Quidditch Final and The Dursleys' Doom

August brought in a hectic schedule for Harry. He had Quidditch practice, Occlumency training with Dumbledore, planning lessons (he had started with the basic Disarming Charm, and everyone was only beginning to get the hang of it), and evenings he spent with Ginny. On top of everything, he kept Ron and Hermione in the loop. They had to know about his lessons with Dumbledore, for he had started explaining Voldemort's past and Horcruxes to Harry. His Occlumency was getting better, so Dumbledore felt it better to start instructing Harry about Horcruxes. This was the only thing Harry didn't share with Ginny. He just couldn't. Ron and Hermione had to know because they were his best friends and were on the journey since the Trio was eleven.

Ginny, however, took it in her stride. Even as Harry expressed his guilty feeling, Ginny assured him not to feel guilty as she herself didn't feel bad or anything about this. She knew about Harry, Ron, and Hermione's friendship and understood that Dumbledore had chosen the Trio for a mission to defeat Voldemort. She even respected Harry's boundaries and did not try to sneak into his mind to see what he was hiding from her. This was an unspoken agreement between Harry and Ginny. Both of them would not sneak into personal memories of each other. They respected each others' boundaries and trusted each other.

Lee Jordan visited Potter Manor on Ginny's birthday (the twins had invited him). Harry kissed Ginny heartily during the party and gave her an expensive gold necklace as her birthday gift. This made Ginny tear up. She fed the first piece of her Badam-flavored cake to Harry out of joy. There was music, fireworks, Butterbeer, dancing, and food for the rest of the evening. Hope had cooked Indian food for the occasion, this time cooking 'Lemon Rice', 'Puliyogare', and Curd Rice.

The following morning, everybody was excited because Lee Jorden would comment for a test match between the two Quidditch teams to see their performance. The final match was fast approaching, and the two teams were practicing harder than ever. The excitement from the previous evening carried on.

Angelina and Harry were both proud of their teams by the end of the test match. The two teams had played so well, and Ginny caught the Golden Snitch, ending the game. Otherwise, Harry was sure the game would've continued for some days at least. Even those like Percy, who wasn't much into Quidditch, played decently, and Harry was sure the teams would perform amazingly on the 29th.

Charlie was every bit the legendary player everybody described. The only reason he wasn't a seeker was because he wished to give Ginny the chance. Ginny did not let him down though. She played like a true Weasley, fiery and determined. Even Ron and Percy demonstrated the Weasley talent for Quidditch, and Ron was amazing at being a Keeper. Even Fred and George had to take a bow seeing how well Ron and Ginny played. After all Ginny played with the boys' brooms from the Weasleys' broom cupboard since the age of six! Ron was no lesser. Harry was sure Chudley Cannons would win the league if Ron ever decided to play for his favorite Quidditch team.

Professor McGonagall, Tonks, and Audrey weren't behind either. They played fabulously and gave a tough competition to the regular Quidditch players.

On the sixth of August, Harry paid one last visit to Number Four, Privet Drive. Ginny would've gladly accompanied him, but Tonks was adamant that Ginny practice her Karate along with the other girls (Remus for teaching the same to the boys).

Petunia opened the door and hastily pulled him inside.

"Uh, Aunt Petunia, I've come to collect some last things, actually. I am moving to Potter Manor. It had been closed all these years and has now become available to me. Long story. But I'm living there now." Harry said.

Petunia's eyes watered as she looked up at him with a half-open mouth. She was Lily's height. James Potter and Vernon Dursley were both at least a head taller than the two sisters. Harry and Dudley were fast approaching their respective fathers' heights.

"I'm - We'll miss you." Petunia wiped her eyes. "Wait a moment." She brought out a large dusty box from the attic and handed it over to Harry. The label read, 'Evans - Lily'.

Harry magicked the box and some other possessions to Potter Manor before turning to his aunt.

