Story Title: RIPPLE EFFECT

Summary: rip·ple ef·fect

Noun

the continuing and spreading results of an event or action.

Chapter Rating: K+

"speech"

'thoughts'

Chapter Four (June 2003)

School was out and both boys were excited about the prospect of having two months free from homework but Dudley wasn't happy he'd have to continue with his reading studies. He felt a bit better when his cousin said he would help him. At least he wouldn't be suffering alone. But summer also meant their birthdays! That was something that Dudley was really looking forwards to. Cake, presents, and that meant he got to invite more than one friend over! His mom and cousin had helped him make invitations and send them out in the mail. He had naturally invited his best friend Gordon as well as Dennis and also Justin. There were a few others from his parents' social events but those were very few. There were some he absolutely refused to invite and threw a fit if his parents suggested it such as Charlie. He was a bit of a prat and tried to boss everyone around and be the center of attention. Neither Edward or Dudley liked him very much if at all. When asked why he didn't want to invite him, Dudley plainly stated, "He's mean! I don't like him."

That was enough to convince Petunia. Oh she knew her son could be a bit of a bully sometimes to Ned when he was a bit cranky or really wanted his own way. Such was the case when it had been Ned's turn to decide what they watched and he'd wanted to watch his train show and Dudley wanted something else. The boy had tried to grab the remote and keep it away from his cousin's reach until his parents walked in and gave him a stern talking to. When it looked like he was still going to refuse and have a tantrum by throwing the remote, it had been Petunia's quick thinking that kept him from blowing up. She had suggested that if he really wanted to watch his show, then he'd have to ask Ned to give up his turn, but if he did then that meant that Dudley would have to give up two of his turns to Ned. Edward who'd been in the danger of being sat on by his cousin until he'd agreed before adult interference, sat up and nodded. He liked that idea. It took the blond a bit more as he thought about it before he realized that that meant he wouldn't get to see his show tomorrow and thrust the remote at his cousin before stalking off.

While Dudley was thoughtless that way at times, he wasn't usually outright mean. He stood up for his cousin when children tried to pick on him for his shorter stature, and liked playing with him and helped (albeit reluctantly) with chores around the house. They worked together to clean their room and they would do their homework together, Ned explaining to Dudley what his was and Dudley sometimes helping when it came to maths when Ned couldn't get his numbers to come out the same each time. It wasn't all one sided either as Ned could be sneaky when he wanted to be. He'd been able to bribe his cousin with his dessert if he'd do his chores. Petunia would have never had known about it if it hadn't been for Vernon catching them once. The both of them were supposed to have been helping take the bag of grass clippings to the curb but Dudley was the one hauling the bag to the bins. Ned had been sitting on the stoop watching with a grin. Apparently he'd offered to give Dudley his pudding if he did it by himself.

Dudley usually didn't often say he didn't like someone because they were mean. Dennis had once pushed Dudley into the pool before he'd gotten the basic of treading water and it was lucky he knew how to dog paddle. While Dennis had been scared and apologized and Dudley had been angry at him for awhile, he hadn't resorted to saying he didn't like the boy. In fact they were still friends. So if Dudley was saying that a boy was mean and he didn't like him, then Petunia didn't want him around despite the boy's mother being a friend.

As Dudley's birthday grew closer, the more excited he got and was happy he got to pick out some of the treats they would have for his party. While they picked up some streamers and napkins and such for Dudley, Petunia had Edward pick out the colors he wanted for his party next month. Both the boys had gone to Justin's party which had a Star Wars theme. The boys had immensely enjoyed it and had run around pretending to be Jedi, Storm Troopers, and what have you. The boys teased each other and deliberately picked out something they knew the other wouldn't like such as Edward picking our a unicorn and 'innocently' stating he was sure Dudley would like it. Dudley retaliated by grinning evilly and popping out at the younger boy with a pinata held up as if it was a mask startling Edward. The pinata was of Gollum from The Lord of the Rings (not that the boys knew this). Dudley cackled in delight while Edward glared and Petunia came and lectured the boys for causing a commotion before she gave the pinata a look of disgust.

