TWO

By rcr50341

Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. It belongs to the ethereal being known as J.K. Rowling. You can kneel at her altar… but leave the reviews for me.

Summary: Harry is accepted into Hogwarts. Now, that is the same. But this time he goes there with someone special… his cousin, Dudley Dursley. Does the song remain the same? Read more to find out.

Last Chapter…

Later that evening, Harry faced another surprise.

Harry stepped out of the loo after brushing his teeth. Dudley was there to greet him.

"Er—Hi, Dudley," said Harry.

"Hi," said Dudley. He took a deep breath then said in a rush, "I had fun today, Harry."

Then, he rushed away.

"Will wonders never cease?" said Harry to Dudley's retreating figure.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Hermione visited a few more times before it was September 1st, the first day at Hogwarts. The three rode the broom a lot. Well, Harry rode, Dudley tried and Hermione seemed content to watch on while flipping through one of the first year Hogwarts textbooks she brought with her.

The three knew a number of spells by the time September 1st arrived.

"Now, we know Lumos and Alohomora… and Harry can even do Expelliarmus," said Hermione.

Expelliarmus was the spell that was the most difficult for Hermione and Dudley to do. The three took turns standing there like dummies so one-or-the-other could practice the disarming charm on someone.

Harry told Dudley and Hermione to do whatever they could to keep their wands in their hands… magic or otherwise. Sometimes, Hermione ducked away when a flash of the spell flew toward her. Once, Dudley threw his wand to the opposite side of where Harry stood.

However, no matter how hard Hermione and Dudley tried they couldn't fully accomplish the spell.

"We're getting close to it," said Dudley to Hermione one day.

"I'm determined to get it before Hogwarts," said Hermione.

Sadly, she never did.

Never-the-less, the days after Hermione's first visit were good for Harry. The Dursley's spoke to him a bit more, though they still let him do as he wished.

And, most importantly, Harry found himself sharing a true friendship with Hermione.

Dudley could even be considered a distant but present relative now.

Harry's status as a hero-of-the-wizarding world which he discovered with the help of Ramorook was the elephant in the room that Harry didn't know how to get rid of. Finally, Harry knew there was nothing for it. He had to pluck up the courage and ask his Aunt Petunia about it.

"Um, Aunt Petunia… did you know that I was some sort of wizard legend that killed an evil, psychopathic serial murderer named Voldemort when I was a baby?" asked Harry casually over dinner.

Uncle Vernon almost choked on his kidney pie.

"What?" asked Aunt Petunia in a shrill voice.

"Never mind," said Harry.

Harry later discovered from Dudley that his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia only knew that he was left to them in a bassinet as a baby on cold autumn night. Some mysterious person left Harry in their care with nothing more than a letter that said his mum and dad had been murdered tragically. Dudley said they didn't know that he was famous in the wizarding world.

Harry even asked Hermione about it.

Hermione confessed that she knew about it from one of the books she bought at Flourish and Blotts. "I knew who you were the first day we met," said Hermione. She looked relieved that she was finally able to speak to Harry about it. "I just didn't want to mention it because I thought it was a delicate matter. And you don't seem like the type of person to brag anyway."

Harry grinned. "You're not awe-struck or anything?" he asked.

"Oh, shut up, Harry," said Hermione. She swatted his shoulder and laughed.

Harry decided that he would keep silent about his fame on the way to Hogwarts… unless someone posed a question about it.

Finally, it was the first of the month. Harry held his breath when he passed through the stone barrier at King's Cross Station. Harry, Hermione and Dudley learned about the King Cross barrier-between-worlds in the book, Wizard Schools throughout the Wide World.

Harry's Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia slipped through the barrier with nervous looks on their faces.

Dudley was last. He walked through just as easily as Harry did.

The Dursley's had a few minutes to speak to Harry and Dudley before the last whistle of the Hogwarts Express. Aunt Petunia was teary-eyed. Uncle Vernon looked proud, albeit, a little uncertain.

"I'm sure you'll do well, son," said Uncle Vernon. He reached out and shook Dudley's hand.

"Thanks, Dad," said Dudley. "I'll try my best."

"Yes, study hard, dear," said Aunt Petunia. "And make sure that you make some… good friends." She glanced at Harry, then, glanced away.

"Yes, Mum," said Dudley. Dudley looked at Harry, then, at his parents. "Don't you have anything to say to Harry?"

Uncle Vernon frowned. However, in a surprise move, he reached out to shake Harry's hand, too. "You try and do good, too," said Uncle Vernon gruffly.

"Yes, sure," said Harry.

Aunt Petunia tried to smile. Harry tried to do the same.

The Hogwarts Express whistled once again.

"I guess we should go," said Dudley.

"This is it," said Harry.

The two said their last good-byes. Dudley hugged Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. Harry nodded in what he hoped was a congenial manner.

Then, they were gone.

Harry and Dudley promised Hermione that they would meet her on the Hogwarts Express. Harry expected her to be on the train waiting in an empty compartment. Hermione and her parents seemed like the type of people to get to King Cross Station early.

Finally, Harry discovered Hermione sitting in a train compartment with three other people. Harry greeted Hermione and said, 'hello,' to the strangers in the compartment. Dudley did the same.

"These are my friends, Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley," introduced Hermione.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the train changed.

"What?" said a handsome, older boy.

"Excuse me?" said a pretty Asian girl.

The last person in the compartment half-screamed.

"Yes, that's me," said Harry. "I'm Harry Potter."

The train ride was a pleasant affair where Harry learned a lot about the wizarding world. Harry discovered that the older boy was named Cedric Diggory. His father, Amos Diggory, worked in the Ministry-of-Magic. He was a liaison between the wizard police, the Aurors, and the wizard SAS, called the Unspeakables.

"My Dad wants me to be an Auror," confided Diggory to the group.

"That sounds dangerous," said Hermione.

Diggory shrugged. "They train you pretty hard if you want to be an Auror. I'm not afraid."

Cho Chang, the pretty, slight girl smiled at Diggory's words. Harry wondered if there was something between them.

"Tell me again about your broom, Harry," said the last stranger in the compartment. Her name was Marietta Edgecome. She was short with mousy, brown hair.

Harry did so.

"What House do you think you'll be in?" asked Cho Chang after the snack trolley came by.

"Well, I want to be in either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw," said Hermione.

"Yes, that's what I want, too," said Dudley.

"What about you, Harry?" asked Cho Chang.

Harry shrugged. "I have a preference… but it doesn't matter. I just want the Sorting Hat to put me in the right House where I belong."

Hermione and Dudley looked curious. But they didn't press him on the matter.

"Too true," said Cedric. Cedric had fine brown hair and a serious expression. "I'm in Hufflepuff. I've heard that a lot of people say bad things about my House, but it's the best House of the lot in my opinion. Still, I think all the Houses have something special about them."

Harry put that thought away to consider another time.

The Hogwarts Express arrived at its destination in a short time later. Harry, Hermione and Dudley waved good-bye to their seatmates. Harry, Hermione and Dudley were first-years so they would take a boat ride up to the castle.

The castle was a beautiful sight. It was made of tall towers, spiers and huge stone walls. As soon as Harry stepped into Hogwarts he knew one thing—he was home.