"Dudley," a soft voice called, "Can you hear me? How do you feel?"
"Madame Pomfrey?" Dudley replied, "I feel tired. What happened?"
"You are in the infirmary. You've made medical history, Mr. Malfoy" she replied with amusement. "You are the first person to survive the killing curse twice. Welcome back to the world of the living."
Dudley tried to open his eyes but failed. "Am I home?"
"Not yet, but you are alive. I want you to sleep again. I'll have some food for you when you wake up."
Dudley complied easily with Madame Pomfrey's request, and was asleep in seconds.
*
"You are a sleepy head," a very familiar voice said when Dudley woke up again. "Did you know it's already Saturday. You've had a long nap."
This time Dudley could open his eyes, and saw Lucius Malfoy sitting next to him. He tried to sit up but was gentle pushed back into the bed. Dudley had to settle for a comforting grip on his hand.
"Father, I never thought I would see you again."
Lucius smiled warmly. "With those words you have made me wish that you were truly my son. Thank you."
"I'm still here?"
"Yes, son. And I am happy to meet you."
"Draco?" Dudley said suddenly.
"He's fine, all thanks to you. He's waiting outside with the rest of your friends. Madame Pomfrey thought you would like to see me first."
"She was right. I feel safe when you are around."
Lucius leaned over and hugged Dudley, surprised at the strength the boy showed. "You've recovered quickly. You should be up in no time."
"Thank you, Father," Dudley said. He began to apologize but was stopped.
"In this, or any world, do not hesitate to call me Father. As long as you are here you are my son, and I will swear that is true to anyone who may doubt me."
With little difficulty, Dudley sat up in bed and looked at the man who was and wasn't his father. "What happened?"
Lucius laughed. "You turned the world upside down. That is what happened. You revealed all of my sins, and saved my son in the process. Now it is my turn to thank you."
"And Moody?"
"You were right about him. He was Barty Crouch's son in disguise. At Dumbledore's insistence, the Minister gave him veritaserum. He revealed everything. You also saved the life of the real Moody. And Crouch as well, not that it will do him much good. I'll let Dumbledore give you the details."
"Are you . . ."
"I'm fine. After all, both my sons were responsible for stopping the younger Crouch and revealing Voldemort's plot. I am forgiven my past indiscretions without serious penalty, and I am now doing everything to help."
"I'm happy, Father. And I can tell you truthfully, it isn't fun being poor."
"Ahhh," Lucius said, becoming serious, "I have a cure for that, Dudley. You do know your true lineage? That James Potter was your birth father?"
"Yes, Sir. We only found out the truth recently. But I'm not supposed to know. Does that matter?"
"As far as money goes, it does. If I understand things correctly, you are his only surviving heir. He was never as rich as I am, but I'm sure he left enough money so that you can decide how to live your life."
"You're giving me money?" Dudley said with offense.
"No, I only telling you about what is rightfully yours. It is for you to decide what to do about it. Do you understand?"
Dudley paused in thought. "I think I do. That money is mine, and I should know about it. Father will be happy."
"And if I know myself, he will refuse to take a knut. But Dudley, I will ask you this in return. Find a reason to share with Draco and . . . Cassandra. I would like to help all of my children."
"I will. I promise." This time, Dudley did not hesitate to hug his father.
"You'll need something to eat," Madame Pomfrey said, bringing in a tray of food. To Lucius she said, "You can visit Dudley later. I need to get some food in him, then run a few tests."
"Goodbye, Son," Lucius said as he rose to leave. "I will let everyone know you're awake."
"Goodbye, Father," Dudley said, and brushed some nonexistent hair from his eyes.
*
Dudley had finished with the tests and was declared completely healthy. As he sat back in his bed, Albus Dumbledore walked in and took the seat that Lucius had occupied.
"I am very happy to see you awake, Dudley."
"Thank you, Headmaster. Madame Pomfrey says I can leave in the morning. Did you talk to Father."
Albus smiled at some stray thought. "I'm sorry, Dudley. I cannot help but be amused at how warmly you feel toward Lucius Malfoy, considering how he has acted toward Harry Potter."
"But I am not Harry Potter," Dudley reminded him, "although it took me a while to understand that."
"And I am not the Albus Dumbledore that you know?"
