Traveling down the hall toward his and Draco's maths class, Dudley ventured a glance toward the windows. It was May now and from Dudley's experience that meant he could finally go outside without a jacket again. Yes, they were only two days in, and it'd been a miserable first two days with the near constant rain, but perhaps it'd cleared up since breakfast. Maybe there was even some sunshine to bask in. After the last couple of weeks of unusually heavy rain, Dudley was ready for some fresh air. Maybe he would even play a game of football with some classmates if he got the chance.

When Dudley turned his head, instead of seeing the sky outside, he found his gaze landing on a couple. It was his roommate, Rodney Fletcher and his girlfriend, Brenda Ashland. Watching the two smile at one another as they leaned in to share a kiss, he felt his face heat up as he averted his eyes in both embarrassment and jealousy.

Rodney was a nice enough bloke. He'd shown Draco and Dudley the ropes of Deighton with nary a complaint their first week at school and remained a casual mate to eat lunch alongside and resource for homework and the like, but that was all he was. These days, because of Harry's war, Dudley wasn't very comfortable making serious friends. With the way things were, Dudley knew it was likely he and his family would be moving again any day now. Maybe they would even relocate abroad. Dad had been scoping out a house in America the last time they talked.

But Dudley supposed he should count himself lucky still. He had Draco, who, for all intents and purposes, was his cousin now (though, Dudley would still prefer Harry at his side any day) and wasn't going to leave him any time soon. Glancing once to his "cousin", Dudley curled his lips into a grimace.

There were new dark smudges beneath Draco's eyes. Dudley wondered what his friend was worrying about now. Had he spent half the night up listening to his wizard radio again? Perhaps he had heard something about his parents or old friends? Maybe about Harry? Though, it was more likely the first two. Whenever there was news about Harry, Draco always shared it with Dudley.

Draco knew Dudley worried just as much about his cousin as Draco worried about his mother, after all.

Abruptly, Draco froze. Startled into stopping himself, Dudley asked, "What's wrong?"

Gray eyes wide and awed, Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out a little coin. After staring at it for a long moment, he re-pocketed it and reached into his other pants pocket and pulled out what looked to be a collectible trading card of some kind. Turning his head, he gave Dudley a grin that was part elated and part vicious. "It's time!" he said, eyes wild.

"Time for what?" Dudley asked.

Shaking his head, Draco just repeated, "It's time!" Then, all jubilance gone, he told Dudley, "I'm sorry, but I have to go. Call Vernon."

And with that, Draco disappeared in a whirling motion that drew several students' attentions.

Frowning in his direction, Rodney asked, "Wasn't Drake beside you?"

Dumbfounded, Dudley said, "He was, but he's gone now."

"Gone where?" Brenda asked, frowning.

Dudley couldn't find it in himself to lie. Shrugging his shoulders, hands facing up and outward, he answered, "I don't know."

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

Ring Ring

"Hello Dad, Drake disappeared."

"What do you mean?"

"We were walking to maths when he said, 'It's time' and vanished."

"Time for what?"

"I don't know!"

"Drake wouldn't just disappear for something that's not important, right? What could have made him do that vanishing thing wizards do?"

"…Harry. Dad, check the watch! What if he's dead? Oh God, Dad!"

"Calm down, Dudley. Just give me a minute. Loraine! Loraine! Get the emergency suitcase! Harry's hand has fallen off the watch! Oh, Harry…"

"Harry's…? He… How…"

"Harry, my boy. I should have never let h-him…"

"D-Dad? Dad, please tell me what's happening!"

"Dudley? This is Loraine. I took the phone from your dad. Harry's… His hand fell off the pocket watch. Your dad explained what that means, right?"

"Y-Yes…"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I wish we could be there with you right now. I know this is very, very hard for you – for all of us – but can you hang in there for me and your dad? We should be at Deighton's in a little over an hour if we leave in the next few minutes."

"I can m-manage. Can I… Can I talk to Dad really quick?"

"Yes, one second…"

"What is it, Dudley?"

"In case… In case something happens, I want to say, I love you, Dad."

