Godric's Hollow
The portkey arrived quickly, but Dudley's vision kept swimming for a while. He clutched his head and straightened up. His vision cleared to show Chloe staring wide-eyed at something, so he turned to see a magical and symbolic memorial made of white marble.
It was a statue of a redhead and a bespectacled man with jet-black hair, standing arm in arm, gazing lovingly at a baby in the woman's arms. The redhead looked serene and at ease. The man next to her was taller and looked positively gleeful. The baby was sculpted with a permanent giggle on his lips.
The memorial was adorned with engravings and inscriptions in gold lettering. From behind the trio, a faint, ethereal glow seemed to radiate. Surrounding the memorial, there were well-tended flower beds filled with magical blooms that never withered.
"Chloe!" A voice called out suddenly. "Dudley!"
It was Ginny. She stood at the entrance of the cobblestone pathway that led to the memorial. Chloe waved and took Dudley's hand.
"Did you both have your breakfast?" Ginny asked when the couple approached her.
"Not yet, Ginny! We were hoping to see you and Harry, so we came in a hurry."Chloe bounced on the balls of her feet.
Grinning, Ginny hugged Chloe while telling Dudley, "There is a roadside stall over there. Harry is waiting there. Let's go and get you two some breakfast!"
Dudley spotted Harry waving at them and waved back. "So, Ginny, this statue...?"
"Oh, you don't know? Those are your aunt and uncle. The baby there... That's Harry!" Ginny cheerfully pointed with her hand.
"Lily and James!" Chloe repeated her wonder.
"Harry and I wanted to tell you something!" Ginny said, leading Chloe and Dudley to Harry.
"Two more of these, please!" Harry pleasantly told the waiter, who nodded.
"What's up, Ginny?" Chloe asked.
"Well, you see. Harry proposed to me!" Ginny blushed.
The entire street stared at them as Chloe let out a high-pitched squeel, "CONGRATULATIONS! Ginny and Harry!"
Dudley patted Harry's back with a grin, 'Congratulations, Harry and Ginny!" He shook hands with Ginny with a smile.
"Thank you!" Ginny warmly smiled at Dudley and hugged Chloe again. Chloe shook Harry's hand. "You know, Harry? Just yesterday, Dudley proposed to me!"
It was Ginny's turn to squeel in a high-pitched voice. Some irritated folk just gave up and left the place, rolling their eyes.
"CONGRATULATIONS! Chloe and Dudley!"
It was Harry's turn to pat Dudley's back, grinning, "Congratulations, Dudley and Chloe!" He shook hands with Chloe with a smile.
"Thank you!" Chloe excitedly told Harry and hugged Ginny yet another time.
"So, what's the plan?" Dudley asked Harry.
"Well, we are thinking of some time in April." Harry said. "That is when I get some time off from Auror work. The HolyHead Harpies is having a huge match throughout March, so Ginny will have little to no time."
"What about us?" Chloe looked at Dudley, who suddenly grew pink in the face.
"Correct. When are you guys planning?" Harry looked from Dudley to Chloe.
Dudley shrugged. "I haven't really kept a date as such. I'm just glad to have Chloe in my life!"
Chloe beamed at Dudley. "I'm so happy that you're part of my life, Dudley!"
Ginny grinned. "Well, how about April, then?"
Harry stared at Ginny. "But you said that in April, we will..."
"You and Dudley, Harry!" Ginny smirked.
"I love this, Dudley! You and Harry, on the same day and at the same venue!" Chloe's eyes widened in excitement.
The two boys coughed awkwardly, pink in the face. The two girls stared at them, waiting for them to speak, until finally...
"Uh, I don't have a problem. I mean, if Harry and Ginny are okay with it." Dudley said, looking away.
"Yeah, well, if Dudley and Chloe have no problem with it, I don't see why this won't work." Harry nodded, still looking away.
"Then, it is settled!" Ginny jumped in excitement.
"OF COURSE!" Chloe clapped excitedly.
