Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They all belong
to the gifted Joanne Kathleen Rowling so don't sue me! All I have are my plot
and my computer =).
A/N: This story has a little of every genre so just enjoy
reading it. I'll complete the story but it's long and will take quite some time
so please r/r while waiting. Another note is that the couples at the beginning
don't necessarily mean that they will be still a couple at the end. This is my
first fiction so I don't mind if you even flame me. Before I bore you to death,
let's begin…
Holidays…Birthday…And
A Surprise…
Lying on his bed on his first night back with the Dursleys,
Harry could not stop his mind from recalling the events of the previous school
year yet again. Images kept flashing through his mind. From his duel with
Voldemort to Cedric's death to Cho's tear-stricken face, it just would not
stop. Just then, he heard a soft knocking sound. Thinking that it was an owl,
Harry turned to the window but there was nothing there. He tried to put it off
as his imagination working overtime but the knock came louder this time. This
time, he recognized it as a door knock. Wondering what the Dursleys would want
at this time of the night, he trotted to open the door. But before he could,
the thought that the Dursleys would just barge in instead of knocking struck
him. He hesitated before muttering "What the hell…" and threw open the door. He
was astonished to see Dudley standing there, looking a little fearful. "Let me
in before my parents wake up," Dudley uttered as Harry motioned for him to
enter. Standing before each other, neither knew what to say before Dudley broke
the silence.
"Uh…I wondered if anything was wrong cause you seem to be
rather troubled and silent," Dudley finally said.
"What? Don't tell me you care?" Harry replied before he
could stop himself as Dudley flinched at his words.
"Sorry, that was uncalled for," Harry said again after a
moment of tense silence.
"It's alright. We've treated you badly over the years. I
never realized how much you suffered until my school sent me to some army training
camp earlier this year. I suffered a lot but then I realized that you had been
living with us for worse. I regret all that but I know that my parents still
don't." Dudley explained. "Well, don't you think I look fitter," said Dudley,
trying to ease the tension. (A/N: I admit that Dudley's character is too much
to the extreme.)
"Yeah, you do," Harry smiled in return.
"So…what's troubling you? If you don't mind me asking, that
is." Dudley asked again.
"A student from Hog- my school died." Harry replied.
"Well, were you two close? And you can say your school's
name if my parents aren't listening." Dudley said.
"Thanks. Anyway…" Harry launched into the events of that
fateful night and seemed to be less troubled after telling all that he had kept
within him since the incident.
"So let me get this straight. Your worst nemesis, this
Voldemort fellow, is trying to kill you. You think you are responsible for this
Cedric's death and you like his girlfriend or should I say ex-." Dudley tried
to understand.
"That's about it except Voldemort is not only after me,
though I'm his primary target, but after the whole world too. Even Muggles are
in danger." Harry replied.
"Muggles?" Dudley was confused.
"They are non-wizarding folk like you." Harry explained.
******************************
As the days passed, Dudley and Harry became closer and
seemed to be acting more like cousins. They spent quite some time together and
even work out together. Therefore, Dudley became more normal-sized and Harry…
Oh well, Harry matured over the holidays and now looked like a Greek god with
muscles and facial hair appearing, his voice deepening and of course, he grew
taller. (A/N: I think I'm going to the extreme again but I can't help myself
=).)
But even though Dudley's attitude towards Harry had changed,
Vernon and Petunia were still as bad as ever. They discouraged Dudley from
associating with Harry but since they couldn't bring themselves to deny their
precious son anything, they could not stop the growing friendship.
Owl post also arrived frequently from Ron and Hermione and
most unexpectedly from Cho Chang. He could still remember his shock at seeing a
strange owl one day and was stunned when he found out that the letter was from
Cho. He could even recall Dudley laughing at his surprised face. She had wanted
to ask about Cedric's death as the Diggorys only told her bits and pieces of it
and as for Professor Dumbledore, he just told her what he told the school and
that was actually nothing. Though he was hesitant at first, as he did not want
to relive the incident once again, he obliged as he felt that she deserved the
truth. "After all, she was Cedric's girlfriend," he cringed at the thought. But
that one letter became many letters and they became good friends through the
post.
He still worried about Sirius as there was seldom mail from
him but he trusted that he would get a letter if anything went dreadfully
wrong. He sure hoped that all the plans to defend against Voldemort were in
order.
