CHAPTER 24: A SAD GOODBYE
The rest of Harry's week was spent playing Quidditch, practicing with his new powers, having time with his friends and in the evenings spending time alone with Hermione.
It was the end of the week. Everyone was having dinner at the Weasley home. There was Bill and Charlie Weasley, Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape, Arabella Figg, Sirius, Remus, and a few of his friends from Gryffindor. For most of the evening it was quiet. There were only a few side conversations happening at the moment when Hedwig flew to the window and tapped the glass.
"Hi girl," Harry said as he let her in. "Is there a problem?"
As if to answer him she let out a screech and tapped the door.
"Is there something out there?" He saw her nod her head so he opened the door. He looked out the door, but didn't see anything. "There's nothing there Hedwig."
Just then he felt something around his leg. "Greetingsss Harry Potter," the snake hissed.
Harry looked down and smiled. "Hello CCCinder. How are you?" he hissed back.
"I am fine Harry Potter, but there isss sssomething you ssshould know."
"What happened?"
"Sssomething happened that brought trucksss with lightsss on the top. Sssomeone was taken out of the houssse on a bed that rolled. I think that it wasss the older man and not the boy. The ssskinny one had water coming out of her eyesss and ssshe was ssscreaming. I thought you ssshould know right away."
"Thank you my friend. Would you like me to ssset you down so you can hunt? The Weasleysss have a very big garden in which you can ssstay."
"Thanksss. I am hungry from my journey."
Harry let the snake out the back door, and turned to the table. He was so engrossed in what the snake had to say that he didn't notice that everyone was looking at him for an answer.
"Harry is everything alright?" asked Hermione.
"No love. Everything is not alright." He turned to look at Arabella. "Arabella was there anything happening at the house before you came?"
"No Harry. Why do you ask?" she replied.
"Then it must have happened after you left," he said quietly. "I realize that my time here is short, but I need to go. I think, from what Cinder has said that Uncle Vernon is in the hospital. I need to see if everything is alright with Aunt Petunia and Dudley. "'Mione, will you come with me?"
"Yes of course Harry," she said. "Let me run upstairs for our wands and then we can go." Hermione ran up the stairs and out of sight.
"Harry," Arabella stood. "I'm going with you. We can floo to my house and take the car. It'll be quicker. Hopefully he's alright."
Hermione came running down the stairs with the wands. "Are you ready Harry?" she asked.
He smiled at her. "We're going to Arabella's first. She's going to drive us to the hospital."
They said their goodbyes and left for the Figg house. The three jumped in the car and sped away. When they arrived at the hospital Arabella showed them where the Emergency Room was. They entered and went straight to the desk.
"May I help you?" asked the nurse at the station.
"Yes," said Harry. "I'm looking for a patient with the last name Dursley. He was brought in sometime tonight."
"Oh. Here we are. Yes Mr. Vernon Dursley. Who are you and what is the relation?"
"I'm Harry Potter his nephew."
"Your address?"
"It's the same as his, 4 Privet Drive Surrey"
"Very well. Go up the corridor and take your first left. It's the second door on your right. Room 212."
"Thank you."
They all ran off to the room. When they turned the corner they saw Dudley standing outside with 'Aunt' Marge.
"Dudley!" yelled Harry. "What happened?"
"You!" Marge screamed. "You're probably the cause of this. Damn you. You good for nothing….you're just like your parents."
Ignoring Marge's rampage Harry looked to Dudley. "Dudley what happened?" he asked again.
"Don't know Harry. One minute we're eating dinner and the next he started to cough. He didn't stop until he fell in his plate. I rushed to call the ambulance and mum was yelling and screaming."
"Did he stop breathing at all?"
"No. Mum said that he was breathing all along, but when she pulled him straight in the chair he was holding his chest."
"Is Aunt Petunia in with him? Can I see him?"
"No!" Marge screamed again. "You are not what he needs right now."
Just then the door opened. Harry looked into Petunia's eyes. She smiled and quietly said, "Harry, he wants to see you."
"Really?" Harry, Hermione and Arabella asked together.
She smiled and let him in. "Harry I don't think there's much time left. I think he wants to make his peace."
Everyone was in shock. Harry especially. He didn't expect anything like that. He was sure that his Uncle Vernon would have him barred from the hospital. Harry and Hermione walked up to the bed quietly.
"U-Uncle Vernon it's me Harry."
"B-Boy….Harry," he said quietly. "I don't think there's much time. The doctor said that there isn't much they can do." Vernon looked around the room and saw his family with him. "We never did see eye to eye on anything."
Harry cut him off. "Uncle you should rest now," he said quietly.
"Nonsense boy and will you let me finish." He saw Harry nod. "You know I never liked your kind. Thought we could drive it out of you, but it never happened. When you left last week I thought it would be the last time I'd see you. I guess I was wrong. I suppose that snake of yours went to get you too. It doesn't matter much now. Your headmaster spoke to us about what you've been through over the past seven years. I didn't know and I'd like to apologize to you. According to him you're some kind of second coming. If that is the case then whoever it is that your supposed to go up against should have their hands full. After all, if I couldn't break you than I doubt he can."
"Thank you Uncle Vernon. I accept your apology."
"Now who is this again? Your girlfriend?" he asked.
"Yes. This is Hermione. Hermione Granger."
"Granger? Granger. Name seems familiar."
"You might have sold them drills Mr. Dursley," she said. "They're dentists."
"Yes now I remember. Well you be careful with this one. He's a royal pain."
She couldn't help but giggle. "Only sometimes sir and your right by the way, Voldemort, the man after Harry, will have his hands full."
Vernon winces as he struggled to breathe. "I think it's almost that time," he said. "It's G-Getting harder to talk. Dudley you're the man of the house now. Take care of your mother."
"I will father. I promise."
"That's my Dudley."
"Petunia, I love you."
"Oh Vernon please…."
"It will be alright Petunia. Harry?"
"Yes Uncle Vernon?"
"The headmaster said you can beat this man. He's…proud…of …you. Make…me…proud…too. You're…a….great….wizard…he…said. I hope….he…was…right. Goodbye….son."
Vernon Dursley took a long breath and closed his eyes for the last time. He made his peace with his family and died holding his wife's hand as others looked on. Harry Potter saw a new man in Vernon Dursley this night. The one person outside of Voldemort that made his life a living hell was gone. He was taken not by wizard hands, but by the hands of God. It was his time and God called for another angel in the battle against evil.
They stayed in the room for another fifteen minutes and walked outside. Harry told his Aunt and cousin what was to happen to him after this night was over. They understood and wished him luck. He promised that upon his return to the wizarding world he would send an owl to let them know he was back. They hugged and said their goodbyes.
Harry, Hermione and Arabella left the hospital and went back to the Burrow where everyone was waiting for news. Harry told them the story and started to say his goodbyes to everyone that was there. The clock struck midnight as a golden shield enveloped the room. It was time to leave to fulfill his destiny.