Dudley Dursley and the Knights of Walpurgis

Monday, August 6, 2018

"We got another letter from Mr. Malfoy today," Sophie said as Dudley changed out of his work clothes. "They've set the Diagon Alley trip for this Saturday. Lunch at that little pub, then shopping for the children's school supplies and then a snack at the ice cream parlour before we leave. Sounds nice, doesn't it?"

"Doubt if they really want more of a crowd there than is necessary," Dudley said, glancing at Sophie as he put on his slippers. "Think the boys and I might stay home."

"Why would you want to do that?" Sophie asked, scowling. "We're supporting Daphne, or have you decided to agree with your parents on that?" Her voice was starting to rise, which Dudley really didn't want.

Dudley glared. "It's shopping," he said. "When have I ever wanted to go shopping? I've already been to that place once, not really looking forward to doing it again. You've both been there, know your way around. We'll give Daphne a little extra, let her go wild in the book shop, and I'll keep the boys here, out of trouble and out of that joke shop. Don't you think that'll work better?"

He wasn't sure which would be worse, fighting with Sophie or losing another Saturday to shopping. "Hey, if they're not starting until lunchtime, maybe you two girls can go get pampered a bit. If she's going away to school, she's old enough for a little of that, and you can combine bonding and pampering. What do you think?"

Sophie's expression said she saw right through him, but would let him get away with it in exchange for some premium pampering. Dudley gave himself a pat on the back until he thought about how much this would cost him. Still, better to keep the peace.

Daphne was sitting in the lounge with stack of her new schoolbooks and her laptop, busily typing away. Dudley sat down next to her and asked what she was doing and tried to listen to a twenty-minute discussion about spells, potions and the general unfairness of life that electricity and magic don't work together. Then she looked up at Dudley and asked, "Daddy, why does Scorpius keep asking if I have enough to eat?"

Dudley felt his ears get warm. "Your grandparents and I didn't treat Harry very well. It probably has something to do with that."

"He said he heard his dad say something about witches and the Bible, too. He keeps asking if I'm all right." Dudley looked up as Sophie walked into the room.

"It's probably nothing, sweetheart," she said as she looked at Dudley. "Now, clean up this mess you've made."

That evening, before working out how much cash to give Sophie for the weekend, Dudley wrote to Harry.

Dear Harry,

Daphne's been getting some strange questions from Scorpius Malfoy. Do you know what's going on there?

Dudley Dursley

He hoped Harry would be confused by the question.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Draco handed the latest list of responses for the Diagon Alley trip to Tori. "Does this mean anything I should worry about?" he asked. "Or is this just all the husbands doing their best to get out of shopping?"

Tori looked over the list. "It's all, well most, of the husbands trying to get out of shopping, and not needing entire extended families to be involved. There are some grandmothers and aunts, but mostly it's mothers and the children." She smiled. "I don't see anything to worry about. Do you have a problem with some of the women I know coming along to help and advise?"

"Not at all; it would be a relief," Draco said. "How are the committees coming along?"

"Well. I finally decided how to handle Hermione Weasley."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Are you going to put her on every committee? Really?"

"I'm putting her on all the major ones," Tori said, picking up her planning sheet and smiling at it, "and I'm going to recommend she run for one of the officers." When she noticed Draco's surprise, she smiled. "That woman will make sure that every one of the first years is safe and being treated well. She wrote me yesterday with the idea that we extend this to the wizarding children as well, which I think is a splendid idea."

"We don't need such a thing," Draco said, offended. When his wife just raised her eyebrows, he frowned. "Do we?"

"I don't know," Tori said, "but there are two possibilities. Either none of the wizarding children need any help, which might just quiet her for a bit, or we find out that some of them do, in which case I really want her with us. However it works out, I want her working with us; she is far too formidable to have as an enemy."

