The Cupboard Series 5: United We Stand ...

Chapter 16

Harry led the way into the Hospital wing, knowing that what was coming wasn't going to be fun but was something that needed to happen. Right behind him were Mike and Susan, so at least he knew he had some support, although they were likely to also be a bit distracted by Mark and Melody who were bringing up the rear, trying very hard to be as inconspicuous as possible.

"Good afternoon, Madam Jeffries," Harry said, sticking his head into the Healer's office.

"Oh, hello, Harry," she replied, looking up from the paperwork that she was doing at her desk. "Is there something that I can help you with?"

"No, I just wanted to let you know that the Evans' and I are here to see Petunia and Dudley," he replied. "We'd appreciate it if we weren't disturbed at all."

"Well, you can be sure that I won't be going anywhere – I'm not sure what I do more of, treating patients or paperwork," she smiled. "Feel free to put up a privacy ward in case anyone comes in needing me."

"Thanks, I'll do that," Harry replied.

With that, he pulled away from the doorframe that he was leaning on and led the rest of the way to the two occupied beds.

"Hello, Harry. Mike, Susan, I assume that these are your two?" Petunia said, looking at Mark and Melody trying to hide behind their parents.

"Hello, Petunia," Mike replied and reached back to pull Mark out in front of him. "Petunia, Dudley, I'd like you to meet your cousins, Mark and Melody."

"It's nice to meet you," Petunia smiled. "You can call me Aunt Petunia, if you like."

"I don't like you!" Melody blurted, staring at Dudley. "You hurt us and stole our money!"

"Dudley?" a confused-sounding Petunia asked, staring at her son.

For his part, Dudley tried to shrink into his bed, his eyes darting about at everyone there.

"Fine. I'm sorry," he eventually grumbled.

"I ... I had no idea," Petunia near-whispered, still staring at her son, perhaps seeing him for the very first time. "We'll be talking about this later, Dudley."

Dudley nodded and then his eyes widened at the sight of Harry with his wand out. "What are you doing with your ... thing?"

"I'm making it so that no one else can hear our conversation," Harry replied. "I thought that it was time that we had an Evans Family meeting."

"Who put you in charge?" Dudley demanded. "I'm older than you and my Mum was older than your mum, even."

"If you want to go down that route, Dudley, then my Father was older than your grandfather," Mike pointed out, "but magically, Harry's the Head of the family and this is his school."

Harry stared thoughtfully at Mike. He was right; if you traced the Lomas family line down, Mike was the Head, although being a muggle, that position would actually fall to Mark. He'd just never thought about it before as there was no family tapestry like there was with the other two Families. He'd have to give that some thought. Later, though; there were other things to think about now.

The five of them pulled up chairs between the two beds and sat.

"What is this meeting about, Harry?" Petunia asked warily.

"Actually, Aunt Petunia, it's about you and Dudley," he replied.

Petunia's eyes darted across to her son before snapping back to pierce Harry with a wary look.