Proud

Upon entering his home's dining room, Vernon stopped. At the table, Samantha had out her watercolors and a stretch of canvas resting on the table-easel he bought her last Christmas. She was using her stump of an arm as a balance while her other hand worked slowly at its task of painting what looked to be an apple. It was one part painful and two parts beautiful to watch. While Vernon still felt his heart ache at the setback she was facing, he took pride in the fact it did not deter her from learning with her other hand to do all that she could do before the incident.

Though…

"Perhaps I could write Harry about what wizards and witches do when they lose limbs. Maybe they have a magic hand that could replace your missing one."

The young woman startled, her paintbrush running jaggedly across the canvas. Sighing, she fell back in the dining chair she was seated in. Flopping her head over the back of the seat, she stared at Vernon in upside down contemplation. When her silence began to drag on, Vernon remarked, "Harry's a bit famous there, you see. If you wanted their help, muggle or no, they wouldn't deny you."

"No thank you," she said. "I've had enough of magic for now–possibly for forever." Rearranging herself so she was looking at Vernon properly, she told him, "I don't blame Harry for losing control. From the way you describe it, it's an extension of himself. It's just more dangerous than a flailing limb. But I don't want any more part of it. I don't think I even want to see Harry again anytime soon. It's all too fresh on my mind."

Turning away, she busied herself with cleaning up her supplies as she said, "In fact, to make everything easier, I was thinking I'd go visit Dad in Leicester for Hols. Harry should be able to celebrate with you and Dudley."

Feeling a preemptive sense of loss at her words, Vernon blurted, "You don't have to spend all of it there. Harry's not even planning to come home."

Samantha's dark eyes clouded with doubt and confusion. "Really?" she asked. "Why's that? He loves you all, doesn't he?"

"Of course he does," Vernon replied. "It's just easier for him to spend Hols at his school."

An uncertain smile coming to her lips, the young woman said, "Well, that's good to know. I wasn't looking forward to not being here on Christmas Eve. One away from Mum was enough for me."

Vernon nodded. "Your mother told me she missed you very much when you were abroad too. I quote, 'It's not Christmas without Sam's tone-deaf carols.'"

This drew a laugh from Samantha. "And it's not Christmas without Mum cursing up a storm while she looks for the presents she hid all over the house at the last minute."

Joining the young woman in her chuckling, Vernon couldn't help the part of him that began to think of how he was going to word his next letter to his nephew. Or how he was going to suggest another Christmas at Hogwarts was good idea to Harry.

(Especially since he'd been writing almost non-stop about how excited he was to finally learn how to skateboard from Dudley).

-v-v-v-v-v-

–It's up to you, of course. But we would be very happy if you came home for the summer. Loraine and I have been planning for us all to go to Italy for a weeklong holiday. Now have a happ-

"Dad?" Dudley called.

Vernon glanced up from his letter to Harry. Smiling at his troubled-looking son, Vernon gesture to the seat across the table. "What's on your mind, lad? Come and tell me."

Dudley's frowning did not lessen, but he nodded. Taking the empty seat, as suggested, Dudley asked, "Dad, is Harry coming home for Christmas? Or ever again?"

Vernon felt a cold sweat breakout on the nape of his neck. Forcing a shaky smile to his lips, Vernon said, "Harry chose to spend the Christmas with his friend's family, the Weasleys."

Dudley's shoulders drooped. "Why?" he demanded. "We were writing about doing all kinds of things when we came home from school until midway last month. Then he wouldn't make any more plans with me or comment on what we were already planning to do. He never even toldme he was going to the Weasleys!"

"I'm sorry, son," Vernon apologized. He knew this was his fault. If this was the start of a rift between his son and Pet's nephew, it was his entire fault. The guilt was awful, but Samantha's constant singing from the other room reminded him whyhe had persuaded Harry to not come home for Christmas. As much as he cared about Harry, it was Samantha and Loraine who he loved more. For both of their happiness, Harry's absence had to be endured.

Dudley scowled. "Why are you apologizing? It's him who's ruined everything. Sometimes I think he loves that stupid magic stuff more than us! We're family, though! We loved him and cared about him for yearsbefore magic ever came into the picture!" he complained.