"I-I love you too, son."

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

Leaning on the frame of the open doorway to Samantha's bedroom, Vernon kept his stepdaughter's phone pressed firmly to his ear as scratchy pop jingles played on the other side of the line. He had been on hold with the airline for almost twenty minutes now. Frustration building on top of his grief, Vernon attempted to release some of his many pent up emotions by tapping his foot while distracting himself by focusing on his wife as she attempted to pack a duffel bag for Samantha.

However, when Loraine went to put a pair of shorts in the bag, Samantha, face set into an expression of vexation, dropped the box of mementos she was going through to rip them away from her mother.

"Stop!" she snapped. "I don't need those!"

"Yes you do," Loraine said. "Florida is hot this time of year I hear."

The young woman rolled her eyes and nudged her mother aside as she put a pair of pictures in one of the duffel's pockets. "No, Mum, I don't!" she argued. "I'm just going to go across town and stay with Justin for a couple of weeks. We've become quite serious this year and he won't mind."

Tightening his grip on the phone, Vernon held his breath in fear of how Loraine was going to take her daughter's decision. Vernon had known since before their move last year that Samantha had no plans to follow them to America if things took another ugly turn. They'd talked about it once after her mother had nodded off following a movie night at their place.

Vernon couldn't say he was happy about her decision to stay in England, especially now with… with Harry dead 'Don't focus on that, Vernon, you have Loraine and Dudley to protect still!', but he had come to respect her choice after seeing that she weighed the risks. If she understood what could happen by staying in Harlow and still wanted to, Vernon had no right to force her along to Florida.

Their world was probably going to end either way, he figured. Part of Vernon even envied Samantha for being strong enough to stay here in England where her death would be much more certain and swifter than his, Loraine and Dudley's. Vernon himself was not a very brave man, however, and he would rather run and live another day with death hanging over his head than to just die.

Loraine didn't feel quite the same yet, as she was still holding onto the delusion that in America they would finally be safe and could live in peace. Vernon knew she would realize the wasn't the case soon enough and part of him mourned for that day because he was sure it would be the last time his wife ever smiled.

"But Samantha," Loraine pleaded in a warbling tone. "You could die if you stay!"

Carefully avoiding her mother's eyes as she maneuvered around her to return to her wardrobe, Samantha said, "I could die in America too. At least if it happens here I know Dad will make sure I'm buried next to Grandma."

"Samantha!" Loraine choked, her horror at the very thought clear in the way she said her daughter's name.

A shirt clutched tightly in her fist as she turned to face her mother, Samantha said, "I'm not afraid to die, Mum. After you… After you almost die, the fear kind of goes away. I don't want to die, but I'm okay with the possibility now. I want to stay here, with my friends, with Justin. I'd hate to be so far from Dad and Grandpa too. I'd rather die in a place I love and with people who care near me rather than in a strange place where no one knows me."

"Love, you'd have us," Loraine whispered. However, when she saw this had no affect on Samantha's determined expression, Loraine looked to Vernon. Her eyes big, wet, and begging, she asked, "Don't you have something to say about this? Surely you don't think this is a wise decision after everything that has happened either, Vernon!"

Vernon licked his lips, prepared to break his wife's heart, when Dudley suddenly appeared at Vernon's side, a huge grin on his face and tear stains on his cheek.

"Dad! Dad! Draco's back!" he cried.

Nearly dropping the phone in his hand, Vernon sputtered, "W-What?"

"He's back! He says they won! The light won! They won!"

Letting Samantha's phone fall from his fingers, Vernon gave a laugh. They weren't going to die! They were safe! Grabbing his son, Vernon embraced him tightly before moving onto Loraine and Samantha. When Draco appeared a few moments later in the doorway, he swept the dirty young man into a hug too. But, when he had hugged them all, he started to look for–

Vernon's joy left him in an instant. "This is–" he stopped. A bitter smile on his lips, he said, "It's great. No, this is amazing. I just wish… Well, I guess he died a hero's death didn't he? Your people are probably mourning for him too. Harry, your savior, dead before he could see the peace he brought your people."

