Lord and Ladies

Tales

Dumbledore smiled, relieved at not having to keep that a secret any longer. "There was a prophecy that predicted this, way before you were born. It goes this way:

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."

"Is that why you considered Harry crucial for defeating Voldemort?" Hermione asked.

"Indeed, Lady Ravenclaw. There was only another boy born close to that time that could have been the one, only he wasn't 'marked as his equal', like Harry was."

Harry thought a bit about the prophecy. "Well, he didn't die by my hand, you know."

"On the contrary, my boy. A prophecy is never very figurative. Although I initially thought that you'd have to confront him one-on-one, I came to the understanding that it could happen in other ways as well. 'By your hand' could mean anything that you did or initiated. In this case, I believe it was the vow that you insisted on, which removed all the support he was counting on. As a single wizard, regardless of how powerful he was, he could never account to much. He could do some damage, of course, but he would have been beaten, eventually, one way or another. Being beaten by Muggles is the ultimate revenge on him."

"But what happened? Why didn't he just die?"

Dumbledore turned serious. "His magic was probably quite weak since his resurrection, as he didn't get enough followers to use their magic for his own ends. He needed quite a bit of it just to keep his reconstructed body as a whole. The three bullets, that were by no means lethal, required too much magic to overcome, and once his body started disintegrating, there was no way back. Alas, I'm not sure that it's over yet. You see, Voldemort split his soul several times, creating some soul-anchors, to keep him on this plane of existence. That's the way he was able to return, and he may use it to come back again."

Harry shook his head. "No, he can't. The goblins offered to heal my scar and found a soul fragment in it. They used the retrieved fragment to find the rest and destroy all of them. It looks like Voldemort had not gained any friendship with them when he tried to gain power the first time around, nor since."

Dumbledore relaxed in his seat. "That's really good news. Now, with Voldemort finally removed, I can retire and enjoy the time that I may still have to do other things, knowing I leave Hogwarts in very capable hands."

"But we still have a lot to learn; We haven't even finished our studies here," Hermione protested.

"That's just a formality, Lady Ravenclaw. As you know very well, the four of you have already accomplished more than many wizards accomplish in a lifetime. I trust you and Harry to push the wizarding world forward, while Lady Slytherin and Lady Hufflepuff, will make sure that you don't forget our traditions on the way."

"So, what do you plan to do?"

"I'll stay until the end of term – it's only two months from now – passing all that I can to Minerva, whom I think you agree to make the next Headmistress, and to you all, as there's still a lot that I've learned during my time in this office and it's best if I pass it on. I also want to give you some of my insight into wizarding politics, although you seem to do just fine without it."

Dumbledore looked much more energetic than a few days earlier, even somewhat younger. Harry thought that having the burden of Voldemort removed could explain this. He also felt elated at finding that he no longer needed to think about Voldemort whenever discussing the future. He could finally think of the future not in terms of survival, but in terms of what he wanted to do and what he wished for his family. That was a refreshing change.

It was a very leisurely year after that. Dumbledore passed his position to McGonagall just before the winter holidays, but decided to help with teaching transfiguration while coaching her into her new role, along with Harry.

The Potters spent the winter holidays with their families, spending a few days with each. Harry was well accepted by them all, and celebrating Christmas with a loving family was a new experience for him.

Dumbledore came for a visit during the Christmas day, holding a small package. "This came from our muggle cover address," he said, handling the package to Harry.

It was a small box, wrapped in colorful paper. The small note carrying the address was written in a very untidy handwriting, making Harry wonder who the sender might be.

"I checked it for any magic before bringing it to you. It has no trace of any danger. You may open it," Dumbledore assured him.

Harry tore the wrapping paper, finding the box to contain a new cellular phone. There was also a note attached.

"Happy Christmas, Harry!

I know we haven't been on good terms until you last left the house. I had a lot of time to think of that since then. I wanted to apologize for the way I've been treating you since we were babies. I can now understand that it was all due to my parents. Whenever I tried to be nice to you, they would frown, while acting nastily towards you brought their approval.

This seemed to change during last summer. Mom started crying after learning you won't be returning. She seemed both relieved and frightened. I didn't understand, at first. It took me half the summer to understand that she actually wanted to see you and make sure you were fine, as you're all that she has of her sister. She didn't say it, but I think that she actually loves you in some unusual way. Dad was mostly relieved, although I think he also misses you, or maybe only the chores you used to do. Now we need to do them all ourselves.

Anyhow, I hope you're well and happy. Please accept this present, as I'd really like to talk with you. I've put my own mobile number in there, so you can easily call me.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your friends, from your cousin, Dudley.

P.S. Mom helped me buy this after I got my own phone from Dad. She didn't ask for whom it was, but I think she knew."

Harry felt quite bewildered. Was this really the same Dudley he had always known? The letter seemed sincere, and he could imagine that uncle Vernon was not too pleased to have to do some of the chores that Harry had always been doing, at least during the summer vacation. He couldn't imagine his aunt caring for him, nor Dudley, for that matter. He looked at Hermione questioningly. She smiled and nodded. 'You should call him,' he heard her voice in his mind. He put the note on the table, motioning the other girls to read it, while he opened the package and read the instructions.

A few minutes later, after having played a bit with his new phone, he reluctantly dialed Dudley's number.

"Harry! Is that really you?" he heard.

"It's me, alright. It was quite a surprise to get this present from you."

"I'm glad you got it. I wasn't even sure of the address, you know, although Mom said it was the right address. How are you? Are you well?"

"I'm fine, really. Last year was quite stressful, but it ended mostly alright, and it's getting ever better since."

