Dudley stood in front of Number 4 Privet Drive that had been his home for so long. He gripped his hand then put it away into his coat, he took in a breath then walked to the front door.

The outside of the house looked immaculate as always so he assumed it was just so inside as well. Perfection had always been his worst enemy, it was an unattainable goal that plagued him to be what his parents needed. Their own twisted version of perfection was to be a copy of his father, to do exactly as they wanted.

He paused when he heard a soft pop sound and turned to see Harry standing at the sidewalk. He gingerly turned away from the door and strode over to Harry "what are you doing here?" he whispered looking around.

"Er making sure you um weren't going to get pummeled or something. No offense but I don't trust your father as far as I can throw him," Harry replied. He had his auror uniform on so he must have come directly from work to meet him.

Dudley stared at him, astounded "you… then you were um worried?" he asked. God, they were an awkward pair.

"Well, yeah, your like Ron or Luna or Neville. Honestly Dudley," Harry said. Dudley smiled slowly making Harry flush pink "oh stop acting like that, your so embarrassing."

"Harry Potter, embarrassed, who'd have thought?" Dudley drawled.

"You know what never mind," Harry said looking away "go say what you need to say, I'll be listening so if he's here I can interfere."

"Harry" Dudley said then turned back to house.

"Dudley, whatever happens you have us ok? You have Charlie, Ron, Percy, and me. One of the things that I've been taught that beyond the family your born with you also have the family you choose" Harry said.

"Thank you," Dudley said then went to the door then knocked glancing at Harry who spun his cloak around him and disappeared. The door opened and his mother opened it.

"Dudley," she said bringing a smile to her and pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back "your so skinny, Diddy, come in let's have a cuppa. I have those cookies you like" she said after pulling back.

"Just tea thanks" Dudley replied, he didn't think he could stomach anything with his nerves.

"Oh yes, don't want to spoil dinner. You are staying for dinner right?" she asked, "your father will be back from work soon."

Dudley shook his head "no, I have someone waiting on me. I came to tell you something" he replied.

"Oh Duddy do you have a girlfriend?" she asked.

"No, Mum. Let's just sit for tea" Dudley said.

"Yes, of course" she nodded bustling to get the tea leaves and pot going. "Your hair really has gotten long, don't you think it's time for a haircut?" she asked.

"I like it long," Dudley replied simply.

"Yes but no employer is going to hire you with long hair," she said bringing tea to the table.

His anxiety spiked already but he breathed in then out before speaking. "I already have a job and my employers like it. It looks good for pictures and such" he replied.

"You mean your little band?" she said.

He set his jaw so that he didn't retort that his 'little band' were gaining in popularity and selling their latest albums by the hundreds of thousands with the muggle and wizard audience.

"I make a better living with my band then I would ever have to do what dad does" he replied evenly.

"Well, if you're sure" she responded with.

"And I'm never going to get what you and dad call a real job. I have one and I'm happier than I've ever been," he said.

"Alright darling, I believe you, your father is not going to prove," she said.

"That's not my problem, I came because I have some things that I have withheld from you. Most likely after I reveal them you won't speak to me ever again. I don't plan to apologize and I'm not embarrassed about it. No, don't speak please" he interrupted when it looked like his mother needed to say something.

He inhaled and breathed out "I'm currently dating a man named Charlie Weasley and he's the love of my life. He's sweet and wickedly clever, he's beautiful and he's a wizard. It turns out that as much effort as you took to try and stamp out the magic in Harry you failed to do that for me as well. Because I am one, I have a wand and can use magic to prove it."

His mother stared at him with wide eyes, her lips trembling as she struggled to find words. "Well, I don't think I can tell dad all this without having him shout all over the place. Harry came with me to ensure he didn't attempt to I dunno strike or something. Listen, thank you for being my mother and raising me but there were lots of things you didn't do right. It's just fortunate that I had Harry and my other friends to snap me out of it. Otherwise, I'd either be in a psychiatric ward or prison," he added.

"Dudley, please" she sobbed and he trembled.

