A/N: Updated: 9/21/14


Ginny and Lily were upstairs, finishing up bath time when a 'pop' sounded from outside. Grabbing a towel, she wrapped up her only daughter, and quickly headed for the stairs, just as the sound of running footsteps echoed up to her. Reaching the landing, she saw six year old James stand on tip toe, and look out the front window. 'It's uncle George!'

'Go ahead and open the door, James.'

The little boy swung the front door open, and grinned at the man standing on his porch, 'Hiya!'

'Hey, Jamie.' Running a hand through the boys hair, George looked up the stairs at his sister. 'Is Harry home?'

Nodding her head, Ginny frowned, and walked down the stairs towards her brother. 'Yeah. He's out back with Albus. What's the matter George?'

Shaking his head, George glanced at the children around them. 'Later?'

Ginny met his gaze, and saw the grief that still clouded his normally laughing, blue eyes, and nodded her head. 'Go ahead and go on back.'

o ~ O ~ o

Walking through the house, George smiled and looked at the home his youngest sibling, and only sister created with her husband. He paused in the kitchen, and grinned at the drawings on the fridge, they were nothing more then scribbles and dots done in bright colors, but that didn't stop Ginny from showing off Lilys talent.

Pushing open the back door, he silently stood on the back porch and watched the dark haired man crouch next his miniature. Albus was the spitting image of Harry, in a childs body. He had messy, black hair, and bright green eyes. He was too far away to hear what they were talking about, but not to far that he missed the giggle the four year old little boy let out.

Smiling, he left the porch and called out: 'Hey.'

'Hey George.' Harry stood, and after brushing his hands together, did he look at his brother-in-laws face. He saw the same thing as his wife, saddness in the usually happy mans eyes. 'What's going on?'

'Can we talk?'

'Sure. Al?' Turning to his youngest son, Harry nodded towards the house, 'Go see if your mom needs any help with snack.' After the boy raced inside, Harry and George began a slow walk around the outside of the house. 'Are you okay?'

After letting out a long sigh, George nodded. 'In a matter of speaking. Physically, yes.' Running a hand through his hair, the man with the red hair said, 'Okay. I don't know how you're going to take this, so I'm just going to get it all out there. Okay?' When Harry nodded, he continued. 'Okay. Here's the thing. A couple years ago, when Michelle came to the shop, she actually had a purpose. And it was for more then just catching up. She wanted to know how to get ahold of you.

See, I guess back a bit before that, she got married. To your cousin, Dudley.' When Harry opened his mouth to speak, George held up a finger. 'Let me get this out. Please?! Anyway. She wanted for you and Dudley to reconnect. I guess he regrets treating you the way he did. Well, I wrote to her early this morning. Remember, I told you I would? She didn't respond back. Dudley did.'

'Oh. I bet he was real pleased. Some other man writting to his wife.' Snorting, Harry sat on one of the front porch steps. 'What did he have to say?'

'Uh... that Michelle died. Back in April. Car accident.'

'Shit.' Running a hand through his black hair, Harry looked at the man standing up before him. 'I'm sorry man.'

Tucking his fingers in his front pockets, George nodded, and sat down. 'I'm sorry I didn't mention the whole, Dudley and Michelle being married thing before now. It's just.. I knew how hard growing up with the Dursleys was. And I didn't want to mention it.'

Giving a small nod, Harry replied, 'You're fine. I get why you didn't mention it. But you don't have to worry. That part of my life helped make me who I am. I don't shy away from it.' Running a hand down his face, Harry looked at sky and sighed. 'I feel bad that his wife passed away. But I haven't seen, much less spoken with him since that night I left for the Burrow.'

'I know what you mean.' Shrugging, George stood, 'I just thought you should know.'

'Thanks.' Getting to his feet also, Harry rubbed at his cheek. 'You want some coffee or something?'

Shaking his head, George gave a small smile. 'No thanks. I'm going to go home, and kiss my wife.'

o ~ O ~ o

Harry stood on the porch for nearly an hour, watching the sky fade from a brilliant blue to mix of bright pinks and dark purples. He watched as the houses around his closed the doors, and turned on the lights. He watched as two cats chased each other in the street, each seeking dominance. He continued watching, and thinking, until he felt a small hand slip into his larger one.

Looking down at the hand, he saw pale skin covered with soft freckles. 'Gin.' Sighing, he closed his eyes, and pulled her into a hug.