"Exactly, Headmaster, but you are very much like him. Thank you for letting me learn that."
"That is why you are here," Albus reminded him, "to learn what might have been. I fear that you may not be here much longer, though, if Mr. Potter has also learned the same lesson." He paused and looked directly at the boy. "But I digress. You, Mr. Malfoy, want to know how you came to be in Madame Pomfrey's care."
"Yes, please, Sir. I remember pushing Draco out of the way of the curse, but that is all."
"Your scar," Dumbledore said, "you received it when Voldemort first attacked you. The power that saved you then is still strong. It saved you again. For my sake, however, please don't try for a third time."
"I promise," Dudley said laughing.
"You should know that Draco Malfoy was unharmed. As I understand it, he and Miss Granger drew their wands and attacked our spy. They did little except to distract him, but when the Weasley twins joined in, they were able to hold him at bay until I could arrive."
"Excuse me, Sir. Did you say the Weasley Twins?"
"Yes, I did. Those two are always up to mischief. They, and their brother, saw you walk off with Miss Granger after the two of you embraced. They would have followed immediately but your brother went with you."
"Hermione was only thanking me for helping Neville, Sir. It was nothing more than that."
Dumbledore smiled at the boy's embarrassment. "I do understand, but you should be grateful to them. When they saw Professor Moody pass by, going in the same direction that you had, the twins decided to follow and sent Ron Weasley to fetch me. They noticed that Moody had a certain map with him, and they became suspicious."
"They realized he was the spy?"
"They did not. They were more than surprised when they saw their beloved Professor draw his wand and kill you, or so they thought. They knew that Moody detested the Malfoys, and they were concerned that he might do something to you. Ronald Weasley told me that he had a 'look' about him."
"I owe my life to the Weasleys?" Dudley mused. "I'm going to have a hard time living with that, Headmaster."
"Draco has no problem with that. He finds being friends with them to be a . . . refreshing . . . experience. I will admit that Ron does have some difficulties with all of this."
Albus stopped talking because Dudley was laughing too hard. He smiled as Dudley tried to control himself. "I'm sorry Headmaster," the boy said, finally, "But with the Malfoys and Weasleys as friends, you are going to be in trouble."
"I will learn to deal with it," Dumbledore said, and sat back as Dudley began laughing again.
*
Dudley had several other visitor after Dumbledore left. He had a long conversation in private with Neville Longbottom. Draco came in afterward and told him about the duel, how four students barely held their own against a powerful wizard. Fred and George arrived in time to hear him tell how Dumbledore appeared, and stopped Crouch with one spell.
"I hope I never see Dumbeldore like that again," Draco assured his brother. "He was angry, and looked more powerful than any wizard I have ever seen."
Fred and George agreed.
"Dumbledore tells me that the three of you are now friends," Dudley said when they were done. "How did that come about."
"I think it was when Crouch hit Hermione with the Crutaceous Curse," Fred told him. "Draco physically attacked the bastard to break his concentration."
"And received a broken arm in the process," Draco added.
"Are you still complaining about that?" George asked. "Madame Pomfrey healed it days ago."
Dudley laughed when all three started grinning at him. "Dumbledore was right. He is going to have his hands full with the three of you."
"Seriously, Dudley," Draco said, "I know it must seem odd to you, but we did become friends. I thought you were dead, and I was fighting for my life. We all were. The four of us are friends because of that experience. We had to fight for each other, and with each other. It changes you."
"I do understand," Dudley said, remembering a dark moment from his past. "I've been there."
*
"Hi," Hermione said, as she was let into the infirmary.
"Hi," Dudley said in return.
"Madame Pomfrey says you're almost recovered."
"As I've told everyone else, I'll be given my freedom in the morning. You could tell Ron to come in."
"He's upset," Hermione told him. "He's hated the Malfoys for so long, and now Draco is spending most of his time with Fred and George."
"I know. They came to see me. I've already warned Dumbledore about the Weasley Triplets."
Hermione laughed at the thought, as Ron came around the corner. "That's not funny," he shouted, his face as red as his hair.
"Let me apologize personally," Dudley laughed as he moved to get out of the bed, adjusting the package that Dumbledore asked him to keep with him at all times. As his feet touched the floor, Hermione suddenly shouted, "Dudley, you're fading."