Sighing, Vernon leaned back in his chair and turned his face skyward. "I can't be sure, but I did mention that Samantha wished to be with her mother on Christmas last month. Perhaps he still feels guilty about ruining her arm and didn't want to come home perchance he had to see her."

"Samantha will always be around. You and Loraine are married.Is Harry ever going to come home again?" Dudley asked, despondent and eyes glassy.

Vernon rubbed his forehead to ease the ache that was beginning behind his temple. "Of course he will," Vernon assured without being sure at all.

"I wish I could see him. It's stupid and girly, but letters just aren't the same as getting to talkto him."

Eyes falling to his letter, Vernon suggested, "I could write Harry and ask if it would be possible for the Weasleys to host you for a day."

Dudley's face brightened immediately. "Really? Do you think they would, Dad? That would just be so brilliant!"

Smiling wanly at the teenager, Vernon said, "They just might."

Dudley got up from his chair and came around the table to hug him. Vernon clung to his son in response. It'd been such a long time since Dudley last embraced him without prompting. To think, it was all because Vernon was going to write his nephew to see if Dudley could visit Harry in his magicworld.

"Thanks again, Dad," he said.

Waving the boy off, Vernon told him, "Go help Loraine with whatever needs to be done while I finish this letter for Harry."

Smiling, Dudley nodded agreeably before disappearing once more into the drawing room.

Pen poised on the paper again, Vernon stared at it for a long time. He wondered if he should tell Harry that he had to come home for the summer–if only for Dudley's sake. Though, it was probably best he didn't. If Dudley really wanted his cousin home that badly, he would do more than enough begging and whining for both of them. Certain in this belief, Vernon finished his letter with asking Harry if the Weasleys would be agreeable to picking up Dudley some day next week for a visit so the two may catch up.

Once finished, Vernon put the letter in an envelope and wasted no time in giving it to the owl that periodically hung around in the trees behind their home.

Less than a few hours later, he had a reply from Harry. Dudley was invited to Boxing Day at the Weasleys, and even more than that he was welcome to spend the night. As for his response to Vernon's invitation to a week in Italy?

I'm sorry Uncle Vernon, but I already have made arrangements with my godfather Sirius for the summer. I would hate to break them.

Vernon didn't begrudge his nephew in the least, though. He did however wish that he had mentioned it would have made Dudley happy if he went on Holiday with them. It might have not changed Harry's response, but Vernon would feel like he had tried harder to bring the lad home.

Of course, everything changed once more with Sirius's death.

-v-v-v-v-

Staring sidelong at his nephew in the passenger seat, Vernon frowned. While he'd expected more sulky, depressed behavior from the boy, given the recent death of his godfather, the outright silence was unsettling. Harry had, from time to time, brooded while growing up, but there was something different to it now. Instead of the usual hunched shoulders and bowed head, Harry sat up straight, mouth formed into a pout as he stared straight out the passenger window.

It was like he was looking for something, Vernon thought. What that was, though, he didn't know.

Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, he asked Harry, "You alright there, lad?"

Harry's gaze shifted to him. It was critical. "Yes, why do you ask?" he returned.

Vernon shook his head. "I just–" he sighed. "Never mind."

The boy stared at him for another moment. Then, nodding, returned his gaze to the world outside. Focusing his own stare on the road in front of him, Vernon only hoped Harry snapped out of this strange state he was in soon.

-v-v-v-

Closing the front door behind him, Vernon watched Harry as he all but jogged up the stairs to his room. After he disappeared, Vernon continued to just stare at the empty hall. That wasn't Harry, he was sure. He knew his nephew and everything about it had been…off. Harry just didn't behave right. Well, he knew someone who was grieving could become someone completely different from his or her usual self, but Harry was nothing like he was after Cedric's death.

No, now Harry was contained. Cold. So unlike himself in any state.

"Dudley!" he called.

The blond appeared a moment later, glass of milk in hand. "Yes, Dad?" he asked.

