The next two weeks leading up to the party were like a whirlwind for Harry, in which he got to know the 'real' Dudley Dursley quite well. While Vernon was at work and Petunia out at a friend's house, socializing, Harry was dragged out shopping almost daily by Dudley. Harry was flabbergasted by his generosity: he had been bombarded by books on fashion and beauty tips, piles of cosmetics, shoes, accessories, girl's clothes and even contact lenses. When ever Harry tried to complain about the extravagance, his cousin just told him to stop winging and eat more food. Hermione and Ron had nothing on Dudley when it came to mothering.
Harry sat nervously on the edge of the sofa in the lounge room. It was 3 days before the party and Vernon had all of a sudden called a family meeting. To Harry, based on past occurrences, this could only mean bad news.
"You, boy," Vernon barked.
"Yes sir," stammered Harry in response.
"Your aunt and I are going away for the weekend, on the trip that she won in a competition. Dudley will drive you to the station on Monday in his new B.M.W. I want you on your best behaviour. You are not to so much as sneeze or I will personally make you life hell when you come back for the last time. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal, sir."
"Now Dudley, I want you to ensure that Harry doesn't step out of line." Vernon walked over to Dudley and clasped his shoulder. "You're the man of the house. Now, you'd better go and say goodbye to your mother before she tears up. We need to be at the airport in half an hour." With that, Vernon excited the lounge, following Dudley into the hallway, leavening a clearly elated Harry grinning behind him.
"Harry!" Dudley yelled, pounding on the bathroom door. "Harry, you've been in there since midday. What the hell have you been doing in there? It surely can't take 2 and a half hours to take a shower!"
"You ready then, Dudley?"
"Of course I am – I have been ready for over an hour now. Come on Harry, we've got to …whoa." Harry stepped out from the bathroom, chuckling amusedly at Dudley's completely gob smacked expression.
"Cat got your tongue, Didkins. Or would I be more convincing wearing your Eminem t-shirt?"
"Harry – you look amazing," Dudley stammered out, blushing lightly and shaking his head. "I mean, you scrub up as a passable chick. Come on now, we've should've left 15 minutes ago." With that they headed off down the landing.
"Wait a minute, my bag," Harry yelped, dashing back up the stairs.
"God, you're such a girl," he mumbled as Harry joined him at the front door. "Ouch, why did you hit me with that thing?"
"Practice. Now, get in and drive. You're making me late."
"Girls," Dudley muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes as he turned on the ignition.
Harry sat staring into his small hand held mirror, ignoring the music Dudley had blaring from the cars speakers. He chuckled to himself as he run a critical eye over his appearance. He did look like a girl, grateful for the first time for his small, skinny frame and his petite features. He'd endured a pedicure, manicure, sessions with a hair stylist, a make up artist, waxing and a tanning salon. He'd carefully chosen a pair of strappy light golden sandals and a glistening knee length peach satin cocktail dress, which Dudley had helped him to select from one of the numerous boutiques they had visited over the previous weeks. Harry and been genuinely surprised by Dudley's eye for cut, colour and fashion. He'd cleansed, moisturised and even applied barely noticeable shimmering bronzing powder over his limbs and décolletage before applying sparkly, soft peach eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and glittery lip-gloss. Delicate diamante studded drops dangled from his newly pierced ears, complemented by the matching necklace clasped around his throat. He'd even gone as far as place a small, dainty, intricately designed lotus flower hair clip into the now controlled waves of his glossy black hair. There was a matching clip adorning the satin clutch which was perfectly matched the colour of his shoes. Harry shifted in his seat slightly, trying to get a better view of his hair.
"Will you stop that already? You'll move that bra of yours and I'm not pulling over so that you can fix it again."
Harry snapped the mirror shut and scowled at Dudley. He'd quite forgotten about having to wear one until Dudley had thrown a box containing dozens of items of girlie lingerie and fake breasts at him the other morning. Despite all the winging he'd overheard at school regarding how uncomfortable bras were, Harry didn't see what the problem was. He had found it comfortable. Scarily comfortable.
"We are there." Harry looked up and saw they were presently parked in front of a large, old fashioned country manor.
"Harmony…are you ready?" Dudley queried, offering his arm to Harry.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Harry softly murmured back as he stepped out of the car and up the front steps.