Sorry it took me so long to update, I've been busy. Anyway, I think the end of this chapter is a little weak, but apart from that it's alright. That's my opinion, as always I would love to know what you think, so please review? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

I own nothing, I wish I did. Unfortunately I am not JK Rowling.

Chapter 5: Family Reunion

Petunia watched Dudley carefully, her beady eyes finally finding something of worth to observe. He was with Roxanne and the pretty brunette was laughing at something her son had just said. Petunia pursed her lips, she wasn't sure about how she would feel if Dudley started dating a witch.

She had managed to get over most of her prejudices during her time at the Burrow, but it would still be strange. Still, she thought she had better prepare herself for it, only a fool would be unable to see that Roxanne and Dudley were heading that way. She read all the signs of a tentative romance there.

She sighed and went back to chopping the onions she was preparing for one of Molly's famous soups. Her friend looked up when she heard the sigh, and walked over to where Petunia was standing. Due to her height, Molly could not see as much as the other woman could, but she could see enough to know what was going on, "Aah young love…"

Petunia glanced over, then looked away in embarassment, Molly's eyes were moist. "Well how are you taking it Tuney?" Molly asked, her tone was familiar, and she used the nickname that had previously been reserved for Lily. Petunia had never thought anyone else would ever use it again, but she had to admit she sort of liked Molly calling her Tuney. She liked having a friend; it was nice after having been cooped up in Privet Drive for so long.

Petunia took her time answering, she didn't really know her own feelings on the matter, so it was a difficult question for her to answer. Molly realised that Petunia wasn't going to answer anytime soon, so she continued speaking to give the other woman more time to formulate her thoughts, "You know, he's picked possibly the worst person too. Well, not the worst person, she's wonderful, I love Roxy. It's just that, in terms of background, there she is, the only living descendant of the Grindelwalds, and him a muggle. Even if you don't mind it, Tuney, there's still the entire pureblood wizarding world and they're bound to kick up a fuss. Not to mention Vernon."

Petunia smiled, noticing how Molly kept her tone ever so polite when talking of Vernon. She knew right then that she wouldn't mind Dudley marrying a witch. How could she when, Molly, who was one of her closest friends by now, was a witch? How could she say that her friends were not good enough for her son? No, if Dudley wanted to be with Roxanne then that was a good thing.

"I don't mind, in fact I'm happy with it if it's Roxanne," Petunia answered with a smile, which almost immediately became a frown again. Molly was right, even if she liked it, Vernon most certainly wouldn't and then there were these 'purebloods'. "Who exactly are the Grindelwalds?"

Molly laughed and gave Petunia an incredulous look. She was frequently amazed by her friend's lack of knowledge about the wizarding world, after all Petunia had had a witch for a sister. She smiled as she replied, "Only one of the most famous wizarding families in history. Gellert Grindelwald was well on his way to becoming a menace when Dumbledore fought a duel with him and won. It's the most famous duel in our history."

Petunia frowned, realising that these 'pureblood' wizards were probably just as insane about keeping their bloodlines full of magic as Vernon was about keeping theirs free of it. Her son had picked a difficult path, "I'm sure they'll find away around it, if that's what they want to do," she said it doubtfully though.

Molly scrutinised her friend's face, she wondered whether she should tell her the other reason that falling for Roxanne could be dangerous for Dudley. It was only a rumour though, and Molly didn't want to upset Petunia. Still, shouldn't she know that the girl her son was falling in love with was rumoured to be betrothed to Orion Lestrange?

Molly felt a shiver go down her spine as she thought the name. It had been months since she had killed Bellatrix Lestrange, but the thought of the woman still made her furious. The thought that Roxanne, whom she'd come to regard as a daughter, may be promised to a Lestrange, it made Molly's heart clench.

Petunia seemed to notice that there was something on Molly's mind, because she was looking at her curiously when she came out of her reverie. She opened her mouth to ask something, but thankfully Molly was spared by the two young people of whom they spoke walking in.

It was plain enough that Dudley and Roxanne had feelings for each other, but there was a slight hesitance in her eyes that Molly took to be confirmation of the rumours that were flying around. She sighed, she was going to have to have a little chat with Roxanne. If the rumours were true…well Molly hoped that the rumours were not true.

She watched Petunia focus on the two young people, who were now playing with Fred and George's fake wands and she sincerely hoped that the rumours were incorrect. Molly hoped that things could be easier for the two but somehow she knew it was not to be.

Dudley ambled over to them his face glowing with excitement, "Roxanne's just said she's going to teach me how to fly!" Excitement was written across all of his features and Molly couldn't help but smile in response. Vernon had entered the kitchen just in time to catch Dudley's words and Molly watched him turning a mottled shade of purple, he managed to refrain from making the nasty comment Molly knew was on the tip of his tongue, though.

"That sounds exciting," Petunia said trying to be enthusiastic about it, but just sounding worried.

"I'll be fine mum," Dudley rolled his eyes, not at all fooled by his mother's false enthusiasm. He had after all been dealing with Petunia's overly protective attitude since infancy. He frowned as he compared her overbearing stance with him to the blasé one she took to his cousin.