Wrapping her arms around the man, Ginny softly whispered words of nothing to him, as she would one of the children when they woke upset in the middle of the night. She held the man she married in her arms, and smiled softly. She'd been in love with this boy since she was eleven. And if there is one thing she's learned in that amount of time, it's that, when he's ready to talk, he will.

'I love you.' Harry whispered in her ear, before pulling back, and framing her face with his hands. 'I don't tell you nearly enough.'

'Harry.' Laying her hands against his chest, she smiled softly at him. 'I know. You tell me plently.'

'What if I didn't though.' Shaking his head, he slowly sat down on the porch, and pulled her down alongside him. 'What if I didn't and then something happened. How could I live with myself.'

Placing a hand along his face, Ginny gently pressed until he turned to look at her. 'But I know. You tell me everyday. And I feel your love every moment.'

Turning his head, Harry placed a kiss to the palm of her hand. 'I don't know what to do, Gin.'

'About what?'

'Dudley. His wife died. And I haven't seen him in years.' Letting out a low sigh, Harry looked at her, 'Hell, I didn't even know that he was married. How am I supposed to offer my sympathies when I don't even know him.'

'You'll figure it out, Harry.' Leaning against the man beside her, Ginny lay her head on his shoulder, and linked their fingers together. 'Just.. listen to your heart.' Tilting her head to look at him, she said, 'It might take you a few days, to figure out what's right for you to do. But you'll get there.' Smiling, she ran a hand through his hair, 'You're a good man, Harry. And you've told me before that if you had the chance to know Dudley, that you would try. Maybe this is your chance.'

Pulling her closer, Harry smiled and leaned in to gently kiss her. 'I know. I just - I need to think. Thank you, though. You always calm my mind.'


After getting Rayelle settled for the night, Dudley grabbed a beer from the fridge, and made himself comfortable in front of the television. He leaned back in his chair, and popped the top of his can. Just as he went to take his first drink, a soft tapping sounded on the living room window. Slowly, he rolled his head, and saw the same owl from earlier settled on the sill.

Opening the window, the bird flew inside, and landed gracefully on the coffee table. Sitting down in front of it, he reached for the note tied to the extended leg. Sitting back, he stared at the bird. 'From the mysterious George, huh?' When all he got was a soft 'hoot' in response, he opened the letter, and began to read.

'Dudley.

I am so, so very sorry to hear about Michelle. She was, without a doubt, one of a kind. One of the sweetest women I ever have had the opportunity to meet. She was a few years behind me at Hogwarts. I realized that you have no idea who I am, so allow me to introduce myself, in a matter of speaking. My name is George Weasley. We've met actually. It was years back. I was in a car, I think you were twelve, outside Harrys bedroom window. Anyways, I met your wife when she spent the summer working at my shop in Diagon Alley, it was about.. seven or eight years ago. I know that a simple 'I'm sorry' doesn't even begin to help the pain of losing someone you love. Back in '97, my twin brother, Fred, was killed during the war. So trust me when I say, I understand what you're going through. If you ever need anyone to talk to, I am more then willing to listen.

I also feel as though I should tell you that my brother-in-law is Harry Potter. And I told him today. About how years ago, right after you and Shelly had gotten married, she came by the shop. Wanting to get into contact with him. I told him about her passing. I don't know when, or even if he will contact you. It's up to him. But I wanted you to know that he knows.

- George.'

Leaning back in his chair, Dudley frowned at the paper in his hands. Reaching for his beer, he thought back to the summer he turned twelve. He remembered the flying car. He also remembered the Weasleys. He just couldn't remember all of their names. Laughing, he set the letter down and glanced at a picture of Rayelle and him that sat on the mantle. 'I wonder what type of things Rayelle is going to get into.' Standing he stretched, and started turning off the lights, before remembering the owl.

'Oh. I've got an owl. So.. er.. you can go?' The bird gave a small 'hoot' before flying out the window the way it came. After the bird left, Dudley threw his can away, and made his way up to his room. As he changed he thought of his childhood. And how he treated Harry. When he lay down in his bed, he thought of the people that were still present in his life. The only constant contact with another human he had was his daughter. Knowing that no matter what, he would always be there for her. He made a vow, that night laying there, that he would always support her with anything that came her way. Smiling, he turned over and beat his pillow into a better position. Closing his eyes, he silently hoped that she would be accepted into Hogwarts when she turned eleven.


A/N: And, this story has the setup it needed! Hope you guys (& gals) are enjoying!

-Lorrinda