A/N: As always thanks for the reviews, favs and follows. Please do go vote on my poll J
Linda: Thank you very much, it means a lot to me that you reviewed.
autumngold: Thank you very much as well, I hope you enjoy this chapter, as for Dudley, he's for the future, well actually he's in this chapter here but you know what I mean. And let's not forget about the blood protection at privet drive and with Petunia.
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whitebuffalowmn: Thank you for your appreciation of the prophecies, there's more where that came from, but that's for another chapter, not this one. J
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J.K ROWLING OWNS EVERYTHING; I DON'T GET ANY MONEY FROM THIS. I CLAIM ONLY THE RIGHTS TO ANY ORIGINAL CHARACTERS, NOTHING ELSE.
"I don't think you're a waste of space."
CHAPTER FIVE
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Petunia Dursley steels herself for one of the toughest days of her life. She breathes in and out sitting in a cross legged position on her bed. In. Out. Inhale. Exhale. And she waits, she waits for the inevitable, the talk. She knew she had to have it and she had to have it today. Not tomorrow. Nor the day after, she couldn't put it off any longer. It was due back in three days after all and the owl had been pestering her every morning for the past few days. It would come in the morning, for thirty minutes, always that. Exactly, and then it would leave. Petunia assumed that it was waiting for a reply. But there was just one problem.
She was completely willing to have Dudley sent to Hogwarts and she was sure Dudley would be too, after a bit of softening up and bribery. She hated how that was the only way to get through to her son. Through bribery. It was quite despicable; it made no compliments to how she had raised him.
Harry had arrived six days ago now, it was nearing a week. He had stuck himself in solitude in his room and didn't come out for anything except the toilet. Not even chores. She had forced herself to be kinder to him. She hadn't been able to get a proper word out of him but over the past nearly week she had been giving him four proper meals a day. Not the scraps like she had been before. Wow. She was a disgusting person, but, no. She had to forget about what she had done and focus on the future, on what she planned to do. For the good of Harry and Dudley. Not for herself. For Harry and Dudley.
She breathes in once more and looks up at the clock; he should be here in a few minutes she thinks to herself as she continues to breathe in and out, albeit in a bit more panicked fashion. The problem was that Vernon and Dudley know nothing about the letter. Nothing. And the duty falls on her to tell them, but first, Vernon, because if she can't convince him, then she won't convince Dudley.
The click of the door opening stuns her out of her thoughts and then the soft closing of the door relieves her, if only a little. At least he's not angry or frustrated, it must have been a good day at work.
She slowly starts to clamber off of the bed and down the stairs. She can hear Vernon asking Dudley about his day and then insulting Harry a little. It was a normal occurrence. No need to worry. She hears Vernon's favourite chair recline as he sits down and hears him asking for the remote from Dudley and then just as she opens the door to the living room to enter, she hears the news channel come on. Still everything was completely normal. She takes one last breath, and then she enters.
"Dudley, could you leave the room, for just a few minutes, me and your Dad need to talk about some stuff. Don't worry, you haven't done anything wrong, Diddyki-" She refrains from calling him by his nickname, she needed to make him less, childlike and more like a teenager that would hopefully grow into a man, at this rate, he'd grow into Vernon Jr. And if she continued to call him by his nicknames then he would grow into an obese pig. Not the man she wanted.
Dudley starts as if to argue but Vernon gives him a look, not promising grounding or any punishment, rather more promising reward if he left. Yes, that needed to stop too if Dudley was to grow into a man. Dudley quickly walks out of the room, actually, it was rather slow, and more of a trudge. Rather like a troll.
"What is it Pet, what's so important that Dudley can't be in here, is it about the boy." Vernon questions.
"No, no. It's about Dudley, and his school"
"Yes, I think we ought to talk about that as well, I think the teachers are giving Dudley lower grades so as to be harsher on him because he's such an advanced child, I think we should have a talk to them about giving him the grades he deserves." He states rather seriously
"No, no Vernon." She lets out a sigh, as Vernon looks at her curiously "I think it's best if I show you."
