a/n: Hey all. This story has been bugging me for a while, and I haven't been able to get into my other stories at all. I HAVE started the next chapters for both Drowning and Fix Me, I just haven't finished them. Hopefully this will help.

Story: Life, Or Something Like It

Summary: What if, at the beginning of the whole Harry Potter series, a few things had been changed? This is my take on the whole series and how it SHOULD be.

Things that are changed:

1) Lucius Malfoy is still a Death-Eater, but he is spy like Severus. He turned from that path long ago.

2) While Vernon Dursley is a bastard, Dudley Dursley actually likes his cousin. Petunia is indifferent.

3) The Weasley's do NOT hate the Malfoy's. Ron and Draco are friends (though it's a secret, as to not blow Lucius' cover).

4) Harry and Draco are both gay. (You know where this will lead. But not yet)

5) Dudley has magical abilities as well.

Everything else is pretty much the same. I can't remember if I wanted to change anything else. If I remember anything else, I'll put it in the next chapter. This story will go through all of the books, including the two that aren't written yet. Those two will be all my imagination.

WARNINGS: This story will contain slash! I think you know that if you've read anything else by me, but just in case, THIS IS SLASH! Also, this story has a VERY DARK THEME to it. If you don't like a lot of angst, don't read. This goes into things like abuse and rape. It's necessary to the plot, it's not just there. OK? Here we go.

Only Wishful Thinking

Harry Potter was 10 years old and he lived with his Aunt and Uncle.

His parents had died when he was only a baby.

He didn't know anything about them though, as he was not allowed to ask questions.

EVER.

He didn't really mind, as he didn't want to talk to them anyway, well, at least his aunt and uncle. He liked his cousin. They were the same age and had a lot in common. And while Harry didn't know his parents, Dudley wished he didn't know his.

Dudley was very spoiled. His parents didn't know that he shared all his stuff with Harry though. Because Harry never got anything, and Dudley didn't think that was right.

He felt really sorry for his only cousin. He didn't have any brothers or sisters, so he said Harry was his brother. He knew Harry liked that. He felt like he belonged.

He didn't know why his parents hated his cousin so much. He was really nice and fun to be around. He also had a wicked sense of humor.

Dudley and Harry were in the same class at school, which made them both happy. Dudley's friends hadn't liked Harry at first, but now they did. That had surprised Harry a lot. He had never had many friends.

But now Dudley was busy, and Harry was reading a book in Dudley's second bedroom. Harry's real "room" was the cupboard under the stairs, but Dudley let him hang out in his room all the time.

The reason that Dudley was busy was that tomorrow happened to be Harry's birthday. His parents were out, so he was trying to make his cousin a birthday cake. He wasn't much of cook.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. He jumped down off the stool he had been on. (Hey, those pans were high up for a ten year old!) He went to the door and saw that the mail had come. He got the mail and went back to the kitchen. Then he saw something that made his eyes go wide and he ran up to Harry.

"Harry! HARRY! Look, we have mail! We have mail!" he ran to his cousin and thrust a letter in his hands. It read:

Mr. Harry Potter

Surrey

Little Whinging

4 Privet Drive

The Cupboard Under the Stairs

Harry looked at the letter in shock. How did anyone know about his cupboard? If his uncle found out, Harry was a goner. Dudley looked at Harry's letter and had the same reaction. "How do they know about your cupboard?" he asked shakily. He knew how his father could get. He was scared for Harry.

"I don't know… let's just read them." he tore his own open while his cousin did the same.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The term starts on the 1st of September and the Hogwarts Express will take you there. Please send a letter back informing us if you wish to attend. All the best,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The following is a list of supplies you will need:

And so went the list. Harry was in shock. He looked over to find that his cousin had dropped his letter. He looked down again and saw that his own hands were shaking.

"What the hell?" asked Dudley. "Witchcraft and Wizardry? Like, magic? No way… if this is a joke…"

"I don't think it is…" said Harry shakily. "I think… it's real. You know all that weird stuff I make happen all the time? You do it too. Like the snake at the zoo. And how my hair is always the same. Your mom cut it once and it grew back over night. All of it… think about it. This could be real."

"You're right… HARRY! This is it! We always wished for something like this to happen! A way to get out of here! This is it! Our ticket out of here! This school! We don't have to come back here!"

A joy like Harry had never felt before rose inside him. Dudley was right! They'd get to leave. No more would he have to put up with his uncle, be his uncles toy. No way! He was… magic! He didn't have to put up with it anymore!

Then he deflated. "Your parents will never let us go though…" he said dejectedly. "Never in a million years." He sighed and plopped down on the bed, his head in his hands.

"Who says they have to know? They're not even here. If we leave now, then they'd never know where we went. It'd be great! Just think about it Harry! Don't give up! We HAVE to get out of here!" he bent down in front of his cousin. "No offence Harry, but I don't think you can take much more of this." he lightly touched a bruise on Harry's face and Harry winced. "He could kill you, Harry. I don't want that to happen."

"Me either… let's go."

"You mean it?" Dudley asked.

"Yes. I'm tired of this. Let's get out of here."

They went to their rooms and gathered up a few things, like clothes and such, that they would need. Harry was so excited. He finally got to get out of here. He loved it.

"Ready?" Dudley asked.

"I'm more than ready." Harry answered. And together they left the hell hole they had grown up in, ready to start their new life. They never noticed the big black dog watching them with watery eyes.

It was the beginning of a new life for both of them.

A/N: Like it? Yes, no? I know my Hogwarts letter was different than the real one, but deal. Ilike it. And the rating will go up later, just to let you know. I really like this story. It's gonna be a big one. WOOT WOOT! I love it. Review please and tell me how you feel about it! (Like the changes?)