Dudley turned back and met Harry's eyes. He grinned at his cousin, who grinned back at him.
"Well, Chloe. Have you visited Godric's Hollow before?" Ginny asked. "Harry tells me Dudley hasn't."
"We haven't, Ginny. We rely on you both to show us around."Chloe said.
"Cool! We're ready when you're!" Ginny told Chloe and Dudley.
"Tell me about this village, Harry. About your parents, things I should know!" Dudley said as he and Harry walked. Behind Dudley, Chloe gave an encouraging nod and turned back to Ginny.
Harry spoke about the four founders of Hogwarts and how Godric Gryffindor relates to Godric's Hollow.
"Remind me again. It was Slytherin who opened the Chamber of Secrets, right?" Dudley said.
Harry nodded. "He was against Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw and wanted only pure-blood students at Hogwarts. He created the Chamber of Secrets and the monster within to rid the school of the half-bloods and muggleborns."
"But Ginny is pure blood! Why was she targeted?"Chloe asked.
"Because I was also a stupid eleven-year-old," Ginny shook her head, "with a childish crush."
"Ginny!" Harry admonished her, "You were not stupid. Voldemort is a direct descendant of Slytherin himself! And a hypocrite, given that he was a half-blood but boasted of pure-blood supremacy! Also, Lucius Malfoy gave you that diary to discredit Arthur Weasley. The Malfoys and Voldemort are all Slytherins."
Chloe hugged Ginny warmly. Ginny insisted that she was completely fine. They continued walking.
"And here is the cemetery!" Harry said. As the four made their way, Chloe suddenly said, "Dumbledore!"
"Yeah, the Dumbledore family too lived in Godric's Hollow. But that was a long time ago—even before Albus Dumbledore began teaching at Hogwarts." Harry said that and continued walking.
"Did you know that the famous historian and author of our school books for history of magic, Bathilda Bagshot, is also from Godric's Hollow?" Ginny asked Chloe. "She died sometime during the war."
Chloe nodded. "I didn't know she was from this village."
The four of them automatically stopped when they reached
Dudley stared at the gravestones, fresh memories of Chloe and himself visiting Chloe's parents graves the previous day etched in his mind.
"Lily Potter (Evans): January 1960–October 1981." He read slowly. He could feel Chloe rubbing his back soothingly. He felt Ginny's eyes on him. He could see Harry staring intently at the names.
"James Potter: March 1960–October 1981." Dudley's vision blurred. He could hear Harry sniffling.
Dudley turned to Harry and said, "I am sorry!"
Harry wiped his eyes and shook his head. "Come here, Big D!"
The cousins hugged tight, clearing their throats loudly and sniffling silently. Chloe exchanged a tearful look with Ginny.
Pulling back, Dudley wiped his eyes. "What happened that day? I want to know everything."
"Well, you know about the prophecy. You've met Neville and his parents, and you know their connection to the prophecy. On that fateful day, Dad was playing with me when Mum entered the living room. Then Voldemort came. Dad shouted at Mum to take me and run and that he would take on Voldemort himself. But he had left his wand on the sofa." Harry said as they started to walk.
"And Voldemort shot the Killing Curse at him." Dudley nodded.
"Yes, Voldemort came to Mum and gave her the chance to run. He said he would save her life if only she stepped aside and allowed Voldemort to kill me. She did not move and instead pleaded with Voldemort to spare me. In fury, Voldemort shot the killing curse at her and pointed his wand at me." Harry said.
"That's terrible!" Chloe wept. Ginny patted her back, wiping her own tears away.
"Because Mum refused to let Voldemort kill me, and because Voldemort anyway killed her, an ancient magic erupted. An old charm that protects me from Voldemort and his forces. For this charm to work, I have to live with somebody closely related to Mum. This is why Professor Dumbledore left me at the Dursleys. It was Aunt Petunia who kept the charm working. All I had to do was call the place 'home' and stay there for a few days every year. The charm would expire once I turned 17. Once the charm expired, the Dursleys would also be in danger from Voldemort's forces. That is why I sent you, Aunt Petunia, and Uncle Vernon away before I left Privet Drive. And I see that you lived at Chloe's village during that time." Harry attempted to laugh.