Despite getting chastised, the boys were having a blast. It was much better than being home where Vernon was in a bit of a mood. Because of his being friendly with his workmates and becoming friends with some of the neighbors, he'd go have a drink every once in a while and watch matches on the television. One of the reasons he endorsed Edward playing soccer. Vernon along with his closer friends were quite upset that Manchester United sold David Beckham to Madrid. The boys along with Petunia were happy to be away from that. It was also why the woman was hoping that her nephew would choose something other than soccer for his own party next month not wanting to listen to the men rant about it again. Nor did she want one of the children to accidentally break something be it window, bone, or anything else that was breakable in the house. Ned had already broke a vase accidentally when he'd been playing with the ball in the house when he was supposed to. It had been a present from Marge, but that was beside the point, she'd had to make sure he understood that sports were meant to be played outside. She would much rather Ned play out in the rain and have to throw his muddy clothes in the wash then have him break something because he was bored being cooped up when it was raining.

Thankfully, neither boy decided on soccer. When it came down to it, he'd gone with his obsession with the cartoon creatures he'd liked for the past year. Ned on the other hand went with colors more than anything else. Hopefully the boy wouldn't change his mind but she didn't think he would. It was usually Dudley who would change his mind from one month to the next what his favorite color or toy was. Just like at the beginning of the year his best friend had been Gordon then changed to a new boy named Piers. Last month it had changed back to Gordon because of some row the boys had gotten into and only logic that four-year olds knew and understood. Ned at least was a bit consistent as his he insisted that he had two best friends one of which was Justin and the other was a boy named Malcolm who was on his soccer team.

After they had gotten the party favors for the children and ordered the other things they would need, they had headed back home again. When they got there it was very clear that something was amiss as Vernon was staring at the phone that was still in his hand in a mix of bewilderment, frustration, irritation, and a bit of anger. Petunia shooed the boys upstairs as she wondered, "Vernon?"

Turning to his wife, he placed the phone back on its cradle and said as if he was still trying to understand that concept. "That was Marge. She's on her way for Dudders party."

"She wasn't invited."

"She was sure it was a misunderstanding..."

Petunia's mouth pursed because there hadn't been any misunderstanding of any kind. They hadn't invited the loud woman this year because of her derogatory comments about Ned and she couldn't seem to keep herself from having a drink whenever she was over. Vernon had some liquor but only got into it on special occasions or if he was having a really bad day and only after the boys were in bed or staying over at a friend's. While they hadn't planned on keeping the woman from her own nephew, they didn't want her around Ned until she could control her mouth. Nor had they really wanted her around Dudley unsupervised.

"I suppose it too late now," Petunia stated darkly knowing it was true if the woman had already left and was on her way to Privet Drive she wouldn't stop until she was imposing herself upon them. "She didn't say if she expected you to pick her up from the station?"

"That didn't come up." His wife didn't answer but he could tell by the expression on her face that she didn't like it any more than he did. Clearing his throat he felt a bit uncomfortable as he always did whenever it came to being between his wife and sister. "I reckon it wouldn't hurt if she took a taxi."

"Pepper?" Tony queried as he looked at the return address on the airmailed envelope that he was holding in his hand. When he glanced up at the sound of her heels against the floor, saw that his personal assistant was in the doorway, he continued. "Why am I looking at a picture of some kid and his report card?"

He'd come to annoy his assistant to try and wheedle his way out of having to fly out of the country to look at some boring company Stark Industries had acquisitioned and planned to merge with their own company. It was something that Tony was usually able to get Obi to do except the man was overseeing another company that looked like it was about to fold under. When he'd seen the envelope, he'd picked it up idly to have something for his hands to do while he was waiting for his favorite red head. Of course seeing his name on it had him opening it and seeing it contents caused the current query.

"What?" Confused, the woman came over and took the proffered contents from her boss. She hadn't gone through all the mail that had been placed on her desk yet. As she was looking at the grades and then the picture, Tony discovered the index card inside that just simply stated, We thought you'd like to know that he made first string goalie. Maybe that would explain the photo wasn't a school picture but a candid one of the kid clutching a soccer ball with a goofy grin on his face. Flipping the card over looking for any other writing he saw there wasn't any. Just the card, photo, and grade report.

