Chapter 52. Fairytaile for Dudley

Aunt Petunia was very curious and couldn't resist asking the question:

"Who are your parents, Jeanette?"

For a moment, Jeanette closed her eyes and the image of a burned-down village appeared before her. The treacherous Burgundians left no stone unturned in Domremy; their rage knew no boundaries. They destroyed everything they could reach and killed anyone who dared to stand in their way. She also remembered the crazy Benoit, who would occasionally go into a frenzy and unleash his fury. His ferocious cry echoed in her memory, as he would occasionally lose control and vent his anger. No one wanted to see him, armed with an axe, outside of his designated cage! But Jeanette was never afraid of him and, despite her young age, could approach him and stop him with a single word, even in those moments. And now he lay there, dead in his iron cage. Jeanette's mind flashed through the famous Magic Tree of Domremy, but there was no one beneath it. Overwhelmed by a sense of loneliness and horror, Jeanne took a deep breath.

"Sorry, but I can't remember my parents. My memory of them is heavily disturbed and blurred. All I remember is destruction and losing everyone I loved. It was the most tragic period of my life, and I am still recovering memories from it."

Aunt Petunia felt deep pity for Jeanne and said:

"Poor thing! I understand how difficult it is. You are so young, yet you have already experienced so much suffering. But despite everything, you have remained strong and brave. I am proud of you, Jeanette. But remember, you are not alone now." Her voice trembled, and her face changed, expressing all her emotions. "You have us now, and we will take care of you! We will do everything possible to help you! If you ever want to talk about your parents or recover your memories, know that we are always here and ready to help."

"Thank you so much," Jeanne replied, looking down.

Her memories returned to that very moment of the trial. She remembered with sadness that she had tried but couldn't illuminate the darkness that engulfed her life. Her memories didn't include her mother's face, which she desperately longed to see. All she remembered were negative events, as if Dementors had been lurking in her heart her whole life, diligently stealing every small and insignificant joy, causing her to see only pitch-black darkness in her life. Her memory had long become her personal branch of the Underworld. In her memories, she endured suffering and pain, received blows to the face, suffered from mockery, anger, and resentment from others, and burned in the square under the mocking laughter of a cruel and indifferent crowd. She walked this path of life amidst the darkness and gloom of the most dreadful memories. But little joys gradually penetrated her heart, awakening it and introducing notes of delight, like a song sung by a joyful child. She didn't even notice how this new mission had changed her life. New people and new experiences appeared around her. With each passing day, they convinced Jeanne that the colorful kaleidoscope of life has bright and joyful shades that inevitably accompany any strokes of darkness.

Aunt Petunia immediately noticed that Jeanne could be a beautiful bride for her beloved Dudley. Despite calling herself Mrs. Figg's distant relative, Jeanne's French roots made her an extraordinary candidate to be Dudley's wife. Mrs. Figg, of course, behaved somewhat strangely, and the Dursleys mostly interacted with her because they needed a nanny for their nephew. However, Jeanne's arrival completely turned their lives upside down.

Young Jeanne was simply charming, with beautiful facial features, a slim figure, and a petite build. Her hair had a natural silver tint, and her eyes were the color of amber - a combination that Aunt Petunia hardly saw every day in her life. Every time they met Jeanne, the Dursleys tried to involve her in their perfect family picture, in which they themselves behaved perfectly to create an illusion of a happy life, but sometimes they overplayed their role. At the same time, they showed sincerity, especially on the day Aunt Petunia decided to support Jeanne.

Harry, sometimes sinking into his deep thoughts, wondered what would happen if the Dursleys discovered Jeanne's true nature and past? How would their attitude towards her change if they learned about the millions of lives she had destroyed? These thoughts occupied him more and more, and he often embarked on a very deep voyage through his thoughts, continuously exploring them in hopes of finding answers.

Thus, Jeanne's relationships with the Dursleys became increasingly mysterious and intriguing. Despite the obvious fakeness in some situations, there were moments of sincerity, and each time Harry wondered how many secrets each person was hiding behind their mask and what would happen when those secrets became known to all.

Dudley, on the other hand, had already learned Jeanne's true character back at Hogwarts and had no desire to make her his bride. He imagined his future family as something more stable and down-to-earth, not necessarily with the most prominent beauty as his wife. To be honest, until last year, he couldn't even picture his own future, as his parents made all the decisions regarding his fate. Looking back now, he realized that he had been a fool his whole life, completely disregarding his parents and leading an empty lifestyle. Yes, he had been a troublemaker, and yes, he had made friends who shared his interests, but his life was spiraling downwards until last summer, and now he understood it perfectly. That owl had brought him not just a chance to prove himself, flying out for the first time from his safe nest; that chance was incredibly delicately tucked inside a parchment envelope with a wax seal depicting a crest with a snake, a lion, an eagle, and a badger. And now what? He reviewed his life and began it anew, not thanks to Hogwarts alone, but thanks to the fact that fate had so conveniently hit him over the head and plunged him into a completely unfamiliar and alien environment where no one could make decisions for him, an environment where he had to do the unthinkable - morally change and grow up.

