I don't own Harry Potter, just playing in JKR's sandbox. Please like and review. let me know if there any formatting issues. Enjoy:)Chapter 3: Discovering Common Ground

The Great Hall was alive with laughter and chatter as families filled the long tables. Harry sat across from Hermione and Ron, who were animatedly discussing the day's plans with their parents. Mr. Weasley was gesturing excitedly about the Ministry's latest Muggle Artifact Misuse case, while Mrs. Weasley doted on Ginny, brushing imaginary crumbs off her jumper.

Harry tried to focus on his toast, but his gaze kept drifting to Dudley Dursley, sitting stiffly across from him at the Gryffindor table. Harry couldn't decide what to feel—confused, maybe, or just thrown off by the sheer absurdity of Dudley being here.

Dudley was hunched over his plate, poking at the food with suspicion. Every so often, he cast wary glances around the hall, his eyes lingering on floating candles and enchanted platters. When the goblet of pumpkin juice refilled itself, Dudley flinched, nearly knocking it over. A group of second-year Gryffindors snickered, and Dudley's face turned a deep shade of red.

"It's just pumpkin juice," Harry muttered as he took a bite of his toast.

Dudley glanced at him, his face red. "Right. Juice that pours itself. Totally normal."

"Well, you're the one who decided to show up here," Harry said, his voice tinged more with disbelief than anything else.

Dudley looked down at his plate, mumbling something about how he wasn't sure why he'd come at all. He prodded a piece of bacon like it might attack. Harry sighed, glancing at Hermione for help.

Hermione caught his eye and gave him a pointed look that said, be nice. "You're doing fine, Dudley," she said kindly. "Everything's a bit strange at first, but you'll get used to it."

Dudley gave her a weak smile, but his shoulders stayed tense. He leaned closer to Harry and whispered, "Are all the meals like this? The plates, the candles, the—" he gestured vaguely at the floating goblet.

"Pretty much," Harry replied.

Across the table, Ron snorted, watching Dudley's unease. "He hasn't even seen the moving staircases yet. This'll be fun."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ron, could you not scare him? Hogwarts is strange enough without your commentary."

"I'm not scaring him," Ron said, grinning as he popped a sausage into his mouth. "I'm preparing him."

Dudley muttered something unintelligible but seemed to relax slightly as Hermione launched into a detailed explanation of how the castle's enchantments worked. Ron groaned.

"Don't get her started," Ron said. "She'll tell you about Hogwarts: A History next, and you'll be stuck for an hour."

Hermione huffed. "Well, maybe he'd learn something useful, unlike some people."

Harry couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing slightly as he watched the exchange. Dudley even cracked a small, hesitant smile.

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After breakfast, Harry reluctantly agreed to show Dudley around the castle. They walked in awkward silence through the bustling corridors, the sounds of laughter and enchanted staircases filling the air. Dudley felt like every student they passed was staring at him, their whispers just loud enough to make him fidget with the hem of his jacket.

"So, uh, the stairs move?" Dudley asked, staring as a staircase shifted seamlessly to another landing. He paused mid-step, watching it like it might collapse under him.

"Yeah," Harry said, his tone uncertain as he glanced at Dudley. "It's weird at first, but you get used to it. Just… try to stay close. You'll get lost otherwise."

Dudley nodded, trailing after Harry like a shadow. They passed a suit of armor that saluted as they walked by, making Dudley jump and mutter something under his breath.

"What's that thing's deal?" Dudley asked, keeping his distance from the armor.

Harry gave a small shrug, unsure how to explain. "It's enchanted. It's harmless, though—it won't hurt you."

As they continued, Harry pointed out various parts of the castle—the enchanted ceilings, classrooms where potions bubbled over, and the occasional ghost gliding through the walls. Dudley's wide eyes betrayed a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

When they reached the Quidditch pitch, Harry paused, his hand resting on the wooden rail that bordered the stands. The wide, open space seemed to calm the tension in the air.

"This is where we play Quidditch," Harry said, his tone softening slightly. "It's… kind of like football, but on brooms."

Dudley frowned. "Flying football? How does that even work?"

Harry smirked. "A lot of practice. And magic, obviously."

Dudley gazed at the pitch, taking in the tall goalposts and the stands. "You play here?"

"Yeah," Harry said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I'm the Seeker."

"Not just a Seeker, he's the Seeker. Youngest one in a century. He's never lost." Ron said proudly, clapping a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Well except that time in third year" Harry responded with a grin on his face.

"Phsss...that doesn't count" Ron replied waving it off.

"What's a Seeker?" Dudley asked, leaning against the rail. Harry hesitated, then began explaining the basics of Quidditch, surprising himself at how he was starting to enjoy taking Dudley around.

