Dudley Dursley and The Golden Eye
By: SleepyAngel
5: An Encounter of Friends
"Harry! Harry!" The Potter family and Dudley turned at the voice. Harry smiled
and ran to meet his friend, Ron Weasley. Ron's father worked for the Ministry of Magic,
like Harry's, and the two men had introduced the boys. Dudley liked Ron, but he felt like
an intruder whenever he tried to hang out with Ron and Harry. He didn't want Harry
thinking he was taking his friends. Harry already believed that Dudley was striving to take
all he had because he had none of his own.
"Hello, Arthur," Uncle James greeted the older man following his son. They shook
hands and Mr. Weasley kissed Aunt Lily's cheek, finishing by patting Dudley's head,
making the boy feel like a pet dog.
"Oh, Lily, dear! And Dudley! How good to see you!" exclaimed a familar voice,
followed by Mrs. Weasley's round body, radiating with warmth and love. She walked right
up to Dudley and hugged him, squeezing the air right out of him. Dudley felt he could just
be a complete stranger to her and still feel as comfortable hugging her as he was now, her
pudgy body surrounding him. She finally released and went on to hug the others in their
group. Ron seemed slightly pink when she was done, but no one mentioned this. Dudley
knew he wouldn't care if his mother did something like that. At least Ron's parents were
alive to embarrass him.
The rest of the Weasley's had joined them by this time, making the group into one
of eleven. Ginny, Fred, George, and Percy had added themselves to the numbers.
"We're buying school supplies and birthday presents," Aunt Lily said.
Mrs. Weasley nodded and reached into a bag she held. "That reminds me, Harry.
Here, I made some things for you," she said and handed over a lumpy package. Dudley
knew what it was, since Harry and himself received the same gifts for their birthdays and
Christmas: a hand-knitted sweater, chewy fudge, and a friendly card. Knowing that the
Weasley's were far from rich, he appreciated these gifts, loving the fact Mrs. Weasley was
so giving when she barely had enough to give. The little bit she was able to meant a lot to
Dudley.
Harry, also knowing the contents of the package, opened it, though no eagerly.
Ron was bright pink now, scuffling his shoes in the dirt. The sweater was green, matching
Harry's eyes, and had an "H" in aqua blue yarn. Personally, it was a very nice sweater to
Dudley, but Harry pushed it aside with a smile and, "Thank you." He did the same with the
fudge, which Dudley was trying to calculate a way to get a piece of.
"Well, I suppose we should shop now," Aunt Lily concluded, gently taking her
son's presents and setting them in the bag she carried, mainly to carry Harry and Dudley's
supplies back home.
"Yes. I was so glad when we received the letter. I knew it was coming, but just to
see another boy off...and next year, Ginny! I won't have any children left soon!"
Mrs.Weasley lamented. She complained about them at times, but anyone could see how
much she adored her offspring.
"Aw, shucks, mum. You're gonna make us blush," George (or Fred?) quipped,
being the comedian the twins were expected to be. The other red head nodded, holding his
cheeks as if they were hot with the abashment.
The group laughed, though Percy merely sniffed, as they walked down the streets
of the famaliar Diagon Alley, an assortment of wizarding shops. Dudley felt he could
never see enough, wishing he had ten eyes so he could capture it all. It was the same
feeling he had when they had visited Hogsmede last year. Even if he was used to many of
the wizard things they had around the house, magic was still fascinating to him, as if it
were part of his blood too.
It's not of course, Dudley thought to himself, remembering the door incident.
Luckily, everyone downstairs had been to excited about Hogwarts to pay much attention
the crashing noise he had made. His cheeks burned at the thought of having to explain that
one. It was going to be bad enough when he went to Sirius' on September 1st, and they all
learned the truth; that Dudley was fully, completely, and hopelessly a Muggle.