Before he knew it, the holidays were half gone and his
birthday approached. Well, at least he did not have to celebrate it himself
this year. He had Dudley for company.
******************************
On the night of his birthday, he couldn't sleep, as this was
the first time he had someone to celebrate it with. Dudley snuck into his room
and they started to countdown. At the stroke of midnight, Harry got to hear his
first 'Happy Birthday' from Dudley and received his first present – a HP
Jornada – from him too.
"Thanks Dud. But this is way too expensive. You shouldn't
have." Harry said.
"Well, I just want to give you something nice after the
years of bad treatment." Dudley said, pleased that Harry liked his present.
At that moment, five owls, including his own Hedwig, flew in
and Harry started to read the letters and open the presents.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! Hope you like the present we got for you.
All the Weasleys pitched in for it and it's really good. It is a trunk with
many different compartments that can be keyed to open and close to your own
password and can be reduced in size too. There's an instructional manual
somewhere to tell you how to set it. Here, everything's fine. Dad, Percy, Bill
and Charlie are more busy that ever, trying to round-up more people to defend
against You-Know-Who. I wanted you to come over to live with us but Dumbledore
said no. Anyway, with Dudley being nicer, I guess life is better there. See you
soon.
Ron
P.S. Oh, I forgot to ask when you are going to Diagon Alley
to get your stuff. I'll be there on the last week before school starts. Maybe
we can meet there. Bye.
Examining the gift with Dudley, he could only 'Ooh' and
'Aah' at it. Anyway, his trunk was in a condition for changing so this came at
a right time. Writing a note of 'Thanks' to Ron and the rest of the Weasleys,
he sent Pig on his way and turned to examine the other presents.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! I'm having loads of fun in Bulgaria with
Victor. We have really become close friends, but nothing more. With some help
from Victor, I found these two great books that are like the Bible for seekers
or so Victor says. Anyway, have fun and take care.
Hermione.
Harry grinned as he read the letter. From the package, he
could already tell that it was books inside. Trust Hermione to find a so-called
'Bible for Seekers'. Well, if anyone could find it, it would be she.
Next was the tawny, barn owl he recognized as Hogwarts.
Dear Harry,
Hope you like this present. Happy Birthday!
I'm fine and on Hogwarts business with Olympe.
Take care and don't let those Muggles maltreat you.
Hagrid
Enclosed was a locket with his parents' photo on one side
and his on the other. He almost cried when he saw it. Even Dudley understood
the private moment and kept silent. After a moment, Harry picked up the letter
with the Hogwarts seal and noticed that there were two of them. Naturally
curious, he picked the thicker one first.
Dear Mr Potter,
Congratulations, you have been made a prefect. A book on
your duties and such is enclosed. There is also a prefect meeting on the first
day of school.
Please note that the new school year will begin on September
the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, platform
nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
A list of books for next year is enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
At that moment, Harry noticed a wrapped package that he had
overlooked. It contained the book that Professor McGonagall mentioned and his
prefects' badge. He was absolutely thrilled to be a prefect and wondered if Ron
and Hermione were one too. He recalled that Cho was a prefect and blushed at
the thought.
Seeing Harry's face, Dudley could not help but ask, "What's
got you so excited?"
"I'm a prefect," Harry sang out loud with Dudley's laughter
in the background.
Both of them, remembering that Vernon and Petunia were
asleep, silenced at once. Harry remembered the other envelope from Hogwarts and
unfolded it at once. He could not contain his shock at reading it and shoved
the letter towards Dudley for him 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 a place at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We seem to have missed out on you
earlier and would like to welcome you to our school. Since those of your age
are at their fifth year, you would join them there but you would also take some
beginner classes as well due to your late start.
Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and
equipment. Term begins 1 September.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Oh my…I'm a wizard." Dudley exclaimed.
"You're a wizard," Harry exclaimed at the same time and they
both ended up laughing.
"What would your parents say," Harry said solemnly after the
bout of laughter.
"I don't care what they say. No matter what happens, I'm
going." Dudley replied with a force of determination.
"I guess we could discuss it with them," Harry said
tentatively.
"Well, I'm so happy to be going to school with you. This has
got to be the best day of my life." Dudley tried to change the subject.