Draco frowned at Vernon. "Harry dead? What? No, he's not dead. I mean, I think they're saying he died for a little bit, but he's alive now," he told him.

Vernon had to take a seat. Flopping down on Samantha's bed, Vernon ran a hand through his thinning hair and just stared at Draco. "He's… He's alive? Our Harry, he's alive? But the hand–"

"Like I said," Draco cut in, "They're saying he died for a little bit, but he's alive now."

Vernon began to laugh. He laughed until tears fell from his eyes. Finally, when he was in control of himself again, he asked Draco, "Did you see him? He's not… Harry's not laid up in a hospital bed somewhere, is he?"

Draco smiled. "No, he's fine. Battered like a lot of us, but he when I saw him, he was talking to Granger and Weasley. He waved at me, when he saw me. He was even the one who asked me to make sure you were all fine and to tell you it's over."

"Thank you, Drake… Draco," Loraine said, reaching over to give the teenager's cheek a kiss.

Nodding, Draco said, "It's the least I could do, after, well, everything. I promise, when things settle down, I'll have my mother pay you back."

Vernon shook his head. "You don't have to pay us back for anything, Draco," Vernon told the boy. "You're as good as family now."

Gaping at him, Draco sputtered, "But I – You – I owe you."

"By telling us Harry's alive, you've given us the greatest gift we could ever wish for," Loraine proclaimed, grinning.

Vernon found he agreed as he favored Draco with a smile. "Loraine's right. Here we were trying to hold back our grief so we could get away and you come, tell us we don't have to leave our home and not just that, but Harry, our nephew and cousin is alive. Draco, no amount of money will ever be equal to what you've just given us."

Draco still frowned, obviously doubting what Vernon said, but he nodded, allowing the argument to drop.

Hesitantly, Dudley asked, "Did Harry say when he'd come by?"

"No," Draco replied. "But I can let him know you want to see him when I go back to Hogwarts in a while?" he offered.

Dudley nodded. "Please," he said.

Putting a hand on Draco's shoulder, Vernon felt the compulsion to add, "Let Harry know, though, he doesn't have to rush back. We'll be okay for a bit if he wants to take some time to rest or get things squared away in your world first."

"I will," Draco promised.

Clapping her hands together then, Loraine took charge and said, "Okay, everyone, scoot to the kitchen. Draco looks like he could use something to eat and I'm sure there are things he needs to tell us about as well? I know I have a few questions about what happens now if not."

Smiling at Loraine, Vernon reached for her hand and gave it a kiss. "Thank you, love, for always being on top of things."

Eyes warm, she beamed a gaped-tooth grin at Vernon before herding them all out of Samantha's bedroom and toward the tiny kitchen of the young woman's flat.

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

Harry didn't come home the day of the battle. Nor did he come home the day after, or the day after that. By the time Harry's war was a week done, Vernon had to, much to Dudley's protest, send him back to Deighton to finish out the school year.

"This isn't fair! I deserve to be here to welcome Harry home just like you and Loraine!" Dudley had cried.

In reply, Vernon said (quite cruelly, he realized now), "Life isn't fair. When does anyone deserve anything?"

Dudley had looked so shocked for a moment, as it was so rare for Vernon to deny his son anything when it could be helped, before his face settled into a steely coldness. "Fine then," he'd hissed. "Remember that when you're dying and all you want is to see is me or your grandchild one last time."

Vernon knew (hoped) Dudley didn't mean it and that he was just angry. Dudley was young still, despite everything. He didn't realize yet the world couldn't stop for just one person – no matter how much they may wish it to. When (and if) Harry came home, it wouldn't be hard to give Deighton a call so that the two could talk to one another. Or, if by the time Harry came home Dudley was too, they could trade tales and laughter right in the living room.

Jostled from his thoughts by Loraine's shifting head, Vernon smiled down at her when he saw she was staring up with sleepy eyes.

"Hello," he whispered.

