Dudley Slytherin - Chapter 6

Harry sat within their room, pondering the world as one does. Dudley was outside, talking to Nigel in the garden.

It was raining, again.

Harry didn't want to sit in the cold and wet, nor could he fathom why Nigel wanted to either. Dudley had felt his approach and naturally, needed to see what the snake wanted.

Harry, not so much.

It had been well over a year since they'd visited the Slytherin Manor, and even now it was still surreal for Harry. On the one hand, it was fantastic; they had a mansion, and it certainly was.

Massive was the house, the rooms… even the cellar.

He breathed a little, recalling those hideous cells.

That had not been a fun day, especially when he'd nearly fallen through the trap door that lead to the dungeons. It was also a shame they couldn't go outside, since the doors were all sealed and the windows shut.

The grounds looked very nice though, with woodlands and ponds dotting the acres of estate.

Yes, thought Harry, a lot had changed since then. The first being their dwindling ignorance, which Gorble had ruthlessly seen to.

Salazar was their ancestor. Slytherin.

They would never forget that.

Everyday they went, mostly at Dudley's behest to listen and quiz the man on the finer points of magic. How their history began, eons before even Salazar. It was rich and… bloody.

Harry didn't visit as often, if at all some weeks. Preferring to stay at home and read, or watch TV with Vernon.

Alas, it was a difficult thing to participate in; even if Dudley was adamant that Harry be there with him.

Harry agreed with the sentiment, but found the execution more difficult.

He sighed, thinking as he twiddled his fingers.

Things had found a comfortable balance. They'd practiced the magic they could with Gorble, mostly of the mind: to say the old Lord was impressed was understatement.

He couldn't directly cast magic, being a painting and all. But he could tell from watching how good the boys were, even more so when Dudley showed everything he could do.

Nigel was helpful too, in his own way. Perhaps it was a snake thing, he was cunning yet… simple.

They three were very close, they even let Nigel inside the house when Petunia was out with Vernon.

Date night, or something.

After Gorble had learned they were already adequate in the mind arts, he set about teaching them various forms of etiquette, terms of speech; even how to kiss a woman's hand.

Harry had questioned the veracity of the technique, siting that surely society would have changed.

But no, it had not; apparently some things just didn't change.

These lessons seemed to drone on for months, the time after school and at weekends draining away their time spent at home.

To tell the truth of it, Harry just didn't like being in that dirty house. Sure, they'd cleaned it up as best they could; but neither of them had their wands, a fact even Dudley couldn't make up for.

His tricks, powers or abilities; the names varied between context, had developed too. He'd worked them vigorously, learning to manipulate light, heat, fire, water; even animals.

He could manipulate them all, all be it with limits. His stamina being the main one.

Harry had less luck in this aspect of magic, he just wasn't as driven as Dudley. A fact he'd known and accepted since they were small – well, smaller.

Dudley had grown, Harry too; but they were still just boys.

Harry could however change other body parts now too, like a hand into a paw or simply attaching claws. It was cool, yet not particularly useful. Not that Harry minded, he rather liked it; it was unique to him, as Dudley's gifts were to him.

Perhaps he'd find a use for it someday, the magical world seemed far larger than he'd originally thought after all.

They even had Dragons, Mermaids and Basilisks, which were of special interest to them. Gorble even knew how to make them, yet refused to divulge, for the time being.

Gorble had changed too, becoming much more lucid the more they stayed. It was magic, he said their presence brought life back to the manor. He cared for them too, if in his own rather strict, disciplined way. Even if Harry was a Black – and a Potter, his continued ravings always amusing for them.

Clay swinging swindlers was his favourite.

Dudley found them more annoying, but couldn't seem to get the picture to stop his rants whenever Potter was brought up. Harry was glad, beyond his simple amusement. He'd learned much about his paternal family, the family library too a great help with Harry's research.

They'd practically cheered when they found it, rows upon rows of ancient books. It was beautiful, and it was theirs.

Dudley still held the key, simply because Dudley visited the most. Sometimes at the oddest hours too, forgoing sleep every so often. It was a little inconvenient, Harry would admit. When Dudley went out on his own, Harry couldn't simply join him.

They'd have to learn how to Apparate, a skill Gorble just couldn't teach.

Dudley had a fine time trying though, with no success. He did however get a few rudimentary spells working, one's Gorble said they'd learn.

