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Chapter 2 – Last night was last night. Today is the last day

Harry after spending his last night at the Dursley's felt strangely sad. For once Harry actually went over the house slowly, softly taking in all the memories. Dudley's photo in a frame on his aunts' and uncles' bed-side table, the flowery curtains swaying with the soft breeze, his feet touching the fluffy carpet. This would probably be his last day in this house until he became a man and he didn't want to forget it. But why? He doesn't understand but yet he doesn't want to understand.

He left the room and followed down the passage his fingers brushing against the wallpaper. He walked in to his room and got all his possessions and set them in the corner. He smiled. His quidditch broomstick given by Sirius. He held it up and felt it. His only prized possession, after his father's invisibility cloak. But they all died… He sighed. Everyone who he cared about or cared about him has died. His father, mother, godfather and now Dumbledore. His smile faltered and tears were threatening to fall but he must stay strong. If he wanted to have revenge he'd do it without fear, with love, his mother's love.

The kitchen door closed and Dudley ran up the stairs, more like wheezing and said very quickly and shrilly, 'Mum's calling you for breakfast.' And he was gone. Probably to have more food. Typical. Harry slowly walked downstairs and opened the door by the golden-painted brass doorknob, which Dudley had only closed seconds before him. His uncle was currently reading a newspaper, his large face hidden behind it as usual. Dudley was shovelling food in his throat and his aunt was, as usual, at the stove making more food for both of them. It was all the same and yet still so different.

'Good morning.' Was all Harry said. His uncle put down his newspaper and smiled horribly at Harry.

'I hope you had a good sleep because I certainly did. Your last night here.' He chuckled evilly. 'You best be packed up now, because there'll be no coming back for anything forgotten.' He smiled again and hid his wide face with his double-chins behind the newspaper he was reading before.

Harry's heart felt like it had been clawed at. He didn't want to leave but they were so eager for him to leave. Everything slowed down. Petunia cooking, Dudley shovelling food, and Vernon turning the page. He breathed raggedly. His head was spinning and he held the table for balance and squeezed his eyes shut. What did I do? What did I do to deserve this? Mum, he begged, Dad, please come back. Please… He breathed sharply again.

'Harry?' Harry snapped his eyes open and looked at his aunt. As was his uncle. What is going on? 'Bacon?' Again she's acting so nice but what in Merlin's name is going on.

'Uhhh Petunia dear, are you alright?' asked the uncertain Vernon.

'Oh I'm fine Vernon.' She replied all motherly. 'Bacon Harry?'

'Oh uh it's alright. Don't worry.'

'Well there's plenty here if you want it.' She smiled warmly and sat down at the table herself and began to put some food in her own plate. The rest of the breakfast went quietly, with Harry's uncle casting worried glances at his wife.

They had finished breakfast and Harry bolted out the room and ran up the stairs, into his room and shut the door behind him. He slid down the door and hunched his knees against his chest. What is happening? He could hear his uncle and aunt having a shouting-match. He didn't care. He just wants Ron, Hermione ad Ginny…and his parents. He got control over his emotions and stood up, held his broomstick and balanced Hedwig's cage on it. He then heaved his trunk down the stairs and dumped it all there at the front porch. He set Hedwig's cage down softly and walked into the living room.

'I guess –' His voice began cracking and he breathed deeply and started again. 'I guess that this will be it.' Dudley sat there and fiddled with his thumbs. Petunia was smiling but Vernon was bright red. 'Are any of you going to take me or do I have to take myself?'

Vernon gave a small mumble, 'We'll be dropping you.' Got up and left the room to leave for the toilet.

'Harry? Look…about all those times when I – uh punched you and used you as a punch bad… Well I'm – I am uh –'

'Sorry?' helped Harry.

'Well yeah and for everything else.'

'Dudley, I've had to live with it for 17 years, every year knowing there will be a time when I will be mistreated and even my last day here before I leave this place you can't even bring enough courage to even say the word sorry addressed to me, and you think that after 17 years one sentence is going to change it all?'

'But – I swear I am –'

'Dudley. You say you're sorry but are you really? Did your mother tell you to because it's my last day because if you had your gang here with you, you would certainly not be saying that so I ask you again, do you think that after 17 years of mental and physical bullying you think that not even a whole sentence will change everything? Think again because if you were I would you accept such an apology?'

Dudley sat there teary – eyed, his bottom lip trembling.

Vernon finally came down the stairs and sat down in his original place, the single couch. 'I've decided that since you are already of age.' he gave a small cough referring to the fact that he had become a man in the wizarding world. 'You can go by yourself.'

'Vernon!' cried Petunia. 'That is unreasonable. He may be of age in his world but he is certainly a boy in our world! Besides this is his last day.'

'Petunia… what are you talking about? This is the one child of the sister you hated!'

'SHUT UP!' shouted Dudley slamming his fists down onto the coffee table. 'I can't take this anymore! You either take him or I WILL!'

'But Dudders, that's impossible-'

By then Harry had left the room and reached the front door. His anger was indescribable. The next thing he did was collected all his possessions and slammed the door behind him. They wanted him to leave so quickly. I'll leave quickly. They hurt me in any possible way when I did nothing wrong. Oh I'll leave. Oh I will definitely leave.

'Harry! Wait… Listen, I we'll take you.' There was Petunia, Dudley standing right next to her. What the hell is going on with the world? Was Harry could think of.

'Harry. I know you probably don't want me to take you, but uhhm… at least consider it as a wedding gift.' Dudley said this next ending his sentence weakly.

Harry sighed. He was better off if they just took him to King's Cross, and then they, and him, can forgot each other, and he sighed again as he got into the car. But did he really want to forget them? Dudley sat next to him and smiled at him. Harry shifted his eyes away and resolved into staring outside the window.

So maybe it was just his uncle that hated him after all. Well, he was the only one who had chosen not to come and see Harry off. He groaned inwardly. Why did his parents have to die? Then maybe, just maybe, he would have lived a normal life, something many wish they didn't have.

The journey was silent to the station, while Harry had a battle with his emotions. Finally the station came into view and Harry almost let a sigh through his lips. He just hoped Hogwarts will still have the same safe atmosphere as when Dumbledore was alive.

'So I guess this is it then huh? Almost 17 years and now it's all ended.' So there it was. He said it. His goodbye…

Dudley gave a huge sob and pulled Harry into a bone-crushing hug. 'I'm so sorry Harry. I really am.' He began whimpering, 'I am so sorry… I really am… I am…'

Harry let go of Dudley finally. 'Enough of your crying, Dudley. If you are who you are then show me the man that never cries. The one that stays strong. I am the one that lost my parents, not you. And yet I forgive you.' Dudley looked up. 'How though? I still don't know…' He gave Dudley a strong hug and turned his attention to his aunt.

'Harry… did you look at the well… things?'

'Oh yeah I did… I saw my parents-' Was that a flicker of hope in his aunts eyes? 'I just want them back. But I guess you can't get everything in life.' He laughed nervously and he heard Dudley give a sniff. He managed to give his aunt a very stiff hug, but in the end gave her an extremely tight hug.

'Try and come back Harry. Please visit us again…'

'I will… I'll try... Tell Uncle Vernon I said goodbye. This may be the last time you see me. Let's hope not.' Harry smiled sadly.

'Bye Harry.' Came Dudley's voice and with that he was gone, crossing over the thin line of magical and non-magical lives.

A/N: Hope you like this chapter. Sorry I couldn't update as quick as I thought. I have exams and I have to revise! Remember to review if you like this chapter!