Disclaimer: The Harry potter series belongs to J. K. Rowling. The only profit I gain from this story is the enjoyment and experience of writing it.
Un-betaed
++Chapter 8: Differences ++
Dudley sat down on a bench that was still bathed in the setting sun's rays. The conservatory was one of the schools pride and joys. It had a abundance of flowers and various plants all around. With a striking Greek statue as a center piece of the fountain that stretched the middle of the building. The fountain even had fish and plants like lilies in it. During Christmas the whole place was lit up with lights and the garden outside became a winter wonderland.
"Even with some of Smeltings questionable rumors it did keep up a impressive reputation." Dudley thought as he dug through his backpack. Pulling out a sketch book and a fountain pen he had gotten from the art room.
Dudley had decided to write to his cousin, but he wouldn't say it was him. Harry wouldn't write him back if he did.
He had thought hard about how he would make the letter realistic. Dudley had come to the conclusion that he would need to make it look like it came from a wizard. Which meant not using lined paper and something with a bit more flowing ink.
Luckily for Dudley the art teacher was more then willing to teach Dudley calligraphy. It was actually a lot harder then Dudley had thought it would be. But if this worked, then it would be well worth the effort.
Dudley opened the sketch book to a blank page and with very slow strokes wrote:
To Harry Potter,
Then he paused thinking carefully about what next to write.
I heard that you're attending Hogwarts this year. I hope that your first year goes well.
I'm attending my Dad's old school but if I had gone Hogwarts we would be in the same year.
Dudley frowned down at the page, all of this was true. He felt he should add more to solidify himself as a possible member of the magical community.
Do you like Quidditch? It's the best sport in the world. Unfortunately I don't own a broom so I can't play.
There was a multitude of other reason why he couldn't play but that would have to do.
What's your favorite class? I am enjoying Herbology.
I was disappointed when I found out that we wouldn't be going to the same school.
I wanted to talk to you once during the school year.
Though I imagine that you already are swamped by admires for what you did.
"And for what you haven't done yet," Dudley added in his head.
I hope you don't mind getting this letter.
I wanted to send this at least.
Your's sincerely, D.V. Evans
Dudley pulled the page out and held it at arms length to get a good look at it. It looked fairly convincing to him. Using his mum's maiden name and his initials was a bit of a risk but this way he could easily remember his alias. Dudley carefully blow on the page to dry the ink before tucking it into a book inside his bag. Now he would need to mail it, hopefully they would have someone in the post that would pass it along.
If this worked out he wouldn't need to look into buying an owl. Though he might buy one later.
"Bit fancy to be writing to your parents that way." Spoke a voice.
Dudley jumped straight out of his skin and barely snagged his bag from falling off the bench. Looking up he saw Mr. Gaunt making his way over at slow leisurely pace. He wore a pristine black suit and had a old fashion walking cane tucked under one arm. Mr. Gaunt looked like he had just been walking down the streets of Victorian London instead of a path through Smeltings' conservatory.
"I-I wasn't writing a my parents." Dudley said nervously as he clutched his backpack closer.
Mr. Gaunt paused a couple steps from where Dudley sat. "Your sweetheart then?"
Dudley turned crimson at the thought and franticly shook his head. "N-No, where did that even come from! I'm writing my cousin!" Dudley spluttered.
Mr Gaunt laughed and shook his head. "Well then… when you do find a lady be sure to write your letters like that. I hear Ladies adore those romantic notions. None that nonsense about email now a days."
Dudley nodded still a bright red. Dudley had a feeling that if his parents and Mr Gaunt ever met they would not get on.
"Have a good evening then." Mr Gaunt said and continued down the path.
Dudley watched him go trying to wrap his mind about what just happened. He had just been teased by a teacher and to make that experience more bazaar that teacher had been Mr Gaunt. "Weird…" Muttered Dudley
Dudley had no fond memoirs about any of his teachers. Either they were badgering him about his grades, reprimanding him for something rude he did or said. And even making remakes about their knowledge about his bulling. His first year hadn't been bad but as the year progressed they wrote him off as a failure. When he looked back at it now it was amazing that he hadn't be expelled.
Dudley had remember that Mr Gaunt particularly had disliked him. So the just recent event was like viewing a strange new world.
Feeling dazed Dudley swung his backpack over one shoulder and headed back into the main building. "Maybe, I can steal a biscuit or two from the kitchen to settle my nerves." Dudley thought. Sweets always made Dudley feel better.
With this thought in mind he changed directions towards the school's kitchen.
"Dursley!" Someone shouted from behind him.
Dudley winced, "What now?" He thought irritably as he turned around.
