Ever since the evening Dudley had been to the Potters, he had regular contact with his cousin and his wife. When Dudley had announced to his parents and Beryl that the Potters were expecting a baby just like he and Beryl were, Vernon huffed, Petunia just nodded without looking up from her laundry work, and Beryl just shrugged and grinned at him. Dudley was just glad he was on good terms with the Potters, and everything was going on smoothly.

The Potters had a baby boy on July 16, 2005. He was named James Sirius Potter in honor of Harry's father and godfather. On the 17th, Dudley paid a visit to the Potters and congratulated them. That day, he even met Ron and Hermione Weasley for the first time. They knew Harry and Dudley were in touch. It was the happiest day of Dudley's life when on August 6 of the same year, he and Beryl had a baby girl who they named Darby Diva Dursley. Harry and Ginny visited them and ignored the huffs and puffs Vernon and Petunia gave.

The next few months were filled with bliss for Dudley. His therapist was pleased with the improvements he was showing. His parents were doing well, his relationship with his wife was better, and their lovely daughter was growing up. He was in touch with the Potters and had met Teddy's grandmother too. Over the years, Harry had two more children, Albus Severus Potter and Lily Luna Potter, named after two professors of Hogwarts, and Harry's mother and a close friend of the Potters, respectively.

Dudley was not one to pamper his kids. Ever since he realized at sixteen (after Dumbledore's visit to Number Four, Privet Drive) that he had been pampered all his life, Dudley had decided then and there never to pamper anybody. However, his parents, Beryl's parents, and Beryl were the masters of pampering. They would pamper Darby with gifts and clothes, and toys. Dudley tried his best to keep the pampering down.

It happened when Darby was ten months old. Teddy had visited Dudley's house for the very first time (it was the first time the Potters brought children to the Dursleys). Beryl was revolted by Teddy's metamorphmagus skills, but Darby was impressed. She loved it! No one realized it until when Teddy was leaving, and Darby, furious at the grownups for not letting her play with Teddy any longer, changed Harry's hair color to fiery red and changed Dudley's hair color to Harry's jet black hair!

Teddy was so amused that he howled with laughter, and even Ginny laughed herself silly. Beryl was furious and was the only unimpressed person in the room. Eventually, the adults gave in, and Teddy was allowed to spend the night at the Dursleys'. Harry's and Dudley's hair color was reverted, and the cousins parted with a laugh. Ginny promised to come the following day to pick Teddy up.

"What's the meaning of this? Our darling hanging out with those freaks! Becoming one of them!" Beryl stomped the floor furiously.

"None of them are freaks!" Dudley said.

"Oh, shut up, will you? Just because he is your cousin! Not even your parents care about them! Why do you care so much about them? I'll stamp out any traces of that freakishness from Darby!" Beryl declared angrily.

"You can't stamp out magic like that!" Dudley told her and explained everything that happened around Harry's eleventh birthday — the huge amount of letters and the involvement of a huge giant who took Harry with him after personally delivering his Hogwarts letter.

"But your parents hate those freaks! How could you not hate them?" Beryl demanded.

"I hated them too, alright? I got a pig's tail because of them! I was nearly choked to death because of them! I have even encountered Dementors — soul-sucking creatures that potentially make you neither alive nor dead! I have seen what their wars looked like, maybe from a distance, but nevertheless fully aware of everything! My parents and I were downright cruel to Harry! Aunt Marge was much crueler! The four of us made life hell for Harry, and I bloody regret it to this day! I wish I had known them better! I wish I weren't such a nasty bully and a sorry excuse of a human being! I am dying of regret every bloody day, even attending therapy! And you guys still think they are freaks? Harry ensured my safety and my parents' safety even after we had kept him in the cupboard under the staircase and abused him for years! Don't you realize? They're not freaks! They're normal people like us, just with magic! HARRY SAVED THE WORLD! You and I would be dead long before we even met had Harry been unsuccessful!" Dudley shouted and turned. He immediately regretted it.

Years after their marriage, for the first time, he had made her tear up. For a moment, he wondered whether he shouldn't have told her about going to therapy. She could be worried.

"H-How can you shout at me?" Beryl said.

"Oh, no! I'm sorry! I didn't mean…." Dudley said. Beryl wiped her eyes and hid under the blanket. That night, another regret joined his already overflowing list of regrets — he had made Beryl cry.

The following morning, Ginny stared at the Dursley couple.