Taking the envelope, Pepper searched the envelope for anything else but there wasn't any. "Why..?" Her eyes got large before she stated as if she should have known it was inevitable. "It's finally happened."

"What's happened?" Tony was confused and a bit wary of the woman who seemed to have a curious mixed expression of resignation, resolution, and exasperation.

"What do you think, Tony? Why would someone send you a picture of a kid?" Someone was saying after his myriad and torrid affairs he'd gotten one of them pregnant. It really was only a matter of time even with the precautions that Tony took whenever he slept with someone.

"How should I know?" was laced with irritation as Tony did some quick mental calculations based on what age he assumed the kid was from the picture. No, he had to correct that since the report card said the kid was in kindergarten which meant the kid was five going on six. "Was I even in England seven years ago?"

Pepper naturally didn't know the answer to that question as she hadn't been working for her boss seven years ago but had started three years ago. In those three years she had come to know certain things about her boss one of which was when he was asking a rhetorical question or when it wasn't really rhetorical just him working through whatever he needed to processes. The expression on his face was answer enough that he'd come to the conclusion that he had indeed visited England seven years ago.

"Was that really all there was?" Pepper looked again at the envelope then searched through the rest of the mail but didn't see any other airmailed envelopes. She would have expected someone seeking monetary gain or at least five seconds of fame for having Tony Stark's child.

It was curious how blank Tony's expression went as he stared at the envelope lost in thought before he snapped back and told Pepper to remind him when he needed to leave for Fuller Enterprises. It looked like he was going to be going on that boring tour after all. First he was going to have J.A.R.V.I.S help him hack the files to find out what he could about his supposed kid.

The day of Dudley's birthday came with the boys being excited and not picking up on Petunia and Vernon's off behavior. Dudley had gotten his favorite breakfast treat of having chocolate crepes. He and Edward had been able to try them when they had stayed over at Justin's for a weekend and Mrs. Finch-Fletchley had taken them to a cafe for brunch. After breakfast was the boys helped as much as they could with decorations and games before they were taken to the local play park to burn off some extra energy before the other children showed up for the party. That way it would also give Petunia some relief from the boys being underfoot and time alone to relax before she had even more boys running through her home.

The guests starting arriving just after the midday meal and Dudley was very excited as he nearly jumped up and down on the balls of his feet as he greeted the first boy and his parents. "Gordon!" After he placed the present on the table designated for them, the boys went out back to play and before long were soon joined by the rest of the guests. The adults mingled and talked while the boys had their fun and began the party games with pin the tail on the Meowth. Vernon and Petunia hoped that by some miracle Marge had changed her mind but both doubting that was the case. Marge showed up just before they were set to play the doughnut game. Each of the children were lined up in front of their hanging sweet when they heard the dog barking.

The rather large woman had set her things in the guest room that she had long ago come to think of hers as she hadn't known her brother to have anyone else stay over. She then proceeded to head out to wear all the noise was and saw the party in full swing with her current favorite dog at her heels. She smiled as she saw her nephew who seeing her lit up and ran towards her. Dudley knew she was always good for a great sweet, gift, or money. It was worth putting up with her giving him kisses and he was proven right as she had given him a fiver. Stuffing the note into his pocket he ran back towards his friends wiping at his cheek.

"Vernon, Petunia." she greeted her brother and sister-in-law.

"Marge," Petunia replied stiffly with a fake smile and her husband nodded in greeting with a nervous twitch of his mouth as he said, "Ah. So I see you didn't have any trouble."

"Mummy!" Dudley whined from where the boys were impatiently waiting for the game to start. While Vernon talked with his sister, Petunia went to start the game and soon there were a bunch of giggling boys with doughnuts in their hands. Not one of them were able to keep from licking their lips or trying to still the swinging sweet in order to eat it. Malcolm nearly made it to the end but then licked his lips and lost. Vernon was asking Marge how long she was planning on staying wanting her visit over as soon as possible. While she was his sister and he loved her, he didn't like spending time with her especially if she had some drink in her. To his dismay she had invited herself to stay for a week. He had a feeling that it wouldn't go very well.

