A/N: One of my reviewers brought up a good point after my last chapter. There is a lack of references to what is happening to Harry Potter during this time...So, I played around with the idea and decided to add this next chapter as a way to mark a more precise time frame between Rowling's Deathly Hallows and this story. So, if you're one of my old readers/follower, this is a completely new chapter for you.

As always, I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 12: The Truth Before Supper

Dudley sat at the kitchen table, futzing around with his portable CD player. Unlike his radio, all of his other electronics had refused to work on Marigold Cabin's property. Eve explained to him once that electronics and magic just didn't mix well, radios were one of the few muggle-based (or in Eve's words 'No-Maj-based') items that transferred over to the magical world. Still, every once in awhile, Dudley would play around with some of his electronics by messing with the wires. So far, his CD player had come to life briefly, but emitted a high-pitched screeching sound instead of music through his headphones.

His father, Vernon Dursley, also sat at the kitchen table, reading a copy of the Daily Profit. After being forced to live with wizards for several months, Dudley noticed that his father begrudgingly began to accept a few aspects of magical life; elf-made wine, the self-lighting fireplaces, and the wizarding newspaper, though Dudley suspected his father enjoyed it mostly because every new issue had at least one story about delinquent acts of Harry Potter and his supporters. His father believed the stories despite the fact that Hestia explained that the Daily Prophet was controlled by You-Know-Who's followers.

"Says here, that your good-for-nothing cousin broke into their Ministry yesterday, and stole a precious family heirloom of some Umbridge woman." Vernon scoffed, pointing to the front page that screamed the headline Potter Breaks into Ministry: the Boy Who Lived to Steal. Dudley rolled his eyes.

"Dad, that's bull, and you know it." Dudley sighed. The only reason the paper was occasionally smuggled in was because Hestia believed that there was always a speck of truth hidden in the lies of the magical paper, and that it was best to keep an eye on what the enemy was up to

"Actually, that story is true," Eve's voice rang from behind him as she entered the kitchen. Dudley turned to gape at her, she carried a large cup of coffee in her hands and had heavy bags under her eyes. She looked exhausted.

"You're joking," he said in disbelief. His father looked almost giddy at the thought of Harry actually causing trouble, triumph glowed in his eyes.

"Nope," Eve yawned. "Got a patronus message this morning from Arthur. He was actually there when it happened. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley broke into the Ministry of Magic yesterday morning...though we're not sure if he actually stole that "heirloom" from Umbridge or not, and if he did, we have no idea why."

"Wow," was all that Dudley managed to say.

"I knew that boy was trouble," his father said happily. It was like Christmas had come early for the man; he was the happiest Dudley had seen him since they went into hiding.

"I'm sure they had their reason," Eve snorted. "I highly doubt it was a publicity stunt."

"Who asked you, freak?" Vernon said with a glare.

"No one, but I suggest you be a bit nicer to the freak who is making your dinner, especially since she has a full stock of poisons that she can add to your plate." Eve smirked.

"You wouldn't dare." His father choked out, suddenly looking pale, "The other's would kick you out of here!"

"No one said you had to eat what I make. Besides, I'm sure Mrs. Jones would make an exception for you." Eve said with an almost evil look in her eyes.

Vernon sputtered, becoming quite panicked. His large frame jumped out of his seat and out into the hallway faster than Dudley had ever witnessed him move. Eve's expression quickly changed back to mild amusement as she watched him run.

"You aren't really going to poison him, are you?" Dudley couldn't help but ask, even though he was almost certain that she was joking. Eve almost looked offended.

"Hell no! I promised, remember?" She said with a laugh. Dudley weakly joined in, still a little unsure.

"So, what are you making for dinner?" He asked as he stared the large cooking pot that Eve had just conjured out of thin air.

"Chili." Eve shrugged.

Dudley made a slight face. "You sure make a lot of chili and soups."

"I make those because I really don't want to poison anyone," Eve deadpanned. Dudley raised an eyebrow in confusion. " Soups and chili are like potions to me: I can easily make them. But, I am absolutely useless when it come to other things...Like cooking a chicken. Everything I put in the oven come out a disaster."

"Oh," said Dudley simply.

"Yep, I can brew most potions with my eyes closed. But ask me to bake you a lasagna, and you're better off eating the next issue of the Daily Prophet."

This time, Dudley let out a real laugh. "Don't give my dad any ideas, he might just do that tonight!" Eve joined in on his laughter.

"Tell him to avoid eating the business section, I heard it's a little dry." Eve snorted.

"Ugh! Not a pun." Dudley groaned. Eve's face turned a blotchy red, and she let out a small cough, killing her own laughter. She seemed to tense up a little as she turned back to preparing dinner. Dudley made a face, he enjoyed being around Eve during more relaxed moments; she could be really fun when she wanted to be. Maybe he shouldn't have killed the moment.

"Er, would you like any help?" He asked.

"If you want."

They spent the next few minutes in working in silence. As he cut up the tomatoes, Dudley spoke. "You know," he said. "it was still pretty punny."

Eve groaned and rolled her eyes, but her smile had returned.