Work Text:
Dudley Dursley’s Daughter
Dudley Dursley remembered the day he left 4 Privet Drive. How could he not remember the moment he had to leave his childhood home and go on the run from a murderer? And not just any murderer, but one whose name was feared above all others - in certain circles. It was no longer safe for him or his parents to stay - but it was worse for his cousin.
While Dudley, a large, muscular young man, lived a perfectly normal life for the most part, his cousin did not. For you see, the murderer was after him . And he, Dudley, just got caught up in it.
As much as his parents, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, tried to either ignore his cousin or, and it pained him to admit it, bully him, they really couldn’t do that any more. Volde-whatzit was after Harry, and would not hesitate to destroy anyone who got in his way. Harry was also a wizard, something Dudley’s parents had tried hard to squash.
It was quite a shock for Dudley when a large giant of a man came to collect Harry on his (Harry’s) eleventh birthday… and gave Dudley a pig’s tail. Many things like that happened over the years, and for a very long time, Dudley was either afraid of “the M Word” or wanted to beat Harry up as he’d done most of his life. Until, that is, Harry saved him from a fate worse than death.
Walking home together one summer day, Dudley had started teasing Harry about his nightmares. The next thing he knew, it was dark and he felt as if all the happiness had been sucked out of the world. He started remembering some of the worst moments of his life in nauseating detail, and couldn’t think of a single thing that made him happy. Even his memories of punching other people, which usually gave him immense satisfaction, didn’t bring joy as he finally admitted to himself why he did it.
Then Harry did something and the cold feeling went away. Somehow, he made it home (he could only assume his cousin dragged him there). His parents took one look at him and demanded to know what happened. On the way to the hospital, his parents let slip that Harry had gotten in trouble for doing that piece of - well, magic. Soon enough, a strange woman he assumed was a nurse showed up at the hospital and gave him some chocolate. He felt immensely better.
After that experience Dudley started to think, and think he did. By the time they had to leave 4 Privet Drive and go into hiding, Dudley’s opinion of Harry was very different from his father’s. While Vernon Dursley kept waffling on whether or not to leave, caught between believing they were in actual danger and assuming Harry was just trying to get rid of them, Dudley recalled those dementor things and staunchly refused to stay. Eventually, wizards came to collect them. They were rather surprised that the Dursleys didn’t know where Harry was going, though Dudley had assumed they’d be going into hiding together. In shock that Harry’s family a) didn’t care where he was going and b) could be so cold toward him, Harry informed them that the Dursleys rather thought he was a waste of space. Dudley found he had to speak up.
“I don’t think you’re a waste of space,” he said, much to his father’s annoyance.
Hiding from a magical terrorist was weird, to say the least. Knowing the Dursleys’ view on wizards, those guarding them tried to keep as low a profile as possible. Some of the wizards actually looked “respectable” (in Vernon’s view), but not many. Dudley found he didn’t care much, as long as they were safe. Although they had to move several times during their enforced isolation, Dudley felt grateful to them. After all, these people were risking their lives to keep him safe.
During their isolation, they would catch snippets of news.
- “You Know Who has taken over the Ministry! We have to be extra careful now.”
- “Did you hear about that new law forcing kids into Hogwarts? Except muggle-borns, of course, because they have to be registered.”
- “Did Potter really free muggle-borns from the Ministry of Magic?”
- “Of all the crazy rumors regarding Harry, this one has to be fake. There’s no way he broke into Gringotts and escaped on a dragon.”
Every time there was news that was even slightly positive, Dudley’s father asked if they could go home. Every time the answer was, “Not yet. It’s not safe.” This went on for nearly a year. Then the word came - a huge battle at Hogwarts, You Know Who was destroyed (apparently by his own curse), and the Dursleys could finally return to a normal life.
There were some consequences to the Dursleys’ forced isolation. Vernon had lost his job at Grunnings, the drill company. Fortunately, the wizards were able to get him reinstated, making it look like he’d been on assignment for the company, and the gap in employment was mostly ignored. He and Petunia were able to return to their thoroughly non-magical life on 4 Privet Drive, dote on Dudley, and pretend that no such person as Harry Potter existed.