He was proven right later in the day after the party was near done and the children were playing musical statues. The boys were having fun dancing around and stopped when the music did but Marge who said she wanted to help 'oversee' the game and call children out kept prodding Ned when she thought no one was watching. When she tripped the boy as he was going by and the music stopped disqualifying him, Justin having seen what had happened went over to his friend not caring if he lost. Justin wasn't used to grown ups being mean and whispered that Ned should tell his aunt or uncle. Not wanting to make trouble, he'd shaken his head and Justin not happy about it decided not to tell his own mother just yet. Petunia had already seen with narrowed eyes but before she could intervene the music had started again and the boys started moving again.

The rest of the party went off without a hitch of more games, cake (Gordon had gotten the coin in his slice), and opening of presents, the children went home leaving just the Dursleys and Ned. Petunia had written down what presents her son had gotten from who so he could write out thank you cards later. Dudley and Ned went to put the presents in Dudley's room while the adults cleaned up from the party. Rather Vernon and Petunia cleaned and argued while Marge went to give her dog some water and food.

"I won't stand for it, Vernon."

"What do you want me to do? Toss her out? She's my sister."

"And he's our nephew!"

It wasn't as if Vernon didn't know that. At one point that wouldn't have mattered as the boy wasn't blood related and his sister was. She was his family and always had been whereas Ned had only come into their lives four years ago. He'd already had misgivings about Marge knowing that she wouldn't be staying sober for very long. They had already agreed that they didn't want her here if she was going to belittle Ned or Petunia.

"Give her a day, Pet. She can go day after tomorrow if she does anything. Dudders hasn't seen her in a year."

"One day," Petunia agreed not wanting to upset their son either.

"May I say, sir, there is a remarkable likeness."

The A.I. was of course speaking of the photos that were on display that Tony was scrutinizing. The picture he'd received in the mail had been scanned and logged for J.A.R.V.I.S to use facial recognition to dig up anything else he could. Next to the holographic picture of the boy was one of Tony himself at age five. While he did agree there were some likeness to himself, he would also say that so did a good majority of dark haired children. They all looked alike to a certain degree until they reached a certain age and more dominate characteristics stood out. Tony stated as much going so far as quoting the statistics to J.A.R.V.I.S as his gaze went to the red headed child on the other side. It was a photo he'd gotten from Lily Evans' primary school.

Taking a look between the three photographs he could see that certain similarities, that the one in the middle shared with those opposite it. It was still too soon in his opinion to see anything concrete. Many people saw what they wanted and imposed that onto what they saw when looking at their children or others peoples'. That was why he was trying to keep from being biased and would take a DNA swab from the boy. Looking away from the photos he turned his attention to the information they'd been able to find out about Edward Evans and his family; the first of which was that the boy was younger than he'd thought.

According to the birth certificate he was born a minute before midnight on the thirty-first of July in nineteen ninety-eight. That would have placed his conception around October of the previous year. That would definitely put him in the time he had been with in England during a time period he was not proud of. There were plenty of other interesting tidbits on the paper including that he'd been home birthed instead of in a hospital in some place called Godric's Hollow, which Tony had flagged to investigate later. The registration date was more than six months after the boy was born which he found incredibly odd. The father's portion of the certificate was curiously blank. He wasn't sure how it was in Britain, but in America any name could have been put down and the mother wouldn't have to prove a thing unless questioned. The mother's side of course had Lillian Grace Evans and her occupation was listed as researcher.

Edward had no medical records aside from the usual childhood vaccines but again that had been started on November fourth when the boy was fifteen months old. A death certificate had been filed on the same day for a Lillian Potter with the same birth date, job occupation as Lillian Evans and registered place of death was Godric's Hollow from an house fire. Pushing aside the inconsistencies he perused the rest of the information they'd been able to find. Or lack of it. While what little he could find on the boy was due to his only being four almost five years old, he seemed to find as little about Lily as he had the first time he'd tried looking into her history back in ninety-six. He found more on her sister than he did on her.

