*** I don't own anything relating to Harry Potter. All recognizable characters belong to the original author, JK Rowling.***

Conversation 2: Dudley Demented

The conversation that arose with his cousin Dudley was the most surprising. Surprising because it was not one he planned or initiated. He recounted this story nonetheless. It was all part of the bigger picture in his life-long quest for true closure. He knew Hermione had already heard it being that she was there for part of it and even Ron to some extent.

And so again he delved into his memory back to that time so long ago. It was about two and a half years after he met with his Aunt Petunia. He had returned from his sabbatical and was working to get his life settled. At that time he lived at Grimauld Place. He had finished his NEWT studies that allowed him to become an auror and he had just completed the preliminary training to move on to the serious stuff. Ginny and his relationship was rekindled and were glad to take things slow for a change. He was sitting alone in his sitting room, busy dealing with paperwork. He usually took his lunch at home and worked through his meal whilst he ate. Amongst the letters was a muggle envelope amongst the parchment others. He looked at it first, since it stood out. The handwriting looked familiar but he couldn't place it. After opening the letter he quickly figured it out and looked on hesitantly wondering what his cousin would possibly have to write to him about

Harry,

I hope this letter finds you well. I've been meaning to write for some time but I didn't know how to do it. Finding a bloody owl is harder than I thought. I was hoping you could meet with me sometime this week, whenever you're free. I wanted to talk to you and it's best done in person. We'd be glad to have you over for dinner at mum's.

Dudley D.

P.S A phone call would be easiest.

Harry stared at the strange note and couldn't help but laugh. He briefly wondered how his cousin had managed to get a hold of an owl. After Hedwig's death he took a while getting another one and at one point decided against replacing his loyal bird but practically won over. He finally found another companion, a regal looking barn own, named Orion. He quickly wrote back an answer he didn't think too much on. He agreed for Friday night dinner. This was another interesting conversation in the midst.

Harry arrived on Privet Dr. ten minutes before he knew dinner would be served. He hoped this would diminish the amount of awkward small talk until dinner. He knew the bulk of the conversation wouldn't be until after dinner. He came alone and donned his best muggle clothing, which were scarce since he hadn't ventured out much. After pleasant small talk, he began to relax, it was comforting to see that some things remained untouched even after the war. His uncle still had his temper although he dampened it down for his company, his aunt looked severe as ever but he caught a small smile from her earlier when he walked on. His cousin was the only true change, the seemed happier, calmer, being the one who willingly filled Harry into what happened after he left. There was so much, but in a sense he was glad to hear they'd come out mostly unchanged. He was surprised to hear that Dudley had married. He wondered why he hadn't heard of the happy occasion but it became apparent in the next sentence. Apparently it had been a rushed affair because the state of the bride. A child out of wedlock. Harry had been an uncle for two years and this was the first time he'd heard of it.

When he had visited his Aunt two and a half years ago there had been some turmoil in the family. There had been an estrangement between son and parents. When he visited those many months ago, they hadn't seen Dudley for about 4 months. They had great arguments against his girlfriend back then. They didn't approve. It would be mere weeks after that conversation that Dudley reappeared into their lives in hopes of reconciliation and news of a grandchild on the way.

He offered his uncle his congratulations. His niece, Katelyn was just a little over two years old. There was a rush of happiness, he was truly happy for Dudley although he could see some hesitation in the faces of the grandparents. Soon pictures emerged and he couldn't help the easy smile that slipped from his mouth, she looked like her mother in the picture but he could also make out Dudley's features, the mouth and nose were all too familiar.

"This is actually why I asked to speak with you today, Harry," Dudley broke into his examination of his little niece.

He wondered briefly how his niece would be the reason he was asked here today. Sure in the last years the hostility had diminished but he hardly believed Dudley would want his as a godparent.

"I'm all ears, what is it you want to talk about,"Harry replied hoping to convey a welcoming semblance.

"It's about Katelyn, I had some questions. I'm worried about her. There's been strange things happening around her," and that's when Harry knew why his cousin called him there today.

"You think she's magical?" he deadpanned agreeing that honesty was the best policy in these circumstances.

"We think she might be. Karen doesn't know about any of it. She just brushes off but I still remember when we were younger how strange things always happened around you. Is there any way you could find out for sure?" Dudley asked with true sincerity in his eyes. His cousin really looked worried. Luckily Harry knew of a possible solution to this. If it was true, they might be seeing more of each other than he'd ever anticipated.

"Is she here right now?" he wondered.

"No she stayed at home, we have a flat nearby. I know its asking a lot, but I'd like to see if you could help me out."

"I personally don't know how to determine that but one of my closest friends, maybe she can help. She's a doctor in our world and her parents aren't magical so she can really help you understand if if comes to it. How soon do you want to find out? I'd have to let her know but I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Harry was thinking of Hermione. After the war her career she pursued was healer with a specialty with children. She was recently certified but he trusted her to know her stuff.

Dudley looked on to his parents and they silently nodded. "I'll be bringing her here tomorrow, she spends the morning with mum since Karen works and I usually work. I'll take off tomorrow and meet you here around 10, does that work?"

Once that was settled Harry took his leave. There was little to be discussed without truly knowing. He walked into an alley and apparated into his friends home. They'd recently moved in together and he hoped that he wouldn't be intruding. They were surprised and after knowing him so well they knew something was up.

"What do you need," Ron immediately asked. They'd always know him best.

"Actually, I need something from Hermione," he said looking over at his friend who was seated besides him.

"Anything, What do you need?" she replied with a kind smile he'd grown to recognize.