"May I use the restroom?" Harry asked politely, still taken aback at the change in Petunia's demeanor.

"Why do you ask? You know where it is!" Petunia shook her head sadly.

Harry had just finished relieving himself and was washing his hands when it happened. Loud screams from three sets of voices, followed by loud crashing, before smoke entered the bathroom Harry was in. Shocked, Harry wrenched open the door and rushed out.

Among the debris of the hall stood a few people, the prominent ones were Aunt Marge, who looked just like Uncle Vernon, even sporting a mustache like him; a woman looking like a large, pale toad. She was rather squat with a broad, flabby face, as little neck as Aunt Marge, and a very wide, slack mouth. Her eyes were large, round, and slightly bulging. Even the little black velvet bow perched on top of her short curly hair put him in mind of a large fly she was about to catch on a long sticky tongue. She spoke in a highly irritating girlish voice rather than a croak.

"Surrender, or else!"

"M-Marge, help us!" Vernon pleaded. Harry was shocked to see blood pouring out from Vernon's temple. But Marge gave cold, cruel laughter. Harry saw the Dark Mark on Marge's hands and knew it was a lost cause.

"Look at them being such pathetic fools, Dolores Umbridge!" Marge laughed.

Umbridge gave a nasty smile before bellowing, "Crucio!" The three Dursleys screamed in pain as their bodies twisted in contorted positions. Harry had to do something.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry roared! The Death Eaters were all shocked.

Every attempt by the Death Eaters to attack, maim, or kill Harry and the three Dursleys was met with Harry's powerful counter curses. Even so, Harry was only one against five Death Eaters. He kept the fight going but knew he was running out of time. He bellowed at the top of his voice, "Run! Aunt Petunia! Big D! Uncle Vernon!" Harry was losing the fight but continued. Beams of red, violet, green, blue, and silver-white light shot from the ends of Harry's and the Death Eaters' wands. By now, Harry was fiercely dueling a hooded Death Eater when a cold, drawling voice that left him in no doubt who it was shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"

Harry's heart sank as Petunia screamed, and Dudley began sobbing. Aunt Marge had grabbed Uncle Vernon's hands and let Lucius Malfoy kill her brother! Umbridge had been pointing a wand at Petunia's throat, and Petunia was shielding Dudley.

Harry rushed to his aunt and cousin but punched him hard in the guts knocking him out briefly. Harry was powerless and grievously injured. He saw from the corner of his eyes Marge dragging Dudley away from Petunia.

"No! Not Dudley! Please!" Petunia screamed, and Harry tried his level best to get up or even get his wand which was kicked out of his hand.

"Stupid woman, just like her stupid sister!" Marge laughed.

Dudley was now out cold. Petunia fought against Lucius and another Death Eaters' grip and rushed to her son. Umbridge had her wand pointed at Dudley.

"Don't! Not Dudders! Take me instead!" Petunia screamed. Then, several things happened simultaneously, within the blink of an eye.

Dudley began regaining consciousness. He was weak but managed to open his eyes slowly. Dolores screamed, "Avada Kedavra!" pointing at Dudley. Harry finally got hold of his wand and screamed, "Expelliarmus!" But by then, Petunia dived in front of her son, screaming "NO!", and got hit by the Killing Curse, just as Umbridge's wand went flying into the air. As Umbridge and the other Death Eaters lunged at Harry, Harry proved himself quicker than them. He had, after all, been good at dodging injuries given the need since childhood.

Dudley watched in horror as his mother dropped dead, even as Harry performed magic to save them. He wanted to shout out to Harry to run away before these monsters closed in on him. But Harry didn't run away. Instead, he slipped away from every obstacle and grabbed Dudley's hand. The next second, Harry disapparated with Dudley. The last thing Harry saw was Umbridge pressing the Dark Mark on her left arm.

Harry was bleeding copiously, and even Dudley showed all the signs of being tortured by the Curciatus Curse several times. Harry was relieved that Dumbledore had been teaching him Apparition ever since Harry arrived at Grimmauld Place back in July.

