Suddenly there was loud bang.
The residents of No. 4 Privet Drive all jump at the noise, and run to the living room to find out what caused the sudden commotion.
Walking up to the door Harry puts his arm around Ginny's waist; Minerva has taken the lead.
Becoming anxious Harry starts feeling for his wand; all the memories are flooding back.
Ginny noticing this turns to him.
"It'll be alright," assures Ginny.
Knocking on the door, Harry is hoping, with all his might that nobody is home. Unfortunately those prayers go unanswered.
The door opens, and Harry finds himself face to face with a much fitter version of the Dudley that he knew growing up.
"Blimey, Harry Potter, is that you?" exclaims Dudley.
"Hey Big D," says Harry nervously.
"And who are your mates?" asks Dudley.
"Oh, well, this is my wife Ginny, and this is Professor McGonagall," Harry replies.
"You're both wizards as well?" asks Dudley, and they nod. At this Dudley starts to put the pieces together. He has had his suspicions for some time. "Well, come on in then. It seems that we have a lot to discuss."
"That's got to be a good sign, right?" inquires Ginny
"I guess," says Harry unsure, entering the house.
Noticing the cupboard, out of the corner of his eye, he starts shivering. He's a 36 year old Auror for Merlin's sake! The site of a damn cupboard shouldn't make him pale!
The lock was still there, and seeing that, Harry filled with rage. He'd be damned if he let another child go through what he did growing up.
Seeing the expression on Harry's face Ginny leaned to whisper to him.
"If it's too much we can go home alright. Minerva can deal with it," whispers Ginny.
"Emily Rose, come here please!" they hear Dudley yelling.
"Let's head to the living room," replies Harry, avoiding the statement, but secretly very happy that his wife knew him so well.
Ginny and Harry walk into the living room and at the same time a fiery-haired 11-year-old girl runs up to Dudley, wanting to know what's going on; Harry shoots her a quick smile.
"This is my wife Sarah, and my daughter Emily. Girls, this is my cousin Harry," introduces Dudley.
"So this is your cousin who grew up with you?" asks Sarah happily.
"Yes," says Dudley nodding.
"Nice to meet you; and yes, I haven't been back for years though," says Harry.
"Well Harry, would you like to tell my wife and daughter why you are here, or should I do the honours?" probes Dudley with a smirk.
With a look of reassurance from Ginny, Harry starts to speak… Dudley knows?
"Err, Mrs. Dursley we are here to offer Emily a place at my old school," starts Harry, sincerely hoping that Dudley didn't keep up the lie of him attending St. Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys.
"I am Professor McGonagall; the Headmistress at Hogwarts," adds Minerva.
"That's great!" says Sarah excitedly. "Dudders, you never told me you put her name down for that gifted school!"
"Well, Love, there's actually a bit more to it," says Dudley.
"What do you mean?" asks Sarah curiously.
"Um, you see, it's a school of magic. Your daughter is a witch," explains Harry.
"Are you serious?" asks Sarah accusingly; she evidently thought that they were off their trolleys.
"He is," says Dudley.
"I think you've made a mistake," says Emily. "I, I can't be."
"It's no mistake," states Harry with a soft smile, deciding to levitate the pictures on the mantle.
"That's wicked!" screams Emily excitedly.
"Wow!" adds Sarah, looking utterly gobsmacked.
"Have you ever done things you can't explain when you are excited, angry or scared?" asks Harry kindly, knowing how it felt to want something so bad, but to be so sure it was too good to be true.
Emily looks at her parents. She then nods nervously, and sees Harry beaming back at her.
"See! Here, read your letter." says Harry, passing it to Emily.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall
(Former Head of Gryffindor House)
Dear Miss Dursley,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find first enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We wait your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Neville Longbottom
Deputy Headmaster
"What do they mean by, 'they await my owl?'" asked Emily.
"We use owls to send post," explains Harry.
"Oh," says Emily shocked.
"Why haven't I heard about this before?" inquires Sarah.
"Wizards and Muggles used to live side by side," explains McGonagall, "however, after a series of events, it was deemed safer if we lived separately."
"I see," says Sarah as she takes it all in.
"She'd learn many things at Hogwarts, first and foremost being how to control her magic," says Minerva.
"What does this school look like?" asks Sarah unsure.
"It's a castle in Northern Scotland," explains Minerva. "It's overlooking a lake and forest."
"A castle?" a stunned Emily repeats.
"Yes, a castle," says Harry laughing. "And the food is amazing as well. I always did enjoy the feasts."
"You and Ron both," says Ginny teasingly.
"Hey!" cries Harry feigning offence.
"And this is a boarding school right?" questions Sarah.
"Yes, it is," says Minerva. "The Hogwarts express takes the students to and from school. For Christmas and Easter holidays it is up to the students if they wish to return home or remain at the school."
"Elaborate if you would Ma'am," asked Sarah.
"Each Head of House will bring a list around every holiday for the students to sign if they wish to remain at school," explained Minerva. "If they don't sign, they are expected to be on the train home for the holidays. Students do stay over the holidays, however, the majority do go home."
"I see," said Sarah.
"It's a great school. Magical children from all over Britain go there," says Harry.
"What do you think, Love?" asks Dudley, turning to his wife.
"I think she should go," says Sarah a bit hesitantly.
"Then it's settled," says Minerva happily.
"Where do we get all these things, Harry?" Dudley asked, looking at the list. "I mean 'Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them'? Muggles don't know they exist, never mind where to bloody find them."
