A/N: I don't claim ownership of any of this. This is the last chapter, so thank you and good night!
"Aaagh! That tastes terrible!" Dudley exclaimed as he handed the glass back to Madam Pomfrey.
The elderly matron merely smiled as she placed the small glass on the table beside his bed and shook the bottle of Skele-Gro to make sure there was enough for later. "I will return in an hour to give you another glass," she said, nodding towards Pansy. "One more treatment should have his shoulder back to normal, dear."
"I don't think that my taste buds will ever return to normal," Dudley whispered to Pansy as she sat down beside him.
"Madam Pomfrey has been taking care of the Hogwarts students as long as I can remember," Pansy said, as she took his hand in hers. "You'll be fixed up in no time."
Dudley looked over to the other side of the bed and squeezed his daughter's hand. "Are you ok?"
Georgia smiled as she answered, "Yeah, I'm fine I guess. I'm glad it's over."
"You're not the only one," Harry said as he and Ron entered the hospital wing. "You alright Big D?" Harry asked with a smile as he stood at the foot of Dudley's bed.
"Yeah," Dudley said, looking at the women on either side of his bed, "I'm in good hands."
"I can tell," Harry responded. After a moment he continued, "Thanks for taking care of things back there; I wish I could have helped."
"Hey, you were blown up," Dudley answered. "That happens."
"Hagrid told me to thank you as well; he just didn't think that you would want him to come see you yet."
Dudley laughed, "Yeah, I have had enough magic for one day, I don't think that I could risk getting a tail again."
"What are you talking about?" Pansy asked.
"That's a story for another day," Dudley answered, sending a knowing look towards Harry. "Are you alright?" he asked his cousin.
"I'm a little banged up, but ok. What I really dread is the paperwork. I have to fill out about a million forms, and present an explanation to the Centaur council..."
"So that was a Centaur?" Dudley asked.
"Yep. By Georgia's description, I think it was Bane that killed Mafalda. We owe him thanks, but I don't think we'll ever speak to him directly," Harry said.
"Listen, I'm happy to never go back in that forest again," Dudley said.
"I quite like it," Georgia answered. "It is a beautiful place, in its own way. Where else are you going to find unicorns and werewolves?"
"Werewolves? Are you serious?" Dudley asked, looking at the faces of the adults around him.
'Yeah, where else would they be able to live safely?" Ron answered.
Dudley stared at the faces around his bed as he thought about this world of magic that he had fallen into. As much as his parents had tried to hide it from him, he had come upon a vibrant, magical world that kept dragging him in. His cousin was a famous war hero, his daughter was training to become a witch at a magical boarding school next to a forest full of werewolves, and he was falling in love with a witch. "Yeah, I guess you have a point there," he answered to Ron.
At that moment, a ghost wafted through the infirmary. "Oh hello," Sir Nicholas said as he floated near the foot of Dudley's bed. "I heard about what happened in the forest. Nasty bit of work, that one. Jolly good show."
Dudley stared at the ghost for a moment and quietly said, "Thanks."
"You know what?" Harry said. I think it might be a good idea for us to give Dudley a little break for a moment. You know, while the medicine takes effect."
They all stood to leave at Harry's request, but Dudley held onto Pansy's hand. "Stay with me for a minute," he asked.
"Sure," Pansy answered and she sat back down beside him.
"Listen, about that stuff in the forest," Dudley started when they were finally alone. "I don't want you to feel like..."
"I meant it Dudley," Pansy interrupted. "After what we've just been through, I've learned that life's too short to play hard to get. I'm yours if you'll have me."
Pansy squealed as Dudley pulled her down towards him and locked her in his arms for a long kiss. "I should be the one asking. I'd be lucky to have you."
"I think that you are pretty lucky," Pansy said as she kissed him again.
"Here, here," the elderly nurse said as she approached Dudley and Pansy. "We'll have none of that, you two." She looked at the smiling couple and said, "Go on get out of here you two lovebirds."
"But what about his next dose of Skele-Gro?" Pansy asked.
"He doesn't need it," Madam Pomfrey called out over her shoulder as she walked back to her office. "I was just stalling so that you two could be alone."
Sergeant Ross knew better than to ask questions of the Chief Inspector. Early in his career, he inquired about an unusual little stick that his boss was holding. After getting read the riot act, he learned it is better to be seen than heard. This morning however, he couldn't hold his tongue.
"Sir?" the Sergeant asked as he stood at the office doorway.
Dudley was frantically signing a stack of forms, and answered without looking up. "Yes, Ross?"
"Sir, this file you gave me, the one about Witchunters. You aren't serious are you?" Ross asked as he took a few steps in and closed the door behind him. "I mean, I knew you were out on assignment, but these murders? The men that were killed, they were killed by a witch? Men are out there looking for witches to date, and one of them turned out to be a crazed serial killer that murdered through magical spells? That weird case where a Mr. Wilfer died in his creepy apartment off Russell Square, the same witch killed him?"
