Chapter 36

Petunia Tells Vernon All

Petunia Dursley, returned to Privet Drive following the memorial Service. Dudley had chosen to accompany his cousin and friends on whatever adventure they were undertaking. Vernon had not yet returned home from the office, so she set about preparing dinner, to surprise him. It was always easier to break news to Vernon on a full stomach, especially news he would not want to hear. Flitting around the kitchen she tried to think of the easiest way to tell her husband that she and their son had, hidden magical gifts, and they were going to pursue them, with or without Vernon's approval.

The dinner had finished cooking, and Petunia was placing it on the table, as her very large husband walked through the door. He saw his wife in their kitchen and began to smirk, "Petunia, it's about time you came home, is Dudders upstairs?"

The woman who had all these years accepted Vernon Dursley's opinions as her own, glared at the man. "It's good to see you too, Vernon, and no Dudley isn't upstairs, he won't be coming home, anytime soon. He has a girlfriend now and is spending time with her, and his FRIENDS.", emphasizing the word friends. "How was your day?", taking a seat at the table, waiting for Vernon to wash up, and join her.

Vernon, looked at her like he had never seen her before, "What friends, Piers, and that lot?", piling heaps of creamy mashed potatoes and gravy on his plate, beside the huge chunk of roast he served himself.

Petunia now the one with a smirk that rivaled Severus' shook her head answering," No, his wizarding world friends."

Vernon Dursley face turning purple, chocking on the great gob of potatoes he had just put in his mouth, bellowed, "WHAT WIZARDING WORLD FRIENDS?" Sputtering, and spewing bits of potato and gravy, asked "where would Dudley meet wizard friends?" A look begging his wife to be joking, his son couldn't be seen with anyone abnormal.

Petunia choosing to get it all out in the open quickly, Said," At Hogwarts of course, we went to the Memorial Service, for the war victims, he met a witch he likes VERY much, and other witches and wizards too." Giving the man a couple seconds to digest that much, she plunged on ahead, "OH by the way, both Dudley and I discovered we have magical gifts as well, they were just buried deeply because of denial, we are taking a course to catch up and learn everything we can." Vernon Dursley slumped forward his fat face falling into his plate. Petunia stood up, walking quickly to his side, she had expected him to take the news hard, but did not think he would pass out. Reaching down, she pulled his head up, and realized the man was not breathing, She cleared the food from his face, trying to make sure his airway was clear, She reached for his wrist, finding he had no pulse. She grabbed the phone, to summon an ambulance before attempting to begin CPR.

With all her strength she rolled him from the chair, onto the floor, loosing his tie, and ripping open the white shirt he wore. She began trying to revive the man, she did not wish him dead, just a little more understanding. Working with all the energy she could muster, the ambulance arrived quickly, the paramedics took over, as an owl flew in thru the window. Seeing a roll of parchment, she untied it, unrolled and read the message very fast, hoping no one else in the room noticed. It was from Dudley,

informing his family of his recent marriage. Petunia grabbed a pen, scribbled a message, Dad had a heart attack, going to hospital, meet us there. Tying the note to the owl's leg she sent it out the window, saying "Hurry!", as the bird took flight. Vernon was loaded in quickly, and Petunia followed in their car.

When she arrived at the hospital Dudley and the entire group of friends were already there waiting. "How did you get here so fast?, Oh never mind.", Petunia sputtered.

Dudley put an arm around his mother's shaky shoulder, "Will Dad be alright?", a real concern in his voice. Harry standing on one side looked at his aunt, as Susan held Dudley's other hand tightly in her smaller one.

Petunia sighed, "They got his heart restarted, before we left the house, They think he'll be alright, but I don't know, after he finds out about your message. Looking at the pretty girl, with long blond hair, she said, "So your my daughter-in -law?"

Susan gave a shy little smile, "Yes Ma'am", Dudley and I married yesterday. I hope you don't hate me."I really do love Dudley, I know it happened fast, but sometimes you just know?"

Vernon swallowed, head turning toward his son, "Dudley you aren't married, to a witch, you can't be....I'll …..I'll …............I'll have it annulled.", coughing, his head turned away.