"You know what Muggle means?" asks Harry with a laugh.
"I heard it enough when we were in hiding," says Dudley pointedly.
"Muggle?" asks Emily.
"It's our term for non-magical folk," explains Ginny.
"Point taken, Dudley," admits Harry. "Anyways, everything can be found in Diagon Alley, which is in London."
Harry then looked hesitantly at Ginny, who nodded reassuringly.
"You can come with my family and me," offered Harry. "I believe we're planning on going next Saturday."
"That sounds great Harry," replies Dudley.
"I can't believe all this is real," says Emily.
"Nor I," says Sarah. "This all seems so barmy."
"I know," admits Harry. "My parents were both wizards, but I grew up here. I never knew about the wizarding world until I got my letter. It was such a surprise when I got it."
"The first one, or the next thousand?" snickers Dudley.
"Any," says Harry with a shrug. "The entire thing was weird."
"We can both agree on that," says Dudley.
"Can you tell me more about school, and the Wizarding World?" asks Emily.
"Anything specifically?" inquires Harry.
"Everything," says Emily enthusiastically.
"Well first off, first years have to take Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, and Herbology," explains Harry bemused.
"Herbology?" questions Emily.
"It's basically Botany for magical plants," explains Harry. "One of my good friends is actually the current teacher."
"Hmmm," retorts Sarah.
"It seems like there is a lot more to magic then just waving a wand," says Emily.
"There is," agreed Harry. "You will learn it quickly enough though. First years also take flying lessons."
"Like on a broom?" says Emily, her jaw dropping.
"Yes," laughed Harry. "I actually love flying."
"You're a natural at it," states Ginny.
"That's brilliant," says Emily, "but won't I be behind everyone else though? I mean, I don't know anything about how to do magic or anything."
"Don't worry about it Emily," says Harry calmly. "You won't be too far behind the students from wizarding families as it is, and there are tons of students who come from Muggle homes who pick it up fast enough."
"Honest?" asks Emily.
"I promise," says Harry smiling.
"Students are also sorted into 1 of 4 Houses at Hogwarts," adds McGonagall. "There is Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Your House is something like your family at Hogwarts; they are named after the 4 founders of the school."
"What House were you guys in?" asks Emily.
"I was in Gryffindor," says Minerva.
"Harry and I were also in Gryffindor," adds Ginny.
"Do you guys play sports?" asks Emily quickly.
"Yes," adds Harry excitedly. "Quidditch is the most popular sport in our world. It's like Football, but it's played on brooms, with 7 players, and 4 balls. I played as Seeker for 4 years."
"Wicked," beams Emily.
"She'll have an amazing time," assures Ginny. "It's a great school.
"I'm sure it is," starts Sarah. "Although I think this is crazy. By the way Harry, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Dudley's told me so much about you."
"He did?" asks Harry shocked.
"All good things, I'm sure," says Ginny teasingly.
"Of course," says Sarah smiling.
"Let's just say our past is very complicated," says Harry.
"You've got that right," agrees Dudley.
"You'll both have to tell me the story sometime," says Sarah.
"Sounds great, and if you'll excuse me, I'll be right back. I actually have something I think that you might want Harry," says Dudley, heading towards the stairs.
"What is it?" Harry asks confused, receiving no answer.
"Go see if he needs help," suggests Ginny.
"I'll go talk to him," mumbles Harry, heading up the stairs.
"I thought I'd come see if you need help," mumbles Harry.
"Alright, thanks," replies Dudley.
"How long have you and Sarah been married?" asks Harry.
"12 years now," says Dudley.
"Congratulations," says Harry awkwardly, causing the box to fall to the ground.
"Everything all right up there?" asks Sarah.
"Yeah we're fine." called Dudley, "Just found the box."
Searching through the box, Harry saw a photo of a young man in clothes, which were twice his size, standing there, staring out of the picture with an unnerved expression.
"You did this?" asks Harry. Why does he have all of these?
"Yes, and I've been trying to find the words for a while. What I really meant that day that we went into hiding was that I'm sorry," discloses Dudley. "I'm so sorry Harry."
Harry dropped stack of pictures he was holding; he didn't know what to think.
"Here," says Ginny to Harry, picking up the pictures, noticing her husband's hands shaking.
"Thanks," mutters Harry to Ginny.
"I don't expect you to forgive me anytime soon Harry, but I really am sorry," affirms Dudley.
"I don't know what to say Dud," admits Harry. What do you even say to that?
"Maybe we can grab a drink sometime?" asks Dudley hopefully.
"I-I'd like that Dud," says Harry. Not sure why, but I would. Maybe he really has changed?
The next little bit of their visit was answering some questions that the Dursleys had about Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾, their kids, among other things.
"Merlin, is it that time already?" asks Ginny.
"We should probably get going Dud," says Harry.
"Are you sure you can't stay for dinner?" asks Sarah.
"Yeah, our kids are at home waiting!" says Harry proudly.
"James will burn the house down," jokes Ginny.
"He seems to have inherited my sense for uhm…. adventure," states Harry.
"That's not good!" says Dudley laughing.
"With my history?" retorts Harry.
"Let's talk over a pint tomorrow?" offers Dudley.
"Sounds great," replies Harry.
"Brilliant," says Dudley happily.
"It was nice meeting you both," says Sarah.
"And you as well," cries Ginny.
"See you tomorrow Harry," says Dudley.
"Night, Big D." says Harry, as he takes his wife's hand, and apparates with a crack.