- Chapter Four -
Harry's Reply
One by one, all the aurors in training completed the concealment and disguise practical section and were given their theory assignment which was to be completed by the following week.
Once everyone left, Harry, Ron and Hermione were left in the room alone, leaving Harry able to explain everything about Dudley's daughter to Hermione.
'Just write back to him and arrange to meet up or something,' Hermione said simply. 'How bad can things go?'
'Err, really bad?' interrupted Ron.
'Come off it Ron. Why do you have to be so negative? Dudley may have changed for all you know. People tend to change when the get older!'
'Oh is that so.'
'Well you clearly haven't,' shrieked Hermione, dropping a hard back book on the table. Harry just stood between them, eyeing them both, one after the other.
'You're both acting like you're fifteen again,' said Harry, without even thinking. Once he realised what he said, he mumbled, 'oops,' and turned away.
'No, Harry, you're right. We are acting a bit childish. So, erm, the letter. As I said, just write back to him and maybe plan on seeing each other. Me and Ron wouldn't mind coming, if you want,' said Hermione said, slightly blushing.
'Wouldn't we?' asked Ron, a horrified expression upon his face. As he caught Hermione's eye, he quickly whispered, 'Oh yeah, sure,' and put his head down.
'You don't have to but I would appreciate it if you did. Plus, I'm sure Dudley would like to meet you.'
As Harry said this, Ron let out a little cough and Hermione shot him a look of annoyance.
'Don't worry, we'll be there,' Hermione assured Harry, leaving him slightly relieved.
'I'll owl him when I get home then. I just hope I'm doing the right thing-'
'Harry, I'm sure you are,' said Hermione in nothing but a whisper. After an odd silence, Harry eventually spoke.
'I'm happy there weren't any exploding potions this time,' and they all buried themselves in laughter.
'So you've finally decided to write back. You should have just listened to me in the first place. I mean, it wasn't even a hard decision to make. I don't know why you were so stressed out-'
'OK thanks Ginny, I get the point,' interrupted Harry.
'Just trying to get the point across,' said Ginny in a final tone.
'Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm probably going to start on the letter now and get it over and done with,' and he left the room.
As he got there, he sat down, took a piece of parchment and a quill and placed them on the table. He hesitated for a bit and then began, not even sure about what he was going to write.
Dudley,
Well to be honest I don't even know where to start. If you were expecting a reply, I'm sorry it's late. It's just that your letter came as quite a shock to me. I never would have expected it. I think it's best if we meet some time. I was wondering if you would maybe like to come to mine for dinner. Get back to me soon.
Harry.
He attached the letter to Hedwig's leg and let her go. He then suddenly remembered that he didn't reply back to Albus and ran back to the room Ginny was in.
'By any chance, did you reply to Albus?'
'As a matter of fact, yes, I did. I knew how busy and stressed you were so I did it for you. No need to thank me,' she shrugged. She seemed to have put emphasis on the word "stressed", 'We should get a reply from both of them by tomorrow, hopefully.'
'You really are a star,' said Harry, as he pecked her on the cheek.
September flew by in a breeze and it was soon October. Harry still didn't receive a reply from Dudley and was quite frustrated. He was still in contact with Albus who was enjoying his time at Hogwarts. Every once in a while, Harry would ask about Ellie Dursley but Albus would give the same reply;
'I don't see much of her other than in the Great Hall when she's with her friends.'
'Maybe he's just nervous,' Hermione kept saying.
'You can't exactly accuse him of lying to you when there's proof that his daughter's at Hogwarts.'
As time passed, Harry was more reluctant to believing Ron- that the whole letter was a joke. After all, as he said before, he couldn't be sure if Ellie was actually Dudley's daughter. This left Ron quite happy.
Ginny on the other hand decided to stay out of it and thought it was best if she didn't get involved seeming as Harry didn't bother listening to her.
He made his way to the fireplace and travelled to the Ministry of Magic, going through the feeling of being sucked through a tube again. Once he got there, he made his way to his office. When he got in, he rushed towards the table and recognised an envelope on his desk with his name scribbled across it.
He quickly sat down and reached out for it. He opened it and began to read.
Harry,
I'm so sorry my reply is late. I'm not too familiar on owls so I just used normal post. Unfortunately, the Post Office was on strike, making it impossible for me to send it. My wife then showed me how to use it. And I'd love to come to have dinner. It would be an honour to meet your friends and family. Just 'owl' me a suitable day and time, including your address.
Dudley.
Harry paused. So Dudley had been telling the truth in the first letter. Harry had underestimated him so much. And he wouldn't mind coming round and meeting Harry's friends and family? Surely this was some sign that he had changed. His wife. His wife showed him how to use an owl. Is she a witch? Is that why his attitude towards Harry has changed? But Dudley's attitude changed many years ago, when Harry saved his life in the alley back in Little Whinging. So why now? Why has Dudley decided to get in contact with him now? Is it because of Ellie receiving her Hogwarts letter? Harry could no longer think. It was too much to take in.
He ran out of the office and entered the office opposite him. There, Ron was sat ticking of boxes on pieces of parchment whilst Hermione was stacking leaflets. Harry slammed the letter on top of the piece of parchment in front of Ron, leaving him and Hermione bewildered.
'Read it!' exclaimed Harry and without a second thought, they both began to read. When he finished, harry jumped straight into explaining his thoughts.
'This is fantastic news, Harry. It really is. Write back to him.'
'Hermione, this is crazy-'
'Harry, it isn't. Just write back to him and arrange a day! It's not hard at all,' and she grabbed a plain piece of parchment and a quill, and handed it over to him, 'Write. This Saturday will do.'
With no choice, Harry began to write.
Dudley,
That's great to hear. This Saturday evening will do. I'll pick you up from Kings Cross station at 5 O'clock.
Harry.
'You can use a ministry owl to send the letter. Here, I'll go take it,' said Hermione, taking the letter from Harry and made her way out. Once the door shut, Ron began to shake his head.
'She's mental. She really is,' he mumbled.