Dudley Dursley

In

A Change of Heart

Dudley Dursley was at home for the holidays. His girlfriend was talking to his father while his mother prepared dinner.

Where was Dudley?

He was standing in what was once his second bedroom. The room that later became his cousin's.

A few of Harry's belongings still resided there. Some old newspapers, pieces of parchments, and a drawing of that owl of his.

Dudley reached to the floor and picked up a piece of crumpled up parchment.

Polyjuice Potion

By: Harry Potter

This foul tasting liquid (if you want to call it that) turns any human being into another human (or close to human) he or she chooses. The ingredients are hard to get, and it takes a full month to brew. Particularly because the fluxweed has to be picked at the full moon and the lacewings have to be stewed for 21 days. Once ready, the potion takes on a mud-like texture. After pouring a single serving, a piece of the person the drinker is transforming into is added. This piece can be a hair, a toenail, as long as it has the DNA. The potion then takes on a different look, depending on who the person is transforming into.

This overcooked-cabbage tasting potion causes a burning sensation in the drink

The essay stopped there. Dudley didn't know if his cousin was working on it when he "died" or if he wasn't supposed to know that much detail. It did sound as if Harry had made the potion before.

"There you are." A female voice said in the door.

Dudley quickly turned and saw his girlfriend at the door.

"Hey Kat." Dudley said putting the parchment down.

"Supper's ready. Are you okay?"

"I don't know." Dudley said. "It's strange. Ever since I went to college….let's go eat."

Ever since Dudley had been away from his prejudice parents, he was able to see life in a whole new light. Katherine had helped him grasp this new concept that it's not always survival of the fittest. Sometimes it's survival of the smartest.

Once he grasped the new concept, he got to thinking about his past. During his thoughts, he realized what a jerk he had been. Especially to his own cousin.

After supper, Dudley went up to his room and wrote some letters.

Peter Conway,

You probably might be wondering why the bloody hell I'm writing to you. The truth is, I have seen the error of my ways. I know it's probably too late to ask for forgiveness, it is for Harry, but I just wanted you to know that I am not the boy I was.

Dudley Dursley

Dudley reread the letter before nodding and sealing it in an envelope. He then looked out the window at the starry night.

"I'm sorry Harry." He whispered. "For everything. For the record, I never thought you were a waste of space."

0000

Years later,

KNOCK KNOCK

Dudley Dursley was sitting in the living room reading a newspaper. His wife went to go answer the door.

There, standing on the doorstep, was a tall redheaded woman wearing a blue jean skirt and jacket, and a yellow shirt.

"Ginny!" Katherine exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood." The redhead said with a shrug.

"Well, come in. Can I get you anything?"

"No. I'm good. We just got back into town." Ginny said as she entered and took off her jacket.

"You left?" Katherine asked as she took the jacket and hung it up.

"We dropped the kids off in Italy and my husband and I went to Albania." Ginny explained.

"You could have dropped the kids off here." Katherine said.

"No. I didn't want to do that to you and your husband." Ginny said.

"Kat?" Dudley asked.

"Oh. Forgive me. Dudley, this is Ginny. Ginny, this is Dudley. I met Ginny years ago. So Ginny, where's your husband and the kids."

"The kids are at school, and Harry's getting some answers." Ginny said holding out a paper.

Katherine paled at the headlines.

"No." she gasped.

"What?" Dudley asked taking the paper

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY, IS DEAD

by Lavender Brown

On August 25, 2013, Albus Dumbledore died a natural death at St. Mungo's Hospital. Dumbledore is to be replaced as Headmaster by Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. The funeral is to be held September 5th at Hogwarts. More in future issues due to the fact the journalist can't stop crying. Dumbledore taught me everything I know.

"Yeah. Everyone's emotional." Ginny said.

"You two are witches?" Dudley asked in shock.

"I am." Ginny answered.

"Not really." Katherine said. "I can't do a lick of magic. Not even card tricks. I'm what's known as a squib."

"I have to go now." Ginny said looking at the clock. "My husband should be home any minute."

"Of course." Katherine said.

"Come by anytime." Dudley added.

Both women starred at Dudley in shock.

"I'll explain later." Dudley told his wife.

After Ginny left, Dudley told his wife about his feelings of remorse about his cousin. He explained how his aunt and uncle were magical, as well as his cousin.

0000

September 6 at 6:00,

"What a day." Dudley sighed as he came in from work,

"Dudley." Katherine said going to the entry way. "We have company."

"Is it Ginny?"

"Yes. AND her husband."

Dudley and Katherine entered the living room. Dudley nodded toward Ginny to acknowledge her. However, he was shocked when his eyes landed on her husband, who had quickly stood up.

There was something familiar about the man standing in front of him. The man was about the same height as him, but skinnier. He had more muscle than Dudley (who was still mostly fat) even though Dudley was still bigger. The black hair was laying flat on top of his head with the bangs covering his forehead. Brilliant green eyes hid behind a pair of glasses.

Dudley knew who this man looked like, but it was impossible.

"Nothing is impossible with magic." The man told Dudley as if he read his mind.

Then, the man lifted his bangs from his forehead to reveal a lightning bolt shaped scar.

"Harry?" Dudley asked.

Harry Potter nodded as he lowered his hand from his face.

"You're alive?"

"As are my parents." Harry added.

"How?"

"My godfather made a mistake while making a potion." Harry explained.

"That's how you're back?"

"I never died." Harry explained. "My parents came and got me out."

Flashback

"What do you mean? When will he be back?" Vernon asked.

"Never. He's with my sister." She said.

End Flashback

"Harry." Dudley said. "I…I just wanted to apologize."

"For what?" Harry asked confused.

Ginny gapped at her husband. How could he NOT know. Even SHE knew the stories of how he was treated as a kid.

"For everything." Dudley said. "I was just trying to stay on Mum and Dad's good side. I knew how much they hated you."

"Dudley." Harry said holding up his hand to silence his cousin. "All is forgiven. All has been forgiven. Besides, all the running away from you kept me in shape."

"Thanks." Dudley said holding out his hand.

Harry took the hand and shook it. He then turned to Ginny.

"Could you not tell your brothers about this?"

"Of course not!" Ginny exclaimed. "That'll just prove their theory that you're too forgiving."

"I'm not THAT forgiving." Harry argued. "I haven't forgiven Snape, Wormtail, and Voldemort."

"Her brothers?" Dudley asked.

"The Weasleys. Two of her brothers gave you that toffee that made your tongue grow."

"Oh. Them. Well, I guess I did deserve it."

DING DONG

Everyone looked at each other as Katherine went to go open the door.

"Vernon! Petunia!" she said loudly. "What brings you here?"

"You should leave." Dudley said. "I don't know about Mum, but Dad's glad you're dead. I don't know how'd he react to seeing you again."

"Don't have to tell me twice. I'll see you around Big D."

The two cousins shook hands again.

"Tell your wife we said 'goodbye' okay?" Ginny requested.

"Of course.

With two pops, the Potters were gone. Just in time as well.

"Hello Mum. Dad." Dudley greeted his clueless parents.

The End