Who knew Repairo would be so useful.

True, Dudley couldn't cast it often; without a wand, it was quite a tax for him. After twenty or so goes, he was spent; Gorble said that would change in time, though it was already impressive. The few things he'd repaired were inane at best; clocks, picture frames and assorted plates.

Harry couldn't do it, he'd tried and tried. Gorble had assured them it wasn't because Dudley was stronger. It was simply focus, Dudley just had it; most needed a wand to truly channel magic.

A fact he and Dudley looked forward to using, playing with sticks as Gorble watched.

Harry began to grow numb, he'd been sitting too long as he hopped from the bed, stretching a little as he reached for a book he'd brought back.

It was about Magical Creatures, something he had a particular affinity with. If he could mimic, how should he say, muggle animals. Then… he wondered what it'd be like to burst into flames.

Ha, as if.

He began to pace softly, reading the many lines as time slipped by. It wasn't long before a wet Dudley trotted in.

"Hey."

Dudley was soaked, Harry shielded his book. "All good?"

"Yeah," said Dudley. "Nigel had a message from Gorble."

Harry sighed, not another one. "What now?"

If it was to come and clean his picture frame, then he wasn't going. Dudley smirked. "No, it's not that."

Dudley turned, rummaging through his draws for a dry T-shirt. "He wants to teach us something, it might take a few days."

"A few days?" parroted Harry. "How's that going to work?"

It was term time, they couldn't bunk from school again.

Dudley shrugged, in the process of peeling his wet clothes off. "Well, I thought we'd wait till the holidays."

Ah, Harry had assumed it was urgent. "Oh, so it can wait. Cool."

Harry resumed reading, ignoring Dudley as he dressed himself. "Yeah, we can pretend to go camping with Piers and Ted. Two days should do it, we can leave straight from here."

Harry nodded, not really listening. The details could wait, the holiday wasn't for another few months.

"Harry?"

"Hm?"

Harry heard a sigh, then a chuckle. "You coming?"

Oh, it was nearing dinner.

Harry could smell the food now.

Dudley was already out the door, him and his food.

"Yeah, thanks Dud."

Harry closed the book, placing it above his bed as he followed his cousin.

The shelf was suitably crammed.

They arrived for dinner, a healthy brew; Vernon had begrudged them initially, but grew to appreciate his weight loss.

Petunia was a big help, of course.

"Boys," smiled Vernon, shuffling the clock he'd been fixing to clear space. "Had a good day?"

They nodded, happy to talk about it. It was the weekend, and despite the rain it had indeed been good. "We went to the park, played some footie," Dudley liked talking to his Dad, enjoyed it even more when they did stuff together.

The clock was a fun project they'd started, Dudley had his own upstairs.

"Harry's reading a new book."

Dudley turned to Harry, grinning as his cousin cast him an annoyed look. "Yeah, it's about animals," he looked at their still expectant faces. "I think it could be useful when adopting new traits."

Vernon's eyes lit up. "Indeed, which animals do you think you'll try? You still have to touch them, right?"

Harry nodded. "Or their DNA, though it's easier if I can touch them directly."

"Would that work with… magical, animals?"

Petunia chuckled from the kitchen. "Magical Creatures, dear."

Her husband made an 'ah, yes. That was it' expression, before looking back at Harry.

"Umm…"

Dudley didn't interject, Harry knew the most about magical creatures.

"…well, it's possible. Though I suspect," he paused, thinking carefully as Vernon gave an encouraging look. "I think it might depend on my compatibility – affinity, I suppose."

They nodded, even Petunia; it made sense. Harry continued. "I tried to turn into a Snake but i-"

"WHAT?" Petunia whirled into view, waving an oven glove. "Harry, you said you wouldn't try that!"

Dudley raised his hand, as if to ask a question in class. "Yeah, how did that go?"

Harry shook his head. "I couldn't make my body small enough. But I could do it, I'd just need a snake that was bigger than Nigel."

Silent scepticism.

"I think."

They didn't look so sure, except Vernon who'd begun to tinker with his clock again. "Vernon, put that away," chastised Petunia. "You're getting grease on the table."

Dudley began to snigger, stifling it awkwardly as Petunia swatted him with the glove. "Dudley, you should be looking out for Harry."