"Dudley, dear, we're over here," Mrs. Weasley called kindly as Dudley noticed he
was the only one still walking. The rest had turned into Gringotts, and Dudley had
unwittingly kept on going. Squeezing his eyes tight before he walked back, Dudley prayed
that he could just Apparate and land some where far, far away. His prayer wasn't
answered, and he had to turn around and walk back to his family. He could see Harry
covering his mouth, and stifling a suspicious cough. Ron wasn't laughing, but his eyes
were dancing, in a mischievious way that Dudley had often seen his twin brother's eyes
turn.
Dudley avoided the eyes of goblins as Uncle James went down to the Potter safe
while the others stayed upstairs. Mr. Weasley went with him, to spare the goblin Griphook
another trip. When he was little, Dudley had wanted to go with Uncle James, just to see
what money they had and if what Harry said about a dragon in the dark hallways was true.
After taking one look at the goblins as a child though, he decided that he'd rather not be
caught in small, narrow, underground passageway with such a creature. Though small,
goblins were anything but weak as far as Dudley could see. He still couldn't find it in
himself to look directly at them, finding it better to take side glances and not make eye
contact.
"-and mum says I'm to get a new wand! I have-ahem-tried dad's a little, but I can't
wait for my own! It will work better for me no doubt. Mum says that each wand is as
unique as its owner, and the wand picks the wizard, or something like that-" Harry was
excitedly telling Ron, though Dudley could see Ginny listening in. The ten year old had a
bit of a crush on Dudley's cousin, making him feel a little sympathetic with her. After all,
he was pining for the things Harry had: family, friends, wizarding skills. Ginny was just as
in awe of the black haired boy as he was. Harry had everything a boy could ever ask for.
"Well, you simply must come to the Burrow for dinner sometime, Lily. Really, it
has been too long since we've chatted. Don't know why we always wait and wait, thinking
the other will send an owl. I miss you so much, dear. How about you come for tea, one of
those days that you're feeling lonely while dear Harry and Dudley are away, eh? I think it
would be rather comforting for the both of us, with me only one child away from all of
them at Hogwarts. To think, you only have two boys to care for. Why, my house is always
completely dull when none by Ginny is around. You should come to liven things up there a
bit." Mrs. Weasley chattered on to Aunt Lily, who seemed to be listening, while keeping
on an eye on Fred and George, both who seemed to be up to know good.
"That does sound nice, Molly. I'll send Attica as soon as I feel lonely," Aunt Lily
replied, naming the pet owl the Potter's owned. Attica was a beautiful, tawny colored owl,
with streaks of brownish-black through the feathers, and wide eyes that were a strange
yellow, though they went with the rest of her coloring nicely. Though pretty, Attica was
no match for that owl that had come with Sirius' letter. Dudley couldn't believe he'd been
able to push that beauty out of his mind. For some reason, he felt connected with that owl,
just by glancing into those golden eyes of hers. Shortly after Uncle James had arrived
home, the owl had flown off, giving Dudley a sense of loss. Maybe Aunt Lily and Uncle
James would buy him his own owl, like they were sure to do for Harry, for his future life
with Sirius. After all, he would want to send letters home to them, and be able to have a
pet, just one of his own, something Harry couldn't claim he was trying to take.
"Dudley? Dudley?" Dudley shook his head, glancing around wildly. He'd been
caught in a strange sort of nothing; it was like that owl was back again and he was lost in
her eyes. He'd felt free, flying, like he could do something major.
Uncle James and Mr. Weasley had apparently come back from their vaults, their
money-bags much fuller. Everyone had assembled in a sort of group, except for Dudley,
who stood by himself, staring into space in front of the big clock. He felt a blush creep up
his cheeks and he hurried over to the group.
"We're going to The Leaky Cauldron for something to eat. You must be hungry,
Dudley," Aunt Lily said. Dudley nodded and Harry shook his head, as if he couldn't
believe they were related. Dudley had the same feeling as he watched the two wizarding
families walk ahead of him. How could he be a part of this?
Something golden flashed in his mind and he made a decision, like something had
just clicked into place. No matter what it took, he was going to prove that he was worthy
of the title wizard as much as Harry was. After all, Sirius, Uncle James, and Aunt Lily
believed in him. What else did he need?
