Clodagh - The Burrow

The bags were packed. With an arm around Chloe, Dudley had announced at home that he would be accompanying her to Luna's house in Ottery St. Catchpole. To his surprise, his mother had volunteered for the trip too. Petunia retained her looks, except she had greyer hair and had gained weight now. She could walk for limited distances. She and Vernon had long since begun using spectacles. Vernon, meanwhile had begun catching up with age. His shoulders which used to be broad, now sloped slightly. His once large mustache had greyed and thinned significantly. He had begun walking slower and was struggling to walk longer distances. So, the mother, her son, and his girlfriend boarded a train to London.

As the train swayed gently, Dudley and Chloe instinctively chose seats next to one another, while Petunia took the third seat. Sitting by the window, Chloe nestled her head on Dudley's shoulder, as Dudley snuggled against his seat. The two of them sat in comfortable silence all the way.

"One hot chocolate, please." Dudley ordered, handing over money to the trolley person.

With a smile, Chloe said, "One Snickers Bar, please."

When Dudley gave her the chocolate, she shook her head. "It's for you, silly! It's your favorite, isn't it?"

Dudley grinned and ate his chocolate, as Chloe sipped her hot chocolate.

Upon reaching London, they walked down to Charing Cross Road, where they passed through the Leaky Cauldron that stood in between a bookshop and a music shop, invisible to either Petunia or Dudley. Entering Diagon Alley, they went to George Weasley's shop, from where they could access The Burrow, which was close to Luna's house.

George wasn't alone though. A tall witch was at the counter, who seemed to know them.

"George, it would seem that Harry's relatives and Lovegood's friend are here!"

"Oh, show them the Floo, Angie!" George answered from inside. "Tell them I'll get the luggage."

Dudley helped Chloe into the fireplace and let her go first. He then joined his mother and came with her.

No sooner had Chloe come out of the fireplace at the Burrow than a tearful Luna had engulfed her in a fierce hug.

"C-C-Chloe! I missed you!"

"I missed you too, Luna!" Chloe burst into tears.

"Hey, cheer up! Look, Hermione and Ginny are here as well!" Luna said, wiping her eyes.

Chloe wiped her eyes and hugged Ginny and Hermione, "How are you girls?"

"We are good!" They said in chorus.

"Ginny had a hard time this year. She would have breakdowns whenever she was near the corridor where Fred died." Hermione said truthfully. Ginny glared at her, "Well, at least I would not have random breakdowns at the Gryffindor Common Room and insist on seeing Hagrid during odd hours. It's a miracle he never once took offense and told us away."

"I guess!" Hermione went pink.

"Don't mind them. They are like this only." Luna shrugged. When Chloe looked at her concerned, Luna continued, "Harry was there for Ginny. Ron was there for Hermione. Every other weekend. And they went on dates during every Hogsmeade weekend from morning till late afternoon! It wouldn't end there. These two would go on talking about how romantic Harry and Ron are until late in the night. I must say, though. Ron and Harry are now far better dates and boyfriends than they were while at Hogwarts. Remember Padma and Parvati? Cho? Lav..."

Luna suddenly coughed, "I mean, you get the point. They'd all be surprised at how the two boys have turned out now!"

"Why are you avoiding the name?" Chloe asked.

"I don't want to bring up anything." Luna glanced nervously at Hermione and Ginny, as though expecting them to have meltdowns and breakdowns.

"I understand." Chloe said.

"Anyways, how's things between you and Dudley?" Luna asked. "These people don't believe me when I say that my best friend," she pointed at Chloe, "is dating... Ah! Speak of the devil!" Chloe turned back to see Petunia and Dudley stumbling through the Floo.

"Him!" Luna finished with a smirk. "See, girls? I was right, wasn't I?"

"Well, you haven't proven anything. You just made a statement." Hermione said, in a very Hermione-ish way.

"I would have to agree. We need statements from both parties first." Ginny said.

"Hermione is really growing on you." Luna pointed out.

