were sent rolling across the ground. We both groaned and were greeted by a worried face with lots of hair. The man was bloody huge. I and Harry exchanged a look before both putting up a thumbs up getting bark of laughter from the man and was promptly pulled up and given a name to the face. Hagrid was a half-giant and a man with knowledge of Harry's parents which he was happily telling stories about when they attended Hogwarts. Hearing what they were like was good for har5ry I could tell easily by the smile on his face and the bright glow in his eyes.

We were already going up the large staircase of Hogwarts by the time Hagrid switched from Harry's parents to Hogwarts itself. And said the castle was beautiful. By the way, I could feel the pressure from just being in the school and I wondered if that was magic in the air. It was amazing, to say the least. Harry pulled me out of my thoughts and observation of the castle when he asked Hagrid how his parents died. My parents told the boy awful lies so I could understand him wanting to know. I actually didn't know. But the answer we got was unexpected.