Out of her apron pocket she picks out the letter. The letter. Dudley's letter. And she hands it to Vernon, who quickly scans the front and slips out the letter; he scans that letter as well. His face gradually getting redder and redder, actually the better colour is a pink turning to purple. She could practically see the steam pouring out of his nose.
"It's the boy isn't it, he's infected Dudley hasn't he, hasn't he, oh he'll get it for this. I'm going to make sure he won't have arms to cast you know what with." Vernon whispered in a deadly tone.
Petunia quickly places an arm on Vernon's shoulder.
"It's just that Vernon...I think Dudley should go as well." She said, just as Vernon heard this he slapped Petunia's hand off of him.
"You think what! WHAT!"
"I think we should let Dudley go as well, he's already got it in him, we can't do anyth-"
"Shut up! Shut up! He will not be going, even if it's over my corpse, you silly bitch."
"Vernon, Vernon please understand, he's alre-"
"I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear a word you want to say."
"Vernon, plea-"
"It's the boy and you, and now Dudley. It's YOU as well, you and your blasted sister and their MAGIC!" He spat "You, you took it from your family; your family was infected by it. And now you've infected mine. You and your disgusting filth. The Boy. Your Sister. You. And now you've done it to Dudley as well, you've made him just as disgusting as you; you've made him into filth, a freak. A FREAK! Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting! I'm leaving. I'm not coming back until you get rid of this filth and sort yourself out. I am leaving, you disgusting filthy whore!"
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Dudley was shocked. His parents actually didn't want to involve him in a conversation. They were going to have a private conversation. It was weird. And Dudley noticed that his mother had refrained from using his nickname. That was weird as well, why would she do that if it wasn't something important. And he was willing to bet £100 that it was a very important conversation. And just as always with anything like this, he would eavesdrop. Just like always, but just this once he'd hear more than talk about wages and bills, this time he would hear about himself, and his future.
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Harry sat in solitude in his cramped cupboard just as Vernon entered the house, out of all of them he hated Vernon the most, more than Dudley, Petunia even Piers, Dudley's friend who took extreme pleasure in kicking him in the privates again and again and again. Yes, he really hated Vernon Dursley.
Harry got back to reading quickly. He was really enjoying it, all this reading, all this learning. Draco had told him to not come to the train without reading every single page, of every single book. And Harry was going to do just that and just as he was about to continue he was interrupted once more, and this time it was shouting, very loud, very angry shouting, from Vernon Dursley and it wasn't towards him.
Harry rushed out of his cupboard to see the living room door closed and Dudley behind it eavesdropping as Harry planned to do. Harry plonked himself beside Dudley, to eavesdrop. But it didn't really count as eavesdropping if they could hear it from up stairs. Harry started to wonder whether he needed to come downstairs to hear this. But there was no point in going back up and so he stayed, and he heard every single word.
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Harry and Dudley shared a look, both shocked, and both curious. They were both on other sides of the door and as such when the living door was slammed open and Vernon stepped out, the door hit Dudley, smack in the centre of his face. Vernon looked down at the groaning Dudley and then with no remorse he kicked him and stomped up the stairs to pack his bags.
Harry was next to Dudley in seconds, although he didn't like him. Dudley was family and as the old phrase went If we share an enemy then let's be allies to be honest Harry really couldn't remember what the actual phrase was and he wasn't bothered about remembering either. Dudley was bleeding from the nose and seemed to be out cold. Harry quickly nursed Dudley onto his back and checked for his breathing.
Within seconds Petunia was there, she gasped in shock but didn't interfere with Harry. Which was just what Harry didn't want, he didn't like this pressure on him, not at all.
Suddenly the stomping from the stairs followed by a lighter stomping of a bag behind it came rushing down the stairs. It was Vernon, because who else could it be. He gave them one look. One cold frosty look, and then pushed the door open, stormed out off to the car and left. He left the house.
Harry didn't have time to let his mind register this but I'm sure that if he did he would be jumping with joy.
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Petunia Dursley was sat on her bed, just like Harry was sat on his and just as Dudley sat on his. All separated between walls. Well technically, they were split between walls and a staircase. A staircase. They'd kept him in a cupboard. How disgusting was she.