"But where do you live, when not in school, now that you don't come here?"

Harry smiled, and it carried through his voice. "I have a few places to choose from, actually. I spent most of the summer in my apartment in London. I'm spending the winter vacation with my in-laws, though."

"In- laws? As in… married? Aren't we too young for that?" Dudley sounded really confused. Harry could imagine Dudley's face at hearing such news. He assumed he wouldn't have reacted much better in Dudley's place.

"Well, yes, I'm married. It happened just before the summer vacation. I was left alone with three very attractive young ladies and ended magically wed to them all. While we're too young for marriage in the normal world, the magical world has different laws, if only to account for what magic may do – like in this case."

"Wow, man! You're married to three girls? That's… well, it could be nice, I suppose, but it really frightens me. I'm not sure I'd know how to act with one wife, and you have three?! Wow!"

There was a momentary silence. Dudley seemed overwhelmed by the news, and Harry wasn't sure what to say either. Dudley finally made up his mind. "I'd really like to meet you and your wives, Harry. I don't think I can even comprehend this until I can really see it with my own eyes. Can we meet somewhere?"

By now, all the girls were standing close to him, listening attentively. He looked at them and they all nodded. "We can meet wherever you want to," he said.

"I wouldn't suggest meeting here, although you know the address well. I can meet you in London, if it's alright with you."

"Where would you suggest?" Harry was already well acquainted with the city, but didn't need to brag.

"The train reaches Paddington station. Any nearby café or even a fast-food outlet can do. Let's meet there, near the ticket office, and proceed together."

"Alright. Tomorrow at ten?"

"Sure! The train should arrive a few minutes earlier, so I'm likely to be waiting for you, but wait for me, in case the train is late, will you?"

"We'll wait for you in that case. See you tomorrow."

They met the next day, as agreed. Despite the phone conversation, it was still weird, at first. Dudley was waiting near the ticket office. As they approached, Harry noticed that his cousin was already almost the same size as his uncle. Dudley noticed him and seemed relieved and anxious at the same time. "You've come," he said, as he stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

"Of course! We've agreed on that."

"I still wasn't sure. I'm not sure what I would have done in your place."

Harry smiled. He liked this "new" Dudley much better than the old one. "You would have done the same, I'm sure. Now, you've not yet met the girls. These are Hermione, Daphne and Susan. Girls, this is Dudley. We can make the formal introductions once we're in a more appropriate place. We've noticed a nice café only a block away. Would you like to sit there?"

Dudley seemed a bit overwhelmed. Harry looked much more confident than he had ever seen him. The girls looked lovely. He really wanted to get to know them and hear some more about his cousin. "Wherever you'd like to sit, it's alright with me," he said.

A few minutes later, they were sitting at the café, after having joined two tables to make room for the five of them. They also felt better without the heavy winter coats. Harry waited until they had all ordered before making the introduction. "I'm going to use the titles of Lord and Lady, but they don't have the same meaning you're accustomed to. Ladies, this is Dudley Dursley, my cousin. Dudley, these are Lady Hermione Potter-Ravenclaw, née Granger, Lady Daphne Potter-Slytherin, née Greengrass and Lady Susan Potter-Hufflepuff, who also keeps her Bones family name. I'm now Lord Potter-Gryffindor-Peverell-Slytherin on my own right, and Lord Ravencalw-Hufflepuff-Bones through my wives."

"Wow, man! That's quite a list of titles you've got! Do I need to know anything about them?" Dudley was highly impressed.

"Well, each title has a story, and they mean quite a lot in some circles, but I don't think they should bother you. I'd like you to get to know the ladies, though, and I think we all need to get to know each other better. You've certainly changed since I last saw you."

Dudley grimaced. "Do you mean I'm fatter? I've started eating healthier since summer vacation, but it doesn't seem to make me lose weight."

Harry took a good look at his cousin. "No, you're not fatter. I dare say you're even slimmer, but you've probably grown much taller recently, just like I have. You also look more muscular."

Dudley smiled. "I'm training three times a week, while at school."

Harry acknowledged this with a nod, but continued talking. "I think that the main difference is in the way you act. You're more mature now, I think."

Dudley smiled. "I hope so, at least. The more I think of it, the less I like the way my parents treated you. I hope we can overcome that and become the family we should have always been."

It went quite smoothly after that. They spent some time talking and getting to know each other. Dudley's sincerity became clearer. He knew he wasn't very smart nor fast thinking, and he tried his best to become a better person despite everything else. When they accompanied him back to the train station, they were all friends.

"I would have spent more time with you, but Mom insisted that I come home for lunch," Dudley apologized.

"My parents were also concerned about lunch," Hermione added. "Luckily, they have their work to occupy them, so they had to accept our promise that we'd take care of it."

"We may not be able to meet again during the winter holidays, but I really want us to meet again. May I call you?"

Hermione gave it a moment of thought. "You can call us while on vacation. I don't think you should call when we're at school. I doubt there's any reception there, and the phone may not survive the magical environment."

Dudley shrugged. "I'm not even allowed to bring a mobile phone to school. Will you take the Easter vacation?"

Harry looked at his wives questioningly. None seemed to know. "We don't really have an Easter vacation – it's more like an extended weekend. With the time it takes to travel, almost everybody stays at school. We'll be in touch during the summer vacation, though."

"Fine. I hope to see you more often during the summer." Dudley shook hands with Harry and then surprised him by giving him a quick hug. He then shook hands with the girls and moved into the train station.

Harry felt quite content after the parting from Dudley, feeling that his cousin was finally becoming the family he should have always been, and maybe his aunt as well. He was looking at his future with more hope than ever before.