Dudley looked between both of his parents, then stared at his father, "UH sorry Dad, but you can't have it annulled, it's a wizarding marriage, it's forever, just like all my friends here, their marriages can't be undone either., nice try, but I'm over age, you can't tell me what to do, or think anymore, THANK MERLIN!!"

His father gasped, "What did you just say?, thank who?", beginning to pant, a bit as if his breathing was about to fail him again. One eye cracked open, taking in the appearance of his daughter-in-law. He had to admit to himself, she was a pretty girl, and she was glowing. There was nothing that on the outside appeared abnormal, and his son was happy. Shaking his head, the round man laying in the hospital bed, said, "I hope you know what your doing, Marriage is a big commitment, you could be stuck with her sister's children, if anything happened to her................"

Dudley cut his father off at the knees, "AND We would be honored to do so, they would be treated a hell of a lot better than we treated Harry, which I have apologized for my part in that, and will continue to try and make amends, if it takes the rest of my life...........GROW UP DAD, you aren't getting your own way anymore, either accept and embrace my wife as a part of this family, or we are gone, sorry Mum", glancing at Petunia, "but I mean it. Susan is my wife, and our child will not grow up around such bigotry. Mum you are always welcome to come visit, our home."

Petunia stared at Dudley, a strange look passing over her features, "Did you say your child son? You can't possible be planning on starting a family yet. It is way too soon, you just married." clearing her throat as she took a seat.

Dudley, put his arm around Susan offering his support, "Mum, sometimes you don't plan things, they just happen, especially if your cousin Harry, has a House Elf, that wants everyone to be filled with

happiness" ,chuckling as he finished, everyone close by joined in, as Petunia wondered, what else would happen that day.

Vernon, the color coming back to his face, breathing a bit easier, said, "Potter, I should have known you would have been responsible, for this". His hand came up to pull bits from his large bushy mustache, something he hadn't done in over a year. Petunia, reached out her hand and stopped him, before much of it was destroyed, saying "Vernon Dear, I don't know about you, but I want to be a part of their lives, you will have to make up your mind where you go from here, as a part, or own your own." We have magic, and intend to learn to use it, if you don't like it, you have a problem." Vernon's piggy little eyes moved back and forth between his wife and son, groaned, and wondered if his life could get any more complicated, as he pictured a grandchild zooming around on a toy broomstick, chasing him. For some reason, that thought made him laugh, a grandchild, even one who had magic had just melted the cold stone that resided in his chest, allowing his heart to break through for the first time in recent memory. Reaching out to his family,he said, "I want to be apart of your lives, please don't leave me behind.", as real tears began to flow down his large face. The last person, one would think capable of forgiving Vernon Dursley, stepped forward, "Uncle Vernon, if we, my wife and I , and our child our included in the part of the future you want to be included in, We would be honored", sticking out his hand to shake the one of the crying man. Vernon accepted Harry's hand as he began apologizing for being an ass all these years. Harry spoke up, "We better get you well, you don't want to miss the formal wedding ceremonies at Christmas, we promised Molly Weasley she could plan a joint wedding at Hogwarts, on Christmas Eve. You think you'll be up for it Uncle Vernon?"

The large man's eyes widened, as he said, "You mean a formal wedding at that castle where you went to school? You really want me to come there, after all the cruel and vicious things I've said and done because you are a wizard?" Harry shrugged his shoulders, as he answered,"Sure, why not, you are family of course.", It seemed in the past few months Harry had been forgiving a lot of people,or at least finding a new understanding of them, and his uncle would be one more on that list, to have forgiven. All of the visitors soon left, knowing Vernon would survive.

In the next few weeks Vernon, would sell his business, make arrangements to buy the former Riddle House, as they would now need more room for guests, and Privet Drive was too small. Dudley and Susan, Harry and Luna, and their children would hopefully visit often, also bringing the other young couples. Aunt Marge wouldn't be coming, she and Ripper met a tragic end while out for a walk, tripping over her favorite dog, she fell down a well, and not being able to let go of the leash Ripper followed her, they both drowned while the Dursley's were in hiding. This saddened Vernon, but he was determined to make good and try and enjoy his new family. The ones with magic.