It was a bright morning. Ginny was in Harry's arms and could hear his heartbeat as she opened her eyes. For Ginny, Harry's warm embrace was more comfortable than the bed they slept on.
"Morning, Harry!" Ginny lifted her head.
"Morning, Gin!" Harry replied as he reached for his spectacles.
When Harry wore his spectacles, he wondered for the millionth time how such a fiery Angel like Ginny had liked someone like him. Who was he, after all? Just a freak, like his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon always labelled him and his dead parents as. Just a mentally unstable boy who Dudley and his gang had once bullied all his childhood. The one who lived in the cupboard under the staircase for a decade! No one had ever wanted him, had ever shown him love, care, and compassion until he met the Weasleys, Ginny one of them.
He didn't think too highly of himself, and always was under the impression that others were so much better than him. He knew Ginny had had a crush on him, but for Merlin's sake he never understood why. Why would an angel like Ginny, so well loved and protected, fall for an outcast as he had been made to feel in his early years? But here she was, Mrs. Potter, her head over his heart.
Ginny, on the other hand, was the same as Harry. She too wondered, for the millionth time how the BOY WHO LIVED ever noticed someone like her. She was always over shadowed by her brothers, and was just an eleven year old girl with a stupid crush that landed her at the jaws of death. Yet here he was, iall his glory but holding her in his arms.
The two of them looked at each other and shared a morning kiss before getting up from the bed. Both of them went to wash their faces and brush together.
Bright or dull, there was no morning which found young Mrs. Weasley still sleeping. Hermione preferred waking up early and getting started for the day. But she felt so warm in Ron's arms as she snuggled closer into him. Hermione still couldn't believe she was Mrs. Weasley. She had never thought this tall, muscular red head would notice her. She always felt so safe with him around. His opinions mattered so much to her even at the age of eleven! The fact that she was with Ron made her smile. But the damned morning light! The morning light seemed to have decided to target her eyes.
Ron had sensed Hermione's discomfort, so he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Morning, love."
"Do we have to get up?" Hermione groaned. Ron chuckled and planted a kiss on her lips. Normally, it was Ron who grumbled about having to wake up early, not Hermione
Ron always thought this bushy brown haired angel liked Harry or Krum, but probably not him. Harry for being the Boy Who Lived. Viktor Krum for being a popular Quidditch star. Ron had always felt overshadowed at home and school. At home, his parents, older brothers, and sister. At school, Harry and Hermione. Ron never felt the BRIGHTEST WITCH OF HER AGE would show any interest in him. He always struggled with his feelings for her and it came as a surprise to him that she was married to him even now. Oh he was so happy about that!! He grinned into her attractive bushy hair as the two of them finally sat up on their bed.
The couple sleepily made their way to wash their faces and brush together.
It was a beautiful start to the day; Ginny thought as she went downstairs. Her mother was preparing breakfast. "Morning, Mum!" she said.
"Morning, Ginevra Potter!" Molly beamed. Ginny rolled her eyes, "I am still Ginny, Mum."
"But you're a married woman now! My little angel has her own family now!" Molly beamed as she went to attend to the laundry. Even a week after Ginny's wedding, Molly, and truth be told, Ginny's father and brothers still treated Ginny as though she were still a lollipop-sucking child. Otherwise, they would get all formal, like calling her "Mrs. Potter" and "Ginevra Potter." She didn't mind being called so. In fact, she loved being called so. But she wanted them to see in her the little Ginny her family had always known.
Harry came down just then, followed by Ron and Hermione. The Golden Trio remained the Golden Trio even after Hogwarts. They greeted each other and teased each other like siblings. Well, maybe not Ron and Hermione, since they were a married couple.
"Harry! We start a fan club with your name today!" Ron teased.
"Hey! Not fair, Ron!" Harry showed mock outrage.
"Well, then. You will have to work for S.P.E.W. all week if you don't want a Harry Potter fan club, Harry." Hermione said.
"Hermione, no!" Harry said in mock resignation.
The trio laughed aloud.
"What's going on?" Ginny joined in.
"Hermione wants me to start knitting trousers for house-elves now!" Harry teased Hermione.
"Hey! That was only during the fourth and fifth years! Besides, it was socks I knitted, not trousers!" Hermione said in mock indignation, "Ron has some good ideas though, don't you, Ron?"