"I-Is everything okay?" She asked.

"Yes, it's-it's been okay." Dudley said. Beryl just glared at them and went away.

"Okay, see you, Darby!" Teddy cheerfully said. Darby cheerfully waved back, and Teddy accompanied Ginny back home.

Later, Beryl was sitting at the dining table, glaring at the wall. Dudley sat opposite her.

"Listen, Beryl. I'm sorry for raising my voice. Will you please listen to me now?"

"Why should I?" She demanded.

"Because Darby is your daughter as much as she is mine! This concerns Darby." Dudley said softly. "Magic is real.."

"NO!"

"Would you please let me finish?"

Beryl huffed indignantly.

"Magic is real. There are muggles — nonmagic folk like you and me. Darby, born to two muggles, can do magic. That makes her a muggle-born. The opposite of a muggle-born is a squib — a child born to magical parents but can't do magic. Do you know something? My mother, Petunia, and my aunt, Lily, were sisters. Aunt Lily could do magic, while Mum couldn't. To this day, Mum wishes she could do magic and attend Hogwarts, something Aunt Lily did. Mum had always been so desperate to be a part of the wizarding world. She wishes I could do magic like Harry, that I could attend Hogwarts just like him. I won't deny there have been times when I've thought about Harry and felt jealous that I couldn't be part of the wizarding world the way Harry is. Darby is lucky since she gets to do magic and will most likely get her Hogwarts letter once she turns eleven."

"I will not have any child of mine go to a freak place!" Beryl screeched.

Pushing down his rising fury, Dudley continued calmly, "Hogwarts is not a place for freaks. It is where magical children go to study and control their magic."

"Whatever happened, Darby had nothing to do with it. That freakish lot must have changed the hair colors!" Beryl argued.

"Don't you dare call them freaks! Especially that poor little boy! None of them did anything. Darby changed our hair color! It was a clear case of accidental magic!"

"So they told you." Beryl spat.

"Because that's the truth! She can do magic! I've wanted to magic. Mum has always wanted to do magic!" Dudley said.

"Why do you want to be like them?" Beryl demanded. "Why do you want our daughter to go to a place for their kind?"

Dudley had to take a deep breath this time.

"We can stamp out her magic! Your father told me! Your cousin was a lost cause, but Darby won't! We can stamp the magic out of her!" Beryl said.

Beryl was either doing this on purpose or was genuinely stupid and arrogant.

"Those who suppress their magic are a danger to themselves and those around them. They do not live long either!" Dudley said and left. There was no point arguing with Beryl. Hopefully, fear for her daughter's life might make her accept her daughter's natural talent.

Dudley remained disturbed for the next few days as well. Even his therapist noticed and told him to practice deep breathing. Even weeks after the incident, Dudley had not forgotten his daughter's accidental magic and the conversation he had with Beryl. Beryl, however, had forgotten it.

One day, Harry called Dudley, "Big D! You know? Teddy got his Hogwarts letter today! We are having a small get-together this coming Saturday! Why don't you guys join us?" And so Dudley found himself taking his daughter to the Potters. Teddy's grandmother, the five Potters, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would be there, Dudley had been informed. Dudley allowed Darby to have a kids' night out at the Potters' house that night even as Ron and Hermione were instructing their youngest to brush his teeth before going to bed.

"Dad! It's okay. I'll come with you. I don't want you and Mum to fight again. Because of me." Darby said. Dudley's heart went out to her.

"No, my child. It's not your fault at all. All this is new to your mum, so she needs time to adjust to everything. You have a good time, okay? Don't worry about me. I know you want to enjoy yourself with your cousins and new friends." Dudley kissed his daughter on the cheek.

Darby had met for the first time and befriended Rose Granger Weasley and Hugo Granger Weasley at the party. They were the children of the same Ron and Hermione Dudley had met a few years ago.

Even as Ron, Hermione, and Dudley left, and Harry and Ginny retired to their bedroom, James, Albus, Rose, Lily, and Hugo spread across the hall. Darby entered just then.

"Darby. You know, James and Albus and Lily have told us so much about you! We've always wanted to meet you, and we're glad we've finally met." Rose Weasley very kindly offered Darby a spot next to her.

"T-Thanks!" Darby said, looking downcast.

"Anything wrong?" James asked with concern. Darby had tears in her eyes. "It's Mum and Dad. They fight all the time. And it's because of me!"

"What? No, it can't be because of you!" Rose said with shock, and Lily sat on Darby's other side.