He wanted to say it was the opposite, the boys sharing a look that conveyed just that. Dudley was the troublesome one, always lost in whatever he'd set out to do. Harry was the one that introduced some caution, usually in the form of 'Dud, what happens if…'

Harry huffed. "It's not actually dangerous for me to try, if I can't do it, my body just reverts. And if I can, then I can," he shrugged at their looks, well; not Dudley, he was nodding.

Magic was like that, you just knew sometimes.

"Well, no harm done Harry. Don't let the failure put you down, you'll probably find big magical snakes someday."

Vernon was smiling, just about done with packing his things away.

"Good!" said Vernon, chuckling as his hands rubbed together. "Let's get supper on the go then."

They laughed, today was a good day.

Break

It was some months later, around April. When the sun begins to shine with real light and warmth, that the letterbox snapped to life.

Odd, since it was a Sunday. It must be someone handing fliers out, a fair assumption as Petunia walked from the kitchen.

She'd been baking, much to Dudley's delight. Sometimes she wondered where all the food he ate went, since he was as thin as Harry; both were lean and athletic.

A glance out the window as she approached the front door showed no-one walking away, she could see much of the road from their tasteful bay windows.

She hummed, thinking absently as she saw the letters, scattered neatly on the welcome matt.

Her legs stopped, she recognised that paper, it's yellowy tint enough for her to know exactly what they were. It was time, she'd known of course. Counted the days in the back of her mind, but as she bent down to collect them, noting the names written in that cursive green ink…

It hurt, knowing they would be gone in a few months. Only to return on the holidays, if they even wanted to. Lily had gradually grown away from them, more interested in the world of magic and mystery men.

Petunia carried them rigidly back to the kitchen, dropping them down with a sigh on the kitchen table.

The boys were out, probably galivanting who knows where. She'd been fraught with worry once upon a time, since the day they'd skipped school. It seemed to stem from whatever they really got up to then… still, she didn't worry as much anymore.

Not after she'd learned just what they could do.

In anyone else, she'd be rightfully terrified of having her memories taken, her will erased. It was awful.

How could such a power be held by anyone? Lily had mentioned it, but it was supposed to be rare and very difficult to do. Yet her boys, they'd been doing it for years!

It made her feel very guilty, thinking about the people they may have used it on. But what could she do? Tell them no?

Oh, she'd made it very clear that they weren't to use it, that it was wrong; and thankfully, they agreed.

But… what did it matter, they could if they wanted. They were still just children, even if they were growing beautifully.

That alone would have been enough for her not to worry, after all: how would anyone be able to abduct someone when that someone could literary read their mind?

She shook her head. Dudley had shown her much more, Harry too; she'd found his eyesight remarkable when changed to that of an Owl. That trip to the petting zoo well worthwhile.

They were also both very mature for their age, their skills bolstering their confidence to a level she'd scarcely heard of in children. They feared very little too, she'd noted; even watching a scary movie with Vernon, they'd merely found the whole thing fascinating.

Not something to fear.

She smiled, knowing it was all good; they'd grow up healthy and brave, all a Mother could ask for really…

…her thoughts were broken as the boys came tumbling in, jubilant as they rushed to her.

"Mum!" cheered Dudley. "Are they here?"

The were bouncing in-place, looking about for – how did they know?

Clairvoyance hadn't been on their list of skills!

"How did yo-"

"Dudley felt the owl, it flew over the park," said Harry helpfully, smiling as Dudley scooped up their letters.

"Yes!"

Dudley passed Harry his letter, the pair now frantically opening them. Petunia tried to slow them down; in vain. They couldn't be stopped as they began to read, the room silent except for their excited breathing.

Petunia decided to make tea, the letters looked rather long. She flicked the kettle on, wondering as the water boiled when a Professor would arrive to escort them or… perhaps they'd go?

She wasn't sure, maybe Dumbledore would want to take them. Harry would need to know about his parents, about that madman – he still didn't know.

He'd be famous, that's what Dumbledore had said. She didn't want Harry overwhelmed, but perhaps there was no other way.

"A cat?" said Dudley, affronted. "Who'd want to take a cat?"

She laughed, Dudley hated cats. It was partly her fault, she'd admit. They'd asked their neighbour Mrs Figg, to watch them after Vernon's parents died. Dudley had not been impressed, poor thing.

Harry had a much better time of it.