But she really couldn't be bothered to even think about that. More she wanted to think about what had happened today, she wanted to think about how Vernon had left. But there was something strange, her husband had left, left her. Surely that should be painful. But try as she might she couldn't muster up any tears, try as she might. But the one emotion she could feel was relief. She was relieved that her husband had left her. And no it wasn't because she could now send Dudley to Hogwarts, no. She was relieved because she didn't love him, she didn't love him. There was only one option she could take now, he'd left her, she was happy about it, it was better for Harry, for Dudley. Yes, she knew what she had to do.
Petunia Dursley was going to take the perfect option, she was going to go back to Petunia Evans, and that meant a divorce. And she was prepared.
Meanwhile Harry sat on his bed in the tiny cupboard, thinking as well. He would have much preferred to be reading but he had a big matter to be thinking about. Two, actually. First and foremost was the little tidbit that Dudley was a wizard, Dudley. One of the thickest people Harry had ever known, was a wizard. It was quite surprising.
How would it work, would he go to Hogwarts? It seemed like he would, well Harry was certain that Petunia was up for sending him to Hogwarts. That was strange in itself; only just over a week ago she had been screaming her lungs out about Hagrid coming to fetch Harry.
There seemed to be only one path. Dudley was going to Hogwarts. Whether Harry liked it or not; what if they were put in the same house, or in the same dorm? What then, would he have to deal with Dudley's bullying for another seven years of his life as well. Would Dudley's bullying follow him forever? No, he wasn't going to let that happen. The bullying was going to stop, and Harry would make sure of that.
And then there was the matter that Vernon had left. He'd left. Oh how happy that mad Harry. It really did fill him with joy. He couldn't be bothered to deal with him ever again. He sincerely hoped that he never came back again. But his aunt was still Vernon's wife; he wouldn't leave her would he? Would he? He'd abused a child, Harry didn't think it was too much of a stretch to say that Vernon would leave her forever...
Dudley as well was thinking. Thinking about what he'd heard...He was a wizard. He was like Harry. Like the freak. How did that even make sense. If Dudley was one of them then it wasn't a freaky thing to be. But that meant that Harry wasn't a freak either. Come to think of it Dudley had never thought of Harry as a freak, more like he'd always been intrigued by Harry and he'd always wanted to make his father happy, and he always wanted to squeeze this magic out of Harry. He always felt interested and connected to it. Maybe this was why. He was a wizard, Harry was a wizard, Harry wasn't a freak.
Now that his father was gone, maybe he could be a little kinder to Harry, after all Dudley wasn't stupid, no matter how stupid he did look. He knew, he knew his father wouldn't be coming back, not tomorrow, not the day after, not ever. And at that moment Dudley also made a promise to himself. He would be kinder to Harry, no matter how hard it was. After all, Harry was to be the only person he knew in this new magical world.
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The smell of pancakes filled 4 Privet drive and almost instantaneously Dudley was down the stairs to where his mother was cooking. He had giant black bags under his eyes, showing he hadn't even got a minute of sleep. Just like Petunia herself. Harry was in the dining room in a few minutes as well. Black bags plaguing his eyes as well. It had been a very long while since Harry had entered the dining room, Petunia assumed he had because Vernon wasn't here any longer. Maybe Harry would open up to her now. She knew it wouldn't be easy. No not easy at all but this in itself was a step, a step forwards. She was shocked out of her thoughts by something strange...
"Morning Harry." Mumbled Dudley.
Harry looked quite shocked as well, he did ignore Dudley though. Petunia didn't step in though, and she didn't mumble a good morning either. She was sure it would be best for her to say good morning but she just couldn't do it, it was going to take some time until they were comfortable in talking to each other.
She set three plates and placed the pancakes and the sides on every plate to make it clear that Harry was welcomed and equal. Maybe she wasn't prepared to talk but she was prepared to be just and fair. Dudley sat down in his normal seat at the left side of the four seater table, Harry on the right and then Petunia sat where Vernon would usually sit, at the head of the table.
They ate in silence, it was quite delicious.
"Harry, as you know, Dudley is a wizard as well and we'll need to head to Digin Alley, I think? I was wondering as to whether you'd like to come with us?" Petunia asked, breaking the awkward silence.
