Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (except any that you do not recognize), nor do I own the basic plot line, or like any of the following

This story takes place the same time as book one, chapter 2 starts, however it supposes that the Dursleys have not been mean to Harry all his life, and that Harry doesn't want to become a wizard when Hagrid arrives to take him away.

Almost ten years had passed since young Harry Potter was laid on the doorstep of number four, Privet Drive, and the Dursleys could hardly remember a time when Harry had not been a member of their family. Harry did not even think of himself as Harry Potter, but rather as a Harry Dursley, a well-assimilated yet distinct child.

For starters, Harry looked nothing like his hefty uncle Vernon, his severe-looking aunt Petunia, or his chubby cousin Dudley. Harry's deep green eyes and inky hair gave him a more profound and gentle appearance than his relatives. Harry was extremely small for his age, while his cousin's width was probably more than his height. Together, their weight was roughly the same as two average-sized boys. Harry's hair was particularly messy and it drove his Aunt crazy sometimes, so Harry combed it flat every morning to please her. The Dursleys were very nice to Harry; they had accepted him into their family after he was abandoned on the sidewalk and they treated him equally to their own son, Dudley.

Today was Dudley's birthday. The sun was just creeping over the horizon when Dudley's great hulking body came crashing though Harry's bedroom door and jumped onto Harry's bed, while Harry was still sleeping.

Dudley shook Harry to wake him.

"Wake up! Wake up! It's my birthday, Harry, wake up!", yelled Dudley, in an exceedingly high voice for such a large child.

Harry groaned. He had been having an extremely strange dream involving a flying vehicle of some sort.

"Where's my present Harry? Where do you have it?" asked Dudley getting off the bed and thudding over to the cabinet to investigate its contents for presents.

"It's over here, Dud, under my bed. I haven't shown you this before, but there's a loose floorboard underneath my bed", sighed Harry, turning on the light and putting on his glasses so he could see. Harry's glasses were always breaking, during the endless wrestling matches Harry and Dudley would have. Dudley usually beat Harry at the games, but Harry could win a few with his agility and quick-reflexes.

"Cool! Why didn't you show me before! We can hide all our stuff we don't want mum and dad to find under here!" Dudley slowly got on his knees to retrieve his gift.

"You better let me get it. The bed is pretty low to the ground, and you might get stuck", said Harry, before diving under the bed. Harry could tell Dudley was getting excited from the chirping sounds he was making while he was breathing. This was going to be Dudley's first of many presents for the day.

"Give it to me, Harry!"

"I will, just let me get out from underneath here." Harry wriggled free, and standing up, he held a brightly wrapped package with a blue and yellow bow.

"Here you go Dud," said, Harry reaching out to hand it to him. But before Dudley could grab it, Harry threw open the door to his bedroom and ran wildly down the hallway and stairs screaming and laughing as he did.

"HARRY!", bellowed Dudley, chasing wildly after Harry. "I want my preeeesent!"

Harry ran about three laps around the living room before Dudley tired and collapsed on the couch.

"Come on, Harry, it is my birthday." whined Dudley.

"Fine open it." Harry tossed him the present.

"Dudley's fingers tore it open in an instant, too fast for someone who was just panting for breath. "Oh my, Harry, the new Mega Auto Racing Magic! Let's go play! I get to be the black military car!", exclaimed Dudley, staring at the box cover. The two ran excitedly into the basement to install the Nintendo game and see who could beat the high score first.

"Happy Birthday Duds!" Harry said as he slapped Dudley on the back.

While Harry and Dudley were away, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley were preparing the kitchen for Dudley's birthday. There were streamers hanging from the lights and a cake on the kitchen counter, which was to be saved for later that evening after the guests arrived. Sixteen presents, carefully wrapped, placed, and counted were being arranged by Mr. Dursley on the coffee table. The two boys would share most of the presents anyway, and because their birthdays so close together, shopping was rather difficult. Dudley never tired in the latest models of bicycles, games, and technology; however, Harry was more conservative, and more content with the possessions he had. He had an affinity for football and running, and scored high on his school's track team. Vernon was already trying to find the most expensive running shoes available for Harry's eleventh birthday.

When the kitchen was ready, the presents were set, and the breakfast of greasy bacon and eggs was prepared, Petunia called the boys upstairs.

Dudley's eyes immediately gravitated towards the cake, but Petunia refused Dudley's request to taste the frosting, and instead, led him towards the coffee table to open his presents.

Dudley rapidly opened all the presents, barely examining them. His favorite was a new bike with neon green handle bars. His least favorite was a new jumper that his mom made him try on in front of Harry.

"Cmon mommm.. I want to go play. When are we leaving?" asked Dudley to his parents after the present opening was finished.

"The zoo opens around eleven, we should leave here around 10:30, and the Polkisses are coming less than an hour", replied Vernon while checking his watch.

It was tradition for Dudley and Harry to choose somewhere to go on the day of their birthday. This year, Dudley had chosen to go to the zoo, and he had invited his friend Piers Polkiss to come along. Piers was a good friend of Harry also, and Harry was looking forward to going. Harry loved the zoo, especially the snakes.

R/R