"Don't Say A Word"
Author: HPFicPrincess
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. All characters found in JK Rowling's books are property of JK Rowling. Any character, set, situations not created by JK Rowling was created by me and therefore property of me. I do not own any of the characters, sets or situations created by JK Rowling. I merely use them for the amusement of myself and others in the world of fan fiction.
Chapter Two : The Dudley Diet
Harry Potter watched with distaste as his Aunt Petunia piled what he had come to think of as "the Dudley diet" on his plate. The diet consisted of watery potatoes, wilted asparagus, and over cooked chicken breast. He had been eating it every night since returning to Number Four Privet Drive for the summer. A quick glance at his cousin, Dudley Dursley, was proof enough that the diet was most certainly a failure. The already enormous young man seemed to have only grown more so during the short summer months. One more night, he reminded himself silently. By dinnertime the following day he would be nestled into the Burrow, home of his best friend, Ronald Weasley. He nearly grinned at the thought of Mrs. Weasley's delicious cooking. A quick glance had him grimacing, as he slid a spoonful of the soupy potatoes into his mouth. His uncle was searching for any slight misstep on which to make his final night in their home miserable.
"So," began Vernon Dursely, Harry's uncle on his mother's side, and a rather unpleasant man. "You plan to return this…this school then, eh?" He glared at his nephew, never having been one to suppress his dislike for Harry and people of his kind. It was rather unnatural if you asked Vernon Dursely, which Harry certainly did not.
"Yes, I do," Harry retorted. Voldermort was gone, and Harry was no longer required to return to the Dursley's home in order to keep the cloak of protection that had once been essential in his safety. But Professor McGonagall had made it clear that it had been Dumbledore's wishes that he return for the summer preceeding his seventh year. Surely though, everyone would have preferred he had not returned at all. He, Harry, certainly would have.
His uncle snorted and exchanged looks with Petunia. "Bloody fool you are, Harry. Always have been. But after tomorrow we can finally wash our hands of you. You can go onto your ruddy school and our Dudders can prepare for his university entrance exams without interruption."
Rolling his eyes, Harry fought back a snicker. If his cousin, Dudders, passed his entrance exams, Harry would never utter a single word against him again. Dudley had never studied a day in his life, and bullied younger students into doing his work for him. "I will be leaving at eleven, Uncle and I doubt I shall return." To his surprise, his aunt cast her eyes downward, a frown on her boney and not particularly attractive face.
"And I suppose those people plan on spinning out of our fireplace again, do they, eh?" bellowed Vernon, bits of chicken spewing onto an unfortunate Dudley, whom was seated across from him.
Harry nearly laughed aloud remembering the time when the Weasley men had used floo powder to travel between fireplaces and startled the daylights out of the Dursleys. "No, I will apparate to the Burrow."
"Appa-what?" his uncle questioned and then shook his head. "Never mind, I don't want to know how your people get about. Just make sure the neighbors don't notice anything strange, boy."
"We'll have tea before," Petunia spoke up suddenly. She ignored the questioning glances Harry and Vernon both gave her. "Before you leave, Harry. I would like to have tea with you." Without another word, she stood up quickly and began to clear the table.
Author Notes: Please let me know what you think.