"Diagon Alley." Corrected Harry.
"Yes, yes Diagon Alley that's it, so what do you think, and Dudley what do you think?"
"Yeah mum, let's go. I want to see what it's like." Said Dudley in a slightly too excited tone.
"I'll go." Says Harry right after.
"Thank you, Har-"
Petunia doesn't get to finish her sentence as the small conversation comes to a stop with Harry leaving the table and heading to the cupboard. She still hadn't done anything about that, she kind of needed to.
"Dudley, what do you think about all of this? You want to go don't you? Say whatever you want, you won't get punished and you don't need to impress Vernon." Says Petunia to her oversized son.
"I...I want to go mum, but, I don't know what I'll do, I know nothing about this world. I don't know what I'll do." He replies in a more intelligent voice than usual.
"Dudley, we'll face this together, as a family. Let's just start it first." She replies
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Harry stands in front of Gringotts a second time. But this time he doesn't walk alone, no, he walks with his relatives. He doesn't regard them as family...yet.
"This is the bank; I think they have exchange from pounds to Galleons. If you need anything extra, I'll give you it." Harry monotones.
"Thank you Harry." Says Petunia as they start to walk towards the entrance. Coming closer to the building Dudley noticed the Goblins and it seemed like he was going to head over and poke one of them, but Petunia's hand was out on his shoulder very quickly. She gripped and dragged him into Gringotts.
They head towards the counter, and Petunia looks towards the Goblin.
"Name?" Asks the goblin
"Petunia. Petunia Evans .I'd like to make an accou-, vault, and I'd like to exchange some money, please" She requests
"Petunia Evans. That name already has a vault, already containing money, I don't have time for human's foolish games, I'll have someone take you down to your vault. SHARPAXE!"
A young looking goblin is there in seconds and although Petunia looks surprised and wants to ask questions, the goblin-Sharpaxe-leads them away. They're in a cart within seconds and the quick movement shuts Petunia up.
They venture quite a bit deep into the caves, not as deep as Harry had in his original journey. The cart starts to slow down and the goblin eagerly jumps out of the cart. And waits by a nearby vault, number 1653.
"Petunia Evans. Step up for your blood test." Says Sharpaxe.
"Blood test, why?" She asks shocked
"To check your authenticity of course, please step forward and place your thumb on the allocated pin on the vault door." He replies, surprised that she didn't understand at first
Petunia steps forward to place her thumb on the pin on the door. She softly hisses as it takes a little blood.
"I don't believe I've ever acquired a vault." She states towards sharpaxe
"Of course not, Lily Potter left 200,000 ʛ for you, the equivalent of £1,000,000."
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Petunia was quite shocked. No, she was very shocked. Lily, the person she had hated all her life and she'd been jealous of for years. Had left her £1,000,000, enough for her to live a great life with Harry and Dudley. If Harry wanted to of course, and she wouldn't need Vernon anymore. No more relying on another person.
They were now entering Ollivander's, the shop for wands. Dudley was getting his wand. His wand that would make him fully a wizard. She could remember a time when she would have been outraged about her son even touching a magical object. And this was the most important magical object to a wizard. Now she was proud of her son for coming into this world with acceptance, she never would have expected him to be actually interested in it.
Mr. Ollivander was currently searching for a wand for Dudley, it was proving to be a tough challenge for him. Harry looked quite surprised about that but a few moments later he was even more surprised.
"How about this, maybe, maybe. You are related after all. Holly and Phoenix feather, Nice and supple, 11 inches. Maybe."
He hands the wand to Dudley, and suddenly a bright light comes out from it, not a necessarily extreme amount of light but a very powerful one.
"Interesting, very interesting..."
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A/N: Ok, ok, I know this was a really rushed chapter, sorry about that but it is what it is. I know some of you might think that Harry will let Dudley and Petunia into his good books straight away but that won't be happening. Go vote on my poll. Favourite, Follow and Review, it is always appreciated. Next chapter will probably be up in a week's time, but if I'm lucky I might get it up tomorrow. Thank you for reading. Go vote on the poll, it'll probably only be up for a few more days, go, go, go, it's on my profile page.