Prelude to Change

It was the usual busy scene at Number Four Privet Drive one Wednesday morning; Petunia had left early to do the shopping, leaving Harry with the stern command to see that the bacon didn't burn. Seeing as how turning his aunt into a cockroach was not exactly an option, Harry watched the bacon. It didn't burn. Dudley ate it too fast.

Uncle Vernon was wiping scrambled eggs from his shirt front when a dark brown elf owl flew in through the open window bearing a letter much too large for it. It dropped this letter onto Vernon's head, causing him to promptly spill another helping of eggs.

"Boy!" Vernon roared. Harry snatched up the letter before Vernon had a chance to destroy it; he remembered the summer before first year all too well.

Not watching where he was going, Harry raced up the stairs to his room, ignoring Vernon's bellows. He'd been waiting for this letter all summer and Uncle Vernon could wait.

Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you that your request for a position on our exchange trip has been accepted.

Harry let out a whoop so loud that the next-door neighbors leaned out of their windows. Luckily for Harry Aunt Petunia was out; she always said that they did so when she wasn't looking. He went back to the letter.

You shall accompany the other selected students to Platform Nine and Three Quarters on August the Twenty-first. Please be sure to bring all of the needed equipment for sixth year, enclosed in this letter. Yours Sincerely, Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress.

A grin spread itself across Harry's face as he returned the letter to its envelope and placed the envelope in his pocket. He returned to the breakfast table in that state. Vernon was not amused.

"Don't you ever ignore me again, boy!" His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What was in that letter, anyway?"

"Only the best birthday present I could ask for!" His grin widened 'til it threatened to split his face in two.

Though he might not have said that if he knew that some hundred miles away, Draco Malfoy was opening an almost identical letter, with slightly different instructions.