Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything from the series.

Removing Dudley From the Equation – Year 3

Chapter 1: Aunt Marge Apologizes

"Vernon, are you sure you want that woman around after all those years?" Petunia asked out of worry.

"Petunia, I know it took too long but my sister finally wants to apologize." Vernon replied. "All I ask you to do is to give her a chance."

"Well, I know what's like having an estranged sister so I understand." Petunia conceded.

"Thank you, Petunia." Vernon said with a smile and then added. "But remember, she doesn't know about the Wizarding World?"

"Who still doesn't know, Dad?" Harry Potter asked as he entered the house during the conversation.

"Did you have fun playing with your primary school friends, Harry?" Petunia sweetly asked.

"Yes, Mum." Harry answered. "Now, who were you talking about that doesn't know about the Wizarding World?"

"Harry, remember when I told you that I have a sister who doesn't get along with me?" Vernon asked Harry.

"Do you mean Aunt Marge, Dad?"

"Yes, son." Vernon replied. "She wants to apologize and will be visiting us."

"And she doesn't know about magic being real?" Harry asked in confusion about the notion of his parents (even if they're muggle foster parents) locking a relative out of the loop.

"We didn't want to have more to do with the Wizarding World than we needed back then." Petunia explained. "She got estranged from us even before you were born."

"So, will we tell her now that the estrangement will be over?" Harry asked.

"First we'll see if she's really sincere then we'll decide." Vernon replied.

"Dad, will we have to reschedule any plans of visiting Sirius this summer?" Harry wondered.

"No, Harry." Vernon calmly answered. "Marge only plans to stay with us for one week. She breeds bulldogs for a living and can't leave them for long or bring them with her. Well, she'll bring one of her dogs with her."

"May I pet him, Dad?" Harry eagerly asked.

"Son, I don't feel comfortable about you petting a dog named Ripper." Vernon stated, making Harry wish Marge's taste for names was similar to Hagrid's. Before Harry had a chance to reply to Vernon's comment, an owl delivered him a letter. It came from Sirius.

Dear Prongslet,

I have wonderful news: Moony will become Hogwarts' new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Not only he'll be able to keep an eye on Snivellus but he'll also be able to play lots of pranks like in the old days. I'll be teaching whenever his furry little problem prevents him from doing so. Don't let me catch you breaking any rules. A good marauder in training does their best to avoid getting caught.

Signed,

Padfoot

Harry decided to write a reply. Before that, he consulted with his parents about telling Sirius about Marge. They agreed.

Dear Godfather,

I'm glad to learn about Uncle Remus getting a job. I have some good news as well. My Dad is reconciling with his estranged sister Marge. I didn't even know he had a sister. I hope she's nice. She's coming to spend a week with us. If for some reason you decide to visit us during that time, please come as a muggle since she still doesn't know about the Wizarding World.

Signed,

Harry

The next day, Vernon Dursley went to the train station to pick up his sister. "It's been a long time, Marge." He commented.

"Indeed, Vernon." Marge agreed and then added. "You didn't change much."

"Neither did you, Marge." Vernon replied and then mentally added 'Unfortunately'. Marjorie "Marge" Dursley looked like her brother wearing a dress and with a smaller mustache. He was wondering if nobody ever told her to shave that thing. He then helped her to his car and drove her to Privet Drive. There, Marge had a shock as a boy around the age her brother's kid would be if not for the miscarriage. Meanwhile, seeing Marge made Harry secretly glad he's not a Dursley by blood since obesity seemed to be a trait among them.

"Vernon, I thought you and Petunia had no children." Marge commented. "Who's that runt?"

"This is Harry James Dursley Potter, Marge." Vernon answered, slightly annoyed at how she described Harry. "Petunia and I adopted him."

"Potter?" She asked in surprise. "Isn't that the surname of that bloke who married your wife's sister?"

"Correct, Marge." Vernon explained. "Harry was born as their child."

"And why aren't they raising him?" She insensitively asked. "Did they abandon him?"

Harry and his parents were quite angry at her. "They were killed by the criminal who broke into their home." Petunia firmly stated. "Harry is lucky to have survived."

"He probably got involved with the wrong people." Marge rudely commented. "You said he was a good-for-nothing last time we talked about him, Vernon."

"I had a wrong impression of him, Marge." Vernon replied with a glare. "And it seems I had one of you as well."

"Vernon!" Marge was shocked.

"When you phoned me, I thought you wanted to apologize but I can no longer be sure you really mean that." Vernon explained. "Not will all that rudeness."

"I'm sorry, Vernon." She hastly said. "Please give me another chance. I've just arrived."

"My son is the one most hurt by your comments, Marge." Vernon insisted. "If he gives you another chance, you may stay. Otherwise, you leave."

"He's not really your son, Vernon." Marge grunted. "He's just some…" She then noticed Vernon, Petunia and Harry glaring at her. "Fine."

Harry thought about that. She wasn't liking that woman more than he liked Sirius when his Godfather insisted on Vernon and Petunia not being his parents but, for his father's sake, he agreed to give her a chance. "Nice to meet you, Aunt Marge." He complimented her and then noticed her dog. "You must be Ripper." Harry then petted the dog, who responded cordially.

"I don't understand." Vernon was surprised. "Marge, you said that dog took time to get used to new people."

"I'm just as surprised as you are, Vernon." She replied. "Perhaps the runt isn't so bad after all."

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