Chapter Four – To Diagon Alley

"Ok, Veronica," Ginny said the next day. "What we're going to do is called apparating. That means we're going to disappear from here and reappear at our house. It's a bit scary the first time and you'll learn how to do it when you're older. For now, hang on tight. Ready, Harry?"

Harry took hold of Dudley's arm and nodded. "Ok, Ginny, go!" He watched as Ginny and Veronica vanished. "Let's go, Dudley," and they, too, vanished, to arrive a moment later at the Potter estate.

Dudley looked at the large, imposing house in awe. "You live here?"

Harry nodded, "With three boisterous kids, we need the space. It's a bit vacant now that the boys are off in school."

"You have three kids?"

"Yep, James is the eldest at twelve is a real prankster. Albus is next at eleven and takes after his brother. Lily is the youngest at nine. In fact, here she comes now. A warning about her, Dudley. She's very precocious and uncannily perceptive and keeps both of her brothers in line. Kind of like Ginny and her brothers. Scares me sometimes."

"Hello," Lily said coming to a stop and curtseying in front of Dudley. "You must be cousin Dudley. I am very pleased to meet you. And Veronica, too. Please come up to the house."

Dudley looked at Harry and back at Lily. "Thank you, my Lady."

Lily gave a sharp nod and turned to lead the way.

In the kitchen, Lily and Veronica eyed each other uncertainly for a moment. Suddenly they both smiled and came together, hugging for all they were worth. The bewildered adults let out sighs of relief as Lily took Veronica's hand and suggested they go explore the house.

"Lily," Ginny reminded her, "we're leaving for Diagon Alley as soon as Hugo and his parents get here."

"Right. Mum," Lily tossed back over her shoulder.

"Are they going to be okay?" Dudley asked gazing after them.

"Don't worry," Ginny said, "the house elves will watch them. While we have a moment, Dudley, we were planning on doing some shopping in Diagon Alley this afternoon. It's where we get our wizarding supplies. I would like to take Veronica with us so she can start getting used to being a witch. The place is safe but not really set up for Muggles like yourself. Nevertheless, you're welcome to come along if you want."

"I think I do. If she's going to be in this world, I need to be at least familiar enough with it to help deal with problems."

Ron and Hermione entered the kitchen at that moment. Ron visibly bristled at the sight of Dudley. "Hello, Dudley."

"Hello, Ron. I owe you an apology, too, for the way I treated you that time we met. Please accept that I know better know."

Ron stared for a moment, and then nodded.

"Hermione Granger?" Dudley asked. "You are a witch that was raised by non-magical parents. I am in the opposite situation. Would you mind if I asked your advice occasionally?"

"Of course I wouldn't mind, Dudley. And it's Hermione Weasley now."

Ron started to laugh. "Dudley? You have a magical child? Oh, that's just too rich. Too funny. You who always hated Harry for his being a wizard have a magical son."

"Daughter, actually, Ron," Dudley replied. "And I agree it's ironic but true."

Suddenly a whirlwind of noise and activity entered the room. "Children," Ginny bellowed, "settle down. Now!" The noise vortex quickly disassembled itself into Lily, Veronica, Hugo, and one slightly disheveled young house elf. "Pinky, explain," she ordered the elf.

"Yes, missus. The children were playing and having so much fun that Pinky just had to join in. Nothing came to harm, missus."

"All right, Pinky. Please tell the others that we will be home for dinner around seven o'clock and I would like it if Meechum could prepare her special dessert."

"Yes, missus." And with a 'pop' he vanished.

Veronica's eyes tried to take in all of the sights of Diagon Alley. There were strangely dressed witches and wizards, goblins, a ghost or two, and Hagrid.

"Hello, Dudley," Hagrid boomed. "it's been a long time since I twisted yer tail. I must say it looks like ye've got yer'self bett'r'n ye used ta. Lost a lot o' weight. What'r'ye doin' here?"

"Hi, Hagrid," Harry intervened. "Dudley's with me. It turns out his daughter is a witch so we're getting her acquainted with our world."

"A daughter witch, ye say? That's…" Hagrid trailed off, staring, with his mouth hanging open.

"Hagrid? HAGRID!" Harry shouted.

"Hi, Daddy. See my new wand? It's…" Veronica suddenly became aware of Hagrid's knees at her eye level. Edging closer to Dudley, she looked up…up…and up until she could see Hagrid's face. "Wh..who are you?" she asked timidly.

Hagrid stared at her, speechless. Harry drew back and hit Hagrid in the shoulder. "HAGRID! Earth to Hagrid!"

Hagrid gave a shake of his head, not taking his eyes off Veronica. "Sorry. I'm Hagrid," he told her. "Gameskeeper at Hogwarts. Who are you?"

"Hagrid," Harry said, "this is Dudley's daughter, Veronica. Veronica is a witch."

"Well, of course she is. What else could she be? Well, gotta go. Things to do 'fore school starts. Bye" And with that he was off.

"Harry, is he always like that? What did he mean 'of course she is'?" Dudley asked.

"I have no idea. He usually makes sense. I don't see how but it was like he recognized Veronica. Have you ever seen him before, Veronica?"

"No. I've never seen anyone that big."

"That's because he is half human and half giant."

"Giant!" Veronica squeaked.

"Don't let his size scare you. Hagrid is actually a very gentle person with a soft spot for dangerous creatures."

Ron and Hermione came up just then. "Was that Hagrid I saw walking as if in a daze?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. He took one look at Veronica and went mental. It was like he recognized her from somewhere."

"I wonder…" Hermione mused then smiled. "Yeah, and if we were still in school I'd be off to the library. In fact, I'll be in Flourish & Blotts looking something up."

She strode off as Ron turned to Harry. "Nineteen years and two kids later and she still hasn't changed. Has she?" Ron said fondly.

"Who hasn't changed?" Ginny asked, herding Lily and Hugo along.

"Hermione. She's off to look up something in Flourish & Blotts."

"Oh, she's changed," Ginny said. "After all, she's still married to you, brother of mine."

"Cute, Ginny. Harry, why do you put up with her?"

Harry snugged his arm around Ginny's waist. "Ron, believe me. You really don't want to know."

The three kids' voices piped up as one "Ewuw, he's gonna kiss her" and they started laughing.

Ginny cast her eye down at them in mock sternness. "Just think, young'uns. Kissing is what started it and got you three as a result."