Coming his way was was an older boy. He was wearing the student council uniform. Dudley panic instantly trying to figure out if he had done something wrong lately. As far as Dudley could recall he had done nothing to warrent a visit from a member of the student council.
Dudley fight or flight instincts where kicking in at this point. But he was pretty sure turning tail and running was a defiant sign of guilt. So he squared his shoulders and eyed the approaching boy carefully.
"That's me." Dudley replied in way of greeting. The older boy was at least in his sixth or fifth year. Several inches taller than Dudley he held himself with the air that he knew what he was doing. Or at least thought he knew what he was doing. Dudley noted as he watched the boy shuffle through a stack of papers he had with him. Selecting one the boy studied Dudley for a moment before speaking.
"I am Leo, I'm a member of the student council." He said as he stuck his hand out. Dudley shook it with a bit of reluctance. "It has come to the council's attention that you have yet to join a club." Leo continued on waving the paper at Dudley.
Dudley blink, "That's what this is about! That I haven't joined a club." Dudley thought confusion. "So?"
"It is important that all students attend at least one after class activity." Leo said clearly reciting from something.
"Why?"
"Because it is important for you to show interest out side of just your regular classes." Leo continued in high superior tone that people use when reciting a document.
"I bet there is a book…" Dudley thought as he gazed at Leo. Leo continued to talk stressing that in order to grow Dudley needed to pursue his interests. Which all circled back to joining a club. "Here is a list of all the clubs looking for new members. Any of them I'm sure would be glade to have you join." Dudley took the list and swept his gaze down it.
"I'll need time think about it…" He said as he looked up at Leo who was still staring intently at him. "Which will be about three seconds." He added in his head. Dudley had already decided not to join any club and no student council member was going to change that.
"I look forward to seeing which one you join." Leo said brightly as he turned and headed off. Probably towards his next unsuspecting victim.
—
Dudley was able to mail his letter to Harry the next day without incidence. He hoped the rest of the mailing process would go just as smoothly. That day was another clear sunny day. So Piers and Dudley were doing their homework down on the glassy slope near the beach. Or at least Piers was working on homework. Dudley had finished his and was reading another chapter in The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection. He had a dust covering over the actual cover to hide it from prying eyes.
"Why haven't you made any new friends?" Asked Piers suddenly.
Dudley barked out a laugh," What are you my mum?"
"I serious!" Piers snapped sitting up from where he had been laying. "You aren't even been talking to Philips or Berg."Dudley shrugged and wished that Piers would let it go. "And you haven't even joined a club yet. I swear you are probably the only kid that hasn't."
Dudley fiddled with a corner of the page he was on not looking at Piers. "I'm just not interested in joining one."
"Are you not coming back next year?" Piers blurted suddenly.
"What!" Dudley started surprised, "What are you talking about! Of course I'm coming back next year. Why would you think that?"
"Well, Miss Bishop said that people will sometimes not make friends if they're going to be leaving." Piers said worry leaking into his voice. "So your not leaving?"
"No," Dudley said trying to reassure his friend. "I'm just busy with other things…"
"Like?"
"Stuff…" Dudley said hopelessly and waved his hand in a vague motion.
Piers took a moment to look very unimpressed. "So your not going to tell me…" Piers looked hurt.
Dudley didn't want to lose their friendship again and grimaced. He frantically searched for a explanation that would work. "I'm sorry… It's just- I've had a lot on my mind lately." He said rubbing the spot between his eyes. Piers did best I am listening face which almost made Dudley laugh. "It's not really important."
"Yes, it is! Is it your parents… are they fighting." Piers started his eyes widening. "Are they getting a DIVORCE?"
"NO!" Dudley said loudly cutting off his friend's thoughts. "Nothing like that…"
"Then what?"
Dudley sighed and casting his eyes heaven-wards. "I-I don't know! Stuff-" Dudley frantically searched his mind for a topic that would make sense. Without sounding like he wasn't a few screws loose. "Like… how you're not suppose to be horrid to your cousin."
"What?" Piers said confusion covering his face.
"You heard me! I've been horrible to Harry."
Piers shifted and fiddled with his pencil. "Yeah… but you've been quiet civil this last two years…"
"Yeah, civil…" Dudley sneered and tapping his fingers hard onto his book. "After growing up with him. Bet he doesn't even think about us…"
"Come on… don't say that I think he misses you." Dudley arched eyes brows at Piers disbelievingly. "Well, maybe not much… just a little." Piers said weakly. Dudley could help the chuckle from slipping through his lips and before long both of them were laughing. "Sorry, I'm pretty horrible cheering people up." Piers said once he got his breath back. "Nah, your not as bad as me."