He dismissed the thought though, Petunia had cared for Harry, she just hadn't wanted Vernon to see and she didn't like meet her nephews' eyes. Dudley assumed that this must be because those eyes would remind her too much of the sister from whom she had been estranged. He thought that his mother must be really cut up about her sister, because he'd often see an expression of pain flit across her face when she did meet Harry's eyes. Dudley sighed wishing more than ever that Harry was here, so that he could resolve the knot of guilt that seemed to be stuck in the pit of his stomach. Probably his penance for seventeen years of being a jerk.

He caught sight of Petunia looking at him with concern and arranged his features into a smile. He forced himself to look pleasant, to be pleasant, rather than just letting his thoughts absorb him. They did not exactly make him unhappy, he just brooded, but that was enough to worry Petunia

So instead of focusing on the knot that was a permanent resident of his stomach, Dudley tried to focus on flying. Roxanne had told him it was the most exhilarating thing she'd ever done, and that had him eager to learn. Dudley was also feeling just a touch nervous, Roxanne was very good at flying, or so it seemed when she spoke about it, and Dudley was sure he would not be very good at it. It was, after all, meant for wizards not Muggles.

"You need to learn to stop worrying, mum. I'm fine," Dudley lied. He was not fine and he knew it, the knot was an unpleasant reminder of this fact. He patted Petunia's arm gently, taking in her sceptical expression. He sighed, he had never been much of an actor, "I'm looking forward to playing some Quidditch," he said truthfully to throw her off the scent.

"I'm excited for you too Duds," she refrained from using Diddykins with difficulty. She was just so relieved that Dudley was finally making friends. Good ones. Not the type that liked to go out and beat up ten year olds. Petunia nearly shuddered thinking of Piers Polkiss and the 'gang' days. She was not as oblivious as she seemed.

At this Roxanne, who had wandered over and was now leaning against the table-top, grinned wickedly, "Well, if you're game, I could teach you too Mrs. Dursley."

Petunia looked up at Roxanne in alarm, "Ummm, maybe some other time?"

Roxanne grinned, she was not going to let Petunia get away that easily. "Come on," she wheedled. She flashed Petunia one of her trademark grins, it would have melted Dudley's heart, but his mother was made of sterner stuff.

Petunia pursed her lips and looked away. She knew that those golden eyes would have her mounting a broomstick soon if she didn't avoid looking directly at them. Dudley chuckled at his mother's defiance. Petunia cast a pleading look his way, but he shook his head as if to say, 'I'm not getting involved'.

Roxanne skipped around the table, so that she could meet Petunia's eyes. "Please Tuney?" She batted her eyelids charmingly, "Please?" she begged once more and Petunia felt her resolve beginning to fade.

"Oh alright then," she snapped. She could see why Dudley was having a hard time looking away from the girl. She was one of a kind, who would ever have thought that anyone could have talked Petunia Dursley into getting onto a broomstick? No, she didn't even have to talk me into it, Petunia thought angrily, she just looked me into it.

Roxanne had an easy grin on her face. It had been easy enough to charm Mrs. Dursley, not as easy as Dudley, but still easy. She turned to Molly, "No you don't," Mrs Weasley cut her off, "I would, honestly Roxanne, but I have work to do," Molly indicated the chopping board in front of her, while Roxanne pouted.

"Yes, and I have to help her," Petunia said, still looking for ways out of this arrangement.

"No you don't," Molly returned with a chuckle, "You go have fun. I'll manage one night in my own kitchen perfectly well," she doomed Petunia to her fate with an amused smile playing about her lips.

"Oh, I'll go see if Ginny can come then, but you know Mrs. Weasley, we're going to be one player short…"

"You'll live," Molly said sharply, she was tired of Roxanne's wheedling. Roxanne sighed and vanished out of the door, gone to find Ginny no doubt.

Dudley hovered a minute, then followed her out of the door. As he made his way up the stairs, he wondered whether he'd be better or worse than his mother. It was bound to be embarrassing if Petunia was better than him. He continued to trudge towards Ginny's room, still thinking about Quidditch with a sort of resigned excitement, he was resigned to looking bad, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to have a lot of fun.

He knocked on the door and about a second later he head Ginny shriek. Alarmed he barged his way in, only to see the two girls hugging each other and jumping up and down. Unable to flatter himself that his entry was causing this reaction he hastened to the window to see what was happening. It was Harry.

Dudley didn't even think about what he was doing, he just began to run and he knew that he wouldn't stop until he was in front of his cousin. Ginny and Roxanne followed him. Ginny outrunning him somewhere near the door of the Burrow. She flung it open and threw herself into the arms of the man with messy black hair who stood on the threshold.

"Hey there, Gin," Harry laughed ruffling her hair. He picked her up and twirled her round once then set her on her feet. "Mmmm is that apple crumble I smell?" Ginny merely nodded, it seemed that she was too absorbed memorising every detail of his face.

He gave her one last look of pure admiration before finally looking around. That was when he caught sight of Dudley, who had dropped back, embarrassed by the display of affection between Ginny and Harry.

