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Balance Factor

One-Shot

Rubies

A/N: I have decided to make this fic a one-shot from my story Balance Factor!

This one is strictly what happened to the Dursleys.

-0-

Dudley Dursley smiled and waved to a neighbor. They had arrived back in Privet Drive after the war and Harry had sent news about Voldemort's defeat. He was glad that Harry was alright.

According to the letter, Harry was now the center of attention in the Wizarding World. Dudley wasn't sure why it pleased him so much, but maybe it had something to do with being related to a celebrity. Even if the celebrity was in a world that his parents really didn't approve of.

Dudley scanned the last few lines and his heart gave an excited leap.

I'll write more when things die down. I'll be visiting Privet Drive on July 12th. If you can meet me, please wait at the park at 13:00.

Harry Potter

So here he was, at the park on July 12th. There were few people out, but none looked like they were headed towards the hot and sun baked park. Dudley smiled a little, thinking about his cousin.

At this point, he really didn't care how his parents reacted when he brought Harry home as a guest. Harry had hinted he was absolutely famous in the Wizarding Community and Dudley was thinking about how good he had looked in the shirt and pants he had worn when he had seen him last. The long hair didn't look bad on him either.

Dudley wasn't into incest by any means, but even he knew when a man looked good. He knew that when he put on a dress shirt and dress pants, he attracted looks from the female population. He knew that when he tilted his head and put on a smile, men would glare in envy.

He had used all of the charm he had learned to work on getting a job. Now he was attending a University, working to be an ER doctor, as well as working part-time in a child abuse clinic.

Dudley felt guilty that he had been so blind to his cousin's abuse. He vowed to make up for it by helping out other children in need.

He had moved out, as he found his mother's affections absolutely humiliatingly stifling. Now that Dudley was older, the cooing and lies to make him look good only worked against him. He had found this out when he had been hauled in for questioning on a case and his mother blatantly lied to the authorities.

"Dudders was home with us all night! Weren't you, Dudders?"

Dudley had refused to speak to her after that. He requested to have his mother removed from the room before talking.

"The boy's drunk father came in when I was put on shift. He started to beat his son with a chair so I defended the boy by restraining his father before my colleague called the police. As my protocol states, I removed the child after that and treated his immediate wounds."

The nonchalant attitude his parents displayed in face of child abuse told him very clearly where they stood in terms of child abuse. They would pretend it never happened. It wasn't reserved for people who had magic. It was anyone who was unfortunate enough to have a family like that.

Dudley knew that his cousin had friends. Friends who, no doubt, wanted revenge. Friends who, Dudley was sure, were powerful enough to hurt his family for Harry.

Only recently, did Dudley really start to see the value of having friends like that. He had made friends in University. Ones who didn't care how much his dad made or how big his house was. Ones who didn't care how big his muscles were or how he used to terrorize the neighborhood.

They were true friends. They stood by him when the rumor of him being a bully started and when someone from the clinic had accused him of bullying other children. They understood when Dudley admitted that he had when he was younger, but it had all changed when he reflected over his life with his cousin.

A brush of cool air touched his senses. Dudley looked up to see Harry Potter walking towards him smoothly, his movements completely unhurried, his clothes obviously tailored, fitting his slim, but muscular frame perfectly. Bright sapphire blue eyes gazed at him under long black hair and his smile was faint, but there.

"Hello, Dudley."

"Harry! Wow! Look at you! You look great!" Dudley said, after the shock of seeing his very rich cousin. "I… Wow… I just can't believe it!"

Harry smiled and for the first time, Dudley noticed that Harry's jawline was softer than most males. His skin was smoother, clearer than he could ever remember. And he was definitely a few inches taller than he was last year. His stride was relaxed, confident. Somehow, being next to Harry, Dudley barely felt the summer heat.

As they made their way back to number Four, Privet Drive, Dudley noticed that many neighbors turned to stare at the obviously wealthy man who was walking with him. Most people assumed that it was someone Dudley had met at University. Dudley felt a twinge of disgust as not one of the people they passed thought that the wealthy man and Harry Potter were the same people. Then again, Harry had always dressed in his old clothes and they were always much too big for him.

Harry stepped into his old home, accepting the offer of tea. Dudley had explained that he visited his parents during the weekends, but during the weekday, he went to live in his flat. Harry listened patiently, respectfully not interrupting.

After Dudley finished his story, he smiled at Harry. His mother was out buying groceries and his father was out talking with some important man from Grunnings. Harry smiled a little and gave a small hum.

"You sure sound busy," Harry said calmly, his eyes warm.

"Nothing compared to you. You killed him? Voldemort?" Dudley asked, morbid curiosity rising to the surface.

"I did. He wasn't a very nice man," Harry said casually. "I killed him because he kept trying to kill me." He looked at the door as Petunia walked in.

