To Suffer A Fool
Chapter 1: Infatuation At First Sight
Between his mother's unwanted attentions and his father's constant plans for glory, Dudley thought he would go mad. He needed to get out, so he sought solace the house of Leopold Granoli, one of his posse. He stormed down the street, tripping over curbsides in his haste. Finally, after what had to be minutes of strenuous jogging, he stood in front of the neat gray house, 12 Magnolia Crescent. Huffing rather, he waddled up the path and rang the doorbell. Leopold, a thickset, swarthy fifteen-year-old, answered.
"Hey, D!" he greeted the older boy. "Waz up? I can't entertain, I got family over." Taking a look at Dudley's face, he reconsidered. "Scratch that, why doncha come in?"
Still out of breath, Dudley grunted acquiescence. He climbed into the house, thinking even if Leo was a bit too smart for his own good, he was a rather jolly friend. Never left you hanging, and that was something to be said.
Leo led him into the kitchen, where his mother and father and a girl were sitting at the table. Dudley couldn't help but do a double take at the girl. She was hot. Maybe her hair needed styled, and there was an appalling lack of eye gook that all the other girls wore, but-she was undeniably a looker.
"Mum, Dad, Dudley's in a bit of a spot here, and I've gotta help him," Leo told his parents. He turned to Dudley. "But first, I want t' introduce you to my cousin. This is Hermione Granger."
Hermione stood up and smiled tentatively at him. He stared at her extended hand a moment before grasping it.
"Pleased to meet you," she murmured, looking bemused.
"I-I'm Dudley Dursley," he managed. Her mouth dropped open, revealing rows of straight white teeth.
"Did you say-Did you say Dudley Dursley?" she inquired incredulously.
"Yup. That's m'name. Heard of me?" he asked, puffed up by her interest.
"No, but I'd love to get to know you," she said. Dudley grinned.
"Yeah, well, Mio, you're gonna hafta wait, cause I've got to talk to him first," Leo interjected.
"Nah, it's a'right," Dudley said, looking out his friend. "Herm- Hermione can come with us."
Leo regarded him suspiciously.
"Well, c'mon," he muttered, leading the way to the back door. Dudley followed. Hermione uttered goodbyes to her aunt and uncle, then trotted after them.