"Do wizards have a way to change their appearances? Disguise themselves so they look like another person?"

Dudley frowned. "I think they do. Harry said something about a potion once you could take to look exactly like another person. Why?"

"Because he could tell I wasn't Harry," a voice from the top of the stairs said.

They both turned their heads and gasped at the teenager at the top of their stairs. That wasn't Harry. It was a complete stranger.The teenager came down the stairs slowly, face grim, but hands nervously toying with the hems of his sleeves. "I'm Draco Malfoy," he told them. "My sincerest apologies about all of this, but it was necessary. I'm on the run. Things have gotten quite abominable and my family is aligned with the man who murdered Harry's parents back in my world. The Dark Lord wants me to take his filthy mark, like my father once did. But I won't do it. I know what kind of monster he is.

"To avoid taking it, I spoke with Harry to see if he knew anyone who could help me escape my fate. If anyone would know someone, I was sure it was would be him. He's the light's savior, after all. In the end, we decided this was the best option. No one will expect it. Draco Malfoy running to the muggle world? That's already laughable to many. But running to it and staying with Harry Potter's relatives? Anyone who knows me or my family would say that's downright insane!"

After several minutes of just gawking and trying to figure out a coherent reply, Vernon finally stammered, "I–You–How long are you planning to stay?"

Draco looked to his feet. "I can pay you back, if you let me stay here. I don't have much money now, but my family's very wealthy. My mother will give me the money to pay you." He looked up, eyes hopeless as he whispered, "Even if Father disowns me for what I've done today."

Vernon didn't know what to say to that. So, instead, he suggested, "Let's go to the living room to wait. Loraine will want to have this all told to her when she gets home from seeing her daughter off to her father's."

Draco smiled in relief. "Thank you, sir."

Vernon just nodded.

-v-v-v-

"This is mad," Loraine whispered.

Draco laughed. "War is always mad," he replied.

Vernon raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He hadn't realized his nephew's world was in a full-blown war now.

"And Harry? Where is he right now? Can we write him to ask questions about you and this…arrangement you two have made?" Loraine asked.

The boy fiddled with his teacup. "He should be at the Weasleys. He's going to lay low there for a week or two before letting people know he's staying there as a guest. That way, no one will pay you all that much mind since they'll know Harry's not here. I wouldn't write about this if I were you, though. You can't be sure someone besides him will read the letter. He did give me this to give to you."

With that said, Draco pulled a piece of folded paper from his pats pocket and handed it to Vernon.

Huddling close together, him and Loraine each took hold of one of the letter's corners as they read. Vernon wanted to sigh at the shoddy apology his nephew began his letter with.

Dear Uncle Vernon and Loraine,

I'm sorry. I know what Draco and I are doing isn't fair to you and perhaps even dangerous. But I couldn't think of a better way to help him. So please hide him. For all of your safety you should to move homes (abroad would be the very best honestly. But I know that might be too much to ask). Enroll Dudley somewhere beside Smeltings as a cautionary measure. You could send Draco wherever you send Dudley too if you like. I'm sure he'll agree to it.

I don't know if I'll make it back to you all before you move, but don't worry about leaving a forwarding address. I'll find you when it's safe. Don't worry.

Thanks again Uncle Vernon and Loraine.

FromHarry

Vernon set the letter down. Staring at the wall, he gathered his thoughts. However, before he could voice them, Loraine's pursed lips parted. "We'll have to get another ticket for Italy. Before that, however, we'll need to change your appearance a little. Your name too, I think," she remarked.

Vernon frowned; he was quite annoyed she was going to go along with this so easily. The boys had lied to them. They had given no forewarning and now Harry was just expecting them to take Draco in without complaint? It was preposterous! At the very least, he should have gotten to yell at Draco some for his and Harry's idiocy, he thought.

Unlike himself, Dudley appeared just as accepting of the news as Loraine. Vernon wondered if Harry had told him ahead of time. But that seemed terribly risky, given the lengths these boys had gone to have Draco arrive here safely today. Thoughtfully, Dudley hummed. "A name… Let's see here, what about Drago? No, it's too similar to Draco. Drake? Drew?" he offered.