"Oh! Dudders! You didn't tell me you were having guests!" Petunia said cheerfully, her bony face not having changed a bit. Harry didn't miss the look of greed that flashed on Petunia's face. "And how nicely he's dressed too." She placed the groceries on the table, picking up a teapot to start tea for Dudley and his guest.

"It's been a while hasn't it, Aunt Petunia?"

Petunia dropped the pot, whirling around. The teapot hit the ground, breaking into pieces, but Harry waved his hand. To Dudley's amazement, the pot repaired itself and was set back onto the counter. Petunia didn't even notice.

"Harry…!" Petunia whispered in awe, somewhat stunned by his appearance.

"I see that you've been well," Harry said calmly, his smile dimming just a little. "Dudley was just telling me how successful he was." He glanced at his cousin who was staring at his fingers with some level of fascination. "Yes, Dudley?"

"Did you really just repair the teapot by waving your hand?" Dudley asked, wondering if he was actively hallucinating.

"Yes Dudley," Harry said calmly, patiently. "I did. I don't need to draw my wand for such a simple spell."

"You look… well," Petunia said, putting away the groceries, tea forgotten. "You've been well, then?"

"About as well as I can be," Harry said, standing. "There is a reason I came today, of course. I have something for you, Dudley. And you, Aunt Petunia. I realize that taking care of me might have placed a strain on your household."

Dudley bit his lip, looking at Petunia. She looked strangely guilty. Harry continued.

"A token, perhaps, of my appreciation for housing me, however reluctantly," Harry said, watching his Aunt. Petunia turned away.

"I never… Never hated you, Harry," she said.

"I know," Harry said calmly. "Which is why my good will does not include Uncle Vernon." He pulled out a sack and placed it on the table. It tipped over, revealing sparkling ruby jewelry. A necklace, a pair of earrings, a few bracelets, and most impressive of all, a ring with a polished ruby stone sitting proudly.

"Harry…!" Aunt Petunia looked absolutely floored. Harry poured out the jewelry and looked at her calmly.

"Where I'm going, these will have absolutely no value to me," Harry said calmly. "So I will leave them in your possession, Aunt Petunia. They are yours now. My mother's jewelry is better left in your possession."

"Harry, you must be loaded to be handing these out," Dudley said in wonder. Harry smiled.

"Giving you gems wouldn't be fitting. So I decided on this," Harry said, offering Dudley a book. Dudley took it with some level of confusion, but opened it. There was nothing but empty pages inside.

"What is this?" Dudley asked, immensely confused.

"A gateway to my world, Dudley. My memories are stored in there," Harry said softly. Dudley blinked, looking confused.

"I don't… Understand. How is an empty book supposed to teach me about-"

"Not the Wizarding World, Dudley. My world," Harry said. "When you are ready to explore it, just write down what you want to see."

Dudley still looked confused, but nodded slowly. Harry smiled, turning away to look out the window.

If Dudley ever remembered, he would be able to learn all about the Palaces, shin, rei and Kazuki. Dudley had proven time and time again that he was able to see through to Kazuki. First when he was meditating, then, again, when he admitted he could see Ryuuko. Such abilities were rare among humans. Dudley had potential, but only if he wanted to pursue it.

There was a slam as the door closed. Vernon Dursley froze at the doorway, confused at the sight of jewels on the countertop and the rather rich man sitting at the kitchen table.

"Whatever you're selling, we aren't interested," Vernon said with a grunt.

"That's fine, because I wasn't selling, Uncle Vernon," Harry said, the smile gone and his sapphire eyes now ice cold.

Vernon jumped back and pointed a pudgy finger at him. "You! Oh no! I'm not having your lot come back and have to deal with them again."

"That's great, because I have no intention of bringing them here," Harry said evenly, his tone the very epitome of cultured politeness, but his eyes with all the intensity of a winter storm.

Vernon sneered at him. "What?! Showing off your money now? That's splendid, because we always did need money for taking care of you."

Harry rose to his feet and stalked over to Vernon, his lips pursed in a frown. "This money, as you put it, was a gift from the family member of a friend of mine. And do you know why I got this gift? Because I spent the last year on the run from a madman and finally offed him two months ago."

Lucius Malfoy always showed his gratitude in an outstandingly lavish way. How he had obtained Harry's measurements in the first place, Harry wasn't sure he even wanted to know.

There was utter silence in the room. Harry sat back down, letting out a breath.

"I don't know why the Wizarding World chooses to celebrate the death of people so avidly," Harry said calmly. "And why they pushed the responsibility of murder on a seventeen year old boy. But they did and I did it. Now, I just want to rest."

He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes. Vernon grunted, sitting across from him.

"Government is going to the dogs, that's why," he finally said.