At Hogwarts, Dudley found himself in the shadow of his cousin, who had become a true legend in the wizarding world. Who would have thought that it was thanks to Harry, then still a clueless baby, that the dreaded Lord Voldemort lost his powers! This news took Dudley a long time to digest. But even before he entered the school, he was sure - by getting there so late, he had to stand out in some way. Agatha Sanspark found her calling in these amazing dancing patterns hanging in the air and in transfiguration. Sam Brightwood, on the other hand, discovered his passion for caring for magical creatures and quickly became one of Hagrid's best and favorite students. Even Katie Mellowhate, with whom he crossed paths... When did he even cross paths with her outside of Dumbledore's Army lessons? It seemed like he had only seen her a couple of times because of her strange way of life. But even she decided that her talent was studying defense against the dark arts and started studying counteracting forbidden spells in closed classrooms and offices on her own. He heard rumors that she sometimes invented her own spells! He didn't know if it was true or not, but he definitely saw that each of them had found their place in this amazing world of magic, unique and unusual. And Dudley understood that it was not necessary to be a hero or a legend - it was enough to be oneself and find one's place next to those who accept and understand you. After all, true magic is accessible not only to wizards, but also to those in whom the power of friendship and love lives, and only they can unite everyone at Hogwarts and beyond.

At Hogwarts, Dudley made real friends and was certain that no matter what happened in life, they would always be there, always support and help him. He went through the whole school year with them, studying and practicing together. Now he often corresponded with Agatha and Sam, as well as with several other Muggle-born students who, like Dudley, had only recently acquired magical abilities last summer. He didn't stop talking to his old friends completely, but during their encounters, he tried to reason with them and steer them onto a different path. They reluctantly listened to him, fearing to argue with Dudley due to his size and strength. And throughout all of this, Dudley felt something he couldn't explain, something extraordinary and distant from the familiar. He felt that he had embarked on a completely new path, where he could serve others with a sense of complete satisfaction. Sometimes, he even imagined that he was close to finding his own destiny - the purpose of his own life, which had previously seemed completely unimportant and unknown to him - and fulfilling it. Learning about Voldemort's rebirth and the serious terror he unleashed, Dudley now believed that he had a duty to learn everything necessary to protect himself and his home from the Dark Lord and his followers. He even asked his parents for permission and, under Uncle Vernon's disapproving gaze, drew the sacred Summoning Circle on the garage floor and attempted to summon a Servant. Although no one responded to his summons and the Circle showed no signs of activation, as if it wanted to fulfill the task entrusted to it, Dudley still hoped that one day the time would come and the long-awaited visitor would penetrate the centuries-old barrier separating him from Dudley and appear in the Dursley's garage.

Believe it or not, Britain was now ruled by the returned King Arthur from ancient legends, whose face still remained unseen. Jack the Ripper recently roamed the streets of London again, disposing of his victims without the slightest remorse. And in the shadows, there lurked an inexplicable and mysterious monster over eight feet tall, who even frightened the military and fearlessly went up against tanks. Dudley understood perfectly well - the time had passed when he could afford to remain a powerless immovable stone and wait for things to happen on their own.

Dear Harry,

If it's convenient for you, I will come to your house at number four Tisova Street next Friday at eleven o'clock in the evening to accompany you to the "Burrow," where you have been invited to spend the rest of the school holidays.

If you don't mind, I would also appreciate your help with a certain matter that I plan to take care of on the way to the "Burrow." I will explain the details when we meet.

Kindly send a response with the same owl. Hope to see you on Friday.

Sincerely yours, Albus Dumbledore

On that day, Dudley, along with Harry, was expecting a visit from Professor Dumbledore. They had been preparing for this event since the moment Harry received the coveted letter. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, though not particularly enthusiastic about the news, had tidied up the house the day before the visit: they swept every corner, even removing the tiniest specks of dust, wanting to create a decent impression. When the streetlights went out, Harry woke up from his half-sleep in which he had remained the whole evening. Looking out onto the street through the velvet curtains, he saw Professor Dumbledore's silhouette approaching their house.

Dudley was already waiting for them downstairs, standing in front of the front door. When he saw the professor, his eyes lit up with excitement and he greeted the guest joyfully. But deep down, an unknown anxiety melted in his soul, as if his mind had begun to anticipate an approaching storm. It was clear that this visit meant something more than just a meeting with the headmaster.