In Potter Manor, all the Weasleys, the Marauders, Hermione, Tonks, Fleur, Audrey, and Hope were in the sitting room. The idea was to wait until Harry returned so everyone could have dinner together. Just then, they heard an almighty crash in the hall just outside and a scream. Shocked, everybody ran out to see Harry yelling with pain clutching his scar (Voldemort was at Number Four, Privet Drive, and the Ministry of Magic along with the Muggle police had seen Voldemort and the Death Eaters present. In a fury, Voldemort blasted apart the rest of the house) as he clutched a half-conscious teenage boy who Arthur and some others recognized as Dudley Dursley! Soon, both the teenagers had fainted.

"A-Am I also dead?" It sounded like Dudley's voice. Harry's heart skipped a beat. In his panic, he jumped from his bed and roared, "Expelliarmus!" before losing his balance and crashing to the floor. A loud bang and a scream were heard before the sound of thundering footsteps arrived.

Harry heard voices calling out his name, but he kept bellowing, yelling, and crying out one name repeatedly, "Dudley!"

He calmed down only when he heard a gentle voice inside his head "Harry, please relax! It's me!"

"G-Ginny?" Harry slowly opened his eyes. Ginny sat next to him on his bed. With a scream, Harry buried his head into her chest and screamed, wailed, sobbed, and wept in agony, pain, and hurt. Ginny put her arms around him and held him closer, all the while rubbing his back and patting his head.

"Shh! It's okay. I'm here!"

"Aunt Petunia! Uncle Vernon! Gone! Gone like Mum and Dad!" Harry shook with emotion. "W-Where is Dudley?! I thought he was with me!"

Harry calmed down after Madame Pomfrey was called and Ginny fed him the Calming Draught. Ron and Hermione, white in the face, were the only others who Harry would talk to. He would just scream at the others. His two best friends assured him that Dudley was being attended to by Madame Pomfrey and a muggle healer (doctor) right here at Potter Manor. When Dumbledore asked Harry calmly what happened, Harry, still holding on to Ginny for support, narrated everything.

"I thought so. Did you guys check out today's Daily Prophet?" Harry heard Dumbledore ask the room in general. Bill Weasley appeared to read the paper aloud for everyone.

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is BACK! Weeks after Cedric Diggory's death, the return of You-Know-Who was confirmed by Magical and Muggle Authorities on the evening of the sixth of August. He and some of his followers attacked a muggle house late last evening. His followers, who call themselves "Death Eaters," murdered one Vernon Dursley and one Petunia Dursley nee Evans. Their fifteen-year-old son, Dudley Dursley, is found missing by the muggle and magical authorities, and rumors suggest he is feared dead by the muggle authorities. You-Know-Who escaped once the Aurors arrived, but the Death Eaters present were arrested. Marjorie Dursley, a muggle was one of the prominent Death Eaters. You heard that right! He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has started taking muggles into his Death Eater community now! This muggle Death Eater in question is the sister of the deceased man, Vernon Dursley. Some other Death Eaters arrested include Dolores Umbridge, Lucius Malfoy, and the previously presumed dead Peter Pettigrew! This automatically clears the name of the accused Sirius Black of all charges! Peter Pettigrew betrayed the Potters and got Sirius Black punished for a crime Black hadn't committed. Pettigrew confessed this under the influence of Verisaterum during questioning."

Umbridge was a horrible woman, and even Percy despised her, and he put as much distance as possible from her. He made himself very clear in the matter.

"Oh, no!" came a weak voice. But the voice came from Dudley's bed. Harry was quick to rush to him even as he fell over. "Dudley! Dudley! Oh, my God!"

As Dudley attempted to sit, Harry gave him the famous Weasley hug, the hug which knocks the air out of your lungs.

Dudley's eyes filled up. "M-Mum? D-Dad?"