"We were supposed to take care of you like our own. But we did the opposite!" Dudley sighed.
"I usually tend not to remind myself of all this, Dudley. I see that you are a far better person than your childhood self." Harry said.
"Better than his parents and aunt, too!" Ginny said fairly.
"Please, don't. It hurts, even if I know they deserve it." Dudley told Ginny, who nodded in understanding.
"And Pettigrew betrayed your parents." Dudley said, connecting the dots. Harry nodded and explained the Fidelius Charm and the Potters' indecision in choosing a better secret keeper. By now, the four of them had come to James and Lily's house.
"The house wasn't penetratable earlier. But now, I have made some modifications here. Come on in. We have left that part just like that." Harry said, opening the door. Dudley's eyes remained fixated on the part of the house blown up in the explosion.
Even as Dudley followed Chloe into the house, a high-pitched squeel made him jump.
"Look who is here!" A woman was saying: "James, come quick!"
Dudley turned and stared at the portrait of a redhead. Soon, a man with jet-black hair and spectacles joined.
"Harry and Ginny, with some friends, I take it?" He said.
"That is Tuney's son there, James!"
"Petunia and Vernon's son?" James turned and stared at Dudley.
"Umm... Hello, Aunt Lily! Uncle James! I am Dudley Dursley!" Dudley said.
"Of course! You were small as a button when I last saw you! How massive you've grown!" Lily said it with affection. "You were only wearing one T-shirt."
Dudley's cheeks went pink as Chloe giggled.
"Mum. Dad. This is Chloe, Dudley's fiancee. They're getting married too!" Harry said it pleasantly.
"Clodagh Gabbers!" Chloe smiled warmly.
"That's sweet!" James said. Lily's eyes were bright as she nodded.
Chloe patted Dudley's back. "You should talk to your aunt and uncle. They seem like such nice people. It is a way to get closer to your cousin, too."
"Look at them talking, James! They're so cute!" Lily said.
"Aunt Lily. Uncle James. Perhaps you don't know, but I don't deserve any of this affection from you." Dudley said.
"That is your parents' fault, not yours!" Lily shook her head. "You were raised in a certain way. You realized it and became a better person. James and I don't blame you!"
"Thanks, Aunt Lily and Uncle James. It still hurts when people point fingers at my parents." Dudley said.
Lily nodded sadly. James shook his head. "Well, I can't say they don't deserve that!"
"PRONGS!" Lily admonished him.
"Sorry," James said, shaking his head.
"I understand!" Dudley nodded.
"So, tell us about you." James said.
"I had once asked Professor McGonagall if I could talk to your portrait. That wish got fulfilled today." Dudley said.
"Cool! Some day, we can use the 'kompyutah' together!" James said.
"Computer!" Lily said, correcting James and clarifying it for Dudley in a single stroke.
"For video games, dear." She smiled at Dudley.
Dudley nodded. "I was horrible to Harry."
"Until the Dementor attack, What happened?" Lily asked. "Harry saved you from the dementor's kiss. But what did you see? What did the dementors do to you?"
"You promised you'd tell me!" Chloe's eyes widened. Harry and Ginny were staring at him now.
"Go on, Big D. I'm curious, too." Harry said.
Dudley sighed. "I saw myself for who I was. Maybe with exaggeration, but mostly accurate. I was an evil despot who was giving out death sentences to people who practiced a different religion or spoke a different language. I was a ruthless tiger pouncing on Harry, a cow minding her own business. I was a dragon that roasted innocent travelers alive as they crossed my path. I hated myself in that vision."
"That sounds more like Draco Malfoy." Harry said. Ginny nodded.
"And then everything went blank. A sudden coldness threatened to freeze me to death." Dudley trembled and clutched himself.
"I'd have died if Harry hadn't saved me!" Dudley gulped hard and stared at the floor.
