Title: A Very Dudley Story
Disclaimer: I do not make profit from the story, the lovely J. K. owns everything but the current plot.
Author's note: I am continuing with the story, my style as you have probably guessed by now is a bit slow and character driven. There will be some action weaved in but the gist of it is the relationships and character growth. If something is amiss i would like to know about it and some form of feedback would be appreciated.
Chapter 7 – Talking with Hestia
He needed to finally know about the whys and the hows that had led to this current state of events…
Hestia remained silent for a while, so much so that Dudley was considering simply going to bed but then she started talking in a thoughtful voice. She explained how a man named Tom Riddle had started gaining power and how he was a charismatic and capable leader both in politics and in his magical knowledge. 'The general public had three types of reaction to his preaching. They were either viewing him as a messiah that had come to liberate the wizards and lead them to rise to power, in their rightful place governing the muggles and muggle-borns. There were those that clearly and openly opposed him, those that fought for equality. There was also a big part of the public that didn't know how to react or simply didn't care. In those days strange disappearances started to occur. Not many linked them to the charismatic leader of the conservative sect of pure-bloods but Albus Dumbledore not only traced the disappearances to him but he formed a secret society that attempted to delay him and save all the innocent lives they could.'
Dudley was finding this story fascinating. 'So when you say disappearances…' Hestia had a grim look in her eyes. 'I mean murders. He was getting ready for a coup d'état and he had started eliminating the opposition. The outspoken equalists in the ministry were the first to disappear, the minister of magic was murdered and things started to become worse from then on. As time passed he reigned a reign of fear. People didn't know who to trust and new deaths were happening, although many were hushed up, almost daily. The only ones that resisted were the members of the order. And then, 17 years from today, a prophecy was made that bode the end of his reign by the son of those that had thrice defied him.'
Dudley's eyes opened wide. 'Do you mean Harry?' He couldn't believe this. First of all, a prophecy? Did these people really believe in prophecies? And then how could they be sure that it was Harry?
'The funny thing is that I don't know if it meant Harry at all. But what was important in the end was that the other side believed it. He came on Halloween at the Potters house and killed Lilly and James but when he tried to kill Harry, a baby of 1 years old, the curse rebounded and he disappeared. Before you ask no one knows exactly why or how Harry lived from that curse. Albus believed that it was an ancient spell that was invoked by Lilly's sacrifice but it never was quite clear. The point is that whatever happened that night, Harry Potter is the only person to have ever survived the killing curse and by doing so, he defeated the most dangerous dark wizard of all time. That is why he was famous in our world.'
After all this Dudley was speechless. This was starting to dangerously resemble science fiction. He then thought of something bizarre. 'Mom said that we had to take him in because nobody else wanted him. That cannot be true, surely, after everything you just told me.' Hestia's eyebrows where nearing her hairline but she answered calmly. 'In the wizarding world blood relationships are held in high regard mostly because of a branch of a bit obscure type of magic called blood magic. There is power in blood and as Harry shared his mother's blood with you and your mother, through you the magic invoked by Lilly lived and provided a strong protection for Harry. Many said that Tom Riddle had died when he attacked Harry that night but Albus never believed it. He thought that he would come back one day and therefore wanted Harry to be protected. As it happens he was correct.'
'And now Harry is fighting this man? Is that why he left?' Dudley asked. Hestia looked at him thoughtfully. 'There are many that believe that Harry is the one that will end this war as he did the last one. Although it is not very realistic that he can do it alone, it is also common knowledge within the order that Albus gave him a job to do, something only he can do. What I believe is that Harry has somehow the power to destabilize him. After that it will be up to the wizarding world to fight for a better tomorrow. There is only one thing I know for certain and that is that Harry is the symbol of the movement against evil and even if he is not destined to beat him, he has Albus's legacy and knowledge and will play a big part in this war.'
As Dudley was trying to wrap his head around everything he had just heard, Sara walked in the room with her hair damp and wearing one of his T-shirts and a knee-high trouser shorts that looked like one that Hestia frequently wore but seemed to be suspiciously bigger than the last time he had seen it.
'Come and sit with us Sara.' Hestia asked her and placed in front of her a plate of rice and vegetables. Sara sat and by the way she consumed the still steaming food, Dudley thought that she must have not eaten anything all day. Hestia smiled kindly and turned to clean up the kitchen. When Sara was done she took her plate and gave her a cup of tea filling Dudley's cup as well as her own. 'Thank you for everything ma'am.' Hestia looked aghast. 'How old do you take me for, girl? Just call me Hestia like everyone does or I'll feel old.'
Dudley actually laughed at that. He was so surprised by the normalcy of that statement coming from a woman that had, up to very recently, not seamed human at all in his eyes. 'How old are you Hestia?' He asked teasingly as he would ask the older sister of his friend Piers before she was married. She looked affronted. 'Has nobody told you that it's rude to ask a girl her age?' But then she laughed presumably because he was laughing too. It felt too good to laugh after the two awkward months that had passed in virtual silence between the magical and non-magical residents of the house. A companionable silence fell for a while and Dudley reflected that he suddenly found himself quite liking the older woman. The silence was broken by Hestia who had evidently noticed that Sara would soon fall asleep where she was sitting, her cup held precariously in one wavering hand.
'If you'll excuse me I am going to transfigure my dresser into a camp bed and I am going to bed. Are you coming Sara? You can sleep in my bed with your sister.' Sara nodded, drained the cup and stood to follow Hestia. Both women wished Dudley good night and climbed the stairs. Dudley looked around the kitchen. Hestia had washed everything except the three empty tea cups. He took them to the sink and washed them clumsily but very carefully so that his mother would not find an excuse to complain to Dedalus or Hestia in the morning and climbed to his own room. He had a lot to think about and the heat didn't exactly help so he ended up being awake until the early hours of the morning.
He woke up late, even by his standards, closer to afternoon really rather than lunchtime and he felt the clothes cling uncomfortably on his sweaty mass of a body. The strength and control he had gained over his body the last three years had already started to revers due to the lack of practice and he was steadily but surely resembling more the fat youth he had once been rather than the fighter he had hoped to become. That made him even less comfortable with the summer heat. Dudley was about to descend the stairwell when he heard a loud bang from Hestia's room…
To Be Continued...