"Mum thinks we are all freaks because we can do magic. She thinks normal people don't make strange things happen like I do! Both sets of my grandparents agree with Mum. All of them think making strange things happen means abnormal and that being abnormal is atrocious!" Darby cried. "I'm not weird! And I certainly don't want my parents fighting over me!"

Lily hugged Darby just then. She always did that to anyone who was upset. One hug from Lily would comfort you a lot. Rose patted Darby's back. "What does your dad say?"

"H-He's the only one who supports me. He insists that making strange things happen is not an abnormality and that it definitely isn't atrocious. But that creates friction between him and Mum, and obviously, everybody supports Mum here. They all think I'm dangerous!"

"I-Is it that bad?" Albus asked, and Darby nodded. "Of late, it has started getting worse. Dad and Mum disagree on literally everything! Mum says no one is going to stand by me if I become a freak!"

"Don't worry, Darby. Listen! We are all here with you no matter what happens. We are ready to stand by Uncle Dudley in his defense. Uncle Dudley is right. We aren't freaks." James assured her.

"I sometimes wish I was normal so that they wouldn't fight. W-Would you hate me if I couldn't do magic?" Darby asked.

"Nonsense! Of course not! You're our beloved sister!" Teddy's voice boomed across the hall, making everyone jump slightly.

Darby ran up to Teddy and hugged him. He was one of the fewest people she trusted deeply. "I will miss you, Teddy! We all will!" She cried.

"YES!" came a chorus of five voices behind her. "We will, Teddy!"

"You guys….! I-I….!" Teddy said, tearing up. "I'll keep in touch!"

Darby sat between Rose and Lily again. Teddy sat next to James, with Albus next to James. "Listen, Darby. I heard all your conversations, and I agree. You are not weird, Darby, and you definitely aren't responsible for the fights your dad and the rest of your family have. It's really brave and kind of your dad to stand up to them and defend you. But we will all love our sister whether or not she does magic!"

Darby nodded.

"Okay," Teddy chirped, "who wants to play Treasure Hunt?"

Darby forgot all her worries as she joined her cousins and new friends in the game. It was ten past midnight when Aunt Ginny finally came in and instructed them all to go to bed. Even then, the seven of them put in a few blankets and pillows together on the hall floor and cuddled together for the night, refusing to part ways and sleep on their own beds or in their own rooms!

When Darby could no longer screw her face to avoid the sunlight directed at her, she opened her eyes. She was lying on Rose's leg. Lily's head lay on her chest. Teddy was slumped against the wall with James sleeping on his lap. Albus was cuddled into Teddy's other side as he squinted his eyes. Hugo was a tiny doll sleeping in between Albus and James, with Teddy's arm around him. Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry walked in just then, followed by Rose and Hugo's parents. The four of them chuckled at the kids' sweet and innocent nature.

Ten minutes later, all the kids were awake and were brushing their teeth together. Teddy finished first and went out. No sooner had he exclaimed, "Uncle Dudley!" than Darby ran out of the bathroom, brush still in her mouth, and jumped into her father's arms.

On the morning of the second of September, Darby brushed her teeth sleepily. Today was her first day of term at primary school, and she had already started finding muggle school boring. Just then, Beryl screamed, "OWLS!"

Darby ran into the hall to see her mother screaming herself hoarse and her father attempting to control everything. When the owl didn't respond to Dudley, he and Darby knew the owl was for Darby. She held out her arm and Teddy's barn owl landed gracefully on it. Dudley took out the letter. Darby and Dudley read aloud,

"Hello, Darby!

I hope you're fine! I reached Hogwarts safely and have been sorted into HUFFLEPUFF! I'm so excited to start life at Hogwarts and have even made new friends! Jasmine Wood, a Half-Blood — she is the daughter of the legendary Oliver Wood, a family friend; and Calvin Gilford, a Muggleborn! Convey my regards to Uncle Dudley and Aunt Beryl! I'll keep you updated! Sorry if the owl startled you!

Love, Teddy."

Beryl wasn't impressed with her husband and daughter or the owl.

"What is the meaning of all this?" She shouted.

"Owls, dear. That's how messages are communicated." Dudley said calmly. Darby knew another fight was coming, and she was right. Beryl began ranting about owls and 'no ruddy peace!' while Dudley argued that the owls were harmless.

"I keep telling you to stop associating with those freaks! At least keep my daughter away from those freaks!"

