Chapter 3:

For the rest of the night Harry stayed in his room, with the door locked and one of Dudley's barrel of broken toys pushed tightly up against it. He didn't want to go out of that room, just in case Uncle Vernon thought he was behind all of this. He lay in bed away most of the night, pondering what Lockhart told him about Dudley. Why hadn't he thought of the fact Dudley could have been a wizard... they were family after all.

He couldn't help but smile at the thought that the Dursley's little Dudley- kins was now one of his type. He knew that the people coming in the afternoon would have a heck of a time convincing the Dursley's to allow him to go off to some kind of magic school. It was the first time in a while that Harry could smile. The death of Cedric was still fresh on his mind, and the rise of Lord Voldemort. He had many nightmares during his first weeks back "home", which he couldn't share with anyone really. It was still over two months before he went back to Hogwarts, and he wasn't sure if he should be dreading it or looking forward to it. Never had he ever thought this way. But what could be in store for him this year now that Voldemort was back? He was acting stupid he told himself, he still wanted to be there more than here. Also, he remembered what Hagrid had told him.

He was almost asleep when there came a tapping on his window. He looked over only to see a white blur, which he knew was Hedwig. He put on his glasses and walked over, taking the small letter from Hedwig's beak.

Dear Harry,

How is everything? I just wanted to check back with you before the upcoming school year. I am not sure that I'll be able to get to around to sending you another letter until well into September, some things have come up that I can't discuss. So, happy early birthday as well. I'll be giving you your present in October. I have Dumbledore's permission. How are the Muggles treating you? I hope well. Please do not write back, unless it is an emergency.

I had to go into London the other day for something, and I was spotted by a few Muggles, but it's okay now.

Take care Harry,

Much Love,

Sirius.

Present? He was very curious about what this might be.

Soon, it had become noontime. The look on the Dursley's told all. They were nervous, and didn't know what to expect. Uncle Vernon had looked like he spent most the night trying to think about how to keep them away from Dudley.

Dudley looked horrified. In the end, they all ended up sitting in the living room and just waiting for something to happen. Uncle Vernon gave Harry a few nasty looks as if it had been his fault for Dudley's situation.

To Uncle Vernon's relief, it was now five past noon... he let out a sigh and said, 'well! Perhaps they got the idea! Leave us alo-'

A knock came at the door that interrupted Uncle Vernon, and nearly made Aunt Petunia jump out of her skin.

Uncle Vernon inched slowly toward the door, until he was able to push about the curtain and see who was knocking...

He saw three persons... all dressed in cloaks.

Uncle Vernon whispered to Aunt Petunia: 'take Dudley to the cupboard and hide him!'

They dashed out and over to the stairs to where Harry use to live. He turned to Harry and said, 'you go to your room! Don't come down and let them see you.'

Harry turned to go upstairs. He had reached the first step when he heard Uncle Vernon open the door.

'I thought I told you all that my son is not to be going to any school that teaches magic!'

'Mr. Dursley, may I please come in?'

Harry stopped dead. The voice was Dumbledore's.

'I am afraid I cannot let you in, we are not interested.'

With that, he slammed the door.

Harry gained courage. He ran to the door and threw it open again.

'Harry! How are you?'

'Come in Professor!'

Uncle Vernon was about ready to explode, and worse yet, Dudley was stupidly making his way out of the cupboard.

'I SAID YOU WERE NOT ALLOWED IN MY HOUSE!'

The person behind Dumbledore, Harry never saw before, came forward.

'I am Mr. Emmons, I am with the Muggle protection agency... part of a branch of the Minestry of Magic, and you know Mr. Lockhart of the Overage Wizard branch.'

Emmons motioned to Lockhart, who stepped in.

'Please sit down Mr. Dursley,' said Dumbledore.

'Professor, what are you doing here?' asked Harry, making his way to the chair where Dumbledore sat.

'Ah, well seeing it was the place you lived, I wanted to tag along with these two fellows, and speak with you... but after we try to convince these Muggles that their son is a wizard.'

'Professor, I know these people, you'll never get my cousin to any wizard school... if you look Muggle up in the dictionary, their family portrait is right next to the word.'

Dumbledore chuckled.

'We have dealt with much worse Muggle than these, don't worry.'

Uncle Vernon cut in finally, 'forget it! My son is to stay with a normal society! Not some false, fake society you live in!'

Emmons said, 'oh, but it is our society that has made yours so strong sir.'

'Mr. Dursley,' began Dumbledore. 'You have to realize, your wife came from a strong wizarding family. The Evans... an old name. Harry and Dudley's great, great grandfather was a wizard, and he did some good things, inventions and what not. But the problem is that your son followed in your wife's footstep. He didn't show signs of magic, and finally after all these years he has.'

'He has done nothing out of the normal that we have ever seen!' bellowed Uncle Vernon.

'Oh, no Mr. Dursley, he doesn't have to. But here in the wizarding world, we have our ways of seeing who is a wizard or witch, and who isn't. And your son clearly is. You don't want to deprive him of following in his destiny, do you?'

'His destiny is to stay as far away from you all as possible!'

Mr. Emmons broke in, 'Mr. Dursley, you must let your son at least take the test. Imagine, he could solve all your problems with magic! He could fix your sink, he could do a lot of things! And through our overaged wizarding scholarship program, we could get him in half price for you.'

'Well, I am quite sorry you had to come and waste your time here, but we are not letting down!'

said Uncle Vernon.

'What would it take, Mr. Vernon, to get you to allow your son into a school, to at least give him a shot at the test?' asked Dumbledore.

'Absolutely nothing!' said Uncle Vernon.

Dumbledore look at them... then he motioned Harry over and whispered something in his ear, 'Harry, I am going to do something that I shouldn't, don't tell anyone.'

Harry nodded and pulled away.

'Well, Mr. Dursley... how about a mansion at the top of a beautiful hill at the far corner of Hogsmeade?'