"Worse, Big D. You'd be in a condition worse than death! But I wasn't doing you a favor or anything. I just saw we were in trouble and did whatever I could to get us out of danger." Harry said.
Chloe burst into sobs and buried her head in Dudley's shoulder, wrapping her arms around him.
"Harry always saves everybody. Not even considering his own life and safety." Ginny said as she looked at Harry.
"It is true. So, where are your parents now, Dudley?" James asked.
Chloe looked up from Dudley's shoulder, and he gave Marge Dursley's farmhouse address.
"I've always disliked her; don't mind me. It's just her attitude, arrogance, and obnoxious behavior." Lily said.
"Yes, and she often insulted you and Uncle James when she was alive. Harry once blew her up like a balloon, though!" Dudley said.
"That memory is still fresh in my mind." Harry smirked.
"Haha, yeah, she deserved more than just that!" Dudley said.
"Remember during Vernon and Petunia's wedding, Marge kept talking about us, James? All those vulgar signs and filthy language!" Lily said.
"I know! So indecent and impolite! Bad manners, shameless arrogance, and a violent tendency!" James shook his head.
"Talking of weddings, what are your plans? Harry? Ginny? Dudley? Clodagh Gabbers?" Lily asked.
"You can call me Chloe." Chloe blushed pink.
"Sure, call us Lily and James." Lily said it with a smile.
"Who all have you informed?" Dudley asked Harry.
"Oh, we have discussed this with the thought of telling you when we met in Godric's Hollow, which is what we did. In that way, you can look around." Harry said, a grin forming on his lips. "Until we find out that you two are also getting married."
"We should inform Mum and Dad," Dudley said.
"And Chloe's." Lily said.
"Umm, my parents were killed by death eaters around the time of Professor Dumbledore's assassination. Specifically by Crabbe and Goyle." Chloe said, her head bent.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, dear!" Lily said sadly.
"Our condolences!" James said it kindly. "We shouldn't have brought that up!"
Chloe shook her head. "No problem. People keep asking me. And for good reason. I mean, Dudley and I are getting married, after all!" She gave a watery chuckle.
When Dudley, Harry, Ginny, and the portrait of James and Lily all looked at her sadly, she braved a smile and said, "I had Luna with me after my parents' deaths. Then, I met her friends, including Harry and Ginny, here. Finally, I'm with Dudley."
"Hogwarts was the best days of your life, I take it." James said.
Chloe shook her head and looked around. "I politely disagree. The best days of my life were before I went to Hogwarts—back in my village with my parents. And after I turned eleven, I was all alone and friendless at Hogwarts. Luna only ever became my friend after," Chloe pointed to Harry, "the champions were selected. And then the war happened. Dudley is the best thing that has happened in my life!"
James wore a shocked expression, as though unable to believe it. Lily shook her head. "I honestly can't blame Chloe. I don't know about others, but Hogwarts and the magical world and certainly the blasted war took away my sister from me forever. And it took away Harry from James and me!"
"See! Exactly my point! And not everyone is as lucky as the Marauders, or even Harry here, to find a strong, loyal, and supportive network of friends." Chloe said.
Harry shook his head. "Try saying that when the whole school hates you because it thinks you're the Heir of Slytherin, that you put your name in the Goblet of Fire for undeserved fame, or that you think you're nuts because you claim Voldemort is back. For heaven's sake, Chloe, Cedric Diggory was murdered by Wormtail right in front of me when I was merely 14! You're a Hufflepuff. I'm sure you'd know what I mean."
"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to hurt you!" Chloe said. "It's just that school life is not the same for everybody!"
"You were in Hufflepuff?" James asked. "That's wonderful!"
"Yes." Chloe said. "I never kept those badges after I got to know you, Harry. I destroyed them. I'm sorry I wore them during the tournament."
"The 'Potter Stinks' badges? That's the least of my worries. If anything, I have one too. It's a tribute to Diggory." Harry said. "I did not sleep on a bed of roses at Hogwarts, Chloe. Without Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and many others, I would've never survived. I was able to save Dudley from the Dementor attack because I had suffered from dementors and learned the Patronus Charm from Moony two years before. Yet again, Hogwarts was the best days of my life!"
