Favors
A cool breeze welcomed Harry and Dudley when they entered Harry's room. Harry pulled off his shoes and sat on the bed. "Dudley, I need to ask you a favor."
Dudley nodded and sat down beside him. "I have a favor to ask you first." He said. "I have lost a lot of weight, and I have worked really hard to get this far." Dudley pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Harry. "I err intercepted this letter from the school nurse from the mail this morning." Dudley sighed. "She says she is going to bench me if I don't loose another twenty pounds. She says it isn't safe for me to play. She thinks I might have a heart attack or something." Dudley frowned. "Coach Witherspoon said I have reached a plateau."
Harry gave him a confused look. "I don't understand."
Dudley nodded and explained sitting down next to Harry. "I lost a lot of weight and now my body has adjusted. It might be awhile before I start loosing weight again. It doesn't matter how hard I work out or even if I starve myself."
He looked at Harry hopefully. "That is where my favor comes in. I was wondering if you could maybe, use magic to help me along. Some spell or something."
Harry was sure his eyebrows had just shot off of his face. "What? Use magic on you? Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon would kill me!"
"Well, we don't have to tell them, Harry, please? Mum and Dad are some proud of me, and I feel really good about myself, for once." Dudley pleaded.
"I can't use my wand. The Ministry of Magic would be on us in a flash if I did that. Under aged wizards are not allowed to use magic during the holidays. Only during school." Harry sat thinking for a moment. How could he help Dudley without getting into trouble? Then it hit him, and he smiled mischievously.
"Ok, I think I know what we can do. But first, I need to know how Professor Snape acted when he was here. You see, he is the Potions Master at school. He would know if there was a safe potion to use to help you."
"Well, mum and dad sent me into the other room and locked the door to talk to him. So, I didn't hear everything. He seemed very cold." Dudley shivered.
Harry was dieing to know. "How was he dressed? Like a muggle or like a wizard?"
Dudley looked up at the ceiling as if trying to remember. "Well, he was wearing black pants and a white buttoned up shirt with long sleeves. He looked normal. That is why dad actually let him in the house." Dudley snorted. "You should have seen dads face! His eyes kind of popped out and his jaw nearly dropped to the ground." Dudley started laughing hard. Tears were pouring from his eyes and he shook the bed with his laughter. Harry grinned. "I can imagine. I wish I had been here to see it." If he had been here he would know what Snape was doing in his house.
When Dudley's laughing fit had calmed he continued to explain. "Well, after they shut the doors I kind of peeked into the key hole." He shot Harry a knowing look.
Harry shrugged and said, "Of course."
"Well, he said that the headmaster Crumble doors sent him-"
"Dumbledore" Harry corrected.
"Right, Dumbledore sent him to let us know what had happened to you. Mum went crazy. She said, I knew it! I knew if we let him go to that damn school something like this would happen! Then Professor Snape snapped, It would have happened if Harry had come to Hogwarts or not. He said, Voldemort wanted Harry and he would have found a way to get him. He said, it is best that Harry goes to Hogwarts and receives a proper education. He needs the proper skills when he faces him."
Harry gasped. Was he supposed to fight Voldemort? Is that why Dumbledore had let him go through all the things he had? To prepare him for the inevitable battle?
"Mum went through the roof. Oh no he will not! He is never going back to that damn school! Lilly went to that school and look what it got her! James and Lilly couldn't stop this Voldemort! What makes you think little Harry can?!" Dudley looked wearily at his cousin.
"What? What did he say?" Harry asked.
"He said it was your destiny. He said that Lilly had stopped Voldemort. She used some spell. I'm sorry Harry I don't remember what it was. It was a word I had never heard before. Anyways, he said that your mum used her love for you and when he tried to kill you it protected you and hurt him. That is why Voldemort needed your blood. He said that in order for him to come back to life he needed the blood of his worst enemy. You." Dudley eyed Harry. "Are you ok Harry?"
"Yeah, go on. Please." Harry said.
"Well, Professor Snape told mum and dad that you need to do your homework. That you need to study really hard and that we shouldn't give you a hard time about you being a wizard. He said that.. Well.. You know, he told us about the wizard tournament and that you needed us to support you right now. He said that Dumbledore was really worried about you. He said that he and other witches and wizards would be checking in on you to make sure you were ok. He said that we needed to be a proper supportive family. He said if he found out we were being anything other than that he would turn us all into toads and use us for his experiments!" Dudley looked as if he were going to throw up.
