Chapter 2

When Harry woke up, his Aunt Petunia was rapping at his door. She screeched at him to get up and start breakfast for Dudley. She had to get everything ready for Duddy's party. They invited all of Dudley's friends over for a party and Harry was to stay out of he way, which was all right with Harry.

Harry got up, dressed quickly, and went downstairs, where he started the dietetic breakfast for his oversized cousin. He fried up two strips of bacon, scrambled egg whites, and one slice of dry toast. He served his cousin his plate.

"What would you like, Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked.

"Nothing from you, boy, I'll wait for Petunia," he snapped.

Harry shrugged and got himself a bowl of cereal. He ate quickly before his aunt came in and put him to work. He wanted a chance to eat before he was banished from the house. He didn't want anything to with the guests.

The morning dragged on until the doorbell rang with the first guest, Dudley's best friend, Piers Polkiss. He had a girl of thirteen with him. He looked very peeved that she was tagging along. He explained that she was his weird cousin who was visiting. His mother forced him to bring her along to the party. She looked up and recognized Harry and showed relief at knowing someone here.

"That's fine, Piers, I know Harry Potter form school," she spoke up.

"Hey, Annie, how're you? You're going into the third year, aren't you?" Harry asked, with a side-glance at his aunt and uncle.

With a sneer, Piers said nastily, "well, why don't we leave the freaks alone?"

He and Dudley went off to the front room while Uncle Vernon pointed Harry and Annie to the garden and told them to stay out of the way. They wandered down to the wrecked greenhouse and sat on the bench.

"I didn't know you were related to Piers best friend. Isn't this a coincidence?"

"Yeah, now Uncle Vernon may not sign my permission slip for the exchange program."

"What program?" Annie asked.

"Well, the fifth years are going to have and exchange program with an American school and I have been chosen to be among one of the exchange students," he explained.

"Ooh, you're so lucky," she squealed excitedly.

They talked to each other while the party was in full swing. Aunt Petunia gave them some scraps and told them to stay away from the party. They did, talking steadily about the reactions of their families about them being magical folks.

Harry's family just ignored them while treating him like garbage. Annie confided that she was adopted as a baby and didn't know her birth parents. Her adoptive parents were upset that she was a witch, but loved and accepted here all the same.

"Well, you're accepted while my aunt and uncle just ignores me. I am banished from most things, and while today is my fifteenth birthday, I'm treated like trash," Harry said, with a touch of dismay. "I wish I had a real family."

"Harry, you have a family but they aren't with you in flesh, but in spirit, your parents are looking down on you with pride, they give you strength to get through the summer here. At school, you have our house and the teachers and the Weasleys as family. Don't forget," Annie said, "what Professor McGonagall said before we were sorted. Just keep your heart aligned with the friends you have made, okay?"

"Thanks, Annie, you made me feel better," he said as Piers came out and grabbed his cousin. The party was over and they were leaving. Annie gave a quick wave as she left. Harry went in and automatically started to clean up. He was doing his best to have the Dursleys sign the permission form.