Cicatrices- Marks That Remain

Wound Up

Happy Sunday, Dear Readers!Here's this week's chapter! I am sorry that I haven't posted in a little while, but I promise I'm working diligently on the fic!Please, let me know what y'all think, and, as always...Enjoy

Harry stood at the front step of Dudley Dursley's house with his stomach in his throat and his heart threatening to beat out of his chest.

"If you've decided to reconnect with your cousin, ensure that it is because you want to, and not because you feel as though you need to."

And, well, Harry thought he did want to? But, he also needed to- for himself, because ever since pub night at the Three Broomsticks, he has dreamed every night about Teddy in the presence of a serial killer, and Teddy often looked far too much like Harry, and every time, he morphed into Dudley's future child, who looked far too much like Teddy and Harry, locked in a cupboard as punishment for making freakish things happen by accident, like his hair changing to a shock of teal, or appearing on the chimney of his school in an effort to escape bullies.

Dr Sereno said that it sounded a lot like Harry wanted to protect Dudley's child, and Harry protested that no, he actually just wanted to talk to Dudley. For closure. Then, Dr Sereno asked Harry what they would talk about.

Don't hurt him, was the first thought that came to him. He may be magical. It doesn't make him a freak. He deserves to feel loved. He deserves to be protected. And then Dr Sereno pointed out that Harry doesn't know the sex of the child.

Harry wasn't sure what to say to that.

"He wrote about magic like it was a disease," Harry argued to Sereno, however weak the argument was.

"He has a right, I think, as a first parent, to be worried for the well-being of his child. He doesn't understand magic any more than most purebloods understand Muggle life, Harry. Do you think that, maybe, that's why he wrote to you? So he can try to understand?"

Dudley opened the door to his home- a cosy-looking house in Ashford, Surrey, about half an hour north of Little Whinging. Harry's heart was threatening to choke him.

"Hey," Dudley said, standing at the threshold awkwardly. The first thing that Harry noted was the remarkable amount of weight he'd lost. Really, Harry only recognised Dudley from his eyes and hair.

"Hey," Harry responded, feeling at just as much of a loss.

"Er, Thanks for... responding to my letter. Uh... Come on in."

Dudley moved aside, and Harry found himself hesitating at the door. Just move, he told himself. Why are you stuck here? Just-

Harry stepped over the threshold as Dudley closed the door behind him and led him to the sitting room.

"Ellie's at the market, but she should be back any second."

Harry nodded, figuring Ellie must be his girlfriend- or, wife. Harry wasn't sure.

"Er, would you like some tea?" Dudley was opening the cabinets and pulling out a tin of loose leaf before Harry could respond. Harry thought it just as well. He didn't know how to respond.

Why did I do this? Why am I here? This was a stupid idea. Stupid, stupid-

"Hey, Dud, I'm back. Has Harry arrived yet- Oh! Hello, sorry I've got an arm full of groceries-" Harry froze as she approached him, shopping-and-all, to place a kiss on his cheek. "I'm Ellie. I've heard so much about you!"

Ellie was a tall woman with soft eyes and a kind smile, as well as long, brown hair that curled slightly at the ends. She did not look like the kind of person he'd have associated with Dudley. And, she did not look very pregnant at all. He wondered if she and Hermione might be on a similar timeline.