"Mum, after you explain things to dad. If you… want to be my family. Go to a psychiatrist or something. Holding hatred for someone who is dead and was your sister for that long isn't healthy. I love you but it's so hard to be around you and dad" he said then he stepped forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Dudley, wait, please don't. Talk to us, you've been brainwashed or something. We-"

Dudley shook his head "I really haven't" he said then walked towards the door, his mother followed.

Harry appeared, taking off his cloak "you!" his mother tone went from sad to menacing.

"Me," Harry said, he stood tall and his eyes so defiant they were glowing. Harry offered his hand and Dudley took it, in the time he'd taken to get to know the boy he should have known almost his entire life, he adored him. Harry seemed to know exactly what to do just then. "You've blamed people your entire life, resented people for what they can't help. Do this one thing for Dudley, love him for who he is right now" he said.

Dudley looked down and Harry stepped in so he was facing him. "You want Charlie?" he whispered and Dudley nodded. He felt the cloak go over them and suddenly he was at the dragon reserve, Charlie's work. Harry took the cloak off.

"Harry, Dudley?" at Charlie's voice, Dudley broke and fat tears ran down his cheeks. He threw his arms out and Charlie went to him. He was suddenly lifted and found his cheek resting against Charlie's chest. He smelled like sweat and like dragon soap but it was the best thing in the world right now.

"He'll be okay, he just needs you right now," Harry said, if Dudley could stop crying he would have thanked him but at the moment with Charlie, he just couldn't.

Xxx

Dear Dudley,

I struggle to find the words for how to send this, thrown so many notes away because of my lack of words but more feelings than I can possibly express. I was sad and angry and hateful when you spoke your truth not so long ago. Your dad had thought I'd gone hysterical when he came to find me in a puddle of my own anguish. When I explained your father was angry as I expected him to be. I was worried he may have a heart attack because he was so purple. Started cursing Harry and spoke like we ought to say something to police. Of course, I talked him out of it. I don't understand why this all happened, it feels sudden but I think I felt it coming. It was that day that the boy, Harry, saved you from the dementors. You were changing on the inside and to the outside. I'm going to start going to a therapist as you said I should. I'm working on your father as well. I'll be honest, your father wants to pretend he never had a son but I won't live like that. Maybe it's best if I see you after I've gone to some sessions, maybe then we can be a family again. I love you so much, Dudley, never forget that.

P.S. The wrapped up box is for Harry. It was my mother's wedding ring that my mother gave to Harry's father when he came to dinner as Lily's boyfriend. It became Lily's wedding ring, it was given to me after she died. It was something I didn't have the heart to get rid of so maybe Harry would want it when he decides to marry. He has so little things from his parents.

Sincerely,

Petunia

Xxx

"Hermione, we really need to get going," Ron said as he walked into her bedroom. He leaned against the door smiling as she looked beautiful in her bridesmaid or more like groomsmaid dress. It was a lovely dark blue with silver embellishing.

"I know, I can't get my hair to behave" Hermione sighed trying to get it to untangle. "Ooh why can't my hair be like Ginny's, perfectly silky" she moaned.

Ron rolled his eyes then walked across the hall to Ginny's room, he knocked once but no answer, he opened it. Well, she'd probably forgive him, it wasn't like he was snooping. He grabbed a cream off her vanity and walked out the door.

He twisted it off and got an event amount on his fingers and rubbed his hands together. He grabbed Hermione's hairbrush and rubbed the cream into the tangled hair then brushed.

"What's that?" she asked as she let him come through making it smooth and silky but retaining its curls. That was he loved about Hermione, her gorgeous curls.

"Ginny's secret to silky hair," he said handing her the hairbrush and sectioned off her hair and began to braid it to the right side. He grabbed one of the stacked hair bands and tied it off. He rolled the finished braid in a bun and pinned it. "There, let's go already or we'll be late and mum'll kill us all," he said.

Hermione picked up a handheld mirror and adjusted to look at the back of her head. She gaped at him "when did you learn how to do that?" she asked.