By: SleepyAngel
5: An Encounter of Friends
"Harry! Harry!" The Potter family and Dudley turned at the voice. Harry smiled
and ran to meet his friend, Ron Weasley. Ron's father worked for the Ministry of Magic,
like Harry's, and the two men had introduced the boys. Dudley liked Ron, but he felt like
an intruder whenever he tried to hang out with Ron and Harry. He didn't want Harry
thinking he was taking his friends. Harry already believed that Dudley was striving to take
all he had because he had none of his own.
"Hello, Arthur," Uncle James greeted the older man following his son. They shook
hands and Mr. Weasley kissed Aunt Lily's cheek, finishing by patting Dudley's head,
making the boy feel like a pet dog.
"Oh, Lily, dear! And Dudley! How good to see you!" exclaimed a familar voice,
followed by Mrs. Weasley's round body, radiating with warmth and love. She walked right
up to Dudley and hugged him, squeezing the air right out of him. Dudley felt he could just
be a complete stranger to her and still feel as comfortable hugging her as he was now, her
pudgy body surrounding him. She finally released and went on to hug the others in their
group. Ron seemed slightly pink when she was done, but no one mentioned this. Dudley
knew he wouldn't care if his mother did something like that. At least Ron's parents were
alive to embarrass him.
The rest of the Weasley's had joined them by this time, making the group into one
of eleven. Ginny, Fred, George, and Percy had added themselves to the numbers.
"We're buying school supplies and birthday presents," Aunt Lily said.
Mrs. Weasley nodded and reached into a bag she held. "That reminds me, Harry.
Here, I made some things for you," she said and handed over a lumpy package. Dudley
knew what it was, since Harry and himself received the same gifts for their birthdays and
Christmas: a hand-knitted sweater, chewy fudge, and a friendly card. Knowing that the
Weasley's were far from rich, he appreciated these gifts, loving the fact Mrs. Weasley was
so giving when she barely had enough to give. The little bit she was able to meant a lot to
Dudley.
Harry, also knowing the contents of the package, opened it, though no eagerly.
Ron was bright pink now, scuffling his shoes in the dirt. The sweater was green, matching
Harry's eyes, and had an "H" in aqua blue yarn. Personally, it was a very nice sweater to
Dudley, but Harry pushed it aside with a smile and, "Thank you." He did the same with the
fudge, which Dudley was trying to calculate a way to get a piece of.
"Well, I suppose we should shop now," Aunt Lily concluded, gently taking her
son's presents and setting them in the bag she carried, mainly to carry Harry and Dudley's
supplies back home.
"Yes. I was so glad when we received the letter. I knew it was coming, but just to
see another boy off...and next year, Ginny! I won't have any children left soon!"
Mrs.Weasley lamented. She complained about them at times, but anyone could see how
much she adored her offspring.
"Aw, shucks, mum. You're gonna make us blush," George (or Fred?) quipped,
being the comedian the twins were expected to be. The other red head nodded, holding his
cheeks as if they were hot with the abashment.
The group laughed, though Percy merely sniffed, as they walked down the streets
of the famaliar Diagon Alley, an assortment of wizarding shops. Dudley felt he could
never see enough, wishing he had ten eyes so he could capture it all. It was the same
feeling he had when they had visited Hogsmede last year. Even if he was used to many of
the wizard things they had around the house, magic was still fascinating to him, as if it
were part of his blood too.
It's not of course, Dudley thought to himself, remembering the door incident.
Luckily, everyone downstairs had been to excited about Hogwarts to pay much attention
the crashing noise he had made. His cheeks burned at the thought of having to explain that
one. It was going to be bad enough when he went to Sirius' on September 1st, and they all
learned the truth; that Dudley was fully, completely, and hopelessly a Muggle.