Memories of the past evening were rushing into both the brothers' minds. The two brothers were not in the mood to talk to anyone or go anywhere the entire day. They just shut themselves up in the room and under their blankets.

That evening, Harry opened up to Ginny, Hermione, and Ron. He told them everything in detail. He had only briefed it to Dumbledore and the others, leaving out the interaction with his aunt and the box titled 'L.E.' which was in Harry's room now.

Ginny, Hermione, and Ron sniffed. But Harry heard four voices, not three, and they thought so too. The four of them turned around only to find out Dudley had listened to every single word Harry had said. Harry's heart went out for him as Dudley covered himself under the blankets, and his frame shook silently.

Harry was visited by the Longbottoms, the Lovegoods, Mad-Eye Moody, Angelina, Alicia, McGonagall, and for the first time ever, Snape, who was white in the face and had slightly red eyes. While Harry moved out of his bed and began opening up slowly, Dudley remained shut and distant as ever. Dudley refused meals and only drank some milk so he could swallow his tablets. Harry had to put his foot down to make Dudley drink the Health Potions and eat solid food.

As the week progressed, Harry was back to playing Quidditch and planning lessons. But he neither taught nor could he focus on blocking his mind for Occclumency. As for Dudley, his only friend was Hope. He had freaked out and fainted when he saw Hope that late evening when Harry apparated him to Potter Manor for the first time. Now, he had grown accustomed to Hope's presence.

Hope was a gentle and caring house elf. She understood that Dudley wasn't magical and tried her best not to freak him out with magic.

"No, we should celebrate Ginny's birthday," Harry insisted one day.

"But, Harry." Ginny protested, "You and your cousin have just lost your relatives."

"We have. You haven't. Even so, the Dursleys have nothing to do with the Weasleys. Your birthday will still be celebrated, Ginny." Harry smiled. "Thanks for your support, Ginny!"

"Oh, Harry." Ginny hugged him.

Harry and Angelina shook hands and mounted their brooms. Behind them, their teams were ready with their broomsticks. Lee Jordan was commentating. The crowd at Potter Manor during Neville's birthday party was present on this occasion too. This time though, Oliver Wood had come to watch the match.

Harry had met Oliver just before the match. "Splendid house, Potter! And I want you to kill it during the game!" Oliver roared excitedly. Harry had grinned.

"How's Puddlemore United?"

"Going great, thank you!" Oliver said happily.

Just as Oliver wished Harry and went up the stands, Harry saw a girl with dirty blond hair accompany a man who only had to be her father. They chose to sit on the chairs at the frontmost seats. Ginny apparently had invited them.

"Harry, we play neck to neck. No exceptions!" Ginny thought in her mind. Harry had no qualms.

As Harry soared into the air, he forgot all about Lee's commentating and focused on finding the Golden Snitch. He watched with pride as thirteen Quidditch players (fourteen players in total) played so smoothly and amazingly. There were no Slytherins to mess up this game, no Draco Malfoy to taunt them or play dirty tactics. Thankfully, even Dobby didn't decide to bewitch the Bludgers as he had done in Harry's second year.

Harry saw a glint of gold and zoomed towards it. Soon, Ginny was at his side. The two of them flew furiously after the Golden Snitch, which somehow found the whole thing hilarious, for it was trying to flee here and there.

He dived furiously towards the Earth as soon as the Snitch went out of sight for the umpteenth time. Ginny, guessing correctly that Harry had spotted the Snitch below, followed him. The two of them zoomed across the skies racing to the ground, both with one hand stretched. Ginny's fingers brushed against the Snitch, but Harry caught the Snitch and turned sharply just before hitting the ground. Not for nothing did he know the Wronski Feint!

However, he didn't turn away from Ginny. He went directly below Ginny so that she crashed into him from above! Harry hit the ground hard, Ginny on top of him, the Golden Snitch in Harry's hand, and for a moment, there was a shocked silence, followed by cheers.