"They're not so bad Dud, maybe Kneazles will be better?"

Kneazles?

Petunia thought she'd heard that before, missing her son's glance as she wondered what a magical cat would be like.

She looked back to see Dudley scrunching his face. "Hmm, maybe."

Maybe not, more like.

They continued reading as she sipped her tea, watching as they begun hissing softy to each other.

She smiled, they didn't want her to know what they were talking about. An obvious conclusion to make, yet at times she thought it wasn't that at all. It was as if the hissing was their first language, they switched to it when excited or caught off guard.

It was curious she thought, it hadn't been like that when they were small. It seemed to begin some months after they'd skipped school.

The thought made her frown, she still didn't know where they went. Even if they were protected. Oh she knew they were going somewhere; somewhere that wasn't the park or a sleepover.

But, they wouldn't tell her.

It upset her.

Vernon had said it was something magical and that perhaps, they feared her reaction or that she'd try to stop them.

Indeed, she would.

"Mum?"

She looked up, seeing Dudley standing just by her as he smiled. "Where is Diagon Alley?"

"No Dudley."

He made a face. "But Mu-"

"No."

She wasn't taking them unless she and Vernon knew what to do, which meant speaking to Dumbledore and more than likely waiting for a Professor to escort them.

Dudley sighed, slumping back to Harry who smirked at him. Evidently having called how their conversation would go.

They shared a look. Harry shook his head as Dudley sighed again.

Petunia put it all out of her mind. "Come on boys, time for lunch."

They cheered again.

Break

It was just a month or so later, when she received a message for Dumbledore.

He'd be visiting, along with one other.

Severus, she wasn't sure how to feel about it. He'd been Lily's friend, yet they'd fallen out.

Something must have happened.

It was the summer holiday, with September not far away. The boys had finished school with vigour, seemingly glad to be rid of the confining place. She'd commented that a remote boarding school might not be any better, yet they'd quickly dismissed it.

Oh well, she'd tried.

They'd be here within the hour, a fact the boys had eagerly awaited. So much so that they'd been ready to go about 3 hours ago.

It was only 10:00.

They passed the time watching TV with Vernon, a show about Sharks. Harry was keen, Dudley too as they awed at the shots displayed.

"Do you think Sharks are really the Sea's apex predator?" asked Dudley, sitting in raptor next to Harry and his Dad.

Harry and Vernon made a noise.

Dudley squinted, looking away from the TV. He was almost shocked by the gormless looks his family sported.

They watched too much TV, he surmised.

Dudley was about to try again when Petunia chuckled from the kitchen door. "It's no use Dudley, they're in the zone now."

She'd seen it before; the TV was Harry and Vernon's favourite thing to do together. "Come on, I need to talk to you anyway."

Dudley listened, moving without complaint into the kitchen.

The door clicked softly as Dudley joined Petunia at the table. "Dudley," he looked up, moving his hand back from the plate of biscuits.

Petunia smiled. "We've never really talked about… well, Magic," her eyes found the wall, searching for the words. "It's – I…"

She slumped a little, what was she trying to say.

She felt Dudley's hand, grasping her fingers like he used to. She squeezed back. "Please, be careful at Hogwarts. I know you and Harry have worked hard," Dudley smiled, an understatement. "But don't rush into things, think things through and don't let your pride dictate what you do."

He looked a little confused, she huffed softly. "You and Harry are different from other boys, the things you can do set you apart…" he nodded, still not quite understanding.

"You mustn't let what you can do – what you are, go to your head. You remember those Prince's and Heir's to huge fortunes?"

Dudley nodded, a distasteful look appearing on his face. "You're not like them," he looked to her again, an intensity she hadn't seen before. "But you share something, something that can corrupt you. You know what's good and bad, right and wrong. Yet many a good person has been changed by it."

Petunia wanted Dudley to remember this, because she knew he and Harry would need to know exactly what threatened them.

"Do you know what it is you share with them?"

Neither spoke, as Dudley frowned in thought. He didn't understand why they were discussing this, as if he were somehow culpable to whatever his Mother alluded to…

Or… oh.

Dudley relaxed, understanding now.

He met his Mother's concerned gaze.

"Power."

She nodded. "And pride."

Dudley let go of her hand. "Do you think I will forget who I am? At Hogwarts? That my magic will…" he fiddled with the table cloth, finding a snag.

