Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairings: Dudley Dursley/Cho Chang; and Harry Potter/Lavender Brown
Warnings: alternate universe; het; Dudley Dursley is a wizard; and Vernon Dursley is a decent human
Prompts: (Pairing) Dudley/Cho; (Word) Loyal; and (Word) Towel
There's a spark
In between us
When we're dancin' on the floor
–"Hold It Against Me" by Britney Spears from Femme Fatale
We Found Love
054. Hold It Against Me
It was a surprise when two Hogwarts letters arrived. One was addressed to Mr. H. Potter of the Cupboard under the Stairs, which was expected, while the second one was addressed to Mr. D. Dursley of the Second Largest Bedroom was a huge surprise. It was a shock to Petunia Dursley, leaving her speechless with wide eyes. Her husband was equally shocked, but he accepted with a frown, stating that he knew his boy was special.
With the arrival of Dudley's Hogwarts letter, Harry had the chance to read his own. His green eyes widened as he read over the words. He knew there was such a thing as magic. This proved it! Excitement and joy filled Harry.
Those feelings were short-lived.
Harry wasn't the only wizard in the family.
Dudley was magical as well.
And Dudley had received an acceptance letter as well.
It seemed that Harry and Dudley would be attending the same school again.
The thought made Harry's shoulders slump. He didn't want to attend the same school as his cousin. Elementary school was hard. Dudley and his group of friends bullied all the other students into staying away from Harry, and the teachers looked down at him because of the lies about him. He was pretty sure Hogwarts would be a repeat of that experience.
...
While Uncle Vernon accepted Dudley's newfound magic, Aunt Petunia was a different story. She turned cold and distant overnight. She glared and sneered at Harry while she ignored her husband and she spoke with her son in short sentences and clipped tones.
This treatment lasted for weeks until Aunt Petunia was gone one morning. She packed up her belongings – the fine china, her clothes, and those ridiculous and frilly hand-towels. Uncle Vernon said nothing on the matter, telling his son to stop crying and ordering his nephew to cook bacon for breakfast.
For Harry, not much changed. Uncle Vernon moved him from the cupboard to Dudley's second bedroom, which resulted in Dudley throwing a tantrum. Vernon had ordered his son to stop acting like a spoiled brat and be a man. Men didn't cry and throw tantrums. Men accepted their fate and they moved on.
...
A few weeks later found Harry following Rubeus Hagrid through Diagon Alley. Dudley and Uncle Vernon were trailing a few feet behind. The large man led them to the bank where Uncle Vernon could exchange his muggle money for magical money. Harry was surprised when Hagrid announced that Harry had an account. Since it was Harry's, only he could enter and take money.
Armed with their money and their supply lists, Hagrid led Uncle Vernon and the two boys around Diagon Alley. It took most of the day to find and purchase their supplies. Uncle Vernon had turned pale when he listened to Olivander tell Harry about his wand being the brother wand of He-Who-Must-Be-Named, the man who murdered Harry's parents and so many other people.
...
On the train ride to Hogwarts, Harry and Dudley sat away from one another.
Dudley met a cute girl named Lavender who introduced him to some of her friends, Neville Longbottom, Padma and Parvati Patil, and Blaise Zabini. While Dudley didn't hit it off with everyone, he made friends with Lavender. Meanwhile Harry found himself with a quiet girl named Lisa Turpin. She led him to a compartment with her betrothed Terry Boot and a few others, including her older cousin Cho Chang. At the Sorting Ceremony, Dudley followed Lavender into Gryffindor while Harry went to Ravenclaw with Lisa and Cho.
...
Harry and Dudley had different experiences. Harry bloomed in Ravenclaw, making friends that encouraged him to study and do his best in class while Dudley had trouble adjusting and he had a difficulty time making friends. Some of his Housemates disproved of his treatment of his cousin, who was considered a celebrity and a savior because he defeated the Dark Lord.
During his first flying lessons, Harry managed to impress Madam Hooch. In turn, she brought Professor Flitwick and Oscar Wilson to watch him at the next lesson. By the end of the day, Harry was new Ravenclaw Seeker, much to the annoyance of his new friend Cho. Apparently Cho wanted the position, but she shrugged and promised to help him practice.
As Harry easily adjust, Dudley continued to have trouble. He missed his old friends, his house, his toys, and all of his electronics. Magic wasn't coming easily to Dudley, and there were only a few people he could turn to for help. After punching an older Slytherin, Dudley managed to befriend Hermione Granger. She scolded him for his use of violence before taking him to the nurse to get his sore hand healed. With Hermione's assistance, Dudley managed to make sense of his homework and magic.
...
It wasn't until their fourth year when Harry and Dudley really became friends. As they attend Hogwarts together, their relationship mellowed. They were no longer enemies or whatever they were before Hogwarts. These days, they were civil. They got along, but they were content to ignore each other.
They reunited when Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire as the fourth Champion, making him one of two Hogwarts Champions. Their friendship brought their group of friends together. Within ten minutes, Dudley was smitten with Cho Chang, finding her to be funny, loyal, and intelligent. She wasn't afraid to tell Harry when he was being stupid.
When he heard about the Yule Ball, Dudley rushed to ask Cho to be his date. He stuttered and tripped over his words as he asked, and Cho agreed. Dudley was surprised to learn his cousin was taking Lavender.
Dudley and Cho danced the night away at the Yule Ball on Christmas Day. While he missed seeing his dad, Dudley had an amazing time.
This was written for
200 Different Pairings Challenge
156: (Pairing) Dudley/Cho
The 12 Days of Christmas Challenge
Prompts: (Date) December 25; and (Word) Sore
The Alphabet Challenge
L: Loyal
Alternate Universe Challenge
097. Not A Dud AU: In this AU, Dudley was born as a wizard too, and he goes to Hogwarts with Harry.
Are You Crazy Enough to Do It Challenge
106: (Character) Cho Chang
The Christmas Character Challenge
Ham: Write about Dudley Dursley
Climb to the Top of Mount Potter Challenge
Prompt: (Word) Towel
The FRIENDS Competition: The One With 472 Prompts
Season Three, TOW The Jam: Write about Dudley.
If You Dare Challenge
225. Pronounced, Powerful, Durable, and Good
Once Upon a Time Character Category Challenge-itition
Emma Swan: Write about a Gryffindor.
Count: ~970