Dudley looked up from his papers. "You're catching on Ross, that's why I've decided to let you in on it."
"Sorry sir, what exactly?" Ross asked.
"Well," Dudley started as he pushed his chair back from his desk, "that magic is real, that there are wizards and witches all around us, we just don't take the time to see them. There are schools of Magic, the Ministry of Magic, and Magical hospitals. Unicorns and werewolves are actually real creatures. That our job isn't just to investigate unusual crimes and sweep them under the carpet, or whatever you think I've been doing. Our real job is to help protect the delicate balance of the magical and Muggle worlds." He paused a moment before continuing. "We're Muggles, people that have no magical ability. However, we can have children with magical abilities, like my daughter Georgia. She's a witch, and goes to a magical boarding school in Scotland."
"Sir, are you serious?" Ross asked. "Maybe something happened to you while you were away."
"Do you know where I've been, Ross?" Dudley asked.
"Well, you were investigating the murders and you had a woman that needed protective custody. I assume you were guarding her. According to this file, you say that you went on a trip to Scotland on a train, to see your daughter in school, and found she was kidnapped." Ross opened the file and flipped through a few pages. "You followed the culprit into the nearby forest where you were attached by this woman who tried to kill you, the Parkinson woman, and most likely your daughter. The woman was killed from a crossbow bolt fired at short range by an unknown assailant. You were slightly injured, spent some time recuperating, and returned to duty a month later. That was two months ago."
"Ok, here's how it works," Dudley said. "There are reports, and then there are reports. This is a murder case that we were able to keep under wraps. That means that no Muggles, like us, got wind that anything magical went on. Our counterparts in the Ministry of Magic will handle all of the paperwork and processing on their side. If this was something big, like tampering with the Olympics so that England would win ten medals, well that is something big that we had to help with."
"I'm sorry, England has never won ten Medals," Ross stated.
"Exactly," Dudley said. "You saw the delayed satellite feed. The people in the stadium saw England win almost a dozen. There had to be a mass Obliviation to make everyone forget all the cheating. A man named Ludo Bagman was trying to make a killing on some bets. He is still serving time in Azkaban if I'm not mistaken."
"Where?" Ross said weakly.
"Too much too quick, Ross. Don't worry, we've got a few weeks left still," Dudley said.
"A few weeks until what?"
"A few weeks until I retire," Dudley said, opening a cupboard and bulling out an unusual looking bottle and two glasses. "It's called firewhisky, and it's good." He poured out two servings and handed it to Ross who downed it in one gulp. "I'd go slower on it if I were you," Dudley laughed as he watched Ross have a coughing fit.
"I don't understand," the sergeant said.
"We're celebrating, Ross," Dudley said. "I'm getting married."
"To whom?" Ross asked before he realized how rude the question must have sounded.
"Pansy Parkinson, the witch I was protecting. Turns out that I was a Witchunter too. I just didn't know. Now I have my very own witch to make all of my wishes come true. I'm quitting this job, and handing you the keys to the office. You'll be the next Chief Inspector," Dudley said as he raised his own glass.
"Congratulations," Ross said as he stared at his boss in disbelief.
"Same to you, Ross" Dudley said as he put his glass down. "We'll talk more in a couple of weeks; I've got a wedding to attend...my own."
Ross stood up and extended his hand. "Congratulations again sir," he said. "Would you like me to call you a car?"
"That won't be necessary. I'm going to use the Floo," Dudley said with a smile as he shook Ross' hand and then reached into a small bag on the mantel of the fireplace. "Someone from the Ministry will be by here on Monday to teach you everything you need to know. You will probably recognize them by the crazy way they dress. Probably lime green stripes and a purple hat, you know that sort of thing. Good luck," Dudley said as he threw a handful of sparkly sand into the roaring fire. "Number Four, Privet Drive!" Dudley said very clearly as he stepped into the now- green flames.
Ross remained still for several minutes as he stared at the fireplace, wondering what would happen next.
Dudley emerged out of the Floo into the living room of his house on Privet Drive. Ron and Harry were sitting with a few of their friends in the living room, waiting for Dudley to arrive.
"Big D," Ron announced as Dudley brushed himself off.
"Alright boys?" Dudley asked the small group as he shook hands all around. The bachelor party the night before had been epic, and he truly enjoyed drinking with Harry and his friends. He was thankful for the hangover prevention potion they had given him when they stumbled home very late last night.
"Perfect!" Harry laughed as he clapped Dudley on the shoulder and led him towards the stairs. "Better get dressed, mate," he said as he followed behind him. "Are you nervous?"
"No way," Dudley said. "I can't wait."