"You personally knew Professor Lupin?" Chloe asked.
"I didn't know at that time, but yeah, I found out soon. Lupin is Moony. Dad is Prongs. Sirius Black, my godfather, is Padfoot. Peter Pettigrew is Wormtail." Harry explained.
"How is Teddy? Andromeda Tonks?" Chloe asked.
"Andromeda is recovering slowly but needs to use a wheelchair. Teddy is fine! He loves his room!" Ginny said. "I was telling Harry I wanted to send Teddy to primary school before Hogwarts."
"Sure, Ginny!" Harry put an arm around her. She flashed a smile at him.
"Well, then, I can't wait to tell Vernon and Petunia!" Chloe said. "They'd be so excited, isn't it, Dudley?"
Dudley nodded. "In fact, I think Harry and Ginny should also come along!"
"To Aunt Marge's farmhouse?" Harry looked horrified.
"Come on, Harry. You know Aunt Marge is dead!" Dudley said. "Besides, you and I are both getting married on the same day and at the same time in the same place. Isn't it better we go and tell my parents?" Dudley said.
"Harry, please. Dudley would feel so much better if you agreed!" Chloe said.
"Ginny?" Harry said. "Do you want to go?"
"Only if you're comfortable, Harry!" Ginny said.
Harry sighed. "Fine, let's go tomorrow morning. I have a few things to get ready here."
"Dudley, why don't you and Chloe walk around the village?" Ginny said. "We can meet near the memorial in the evening."
"Sure!" Dudley said. "That is a good idea, Ginny!"
"You were waiting for this, weren't you?" Harry chuckled. Dudley went pink in the face and said, "Shut it, Harry!"
"Just like Tuney! His cheeks go pink like hers used to go!" Lily said. "And the 'getting angry' part too!"
"Really?" Dudley said.
Lily nodded with a nostalgic smile.
"So, how was your day yesterday? What did you and Dudley do, Chloe?" Ginny asked as they left the house.
"We visited my parents house, now in ruins. We saw the house Dudley lived in during the war. We went to the river, where Dudley proposed." Chloe said.
"Wow! So nice!" Harry said, patting Dudley's back.
"Like today, yesterday we went to a cemetery too." Chloe said. "The one at Elm St. Edmund."
The other three nodded.
"Sorry about your parents, Chloe." Harry said. "It gets really hard. You have Dudley, like I have Ginny, Ron, and Hermione."
"You also have Dudley, me, and Dudley's parents, Harry! You're not alone!" Chloe said.
Harry nodded. "Ginny and I are always there, Chloe. For you and Dudley."
Chloe nodded, her eyes brimming.
"Let's meet in the evening, then." Chloe said as they walked.
"Yes, we will spend the night in the house. Harry and I are renovating the place. Not fully, because the house is a reminder of the violence and hatred that tore apart a family. But enough to spend a night or two." Ginny said.
"Yeah, and we can go to meet my parents in the morning." Dudley finished.
The four of them walked to a roadside stall for lunch, where they selected good seats. Chloe leaned against Dudley's shoulder, and Ginny leaned against Harry's shoulder. They ate their lunches in comfortable silence.
"There is a river nearby, Big D. You can teach Chloe how to swim." Harry winked at his cousin. Dudley's cheeks went pink. Chloe huffed, "I know swimming, Harry. I defeated Dudley yesterday."
"Not at all! I reached first!" Dudley laughed.
"You cheated!" Chloe hit his arm. Dudley wrapped it around her. "Prove it!"
"Dudley!" Chloe's voice was muffled by Dudley's shoulder.
"Then, let us settle it today." Dudley said. Chloe punched his chest and snuggled deeper into him.
Ginny and Harry chuckled, watching the playful banter between Chloe and Dudley. The rest of the day would go by peacefully and everybody knew it.