"What? No!" Ron said. They sat down to eat.
"My mother made the breakfast today, not a house-elf."
"Really, Ron? I would have thought Kreacher suddenly fancied cooking at the Burrow!"
"Hermione! Let Kreacher live at Grimmauld Place happily. Why bring him here?" Harry laughed.
The sound of piano hit their ears, and Harry answered his phone. "Hello?"
"MAY I TALK TO HARRY!" A panicked voice screamed.
"Woah, there. That's my line!" Ron chortled as they all remembered too well Ron's phone call to the Dursleys the summer before Harry's third year at Hogwarts.
"Dudley, have you forgotten how to use the phone?" Harry laughed.
"THIS IS NO TIME TO JOKE, HARRY POTTER; THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!"
The voice was so loud that Ginny, Ron, and Hermione stopped grinning at once, and Harry, his Auror training kicking in, asked in his most serious and professional voice, "What is the matter, Big D?"
"All sorts of things… Mum says she saw Daisy jump from the top of the stairs and land on the floor, but instead of getting hurt, she bounced off the floor and landed gracefully. Dad says he always notices Daisy's hair grow back the morning after her hair is shortened. I myself saw Daisy throw a ball at the wall this morning, and you won't believe what happened. The static ball suddenly moved in Daisy's direction and moved into her hands. We don't know what to do. We think you know what this might be all about."
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stared as Harry drew a breath of sharp relief, "Is that all, Dudley? You frightened all of us here for a moment! That's accidental magic. Daisy will probably be able to go to Hogwarts if whatever you said really happened and continues to happen."
"I don't know, Harry. Could you please drop in this afternoon? We believe that will calm us down. We're freaking out here. Strange things are happening around."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Honestly, Big D! You and Aunt Petunia have GROWN UP with witches and wizards. And you still freak out when you see another witch?" Harry emphasized the words "Grown Up."
"Harry, it isn't about Mum or Dad or me. It's about my girlfriend. She knows very little about the magical world. Just that I have a magical cousin who saved the Wizarding World. If you can save the Wizarding World, surely you can visit us and assure everyone here that we aren't losing our minds."
"You aren't losing your minds, Dudley!" Harry roared, making Ginny and Hermione jump, and Ron dropped his jaw. "Magic is real, Hogwarts is real, and in case you have forgotten, you are the nephew of Lily Potter nee Evans! You have passed down the magical gene to Daisy, and she is exhibiting magic. That is all! Is it so hard to explain this to your girlfriend? I'm sure she would understand."
"B-But… H-Harry?" Dudley said weakly. Harry facepalmed. He had been losing his cool more frequently, especially when his Auror instincts kicked in. "Fine, Dud! This afternoon, right?"
Dudley grunted, seemingly unsure of what to say. Harry cut the call.
"Harry, what's with all the shouting?" Ginny questioned him. "This isn't like you."
"It's the Dursleys! I'm fed up of explaining to them over a million times that magic is as normal to us as nonmagic to them! But still, they bloody freak out! Aunt Petunia grew up with my Mum! Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon have personally met my Mum and Dad! Dudley has grown up with me! The three of them have met magical people before!"
You said something about Dudley's girlfriend." Hermione said, "Maybe she doesn't know?"
"So, why can't her boyfriend and my aunt and uncle explain?" Harry said, tapping his fingers on the table, looking annoyed.
"Harry, are you going to their place?" Ginny asked. Harry nodded, "I have to. Merlins Beard! Look at my anger!"
"I will come along," Ginny said calmly. Harry didn't object. "Fine, get ready. Pack an extra set of clothes in case someone decided to drench us in vinegar as a prank."
Ron and Hermione chortled, and Ginny chuckled appreciatively
Privet Drive was exactly how Harry remembered it to be. The hot sun was relentless as usual on the suburban lawns that the owners neatly kept. Harry said a silent prayer to Arabella Figg with his eyes closed, and Ginny squeezed his hand. Mrs. Figg had been hit with the Killing Curse from behind as she fought off a Death Eater during the Battle of Hogwarts. She had died near the Shrieking Shack, which made the Shrieking Shack another painful reminder of Harry's past, what with memories of the Marauders, etc.
Suddenly, he heard a voice. "A man with black hair and a redhead is standing outside. Is it the Potters?"