"And I always tell you NOT TO CALL THEM FREAKS!"

"If they weren't freaks, what's with all that weird stuff they do, and these f****** owls all over the place!"

"Mind your language! You're talking in front of a child!"

"Look who's talking! You're the one exposing the child to freakish nonsense!"

"It is not 'freakish nonsense' like you put it!"

"PLEASE!" Darby screamed and burst into tears, "Stop! S-Stop!"

"Look! You made my daughter cry!" Beryl screamed at Dudley and roughly dragged Darby out of there. "Mind the child! You're hurting her!" Dudley roared at her back.

"You crybaby! Stop crying!" Beryl shouted into Darby's face. Darby couldn't stop crying. In a fit of rage, Beryl slapped Darby so hard that the little child fell to the floor and began sobbing loudly.

"SILENCE!" Beryl bellowed. "No child of mine will ever be a freak!"

She dragged her daughter into the bathroom and poured cold water over her, scrubbed her tear-stained cheeks with soap and water, and roughly dressed her before taking her to school. As soon as her mother was out of sight, Darby began crying again. Her entire day went by badly. First, she turned her teacher's wig purple. Then, she somehow caused the table to flip over and the glass break, making her teacher see her own reflection (especially the changed color of her wig).

This incident forever changed Darby's opinion of her mother. She began to fear her presence and always stayed by her father. Ironically, this only infuriated Beryl further, and she started lashing out more often at Dudley.

Teddy sent a letter by muggle post apologizing for the owl post on September the second, which had led to such a huge fight. Both Dudley and Darby had assured him, and the Potters and especially Andromeda Tonks, that all was well and Teddy was NOT at fault.

"Please don't blame yourself, Teddy. You know what my Dad told me the other day? He told me that Mum and my grandparents pamper me a lot and that pampering isn't good. He was pampered as a kid himself, and he says it was bad in the end. He loves me but doesn't pamper me like them. Everyone in the family except Dad thinks it is some sort of crime to even utter the word 'magic' or be different in any slight way possible." Darby wrote in one of her letters at the end of September.

Over the Christmas break, Darby and Dudley visited the Potters. Teddy had invited his two best friends, Jasmine and Calvin, who were pleased to meet Darby and the others. Once again, Beryl did not like the idea of Darby or Dudley associating with the magical population. Even after Darby specifically said that one of Teddy's friends is a muggle-born — someone who was magical but descended from muggle parents. She had tried to actively dissuade Darby from going. A frustrated and upset Darby, who had no idea how it happened, heard the noise of broken glass suddenly and realized her accidental magic had somehow caused it again. But Beryl just insisted that some naughty kid threw a ball or a stone at the window. "Fine, good luck looking for that ball or stone or whatever it is." Dudley said as he took Darby to the Potters. The two Dursleys met the extended Weasley family for the first time.

Darby found Grandma Weasley to be kind and sweet and Granddad Weasley a fun and interesting man.

Victorie Weasley and Dominique Weasley were just as beautiful as Fleur. The three were talkative and never allowed you to get bored. Bill was always eager to share fascinating stories about his days as a curse breaker. Louis was an energetic boy, always with a grin. Victorie, Dominique, and Louis knew French and sometimes spoke with a French accent here and there. Only Fleur had retained her French accent.

Charlie, just like Bill, was ever ready to talk about his work as a dragon tamer. He was entertaining to talk to. But George was someone to look out for.

George had the best pranks, and you never knew if you were the butt of his jokes or part of his jokes. But he was funny and always entertained everyone. Angelina was a sports enthusiast who would often talk with Aunt Ginny and the others about Quidditch. She was an interesting person, and Darby learned about the different Quidditch teams from her. Fred Weasley II rivaled Roxanne Weasley in pranks and merrymaking. The siblings were the life of the party, and you could never be sullen in their presence!

Percy was easily the odd one out. Both Dudley and Darby quickly got bored of Percy's ramblings about cauldron bottoms. At least Audrey was a tad bit more interesting than him because she talked about her job as a Healer at St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Darby was fascinated to hear about the magical hospital and 'healers'. Molly Weasley II and Lucy Weasley looked very eager to join the rest of their cousins but seemed to hold back their excitement and behave 'in a dignified manner' as their father taught them.

It wasn't hard for Darby and Dudley to find company. Darby easily assimilated with the other children, and Dudley was soon talking enthusiastically to Harry and the Weasleys.