"Dudley, dear, we're over here," Mrs. Weasley called kindly as Dudley noticed he
was the only one still walking. The rest had turned into Gringotts, and Dudley had
unwittingly kept on going. Squeezing his eyes tight before he walked back, Dudley prayed
that he could just Apparate and land some where far, far away. His prayer wasn't
answered, and he had to turn around and walk back to his family. He could see Harry
covering his mouth, and stifling a suspicious cough. Ron wasn't laughing, but his eyes
were dancing, in a mischievious way that Dudley had often seen his twin brother's eyes
turn.
Dudley avoided the eyes of goblins as Uncle James went down to the Potter safe
while the others stayed upstairs. Mr. Weasley went with him, to spare the goblin Griphook
another trip. When he was little, Dudley had wanted to go with Uncle James, just to see
what money they had and if what Harry said about a dragon in the dark hallways was true.
After taking one look at the goblins as a child though, he decided that he'd rather not be
caught in small, narrow, underground passageway with such a creature. Though small,
goblins were anything but weak as far as Dudley could see. He still couldn't find it in
himself to look directly at them, finding it better to take side glances and not make eye
contact.
"-and mum says I'm to get a new wand! I have-ahem-tried dad's a little, but I can't
wait for my own! It will work better for me no doubt. Mum says that each wand is as
unique as its owner, and the wand picks the wizard, or something like that-" Harry was
excitedly telling Ron, though Dudley could see Ginny listening in. The ten year old had a
bit of a crush on Dudley's cousin, making him feel a little sympathetic with her. After all,
he was pining for the things Harry had: family, friends, wizarding skills. Ginny was just as
in awe of the black haired boy as he was. Harry had everything a boy could ever ask for.
"Well, you simply must come to the Burrow for dinner sometime, Lily. Really, it
has been too long since we've chatted. Don't know why we always wait and wait, thinking
the other will send an owl. I miss you so much, dear. How about you come for tea, one of
those days that you're feeling lonely while dear Harry and Dudley are away, eh? I think it
would be rather comforting for the both of us, with me only one child away from all of
them at Hogwarts. To think, you only have two boys to care for. Why, my house is always
completely dull when none by Ginny is around. You should come to liven things up there a
bit." Mrs. Weasley chattered on to Aunt Lily, who seemed to be listening, while keeping
on an eye on Fred and George, both who seemed to be up to know good.
"That does sound nice, Molly. I'll send Attica as soon as I feel lonely," Aunt Lily
replied, naming the pet owl the Potter's owned. Attica was a beautiful, tawny colored owl,
with streaks of brownish-black through the feathers, and wide eyes that were a strange
yellow, though they went with the rest of her coloring nicely. Though pretty, Attica was
no match for that owl that had come with Sirius' letter. Dudley couldn't believe he'd been
able to push that beauty out of his mind. For some reason, he felt connected with that owl,
just by glancing into those golden eyes of hers. Shortly after Uncle James had arrived
home, the owl had flown off, giving Dudley a sense of loss. Maybe Aunt Lily and Uncle
James would buy him his own owl, like they were sure to do for Harry, for his future life
with Sirius. After all, he would want to send letters home to them, and be able to have a
pet, just one of his own, something Harry couldn't claim he was trying to take.
"Dudley? Dudley?" Dudley shook his head, glancing around wildly. He'd been
caught in a strange sort of nothing; it was like that owl was back again and he was lost in
her eyes. He'd felt free, flying, like he could do something major.
Uncle James and Mr. Weasley had apparently come back from their vaults, their
money-bags much fuller. Everyone had assembled in a sort of group, except for Dudley,
who stood by himself, staring into space in front of the big clock. He felt a blush creep up
his cheeks and he hurried over to the group.
"We're going to The Leaky Cauldron for something to eat. You must be hungry,
Dudley," Aunt Lily said. Dudley nodded and Harry shook his head, as if he couldn't
believe they were related. Dudley had the same feeling as he watched the two wizarding
families walk ahead of him. How could he be a part of this?
Something golden flashed in his mind and he made a decision, like something had
just clicked into place. No matter what it took, he was going to prove that he was worthy
of the title wizard as much as Harry was. After all, Sirius, Uncle James, and Aunt Lily
believed in him. What else did he need?