Suddenly, the door opened, and Dudley called out, "Over here, Harry!" He was beckoning as though Harry had forgotten the place.
Harry scowled. Of course, he remembered the place. He was looking around, taking in the new changes, if any. Ginny walked in first, eager to look at the house. Ginny had never been to Privet Drive. Harry followed her. After Harry had entered the living room, the four Dursleys assembled at the living room, the last being Dudley's girlfriend, Clara, a blonde, nervous-looking thin woman.
Speaking of Ginny, Harry remembered her previous encounter with the Dursleys minus Clara. One day, Harry had been to the Auror Office for half a day, instead of a full day. Glad that he had the rest of the day free, Harry had apparated to the Burrow only to find Ginny missing. Thinking he could probably ask Ron or Hermione, he went looking for them only for them to be missing too!
Percy's fiancee, Audrey had just walked by. Seeing Harry, she raised an eyebrow. "Is anything wrong, Mr. Potter?"
"Healer Weasley, I was looking for my wife and best friends." Harry replied.
Audrey raised her eyebrow again. "They didn't tell you? I'd have thought you knew because they are your relatives after all."
"You mean the Dursleys?" Harry said, mouth hanging open.
"Merlin's Beard, Harry! I don't like where this is going! I saw the three of them leave as though they had thoroughly planned something over and over again! They definitely had sinister looks on their faces!!" Audrey said in a high pitched voice.
By the time Harry apparated to Little Whinging and walked over to Privet Drive, the door was open. Harry had to bite back laughter as he saw Aunt Petunia almost sitting on Uncle Vernon's arms with her hands around his neck, as though in a cartoon. Dudley looked as though he was stuffed inside the familiar cupboard under the stairs.
But there were pieces of broken furniture across the Hall leading to the kitchen. It definitely looked like there had been a struggle.
"You bullied my best friend endlessly!!"
"You emotionally abused my best friend for years!!"
"You made my. fiance live in the cupbosrd under the staircase!!"
"After all this, you expect us..."
"To just leave you alone?"
"Not bloody likely!!!"
Three things happened at the same time. Two Bat Bogey Hexes (proving that Ginny wasn't the only Weasley with a powerful Bat Bogey Hex), Fred and George's notorious Swelling Solution (a new invention that, when shot at a person, would make the victim's nose and ears swell and redden rapidly for fifteen minutes), and a loud roar "Levicorpus!"
Harry had had to intervene "Stop this! Please, no more trouble on my account."
Ginny and his two best friends had turned around in shock. Hermione wordlessly mutteted the counter charm and brought the Dursleys back to the floor. Harry would never forget the sight of upside down Dursleys with swelling noses and ears and red faces, and the Bat Bogey Hex upon them.
Petunia looked bashed and Vernon looked ashamed. Dudley had a look of resignation on his face. Strangely, Harry felt more of pity than anger or hatred at the Dursleys.
"Ron, Hermione, I appreciate your concerns. But I don't want my two best friends involved with this sorry reminder of my past. Gin, I definitely don't want you dealing with the people who were supposed to have been there for me the way the Weasleys were."
"Harry, how can we keep quiet even after knowing the damage they did to you?!" Ron bellowed. He looked as livid as Mrs. Weasley, and as dangerous as Bill Weasley when confronted by Greyback.
"Harry Potter, you do not tell us what we should do! We know what's good for you!!" Hermione said in a very dangerous voice that forcefully reminded Harry of Hermione slapping Malfoy in third year.
Harry hugged both of them. "I know you both will always be there for me. I'm so blessed that I have two best friends. I can always count on you. But I don't want you both to get into trouble either. Some things just aren't worth the trouble."
Ginny wasn't convinced though. There were angry tears rolling down her cheeks as she alternated between looking tenderly at Harry, and glaring daggers at each Dursley. To be fair to them, the Dursleys hadn't laid a whimper of protest.
Harry pulled her into an embrace and, resting his chin on her flaming red hair, said, "Gin, I know your concern for me. Your love for me makes me feel warm and cared for. You needn't go after my 'relatives'. You feel for me, and this itself means so much to me. I don't want you getting into danger." He could feel the front of his shirt damp against his skin now.