"She will be my sister-in-law by the end of next year! I must know her!" Ginny grinned.

Chloe gasped, "Weasley proposed?"

When Hermione blushed, Chloe squealed in excitement, "CONGRATULATIONS, GRANGER!"

"Congrats, Granger." Dudley followed. He hadn't known what the conversation was all about and had only heard Ginny announce that Ron and Hermione would get married soon.

"Congrats, my Vernon and me." Petunia said.

"And it's true! Dursley is dating our Chloe here!" Luna jumped excitedly. "You can gather your statements right here now!"

Chloe and Dudley blushed, thus confirming non-verbally that they were, indeed, seriously dating.

"Ooh, congrats!" The girls squealed.

"What are your plans?" Chloe asked Hermione.

"Ron wishes to kickstart his Auror work, and I wish to officially start my work for the promotion of elfish welfare. This will take a year, so by the end of next year, we will tie the knot!" Hermione said.

"And what of my nephew?" Petunia asked, glancing at Ginny, who blushed.

"Once he becomes an Auror, and I join the HolyHead Harpies, we can marry anytime!" Ginny said.

"Has he asked you out, yet?" Chloe asked.

"Everytime!" Hermione giggled, and Chloe squealed, "CONGRATULATIONS, WEASLEY!"

"Thanks!" Ginny blushed to the roots of her Weasley-red hair.

Just then, George entered via the Floo network seemingly empty-handed. But then, he pointed his wand at something he took out from his pocket and boom! all of Chloe, Dudley's, and Petunia's luggage enlarged out of nothing!

"Dinner's ready!" Molly's voice called out. "Ginny! Bring everybody to the kitchen!"

"Comin, Mum!" Ginny called out.

"Hermione, you take Luna and Chloe to the kitchen. Mrs. Dursley, Dudley, please follow them. I will call Harry and Ron. Are you staying for dinner, George?"

"No, Ginny. I have already told Mum I am going on a date night with Angelina! See you all!" George cheerfully left.

Ron and Harry had been discussing magical laws and regulations when Ginny walked in. As Harry stood and stretched, Ginny went up to him, sinking her head into his chest. "Hey, Harry!"

Holding Ginny close to him, Harry kissed the top of her head. Ginny's voice sounded muffled against his chest, "Mum's calling you both for dinner."

"Okay, I am going. I suggest you and Harry to come soon." Ron winked. Harry playfully blew a raspberry at him. He continued holding Ginny until Molly's voice loudly called, "GINNY! HARRY!"

When the couple walked down, everybody was seated, including Harry's aunt and cousin. Harry hadn't expected them. He just knew Chloe was bringing her boyfriend.

"Hi, Harry!" Dudley extended a hand and Harry took it pleasantly. "Hey, Big D!"

"He is here as Chloe's boyfriend!" Ginny chuckled. Harry stared, "Oh, I was not aware of that!"

"Now you know." Dudley grinned, as Petunia made her way forward, "Harry."

"Hello, Aunt Petunia." Harry said. "How are you all?"

"Oh, we are fine, dear. You are taller than James used to be! And your eyes - so like Lily's!" Petunia cooed. "Vernon and I thought of giving you a present actually."

She held out a package and gave it to Harry, who opened it and found a PlayStation.

"This..." Harry said.

"Oh, this is nothing, Harry!" Petunia patted his shoulder. As dinner went by, Dudley knew he had to talk to Harry. Chloe kept glancing at Dudley and he nodded reassuringly at her. This did not go unnoticed by Ginny, who made eye contact with Harry and gestured towards Dudley. Harry nodded, getting the idea that his cousin wanted to talk to him.

"If you want me to stay, Harry," Ron said after dinner.

"No, Ron, you carry on." Harry said.

"But you shouldn't be alone, Harry," Hermione said.

"I am not a kid, Hermione, but an Auror in training. And besides, I am not going anywhere. You go on." Harry said.

"Let's talk by the garden, Harry." Dudley offered. Harry nodded. Chloe and Ginny sat in the living room.