Chloe - You Need to Talk, Dudley!

For Chloe, the next few months drifted by between regular owls to Luna about where she was, and her meetings with Dudley. She had seen Dudley's school from outside many times, and once or twice, even visited Dudley's dorm room. She could often hear Dudley's friends teasing him about his girlfriend. It made her giddy and excited.

Not even the prospect of Dudley's end-of-year exams and the luminous absence of Dudley for several weeks starting mid-April could dampen her spirits. She knew he would be back by her side by the end of June. Her days were spent helping Petunia around, writing to Luna, secretly meeting Dudley in between his classes or sports schedules, and dreaming about her and Dudley. Only the nights were hard - she was a completely different person at night. While an energetic, mirthful girl full of life and positivity roamed around the house and village at day, a war survivor who had lost loved ones in a horrific war, having lived through horrible times of racism and murders, now graced with nightmares of the war and the dead, sobbed against the sheets at night in Dudley's room. When she was with Dudley, his chest would often be the canvas on which her sorrows, pain, anger, and guilt about the past were painted. His arms would give her a sense of comfort, and her head would sink deeper into him, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat serving as a source of courage, strength, and resistance. He would press a gentle kiss to her lips and all would be fine again. But lying down without him was hard for Chloe and she longed for the next time she would see Dudley's calm face.

And no sooner would she see Dudley, than she would run into his waiting arms. He could read her emotions well and even knew where to take her based on her mood - coffee shop, the park, the top of the hills, Dudley's home, or even just a simple walk around town. These simple moments, free from anything significant, were what made Chloe smile. She had surprised even Luna when she said she felt happier than ever here rather than being all alone in Xenophilius' old house. Even Hogwarts had lost its charm to Chloe, thanks to the war and the innumerable deaths, racism, and violence.

Whenever Luna wrote about Ginny and Hermione being upset about Fred or the others who were taken during the war, Chloe always sent a soothing reply that would instantly calm the girls. Once Chloe even heard that Ginny had repeated some of her soothing words to Harry when he had been upset about the war, and he had cried all night, thanking her after that. She informed Dudley and his parents, and watched for the first time as Petunia broke down, talking extensively about her sister.

That had made Chloe tear up too, and the four of them had had an emotional conversation for most of that evening, late into the night. Chloe's nightmares were nothing in Dudley's presence - he always made her feel safe, loved, and protected.

Just like that, Dudley's exams arrived, subsequently bringing forth his birthday. Chloe baked a large Rich Chocolate Cake for Dudley and made him cut the cake at home in the presence of his parents, some of his teammates, and his roommates. It was probably childish, but she and Dudley didn't care. She knew she didn't, and didn't know why Dudley didn't seem to care either. After all, he didn't like being mollycoddled or treated like a child, since he always shied away whenever his parents would treat him like a five-year-old.

"May I please send some of these to Hogwarts?" Chloe asked Petunia.

"Of course, dear! And do send some to the Auror Office, Ministry of Magic. I just want to check up on how Harry's doing." Petunia said with a smile. And that was how Harry Potter found some chocolate cake on his table a few hours later. He promptly shared them with Ron. Meanwhile, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna enjoyed the chocolate cake sent to them at Hogwarts. They all agreed that Chloe was an amazing baker! And soon, Dudley's exams were completed, giving him ample time to spend with Chloe!

A soft breeze swept through the clearing, causing Chloe to shiver slightly. It was the evening of the thirtieth of June. Summer was beginning to set in, but it could still get cold. Especially if you were in the hills. Without hesitation, Dudley pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her. She snuggled further into his embrace, burying her face into the crook of his neck. He held her tightly, his lips grazing the top of her head in a tender gesture that spoke of his love and protectiveness. The night deepened, and in a moment of undeniable closeness, Dudley tilted Chloe's chin up with a gentle finger, capturing her gaze. Their embrace tightened, even as the world around them reduced to nothing more than a distant murmur.

"D-Dudley, can I ask you something?" Chloe asked.

Pulling back, Dudley looked at her with concern, "What's wrong, Chloe?"

"N-Nothing. Luna's seventh year at Hogwarts is over, and these days she has been talking about moving to South America. She is considering a career along the lines of naturalist, magizoologist, magibotanist, or maybe even getting into the Department of Mysteries." Chloe confessed.

"Department of Mysteries? Oh, the place where my cousin's godfather died?" Dudley scratched his chin in deep thought.

"Yes, that's the one. So, I just want to meet her once." Chloe said.

"Sure! I understand!" Dudley shrugged. "You do not need anybody's permission, my love! You should totally go and see her!"

"No, I mean, you should come along too! If Luna is getting a break, that means Weasley and Granger would be, too! They've also completed their seventh year with Luna! Which would mean Potter and Weasley would also make themselves available from their Auror training!" Chloe said excitedly.

Dudley looked uncomfortable, "I don't know where you're going with this..."

"Oh, you very well do!" Chloe held him by his shoulders. "Look at me, Dudley! This is your chance! You can make amends with your cousin! Being an orphan, I am sure he would appreciate it if you talked to him about everything!"

"He is no orphan! Besides, why are you doing this, Chloe? You and I are happy here. We don't..."

"But I need to! Luna is my friend! Well, not just any friend! She is to me what Wealsey is to Potter! They're inseparable - they even attend Auror training together!" Chloe insisted. "And you said just now that Potter is no orphan! You are right! He is no orphan. He has you, me, and his aunt and uncle! And you know when that'll happen? When you make an effort and talk to him!"

"I already did! That's how I managed to get a job at Ron's brother's shop!" Dudley shook his head. "Disaster, that was."

"Meeting me for the first time was a disaster?" Chloe narrowed her eyes.

Dudley cursed, "Of course not, Chloe!"

"Then? Look, the point is, if you could talk to Potter then, you bloody well can now!" Chloe said, tearing up. "I wish my parents were here with me today, and it would mean the world to me if an estranged relative or someone came up to me and spoke to me! It would make me happy to see you being close to your cousin so that you don't have to live with that guilt all your life! Don't think I haven't seen you, Dudley. You might look like you don't care, but deep down, deep down, you want things between you and your cousin to improve. You struggle with those thoughts even if you don't show it, and I can't see you like that!"

Tears rolled down her face, her head dropped into Dudley's chest as sobs erupted from her throat. Dudley held her firmly.

"I'm sorry, Chloe. Of course, it would mean a lot to Harry. I should've seen it that way. You go and meet Luna, and I promise I will seek out Harry! But promise me, you will be with me all the way!"

Chloe sniffled and nodded against Dudley's chest, "I promise!" Her muffled voice came out as Dudley looked up. It was time to go.