A sniff snapped the four of them to attention. The three Durlseys, to their credit, clearly looked upset and ashamed of themselves.
"We were so scared." Vernon said, clutching his coat pocket."We understand the anger you'd all have. We wouldn't blame you." Petunia shook her head.Dudley came forward and shook Harry's hands, "I wish we could make amends and be on better terms, Harry. We really want to fix things up."
"I would want nothing to do with you all. Didn't mean to intrude. Kindly excuse us." Harry said coolly and made to leave when a voice full of emotion said, "Harry, wait."
"No, no, definitely not, Dudley Dursley." Harry said, without turning back. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had already made it to the foot of the stairs near the front door.
"Harry Potter. We really want to make up for everything. We are terribly sorry." Dudley said at the same time Petunia burst into tears.
Harry felt the corner of his eyes prickle. Blinking back tears, he grunted. Sobbing, Aunt Petunia said, "Stay for tea, all of you. We want to get to know you all. We know we have been d-dolts. Surely you can stay here for a couple of minutes?"
"As long as you don't hurt Harry, we have no problem with you." Ginny growled.
Ron and Hermione nodded their agreement, still scowling darkly at the Dursleys.
Throughout the time, Vernon Dursley kept mute and looked like he wouldn't dare say a word. Well, more like he had lost his voice.
Petunia Dursley looked like Lily Potter in Snape's Worst Memory with the corners of her mouth twitching but otherwise maintaining a serious look. But she looked ashamed too.
Dudley had done most of the talking, and even he spoke meekly and uttered pleasantries only.
"My fiancee, Ginevra Potter nee Weasley, and my two best friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Weasley nee Granger." Harry was quick with the introductions. The four did nothing but have tea and leave.
That was how Harry and the three most important people in his life had warmed up to the Dursleys. But while leaving, they did exchange phone numbers ("Is this the new fellytone?", "Now you can carry fellytones everywhere, is it?").
Harry smirked at the memory as he came back to the present and watched Dudley bring in a packet of crisps (or chips) in a large orange bowl with dark green stripes across it.
"So!" Dudley began once they were all seated. The couples sat hand in hand, occupying a sofa per couple.
"So, what, Dudley? Look, Aunt Petunia is my Mum's sister. You are my cousin brother. Aunt Petunia. Uncle Vernon, and you have seen my parents and me. Now, you've personally met my wife, Ginny, too. What more do any of you need so you won't be frightened of magic?"
Aunt Petunia was the first to speak. "D-Daisy jumped from the top floor yesterday. I was shocked and thought I was too late to save her. But she bounced off the floor and gracefully landed away from the steps. This reminds me… Of Lily."
"Potter," Vernon said. Harry was rather surprised he hadn't called him "Boy!" like he used to. "Why are strange things happening around Daisy? When her mother or Petunia cuts her hair, her hair grows back in the next few hours. Just like yours used to."
"Dudley and I saw that ball incident." Clara spoke for the first time.
"It was like how you managed to once get back your broken car from the garbage as a kid, Harry," Dudley added.
"See? I fail to see what your problem is, then? If you've already made the connection between Daisy and us?" Harry said. Ginny had been leaning into his arms. She lifted her head. "Listen up," she said. "Magical children do accidental magic all the time. That is the proof of that child being magical. Around the age of six or seven, the child should have realized that they are doing accidental magic or should've been told by their parents that they're doing accidental magic. This is where you lacked by not telling Harry early on that he is magical. On his eleventh birthday, Harry was told by Hagrid what you all ideally should have told Harry years before he turned eleven."
The Dursleys looked down guiltily. Ginny continued, "When Daisy turns eleven, expect a Hogwarts acceptance letter for her. She can do magic, so she will likely attend Hogwarts in the future. Like Harry, me, Hermione, my brothers, Harry's and my parents, and many more."
"What do they teach in this Hogwash? Dudley says his Aunt Lily and Uncle James went there, and you attended Hogwash too." Clara was no longer holding herself back, and both Harry and Ginny were glad. They didn't want to be seen as freaks.
"It's called Hogwarts, not Hogwash." Harry corrected her. "It is a school of magic, where you are taught to control your magic and channelize your magic."
"If you don't learn to control your magic, this accidental magic will continue. It will only get bigger and unmanageable. And if you don't regulate your magic, you can be a danger to yourself and others. That is why we attend Hogwarts. To learn to keep our magic in control." Ginny explained as though explaining that one and one made two.