Dudley had missed his final year at Smeltings due to going on the run, but once Voldy-thingy was defeated, the wizards were able to get him into university on a boxing scholarship. Dudley was also able to ignore the magical world for a while, though he never really forgot. He studied sports medicine and moved out on his own, like any other young adult. Eventually, Dudley met and married a nice girl that even his mother tolerated, though he would have married her regardless.
Dudley loved his wife Gillian more than anything, except perhaps for his daughter. She stole his heart when she was born, and if you asked Dudley there was no finer baby in the world. She was a bright little girl with blond hair and, fortunately for her, her mother’s looks. She even charmed her grandmother Petunia. Then, the summer after she turned eleven, Vanessa received something strange in the mail.
Dudley was surprised when he first saw the letter, because he recognized it. It was written on what looked like parchment with green ink, and the back had an emblem - a large letter H surrounded by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake. But after thinking about it he realized that it was possible. After all, he and Harry did share a set of grandparents. And now that he thought about it, strange things happened around Vanessa, just like they happened around Harry all those years ago.
Dudley’s wife Gillian seemed oddly excited when she saw the letter, encouraging their daughter to open it.
“‘Dear Ms. Vanessa Dursley,’” she read, “‘We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’. Is this some sort of joke,” she cried out.
Before he could say anything, Dudley’s wife spoke up. “No dear, Hogwarts is very much real. I always wanted to go, but I never received a letter.”
“Gillian?” Dudley queried while Vanessa just stared at her mother.
“Surprise?” Mrs. Gillian Dursley looked sheepish. “I never said anything because I didn’t know if we’d have anyone who qualified to go.”
“So let me get this straight. You have witches and wizards in your family?”
“All of my cousins went to Hogwarts and most of my brothers and sisters got acceptance letters, but I’m a squib. Mum and Dad were so disappointed when I didn’t get one.”
Dudley laughed in a strained sort of way. “My mother is going to love this,” he said sarcastically.
“She’s never liked me much anyway,” said Gillian. “I’m just glad your parents seem to have a soft spot for Vanessa.”
“That may change,” Dudley muttered, then motioned for his daughter as Gillian gave him a confused look. “Vanessa,” he began as he gave her a hug. “That letter is no joke. Being a witch or wizard is a very rare thing. Not everyone is blessed with magical blood. I’m certainly not. It will be hard, and you will be challenged. But by going to Hogwarts, you’ll be able to train your abilities and become who you truly are meant to be.”
“Really?” Vanessa seemed unsure and Gillian looked surprised.
“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, sweetie. But if you want to go, your mom and I will support you,” Dudley said, confirming this with his wife using just a look.
Vanessa screwed up her face, then declared, “I want to go!” with such enthusiasm that it was hard to deny her.
“Before you make your final decision, there’s something else you should know.” Taking a deep breath, Dudley explained, “Grandma Petunia and Grandpa Vernon will have a hard time with you being a witch, and may end up being… uh, mean.”
“You mean they may not want to see me any more?” Vanessa was teary-eyed.
“Well, I hope they’ve mellowed out in their old age, but there’s no telling what will happen until it happens.”
Vanessa thought and thought. “I can really go if I want?”
“Yes, sweetie,” Gillian confirmed.
“Come on, then. Let’s see that letter of yours,” Dudley said as he held out his hand.
Much later, after Vanessa had gone to bed, Dudley was cornered by his wife.
“You took this much better than I thought you would,” she said.
“Yeah, well, I have a confession to make.” Dudley took his wife’s hands in his and looked directly into her eyes. “My aunt was a witch. My aunt and uncle were killed by Volde-whatzit, and when their only son came to live with us, my parents… well, let’s just say I was brought up to think I was better than him. I was a right little shit.”
“Oh, Dudley,” Gillian said as she squeezed his hand.
“Thank god I grew out of it. But my mother… . My mother had issues with her witch sister and her family, and that’s why I’m pretty sure she’s going to hate us sending Vanessa off to Hogwarts. I’m afraid she’ll want to cut all ties with us. But you know what? I don’t think I care. Our family is more important to me than that.”
