Chapter 27:

Harry spent the next week in the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was worried about his recovery as she had never treated a bullet wound before. It was quite uncommon in the wizarding world and not many healers were trained for these types of wounds, unless they specialized in Muggle Healing and Protection. Harry was grateful when he was released. Of course, Madame Pomfrey insisted he return before dinner for the next week, but that was a small annoyance.

As he walked down the corridors, he noticed that more people were staring at him than normal. He couldn't fully blame them, but that did little to help his mood. How often was a wizard shot? He was now the Boy Who Lived through killing curses and bullets. He had laughed when Ron showed him an article that dove into his past and asked the question "How will Death take Potter or will he simply live forever?"

When Harry and Ron entered the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry was only mildly annoyed when Hermione handed him a study schedule. Ron on the other hand argued why he needed to devote five hours a day to studying when Harry was scheduled for four and half daily. Harry ignored the two argue as Hermione explained her rational. Harry wasn't worried about finals for once. He knew that the aurors would take him no matter what, but he still wanted to do well or at least well enough to graduate.

As Harry took a last sip of his pumpkin juice, he noticed a large figure move quickly in the corner of his eye. Harry stood to follow his cousin, who seemed to be fleeing the Great Hall.

"Dudley!" Harry called out as Dudley tried to sneak around the corner.

"Oh, hi Harry. Didn't see you." Dudley looked uncomfortable as he rocked slightly on his toes.

"I'm not mad about the articles." Dudley's head snapped up. "Well not at you. It's not your fault your dad and aunt said those things." Dudley nodded, still looking upset.

"Yea, but I didn't stop it. I let them do all those nasty things to you as kids, even cheered them on, and now I'm eighteen and still I did nothing." Dudley shoved his hands in his pants pockets.

"Did you know about the article beforehand?"

"No! Absolutely not! I read them after, like everybody else." Dudley whipped his hands from his pockets and began shaking them, as if he could have prevented everything.

"Then I'm not mad with you. Just tell the truth if anyone asks." Harry smiled as Dudley shook his head, pinching above his nose.

"Like when they ask why I needed a walking cane. That was absolutely – ."

"Ridiculous." Harry finished for him.

"Exactly! It wasn't even a walking stick, and I was the one hitting you!" The cousins shared a silent moment, where they understood one another. They seemed to know what the other was thinking, and that this mess truly had nothing to do with their new relationship. After a minute, the mood changed as Dudley spoke.

"We really were living in a bubble here, weren't we? Like we knew things weren't perfect outside of Hogwarts, but not to this extent." Harry nodded, thinking over what had happened in the last few weeks and even months. Things had definitely escalated recently, he wasn't sure where it was going, but something told him the next year would be rough for both wizards and muggles. Dudley must have been thinking along the same lines.

"You just ended a war, what are you going to do if another starts?" Harry leaned against the cobblestone wall, deep in thought.

"Honestly, no idea, but it shouldn't be as bad as the last. There isn't a dark wizard to fight, Voldemort is gone. The enemy really is just muggles who are believing all the lies. And last time we were fighting ourselves and people would suddenly disappear. This time we know who we can't trust more or less." Harry's face was grim as he thought of the war, which did not go unnoticed by Dudley.

"Did you know anyone who disappeared?"

"No one I was closely friends with, but people I knew of disappeared. A few friends did have to go on the run. My Godson's grandfather was one. He didn't make it. And Dean had to run too." Dudley's brows knitted together in alarm.

"Dean Thomas, Dean?" Harry nodded, without looking up. "I can't even imagine having to run like that." Harry nodded.

"Yea he was lucky. He and Ted were actually on the run together. Some Snatchers caught up with them and Dean was able to escape, but not Teddy's grandfather." Dudley nodded, he could feel the weight of the war coming back down on his cousin's shoulders. He felt a strange impulse to protect him, something he wished had kicked in years ago. Dudley shook his head. He could do nothing about the past, but he could help him now and now, Harry seemed like he needed a change in subject.

"I'm glad that's all over and now you just can't fail your finals. Now that would be the end of the world." Harry let out a small chuckle.

"Yea, it feels unreal. I'm graduating in two weeks."

Author Note: Hey everyone! Thank you so much for reading this far. This is my second to last chapter so definitely tell me what you think! I have also been thinking about a sequel that would take place a few years after Harry graduated. Let me know what you think of the idea!