The Halfwolf (Year 1)

A Family Reunion of sorts

Harry's POV

"Gin you didn't." he said just as the doorbell rang. Ginny grinned quickly at him as he stood. "I'll deal with you later. Bloody hell, I didn't need this before I even had coffee." He grumbled as he stalked from the kitchen and down the front hall. He reached the front door and took a deep, calming breath. He then pulled open the door and was standing face to face with the last person on this planet he wanted to see.

"Morning, Dudley." Dudley Dursley, his cousin that he hated his entire childhood, stood before him on his front porch, looking nervous. He was considerably trimmer than he remembered him, but still broad shouldered and round headed. His blonde hair was ruffled across his head, much unlike the plastered look that his mother, Aunt Petunia, always arranged it in.

"Hullo, Harry." He said quietly in a gruff voice. "I really appreciate you allowing us to come see you. I mean, you're the only person I've ever known from this world and all, so I thought maybe you could..." Harry looked at his cousin in confusion Dudley closed his mouth. "Your, um, wife didn't tell you why I called, did she?" Harry shook his head. Dudley took a breath and turned himself slightly and tugged his hand forward, and a little girl with strawberry blonde hair peeked out from behind him. Harry stared from the little girl to Dudley. Thoughts whirled around his head; insults he could throw. But he decided against it in front of the child. Dudley cleared his throat, still looking at the little girl. "This," he said, now looking up at his cousin, "is Mary. My daughter. I think," He said, clearing his throat, "I think she's a witch," he said quietly. Harry's eyes widened in surprise. He stood there a moment, just staring at them, before he spoke again.

"Are, are you sure, Dudley?" he asked, clearing his own throat. Dudley nodded slowly. Harry looked down at the little girl, who was trying to hide behind her father as best she could. He smiled. "Well, why don't you all come in? Bit chilly out here, yea? Ginny's made a wonderful breakfast, and you've not gotten to meet my children yet. Come in, come in." Harry beckoned them inside and took their coats, hanging them on the hooks inside the door. Dudley watched him curiously.

"You have children?" he asked.

"Three, well, four actually." Dudley looked startled. Harry smiled. "come on, I'll introduce you." Harry started towards the kitchen door at the end of the hall, Dudley and Mary following closely behind him. He pushed open the kitchen door and looked around the table. He caught Ginny's eye and narrowed his own at her. She grinned at him again.

"Forget to mention something, dear?" He asked sweetly. He held open the door for Dudley and Mary to enter the kitchen. Everyone stared at the newcomers. "Everyone, this is my cousin Dudley and his daughter, Mary." He said, looking around the table. His eyes stopped on Ginny again and he stared into her eyes as he continued. "Mary is a witch." The children around the table all waved and made sounds of greeting. Harry smiled and shook his head at Ginny as she blushed furiously. She mouthed a 'sorry' at him, which he just smiled and nodded at her. "Dudley, Mary, this is my family. You've of course spoken to Ginny," he indicated her at the end of the table, "And these are my children. Lily is our youngest, she's just there in the highchair. Albus is next, he's four. Albus get your nose out of that sketchbook a moment, would ya?" Albus looked up quickly and gave a small wave. Harry shook his head. "James is next, he's 6." James smiled toothily at them. "And Teddy here is 11. He's my godson, just as much my son as either Albus or James. These two then," he indicated Zach and Gretchen, "Are Zach and Gretchen Finch-Fletchy, friends of Teddy's here for the holidays." He motioned to the two empty places at the table, "Please, sit. Tell me what's going on."