"I actually was wondering if you're free tomorrow morning. I don't know the protocol for this kind of thing but I need you to do a magic signature verification on a two year old."

Hermione looked on at him quizzically. "Normally for this procedure we'd have to go through one of the St. Mungo's clinics but as you're here asking I don't think that's what you had in mind. I'll do it Harry. Who is it exactly?" He was glad she saw that he wanted to avoid the proper channels. His time on both sides of the law made him skirmish of protocols and ministries.

"This is why I wanted to avoid the hospital. It's for my cousin's daughter. The muggles, Dudley, he has a kid and they think she might be magical. They didn't know who to ask for help and I spoke to them yesterday. Do you think you can do it?"

Harry saw both Ron and Hermione's expressions. To say they were surprised was an understatement. They were surprised but didn't ask anything else. Hermione agreed to the time and place and early the next morning they met to apparate together.

"At exactly five after the hour, Hermione and Harry arrived again at their doorstep. They both knew muggles well and dressed accordingly. When the door opened they were greeted by a relieved Dudley, glad that they came. His cousin might have thought he wouldn't show but he did as he promised. Hermione greeted his cousin and aunt who were the only adults in at the time. They walked on to the sitting room and they saw her. A vibrant toddler playing with some toys in the living room. Her hair was more golden than Dudley's had ever been, a trait of his mother's he guessed. She was smiling and making unrecognizable noises. Hermione approached Dudley and his aunt and got to business. She'd discussed this with him yesterday. There were certain things she wanted to explain about the procedure to them, it wouldn't hurt but she also understood their reluctance to magic so she asked to explain more about its implications if it was positive. Harry took this time to meet his new family member. She wasn't shy and soon had him running around playing. When it was time, they found Katelyn carried in his arms and her doing a tremendous job at further messing his hair up.

Hermione had explained that the procedure mere required her to use a spell to calculate the magical reading of a person. Since the spell was a small burst of magic and since magic recognized magic, it would serve as a sort of magical charge and some consequences were expected. She explained that with this, there could be spontaneous burst of magic emitting from her but it was harmless. Hermione approached the little girl and after getting her comfortable she did some simple levitating of objects. The child didn't seem surprised which wasn't looking too well for denying her magical abilities. She'd seen or maybe done this before. She pulled her wand out and a yellow glow enveloped her. The light pulsed until it settled on a pale blue. That was a confirmation, she was indeed magical. The next two hours passed by without too much input from Harry. He let Hermione handle the talking since she could relate being muggle born herself. In that time the truth was further confirmed when Katelyn brought all her toys to air and began flying them around after watching Harry do something similar. He'd been entertaining her while Hermione spoke.

They all sat and listened intently, some of the things even surprised Harry but that wasn't necessarily saying much since Hermione had long passed his knowledge base. She told her cousin what he could expect. That while these burst of magic would continue they didn't pose a threat to him or those around her. She told him that the best way to handle this was not to demonize these events, not let her be afraid of herself. Harry caught the significant look that spread over his aunt. Hermione told them that when the time came she should be told the truth. Harry was surprised by Dudley who seemed to be taking everything in stride, even asking his own questions.

"Is it beneficial at all for her to be exposed to other magical children or should there be a separation until Hogwarts?" he asked Hermione.

If Hermione was surprised by this question she didn't let on. "What's proven to be best for the children is that they keep a normal routine. There shouldn't be any drastic changes to her lifestyle. Take it as naturally as you can. Most of the thing children learn on their own, by watching. She'll know when she's allowed to use these use these abilities and even then most of the time she won't be able to control them. They will mostly appear in times of great stress, or changes that's why a normal routine is recommended. Believe me, being born without magical parents will not negatively affect her when the time come for Hogwarts."

Once everything that needed to be said was said they moved to say goodbye. Hermione was running late to start her shift and excused herself. Harry knowing there might be some other questions stuck around and sure enough Dudley spoke up.

"Listen Harry, this is all big news, I'm not sure what to do, but if, that is, if-" Dudley managed with great hesitation so Harry cut in.

"Anything you need, let me know. Seriously, any question, anything at all let me know. I got a phone at the place I'm staying so here, for anything," he told him summoning a small piece of paper and quickly scribbling on the series of numbers he could be reached at. He knew this must be difficult after the deal that was made when he began to show burst of magic. He was panicked and maybe the hardest part was having to tell his wife.

During the whole exchange he'd been purposely noticing his Aunt's behavior. She'd stayed surprisingly silent throughout the whole ordeal. He wondered how she'd accept her grandchild now that she knew for sure. This question was answered just as he was about to sleep when he saw her scoop her granddaughter in her arms and freckle her with light kisses getting her into a fit of giggles. He knew they'd be alright.

They parted on friendly terms. Throughout the years he was indeed called back to visit. A few times to fix some broken thinks she'd levitated accidentally. Karen didn't stick around long after she learned of Katelyn abilities so it was father and daughter. When she got her Hogwarts letter many years later it was uncle Harry who maneuvered them through magical Diagon Alley. They never talked about what went on between them in their youths but it was easier to let those transgressions go, neither were completely innocent on the matter but they knew they no longer where those kids. Katelyn grew up playing with her magical cousins, they had dinner every other Sunday and James, Albus and Lily all looked up to her when they made their own trek onto Platform 9 3/4. These people became permanent fixtures in his life.

Both his friends had seen and interacted with Katelyn throughout the years. Harry admittedly never became best mates with Dudley but they were family. It was one thing he was glad for after all that family.