Disclaimer -- I own nothing... not even my home... it's all JK Rowling's, who is one of the most creative people I have ever had the priviledge to read...

HARRY'S WORLD OF WONDERS

It was almost February when an owl showed up with a letter from Hogwarts. An official seal in tact, the letter read

Dear Harry and Ginny,

Forgive the intrusion on the end of your Honeymoon.

Please come to Grimmald Place at once. We need to talk.

--Albus

Thirty minutes later, they were sitting at Grimmauld place.

There had been a car accident and Harry's aunt and uncle had been killed. Dudley, who had been at the university at the time, was not with them. Upon learning of their deaths, Dudley contacted Mrs. Figg, who alerted Albus, so he could contact Harry. Ginny gripped his hand upon learning the news and waited for Harry to show any emotion. There was none.

They attended the funeral and were a bit shocked when not only did Ron and Hermione show up, but Mason, Katie, Draco and Madison as well. Neville and Luna showed up a moment or two later, but all were there to show support for their friend. The funeral was beautiful and any flowers not sent by the Dursley's friends, were sent by Harry's. At the conclusion of the grave-side service, Dudley called Harry aside for a few moments.

"Listen, Harry... I appreciate you coming. I know you didn't like them much... well... anyway..." Harry looked to see Dudley's eyes had large tears which were threatening to fall at any moment, but waited patiently while the larger man got his emotions under control. "I guess what I need to say here is that...I'm sorry for the way they treated you. I was a prat myself and had no right to be so bloody mean to you. Please accept my apologies." Harry nodded once before being swept into a great hug by the large blonde.

"Dud...ley...I...can't...breathe..." Dudley let him go. After catching his breath, the two talked for a moment longer, and departed with the promise that Harry would come by Privet Drive the next day. When he turned, he saw his other family waiting to help in anyway they can. Walking back to them, he bowed his head and thanked God for family that could love him.

Draco and Madison left first, followed by Neville and Luna. Mason and Katie made their goodbyes as well and left. When only the four friends were left at the graveyard, Harry dropped a single white rose on each newly dug grave and said a quiet goodbye.

The following day, as promised, Harry left Ginny to meet with Dudley. Harry knocked quietly on the front door of the house that was his home for so long and waited for his cousin to open the door. Long gone were the wards that had kept his family safe. Harry gave a split second to wonder if those wards might have save his aunt and uncle, but was spared any guilt by the opening of the door.

When Dudley opened the door, he smiled when he saw Harry. Dudley had been alone at the house the previous night and welcomed his cousin in as an old friend. They talked

through an entire pot of tea for Dudley and a full carafe of coffee for Harry.

As it turns out, Dudley's time at the University had done wonders for him. He was in his third year on a full academic scholarship, having given up boxing after a nasty concussion his first year at school. His major was Accounting, with a strong dose of Investment Banking thrown in. Harry's feeling of guilt returned when Dudley admitted that he hoped to do an internship at the Bank of England, as their grandfather had at one time, owned it.

Harry made a mental note to insure Dudley's internship.

The day passed quickly for the two. Before leaving, Harry stopped at the door to the small cupboard that had been his room for so long. Dudley handed him the key to the lock and

watched as Harry unlocked it. The large man continued to watch as Harry ducked his head to enter the small space and sit on the small cot still there. The boxes were there as well. It was some time before Dudley cleared his throat, bringing Harry out of his silent memories.

"They had no right to keep you in here. I didn't know any better, but that was no excuse for the way I was as a child. Again, please forgive them for the way they treated you."

"Will you stay here? I mean will you live here after school?"

Dudley shook his head. "No, I think that I'll get a place nearer London. I met a girl at the University and would like to get to know her better. It's not that this house isn't nice enough, but honestly, Harry. My childhood was a nightmare as well. Just for different reasons. Besides, I would like to get to know my only living family better, if there is a chance."

Standing and ducking as he walked out of the cupboard, Harry put his hand on Dudley's shoulder, "I would be honored to get to know you as the man you are rather than the shite you were as a kid." With a nod, Dudley agreed.

The following day, a solicitor contacted Dudley Dursley and offered three times the market value for the home his parents had lived in. Dudley accepted the offer immediately. Three

days after the completed purchase, Harry arrived with his wife to help clear out everything Dudley wanted.

One day later, Ginny Potter began renovating the home to be used as a get away for any of the founders who wished to use it.

Over the following months, Harry and Dudley met every Thursday evening at a small pub in South London. Over drinks and food, Harry told Dudley of his world and adventures. Sometimes, Dudley would talk about the University he attended and his dreams for a future. Other times, they would both cry over the loss of the parents they had known. And still others, they laughed before they said goodbye until the next time.

It was almost April when Dudley arrived at the Pub earlier than usual. Excited, he waited at the normal corner booth for his cousin. When the emerald eyed brunette walked through the door, he was met with a hug and smile that shown brightly on his face. During the first round of drinks, Dudley told Harry of his meeting a beautiful girl named Sarah at the University and that they had been dating several months.

Harry wondered briefly what it would be like when Dudley completed his Internship and first two years of employment, during which time he would work his way up the corporate

ladder to, perhaps, be on the Board of Directors. To, hopefully, take the place the blood that flowed in his veins guarenteed. Only time would tell, but Harry believed that Dudley had changed for the better and learned the life lessons that would make him an honorable man.

During April, as the spring rains began, Ron and Harry found themselves sitting at the table at the Burrow. Harry had decided to visit the properties that he had inherited in the Muggle world, and wanted his friends to be part of those discoveries.

The muggle home of his grandfather was massive. The Bank of England, which now belonged to Harry James Potter, and run by a group of trustworthy people, kept the estate in amazing condition. Harry wondered why it was not on some tour if it was so famous, but just didn't have time to wonder.

The staff at the home were immaculate. Each the perfect version of what a butler of hand-maid should be, took their jobs seriously. As the two couples were shown room after room of treasures, Harry realized only one thing: The three people walking with him, meant more to him that all the paintings and treasures of this home.

As they were shown the gardens, Harry took a moment to think about how his mother and aunt must have played here as children. The acreage of the land was immense and there were ancient walls to divide the gardens. With a deep cleansing breath, the four smelled the bountiful flowers. Harry was already trying to figure out how to share this with Dudley. But for all his hope for the cousin who should have shared this, Harry still wasn't sure he was a changed man. Only time could tell, and three months simply wasn't enough.

Harry was to meet with the Board of Directors on the sixth of May to discuss Dudley and his internship. He only hoped that they agreed with him and the way he wanted to do things. Being young certainly had its disavantages.

During the following meeting with Dudley, during the second round of drinks, Dudley produced the neatly folded letter that had awarded him the Internship for the Bank of England.