An hour later, under a massive tent in the garden of the Burrow, Dudley, Harry, and Ron stood in front of the seated guests, awaiting the bride to come down the aisle. Dudley looked over the crowd, thankful for the throng of people that had turned out, filling in seats where he had little family and friends to attend. He was grateful for Harry's friends and family sitting on his side, including Ron and Hermione as part of the wedding party. All of the assorted Weasley and Potter children, sat near the front, including Georgia and a "date" that Dudley wanted to interrogate later. His soon-to-be in-laws, the Parkinsons, who turned out to be genuinely decent people, and all of their friends took up the other side of the aisle. Mrs. Parkinson sat rail straight in her brightly colored robes, and tried to keep from crying. Pansy told Dudley a few days earlier that her mother said that she was so proud that Pansy was marrying such a strong and handsome man, and it didn't even matter that he was a Muggle.
The music started, and all eyes turned to the bride, who was wearing a traditional white gown and a veil. As she walked towards Dudley, he realized that at that moment he was the luckiest and happiest man on Earth. Her father lifted her veil, kissed her cheek, and presented her to Dudley. He locked eyes with his bride-to-be and took her hand in his. He heard nothing that the old minister said; he just watched Pansy and waited for his cue to say, "I do."
"Do you take this woman to be your wife?" the Minister finally asked.
"I do," Dudley answered. "Forever."
When he could finally kiss the bride, he did, and pulled her close, ignoring the catcalls of the crowd.
"My, Mr. Dursley, you aren't as shy as I thought you were," Pansy teased as she pulled back breathlessly from his embrace.
"Mrs. Dursley, there are still a few things about me that might surprise you," Dudley said as he took her arm and led her back down the aisle.
"Oh, yeah, like what?" Pansy asked.
"They don't call me 'Big D' for nothing," he grinned as Pansy blushed.
"Oi, mate," Ron teased, as he and Hermione followed the couple down the aisle, "We can hear you back here."
"Weasley, let's just hope you don't hear us later," Dudley said as they reached the end of the garden and he took two glasses of champagne from a house-elf and handed one to Pansy.
Ron took two glasses, and gave one to Hermione, then raised his for an impromptu toast. "Here's to getting this party over with so you can get the real party started."
"Ronald!" Hermione giggled.
"Hermione, they've not even done the deed yet? Don't you remember what it was like when we got married?"
"Ronald Weasley, you will stop that story right now!" Hermione demanded.
"She was like a panther in heat, mate," Ron said quietly while Hermione socked him in the arm.
"Panther what?" Ginny asked as she and Harry joined the foursome.
"You don't want to know," Dudley laughed.
"To Ron and Hermione," Pansy tactfully interrupted as she raised her glass with a smile, "for letting us have our wedding in this beautiful garden."
Dudley was about to add his thoughts when he heard the heavy, unmistakable footsteps of a very large man. He froze for a moment, and then turned very slowly to look directly into the chest of Hagrid.
"Congratulations Dursley," Hagrid boomed with a wide smile. "Looks like you've caught yourself a good one there. Hello there Pansy," he finished with a wave.
"Thank you," Dudley said, looking up into the giant man's smiling face. Although he had nightmares about meeting Hagrid again, looking at him as an adult, he could tell that Hagrid was a gentle person, and wasn't a threat to him at all. In fact, he probably deserved getting a pig's tail all those years ago, he thought.
As Harry walked up to talk to Hagrid, Pansy, Ginny and Hermione made their way to the edge of the tent. When all the guests were clear, they started casting the charms that turned the rows of plain seats into the perfect space for a party. Ginny transfigured the seating into tables and chairs, Hermione moved the lavish buffet items in place, and Pansy cast charms creating decorations, centerpieces, a dance floor, that coordinated with the tent that she changed into the four house colors in the Hogwarts banner. The guests gasped at her work, and Hermione and Ginny hugged Pansy, celebrating her on a job well done. Several witches approached Pansy before she could return to Dudley, and he watched her soak in the praise as she made her way back towards him.
"What did they want?" Dudley asked as he slipped his arm around his wife.
"They want me to come decorate their manors for them," Pansy said.
"That's great!" Dudley said. "Good idea to make the changes to the tent while everyone watched. It showed them how good you are at that kind of thing."
"It was a brilliant idea. Hermione came up with it," Pansy said. "Now, have you thought about what you are going to do with your time now that you are retiring?"
"Not sure that I am good at being anything other than a copper," Dudley said in his best Cockney accent. "Seriously though, I might try my hand at private investigations. Evidently I'm pretty good at keeping things secret," he said as he gestured towards the tent full of people performing magic, whether to entertain children or move an overloaded plate of food. House-elves were scurrying about underneath Hagrid's huge frame, picking up bits of food falling off his plate. "I guess we're lucky to have friends like this," Dudley said.
"I'm lucky to have found you, I know that," Pansy responded as she pulled her husband close.
"Hey, I'm the lucky Witchunter," Dudley said as he kissed her. "Now that I've caught you, I'm never letting you go."
"Deal," Pansy said. "Now should we go meet that boy Georgia's dating?"
"Dating? Who said anything about dating?" Dudley asked.
Pansy laughed as she led him towards the tent and a new, happy life together.