By Cedric Dursley
Chapter 3
Dudley's Decision
A/N I am trying to update every week but please be patient with me. I am not only writing this story but I am also studying collage on line.
Also, Jo Rowlings owns all the Harry Potter rights, not me. If I did, there would be a longer epilogue and Remus Tonks Fred and Sirius would all still be alive.
The Dursleys were finally home after they went into hiding for close to a year. When they arrived at 4 Privet Drive, they found the house in the same shape it was in before they left. Dudley went right up to his room to think about the past few months. While in hiding, he learned a lot of information about Harry and what he went through the past seven years and was in shock. When he heard about how Harry was forced to be involved with Voldemort's resurrection and who Cedric was, He felt sick. He remembered how he teased Harry about all the nightmares Harry had. Dudley realized that Harry was the better man just for saving him. He was determined to change his ways starting with his attitude towards others. He also decided to live a healthier life starting now. He no longer wanted to be a carbon copy of his father.
Dudley's first goal was to find a job that he liked. He told his father that he did not want to work at Grunnings Drills just because his father worked there. He wanted to try to make it on his own and find his own place in the world. He also decided to try and find Harry and attempt to make up for all the abuse he had inflicted on Harry over the years and the only way to do this was to live on his own.
The next morning, Dudley told his parents his plans. Vernon was not amused about Dudley's plan not to work at Grunnings.
"What do you mean you want to find a job? You already have one at Grunnings. And you can find a home here on Privet Drive after you find a wife. And as far as finding your cousin, forget it. He was a no good freak and I never want to hear his name in this house ever again. He and his kind almost destroyed us last year. Are you listening Dudley?" Vernon finally finished ranting and was waiting for Dudley to apologize. What Dudley told him next surprised him.
"Dad, you and Mum raised me well. It's just that I do feel guilty about the was Harry was treated by all of us while growing up. And as far as working with you, I need to try and find my own way in the world. This is my decision and I did a lot of thinking about it. I need this. Piers Polkness has a flat in London and offered me a place to stay and I accepted. I won't be here when you come home from work tonight. I have already packed everything I want to take with me. Goodbye for now".
Vernon was speechless. Dudley never spoke to him like this before. He was sure that somehow those freaks were somehow responsible for Dudley's change in behavior. He swore he would find a way to pay them all back.
Petunia was still quiet while Vernon and Dudley argued. She was thinking about Dudley's announcement that he was moving out. So as Vernon stormed out to work, she decided to talk to Dudley and try to convince him to stay just for a little while.
"Duddikins, how could you say those things to your father? We only want what's best for you. Are you sure you want to live on your own. You don't know anything about the world. How will you earn a living? Your father you a perfectly good job and you turned him down. Why are you trying to break our hearts?"
Dudley calmly began to answer her.
"Mum, What I said to Dad I meant. I don't want to work at Grunnings and I want to live my own life. I also want to make up to Harry for the way he was treated while he was living here. He deserves to be treated like the hero he is. I hope that the Ministry of Magic honers him for his actions against Voldemort. He deserves all that and more. If it wasn't for him, we would have been targeted by Voldemort's followers and most likely been killed. Harry saved our lives and you and Dad still talk of him like he was a worthless freak. I realized that Harry is worth ten of me when he saved me when we were fifteen. Even after that, you and Dad still treated him like he was scum. I did try to make it up to him before we went into hiding by leaving a cup of tea by his door, but that was not going to make up for all the years of abuse he endured living here. I will be leaving now. Piers is expecting me to move in today and have already told him that I will stay with him until I can find my own place. It's time to let me go. Goodbye Mum". Then Dudley walked out of number 4 Privet Drive to live his new life.
Before he left for London, he made a quick stop at Mr. Figg to say goodbye. He thought she might have a way to find Harry so he could make amends. After all, She had contacts with the magical world. He just hoped she was home.
When she answered the door Dudley spoke.
"Mrs. Figg, I was hoping you could help me. I am moving to London and wanted to try to find Harry. I want to thank him for everything he has done and try to make it up to him for the way he was treated. Please Mrs. Figg, Can you help me"?
Arabella Figg considered the young man standing in front of her. Dudley didn't sound like the spoiled brat he was when he was younger. He sounded like he had grown up a lot during his time in hiding and had finally matured. So she decided to help him find Harry.
"Dudley, if what you just said is true, then I will help you. When you settle down in London send me your address and I will forward it to Harry with your message. That is the only thing I can do for you at this time".
"Thank you Mrs. Figg. It's more then than I deserve. I hope that Harry contacts me soon".
After Dudley finished talking with Mrs. Figg, he headed to London on his bike to move in with Piers. He soon found a job at a local gym as a fitness instructor and soon after, moved into his own flat in the same building as Piers. He was finally living his own life. Then he received the letter he was hoping for. It was from Harry.
Dudley,
I heard you wanted to meet with me. I will come by your flat and we can talk. Expect me on Friday at 4:00 pm and we can talk.
Your cousin
Harry
Dudley sighed with relief. He finally had a chance to ask Harry to forgive him for the way he was treated for all those years. He also hoped to form a friendship with harry despite the harm he inflicted on Harry. For now, He just wanted to apologize for all the times he had beat up Harry. He also hoped that Harry will forgive him. The evening before Harry was to show up, Dudley decided to go out for a few drinks.
When he walked into the pub, he noticed a sad looking Oriental girl who looked around his age sitting at the bar. He walked up to the bar and ordered a beer. While the bartender got his drink, he gathered up his courage and decided to try to talk to her.
" Hello. My name is Dudley. You seem a little sad. Sometimes if you talk about it you feel better".
"Hi. I'm Cho. If I seem sad, it's because my boyfriend was murdered four tears ago and I am still getting over it. You seem like a nice person. Would you like to sit here"?
Dudley sat down. As the evening they talked and discovered they had an attraction to each other. Before the night ended, they had a date for the next evening. Dudley thought that he might have met his future wife that night.
The next day, day, Dudley got his flat cleaned for Harry's visit. At four on the dot, there was a knock on the door. It was Harry.
"Come in Harry. I just wanted to say that I am sorry for the way I treated you for all those years. When we went into hiding I found out everything that happened to you while you where at Hogwarts. You had a rough time and I didn't help much when you came home for the summer. I only hope we can begin a new start as cousins. Deal"?
Harry thought about it for a minute. And then he spoke.
"Dudley, you are the first one in my family to apologize to me for my treatment over the years. I can tell that you are sincere. Don't worry, no magic is involved. I accept your apology. So are you seeing anybody? I just got back with my old girlfriend Ginny. I broke it off just before school ended last year to protect her from Voldemort".
Actually Harry, I just met someone last night. Her name is Cho and we hit it off. She seemed a little down and I found out that her boyfriend was murdered four years ago".
Harry thought about it and decided to ask Dudley what her last name was. He said that she never told her. Harry then said that he had to leave and meet Ginny for dinner.
After Harry left, Dudley realized something. Cho was a witch. He thought a little more and discovered that he didn't care. His parents would not approve but he liked Cho. He decided to tell her about his cousin and see what her reaction was.
That evening Dudley and Cho went to a nice restaurant for dinner. While eating, he told her about his cousin without telling her his name. When he told her, She realized that Dudley knew about her world. So she told him that she was a witch. He revealed that he had already figured that out and it made no difference. He still wanted to see her. She then invited him to go to the memorial service on the following week.
Cho then told Dudley that her two friends where planning to move to New York and that she was considering the move as well. Dudley thought about it for a second and told her that if she was going to move, then he would come as well.
Dudley was going to move to New York for a while.