The opposing side was the opposing side only for the duration of the match. Once the match was over, they all rushed to Harry and Ginny, as did the audience. Madame Pomfrey was called, and she mended the injuries of all the fourteen players. "Sleep for the rest of the night. You can do your packing, etc., tomorrow night." She instructed.

The girl with dirty blond hair had stared at her friend and Harry for a while before saying, "I notice your soul bond aura around you. You both are meant for each other."

Ginny had been in tears once she regained consciousness (Harry was still out cold). She had stayed up all night until Harry regained consciousness and scolded him for taking such a risk.

"I was so bloody scared, Harry! You almost died in that Chamber because of me already! Now, you almost died because of me again, this time in a Quidditch match!" She hit his chest hard and sobbed into his chest.

"Both times, you weren't responsible for whatever happened to me, Ginny. I went into the Chamber and prevented you from crashing in this match to save you. I would do it all over again without another thought." Harry had shrugged.

Ginny wasn't the only one who cried in front of Harry though. Hermione had red eyes and Ron was white in the face.

"Harry! That was insane!" Hermione chided him.

"Thanks for saving my sister, mate! But you're equally important!" Ron's voice shook.

"Come on, guys. I've had loads of Quidditch injuries in the past. This one is nothing actually." Harry laughed it off, although he was touched.

"For the next two days, everybody asked Harry one question. "Why did you put yourself in danger like that, Harry?"

Harry's answer was always the same, "I had to protect Ginny. So I made sure she didn't crash directly onto the ground." He didn't mind getting a few more injuries if that meant Ginny had lesser injuries.

"You play just like your father, Harry." Padfoot said.

"Aye! It was like seeing Prongs!" Moony agreed.

Harry smiled at these words.

Dudley hadn't attended anything except Ginny's birthday party, and even there, he kept to himself. He ate better than he ate of late and had drifted off to bed after wishing Ginny a very happy birthday. He hadn't come to watch Quidditch as well. Harry spoke with Dumbledore to see if he could visit Dudley during the weekends as Dudley will be alone.

"I want Dudley to live here at Potter Manor, sir. I want him to stay with me and not to feel left out or helpless." Harry said.

"I'm proud of you, Harry. You always want the best for everybody, regardless of how they treated you in the past." Dumbledore said.

Lessons, Quidditch practices, and Order meetings were canceled during the days leading to September the First. Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were the new Gryffindor Prefects, and Molly had organized a huge party for the new prefects. Harry learned that James Potter had never been prefect, but James and Lily had been Head Boy and Girl in the Seventh Year, and Remus Lupin had been a prefect.

That was the second time Dudley had come out. He congratulated Ron and Hermione and went back to his bed.

On the first of September, Harry saw a now free and innocent Sirius Black who had volunteered to drop Dudley off at Smeltings, his old school. The Dursleys had already paid for the year. The other team consisted of everybody dropping off the Hogwarts students on Platform 9 ¾.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would be escorting the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione to Kings Cross Station.

A few days before September the First, Harry had pulled Dudley aside and spoken to him about his schooling.

"We will all be leaving to Hogwarts shortly, Dud. You, too, should consider going to Smeltings. There will always be two Aurors in disguise around the school if you choose to go. Your education is also important, and I'm sure Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon would've agreed with me."

"I don't want to go anywhere…" Dudley began, but Harry interrupted him, "You will be stuck here all alone for an entire year, Dudley. I can take time off from Hogwarts and visit you only a few times a year. Besides, your education will also take a back seat."

"Why are you so concerned about me, anyway? I have been a nasty bully to you throughout childhood. My friends and I have always troubled you and enjoyed what we called 'Harry Hunting'. Mum and Dad were so mean and cruel to you. Aunt Marge has been exceptionally cruel to you. You must hate my guts, just like my family!" Dudley sobbed.

