It seemed that Dudley was struggling with concepts too difficult to put into words.

After several moments of apparently painful internal struggle he said, "But where's he

going to go?"

Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon looked at each other. It was clear that Dudley

Was frightening them. Hestia Jones broke the silence.

"But… surely you know where your nephew is going?" she asked looking

Bewildered.

"Certainly we know," said Vernon Dursley. "He's off with some of your lot, isn't

he? Right, Dudley, let's get in the car, you heard the man, we're in a hurry.

Again, Vernon Dursley marched as far as the front door, but Dudley did not

Follow.

"Off with some of our lot?"

Hestia looked outraged. Harry had met this attitude before Witches and wizards

Seemed stunned that his closed living relatives took so little interest in the famous Harry

Potter.

"It's fine," Harry assured her. "It doesn't matter, honestly."

"Doesn't matter?" repeated Hestia, her voice rising considerably.

"Don't these people realize what you've been through? What danger you are in?

The unique position you hold in the hearts of the anti Voldemort movement?"

"Er –no, they don't," said Harry. "They think I'm a waste of space, actually but I'm

used to –"

"I don't think you're a waste of space"

If Harry had not seen Dudley's lips move, he might not have believed it. As it was,

He stared at Dudley for several seconds before accepting that it must have been his cousin

Who had spoken; for one thing, Dudley had turned red. Harry was embarrassed and

Astonished himself.

"Well... er… thanks, Dudley."

Again, Dudley appeared to grapple with thoughts too unwieldy for expression

before mumbling, "You saved my life,"

"Not really," said Harry. "It was your soul the dementor would have taken…"

He looked curiously at his cousin. They had had virtually no contact during this

Summer or last, as Harry had come back to Privet Drive so briefly and kept to his room so

Much. It now dawned on Harry, however, that the cup of cold tea on which he had

Trodden that morning might not have been a booby trap at all. Although rather touched he

Was nevertheless quite relieved that Dudley appeared to have exhausted his ability to

Express his feelings. After opening his mouth once or twice more, Dudley subsided into

Scarlet-faced silence.

Aunt Petunia burst into tears. Hestia Jones gave her an approving look that

Changed to outrage as Aunt Petunia ran forward and embraced Dudley rather than Harry.

"S-so sweet, Dudders…" she sobbed into his massive chest. "S-such a lovely b-boy… ssaying

thank you…"

"But he hasn't said thank you at all!" said Hestia indignantly. "He only said he

didn't think Harry was a waste of space!"

"Yea but coming from Dudley that's like 'I love you,'" said Harry, torn between

Annoyance and a desire to laugh as Aunt Petunia continued to clutch at Dudley as if he

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 875