Sitting up, she ran a hand through her bangs and gave a quiet little sigh. "I'm sorry, I fell asleep on you during the movie, didn't I?" she asked.

Vernon chuckled. "You did," he said, "I don't mind. It's sweet when you fall asleep like that."

"Sweet? Half the time I end up drooling on your shirt," Loraine mumbled.

Leaning over, Vernon gave his wife's cheek a kiss. "It dries, dear."

Loraine gave a quiet laugh. "Thanks," she said. "I think, though, I'll head off to bed. Are you coming?"

He held up the book he'd been pretending to read since the movie the two of them were watching went to the end credits. "When I'm done with the chapter," Vernon promised.

"It must be a difficult read, you've been on that chapter for almost a week," Loraine remarked with a smile that was a little too knowing.

He knew she was giving him the chance to talk to her about Dudley, Harry too, if he wanted. Vernon, though, wanted to speak of neither boy. It felt like bad luck to him to just say their names aloud these days, it always lead to worry-lines and shouting. After so much worrying and fighting, Vernon was happier to keep his son and nephew to his private thoughts.

"Savoring it," he said, after a long moment.

Nodding, Loraine lifted her hand in parting before padding toward their bedroom.

When Vernon was certain that there was no chance that she would come back, he dropped the book on the sofa and tipped his head back. Giving a deep sigh, he brought a hand to his forehead and began to massage his aching temple. What was he going to do when Dudley came home on Friday? Would his son expect an apology from him? Vernon wasn't sure he owed the boy one, no matter what Loraine said.

He had told his son the truth. It was a harshly worded truth, but one nonetheless and to apologize for it felt like saying it wasn't true.

"What am I going to do?" he mumbled to himself.

"About what?"

Vernon jumped up from the sofa, scrabbling for the self-defense spray he kept on him at all times now. When he turned, can poised at ready, Vernon gasped. "Harry!" he exclaimed.

The young man's lips quirked upward. "Hello, Uncle Vernon," he replied.

"What are you doing here?" Vernon asked.

The smile disappeared altogether from Harry's face. "I came to see you," he said. "Unless you didn't want me to?"

"No! No! Of course I want to see you… We all want to see you. Dudley, Loraine, Samantha and myself."

Harry gave a disbelieving snort. "Yes, I'm sure Samantha and Loraine are dying to see me."

"They are. They love you, Harry," Vernon said.

The young man raised an eyebrow. "Really? After… After what I did."

"They don't blame you for that," Vernon assured.

Harry again, gave a small, almost mocking laugh. "Sure they don't," he sneered.

Vernon tiredly ran a hand through his hair. "Fine, don't believe me. Ask them over brunch tomorrow. We're all going out for Loraine's birthday."

Eyebrows shooting to his hairline, Harry asked, "You're inviting me to brunch tomorrow?"

"Why wouldn't I? You're my nephew and part of our family. I'm also guessing you don't have a big science test tomorrow? From what Draco told us, that school of yours, Hogwarts, is pretty beat up from your war and classes for the rest of the year are cancelled."

Frowning deeply, Harry shook his head. "This doesn't make sense," he said.

"What doesn't make sense?" Vernon questioned, confused.

Harry pointed at Vernon. "You don't! My hand fell off that watch I gave you, but you aren't yelling at me for being dead or for making you think I was! It's like you don't care!"

"Of course I care!"

"You sure have a strange way of showing it!"

Vernon threw his hands up. "What do you want me to do, Harry? Yell at you! Because I can do that! I can yell at you until I'm blue in the face, but it won't change anything, now will it? No!" he shouted.

His face bright red and shoulders tensed into rigid points, Harry exploded, "IF YOU DID, AT LEAST I WOULD KNOW YOU LOVED ME EVEN A LITTLE!"

Vernon staggered back like he'd been shoved, rather than screamed at. Clutching at his chest, Vernon just stared at his nephew as his heart twisted with a familiar feeling of pain and loss.

"After all this time, you still don't think I love you?" Vernon whispered.