Even Jasmine and Calvin were part of the crowd (they stayed at the Burrow for an entire day and left at night), and they played happily with Darby and the others in the garden outside the Burrow. It was one of the best holidays Darby had had in years! Not just one of the best Christmases! Not just one of the best holidays she had had in months! Her time at the Burrow was one of the best in YEARS! She didn't enjoy it so much when she was at her Dursley grandparents' home or her mothers' parents' home. They were dull and always expected her to follow a thousand rules about 'being normal'.

"Two more years, and I weel be in 'Ogwarts!" Victorie chirped. "I 'ave decided! 'Ogwarts, not Beauxbatons like Maman wants me to!" Teddy had gone to join Calvin and Jasmine. Darby sat with Lily, Loius, Lucy, Molly, Rose, Roxy, Albus, James, Hugo, Fred, Dominique, and Victorie..

"Maman theenks we'd want to go to Beauxbatons. But everybody we know is going to be at 'Ogwarts, and we weel be all alone in Beauxbatons." Dominique agreed.

"I'm sorry, but what is Beauxbatons?" Darby asked, feeling like an illiterate surrounded by professors.

"Nothing to worry about. It's another magical school like Hogwarts." Louis assured her. "There's also Durmstrang and Ilvermony and many more, but I can't remember the names."

"It's in France — Beauxbatons. Durmstrang in North Europe. Dad told me." James supplied. Rose picked up from there, "Ilvermony is in America, and there are several magical schools like Koldovstoretz in Russia, Uagadou in Uganda, and…."

"Okay, okay, stop it." Roxy said. "We know you've swallowed the whole book, Rosie." Rose rolled her eyes.

Darby was grateful for the answer and also for the fact that no one scorned or laughed at her for not knowing this.

When Fred took Darby on her broom, Darby had been scared. But all her fear disappeared as she enjoyed the wind as Fred flew high in the air with Darby holding on to him for support. Angelina screamed, "Careful, Freddie dear! And make sure Darby is fine!"

"K, Mum!" Fred bellowed back happily. Darby enjoyed her first time on a broom and wouldn't stop talking about flying and Quidditch. Dudley listened with an amused smile.

For the sake of their sanity and preserving peace, they decided to keep the flying part out of the narrative they told Beryl later on, "It was fun, we played games and slept."

"Just another normal party, Beryl." Dudley shrugged.

Over the next few years, the Weasley children left for Hogwarts one by one. Darby grew more and more excited and apprehensive. She desperately began wishing for Hogwarts and Dudley shared her enthusiasm. Dudley never got annoyed with Darby's frequent questions about whether she could go that year.

"I want to go with Roxy! Can I, Daddy?"

"Not yet, Darby dear. You need to be eleven for that. Roxy is eleven so she is going this year."

"But I've heard Hogwarts is..." Darby started.

"A mental institution for hopeless cases and freaks! You will not be going there!" Beryl appeared out of nowhere and glared at her daughter.

"W-What? Mummy, please." Darby pleaded.

"NO! Petunia and Vernon agree with me, as do Mum and Dad. Darby will be attending "Dunkel Private School" in Germany once Darby turns eleven! Far away from those freaks!"

"How many times do I have to tell you THEY ARE NOT FREAKS?" Dudley said.

"Until you realize they are!" Beryl shrieked and left the room.

"Oh, Daddy! I don't want to go to that faraway school! I want to go to Hogwarts with James!" Darby said. Being the same age as James Sirius Potter, she could attend Hogwarts with James. "Not that dull boarding school in some faraway place!"

"It's okay, sweetheart. I'll talk to your mother." Dudley said.

"Please don't fight on my account." Darby cried.

Even as time went by, it became clear that Darby would be attending Hogwarts and Beryl just got frustrated.

One day, Darby had just returned from fishing (she had been with a muggle friend) in the evening and saw her father excitedly allowing an owl inside. Her mother looked furious.

"W-Wow!" Dudley said.

"I don't believe this! Not another owl!" Beryl growled.

Darby was bubbling with excitement.

The owl carried a letter inside of which there was parchment. The seal bore a large word "H" and a coat of arms bearing a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake. Darby took the letter and opened it, her parents reading from her side. The parchment read,

"Dear Ms. Dursley,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Filius Flitwick,

Deputy Headmaster,

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and WIzardry."


I know! Hogwarts! Finally! What will happen next? I'm as curious as you to find out!