ONLY ORIGINAL CHARACTERS BELONG TO ME.  Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed.

Harry Potter Bloodline

CHAPTER 8: DUDLEY'S POWER

Back at Hogwart's, the group is joined by Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore.

"I trust your shopping went well. I've had the house elves prepare some of our most popular foods. Let's gather in the Great Hall in say one hour to enjoy a fine meal, and we will discuss schedules for the next few weeks." Professor McGonagall said in her usual proper tone.  Professor Lupin left with the other professors, and the boys headed for Griffyndor Tower.

Once inside the tower, Harry and the others put their things away, and Seamus suggested that they return to the common room and catch up with each other. They entered the common room, and took seats. Dudley had decided to name his kittypup Tarot. Everyone relaxed and cooed at Tarot, as Tarot purred in appreciation. Ron went on about how boring his summer had been, and how glad he was to be with all of them instead of stuck at home with nothing to do. Harry nodded in agreement, as Seamus told them of his recent trip to New Zealand.

"My family went to New Zealand. There is a cave that is actually an entrance to a wizarding settlement called Neveria. It was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. There are many exotic species of plants and animals, which would probably stump Professor Sprout and Hagrid. There are waterfalls all over, and the people there build their homes inside caves. There aren't any freestanding buildings. It is all open with statues of famous witches and wizards everywhere. It is heavily charmed, too. Most hexes that could hurt someone don't work once you are inside, but I had the best time, and I plan to go next summer.  Maybe we could all go." Seamus said with a dreamy look in his eyes.

"Sounds really cool, Seamus." Harry replied. Ron and Dudley both nodded.

"I was hoping that you guys would give me something of a grand tour when you get the chance," Dudley began, "I've noticed that I cannot really see where the school grounds end. That must mean that there is plenty to see, and I want to be able to get around without too much help when classes start."

Harry answered, "I'm sure we would all be glad to show you some of our favorite spots, Dudley, although I'm sure that there are plenty of places that even we have never been. Places in the magical world seem to sort of blend in sometimes, like the place where Seamus went this summer."

"How about we head to the Great Hall, I'm starved." Ron cut in.

They all agreed and made their way to the meal that was waiting. Inside, there was only one large table set. Dudley counted ten seats and wondered what other interesting people would be joining them for dinner. Pitchers of pumpkin juice appeared in front of them and everyone helped themselves to a glass, or three, in Ron's case.

"This is good! What is it?" Dudley asked. They all laughed, and Seamus remarked, "It's pumpkin juice, Dudley. I can see that we'll have to keep in mind that you were raised with muggles. Harry was just like this when he first got here. Our food is not unlike what you have at home, from what I understand of it. I think maybe we mix it a bit differently, and surely our spices are not the same."

"Well, you guys will hopefully help me out with this. It all seems perfectly normal though. It's weird that nothing really shocks me. Except for the goblins at the bank, they were creepy." Dudley said while making his best crept-out face.

Soon a line of chatting adults entered the Great Hall. Among them were Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin, and Hagrid. Dudley stared at Hagrid for a moment, and then left his seat to introduce himself.

He approached Hagrid cautiously, extended his hand and said, "Hello, my name is Dudley Dursley, it is a pleasure to meet you. Harry has spoken of you quite fondly." Hagrid took his hand.

" Ah yes, Harry's cousin aren' yeh? Well, it is nice to be meetin' yeh, it is Mr. Dursley."

They sat down, and food just appeared all over the table. Everyone eyed Dudley as he took food he had never seen before and started to eat. Dudley felt the eyes and was strangely flattered by all of the attention. He began with roasted pork and potatoes, tried some of the succulent lamb with glazed carrots, and alternated between spiced apples and creamed black beans.  He forgot all about the people watching him, and helped himself to a large piece of cake, which was finished rather quickly. He enjoyed glass after glass of pumpkin juice, and then sat quietly as the others finished their meals.

As everyone finished, the food and dirty dished all disappeared, except for the pumpkin juice, desserts, smaller plates and cutlery, which remained. Professor Dumbledore was first to speak.

