Harry Potter Characters X Reader

16: Cringe

TW: divorce. Rating: E-boy POV TikToks (aka nasty-nasty sim)

"Dad, why...why have I never met Harry?" I asked, looking at the Christmas card.

"I... I wasn't always a good person, honey. Neither were your grandparents. Harry lived with us after his parents died, but we never...treated him properly. Things still aren't normal. They never will be, I'm afraid."

"What do you mean?" I asked, looking up to see a pained expression on his face.

"See... Your grandparents and I were neglectful to downright abusive towards Harry. I don't think I'll ever be able to make up for it. There's nothing I can say or do to make it alright."

"Have you tried?" I asked simply. "He hasn't cut you off, you know. That means something, dad."

"I know, honey."

"I want to meet them, Harry and his wife and his kids."

"I do too. Maybe we will someday," he assured sympathetically, his hand moving to my back.

"Promise me you'll mention it casually in the Christmas card this year. You and I both know you haven't thought to send it yet."

"Damn, you know me too well. But I promise."

"Thank you."

***

A week later, my dad's phone rang while he was taking the trash out. I grabbed it off the counter to see 'Harry P'. That had to be Harry Potter, right?

"Hello?" I asked uncertainly.

"This is Dudley Dursley's phone, right?"

"Yeah, it's his daughter, [y/n]. Are you...are you Harry Potter?"

"Yep," he confirmed. "Where's your dad?"

"He's coming back in. Is this about the Christmas card?"

"Yeah. I was wondering what you guys are doing for Christmas or New Years."

"I-We can meet you and your family?" I asked excitedly.

"If things work out."

"I'm not letting dad say no. The only thing in the way is my mum, but I think I can convince her."

"Why wasn't she on the card this year?" Harry asked as the door opened.

"Divorced," I said simply.

"Do you live with your dad?"

"Yeah."

"Huh, normally divorced kids go to their mum's, don't they?"

"Yeah, but I didn't want to go with her. I fought to stay with dad."

"Really? Why?"

"I didn't want to move and change schools and everything. Plus...my mom's really strict and can go just a bit nutty sometimes."

"So Dudley's a good dad?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," I said simply, shrugging for some reason even though I was on the phone. "He tells me if I'm being dumb but still lets me make my own mistakes to learn from. My mum...she doesn't even give me a chance to make a mistake," I explained.

"What did I say about your shoes?" Dad called.

"My dad's back in, so I suppose..."

"It was nice to talk to you, [y/n]. I can't wait to meet you."

"You too," I replied, feeling a grin rise.

"Dad," I called, lowering the phone. "Phone! It's Harry."