Vernon Dursley - The Storm Raging Within

Vernon Dursley had changed over the last year. Having recently heard of his firing from Grunnings, and having witnessed the house Petunia and he had built with so many shared dreams and memories being ransacked and brought down by Death Eaters, Marge's recent death, and his own boredom leading to a poor diet, bad habits, and various health complications, he knew why his nephew stared at him from the doorway as their eyes met. Of course, he was with that redheaded family who had destroyed half his living room and nearly choked Dudley once! Vernon also remembered that on that same occasion, he had had so much ash on him that he looked like he had suddenly aged 30 years - that was what Harry remembered as he stared at his uncle after a year. He noted how the tiny little boy from the cupboard under the stairs had turned into the hero of the Wizarding World, filled with scars from the past.

Vernon had grown larger, in contrast to his muscular son. His hair and moustache was grey. Petunia had also thinned, and her hair had begun graying. Vernon knew his son had spent the previous year simply learning about his cousin, aunt, uncle, and the Wizarding World. When he wasn't doing that, he was busy with physical activity.

And although his wife nodded with him and showed indifference to the Wizarding World and its happenings in the last year, Vernon knew Petunia was secretly staying updated with everything going on in the wizarding world and fretting over it.

Presently, he, Petunia, and Dudley had completed their packing, and their luggage was waiting by the fireplace. Marge's death meant Vernon could relocate to her farmhouse. He was glad that he still had shelter where he could take his wife and their son.

What he did not know, was that Dudley had other plans. He sat on the couch, fuming, as Petunia sniffled, while Dudley spoke to Harry and his friends. He would register much later that day that these 'friends' also included Harry's girlfriend. Vernon cracked his knuckles when Dudley apologized to Harry for the past. They seemed to be discussing something seriously.

"Any job would do. I want to be independent. I also want to do my bit for you!" Dudley insisted for the nth time that equaled probably the number of presents he had counted on his eleventh birthday.

And then there was his nephew, always playing the hero. "No, Big D. I do not want anything from you."

Vernon gave off the impression that he loathed Harry for his very self. It wasn't true. Vernon could see that his wife cared about the one last remainder to her parents and sister - Harry. Albeit in her own twisted way. Vernon knew that his son genuinely wanted to make amends with his cousin. But Harry also happened to be Harry Potter.

"Why does he have to play the hero?!" Vernon fumed again. "Why can't he just do what Tuney and Dudders want him to do?!"

Just then, his nephew's best friend spoke. "Well, George needs help with his shop. I reckon you can help out there."

"A shop? His Dudders work in a shop for low wages? The son of the Director of Grunnings take orders and abuses from the riffraff that went to their shop?" Vernon was infuriated. He wanted the best for his son, and couldn't imagine Dudley having hardships.

While Harry and his friends spoke to Dudley, and as the negotiations went back and forth, Vernon found himself losing his temper. But, Petunia always seemed to sense his emotions and managed to restrain him whenever he was about to explode. He supposed his nephew noticed too, which was probably why he seemed keen to leave the place.

"Dudley spoke to me about wanting to start off independently, Vernon." Petunia whispered into his ear when Harry and the other were exploring the house as Dudley took care of the last minute things.

Red in the face, Vernon hissed, "Where? In that very world you hate?"

"That hate is what made me lose my sister, Vernon. I was blinded by jealousy and hatred. I lost sight of what is important. I never made amends even when I had the chance. Not even with Harry! And now I've lost him. You, me, Marge, even Diddydums - we all remind him of a painful past he would rather forget. At least Diddkins wants to correct and change things. I don't want to lose Dudders. If he wants to go there, let him go!" Petunia began tearing up. "He will have to learn being independent. One day or the other. What better place than a world we already know instead of a muggle place we don't already know? At least in the beginning!"

"You know I have always done everything for you, Petunia. But, he can come with us to Marge's farmhouse and live comfortably." Vernon protested.

"He can come whenever he pleases. But we should let him go for his own good. We can't always protect him. In the end, even Harry had to fight off V-Voldemort by himself. Lily, James, Dumbledore, and I'm sure many others died protecting him, but in the end, everything went down to Harry alone. That was his destiny. D-Dudley Dursley has his own destiny. It's about time." Petunia said with a weak smile.

"Why that shop, then?" Vernon questioned, shaking his head.

Petunia shrugged, "My parents also wanted me to do much more than just being a clerk. But I started as one. I became a housewife after that, not that I regret starting a family with you."

When Vernon looked unsure, Petunia continued, "Because that's how reality works. Our parents want the best for us, but in real life, we might have to start small. If Dudley prefers to start in the shop, so be it. It doesn't matter who the customers are or how big or small the business is. He can figure out later ventures on his own. At least he gets to be a part of the wizarding community. Something I couldn't do. And he is doing social work - helping rebuilding the wizarding world."

"What?" Vernon spluttered, "When?"

Petunia chuckled, "I knew you weren't paying attention. The redheaded man spoke about the damages and sufferings of the wizarding world. The bushy haired girl spoke about renovations and the rebuilding going on. The redheaded girl spoke about how their society is getting reformed and how class distinctions are being discarded finally. With Dudley, a muggle, doing community service and active employment in the wizarding world, don't you think the wizarding world would get motivated to discard their orthodox, discriminatory, and archaic nature?"

"People like you would have a say in things instead of simply being shunted aside." Vernon nodded. "But why are you so insistent on this?"

"I'm not. But I think this is good for Dudley's future. What will he do coming to Marge's old farmhouse? Smoke weed and abuse passers-by, the government, his fate, and everything under the sun? Marge's breeding business is closed after heavy losses, and the place holds no promise or value. It's now for old people like me. Younger people like him should seek greener pastures."

"You aren't old! You are still beaut..." Vernon protested, but was cut short by Petunia's finger on his lip.

"I know." Her smile still turned his knees into water just like it did so many years back.

The daughter of the dentists - Herman, is it? - hailed a cab for Vernon and Petunia to the railway station from where they would take a train. Dudley would be going with Harry. As Vernon watched his wife tearfully bid goodbye to their son, the cab made its way forward.