While both Evans sisters had attended The Willows primary school, only Petunia had gone on to go to Parrs Wood High School while Lily appeared to disappear. He knew that she had been attending Cambridge when he'd run into her for the first time. As for the other sister after she left high school she had moved to London for a typing course before getting a job as a secretary at Grunnings. He knew about her husband as he'd been there for the wedding. It had also been very trying for Tony who'd had to try and be on his best behavior. Vernon had been a bit of a proud and boastful man and it had only been Lily's ire that kept Tony in line. That was until her ex had shown up.

Sitting back in his chair, he let the information he'd found process before he had J.A.R.V.I.S find out who owned the house and learned that the name on the papers was a James Potter. "So that's where the Potter name came from." That must have meant she'd gone back to her ex and had been the man he'd seen with her their relationship devolved. The only name he'd had back then had been some kind of nickname. Even with a proper name now, he hit a brick wall when he tried to find out anything else on the man. There was no birth or death certificates, no health or school records. No marriage certificate to Lily Evans. The man didn't exist.

"Jarvis, have Pepper put Godric's Hollow on my itinerary while I'm in England."

"Of course, sir. Will there be anything else?"

"Not for right now." Tony didn't know the Dursleys very well only having the barest interactions with them. "I think we'll play this thing by ear."

The atmosphere in the Dursley household was strained as Vernon and Petunia tried to have a normal breakfast while the boys usually oblivious could tell something was wrong so were quiet as they ate. Dudley and Edward had changed where they usually sat in order for the younger boy not to have to sit by Aunt Marge. The woman talked enough for all of them as she told them about her current breeding program and how the dogs were doing and the man who looked after them for her when she went on her trips. The boys weren't paying attention to what she was saying as they slid from their seats to put their dishes in the sink or that was the plan. What they hadn't counted on was Marge's dog being underfoot hoping for food from the woman. Neither boy was sure who stepped on the dog but they both had ended up tripping over it and fell.

"My baby!" Marge cried going to her dog to see if it was alright while the other two Dursleys went to the boys. After seeing they were okay, Petunia went to go get the broom while Vernon gathered the bigger pieces of broken porcelain. Marge was still cooing to her dog. "What did that awful boy do to you?"

She turned to glare at Ned believing it to be his fault ignoring the fact that it could have been Dudley that had first stepped on the canine. The boy shrank back as she toward above him. Vernon turned back from the garbage just as he heard the sound he knew all too well along with two gasps and a whimper of pain. "You clumsy oaf!"

Ned was holding his reddening cheek with tears in his eyes while Dudley was staring with wide frightened eyes of his own staring at his aunt as if he'd never seen her before. Petunia was clutching the broom with a white knuckled grip, her anger almost palpable as she glared at her sister-in-law. Vernon stared speechless before he felt his own hands curl into fists as his gaze hardened as his nephew flinched from his look, expression crumpling as tears fell. He hadn't thought he would ever get used to his son and nephew gazing at him in rapt attention and awe when he would tell them about how to check the oil level in the car or when they would carefully watch him change the tire when they had a flat one time. It had felt good to have them look upon him in adoration. Dudley's expression now, gazing at him waiting for him to do something as well as his nephew's hurt one solidified his decision he'd been balking at. He tuned in hearing Marge telling them that they out to do something about "..the runt's clumsiness."

"OUT!" he shouted and the boys quickly complied, running to their rooms. Petunia stayed silent watching like a hawk unsure where this was going but after taking a good look at her husband felt a swell of pride. His gaze hadn't wavered from his sister who didn't seem to notice that she was the cause of the man's ire. "I said, 'Out!'"

"What?" She asked in bewilderment.

"Out. We want you out of our house. We will not have you manhandling the children!"

The woman began to splutter and tell them that it was the boy's fault but Vernon interrupted her with, "I'll not have it! Not in my home, and not with my boys!"

"Your boys? That one was left to burden you. Poor Petunia here had to take up a job."

"Yes, our boys," Petunia heatedly replied. In a sense it had become true. Before they'd had Dudley they had believed they would have another child, but complications at his birth made that impossible. There wasn't any way that they would have someone else carry their child to term; it was so unnatural! She had to be content with her only child until she'd was given Ned. If circumstances had been different she might have resented him and yes, blamed him as Marge was doing. However, that was not the case and she loved that little boy who would likely have a bruise from being struck for the first time in his life. Oh, the boys had gotten a swat here or there on the bum when they misbehaved, but mostly it was time outs and removal of privileges to drive the lesson home.