"I can tell you that he probably would. He isn't exactly Mr. Nice guy if you know what I mean." Harry assured him.
"Well, mum and dad told him that they would try to be more supportive. Later, after he left, I heard mum say that you were never going back. It was too dangerous. Dad told mum that we didn't have any choice and they argued. Mum finally gave in, because Dad told her it would be best if you were prepared to fight Voldemort." Dudley pulled his shoes off and made him self more comfortable on Harry's bed.
"Wow. Did Professor Snape say anything else?" Harry asked. As if he hadn't heard enough to send his brain into overtime.
"Oh, yeah. He said that Dumbledore would be sending a dog here to help protect us all while you are here." He giggled. "Mum had a fit! She was screaming. No! I draw the line. That bloody pigeon is enough. I will not have a filthy dog mucking up my house!" Dudley started laughing again. Harry joined him It must have been hilarious. His aunt barely tolerated Aunt Marge's dog when she came, but they all knew she detested it.
When the boys had calmed down Dudley wiped the tears off of his face and continued. "Professor Snape said that Dumbledore assured him that the dog was house trained, but the tone of his voice wasn't reassuring. He must not like dogs much." Dudley added as an after thought.
Harry gaped. Could they be sending Sirius here? Maybe, that was what he meant when he had told Harry he would see him soon!
"This is great!" Harry cried.
Dudley laughed, "Tell that to mum."
Harry couldn't believe it! If Sirius came here he could explain things to him, and tell him more about his parents.
Dudley interrupted his thoughts. "So, do you think Professor Snape would make a potion for me?" He asked.
"Oh, no. I think it would be best if I asked Hermione. From your description of his visit it doesn't sound like he would be willing to help." Harry said matter of factly.
"Who is Hermione?" Dudley asked.
"One of my best friends. She has read every book in the Hogwarts library at least twelve times! When Hedwig returns from her-"
Just then Hedwig entered the room and perched herself on Harry's desk. She looked curiously between Harry and Dudley. Harry grinned and stood to greet her.
"Hello Hedwig. I was just telling Dudley that I need you to deliver a couple of messages for me? Up to the challenge?" He began stroking her soft feathers. She hooted and gave him a serious look. As if assuring him she was up to the challenge.
"She is really pretty." Dudley said softly from the bed.
"Yes, she is. She's really smart too. Hagrid gave her to me for my eleventh birthday. You remember Hagrid?" Harry wondered if this new found friendship were going to hit a brick wall.
"Yeah, the giant guy that gave me a tail." Dudley said angrily.
"Yeah, that's him. He isn't bad really. He has a bad temper. He really is part giant. He looks out for me at school. I will have to tell you about my second year at Hogwarts sometime, but right now I need to write a letter to Hermione."
Harry bent over his desk writing to Hermione.
Dear Hermione, I need to ask you a really big favor. It is going to seem odd, but it's really important. Dudley is on a new, more effect diet, and he seems to have stopped loosing weigh even though he is working as hard as ever. He asked me to help him with magic. I was wondering if you could help. Have you ever come across any potions that help people loose weight? If you have maybe you could send the recipe and instructions. It would be good practice for our potions O.W.L. and I would be helping Dudley out. The muggles are actually kind of cool right now. Professor Snape came and talked to them. Yes, I said Snape! He threatened to turn them into frogs if they didn't start acting like a proper supportive family and it seems to have worked! I hope your summer is going well. Are you going to stay with Victor? Send Hedwig back soon with your answer.
Harry
When Harry finished he looked up to find Dudley softly petting Hedwig. The most surprising thing was that she allowed him to do it. He hated to break up the moment. Maybe, he could buy an owl for the Dursleys? No, Aunt Petunia would have a fit if he did that. He rolled up the letter and grabbed the one for Dumbledore.
"Ok, Hedwig. I need you to drop this one to Dumbledore and this one to Hermione. When you give Hermione hers wait around for her reply. Be careful of Crookshanks." Harry warned her while tying the two letters to her leg. "Thanks, Hedwig and be careful."
He stroked her head and she gave his finger and affectionate nip. She flew out of the window and the two boys watched until she disappeared from their sight.
"Well, I asked Hermione for her help. It might take a few days, but if anyone other than Snape knows the answer it would be her." Harry smiled. "Shall we play chess?" "Yes, and you can tell me more about this Hermione Is she pretty?" Dudley grinned, "Oh, and thanks, Harry." "Your welcome. Anything for my favorite cousin.", he said and winked.