"Wow! It's so great to see you today, Professor," exclaimed Dudley happily. "You look amazing!"

Aunt Petunia burst with joy and hugged her son, who had knelt before Dumbledore.

"Lily always said that you are a true genius, Professor. And now I suddenly find out that my Dudley also has the same wonderful abilities! Finally, our family has come to understand that magic is not just the fantasies and inventions of little boys, but something real and amazing!"

Uncle Vernon cautiously watched this scene, looking at Harry with disbelief and embarrassment. He still considered wizards to be questionable types, but even he found it difficult to resist Dudley's suddenly changed status.

"Well, Mr. Dursley, I assure you that your son has turned out to be a very capable and gifted young wizard," replied Dumbledore, smiling through his thick beard. "We are pleased to welcome him into our large and close-knit family."

With these words, Professor Dumbledore caught Harry's gaze and subtly winked. It seemed that he knew how much Harry longed to return to the magical world and reminded the boy that he was not alone.

"Professor... I'm ready," Harry hesitated.

"Good," said Dumbledore. "Just one more thing, before we go." He turned back to the Dursleys. "As you undoubtedly know, in a year's time, Harry will come of age..."

"No," Aunt Petunia objected, opening her mouth for the first time since Dumbledore appeared.

"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore politely expressed surprise.

"No, he won't. He is a month younger than Dudley, and Dudley won't turn eighteen for another two years.

"Ah, I see," Dumbledore kindly said, "but wizards come of age at seventeen. This applies to Dudley as well.

"Nonsense," muttered Uncle Vernon, but Dumbledore ignored him.

"As you already know, a wizard named Voldemort has returned to our country. The wizarding community is at war, and recently it has affected you as well. Lord Voldemort has tried to kill Harry several times, and now your nephew is in even greater danger than that day fifteen years ago when I left him on your doorstep with a letter explaining the murder of his parents and expressing hope that you would take care of him as your own child. You did not comply with my request. You never treated Harry as your son. From you, he saw nothing but neglect and often cruelty. The only thing that is comforting is that he, at least, has been spared the terrible damage you caused to your own son.

Uncle Vernon grew pale, tension filled the air. He had never heard such words from anyone, but they made him think. Dudley looked at his father intently, waiting for his decision. He wanted to believe that his father would understand, that magic was his true destiny."

Meanwhile, Dumbledore continued:

"The magic I invoked fifteen years ago gives Harry powerful protection as long as he can call your house his home. Although he was deeply unhappy here, although he was not welcomed here, although he was mistreated - at least reluctantly, you sheltered him under your roof. The magic will cease to work once Harry turns seventeen, in other words when he becomes an adult. I only ask one thing of you: allow Harry to return here once more next year. Then the protection will last until his seventeenth birthday."

Mr. Dursley slowly sat on a chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked at Harry, his expression tense yet decisive. Shocked and uncertain, but with burning eyes, he said:

"Do you think, Dumbledore, that I will accept this magical nonsense and simply allow Dudley to come back to you? All because of this Voldemort?"

Dumbledore reacted to his objection in a firm yet gentle voice:

"Fate's web intertwines around us, Mr. Dursley, and we are all links in that web. And if we reject our roles, we will doom many lives. All it takes for dark forces to triumph is for good people to do nothing."

Aunt Petunia waved her hands in horror.

"But that's our Dudley! How can we...?"

"Allow your son to make the decision for himself," Dumbledore responded gently. "Find out his own opinion."

All eyes immediately turned to Dudley.

"Dudley, you can stay here with your family if you decide so," Dumbledore began. "However, I must remind you of how much you have changed in the past year and how your attitude towards life has changed. Your parents care for you, but sometimes their care can be excessive," he added, addressing the Dursleys. "You may try to protect him from everything, but that will only lead to a day when he himself will set fire to all the straw you've prepared and ruin himself."

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia exchanged worried glances. They sensed a grain of common sense in the words of the elderly wizard, but they hesitated to talk to each other. With great difficulty, Aunt Petunia finally overcame herself.

"My sister, Lily... I envied her so much and I had always wished that at least my son, at least someone among my close relatives, could also be capable of performing miracles. And never, never in my life will I be happier than the moment when Dudley discovered this ability in himself."

Aunt Petunia desperately tried to hold back the tears, but they still started flowing from her eyes. She understood that she was about to be overwhelmed by these emotions, but she couldn't stop herself - she couldn't share her feelings with young Harry.

Finally, looking at her nephew, Aunt Petunia couldn't hold back any longer and went up to him, embracing him tightly. Harry felt so familiar and close in her arms that Aunt Petunia felt her heart breaking into pieces.

She cleared her throat and finally spoke, her voice rough from the overwhelming tears.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I don't know how this could have happened. I... I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to treat you that way."