At the same time Vernon had begun, "That's nothing to do with you!"

"Why, I never!" With a haughty attitude believing she'd done nothing wrong, she went and packed her bags and asked them to call her a taxi. Vernon told her he'd do her one better and take her to the station himself as it was on the way to his work which he was now going to be late for. Petunia meanwhile went to assure the boys they were not at fault and to see how they were doing. She had also brought up a cloth with ice for Ned's cheek.

Petunia found the boys curled up on Ned's comforter the younger crying on his cousin who was patting him awkwardly as he hugged him. Seeing his mother, there was relief and he wiped at his own watery eyes. "Mum!"

Ned didn't look up until Petunia sat on the bed and gently said, "Let me see."

Looking up, the woman hissed and Ned tried to flinch back but Petunia was already in motion to hug him to her. "Oh, my poor, Neddy."

"'M sorry! We didn't mean to!"

"I know. Your uncle knows that too. He's not mad at you, but at Marge."

"Is she in trouble? I got in trouble when I hit Piers."

Petunia looked at her son who was gazing innocently back truly wondering if his aunt was going to be punished and what that would entail. When he'd hit Piers, Ms. Jones had made him go see the principle because he refused to apologize and had to listen to a lecture on 'why we don't hit people'. Seeing his mother's expression he ducked his head and mumbled, "He pushed Ned."

What he didn't tell her was that the fight started because Piers and Charlie had been making fun of Dudley and Ned had told them to stop. Ned had said that they were jealous because Dudley was better at maths then they were and he could listen better than they could read. That had caused Piers to push Ned and for Dudley to hit the rat faced boy. Charlie had pointed the finger at Dudley when the play teacher got there.

Lifting her arm that wasn't curled around her nephew, Dudley took the invitation and curled up on his mother's other side. "What am I going to do with you boys?"

"Give us hugs?" Dudley stated with a smile.

"Love us?" Ned imputed with a grin of his own looking up at his aunt.

"Let us watch cartoons?"

"Have you written your thank you cards yet?" Petunia asked knowing the likely answer to that and was correct when her son shook his head drawing out the 'No' clearly not wanting to do that.

"Write up your cards and then we'll see about taking you boys out. How does that sound?"

"Okay!" Dudley bounced up and ran to his room to try and get it over with as quickly as possible. Ned stayed where he was and winced when his aunt put the ice on his cheek.

"Is Aunt Marge going?" was Ned's quiet question.

Petunia pursed her lips her anger flaring again at the thought of that woman. "No. And you don't have to call her that, Ned. Vernon's taken her to the station."

The dark head nodded. "I'm going to help, Dudley."

While he did that, Petunia returned to the kitchen, cleaned up the breakfast mess, then made a packed lunch for them. When the boys were done, Dudley clutching the stack of envelopes, they went first to the post office to mail them, then just walked. She had glared at the cat woman who'd been there and staring at Ned with large eyes upon seeing the bruising cheek. Neither boy paid attention each looking on tip toes to see what new stamps were in. Once the mail was taken care of, they meandered with no clear destination in mind until Petunia decided to treat the boys to the cinema. When Vernon returned from work he wasn't sure what the the atmosphere would be like and found himself relaxing when he heard the usual noise of his wife in the kitchen and boys in the back yard. There was once again apologizing from Ned when Vernon had come to talk with the boys who told him it wasn't his fault. Then he asked how the boys' day went and they explained enthusiastically about their day and the movie they saw with the fish, sharks, and sea turtles, and how they wanted to see the pirate movie that was coming out next month. Vernon found himself smiling as the boys chattered to him relaxing completely the stress he'd been feeling melting away. He had done the right thing.

AN: I looked and couldn't find anything that said how long Pepper worked for Tony so I just winged it. If anyone else can come up with anything solid that would be great. As for the schools Petunia and Lily went to, well, Cokeworth was supposed to be an industrial like city like Manchester, so I put it in the Manchester area. Thank you for reading and apologies for any mistakes. Creative criticism welcomed ^_^