As they passed a dimly lit hallway, a loud cackle erupted, echoing off the stone walls. Dudley froze, his head darting around as he tried to locate the source.

"Oh no," Harry muttered, his shoulders tensing. "Just keep walking."

Before Dudley could ask, a small, mischievous figure swooped down from above. It was Peeves the Poltergeist, his wide grin full of mischief as he twirled upside down in the air.

"What have we here?" Peeves crooned, his voice dripping with glee. "A lost little Muggle wandering the magical halls? Oh, this is too good!"

Dudley stepped back, eyes wide. "What is that?" he hissed.

"Peeves," Harry said through gritted teeth. "He's a poltergeist. Just don't engage with him."

"Engage? Why, I'd be hurt if you didn't!" Peeves giggled, zooming closer to Dudley. "What's this? No wand? No magic? Oh, how perfectly dull!"

"Go away, Peeves," Harry said sharply, stepping in front of Dudley.

Peeves ignored him, flipping upside down again. With a snap of his fingers, a bucket appeared above Dudley's head. Dudley barely had time to react before it tipped over, drenching him in what smelled like old cabbage water.

"Ugh! What the—?!" Dudley spluttered, wiping his face with his sleeve as Peeves howled with laughter.

Harry whipped out his wand. "That's enough!" he said firmly. A spark shot from his wand, and the bucket disappeared with a loud pop. Peeves pouted, floating higher out of reach.

"Spoilsport Potter! Always ruining my fun!" Peeves jeered before zipping away, his laughter echoing down the corridor.

Dudley stood frozen, dripping and glaring at the space where Peeves had vanished. "Is everything here trying to humiliate me?"

Harry sighed, tucking his wand back into his pocket. "Not everything. Just Peeves."

"Great. Just great," Dudley muttered, shaking water off his jacket. "I hate this place."

Harry snorted but held back any further comments. For once, he couldn't entirely disagree.

As they walked through a quieter part of the castle, Dudley broke the silence. "So, this is what your life's been like all these years?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and disbelief, gesturing vaguely at the walls around them.

Harry glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

"You know… the magic, the… everything. I thought it was just… I don't know, tricks or something. But it's real. And it's… huge."

Harry hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. It's real. And it's not just the castle. There's a lot more to it than what you see here."

Dudley shoved his hands into his pockets. "I guess I never really thought about what it was like for you. Living with us, and then coming here."

Harry frowned. "It wasn't great," he said simply. "But it's better now."

Dudley nodded, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he asked, "Why didn't you ever tell us? Like, really tell us what this was like?"

Harry blinked. "Would you have listened?"

Dudley opened his mouth to argue but stopped. He sighed. "Probably not. Still… I guess I just didn't get it."

They walked in silence for a moment before Dudley said, "I'm… I'm sorry. For, you know… everything."

Harry stopped walking. He looked at Dudley, searching for signs of mockery, but found none. "Thanks," he said finally. "I don't know if it changes anything, but… thanks."

Dudley nodded again, and they continued walking, the air between them slightly less tense. In the quiet halls, the echoes of their footsteps were the only sound, yet the unspoken words hung heavily between them.

As they approached the Quidditch pitch again, a familiar figure appeared in the distance, waving enthusiastically.

"Hagrid," Harry said with a small smile. "Looks like you're about to meet someone who's really into magical creatures."

Dudley's face paled as the enormous figure of Hagrid strode closer, his booming voice echoing across the field. "Harry! Good to see yeh, lad! And… wait a second, I know yeh!"

Hagrid squinted at Dudley, then broke into a broad grin. "You're the little tyke who I gave a pig's tail to all those years ago! Dudley, right?"

Dudley's face turned crimson. "Uh, yeah," he mumbled, looking anywhere but at Hagrid.

Hagrid chuckled, clapping a massive hand on Dudley's shoulder, nearly making him stumble. "Well, yeh turned out alright! No hard feelin's about that, I hope? Yer dad was givin' me no choice, the way he was carryin' on."

Dudley managed a weak smile, still trying to process the sheer size of Hagrid. "Uh, no hard feelings," he said quickly.

"Good lad!" Hagrid said, his laughter booming. "Well, yeh're in for a treat today. I've got somethin' special planned fer Family Day. You like creatures, Dudley?"

Dudley's mouth opened and closed a few times before he stammered, "Depends on the creature."

Harry smirked. "You'll see soon enough."

Hagrid beamed. "Oh, this'll be great. I'll see yeh both in a bit. Don't be late now!" With that, Hagrid lumbered off toward the edge of the field, humming cheerfully.

Dudley turned to Harry, his face pale. "What does he mean by creatures?"

Harry grinned. "You'll find out."