"Will that giant come again? You know, to give her letter." Dudley slowly asked.
"I don't think Hagrid would come, Dud. I don't think anyone is going to come. The Hogwarts letters are going to come on their own. You're expected to know about Hogwarts, just like I was all those years ago when none of you had told me about Hogwarts. The only difference is that I'm telling you well in advance to expect Daisy's Hogwarts letter once she is almost eleven." Harry added.
"Why is that?" Vernon questioned. Harry had to resist rolling his eyes hard at this.
"Because, Uncle Vernon, you know Lily Potter nee Evans! My mum, in other words! You have seen two generations of Hogwarts students; my parents and me."
"I'm not sending my granddaughter if the Dementors are still around." Petunia shivered.
Ginny laughed, "Oh, no! The Dementors are locked away securely. They aren't even in Azkaban now. Only human guards and Aurors stand guard there now."
"Azkaban? Dementors?" Clara was curious. But Dudley explained, "Azkaban is the wizarding prison, and Dementors are soul-sucking creatures that used to guard the Azkaban prisons for centuries. I am glad they no longer move around." He added to Harry and Ginny.
It was at that time when an infant's cries were heard. "Daisy! She's awake!"Clara ran from the living room and appeared seconds later. Ginny stood up, "Do you mind if I hold the baby?"
"S-Sure."
Harry, too held the baby. It suddenly struck him. Dudley. The childhood bully and childish cousin of his was now a father. This was his baby. "Your baby is cute, Big D. Blonde hair just like you and sky blue eyes. She is an angel! She is destined for Hogwarts then!"
Harry held the baby to his shoulders, but his glasses were knocked off. It fell to the floor and shattered. But, almost immediately, the broken spectacles made an effort to get up and fly back up. It tried in vain. Even with his blurred vision, Harry could see his spectacles moving. Everyone stood shocked because Daisy had knocked off the spectacles, and the broken spectacles were now trying to levitate from the ground.
Ginny took out her wand, "Reparo! Wingardium Leviosa!" She chanted non verbally. The spectacles repaired themselves and flew into her hands, and she put them on, Harry. "Thanks!" Harry said,
"That was one bit of magic," Harry chuckled at Daisy, and the baby giggled merrily.
"You mean, it was Daisy who did that? Not your wife?" Vernon tried to confirm. Harry nodded. "Ginny repaired my spectacles and gave them to me. The glasses were moving on the ground before that because Daisy was probably trying to get my spectacles back. Smart girl, she is! She knew I needed them!" Harry said.
Petunia hurried into the kitchen to make some tea. "Let me get you some cakes too." She took out a packet of fruit cakes. "Don't trouble yourself too much." Ginny said and nonverbally chanted, "Accio fruitcake!" The packet zoomed into her hands as the Dursleys watched with half-open mouths.
"Will we ever get to go to all those amazing places, Harry? You know, your shopping place (Diagon Alley, Harry mouthed), Hogwarts."
"Here is the thing, Dud. If Daisy goes to Hogwarts, she will see what Ginny, I, Hermione, Ginny's brothers, Ginny's and my parents, etc. saw, which means Hogwarts as it is. But if you, your girlfriend, Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon went there, all you would see is an abandoned castle with a sign, "Dangerous. Do not enter!" You guys can visit Diagon Alley, though. That's not a problem. You need a witch or a wizard to accompany you." Harry kindly added.
"I should've seen the places when I had the chance." Petunia regretted.
"I will take you some time, Aunt Petunia," Harry assured her. She smiled, "I'm looking forward to it!"
Petunia finished her tea and announced that she was going to the supermarket. Vernon got a call from a junior employee in his old company asking for advice on drills. Clara yawned and requested Harry and Ginny to take care of Daisy while she got some sleep.
After tea, Ginny lay down on her back, holding Daisy in the air. "Now, you are flying!" Daisy giggled in amusement. "You guys really can fly, right?" Dudley had entered the room. "Sorry for not knocking tough."
"That's okay; I'm just playing with your daughter." Ginny smiled. "We do fly, as a matter of fact. Has Harry ever mentioned Quidditch at all?"
"I might have heard him mention that." Dudley strained his memory-hard.