Ron shrugged "Ginny taught me how to braid when we little, not much to do at the Burrow besides chores or Quidditch. And we were too little to play Quidditch depending on the day. So I braided hair and made flower crowns. Never really forgot how to braid and I saw Ginny do this with her hair one day,"

Hermione beamed at him and hugged so tightly he felt his head could pop off at any moment. She dragged him down for a kiss and it was no chaste kind of thing either. He panted as she withdrew and pulled him toward the door.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Nothing, I just love you," she said.

He softened "I love you too," he said, they went downstairs where Ginny and Harry were waiting.

Xxx

Percy took deep breaths as Fleur painted his nails a lovely white color. She was very good too, her hands perfectly steady. "You are nervous for no reason" she pointed it out "but I understand perfectly," she said.

Percy was touched by how helpful Fleur had been lately, she simply came to Percy and Oliver's flat carrying a lovely array of scones and tea. Served them and took Percy by the arm and told Oliver that the next time he saw him would be at the wedding. She added that Bill would be helping Oliver get ready.

"I'm not worried he'll leave or anything, I'm just jittery" he admitted.

"Yes, weddings are both the loveliest and terribly stressful events. I was so nervous I couldn't eat hardly anything the whole day, I had butterflies in my stomach. These thoughts running through my head, I knew I was not what who Molly had in mind. I had this awful fear that she might object in the middle of the ceremony" Fleur said glancing up a minute at him with a small smile tugging at her lips.

Percy felt a little sad he hadn't been there to watch Bill and Fleur get married. "From what I've been told she was running herself into the ground getting things ready for it. So I think she would have had to be possessed to do that" he said.

"Yes, she worked very hard and I am so grateful to her. I know I get on her nerves but she still supports Bill and I," she said. Percy had no doubts that his mother had her ideas but he also knew that considering how much Bill was absolutely mad about Fleur she would absolutely find it in her heart to love her too.

"Mum tends to be very protective of us all, I think you were a little disadvantaged. Harry and Hermione, well my mum has known them since they were little so she was able to get time to warm up to them. It's no hardship on her to have more little ones around. I can tell that she really cares for you, just keep trying to connect," he said.

"Thank you, I will," she said finishing his nails and then waving her wand to dry them. "Now, let's freshen up your make up," she said.

At first, Percy was hesitating to put on any, worried about how it might look strange but Fleur put it on so expertly it just made his skin glow. She lined his eyes slightly so it made his eyes looking more defined.

"Percy, I thought you might like so tea to calm the nerves" he glanced over at Fleur who finished applying the faint blush to his cheeks. "Oh my goodness, you look divine," Mum said setting the try of tea down to get closer.

"As he should, it is his big day," Fleur said, "just wait till I finish his hair and he'll have Oliver feel like a strong wind had knocked him off his feet."

"Oh I can't wait, Fleur, your hair looks lovely like that. How did you do it?" Molly said warmly. Percy smiled, it looks like his Mum was trying to connect just as much as Fleur was.

"I can show you when I do yours?" Fleur asked.

"Thank you, dear, that'd be lovely," she said.

Xxx

Oliver restrained the urge to pace, his black robes and Bill had warned him not to get sweaty before the wedding had even begun. So he remained still trying not to let his heart jack rabbit out of his chest.

His face felt a bit strange but he dared not to touch it considering how long Ginny had taken when she'd arrived at the Burrow. When he looked in a mirror he was shocked at how handsome he looked.

His slightly curled locks perfectly tousled and he just knew that Percy was probably just as handsome, probably even beautiful as he always was. "Maybe you should count" Charlie suggested.

"Yes, we count out loud to help the dragons at the reserve so I'm sure it could calm you" Heifer mentioned.

"Uh, sure, 1-2-3…"

"We ready soon?" Dudley walked through the door and Oliver was shocked. He was wearing actual wizard attire, dark blue robes.

"Dudley, you look great," Oliver said stopping his counting.

"Oi no fair, I was supposed to get to say that," Charlie said, "you look smashing babe, love the hair too."