Gillian Dursley gave her husband a hug and a soft smile, then excitedly reached for the telephone. “I’ve got to tell Mum and Dad! They’ll be so happy.”
“Hey, uh… do your parents have an owl? You know, for sending letters?”
“They used to. I’m pretty sure they still do.”
“Then when you talk to them, will you ask them if I can borrow it? I think it’s time I wrote to my cousin.”
Writing to Harry Potter was one of the hardest things Dudley had ever done, apart from the initial soul searching he did after the dementor attack when he was fifteen. But he really had nobody else to talk to about it. He was surprised when he received a perfectly normal (i.e. muggle) letter asking him to meet up at a dingy pub called The Leaky Cauldron the second week of August, so Harry could help Vanessa purchase her school things.
At first, Dudley was afraid that Harry was playing a joke on him, but Gillian said it was the entrance to a place called Diagon Alley, which was the best place to get Vanessa’s school things. So, the young family set off to meet Dudley’s cousin. When they arrived at the supposed location, Dudley was once again sure someone was playing a trick on him, but Gillian just led him toward a nondescript corner. When they got close enough, it was as if a grubby little building just popped up out of nowhere.
“What… how… “
Gillian smiled and said, “Muggles aren’t supposed to be able to see the Leaky Cauldron unless they know it’s there. I’m lucky I can, being a squib.” She then led the way into the building.
“Dudley?” a voice called, and the Dursleys looked for the speaker. Gillian nearly fainted when she realized just who Dudley’s cousin was.
“Hello, Harry. Thanks for meeting us. I really didn’t know where to go. And I was half afraid that… well…”
“That I’d let my cousin’s daughter flounder just because you and I didn’t get along?”
“Something like that. Listen, I’m sorry I was such a …”
“Total idiot? Bully? Arsehole?” suggested Harry.
“You don’t have to rub it in. Anyway, I’m sorry.”
“I may or may not forgive you, but I can definitely put it aside. So…” and here Harry turned to his cousin’s daughter, “... you’re a witch, huh?”
“That’s what the letter said. I was surprised. I mean, I didn’t think magic existed.”
“I was just as surprised when I got my letter. Come, let’s have lunch and I’ll tell you all about it. Then we’ll go shopping.”
“Uh, you’re not going to tell the whole story, are you? I mean…”
“Well, you were a right little pig that day, weren’t you?” Harry smirked as Dudley paled. “Okay, okay, I’ll leave it out. This time.” Harry grinned. After that, he led the Dursleys over to his family and introduced them to his wife and children. “We’re shopping for school supplies today, which is why I suggested you meet us. It’s Albus’s first year at Hogwarts as well.” Harry affectionately patted his son’s shoulder, while Albus himself gave a strained smile.
They got on well enough during the meal, and soon it was time to go shopping. The Potters led the Dursleys through the back door of the bar. Dudley was once again thinking this might be a joke when Harry pulled out his wand and tapped a certain brick. Suddenly, the bricks moved and an archway was created.
“Welcome to Diagon Alley,” said Harry. While Harry’s wife Ginny watched over her children, Harry snuck a peak at Dudley’s family. Dudley’s wife didn’t seem too surprised, but both Dudley and Vanessa were impressed.
“Oh, wow!” exclaimed Vanessa, looking around at all the shops.
“First thing’s first,” said Harry. “We need to exchange your muggle money for wizard currency. Plus we need to get some money out of our vault anyway.” The two families made their way toward Gringotts, and while Harry stood with Dudley to exchange the currency, Mrs. Potter followed one of the short creatures through a door in the back.
Vanessa pulled on the adult wizard’s sleeve. “What kind of creatures are those?”
“Goblins. They are not the most friendly of the races in the wizarding world, but they are excellent with money, great craftsmen, and fierce when crossed.” Harry pointed to a sign.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
“They must be serious.”
“You have no idea,” Harry mumbled quietly as a Gringotts goblin eyed the group suspiciously. Still, they were able to exchange the currency without any issues, after which Harry took his cousin back out to the main street.
Glancing at the supply list, Dudley read, “Robes, cauldron, books, potion ingredients, a wand… that’s a lot of stuff.”