Draco winced. As a child, new to the wizarding world, with few friends and no allies, Hermione Granger had been formidable. As an adult, comfortable with her powers as a witch, married into a revered pureblood family, with allies among the most powerful and influential in their world today, she wouldn't be formidable; she'd be an extraordinarily dangerous enemy to have.

"Exactly," Tori said when Draco said that out loud. "So, I recommend she pass up the minor committees, put her on all the important ones, install her as an officer, and get her invested in making this organization work." She rolled her eyes. "Although I refuse to allow her to name it. She sent several ideas, each worse than the other."

"Did you ever hear about SPEW," Draco said, grinning, "or was that before your time?"

"I heard about it," Tori said, smiling back. "Her ability to name groups hasn't improved. However, if she's invested with us, she's likely to stay with us and work with us. It may not be quiet, but it will run much smoother than if she creates her own, separate organization."

Draco nodded. Just about anything was likely to run better with her on their side.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Judith was relieved as she opened the post; Simon had sent the cheque for Matt's school supplies. "Matt," she called.

"Yes, Mum," he answered, still a little wary as he walked into the kitchen from his bedroom. It made her heart ache.

"I just got the money from your father," she said, "so I can let Mr. Malfoy know that we'll be joining the group on Saturday."

Matt's face lit up. "Great! I've been making a list of everything I'll need. How's it going to work?"

Judith finished writing the sentence in her reply to Mr. Malfoy before she answered. "He said that he's asked a number of parents of current students to help out; he's trying to match families that are similar together."

"So, we might be matched with a boy?" Matt said, grinning. "Hey, didn't Potter--"

"Mr. Potter," Judith corrected. "Or Auror Potter; I never really did get that straight."

"Sorry," Matt said. "Didn't Auror Potter say he had kids at school? Maybe they'll match us with him."

Judith did her best to keep her wince internal. "I'm hoping they match us with a family who doesn't know quite as much about what's been happening this summer," she said. She added the sentiment in a P.S. to the response she was writing and closed up the envelope. The little brown owl that had brought the letter in the first place seemed happy to take its response. "You know, this little guy is pretty cute; I wonder if there's enough to buy one."

Matt looked up sharply. "An owl? For my very own?"

"Would you take care of him? Or her?" Judith asked as she watched the little bird fly off. "It's not like one of your video pets; it will really die if you don't feed him."

"'Course I'll feed him," Matt said, looking as if this was the most ridiculous warning he'd ever heard, even after Judith had given him a hard look. "Really, Mum, and I'd love having an owl. I'd be able to talk with my new friends when we're not at school." His face fell. "D'you think I'll be able to make friends at Hogwarts?"

"Everyone keeps saying it should be easier," Judith said, "since they'll be like you. I should think so. And, Matt..." she gave him a stern look, "if it doesn't work out, if you don't like it there, we can discuss changing next year, or even mid-year. I'm still not sure about this place."

"I'm sure I'll like it," Matt said, his eyes wide.

"You probably will," Judith said, not wanting to worry him anymore. "But just in case, keep it in mind."

She looked at the church's newsletter. As she'd thought, they did have services on Wednesday night. She'd talk with her regular minister about the entire thing and see if he agreed with the people at that hospital and the Hogsmeade pastor. She'd just feel better if it came from someone who didn't use magic.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

After listening to the plans for Saturday's shopping trip for the whateverth time, Harry was ready to scream and was completely in agreement with Dudley. "Are you sure you need me along on Saturday?" he asked Ginny as he helped her put the food on the table. He was careful not to whine because, if he did, there was no question that he'd have to go.

Ginny gave him a look that said she'd seen right through him. "We really do," she said. "First, just with our three, it's easier with two sets of eyes. Hermione'll probably be talking Tori Malfoy's ears off the whole time, so she'll be distracted. Usually, she's as good as two people all by herself, but not on Saturday. Ron won't be there because, with this many people shopping, he'll have to be at the shop. The Malfoys'll be trying to keep track of everyone and could use more eyes. Nope," she said, popping the 'p', "sorry, love, you're just going to have to suck it up and come along."