"Well, it is played in air on broomsticks. Seven players per team." Ginny said. "My brothers, Harry, and I are all Quidditch players. At least while we were at Hogwarts. Only I play professional Quidditch now. My brothers chose other careers after Hogwarts."
"So, none of us can fly?"
"Daisy can, once she is around eleven. She has already been demonstrating her magical abilities."
Dudley's shoulders sagged in defeat. "I want to see how it feels on a broom too."
"I will take you some time, Big D!" Harry came from behind Dudley just then. "Quidditch star discussing Quidditch tactics with her muggle relative! Interesting title for the next Article in the Sports Edition, isn't it?" Harry grinned. Ginny grinned too, "I am no Quidditch star. You, Harry, are the one who is the Youngest Seeker in a Century."
"Explain what Quidditch is," Dudley said as he watched Harry sit and pull Ginny into his arms.
As Harry explained the Quaffle, Bludgers, Golden Snitches, and the Chasers, Beaters, Keepers, and Seekers in Quidditch teams, Dudley grew excited to try a broomstick. Daisy was now trying to reach for something invisible above Harry's head. She made to stand on Ginny's hand. Harry held Daisy's back to prevent her from falling. Dudley then picked up his daughter, "Bedtime, Daisy!"
It was only suppertime, but children needed more rest. Harry wanted to play with Daisy for some more time. He had held Daisy on his back and pretended to be her horse that evening. The two of them had enjoyed it. That's when Ginny had begun playing with Daisy, and Harry had been downstairs for a bit.
Petunia had cooked Harry's favorite Treacle Tart, and Harry thoroughly enjoyed it. Ginny was speaking rapidly with Clara about life at Hogwarts. She had been most eager to know what life would be like for Daisy if she went to Hogwarts.
"Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin!" Ginny paused to eat a mouthful of mashed potato.
"Harry was in Gryffindor, am I correct?" Dudley remembered.
Harry nodded, "Ginny, as well."
Ginny proceeded to talk about O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams because Clara had asked for them. She was a bit like Hermione or probably even Percy, in Harry's opinion.
After dinner, Petunia said, "Ginny, would you come up to my room, please?"
Clara set off to do the dishes saying, "I'll handle them. No problem." Ginny tensed and looked at Harry. Harry nodded, looking apprehensive. But Petunia didn't look snappish or angry, so Harry felt a little at ease.
"Your room is beautiful, Mrs. Dursley." Ginny looked around as she entered a red and pink room. This was different from Harry's description of "Boring and dull colors, they had!" in the past. Maybe they had renovated the house or parts of the house.
"Sit." Petunia pointed to the bed as she rummaged around a higher shelf next to the mirror. "Ah! Found it!"
Petunia sat next to Ginny. Ginny saw that it was a tiny chocolate brown box that was carefully handled. It looked old, but it still retained some of its former glory thanks to how it was handled with care.
"My mother, Mrs. Evans, was a kind woman who always helped people. Only a few things are left with me that remind me of her, and this is the last of it." Petunia's mouth shook. Ginny tensed.
"She had a ring, which I have passed down to Clara." She opened the box. Inside was a beautiful diamond-studded necklace. The design was too old-fashioned for Ginny's liking, and at any other time, she would have pointed out that she likes a different design. But her lips had sealed themselves for some reason. She couldn't bring herself even to nod.
"This necklace is the last of what she had inherited from her mother, just like that ring. One of her jewels was to go to Dudley's fiancée, the other, to Harry's fiancée, that is you." Petunia said rather quickly. "This is for you."
"W-What? F-For me? But… " Ginny began.
"Look, it was supposed to go to Lily, who was supposed to pass it down to you. Instead of Lily, I have kept this necklace and am passing it down to you. It's that simple." Petunia was clearly trying hard and failing at being her old snappish self.
"But, you never treated Harry as one of your own, never gave him the same love or affection you gave Dudley, never told him about his parents and heritage… And now… You want to give me this family heirloom that clearly means so much to you. I… Don't… Know what… To say…" Words failed to come out of Ginny further.