Harry crossed his arms. "I asked you before, Uncle Vernon, when should I have figured it out? When you gave Dudley everything he asked for, but not me? When you told Dudley he was strong, clever and meant for big things while telling me to stop being so mousey, sullen and that you expected me to become nothing more than a librarian? How about every time we came home from school, Uncle Vernon? Do you even realize what you do when you see Dudley? You smile and it makes you look ten years younger. Do you know what would happen when you saw me? That smile always, always fell and you'd look like you aged a decade right in front of me."

Struggling to get out an answer over the lump in his throat, Vernon rubbed a harsh hand across his eyes as he finally choked, "When I thought you – you died, all the air left my lungs. I felt like I couldn't breath. The last time I felt like that was when your Aunt Petunia passed away. Harry, I loved your aunt. God, sometimes I don't think I even love Loraine as much as I loved her.

"I feel so guilty about that too, because Loraine is such an amazing woman and she deserves all the love I can give her and more. She helped keep me steady through that mess of a war and sacrificed so much more than I could have ever expected her to. The only thing, Harry, I feel more guilty about than what I put Loraine through is what I did to you."

When Vernon took a moment to pause for breath, he searched Harry's face for any hint to what his nephew was feeling. However, he found nothing. Harry's lips were still pressed thin in silent judgment and his eyes were just as hard as they were when Vernon began his speech. Licking his lips, Vernon composed the last of his apology with great care, hoping it would prove to Harry just how sorry he was for the bad blood that lay between them.

"When I took you in, I didn't think of you as a blessing. Not really, I see now. To me, you seemed as if you were a repayment for the wife and unborn child I lost. As something I deserved, I suppose. Then, I tried to raise you like Dudley. Like you two were identical twins rather than the two individuals you are. I told you to be tough when you just wanted someone to hold you. I made unfair judgements about your character without even really knowing who you are. I asked things of you that I never should have.

"I expected you to just see that I was trying to do my best by you when even I was doubting how good a father I was being. I'm sorry, Harry. So, so sorry that all I ever did was fail you. But, even though I can lay no claim, I'm proud of the man you've become despite everything. If I could, I would go back and do things differently. But I can't. The best I can give you now is my sincerest apologies and hope that we can salvage something from this disaster of a relationship and use it as a basis for a better one."

Harry just stared at Vernon, face hard.

Vernon was about to say please, but then thought better of it. It would be too much like begging and Vernon feared Harry would find the act disingenuous and not accept his apology or offer for a better future.

Finally Harry opened his mouth, but just as quickly, he shut it. Turning away swiftly, the young man asked in a tone that wavered toward a whimper, "You're proud of me?"

"Yes, Harry, yes," Vernon whispered, daring to take a step toward his nephew.

Back still to him, Harry began to shake as he bit out through repressed sobs, "But – You – Why?"

"Because I know what you've done. I know what you gave up to do it and I realize that lesser men, me, for example, would have given up or died a long time ago if they were in your shoes. I'm proud of the fact you never gave up, that you were strong enough to withstand all that was thrown at you, and, most of all, I'm proud of how you've proven me wrong time and time again."

Spinning around, Harry wrapped his arms around Vernon and began to cry outright. Gently, Vernon extracted an arm out of the embrace so that he could lay it on his nephew's back.

"Hush, Harry, hush," he whispered. "It's okay. Now, there's one last thing I want you to know. No matter what you decide, I'm proud of you and I always will be."

At his promise, Vernon swore he could feel the last of the tension leave Harry, but even so, he had to remind himself that it meant nothing. Harry could still decide he was done with Vernon, done with the pain Vernon put him through and… and Vernon would just have to accept that.

No matter how much it would hurt.

Finally, when Harry's sobs tapered off, he let go of Vernon. Harry's red, puffy face inscrutable, Vernon had to hold his breath; hope for the best and fear for the worst in the same heart beat. Finally, face breaking into a tentative smile, Harry asked, "What time is brunch tomorrow?"

THE END!

Well, actually, I'm thinking a little epilogue might be in order, thoughts on that?

Was it a satisfying ending or did it feel lacking to you?