A cool breeze welcomed Harry and Dudley when they entered Harry's room. Harry pulled off his shoes and sat on the bed. "Dudley, I need to ask you a favor."
Dudley nodded and sat down beside him. "I have a favor to ask you first." He said. "I have lost a lot of weight, and I have worked really hard to get this far." Dudley pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Harry. "I err intercepted this letter from the school nurse from the mail this morning." Dudley sighed. "She says she is going to bench me if I don't loose another twenty pounds. She says it isn't safe for me to play. She thinks I might have a heart attack or something." Dudley frowned. "Coach Witherspoon said I have reached a plateau."
Harry gave him a confused look. "I don't understand."
Dudley nodded and explained sitting down next to Harry. "I lost a lot of weight and now my body has adjusted. It might be awhile before I start loosing weight again. It doesn't matter how hard I work out or even if I starve myself."
He looked at Harry hopefully. "That is where my favor comes in. I was wondering if you could maybe, use magic to help me along. Some spell or something."
Harry was sure his eyebrows had just shot off of his face. "What? Use magic on you? Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon would kill me!"
"Well, we don't have to tell them, Harry, please? Mum and Dad are some proud of me, and I feel really good about myself, for once." Dudley pleaded.
"I can't use my wand. The Ministry of Magic would be on us in a flash if I did that. Under aged wizards are not allowed to use magic during the holidays. Only during school." Harry sat thinking for a moment. How could he help Dudley without getting into trouble? Then it hit him, and he smiled mischievously.
"Ok, I think I know what we can do. But first, I need to know how Professor Snape acted when he was here. You see, he is the Potions Master at school. He would know if there was a safe potion to use to help you."
"Well, mum and dad sent me into the other room and locked the door to talk to him. So, I didn't hear everything. He seemed very cold." Dudley shivered.
Harry was dieing to know. "How was he dressed? Like a muggle or like a wizard?"
Dudley looked up at the ceiling as if trying to remember. "Well, he was wearing black pants and a white buttoned up shirt with long sleeves. He looked normal. That is why dad actually let him in the house." Dudley snorted. "You should have seen dads face! His eyes kind of popped out and his jaw nearly dropped to the ground." Dudley started laughing hard. Tears were pouring from his eyes and he shook the bed with his laughter. Harry grinned. "I can imagine. I wish I had been here to see it." If he had been here he would know what Snape was doing in his house.
When Dudley's laughing fit had calmed he continued to explain. "Well, after they shut the doors I kind of peeked into the key hole." He shot Harry a knowing look.
Harry shrugged and said, "Of course."
"Well, he said that the headmaster Crumble doors sent him-"
"Dumbledore" Harry corrected.
"Right, Dumbledore sent him to let us know what had happened to you. Mum went crazy. She said, I knew it! I knew if we let him go to that damn school something like this would happen! Then Professor Snape snapped, It would have happened if Harry had come to Hogwarts or not. He said, Voldemort wanted Harry and he would have found a way to get him. He said, it is best that Harry goes to Hogwarts and receives a proper education. He needs the proper skills when he faces him."
Harry gasped. Was he supposed to fight Voldemort? Is that why Dumbledore had let him go through all the things he had? To prepare him for the inevitable battle?
"Mum went through the roof. Oh no he will not! He is never going back to that damn school! Lilly went to that school and look what it got her! James and Lilly couldn't stop this Voldemort! What makes you think little Harry can?!" Dudley looked wearily at his cousin.
"What? What did he say?" Harry asked.
"He said it was your destiny. He said that Lilly had stopped Voldemort. She used some spell. I'm sorry Harry I don't remember what it was. It was a word I had never heard before. Anyways, he said that your mum used her love for you and when he tried to kill you it protected you and hurt him. That is why Voldemort needed your blood. He said that in order for him to come back to life he needed the blood of his worst enemy. You." Dudley eyed Harry. "Are you ok Harry?"
"Yeah, go on. Please." Harry said.
"Well, Professor Snape told mum and dad that you need to do your homework. That you need to study really hard and that we shouldn't give you a hard time about you being a wizard. He said that.. Well.. You know, he told us about the wizard tournament and that you needed us to support you right now. He said that Dumbledore was really worried about you. He said that he and other witches and wizards would be checking in on you to make sure you were ok. He said that we needed to be a proper supportive family. He said if he found out we were being anything other than that he would turn us all into toads and use us for his experiments!" Dudley looked as if he were going to throw up.