To her shock, Petunia burst into sobs. "Nobody has regretted that more than me. Even now, I'm struggling within myself. I can't forgive myself for how I treated my sister, and her husband, and their son all these years. Yet I can't forget my resentment and jealousy over the fact that I never went to Hogwarts!! Dudley never went to Hogwarts either!! But now, suddenly, you're all talking about the possibility of Daisy attending Hogwarts!! I don't even know what to feel anymore!!!"
Ginny felt her eyes burn and sting. "I-I am so sorry! I was being rude! I shouldn't have spoken like that!"
"No, it is not your fault anyway." Petunia wiped her eyes with her palms. "I regret my whole life now. My sister and I had such a strong bond. But then, she turned out special! She could make things happen out of the blue! She became an angel; attended Hogwarts, performed magic, sacrificed her life for a cause. I, on the other hand, have always been destined for the mundane! I have always felt Vernon is the only person who understood me. He always has been supportive of me. When I made it clear I didn't want to talk about Lily or Hogwarts, he obliged. Even when my sister and brother-in-law died, Vernon took several days off just to make sure I was okay. My parents had died recently too. He didn't care if he lost his job. Then, one day, Lily's son was kept at my doorstep! Albus Dumbledore did not even think it was worth his time to explain the situation to Vernon or me. He just expected Vernon and me to take Harry in without any support or understanding on how to care for a magical child! It was my sister and me all over again, but with our sons instead. Harry was the special one, the magical perfectionist, while my Dudders was the same as me, with mundane life. Every time someone, Marge usually, spoke ill of Lily, I wanted to pull out my hair and scream murder! How dare they talk about Lily like that! But I was helpless, and so was Vernon, especially with Marge. If my life was overshadowed by my sister, it was the same with Vernon. Marge was the favorite child, and her parents died young. She would routinely beat up Vernon and force him to do household chores. He has always struggled with his inner demons, too, sometimes forcing Harry to do household work and sometimes stopping himself from making Harry do household work. He regrets it and is ashamed that he abused Harry. None of us are perfect like Lily or James or Harry or you…."
"We are not perfect either…." Ginny started, but tears clouded her eyes, and she had to wipe her eyes. By then, Petunia put the box with the necklace into her hand firmly.
"I am glad Daisy at least has one teensy little prospect of going to Hogwarts," Petunia said, regaining her composure. "I wish the best for her. But promise me, Ginny, that you and Harry will always be there for Daisy. You see, Clara and Dudley have been working on some family documents off late. I think it is about…." Just then, Vernon walked in.
"Oh! Petunia? Ginny?" He stifled a yawn and said, "I will leave you guys to it." He rubbed his eyes.
"What is it, Vernon?" Petunia stood up.
"Nothing," Vernon said. I fancied…"
"It is okay, Mr. Dursley. We're nearly done," Ginny stood up too. "Thank you for the necklace, Mrs. Dursley. It means a lot to me! Today's discussion helped me understand you a little more than I previously knew, I believe."
"Go to sleep, Dear. You can call me Petunia."
"Call me Vernon," There was a smile on Vernon's face, which immediately turned into a yawn.
Ginny went out of the room and went into Harry's room, wiping her eyes. She was glad the lamp was extinguished. She didn't want Harry to see she was crying. He would get worried and upset whenever she cried. And if he saw her crying while at the Dursleys, he would flare up. Ginny knew that.
Harry was lying on their bed. She took a roundabout to the other side of the bed and sat on it. Harry sensed it and woke up, "Gin? It's nearly midnight. Dudley and Uncle Vernon finished watching a television drama in all the time you were at Aunt Petunia's room."
"Harry. We spoke for some time," Ginny said. Harry had now sat up and pulled her into his arms. "And?" He asked.
Ginny recollected everything Petunia had told her and showed him the necklace. She had recounted Petunia's mixed feelings about her life, Lily, Hogwarts, and Harry. What shocked Harry the most was Vernon being an abused child in his childhood and his abuser being none other than the very woman who had made his childhood worse than Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley combined! He had turned on the light and was shocked to see tears in her eyes.
"You're crying." Ginny pointed out. "I'm not; you are," Harry said but knew he lied at the first half of the sentence. He could feel his eyes sting and felt wetness at his cheeks. "Now I think of it, Uncle Vernon always looked nervous and, could it be possible, bit scared whenever Aunt Marge was around. He would try his level best to keep her in good spirits and not offend her. I never thought this was because Marjorie Dursley was a horrible excuse of a human being!" Harry clenched his fists, obviously remembering how much Marge had bullied him as a child.
