Chapter 4 – FATE

Harry was speechless. He left the headmasters office and walked the corridors thinking. He made up his mind to run away from the Dursleys if he had too. He would be going to Hogwarts whatever they said. Finally he went back to the Gryffindor's common room and found Ron and Hermione waiting for him. One look at his face stopped Ron from asking what had happened.

'Come on Harry, lets go for a walk in the grounds and get some fresh air' Hermione ventured.

They spent the rest of that morning walking back and forth across the school grounds. Harry seemed angry about something but wouldn't speak about it. His two friends we left merely to follow his silent quick paced stride across the grass.

Finally it was lunchtime and Ron suggested to Harry that they head back to the Great Hall. Without a word Harry turned in that direction.

As they walked in Harry could see that his Aunt and Uncle were seated at the staff table next to the Headmaster. Uncle Vernon noticed him and had begun looking around looking for Dudley. Harry walked up to the staff table bracing himself.

'Where is your cousin, boy?' Uncle Vernon asked.

'Dudley was invited to speak to a class of fifth years. He should be here soon.'

And with those words a knot of students entered the hall with Dudley at their centre like some ancient royal holding court. Dudley eventually disentangled himself and came forward.

'Mum, Dad its unbelievable here!' Dudley told his horrified parents.

'Dudley I think you best stay with us till we leave, come and sit with your mother.' Uncle Vernon told his son.

Uncle Vernon turned to Harry and said, 'What do you mean letting your cousin go off with these … these …'

'Wizards and witches? Or where you going to say freaks?' Harry said finishing his Uncles sentence.

Uncle Vernon face flushed red but he controlled himself being aware that the entire staff table could hear the exchange.

Dudley interrupted with 'I want to stay with Harry today. I won't leave him again. Please, please, please.' And the Dursleys who had always given in to whatever Dudley had asked for before, reluctantly let the two boys return to the Gryffindore table for lunch, Dudley making a beeline for the seat next to Angela.

During lunch Harry heard how Dudley had explained about so many different things like computers, television, video recorders, that he used in the muggle world, to the class of intrigued students. Angela said in an impressed tone 'We had studied them in books of coarse but its very different to hear someone tell how they really use them every day. It was fascinating.' Dudley took this praise as if all his Christmases had come at once.

Eventually lunch was over and Harry began to get up and headed for the door, Dudley reluctantly following him away from Angela. Harry headed out the door and out of the castle main entrance. Ron, Hermione and Dudley following. Harry was struck with an idea. 'Lets go and see the Quidditch field. Ron gave Hermione a very worried look but they had no choice but to follow as Harry picked up the pace on a direct course to the tall golden goal hoops.

The signs of the recent events there were almost totally removed. All that remained was the turned over ground where the hedges of the maze had been. Hermione was keeping a close eye on Harry. He was lost in his own thoughts.

Four Gryffindore fifth years were having an informal game of Quidditch during the lunch break, George and Fred among them. They were zooming around the goal posts with a quaffle.

Ron was trying to explain Quidditch to Dudley. 'There are seven players on each team, four chasers….' Ron went on and on about Quidditch until he said 'Harry's our seeker. Youngest seeker in a hundred years and never lost a game. Well once but that wasn't his fault.'

Reminded of Diggory again sent Harry into sullen contemplation with that look of great sadness displayed on his face for all to see. He would never play here again without thinking of that night and the place were he lay face down in the grass holding onto Cedric Diggory's dead body.

Realising what he had done, Ron cursed himself under his breath. He should have been more careful.

'All right you four, that's enough' Madam Hooch had arrived and was calling the players down to the ground. 'You'll be late for your lessons. Leave your brooms here; I am sure your friends will take them back for you. Off you go straight to lessons and no dillydallying.'

The Wesley twins and the others dropped their brooms and began to go towards the greenhouses where they had a herbology lesson this afternoon.

Madam Hooch regarded Harry and said 'The Headmaster asked me to find you and let you know he wants to see you in his office this evening before the feast. You, Miss Granger and Mr Weasley have the Headmasters permission to skip the lessons this afternoon too.'

Almost at the same time as Ron exclaimed 'Great'. Hermione let out a gasp as if this was the worst possible thing that could happen. She recovered herself though and made no further compliant.

Harry reached out his hand over one of the brooms and shouted 'UP'. The broom leaped into his hand and mounting it he flew off into the air. This is what he needed. Something he could do instinctively without thinking. He soared and swooped around the ground. Ron following his friend's lead and likewise commanded a broom to leap into his hand and joined in friend in the air. Hermione looked uncertain. Then put her hand out over the broom shouted 'UP' but the broom just rolled over, much to her embarrassment.

'For heaven sake Miss Grainger, I have tied to teach you this for years. You must be confident in giving that command. Try again.' Madam Hooch scolded Hermione.

'UP' Hermione tried again with the same results. Madam Hooch grabbed her shoulders and turned her around saying 'There must be no doubt in your mind. None! Now listen, your friend Harry Potter needs you. You must get that broom. Focus! Now do it!'

Hermione eyes hardened their expression and turning again hand extended "UP' she shouted and the broom leaped into her hand. 'That's it' Madam Hooch shouted 'You've got it now.' And Hermione mounted the broom and flew up to Ron and Harry.

'UP' Madam Hooch heard behind her and turning quickly saw Dudley holding the remaining broom with an amazed look upon his face. 'Wow' he said, unsure what to do next. There was a strange look on Madam Hooch's face.

'You called the broom and it leaped into your hand, boy?' She asked Dudley.

'Yes' he replied.

'Well go ahead and mount it and we will see how far you get.' She urged.

Very hesitantly Dudley threw his leg over the broom unsure of what to do next.

'Now' continued Madam Hooch, 'Grip it like this as firmly as you can. Then when I count to three, I want you to kick off the ground gently and hover briefly. Then lean forward, touch back down. One Two Three.'

Dudley kicked off and to his amazement floated several feet into the air and seemed to just hang there. Then leaning forward the broom slowly descended and his feet touched the ground. 'I did it, I did it.' He cried.

'Yes you did, didn't you. Perhaps we should leave it there.' Professor Hooch said thoughtfully.

'No please, a bit more' Dudley pleaded glimpsing up at his cousin soaring overhead.

'Alright alright, now to move forward you have to..' Madam Hooch's lesson continued until Dudley could fly forward, turn, climb and descend. Not quickly, nor very gracefully but not bad for a first lesson. And with a little practice he finally was confident enough to climb up to where Hermione hovered watching Harry trying to score while Ron acted as the keeper.

Hermione almost fell off her broom when Dudley appeared. 'Dudley, you can fly!!!' she exclaimed.

'Yes' he said proudly and tried to maintain his balance on the broom. Not an easy thing to do when you are the size of a small killer whale but he managed it for now.

They were joined by Ron and Harry moments later. Both very surprised by Dudley's action.

'This is another thing we better not tell your mum and dad, Dudley. I don't think they would approve.' In fact, Harry was sure they would not approve of their son doing anything "unnatural" as they would call it. And Harry knew one thing, he would be the one they blamed.

Hermione had that odd puzzled look on her face. 'We have to go back to the castle right away Harry' she said.

'What for?' Harry asked but he already had a sneaking suspicion she was going to say…

'I have to get to the library.'

Ron moaned, 'But Hermione we have got the afternoon off and the exams are all finished. What could you want to look up NOW!'

'I …I just have to check something.' Hermione said and with that began to descend. Ron and Harry reluctantly followed her. Dudley was frankly glad, as he didn't think he could have maintained his balance on the broom much longer.

The four of them walked back to the school with the brooms over their shoulders.