"Of course. It's my birthday," Harry joked.
"Aren't you going to open the rest of your presents?" Dudley
asked.
"Oh yeah. The excitement made me forget." Harry laughed it
off.
Dear Harry,
Just wanna wish my godson a Happy Birthday!
I think you're gonna like your birthday present. Why don't
you open it before you read on?
Harry immediately pounced on the long package he recognized
to be from Sirius and was amazed that he had gotten another broom when the
Firebolt was still working fine. He also noticed the Marauder's Map enclosed.
"He must be filthy rich," Harry grinned as he thought of his godfather.
"Wow," Dudley exclaimed upon seeing the gleaming
broomstick.
It's the best broomstick available at the moment and I
thought my godson should only own the best. It's called a Laser and was just
available in the market a few days ago. Actually, it's from both me and Moony
and we do hope that you like it. ("Are you kidding? I love it."
Harry chuckled as he read on.) Also enclosed is the Marauder's Map with
specially enhanced features. We heard that you lost yours and so we made one
for you. It only works at your command and has many protective spells. You can
figure out the other features on your own.
Don't worry too much about me. I'm fine and helping
Dumbledore with the defense against Voldemort. Don't go looking for trouble all
right and send me an owl if there's anything amiss. I'll be at Hogwarts at
times so see you then.
Snuffles
"That's your godfather?" Dudley asked.
"Yes. He's the closest person to me. He used to be my only
relative but now I also have you." Harry replied.
"He sounds nice and fun." Dudley said.
"He is nice and fun," grinned Harry in return.
"Well, you have one more present. What are you waiting for?"
Dudley asked.
"It's Cho's owl and I wonder what she got me," Harry blushed
as he replied.
"Well, it feels like a book," Harry said dreamily.
"Just get on with it or I'll open it for you," Dudley said,
exasperated with Harry.
"Alright, alright," Harry snapped out of it and opened the
letter.
Dearest Harry,
Happy Birthday to you!
How are you lately? Just wondering as we haven't conversed in
about a week. *Grins* Well, you're probably wondering what I got you. Don't
worry, it's not a book even though I'm from Ravenclaw =). It's a calendar that
would remind you of any occasion on that day. I hope you like it. Hope to see
you at Diagon Alley soon. If not, then we'll just see each other at King's
Cross. Bye.
Cho
He unwrapped her present gently and treated it preciously.
It was beautiful and made of wood. When you open it, it will be set at the
day's date, listing all the occasions celebrated that day. You can even put in
your friends birthday or any other occasion and program it to say it aloud too.
Harry loved it immediately.
"You should have seen the way you treated the gift and that
smile on your face," Dudley teased.
"Well, it's late. We better get to sleep," a flushed Harry
said as he pushed Dudley out of the room.
That night, he did not have any of his usual nightmares but
dreamt sweet dreams of Cho instead.
******************************
Morning approached and both Harry and Dudley were sitting
nervously around the breakfast table, thinking of how to break the news. They
still haven't thought of anything when Petunia started ordering Harry about to
do house chores as usual. But Dudley broke in before she could continue.
"Mum, Dad, I'm a wizard," Dudley tried to say candidly.
"You're a WHAT?" Petunia stated.
"Don't say that word in my house," Vernon said at the same
time.
After a long talk or in fact a shouting fest, Dudley was
allowed to go to Hogwarts as long as he severs all ties with magic when with
his parents. And of course, they blamed it all on Harry.
******************************
Later in Harry's room, Dudley was really excited. He was
eager to see Harry's friends and even Hogwarts and kept bombarding Harry with
questions. Harry smiled to see Dudley's excitement, remembering his own when he
realized that he was a wizard. He finally pushed Dudley off to sleep when it
seemed that he would go on and on throughout the night.
Soon September approached. Vernon and Petunia had been
trying to ignore the fact that Dudley is a wizard since the day he told them.
Vernon agreed to send them to Diagon Alley the day before school reopens but
said that he was not going to step into that 'filthy' place with them. Neither
seemed to mind as they could have more fun without Vernon. They were also to
stay the night at the Leaky Cauldron and take a taxi to King's Cross Station
the next day. Vernon would give Dudley more that enough money for all his stuff
but that was all.