"Er…" Harry seemed to shocked for words, "Dudley?" he managed to stammer eventually.

"Yeah it's me," Dudley replied, watching the woman behind Harry who was carrying a tiny baby. She looked much too old to be its mother though, more like it's grandmother. He tore his eyes away from the baby, who was sucking his thumb like there was no tomorrow, "It's nice to see you again Harry."

Ginny smiled and disentangled herself from Harry's arms, she then looked pointedly at Dudley. Who looked at her in confusion. What did she want? Then it dawned upon him, he reached out and pulled Harry into a rough, one-armed embrace. "Sorry, you know, about being a jerk for around seventeen years you know," he said sincerely.

Harry laughed, "Blimey Dudley. I'm going to have to take some time getting to know this new you. How did you wind up at the Burrow in the first place?" He patted Dudley gently on the back and then the awkward embrace was over. "So what? Did you run away from Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia?"

Dudley looked confused, "What? No, they're here," and with this he called to his mother, "Mum, Harry's here!"

Petunia appeared in the doorway nearly instantly, but she stopped there, an awkward smile on her lips. "Hello," she said in a stilted voice. She wondered how Vernon would take the news that Harry had finally arrived. He hadn't seemed to eager to see his nephew again.

Everyone was distracted as Roxanne bounded up to Harry and stood staring at him for a second. Dudley shook his head, she was so weird sometimes, "Thankyou," she said, grinning at him. Then she turned and walked back into the house, "We're playing Quidditch in an hour, care to join us?"

"Yeah, Roxy says that you're really good at it," Dudley told Harry, "Apparently you won every match for Gryffindor."

"Um, who's Roxy? And you play Quidditch now?" Harry was reeling; unnerved by the fact that Dudley seemed to know so much about him. He was downright shocked that his cousin now played Quidditch. It seemed that once you managed to get rid of Lord Voldemort the world got turned all topsy-turvy.

"Um, well not yet I don't. Roxanne and Ginny are teaching me and mum tonight, though. Roxanne's the girl who just said 'thankyou' to you," Dudley frowned, "She can be a little odd sometimes."

"Harry hadn't heard any of Dudley's response past 'me and mum'. Aunt Petunia…playing Quidditch? Harry pictured it in his mind and struggled not to burst out laughing. What had happened to his Muggle relatives, had their minds been addled by some memory charm? Had they forgotten who they were? These were the Dursleys, wizard haters, and here they were, about to get on broomsticks.

Harry saw his uncle approaching and immediately prepared to get out of arms reach. It was just a habit; he was so used to Vernon throttling him. Then he stopped himself. Was it possible that Vernon too would be joining them for Quidditch?

"Have fun flying around on the broomsticks," he said to Petunia as he passed in what was a clearly venomous tone. Harry sighed, apparently some things hadn't changed. He felt a vague sense of relief, at least there was one thing that felt normal.

Vernon came to a stop in front of Harry. He stood like that for a second and it looked as though he was fighting some internal battle with himself, then he stuck out a trembling hand. It looked like he was trying to shake Harry's hand. Harry was shocked but he accepted the hand willingly and gave it a few jerky shakes.

"We're good then, Potter," there was no friendliness in that voice. Just some healthy neutrality. Harry stared, the whole thing was now, definitely, surreal. His Uncle had shaken his hand, not strangled him. It was a miracle.

Vernon seemed to like to keep things short and sweet, and he departed soon after his strange words. Aunt Petunia had smiled at him as he left, but he'd avoided her gaze, flushing with embarrassment. Harry tried to remember a time he had seen his Uncle blushing. He hadn't. He'd seen his uncle so angry he'd gone purple, but there had never been any embarrassment, because up till now, Vernon Dursley had had no humility.

Dudley looked after his father, shock scrawled across his face. Apparently his father wasn't the world's greatest jerk after all. He was still on the list of the top ten though, he just didn't take the cake anymore.

At this point the woman standing next to Harry cleared her throat, "Aren't you going to introduce Teddy and I?" she asked, her voice coloured with disapproval.

Harry looked sheepish for a moment, "Oh," he said, "Um, this is Andromeda Tonks and that's Teddy Lupin. He's my godson, and that's his grandma," he said gesturing towards Andromeda once more, his eyes full of pride.

Dudley gaped, he remembered the name Lupin, looking up at him from that column in the newspaper. "I'm so sorry about Remus," he said, recalling the man's first name. He couldn't say much more, he was too shocked. Harry had a godson? He was only just about to turn eighteen though. That was a lot of responsibility for an eighteen year old.

Realising that he had forgotten his manners, Dudley turned and greeted Andromeda and Teddy, shaking the baby's tiny little hand. It felt so soft and innocent, Dudley felt a sudden urge to protect young Teddy. He reminded Dudley of Harry, only Harry hadn't had anyone who had loved him. Teddy at least had his grandmother and his godfather…Dudley glanced at Harry in awe, somehow the fact that he was a godfather was more extraordinary than the fact that he had defeated the darkest wizard of the century.

"Shall we?" said Andromeda indicating the doorway of the Burrow, and they all turned and walked through the door, not knowing what they would discover about their companions next.