Chapter 7: Blood to Blood

Dudley Dursley sat in his arm chair in his living room thinking about the past few hours he spent with his cousin Harry. Never in his life did Dudley have such a pleasant time with Harry. And his family absolutely adored the Potters. Even though his family was non-magical, except for Jane, they had found common grounds anyone could understand. Emily, being the wife of a hard worker and being the only daughter of many boys. Michael, being the oldest son and enjoying teasing the younger sibling. And Jane found a sister she never knew she had. The night had been nearly perfect. The perfection had ended when Michael noted there was a new message on the answering machine before he and his sister went to bed. Dudley sighed when he heard and had been expecting it in the back of his mind. He waited for the kids to go to sleep before he played it. And so, Dudley rose from his chair, went over to the machine and hit play.

Instantly he heard his mother's voice saying, "Diddykins, it's mom. Would you please pick up the phone? Your father told me about what happened and I wanted to talk about it. Please pick up. It's five forty now. Please tell me you're just out shopping and not at his place. Call me as soon as you get this."

"That was more pleasant than expected," Emily said standing in the kitchen doorway. She started walking to her husband. "Ironic she only just missed us," she said.

"Yeah, ironic," Dudley said, checking his watch. It was nine forty. "I think I'll call now," Dudley said. And so he picked up the phone and dialed Number Four Privet Drive. Dudley listened to the ringing on the other end until finally, after what seemed like forever, it stopped.

"Hello, Dursley residence," Petunia answered.

"Hello mom," Dudley said, "We just got in and saw your message." There was an audible gasp on the other end.

"So, you went to . . . " Petunia started.

"My cousin's home?" Dudley finished.

"Yes."

"Yes, Emily, Michael, Jane and I went."

"Did they treat you well?"

"They were very nice mom. Dinner was excellent, as was dessert. Jane and Michael got a long real well with Harry's kids. It was like they've known each other for years."

"You left Jane and Michael alone with his children?" his mother asked terrified.

"He let my grandchildren alone with those mini-freaks?!" Dudley heard his father shout in the background. "Give it here Petunia!"

"No Vernon! We agreed I'd talk with Dudley when he called."

"Mom, remind dad what the cardiologist told him about his temper," Dudley said.

"Oh like you should talk, telling him like that at work," Petunia snapped back.

"I was being civil until he insulted my daughter," Dudley said calmly, "Are you saying you wouldn't defend me if Aunt Marge insulted me, even if she had a heart problem?" Petunia was at a lost for words.

"Don't speak about the dead like that," Petunia finally said. Dudley shook his head and realized what he forgot to tell Harry and Dudley knew Harry would love to hear it: Aunt Marge had passed on a few years ago. The image of Harry mourning a woman who had been so horrible with no shred of kindness to him made Dudley laugh on the inside.

"Speaking of the dead, it seems one of Harry's sons has his eyes. And he named his daughter after," Dudley slowed as the words formed in his mouth for the first time in his life, "Aunt Lily." There was a much louder gasp on the other line from his mother and what sounded like the receiver hitting the carpet floor.

He heard heavy, quick footsteps and then his father yelling, "What did you just say to your mother? She just fainted on the floor!"

"Nothing uncivilized," Dudley said a bit shocked at the fact he made his mother faint, "Just that Harry named his daughter after Aunt Lily."

"What did you just say!" Vernon yelled.

"I just called my mother's sister by a proper name," Dudley said, "And please calm down dad. You might have a heart attack with your blood pressure this high." Vernon made deep breaths trying to calm down. Dudley was happy to hear that his father was calming down. Dudley then heard some murmuring. "What was that Petunia dear?" Dudley heard his father ask his mother. "'Let . . . it . . . go'?" Vernon sounded aloud. Dudley guessed his mother was only just conscious and muttering to his father. "I will not let it go Petunia, the boy has finally gone off the deep end! He's allowing his own children to be near those people!" Vernon replied.

"Dad," Dudley said loudly.

"What is it?" Vernon said, turning his attention to his son.

"I love you. Give mom my love and I'll talk to you when you've calmed down," Dudley said before pulling the receiver away and heard his father bellow, "What do you mean by-" And no more came though as Dudley turned off the phone.

"Everything all right?" Emily asked coming to her husband.

"I just made my mom faint, give my father a possible heart attack and am very glad we left our cell phones home," Dudley said.

"Well, I think you were brilliant," Emily said before kissing Dudley, "Let's go to bed now."

"All right," Dudley said, "I think we should have mom and dad over tomorrow to settle this once and for all."

"And some said your were a stupid pig," Emily said with a laugh.

"I was, until I decided to work at learning," Dudley replied chuckling.