Chapter 2

"If I could call one last truce, we've given it all we've got."
Song - The Heartache Can Wait, by Brandi Carlisle

2 December 2005

Draco

"That was a terrible play. I can't believe he blew the game like that."

"I know. You've said several times, Harry. I'm sure you could have caught the Snitch at least three times in the time it took him to let those goals in, Oh Mighty Slayer of Snitches and All Things Quidditch. Remind me again why you didn't choose to go professional yourself?"

"Fine, I'll stop," Harry grumbled, elbowing Draco's side.

Draco let out an exaggerated, "Oof."

"At least the weather's not too terrible." Harry threw his head back and peered up into the clear evening sky outside Wimborne Minster. "It was actually a great day for a game."

"Mmm," Draco agreed, sliding his hand into Harry's to keep it warm. Harry was usually warm when Draco was cold, so it suited them both. Today was no exception, as Harry's heat spread through Draco's palm.

They made their way into a little park, the paths lined with benches and hedges, leaves crackling under their feet as they walked.

"This is nice."

Harry smiled and pulled Draco closer. "It is. It's my favourite part of going to a Quidditch match with you."

It'd been a habit they'd made since the first one they'd attended together when dating. It was a chance to slip away, to just be themselves together in the quiet. Quidditch was something they both enjoyed, but all eyes were on them during a game that could take hours. The walk afterwards, though? It was theirs. Alone.

"Harry?" a voice shouted in surprise from a bench they'd just passed.

So much for alone. Draco closed his eyes and prayed for patience. He also prayed that whoever it was would take the autograph they were seeking — and that Harry was likely to give — and bugger off.

Normally, Harry would squeeze Draco's hand, softly apologise for the interruption, then turn and greet the witch or wizard who felt comfortable enough to interrupt a stranger and ask for them to sign a slip of paper in remembrance of terrible events. Harry was generally gracious and kind these days, a reaction he attributed to his therapist.

This time, however, Harry was frozen, and his hand was tightly gripping Draco's.

"What's going on?" he whispered. "We don't have to stop if you're uncomfortable."

Harry shook his head and turned slowly, and his face was unreadable, something Draco really didn't care for. It brought a chill to his stomach.

"Harry?" the man from the bench said again, and this time he was walking closer. He was slightly taller than Harry and Draco, maybe six feet tall, and his shoulders were broad. He had dark blond hair that was cut short around an oval-shaped face. He had to be near to their own age, so in his mid-twenties, and the dark-haired girl with him with the kind smile looked to be about the same. They were both wearing jeans and warm coats, and both were staring at Harry.

There was something familiar about the man, something that niggled at Draco's brain, but he looked entirely too Muggle to be someone Draco had met before. As Harry wasn't speaking, though, Draco's curiosity only rose.

"It's good to see, mate. I've been wanting to see you but didn't have your number. How are you?" He looked nervous, as though he wasn't sure of Harry's reaction, but he met Harry's eyes directly and didn't look ready to back down.

Finally, Harry spoke. "Dudley, what are you doing here?" His voice was polite, despite his rude response.

"I was having dinner with Charlotte's family. They live here. We were just taking a walk after." He looked at the young woman and jerked. "Shit. Sorry. Harry, this is Charlotte Hornsby, my girlfriend. Charlotte, this is my cousin, Harry, I was telling you about."

Cousin. This was the cousin. Harry had said he'd seen him several times since the war, but that they didn't really keep in touch. Memories of the night Harry told Draco about his childhood came back, and Draco tried to push down the anger that boiled in the pit of his stomach. Harry said he'd forgiven his cousin and was trying to move on, so Draco would do his best to be polite.

"It's good to meet you, Charlotte," Harry finally answered, dropping Draco's hand and reaching for Charlotte's outstretched one, a polite smile now crossing his face. He glanced over, sliding his arm behind Draco's back. "This is Draco, my boyfriend. Draco, my cousin Dudley and his girlfriend, Charlotte."

"A pleasure to meet you," Draco said, taking Charlotte's hand with all the grace he'd been raised with. She looked kind, and while Draco was holding out judgement on the cousin as he took his hand briefly, something about Charlotte made him relax.

"So, Harry," Dudley continued, "are you still living in London? What are you doing down here?"

"Came to watch a sporting match," Harry said, relaxing a little into Draco's body as they talked more.

"Sporting match?" Charlotte asked, sounding confused. "For one of the local schools?"

Dudley shook his head a little, watching Harry closely with a little smile on his face. "Probably a private match, babe. I'll explain more later."

"Dudley—"

"Harry, she's family, and so are you. I don't keep secrets from her." Charlotte's eyes were darting between the cousins like they were watching a tennis ball being batted back and forth.

Harry narrowed his eyes, but then his entire countenance lightened and his smile became genuine. "It's really lovely to meet you, then, Charlotte. And I actually have a mobile now, Dudley. Maybe I can call you sometime."

"I'd like that." Dudley dug into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, withdrawing a small card and handing it to Harry. "My number's on that and so's my email."

Charlotte pulled Dudley aside for a hushed conversation, and Draco leaned into Harry. "Is this alright?"

"Yeah, actually, it really is. I've been wondering what he's up to, and she seems really nice."

Dudley turned back to Harry and Draco. "Would you both like to come to our house for dinner in a couple of weeks? We can spend some time together?" He grinned at Harry. "I promise no fancy puddings."

Harry burst out laughing. "That wasn't even me, did you know that? Not that anyone would believe me then, but it really wasn't."

Dudley raised an eyebrow, and in that moment, he looked so much like Harry that Draco was surprised he hadn't seen it sooner. "Perfect. Well, you can tell us all about it at dinner then."

Harry looked to Draco. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all. And now I want to hear all about this pudding incident."

"I think you'll appreciate it." He turned back to the others. "It sounds good. I'll call you and we can figure out a date, yeah?"

"Perfect." Dudley hesitated, then leaned forward and wrapped one arm around Harry in an awkward hug. "Thanks, Harry."

Harry nodded and stepped back. "We should get going. We'll talk to you soon."

Draco waved as they started walking again, letting the silence grow until he couldn't take it any longer. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Harry said, sounding thoughtful and sliding his arm through Draco's. "I think I am."


A/N: Awww, it's Dudikins! Those of you who've already read the rest of the series know we meet Dudley later (I won't spoil it and say when), but some have asked when they were going to get to see some of the earlier scenes between them that were alluded to. Well, friends, you're going to get to see one sometime soon. See you tomorrow!