Harry nodded sympathetically, feeling his aunt's tremble and noticing how she gently ran her hand through his hair. He didn't know what to say and simply stayed in her embrace, feeling the beginning of a calm settling in.

Aunt Petunia forgot about her usual cold behavior and now succumbed to these feelings that she had long ago frozen in her heart. But now, there were so many hopes resting on her young nephew Harry that she started to understand that she could no longer keep it all to herself, and now she had to open up to this boy who had forever changed her life.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't know what I was doing and why. You were... You were the only one... My sister's child, and I have noticed for a long time the wonders that happen to you. I was ashamed that I had such a sister, and my son could never be the same."

Uncle Vernon was visibly perplexed - his day had not gone according to plan. He hated anything that could disrupt his peace, especially if it had to do with Harry. Now he sat on his comfortable sofa, glaring at his son and flaring his nostrils in rage. He was barely holding himself back, although he didn't have much energy left for silence either. Harry and Dudley stood before Uncle Vernon, trying to appear resolute and unwavering, but their eyes betrayed their anxiety and uncertainty about their actions. He looked at both Harry and Dudley, baring his teeth like a bulldog, revealing his gleaming white rows. Uncle Vernon slightly tightened his lips and awkwardly shifted his gaze to his son. His throat constricted with emotional pain. He felt that he needed to do something important, but he didn't know what exactly. It was only then that he understood that he was capable of building worlds. Finally, Uncle Vernon looked at Dudley again, blinking slowly as if trying to decipher the mysterious signs on his son's face. With a groan, he slowly stood up from the sofa, reached out to his son, and spoke:

"Listen, son, I always wished for you to be as successful as me. But I understand that I was wrong. Last year, I saw you working with those strange kids, and I realized that you have changed. I didn't know that you would have to go to that school, but I wanted you to become better. Today, I'll give you a choice. If you want to go with them, then go. If not, then stay. Just let us know so that we don't worry. Understand?"

The senior Dursleys and Dumbledore stood nearby, but cousin Dudley seemed frozen in time. He stared at his father with a focused, thoughtful gaze before finally nodding in agreement.

Harry couldn't help but be surprised. He suddenly realized that he had never seen Dudley in such a state... ever. It was the moment when Harry understood that even his cousin was capable of thinking and living separately from the rest of the Muggle world, to separate his own world and his own views from the opinions of others.

But Dudley seemed apparently focused not only on his thoughts, he was also making a serious decision. Everyone around them held their breath in anticipation.

Harry also tensed up. He knew that this answer could determine their immediate future and remained silent, waiting for Dudley's words. The silence stretched on for several long seconds, during which one could even hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Finally, Dudley opened his mouth as if about to say something, but then hesitated, biting his lip. Harry glanced at his cousin's face, trying to discern any hint of what he was about to say.

Finally, Dudley answered:

"I want to go with Harry and Dumbledore."

Harry felt genuine relief. Until last summer, it had always been difficult for him to get along with his cousin, and he didn't expect him to agree to help him solve such an important problem, but everything went smoothly.

"Is your decision final?" his Uncle Vernon asked.

Dudley nodded hesitantly, and to Harry's greatest surprise, found new words immediately.

"Listen, Mom and Dad, I have something to tell you. A year ago, I was shocked by my new abilities, just like you. Who would have thought that I would become a wizard? In this past year, I have learned a lot. A terrible villain has appeared in the wizarding world, terrorizing the people of London for a whole year. He has started a new war, and no one will be safe in their own homes. When Dumbledore's magic, protecting our house, ends, we will all be in danger. I'm sorry that I'm doing this, but it's the best I can do for your protection."

When Dudley packed his things, they gathered again in the living room to say goodbye.

"Well, guys... It's time for us to go," Dumbledore finally said, standing up and straightening his long black cloak. "Until we meet again," he said to the Dursleys, who didn't seem eager to see him again.

Dumbledore put on his hat and swiftly left the room.

"Goodbye," Harry hurriedly said to his relatives and ran after Dumbledore; he was waiting for him, standing next to Dudley with two suitcases, one of which had a cage attached for Buckbeak.

"We don't have time to deal with luggage right now," Dumbledore said and pulled out his magical wand from under his cloak again. "I'll send your things ahead to the Burrow. But I would like you, Harry, to take the Invisibility Cloak with you. Just in case."

Harry struggled to pull the cloak out of the suitcase, trying to hide the horrendous mess from Dumbledore and Dudley's view. He stuffed the Invisibility Cloak into the inner pocket of his jacket, and Dumbledore waved his wand again — the suitcase and the cage with Buckbeak disappeared. Dumbledore waved his wand once more — the front door swung open into the cold misty darkness.

"Now, let's step into the night and embark on the pursuit of the alluring temptress, whose name is Adventure!"