"You were right about that," Harry admitted. "It was. Not anymore. Not since the government was overthrown." He looked at Vernon, searching him. "You should stop drinking."

Vernon gave a start and stood up, his eyes blazing. "I will not be having your freakish-"

"I didn't use magic. I can smell it on your breath and your clothes," Harry said calmly.

Vernon froze and his face turned purple. Dudley bit his lip, wondering what Harry was thinking.

"Someone could get hurt," Harry continued. "And, really, haven't you spilled enough of my blood here? Sit down or my friend really will curse you to oblivion. He's the only thing stopping my other friend from tearing you apart for leaving rather disfiguring scars on my skin."

Petunia paled so fast that she resembled a sheet. Dudley gasped and whipped around, trying to spot the person Harry was talking about. Harry sighed and pointed to the window behind himself.

"He's outside. Obviously, followed me because he was worried about me," Harry said calmly. "It would not do you well to anger him."

Vernon glanced at the window and then back at Harry. He leaned closer and hissed out. "You're lying."

Harry's movements were so quick, Vernon didn't see it coming. He slammed the palm of his hand into Vernon's forehead, sending him toppling backwards and out of the way of an incoming dagger. The white blade gleamed in the afternoon sun as it sailed past, shattering the window easily and sinking into the wall where Vernon's head used to be.

"See," Harry said casually, reaching over and pulling the dagger out. Vernon was shaking on the ground, looking horrified. Dudley was staring at the dagger.

"Whoa!" he said. Petunia screamed, backing away.

"Try that again and I'll make sure it actually hits," a man said, sliding into the kitchen through the open window. His black hair was as long as Harry's, put into a low ponytail. Ruby red eyes were narrowed on Vernon's form and his handsome face was twisted in anger.

Harry shook his head in exasperation, throwing the dagger back to his friend. His friend caught it, glaring at Vernon with utmost loathing.

"You agreed to let me handle this on my own, Ryuuko," Harry said, watching Ryuuko take the dagger.

"I agreed only if he didn't threaten you," Ryuuko corrected. "I have little tolerance for the man who beat you into unconsciousness when you were eight years old and verbally abused you for the duration of your stay here. I am not pleased that they treated you like a servant boy, but I am willing to overlook that in favor for the worse crimes."

"Who are you?! You are breaking and entering!" Vernon demanded. Ryuuko's eyes narrowed and he strode over to the obese man, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into the wall. Vernon sputtered, but Ryuuko's voice was sharp and full of venom.

"Who am I? I am the closest thing this boy has had for a mother. As your family has treated him so poorly, you can imagine my displeasure for you. I can overlook most of the crimes of your wife and all the crimes for your son, but you, Vernon Dursley… You will pay for what you've done. Since you hate abnormality so much, I'll tell you something else. I am not a wizard."

"Wow, Harry, your friend is scary," Dudley whispered. "He's sure violent."

"He's actually not," Harry corrected. "Not usually. He's a very likable man." He looked at the broken window as Ryuuko dropped Vernon and turned to Dudley.

"Hello, Dudley Dursley," Ryuuko said pleasantly, his eyes warm. "Harry has told me quite a lot about you. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ryuuko." He extended a hand, Dudley taking it only after a moment's hesitation. "I apologize for my outburst towards your father. You see, Harry is quite an important friend to me and the thought that I might have lost him because of your father really angered me. Ah, and this must be Petunia Dursley." He turned to the woman and gave a small nod.

"Nice to meet you, I suppose," Dudley said, surprised at the complete turn of Ryuuko's personality. "Were you part of the… um… war too?"

"I got dragged into it," Ryuuko said calmly, turning back to him. "Like Harry, I wasn't supposed to be part of the war. But the opposing side didn't give me a choice in the matter." He fingered the dagger and looked at it calmly. "Roped into killing hundreds of humans and going on the run with Harry really pulls you close to a guy, you know," he added, sighing. "War is tough on anyone." He slid the dagger away but turned to Harry. "Shirogane isn't here."

"Good. Because I have no doubt he would have killed them first before they even opened their mouths," Harry said calmly. "Alright, Dudley, I should get going."

"Oh! Um, leaving already?" Dudley asked, looking a little alarmed. "Where are you going?"

"Home," Harry said gently, his sapphire eyes warm. "Back to my home, as this was never it."

-0-

Dudley looked at the book, sighing a little. He was back in his flat, not really wanting to have to deal with the fallout of his father's rudeness towards Harry and his friend. To be honest, his friend, though slightly terrifying, was more intriguing than anything else. It was the first time Dudley had ever met a man who was so obviously in the same class as his cousin.

He took out a pen and wrote on the top of the page.

Harry Potter

Silvery white threads erupted from the book. Dudley gasped as he was plunged into the pages.

-0-

A/N: I imagine the book much like a Pensieve. Able to view memories through it.