Cousins Make Amends
"Yeah, Big D? you were saying?" Harry initiated the conversation.
Dudley sighed. It was time.
"Harry, I don't think I ever properly said sorry."
"What do you mean?" Harry was puzzled. "You did apologize last May. Or was it June? The point is that you did, in fact, say sorry. And why are you bringing that up now anyway?"
"It's not just that. Oh, how do I put it? You do know what happened between our mums?" Dudley asked.
Harry nodded, "Yes, what about that?"
"Well, here's the thing. Mum never got to be a witch and never went to Hogwarts. She fought with your mum over it. One thing led to another, they separated, and Moldyshorts began his reign of terror. And that mouse betrayed your parents." Dudley said.
Harry had a vivid image of Percy puking when he found out Scabbers had been Peter Pettigrew, a middle aged man in disguise. That, and Dudley's nickname for Voldemort, made him chuckle. "It's Voldemort. And yes, Pettigrew did betray my parents."
"And here's the thing. You were brought in to your house. My mum had all the chance to redeem herself, make amends with her sister, basically start over again. We could've been kind to you, shown love and care, treated you as one of our own." Dudley said.
"We've been through this already. I carry no grudges." Harry shook his head. "Listen, Big D. I have met people like Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, even the likes of Umbridge, Voldemort, Bellatrix, and the Malfoys! Nothing you guys did was more severe than that lot, and besides, the fact of the matter is that I was safe as long as I called my aunt's house my own. For the whole charm to work."
'How does that charm work?" Dudley asked.
"Some other time, Big D. It's about the power of love and ancient magic. The point is, I managed to grow up, stay alive, and meet amazing people along the way. And besides, Professor Dumbledore always believed in second chances."
"How do you trust him even after you admitted he used you?" Dudley asked.
Harry smiled, "Sometimes, there is war, Big D. And in war, you have to take tough choices. It was either me or the entire wizarding world, possibly even the muggle world. Would Prof. Dumbledore, or even you in his place, possibly allow thousands of people to die so that one person may live? He didn't enjoy sending me to my death, but at the same time, couldn't risk the wizarding and muggle worlds being at risk of being captured by madmen. Besides, he did everything in his power to delay things for me, make the journey easier and more pleasant for me before I could find out the truth. And if you think he is bad, you should probably ask Aunt Petunia about Prof. Snape. He loved my mother, but my mother chose my father. It's a messier and darker tale of love and betrayal there. Prof. Snape, like Pettigrew, is why my parents are dead. But Snape switched over to Dumbledore when he realized Voldemort was after my mother."
"What the..." Dudley cursed. "so much happened and you'd deal with it by yourself at Privet Drive?"
Harry chuckled, "Much more than you can imagine, Big D. That's what made me who I am today. You can't let these things get into your head, and you learn to forgive them, like I did."
There was a pregnant pause. Dudley nodded, silently running over the words in his mind. Harry was amused to see his cousin not being a prat.
"Well, your and my mum grew apart, but I was wondering how I can make things better for you and me." Dudley admitted. "I don't know how to put it, so here is a blunt way of saying it."
Harry's neck became red and he rubbed the back of his neck. He was now a Weasley, having learnt some of his behaviors from Ron. "Uh, I don't know. Maybe we could talk, get to know each other " Dudley smiled. "You can tell me about you and Weasley!"
"Sure!" Harry smiled back.
'Or for that matter, all the Weasleys! They're such nice people!" Dudley looked around.
Meanwhile, Ginny and Chloe sat on the grass.
"Oh, don't mind our house." Ginny said. "Not as big as you muggles are accustomed to! I mean, Harry's uncle's house looks like some mansion back in Surrey!"
Chloe laughed, "No problem, Weasley. But year, Dudley, even Potter, are all from rich families. You and me - we belong to the not-so-affluent community!"
"Hey, girls! What's up?" Hermione joined in.
Ginny continued the conversation as she made space for Hermione to sit, "Aren't you muggles rich? Hermione's parents are teeth-doctors. And they are rich!"
"Dentists, you mean?" Chloe looked at Hermione, who nodded. "Granger is rich, yes. But not all muggles are rich."
"Tell us about your family." Hermione asked curiously. Chloe smiled and began narrating her childhood, her parents, her village, Prof. McGonagall showing up one sunny afternoon with her Hogwarts letter, her trip to Diagon Alley, and finally going to Hogwarts."
"The best times of my life, unpopular opinion, was probably before Hogwarts!" Chloe said.
Hermione and Ginny shared a look, unable to contradict her. After Chloe had joined, the whole Chamber incident, the dementors breaking into Hogwarts grounds, the Triwizard Tournament, and the return of Voldemort had occurred. An entire war broke out, devastating many more families than before. Chloe had lost her parents, and had had people like Xenophilius sacrifice his life so she could live and be safe. The sheer terror, the horrifying memories, the unspoken miseries, the ongoing trauma, the unforgiveable curses, and the numerous disappearances, deaths, cases of violence, the apathy and irresponsibility of the authorities responsible for law and order, everything was reflected in the tears of the three girls. Numerous unspoken words were clearly conveyed on their pale faces.
As Chloe narrated her story, Hermione and Ginny joined in with theirs.
"You haven't met Fred, but you have met George. Both are alike." Ginny said, wiping her eyes.
"Oh, the twins, right? I have seen them both." Chloe nodded. "How was your mission, Granger?"
"The Horcrux Hunt - That Which Shall Not Be Spoken About..." Hermione shivered.
"Well, she modified her parents memories and sent them packing to Australia to protect them. She and Ron restored their memories after the war." Ginny said. "Ron and Hermione went with Harry on Prof. Dumbledore's mission to bring down Voldemort. A highly confidential matter which not even we know properly about till date. We only know the bigger details like Bellatrix torturing Hermione..."
"WHAT?" Chloe shrieked.
"That's just one of the things that we dealt with. There's so much more." Hermione shivered. "If you don't mind, can we not do this?"
Pale faced, Chloe nodded. Ginny hugged Hermione.
"Anyway, Chloe. You said the worst times started after you joined Hogwarts. But hey! You met Luna! You met us! And you met Dudley! What's up between you and him?"
And that was how the conversation went from dark to light, from shedding tears to blushing and laughing, from a group of war veterans to ordinary teenage girls talking about their boyfriends.
"Harry!" A voice called. Harry turned around. His best friend was walking towards them "I was worried when I didn't see you come up."
"Hey, Ron! You came at the right time, actually. I was beginning to tell Dudley about Quidditch. What would be better than the King himself to tell Dudley about the game?" He winked.
"Oh, you guys are discussing sports?" Ron was confused. "I was under the impression that it was serious business."
"Basically getting to know each other better." Harry said.
"Uh, sure." Ron said.
From the kitchen, sounds of Petunia excitedly talking about dishwashers and the sound of Molly's laughter echoed, as the sounds of a newspaper being turned joined in.
"Arthur, you can read the Prophet later." Molly seemed to be saying, "Come and listen to this charming story!"
As the three boys walked discussing Quidditch, they reached the spot where their girlfriends were sitting and laughing. Taking their seats next to their girlfriends, they joined in the leg-pulling and joking. They now resembled less of war veterans and more of ordinary teenagers gossiping. They happily spoke at length all day about Dudley and Chloe and discussed the growing bond between Harry and Dudley.