"I trust you all enjoyed your dinner. You certainly consumed it with fitting vigor. I thank you all for being here, particularly Professors McGonagall and Hagrid, who have cut their vacations short in sheer dedication to our school. And also Mr. Weasley and Mr. Finnegan, who are here at my request as well. I must take leave tonight on school business, and I will be leaving soon with Professor Lupin. You will be left in the capable hands of Professors McGonagall and Hagrid until I return. Please remember Mr. Dursley, that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students unless accompanied by an instructor. We have made special arrangements to have you here so early, and I would regret any unfortunate problems, that we can avoid, hindering your progress. First thing tomorrow, Professor McGonagall will give you an accelerated course in magical theory. I have been told that you performed some magic immediately upon receiving your wand today. You seem to have a mind much stronger than what your previous school records reflect. We shall expect you to put you best effort forward. Professor Hagrid will be instructing you in the care of magical creatures. I see that you have purchased a kittypup. They are very magical creatures indeed, and do not take to wizards who are less than moderately powerful.  That Tarot has bonded to you means that you are already moderately powerful, and that we will be able to train you more easily. I am sure that you have had enough of my rattling, so Professor Lupin and I will take our leave now. I will see you all in a few days time."

The professors waved and left the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall rose and motioned for them to follow her. She led them back to Griffyndor Tower where she told them, "You may all share a room for now. Mr. Dursley, you may unpack as much as you would like, but be mindful that you will move to another room when the term begins and the sorting is complete. Please enjoy your evening, within the school rules. You three know the rules well, I would dare say. You are all to be in this room tomorrow morning at nine. Goodnight to you all. You know where to find me should you need anything." They all nodded and said, "Goodnight professor."

The boys sat around in the common room and talked about their day, and speculated about what Dudley would have to do in order to be on track when the term began.

Dudley, who seemed on the edge of bursting, quizzed, "Can someone tell me how Professor Dumbledore knew Tarot's name?" Again they all laughed and Harry told Dudley that Professor Dumbledore seemed to know everything.

"I don't know how he does it, but he never seems surprised by anything. He usually answers your question before you ask it." Harry said.

"Yeah, and he is always so cool about it, like he's the headmaster and there should be no question that he knows whatever!" Ron added with sarcasm.

"I think Professor Dumbledore reads minds, and I don't know if I like it one bit." Seamus injected rather annoyed.

They all began to feel a bit sluggish after all the food they had eaten at dinner. Harry and Ron played a game of wizard's chess, while Seamus napped in his chair. Dudley decided to get a head start by reading Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling. He found it interesting. So much so that he read the whole thing! Harry and Ron noticed how quickly he finished it, and wondered if Hermione might have some competition.

 They continued their game as Dudley resigned to do tricks with his wand.  They watched out of the corners of their eyes as Dudley said excitedly, but quietly, "Lumos!" and the tip of his wand began to glow brightly. Dudley smiled as he continued; pointing his wand at the book he had just read and said, "Mobiliarbus!"  Even Seamus awoke with awe as the book hovered steadily, and then moved with each wave of Dudley's wand. "Relashio!" and the book fell gently to the table. Pointing at the book again, Dudley said, "Engorgio!" and the book grew to ten times its normal size. Harry eyes got big as well. Dudley said again, " Engorgio, Engorgio, Engorgio!" The book grew bigger than the table and caused the table to crumble. Dudley was pleased with himself, and immediately said while pointing at the monstrous book, "Reducio!" and the book returned to its normal size. Without pause he pointed his wand at the pieces of the table and said, "Reparo!"  And with no surprise to anyone, the table smoothly reassembled itself.

Dudley noticed just then that everyone was staring at him. He walked over to Harry, who was still sitting with his eyes widened and his mouth open, and asked, "How was that?"

"That was bloody amazing! I had no idea you could do stuff like that. You are full of surprises today, Dudley. Well done, mate!" Harry patted Dudley on the shoulder.

Ron and Seamus just sat in their chairs and smiled weakly. They were all startled when the portrait swung open and Professor McGonagall entered the common room with huge grin on her face. 

"I was alerted by a house elf that there was some commotion here. What is going on Mr. Dursley? This room smells of recent charms."

"I was just showing Harry, Ron, and Seamus some of the things I picked up while reading Magical Theory. They seemed to really like it, so I maybe got a little carried away. I'm sorry if you were disturbed, but I thought we were allowed to do things to study." Dudley replied.

"Of course you are. Well let's see what you've got since I am already here." Professor McGonagall said, smiling.