Looking Dudley's way, Draco said, "Drake isn't bad. It's similar enough it won't be hard to learn, but different too."

"Yes, you're right, Drake is the closest we can get to Draco without it being too obvious," Loraine agreed. "Now, I think we'll have to work a little ah, what's the word? Moogle? No, Muggle.We will have to work some Muggle-magic and change your appearance a tad. I think you could be a believable ginger. What do you think?" Loraine asked.

Draco crinkled his nose in obvious distaste, but agreed with his wife's assessment. "You're right, I could probably look like a natural ginger."

Nodding in satisfaction, Loraine waved toward the hall. "You're welcome to rifle through Harry's dresser for some clothes to wear until we can buy you things you like. The two of you are about the same size."

Draco smiled shyly. "Thank you, Ma'am," he said. "I promise, when this is all over, I'll be able to pay you all back tenfold what I owe you.

Loraine reached out and touched Draco's cheek far more tenderly than she ever had Dudley's or Harry's. "You don't worry about any of that, lovely. We're doing this because we'd hate to see anything happen to a boy like you."

Vernon didn't know if he agreed. He was quite sure this was the same boy that had been nothing but a bully to Harry his first couple years at Hogwarts. Even if he'd stopped bothering Harry for the most part, Vernon did not doubt that he'd found a replacement child to pick on. It was part of the malicious natures of boys like him. Vernon had been that way growing up, and so had Dudley to a lesser extent before Missis Whitmore corrected that vicious behavior.

"Even so," Draco murmured. "I'd like to, someday."

Vernon's wife beamed at the boy before pulling away. Then, looking sharply to Vernon's son, she said, "Dudley, get your shoes on, you're coming with me."

"Why? What do you need me for? You won't be buying thatmuch, will you?"

Loraine sighed. "Dudley, I'm going to want your opinionfor some of the things I want to pick up. I can't very well take Draco as he is and I know, wizard or no, you'll have a better idea on what our male, teenage guest will like more than myself."

With no rebuttal to her argument, Dudley began to grumble under his breath as he headed for the closet where they kept the shoes. Following after Dudley to get her purse and shoes for herself, Loraine asked, "Dudley, where would you like to stop first? The pharmacy or department store?"

"I don't care, whichever will be faster," his son replied.

The conversation went on for another few minutes, filling the air with noise and distraction. Until, abruptly, Draco and Vernon were plunged into tense silence when Dudley slammed the front door behind him and Loraine, cutting off their chatter mid-stream. For a moment, Vernon did nothing. He just continued to stare at the wall in front of him, sweat from his palms still seeping through the fabric of his pants. When he could no longer take it, he turned toward Draco.

"Harry's going to be in trouble again soon, isn't he?" he asked, resigned, but still so afraid. Oh, this was far from the end of things, Vernon knew. Harry had suggested they move, possibly, if they could, abroad. Whatever was going on in that magic world of his was about to start affecting them in normal-land soon.

Their family even quicker simply because Harry was his nephew and Draco was a fugitive he'd been told to hide.

Draco snorted into his hand. Moving to face Vernon directly, he wore a smile that was more a grimace. "With all due respect, sir, but as long as I've known Harry, he's alwaysbeen in trouble."

"Yeah," Vernon said.

There was nothing else he couldsay. The lad wasn't wrong, after all.

Thoughts on that last scene? Good? Bad? What of the rest of the chapter?

As I'm sure you're all aware of by now, it's going to be about a month or so before another chapter will be ready. So, in the meantime, why not check out my newly revamped Andromeda Lestrange? SPaG has been cleaned up and there are a few new scenes as well as some elaboration on other, pre-existing ones.

Otherwise I'd check out Forever by deweydelle. It's an awesome one-shot about a grown-up Harry and his daughter, Lily. Or, if you'd like something that's a multi-chapter fic, Lovers and Liars by Nightmare Prince is pretty good too. It's about the post-war years and revolves around the trio, Ginny, Luna, Draco and many others.

Thanks for reading! All of your thoughts, good and bad, are very much appreciated :)