Dudley smiled and blushed a little, it was so adorable it was sickening. Oliver wondered if he and Percy looked that interacting with each other. "Love you too, now are we ready because it's time," he said.

"Yes," Charlie nodded.

"Excellent, your dad's waiting by the door," Dudley said.

Oliver nodded and Charlie and Heifer cleared out to take their seats after they gave him a pat on the back. Dudley stuck around for moral support as he started to get nervous.

"He's all yours," Dudley told his Father as he passed, he gave Oliver a quick hug and left.

"You know I never thought I'd be walking my son down the aisle like this. Your mother and I had to flip a galleon for it" Dad said.

"Were you nervous for your wedding?" Oliver asked, letting his dad take his arm.

"Oh yes, I was terrified your Mum would just change her mind and run. Like it was temporary insanity that somehow made her attracted to me. But she was earnest and fun and when she looked at me with the big cheesy smile on her face I wasn't nervous anymore because I felt that she loved me."

Oliver smiled taking a breath and the doors were opened. "Thank you," he said when they began to walk down the silver carpeted aisle.

Xxx

It had taken them ages to find what kind of wedding they wanted, he knew that the wedding was only a party. Logically they just had to sign, they didn't have to have a wedding.

But there's something about following a tradition and having the experience with someone you love that pinned down a why for Percy. If one treated every tradition like a monetary dump for show then that's what it becomes. One lives the lens they look through.

They decided that they would have two aisles on either side of the aisle. They both would get there at the same pace and stand together for the ceremony and for their vows. "I am so proud you," Mum said as she held his arm at the closed doors. "You've become an amazing person," she said.

Percy nodded trying to hold back tears "thank you," he said.

The door opened and they walked in, Percy swallowed hard as he saw Oliver across the room. Looking utterly gorgeous in his dark robes and his hair artfully styled. He smiled at him and Oliver returned it. As they got closer Percy could see the shine in his eyes. Looks like he wasn't the only one to nearly cry.

Mum released his arm and went up the step and Oliver took his hand and they both faced his youngest brother. "Welcome, I'm sure you know why we're here today," Ron said, all their combined friends and family laughed.

"Don't feel all that qualified but I'm so honored. Let's begin, Percy your vows?" Ron looked to him with a smile.

Percy couldn't stop his hands from shaking in Oliver's grip as he recited them. Oliver recited his and it seemed like everything was going so quickly. Ron was raising his wand, the beautiful wand that Percy had constructed so painstakingly. "With the magic vested in me, I pronounce you husband and well y'know husband." He spun the wand and a woosh of window blew blue rose petals everywhere.

It was ridiculous and wasteful and not the type of thing his former self would ever approve of. So it was obvious that he loved all of it. Percy kissed Oliver and when they parted, Olly grabbed him by the waist and spun him around. He laughed and waved as they faced their friends and family.

His mother was crying her eyes out and Percy had to try very hard not to cry too. He never imagined he could ever be this happy. "Now let's go eat some cake," Oliver said.

"If Ron made it it's probably addictive" Percy commented.

"We might need therapy" Oliver agreed.

They had Ron's incredible dark chocolate wedding cake, six tiers (of course Ron insisted on six, "Who do you think I am?") The rest was a bit of a blur with Dudley and his band singing a song written for them, dancing all night, eating more dishes than Percy thought he could stomach, and of course several glasses of champaign.

Percy woke up very naked on of sheets with Oliver next him. He reached out to card his fingers through his hair. Olly, bless his husband, opened his eyes blearily. He was a bit of a gentle sleeper, easy to take.

"Not much is gonna change," Percy said.

"No, no really, you still live with me. We'll still do the things we did before. Were you expecting something different?" Oliver said softly.

Percy shifted to get under the covers with Oliver "no, I guess not. That's fine with me. I quit worrying about how things are supposed to go a long time ago. I'm fine with the present" he said, pressing a kiss Oliver.

"Good, me too."

End
Thank you for all those who have enjoyed this fic and its certainly the longest that I've done most likely.
It's been a lot of fun.
I may revisit this or make a collection to add to every once in a while if I get any interest in that.

Thank you so much.