Chapter 6:

Letter from The Ministry

Harry opened the door and walked into the house; followed by Cedric and Oliver; who were still bracing Dudley with both of his arms over their shoulders. Harry watched them carry Dudley into the house, then closed the door behind them. He could only hope Ms. Figg was right about Dudley recovering from the attack.

"Dudders, is that you?" His aunt called, from the den. Harry peaked around the corner to see her lounging on the sofa, in front of the television. Petunia held a hand fan in her hands, and the television remote in the other. "Darling, I'm sorry it's so hot today. But, your favourite ice cream flavour is in the freezer," she gleamed, turning around to see Harry standing behind her.

"Harry?" She immediately dropped both the fan and the remote. "What are you doing here!?" Petunia was instantly in a standing position.

"Aunt Petunia, I'm so sorry. There's been an accident."

"Accident?" She winced, raising an eyebrow. "Not my baby!"

"We did everything we could to stop them..." Harry started, as his aunt rushed towards him.

"Where is he?" She stammered, glaring down at him.

"By the front door. Dudley was attacked by...dementors!"

"Dementors!?" Petunia gasped, covering her mouth. "How the hell did they get here!? They're supposed to stay in your world!"

"You know about them?" Harry asked, genuinely surprised by his aunt's knowledge of the magical creatures.

"Your mother told me more than I care to admit," she huffed. "I don't have to read a note sent by a damn owl to know what demonic beasts lurk in your freakish world!" She hissed, in a manic tone. "Where's Dudley?"

"Here," Harry led her to the front door.

"Oh, God!" Petunia cried, as she saw his lifeless expression. "What have they done to him!?"

"They tried to kiss him. But, we stopped them. Actually, Cedric and Oliver stopped them," he remarked. "Without them, both Dudley and I would be dead."

"Bring him in here!" Petunia ordered, motioning them to carry Dudley to the den. "Place him on the sofa. I'll get a wash rag to clean his face. Harry, go to his room and bring down a change of clothes." She then turned her gaze towards Dudley. "My poor baby!" She sighed, bending down so their eyes met.

"Mummy," Dudley started to say. "Dementors...attacked me!"

"I know, sweet cakes," Petunia replied, stroking his face.

"Harry..." he began to say, as he sat upright, yet the dizziness was overwhelming. Dudley fell back against the sofa. "Patronuses...There was a unicorn and a...hippogriff!" He exclaimed. "They chased them away."

"Patronuses?" Petunia gave the older boys a quizzical look.

"Advanced magic," Cedric stated.

"It's used to fight off dementors and other dark magic," Oliver elaborated.

Harry hurried upstairs and grabbed a few of Dudley's clothes. When he returned downstairs, he saw his aunt wiping off the dry vomit from Dudley's face. He watched as she slowly glanced up at Cedric and Oliver.

Petunia knew she owed them Dudley's life. Though expressing her gratitude wasn't easy. She loathed magic and anyone who could wield it. Her hatred dated back to then she was a child. She had always despised her sister. Lily was always the "perfect one" in her mother's eyes. Petunia felt she always had to compete for her love. She was ecstatic when her sister finally left home. She was finally out of her life forever! But her happiness soon faded, when she discovered Harry on her doorstep. Once again, her sister had invaded her life. This time, through her son. However, this wasn't the time to recollect past regressions. Her own son was nearly killed by demonic beings from the magical world. He wouldn't be in her arms now, if Harry and his friends hadn't been there. Despite her hatred, she was forever grateful.

"If what Harry said was true, Dudley owes his life to you," she remarked, as she slowly stood. "Thank you for saving my son," she managed to say, doing her best to avoid disdain in her tone.

The two boys nodded in acknowledgment, as Petunia hissed, "Why didn't that bloody minister prevent this!?"

"Cornelius Fudge? The man definitely isn't the brightest Minister of Magic," Oliver scoffed. "There have been sightings of dementors running wild all over this world."

"It started back in early July," Cedric delineated, remembering when he first read about in the Daily Prophet. Mrs. Durseley, Harry only came here to warn you about the dementors being sighted in this area. It's not his fault Dudley was attacked."

"It's because of Harry we were even able to conjure those patronuses," Oliver remarked. "Cedric and I never once used that charm."

"So you're Cedric," Petunia's eyes turned from Oliver to face him.

"Yes. I'm Cedric Diggory. I'm the one who invited Harry to visit me for the summer; and this is my friend, Oliver Wood," Cedric replied, glancing at Oliver.

"I've brought him a change of clothes!" Harry exclaimed, making his presence known, as all eyes turned to meet his.

"Good. I'll need you to help me change him," his aunt replied. "I think it best he rest down here for now. I want to keep a close watch over him."

"Mum, don't let him near me," Dudley bellowed weakly, as he slowly tried to sit in a upright position. "I can change myself."

"Darling, you're ill. You've been through quite an ordeal. Heaven only knows what side effects those things may have on you!" Petunia exclaimed.

"No, I'm fine," Dudley continued to protest. Though he still felt sick, he would find a way to change himself. The thought of having Harry touch him made his stomach churn! "I can do it, myself. Keep him away from me!"

"He's a grateful sort," Oliver quipped. "We save his life and this is the thanks we get?!"