He looked up at her, but she was gone. He stood up and called out, and Lucius Malfoy walked in with Draco. Dudley noticed the bandaged hand and became confused. Then Lucius smiled and said, "Welcome home, Son. It's been a long week."
*
"I can't believe I missed the Great Battle," Dudley said. "Were you hurt badly?"
"Well," Draco drawled, "now I can only count to eight."
"Actually that's an improvement," Cassandra interjected. "Before, he could only count to six."
"It's good to be back," Dudley said earnestly. "Did you know, Draco? In that other world, your best friends are the Weasley twins."
"That IS interesting," Draco laughed. "Potter told us how the Weasels hated us, well, me."
"He probably lied about other things as well," Dudley said with a laugh of his own.
Cassandra hugged her brother suddenly. "I missed you, Dudley. But don't tell anybody."
"I promise."
"Promise me," Draco said, "next time you do something like this, take us with you."
A mischievous smile crossed Dudley's lips. "I promise, anything that comes up, I'll share it with you."
"What are you hiding?" Cassie asked suddenly. "You're up to something."
"Well," Dudley drawled, " I met Father in that other world, and he told me a secret. I'll share it with you, if you'll both agree.
"Done," Draco and Cassie said together.
"My birth father let me an inheritance," he told them. "It's sitting in a vault in Gringotts. I was told it was a handsome amount."
"You have money?" Cassie said in awe.
"We have money," Dudley said with a laugh. "Remember, you promised to share it with me."
"We couldn't," Draco said firmly.
"You have to. You promised and I'll hold both of you to it. We share it, or it stays there."
"We could buy a house," Cassie mused.
"With separate bedrooms," Draco chimed in.
"And a study for Father," Cassie added.
"And a garden for Mother," Dudley said. "Agreed?"
"Agreed," Draco said as Cassie hugged her brother again.
As they talked, Cassie asked her brother a question that had been puzzling everyone. "Why does Harry wear glasses? He didn't seem the type."
"I'm not sure," Dudley replied. "When I was in his world, I noticed that glasses were quite common. I know it can't be an affectation for all of them, least of all Harry Potter. They may not know how to make adjustments."
"You mean they have to wear glasses?"
"Exactly. I heard some of the muggle born students talking about having an operation after they graduate, but it sounded primitive, and expensive."
"Poor Harry," Cassie mused. "Father was wrong. We should have talked to him about it."
"I think he'll live," Draco said. "It's too late now to do anything."
Dudley excused himself, saying, "You've reminded me. I have to talk to someone."
"But we'll be eating within the hour?"
"Father knows I may be late. I've already talked with him and Mother about it."
*
"You're back," Hermione Granger said as she came out of the Gryffindor Tower.
"I know," Dudley said with a nervous smile.
"And why did you want to talk to me?"
Dudley faltered. "I, I had the chance to know Hermione Granger in different surroundings. I found her to be intelligent, as well as caring and thoughtful."
"I'm not her," she reminded him.
"No, you're not. But I would like to learn how different you are from her."
"Are you asking for truce?" Hermione said in an amused tone.
"I was trying for friend."
"But . . . your father . . ." she said in surprise, with the amusement still showing.
"He told me that the world is changing, and I would know better than he as to what I should do."
"You have changed, Dudley Malfoy. I should call you a fool for what you're telling me."
"They're going to have a Victory Ball at the end of the month," Dudley said quickly. "If no one has asked you yet, would you consider, uh, going with me."
"I'll consider it," Hermione said, blushing for no reason, "but I hardly know you."
"I can help you with that. Have you eaten yet? You are welcome to join me at . . . Malfoy Manor."
Dudley smiled as Hermione laughed. He held out his hand, and his heart leaped as she took it. "I plan on being Prime Minister someday," he said as they walked hand in hand down the corridor.
"That is ambitious of you."
"I am Slytherin, you know."
"And you want to be the first Wizard Prime Minister?"
"Unless Sirius Black beats me to it. And he might. My Godfather is a good man."
Hermione shook her head with laughter at the revelation when Dudley assured her that it was true. Intrigued by the changes in the boy she was walking with, she commented, "I think he will. But he won't get there on his own."
"And neither will I," Dudley said, as he looked at Hermione.