The Boy Who Was Given Up

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The scolding and the "incident"

Once Draco had willed his wings back into his body, with Harry's help, they ran down to the Great Hall, eager for the day's events. In their haste, they startled half of the Slytherin dorm awake. It was Saturday, and everyone else had been trying to sleep in. Harry and Draco, however, did not care.

When they arrived at the Great Hall, they ran to their respective tables, huge smiles on their faces. They could barely keep still with excitement.

Everyone around them looked confused. The boys were usually secretive, rarely letting anyone see their true selves. Yet now they were beaming. Despite the surprise, everyone was happy to see them so carefree.

A few minutes after they entered, the rest of their friend group arrived. All of them froze, mouths agape, at the sight of Harry and Draco's smiles.

"Umm, guys?" Pansy asked cautiously.

"Yeah, Pansy?" Harry replied happily.

"Why are you so... happy?" she asked suspiciously.

"Because, Pansy dearest, we have some special guests coming today," Harry said, still grinning.

"On that note," Draco added, pointing to the door, "look who's here!"

Dudley entered, completely in awe of the hall.

Harry ran over and gave him a massive bear hug. "Dud! It's so good to see you!"

"You too, Har. I've missed you. And look at this place! No wonder you love it here!" Dudley yelled happily.

"Yeah, it's pretty cool, huh?" Harry replied, looking around. "Hey, are Mom and Narcissa here?"

"Nah, they were getting tired of me asking when we were coming, so they sent me early. They'll be here in half an hour," Dudley said casually.

"Okay, cool. Oh, Dud, come meet my other friends," Harry said, pulling Dudley toward the Slytherin table.

"Dudley, you already know Dray," Harry said, gesturing to Draco, who waved casually. "Good to see you again, mate."

Dudley nodded and smiled. "And this is Theo, Blaise, and Pansy," Harry said, pointing to each of them.

"Nice to meet you," they all said, smiling.

"So, um, who are you?" Pansy asked politely.

"Oh right, sorry, guys. This is Dudley, my brother," Harry said beaming.

"Ohhh, so that's why you're in such a good mood this morning," Pansy said, laughing.

"Yep," Harry said casually, and the conversation continued as normal.

After breakfast, Harry and Draco were in the middle of a grand tour when Snape appeared around the corner.

"Ah, there you are, boys. Your mothers are in the hall waiting for you," Snape said.

"Thanks, Sev," Harry replied, walking toward the hall.

"Wait, Har. I had to sit through the last headmaster crying incident. Can I just keep exploring here?" Dudley pleaded.

Harry chuckled. "Sure thing, Dud."

"But if anyone gives you grief, you come straight to me," Harry added, his tone serious.

"Of course, Har," Dudley said, smiling, and walked off happily.

When Harry and Draco reached the hall, they saw Petunia and Narcissa talking to James at the head table. Only a few students were still eating, so the boys ran into their mothers' arms.

They all laughed and greeted each other happily.

"Wait, where's Dud?" Petunia asked as Harry climbed out of her tight embrace.