"…make me bad?"

"No, you are my son. You're a good person Dudley," she sounded almost desperate, wanting her son to know it.

His chest tightened, all the questionable things he'd already done clutching at him.

Was he good?

He'd hurt those boys easy enough, had lied and tricked the people he cared about; he'd even taken the will freely given to all living things, taken it like it was his to begin with.

Even animals had rights, who knew what had happened to that Fox he'd ordered about. It just hadn't come back one day, driven mad?

He sat back, unable to hide his emotions. Petunia saw it all, she'd suspected as much.

It didn't change how she thought of him, of Harry too. "Dudley, know that I will always love you. You'll understand that people change as we grow, that things aren't always black and white."

She reached for him. "You'll figure it out, life's a journey after all."

Dudley wanted to cry, feeling wrong and bad as he grasped his Mother's hand. "Y-yeah."

Petunia lightened the mood. "Now, the Professors will be here soon. Is there anything you need before we go?"

Dudley gathered himself, thinking through the list of things he'd made. "Oh, there was."

He stood, smiling at his Mother. "I'll just run and get it!"

Her son left in a hurry, his footsteps loud above her head.

"Hmm."

She turned to Vernon, standing by the door. "Everything alright?" he asked.

Petunia nodded, they'd spoken about this before; Vernon having just had the same talk with Harry.

"And Harry?"

Vernon pointed up, the sound of more footsteps proof enough. "Ah, I wonder what it is."

Indeed, thought Vernon as he stepped aside. "Boys."

They hurried into the kitchen, smiling as they carried a large clock.

It thunked as they settled it down, the large clock very heavy as the boys stepped back.

Vernon looked at them, that at the clock, then back.

"A clock?"

The boys smiled. "Yep!"

They moved to the opposite side of the table, standing in a childish pose.

"Behold! The Magical Snake Clock!"

Petunia tried not to laugh, what were they doing.

The clock was wooden, round with a flat base. It was old, though it seemed to have been recently repaired.

The arms were snakes, along with smaller coiled one's for the numbers.

Except, the numbers weren't in English. Dudley began to explain. "It's a clock that chimes in Parseltongue, so when we're away you won't miss us!"

Petunia and Vernon glanced at each other, one wondering where they hide it, and the other:

"Amazing!" gushed Vernon, swooping over it. "It's well made, beautiful work. Are these…?"

He looked to them, seeing them nod and smile. "Emeralds, they glow too!"

Dudley had been hesitant about giving the clock they'd found away, not because he wanted it but because… it raised questions.

Harry had been adamant, wanting to give something before they left.

Petunia gasped. "Where did you get this? You didn't make it?" one would assume not, yet who knew when it came to them.

Dudley made a 'sort of'. "We fixed it, it was badly damaged."

"But where did you get it from?" pressed Petunia, annoyed that Vernon was still inspecting it.

They couldn't have stolen it, who would have such a thing in the first place?

Harry looked to Dudley, who was chewing his lips in though.

Ah.

"We… found it. In a house."

"Dudley!"

Petunia was getting upset.

"Okay! We found a house, a big house. Well, Nigel took us there. It was his old master's house!"

Petunia blinked.

Nigel?

"Nigel? He- explain from the beginning."

Dudley looked to Harry, again they seemed to speak without words.

"Stop that!" she snapped.

The boys grimaced.

"Nigel came to us, you remember right?"

She nodded.

"It wasn't by chance, he sought us out because we…" she waited, looking at Dudley intently. "We're family, of sorts. His master was our ancestor, the house is ours. He took us there the day we skipped school."

Silence.

Harry felt so relieved, he didn't like keeping it a secret. Nor Dudley, yet they'd accepted the necessity of it, they needed access to that house.

It didn't matter now, they'd be in Hogwarts soon.

The house would be waiting for them.

Petunia wanted to scream, they'd been going to a house? With a snake?

She should have feinted, yet didn't as the doorbell chimed.

The boys saw the out, rushing to the door.

They didn't follow. "Well," said Vernon. "At least they told us, it's not so bad really."

Petunia wilted. "But Vernon, it's been nearly two years! They've been going and didn't tell us!"

He shook his head. "It was there's Petunia, they're just boys. It's like a secret den in the woods."

She watched Vernon leave, secret den in the woods?

She didn't think so as she followed him out.