Harry stayed quiet for a while, but Ron answered from the doorway, "Then, what will be the difference between Harry and you? Harry is Harry, and you're you. Harry sees the good in people and believes in second chances. He doesn't carry grudges over childhood events."

"Ron, he is upset. Please don't." Harry implored, but Hermione answered, "We are here to help, Harry. Your cousin should know that. We all are here to help one another. He clearly needs help, and you're doing your best to help him. But he doesn't realize he needs that help. He has to realize what he had been in his past, rectify his mistakes, and learn. That's when true healing will begin for him."

"Once again, we're here to help," Ron said, looking in Dudley's direction. Dudley had a grateful smile on his lips. Just then, Ginny brought some Chocolate Frogs. "Welcome to the Wizarding World, Dud! Come on, it's about time you leave that blanket." Harry said as Ginny handed over two Chocolate Frogs to him, one of which he passed over to Dudley. Ginny, Hermione, and Ron had Chocolate Frogs too.

Remus Lupin was right. Chocolate makes you feel better. Dudley smiled for the first time since the nightmarish event. "These are my two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. This is my betrothed, Ginny Weasley." Harry smiled at Ginny.

Dudley introduced himself at first. Then, as if the words finally sunk down, he blurted out, "Bethrothed?"

"Well, I am Lord Potter. Ginny is Lady Potter, we're engaged. That's what it means." Harry explained.

"Even before you turn eighteen?" Dudley was wonderstruck.

"Eighteen? Not seventeen?" Ron and Ginny asked. Hermione answered for Harry, "In the muggle world, you come of age at eighteen. Dudley, in the wizarding world, you come of age at seventeen."

"But Harry is fifteen!" Dudley said.

"I am also the sole heir to the Potter estate, vault, property and Manor. It is a family tradition that at fifteen, the Potters gain the titles of 'Duke' and 'Countess'. This means we gain certain legal rights and responsibilities. This includes having a soul bond. My soul mate is Ginny Weasley here."

Dudley stared at Harry and Ginny as the words sank in. "So, is this soul bond thingie pre-decided?"

"Nah! The soul bond activates when you meet your soul mate! I met Ginny at age eleven. Since then, we've been growing closer until we realized there is a soul bond between us. When you meet your soul mate, you fall in love with each other. My parents were also soul mates." Harry had explained.

Dudley could only manage a "Congratulations!" and a "Wow!" for his Aunt Lily and Uncle James. He was too exhausted to speak further.

Harry remembered this exchange as he stepped out of Potter Manor. Evidently, Dudley, too remembered. He held out his hand, "Harry Potter. I apologize for everything I have done to you over the last fifteen years that caused you pain, hurt, grief, trouble, fear, anxiety, and every other thing ever! I'm sorry, I'm not too good at words and phrases, but I am so so sorry for everything ever! I apologize on my behalf, on my parents' behalf, and my friends' behalf!"

Harry was shocked, "D-Dud… Well… I don't know… What shall I say? Umm... Okay. I accept your apologies. I'm willing to leave it all in the past."

Dudley, however, continued, "I now know how it feels to have both parents dead, Harry. I was cruel and vindictive, and never once was the caring and supportive older brother I was supposed to be! I promise I will be one, from now on. Let us be in touch, Harry, even during the school year. I'll make sure to find a way for your owls to reach my dormitories at Smeltings, so we can send owls. I don't want to lose touch with you."

"You won't, Dud. You will stay in my house, Potter Manor. It's my decision. That room where we slept on the nights of sixth August and seventh August this year, remember? That will be your room at Potter Manor. I will inform Hedwig how to get to Smeltings. I would love to be in touch with you too!"

"Keep in touch, Little Prongslet!" Sirius chuckled. "Sure, Sirius!" Harry grinned.

Remus and Tonks ruffled Harry's hair and told him they'd stay in touch as well.

With that, the two cousins hugged each other briefly and parted ways to their respective schools.