Harry closed his eyes in disgust. Ginny patted him gently on the back, and when he half opened his eyes, she kept her head on his shoulder, "It's going to be alright, Harry. I felt you should know. Especially after your aunt told me all this." Harry put his arm around her.
After a five minute silence, Harry brought his lips to Ginny's. Fireworks banged in their minds as Ginny sunk deeper into the kiss. Her hands were on Harry's back, while Harry's were in her flaming red hair. She opened her lips to make space for Harry's tongue to explore her mouth. He loved exploring her mouth.
"You're leaving already?"
It was morning, and everybody was at breakfast. Ginny had just announced that she and Harry would be leaving. Dudley wished they would stay.
"Big D. Being an Auror…. Okay, you know how hard it gets for policemen?"
"Policemen?" Ginny asked.
"The Muggle Aurors, Gin," Harry explained.
"I am a Dark Wizard Catcher, an Auror. I need to be at duty. I have to go, Dud."
"Okay, Harry. See you around on the tenth of next month. I have planned something." Dudley grinned as he cast a knowing look at Clara. Harry was an Occlumens, though, and he read Dudley's mind with ease.
"You want to make Ginny and I godparents of Daisy?!" Harry stared with his mouth open. Ginny's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
Dudley and the others were taken aback. "I meant it as a surprise! Anyway, we want you and Ginny to be Daisy's godparents, Harry. You're the only ones who understand Daisy and who Daisy likes back. We can see how much she likes you both. Aunt Marge, the only other relative Daisy has, doesn't understand Daisy at all. Daisy, not without reason, despises her as well. I bet Mum would've told Ginny last night then!"
"I meant to, Dudley. But Vernon needed to sleep, so it slipped my mind. Your father isn't keeping too well these days. Remember what the doctor said about his heart ailment?"
"Heart ailment?! What is going on here?" Harry said in shock.
"Nothing, just chest pain." Vernon tried to wave it away.
"Uncle Vernon! You needn't keep everything to yourself, you know. You can tell us about your abusive childhood, your physical ailments, and stress."Harry said.
Vernon was white in the face but regained composure, "Look, this is common as we age. Forget that. Harry, Ginny, what are your plans? What have you planned for the day?"
"Just going to the Burrow," Ginny had finally gotten over her surprise, "Our House."
Harry sat next to Daisy as Ginny was with the Dursley ladies for some time.
"This is a puzzle," He said. Daisy's smile would've brought down Lord Voldemort to his knees, Harry felt. Well, maybe not Lord Voldemort, but you get the point. Daisy was a chubby, innocent girl who looked just like her father had been as a baby; a beachball. Harry gripped his stomach and rolled on the floor laughing as he remembered the memory of Dudley resembling a pig in a wig as Aunt Petunia had described Dudley as a baby angel.
Daisy had somehow managed to climb onto his chest. He held her, feeling something new within. He felt, for the first time, exactly as he felt as he held Teddy Lupin in the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts.
The first time he had held Teddy Lupin in his hands, he had felt an overwhelming desire to protect him and care for him. He, like his father James, would sacrifice his life if need be for Teddy. Looking back at that memory and glancing into the blue eyes of Daisy Dursley, this felt like déjà vu. He felt the need to protect her, give her all the love he could, guide her, and support her.
"You are my baby angel!" The words were out before he knew it.
"I know, right? Glad I'm not the only one who feels like that!" An amused voice said. Harry looked sideways to see Ginny crouching beside him. "I feel the need to nurse her, protect her, teach her, and give her so much love!" Ginny shook her head. "I can't get enough of her."
Perhaps it had something to do with being named Godfather of Teddy and Daisy, but Harry had quickly grown attached when he met them both, respectively. He was glad Ginny felt the same way.
Holding Ginny around the waist, he bid goodbye to the Dursleys as Ginny placed a hand around his back. "Thank you for dropping by. Harry. Ginny. Keep visiting."
"Looking forward to when we meet next."
"You are still Daisy's godparents. We will be making it official."
"Take care, goodbye."
The last of the Dursleys Harry saw was the cute smile of Daisy, who was waving her hands. Would that be the last time Harry ever saw the Dursleys?