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A Different Path: The Sorcerer's Stone

By Dishonorable

Chapter Two: Go Directly Toward Canon, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect 200

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Edited 6-8-08

AN: If you are here, than you have decided that Harry has decided to hide behind or in the trashcans. If you had wanted him to try the door, please go to Chapter Three once it is up.

All lovers of Monopoly know that I do not own this chapter's title.

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Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,

Your nephew, Harry Potter, has been blatantly breaking our school's rules ever so often. –Usually by getting into fights with your son, Dudley, and his friends. This Monday, he has crossed the line even further. In an irresponsible, dangerous, and stupid decision, Mr. Potter has been climbing school buildings! If you do not take your nephew into hand you shall have to search for another school for him to attend.

Sincerely,

Patricia Patters

Headmistress of Rosalynn Primary School

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"BOY!"

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No matter how many times Harry had tried to tell Uncle Vernon that the wind must've caught him as he was jumping behind the trashcans, Vernon Dursley would never believe him. Magic, or freakishness, was written all over this. There was no way that an inferior being such as Harry Potter normally had the skill to scale school buildings without the aid of magic. The fact that the Dursleys had figured this out did not help Harry, it merely dampened his life.

The next weeks of being locked in his cupboard except for school, bathroom breaks, and extra chores were not pleasant. The cupboard began to reek from not receiving much fresh air and let's face it, there's not much you can do in the cramped, barren living quarters of a cupboard except to stare at spiders and think how about how much you dislike your relatives.

Unfortunately for Harry, this experience was repeated quite often the next few years. If he could turn back time he would've figured out a way to prevent his teacher's hair being turned blue, the strange regrowth his hair after a horrible hair cut, and the frequent losses of Vernon's favorite cricket team.

And he had a feeling that the Great Cupboard Experience was going to happen quite soon. It was Dudley's eleventh birthday and even the slightest mistake on Harry's part would lead to punishment. Everything had to be perfect on Dudley's day. Or else.

The feeling had just gotten stronger as it was revealed that Harry had no place to stay as the Dursleys and Dudley's friend went to visit the zoo to celebrate. Finally it was decided that Harry would just have to come along, which of course led to one of Dudley's infamous acts which rapidly stopped as Piers Polkiss appeared. Eventually, the Dursleys, Harry, and Piers made it to the zoo with no further hindrances. Harry even got a cheap lemon ice pop of his own during the first half of the visit.

"Let's go see the alligators next," Piers suggested to Dudley, who was still savoring his knickerbocker glory at lunch, "Maybe one of the zoo keepers will get an arm bit off."

Dudley swallowed and dug his spoon into the ice cream again before speaking, "I wanted to go to the reptiles, they'll probably have snakes that can kill you in a second or less."

"Great idea, Dudley," said Piers, though he still looked as he much rather gawk at the alligators.

Petunia Dursley smiled proudly at her husband, their son was such a good little leader.

Harry rolled his eyes when they weren't looking. If only they knew exactly what kind of leader ickle Diddikins was.

"To the reptile house then," said Uncle Vernon jovially, ignoring Harry's presence. Dudley grinned horribly and finished his ice cream in one bite, inciting stares from a little boy at the next table. On the way out, his poor head was shoved into his plate by Piers when his parents weren't looking...

Harry trailed behind the birthday entourage as they headed toward the reptile house. All had taken Uncle Vernon's lead and were proceeding to ignore him, which was quite fine really. This allowed Harry to do near whatever he wanted without being harassed. He might even be able to sneak off to the alligators...

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If you think that Harry should sneak off to see the alligators, please go to Chapter Four.

If you think that Harry should stick with the Dursleys, please go to Chapter Six.