"Just ignore him, Oliver," Cedric stated, touching his shoulder. "Big D is too prideful to be thankful."

"Big D?" Petunia questioned, turning back to face her son. "Dudley, what's all this about?"

"Uh?" Dudley had no clue how to reply to her. He couldn't tell her the truth about his gang. "Well, it's just my nickname. My friends call me Big D." His reply seemed to satisfy her, but Dudley feared Harry would tell her the full story. Fortunately for him, neither Harry or his friends said a word. "I'll go to the washroom and change, mum."

"All right. I'll fix you some broth. Hopefully, that will calm your stomach." Petunia headed towards the kitchen, as Harry handed Dudley his change of clothes.

Once Dudley changed and ate the broth, he fell asleep on the sofa. Meanwhile, Cedric and Oliver surfed through a few television channels, while Harry did his best to stay awake. As hard as he tried, his eyes kept closing. Harry then asked if either Cedric or Oliver minded if he went upstairs to his room. Both agreed he needed rest, so Harry headed to his room. When he entered, he saw nothing had been changed since he was last there. Fighting back another yawn, Harry drew back the top blanket and snuggled underneath it. Once he closed his eyes, Harry was fast asleep.

"Harry?" Cedric softly spoke, touching Harry's shoulder.

"Umm?" Harry groaned, as he extended his hand towards the nightstand and felt for his glasses.

"You need these?" He smirked, holding them so Harry would see.

"Hey! Ced, give me those!" Harry laughed, trying to reach them.

"You'll have to get them from me first," Cedric teased, putting them on as he stood. "Woah! These things are strong!" He exclaimed, removing them from his face.

"Hey!" Harry bellowed, as Cedric handed him his glasses. "Don't be a prat," he sniggered.

"I'm sorry, love. Just being playful," Cedric beamed, stroking Harry's face.

Harry immediately blushed. Cedric had never called him love before. Harry's heart began to flutter. God, how he loved him. Cedric meant everything to him. "I love you," Harry spoke, cupping Cedric's hand over his cheek.

"I love you, too," Cedric replied, as their lips melted together.

Harry tightly embraced him, deepening the kiss. Cedric complied, holding Harry closer as well. Harry then pulled him down, so Cedric could be on top of him. Cedric felt bemused, as he felt himself being pulled down to the bed. Yet, neither one broke their kiss. Harry was in heaven! Being on his bed with Cedric made all his past memories disappear. All he would remember was the touch of Cedric's hands and the sensation he felt as their tongues met. When they slowly broke apart, both boys were left breathless. Cedric kissed Harry's scar. Then, the two laced their fingers together, as Harry kissed his forehead. "Cedric, I love you more than you know," he reaffirmed, starring into his eyes.

"I love you too. You mean everything to me!" He beamed, as the two kissed once more.

Oliver was starting to wonder what was keeping them. Even though Ms. Figg had warned them not to apparate, Oliver couldn't shake the feeling that staying here was more dangerous than leaving would be. "Ced? Harry?" he called, opening Harry's bedroom door. Just as he entered, they heard a loud sound, coming from the den. Seconds later, a howler came flying up the stairs, straight into Harry's room. It immediately opened and spoke:

"Dear Mr. Potter. We have received intelligence that you performed a Patronus Charm in a muggle inhabited area. Also, in the presence of a muggle. The severity of this breach of the Degree for Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand. As you have already received an official warning for a previous offense under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlock's Statue of Sorcery, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9am on the 12th of August.

As for your counterparts, it is my duty to inform both Mr. Diggory and Mr. Wood that due to their role in this affair, Mr. Diggory has also been expelled, and Mr. Wood has been permanently banned from Puddlemore. As Section 13 clearly states: All individuals who enable underage sorcery will receive the same punishment as that of the offender. Now, regarding your own usage of the Patronus Charm, our intelligence has shown us no indication none of you had reason to produce it. As punishment for willfully abusing magic, both your wands will also be destroyed; and you will be required to attend the same disciplinary hearing as that of Mr. Potter.

Hope all of you are well.

Yours sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk.

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic."

Once she finished her sentence, the howler instantly tore itself into a million pieces.

"This can't be happening!" Harry bellowed. "God! This is all my fault!" he cried, burying his face in his hands. "I should never have come here. Now, I've made things worse for all of us!"

"Harry," Cedric hushed, removing his hands to see his watery eyes. "This is not your fault! Oliver and I are your friends. We wanted to help you. We're the ones that brought you here."

"Exactly. The fault is ours, Harry. Not yours!"

"But...our wands. Our lives..." Harry sighed, trying to control his tears.

"We're dealing with a very corrupt ministry!" Oliver exclaimed, sitting on the bed next to them. "We will fight this, Harry. Besides, we have a witness. She can prove dementors attacked us. It's the ministry's duty to keep them out of the muggle realm. Yet, they've completely lost control of them! We'll be sure to mention that at the hearing. Fudge's idiocy is what started this whole ordeal!"

Harry solemnly nodded his head. "I just wish I came here alone. I never wanted to get either of you in trouble."

"Harry, without us, you would have been killed!" Cedric quipped. "This isn't your fault. Neither of us blame you for anything," he reassured, kissing his cheek. "We're in this together!"