"I can tell you that he probably would. He isn't exactly Mr. Nice guy if you know what I mean." Harry assured him.
"Well, mum and dad told him that they would try to be more supportive. Later, after he left, I heard mum say that you were never going back. It was too dangerous. Dad told mum that we didn't have any choice and they argued. Mum finally gave in, because Dad told her it would be best if you were prepared to fight Voldemort." Dudley pulled his shoes off and made him self more comfortable on Harry's bed.
"Wow. Did Professor Snape say anything else?" Harry asked. As if he hadn't heard enough to send his brain into overtime.
"Oh, yeah. He said that Dumbledore would be sending a dog here to help protect us all while you are here." He giggled. "Mum had a fit! She was screaming. No! I draw the line. That bloody pigeon is enough. I will not have a filthy dog mucking up my house!" Dudley started laughing again. Harry joined him It must have been hilarious. His aunt barely tolerated Aunt Marge's dog when she came, but they all knew she detested it.
When the boys had calmed down Dudley wiped the tears off of his face and continued. "Professor Snape said that Dumbledore assured him that the dog was house trained, but the tone of his voice wasn't reassuring. He must not like dogs much." Dudley added as an after thought.
Harry gaped. Could they be sending Sirius here? Maybe, that was what he meant when he had told Harry he would see him soon!
"This is great!" Harry cried.
Dudley laughed, "Tell that to mum."
Harry couldn't believe it! If Sirius came here he could explain things to him, and tell him more about his parents.
Dudley interrupted his thoughts. "So, do you think Professor Snape would make a potion for me?" He asked.
"Oh, no. I think it would be best if I asked Hermione. From your description of his visit it doesn't sound like he would be willing to help." Harry said matter of factly.
"Who is Hermione?" Dudley asked.
"One of my best friends. She has read every book in the Hogwarts library at least twelve times! When Hedwig returns from her-"
Just then Hedwig entered the room and perched herself on Harry's desk. She looked curiously between Harry and Dudley. Harry grinned and stood to greet her.
"Hello Hedwig. I was just telling Dudley that I need you to deliver a couple of messages for me? Up to the challenge?" He began stroking her soft feathers. She hooted and gave him a serious look. As if assuring him she was up to the challenge.
"She is really pretty." Dudley said softly from the bed.
"Yes, she is. She's really smart too. Hagrid gave her to me for my eleventh birthday. You remember Hagrid?" Harry wondered if this new found friendship were going to hit a brick wall.
"Yeah, the giant guy that gave me a tail." Dudley said angrily.
"Yeah, that's him. He isn't bad really. He has a bad temper. He really is part giant. He looks out for me at school. I will have to tell you about my second year at Hogwarts sometime, but right now I need to write a letter to Hermione."
Harry bent over his desk writing to Hermione.
Dear Hermione, I need to ask you a really big favor. It is going to seem odd, but it's really important. Dudley is on a new, more effect diet, and he seems to have stopped loosing weigh even though he is working as hard as ever. He asked me to help him with magic. I was wondering if you could help. Have you ever come across any potions that help people loose weight? If you have maybe you could send the recipe and instructions. It would be good practice for our potions O.W.L. and I would be helping Dudley out. The muggles are actually kind of cool right now. Professor Snape came and talked to them. Yes, I said Snape! He threatened to turn them into frogs if they didn't start acting like a proper supportive family and it seems to have worked! I hope your summer is going well. Are you going to stay with Victor? Send Hedwig back soon with your answer.
Harry
When Harry finished he looked up to find Dudley softly petting Hedwig. The most surprising thing was that she allowed him to do it. He hated to break up the moment. Maybe, he could buy an owl for the Dursleys? No, Aunt Petunia would have a fit if he did that. He rolled up the letter and grabbed the one for Dumbledore.
"Ok, Hedwig. I need you to drop this one to Dumbledore and this one to Hermione. When you give Hermione hers wait around for her reply. Be careful of Crookshanks." Harry warned her while tying the two letters to her leg. "Thanks, Hedwig and be careful."
He stroked her head and she gave his finger and affectionate nip. She flew out of the window and the two boys watched until she disappeared from their sight.
"Well, I asked Hermione for her help. It might take a few days, but if anyone other than Snape knows the answer it would be her." Harry smiled. "Shall we play chess?" "Yes, and you can tell me more about this Hermione Is she pretty?" Dudley grinned, "Oh, and thanks, Harry." "Your welcome. Anything for my favorite cousin.", he said and winked.
