THE RETURN OF DUDLEY
CHAPTER 1
Harry was pacing the grounds of the burrow. It was very early in the beginning hours of dawn. Everyone else was sleeping inside. But Harry could not sleep. It was three weeks after the defeat of Voldemort. The wizarding world had returned back to normal, no more than normal. They were rejoicing. But Harry was pondering over his mind the events that happened during the past year.
This particular morning he was thinking about his cousin Dudley and his unexpected behavior during last year. At that time he had not thought about that, but now having all the time in the world he wanted to know the reason for Dudley's strange outburst last year. He had always thought that he hated him and had been sure that Dudley thought that too. But when he had talked to Harry last year it was not like that. The old bullying Big D was gone.
Harry knew that his aunt, uncle and Dudley had been in full protection for the past year. Not once during his stay with the Dursleys had they cared for him but now knowing that Dudley had changed he thought it would not be bad to meet them again. He immediately thought of sending an owl to Kingsley who was acting as temporary minister for the whereabouts of his uncle and aunt.
After Hedwig had gone he hadn't thought of buying a new owl so he used Errol, the Weasley family owl. As he was sending the owl he heard someone behind him. From the flowery scent he knew that it was Ginny. He had talked to her and made up for his leaving her the last year.
"Sending love letter to someone Harry, very secretly?" Ginny asked with a playful smirk in her eye.
"Mm maybe I can try that with all the proposals coming in these days." Harry replied her playfully. " I am searching the whereabouts of the Dursleys. I want to know if they are fine"
He added.
"Are you insane? Those muggles did not care about you when you were with them. They will only insult you if you go for them. Why do you want to know if they are safe or not. You don't think of them as family, do you?" Ginny asked unbelievingly.
"No I don't think of them as my family but then they gave me protection for sixteen years. That was which saved me from Voldemort. I just want to make sure that they are alright." Harry told with a definite tone in his voice. "You are always noble" said Ginny admiring him.
When Harry told about his venture to Ron and Hermione he got the same reaction as from Ginny. "What good it would do to them if you go visit them. They will probably only want to be away from you." Ron bursted. But Hermione intercepted Ron telling him that they were Harry's only relatives and he has the right to be worried about them.
"I don't think of them as my relatives more than I think of you Hermione, neither do I want them dead because of me. I want to make sure they are alive and fine." Harry clarified.
That evening he received an owl from Kingsley. Harry opened it and read.
Dear Harry
From my sources I have found that your uncle and aunt are at present in London in a place called Sunny Heights. The secret keeper however is Hestia Jones. So I have arranged for her to meet you at the burrow. You can expect her anytime tomorrow. Take care Harry.
-Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Harry was satisfied to hear that his uncle and aunt were safe. He was not excited to meet them nevertheless he wanted to verify personally.
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