Dudley, starting to get a little stage fright, considered what to do that would impress a professor. Then it hit him. He reached down and picked up Tarot who had been watching while resting in front of the fireplace. "Ready Tarot?" he asked as the golden kittypup yelped excitedly. He placed Tarot on the rug in front of him, stood to one side so all could see, pointed his wand at Tarot and said loudly, "Lumos Incendio Leviosa!" Several multicolored sparks flew from his wand and landed in a circle around Tarot. For a moment nothing else happened.

"Uh, great trick, Dudley" Ron snorted. Dean and Harry sniggered.

"Just a moment, Mr. Weasley! Look." Professor McGonagall said pointing at Tarot.

 Tarot's tail stuck up in the air as he slowly lifted from the rug, and all his fur stuck out as ripples of golden energy ran over him. When he was face level with everyone, he purred loudly as he burst into beautiful golden flames. Everyone gasped as the room was suddenly filled with bright, golden light from Tarot's flames. After a few minutes, Dudley pointed his wand at Tarot again and said, "Relashio Tarot Nox!"  Tarot slowly descended and seemed to pull the golden flames into him. Once on the rug, he leapt over to Dudley's shoulder in a cat-like manner and purred loudly while rubbing his head against Dudley's neck. Dudley giggled slightly as looked around the common room, taking in all the reactions.

Professor McGonagall was smiling even bigger than anyone had ever seen.  "Splendid! Just splendid! Mr. Dursley, your control is utterly commendable. We have fourth years that would have to really focus to accomplish such a complicated spell.  Especially since you made it up yourself.  I can see that magic theory would be wasted on you, so we will have to train you in some other areas. That spell required that basic spells be linked together in a way that only someone with a keen knowledge of theory could possibly accomplish.

 It also showed a great understanding of the powerful magic inherent to the kittypup. I am very pleased, indeed. I hope that the rest of you were paying attention Mr. Weasley and Mr. Finnegan. This is a fine example of where the two of you should be. My tutoring will be suspended for a day or two, as I will need to consult with the headmaster before we begin. You will still report to Professor Hagrid for his lessons, of course, and you may have the rest of tomorrow to yourselves. Breakfast will be served whenever you are ready in the morning, and I'll tell Professor Hagrid to expect you all by nine o'clock. Goodnight, and again Mr. Dursley, kudos!" 

As the professor left, they all gathered around Dudley and congratulated him. Dudley gave several thanks, and yawned tiredly as he stretched. The yawn proved contagious, and they all headed to the dorm for some much needed rest.  The boys changed into their pajamas and took their beds. Harry remembered that he needed to brush his teeth, so he got up and went to the bathroom. Dudley followed, knowing he should brush his teeth as well.

"That really was an awesome display down there, Dudley. I think you are going to do well here at Hogwart's. I'm proud of you, mate."

"Thanks you for everything, Harry," Dudley began. "You are an amazing person, and I know you are powerful because Mum told me that she get letters from the school all the time. She says they tell her everything you do, since she is your legal guardian. Anyway, Harry, I don't feel like I deserve to have you as my cousin. I am really happy right now that you are a bigger person than I am. I have treated you so badly all of this time, and now I feel like we are friends."

Harry cut in, "We are family, Dudley. I never had that at home until yesterday, but I have seen good examples of what that means. And we are friends, for as long as I have anything to say about it. Now cut it out. Whatever our problems may have been in the past, I have already forgiven you. Let's get some sleep and get up early. I want you spend a lot of time with Hagrid tomorrow. He is the coolest Professor here."

"Ok, but Harry, I have to tell you that I've never spent the night away from Mum and Dad. I'm not afraid, but it feels so strange." Dudley said sadly.

"Well I'm here Dudley, if you need to, you can always wake me. I may growl, but I will understand." Harry told him assuringly.

"Thanks, Harry. Goodnight." Dudley said as they headed to the bathroom door.

"Goodnight Dudley. I, I, erm, I love you, mate." Harry said quietly as he pulled Dudley into the first hug he had ever initiated with his cousin. Dudley leaned into the hug as if it was a normal thing.  They separated and entered the dorm where Ron and Seamus were already snoring lightly, and got into their beds.

Dudley replied, "I know you do, Harry. I love you, too."

*************************************************************************I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's a little longer and more spaced out, just as I promised. Please review and look for more soon.  Geneaux J