“Honey, why don’t I pick up the potion ingredients and cauldrons while you go with Albus and Vanessa to get robes and wands? We’ll meet you at Flourish and Blotts,” Ginny Potter suggested.
Smiling, Harry kissed his wife before leading the Dursleys to Madame Malkin’s then, after a relatively quick visit, on to Olivander’s. While not the Mr. Olivander Harry knew when he first started going to Hogwarts, the young-ish man who tended the counter seemed to have the same love of wandlore.
“The wand chooses the wizard,” he told both Albus and Vanessa. “Let me get a few wands to try. Then just pick one up and give it a wave.” He smiled happily while pulling out wands lovingly made by himself or by the Olivander family. Albus found one almost immediately.
“Cherry wood. Excellent,” said the proprietor as he boxed up Severus’s new wand. “8 galleons and 5 sickles.” Dudley was getting a little worried with how long it was taking Vanessa to find a wand.
“Is this normal?” he asked his cousin.
“Well, it took quite a while for my wand to choose me. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. No other wand has felt as right in my hand as this one.”
Right then, Vanessa smiled. “This one feels warm.”
The proprietor smiled. “Ebony and unicorn hair. An unusual combination. 7 galleons and 15 sickles.”
After purchasing the wands, the two men and their first year children met up with the others. Except for the titles, and the fact that the people in the photographs kept moving, Flourish and Blotts was pretty much like any bookstore in England - not that Dudley had been to many bookstores.
All in all, Dudley was surprised that a term at Hogwarts cost about the same as a term at Smeltings. The next thing he knew, it was time to leave.
“Term starts on September 1st,” said Harry. “We’ll meet you at King’s Cross station and you can join us on Platform 9 ¾.”
“See you then.”
Before he knew it, the day had arrived. The young Dursley family made their way toward the station and walked toward the platforms where they would be meeting the Potters. They were getting a few odd looks from the commuters, but there were also others there with the same strange assortment of luggage - and an even stranger sense of dress.
Wizards for sure , thought Dudley as he remembered his father’s complaints about wizards not knowing how to dress. Soon enough they found Harry, Ginny, and their children near Platforms 9 and 10.
“So this train leaves from Platform 9 ¾, right?” asked Dudley. “I don’t see it. How do we get there?”
“Magic,” quipped Harry. Dudley just gave him a Look(™) . Harry chuckled and bent down to Vanessa’s (and Albus’s) level as he explained how to get onto the platform. “Best to go at a bit of a run, if you’re nervous. James, why don’t you show them?”
“Yeah, sure Dad.” James said as he picked up his card and ran toward the barrier between the two platforms - and disappeared.
“Woah,” Vanessa said, awed. “Shall we?” she asked her new friend.
“Yeah.” Albus took Vanessa’s hand and they went through the barrier together.
“Is there any way we can get onto the platform, too? I mean, I’ve always wanted to see the Hogwarts Express.”
“Sure,” Ginny said as she offered her hand to Gillian. “Shall we?”
“Do you want to come, too?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Harry,” Dudley admitted as he took his cousin’s hand and headed for the platform.”
“Probably best to close your eyes your first time, Dudley. They can fool you.” Dudley just nodded. The next thing he knew, he was on a very busy platform. The main difference was that there was just one platform (9 ¾, Hogwarts Express) and the passengers. It was nearly overwhelming. But Dudley felt similar to the way he did every time he left for Smeltings, nervous and excited at the same time. That was a good thing. Right?
“I’m going to miss her,” Gillian whispered.
“Me, too.” Dudley looked fondly at the scarlet colored train as his daughter boarded it. “Tell me it’s worth it. Tell me it’s worth possibly losing my family over this.”
“You won’t lose your family,” Gillian said, surprising her husband. “You’ll always have us as well as my side of the family.”
“And us,” chimed in Harry. “We may not be close, Dudley, but we’re family. You’re the only living family I have on Mum’s side.”
Dudley thought for a moment, then smiled. “Come on, cousin. Let’s get to the Leaky Cauldron and I’ll buy you a pint.”