"Can we check out the Quidditch shop?" Lily asked, looking up from her job of setting the table.

Harry and Ginny laughed. With the two of them, the kids never really had to twist their arms to look at anything Quidditch. "I think we can arrange that, sweetheart," Harry said as he kissed his daughter on top of her head. "Saturday's your birthday!" he said to Ginny, just realizing it.

Ginny smiled. "Which is why Hermione's taking the kids home with her after," she said, smiling at Harry. "So you can treat me extra-special for the night."

"Ew," James said as he sat down at the table and pulled the bread plate to him. "I don't want to know."

Harry grinned, grabbed Ginny and dipped her low, kissing her enthusiastically, and loudly, as he did. As he pulled her up, Al walked into the room. "I thought Mum's birthday was on Saturday?" he said, frowning. "I'm not ready."

"Thanks for warning me," Harry said, laughing as he pulled Ginny back up. "I'd almost forgotten."

"They'd've reminded you at work," Lily said serenely. "You're considered one of the most romantic husbands in wizarding Britain." When Harry looked at her, she smiled, "So says Witch's Weekly."

Shaking his head, Harry sat down and served himself the potatoes. It was an awfully good thing Ginny didn't believe his press; he wasn't very good at romance. He watched her put more meat on Lily's plate; she was 'watching her figure', but Ginny wasn't about to allow that. Lily was more than thin enough. "I may not be very romantic," he said to Ginny's laughing agreement, "but you're even more beautiful now than when we first started dating."

"At least you didn't say 'than when we first met'," Ginny said.

Harry nodded. "You were a pretty little girl, but . . ."

James mock gagged and the normal discussion of the day continued. Harry sat back, listening, talking and so very grateful for his family.

Friday, August 10, 2018

Listening to the muttering coming from his wife, Ron knew that he'd have to actually ask what the problem was. Some muttering he could ignore, but not this. "Hermione, what's the problem?"

"I know she's got some hidden agenda, something that's not obvious," Hermione said, glaring at the letter she was reading.

"Who?"

"Tori Malfoy," Hermione answered. "She didn't choose any of the names I suggested, but that doesn't really surprise me." It didn't surprise Ron either; he could still remember SPEW. "Something's just not right."

"Did she take you off any of the committees you signed up for?" he asked. He rather hoped she had; he hated it when Hermione got too involved in a cause.

"No," Hermione answered. "Well, actually, yes, but none of the important ones. The Clean-Up Committee and ones like that. She's even suggesting I run for one of the offices. Vice President or Secretary."

"Not President?" Ron asked. After all the work Hermione would put into it, she would deserve President.

"I think Tori's planning on herself for that one," Hermione said. She didn't look terribly upset, so Ron didn't think he needed to worry about it. "She suggested Secretary because then I'd be keeping the records. So we'd stay honest. What do you think she means?"

Ron shrugged. "Maybe it's nothing more than she says." When Hermione opened her mouth to argue, he said, "Look, she's actually worried about the problem; that's why she's trying to start this group. She's trying to pull you into it. Well, no one who knows anything about you would think you were going to do anything but try to protect the kids, right?"

Hermione nodded. Reluctantly.

"So," Ron continued, "she's heard enough about you to know that you work hard and you're successful when you care--"

"Sometimes," Hermione said with a scowl. Ron was afraid she was remembering SPEW.

"A lot of the time," Ron corrected her. "So, she wants the group to succeed, she knows you'll be interested, so she's trying to get you involved right from the start."

"You really don't think she's trying to keep me out of things?" she asked. Her forehead was crumpled with thought; it was too cute for words. Ron had to kiss it. "Stop it, you!" she said, but she was smiling and laughing now.

"I don't think she'd be suggesting Secretary if she wanted to keep you out of things," Ron said. She was starting to relax; maybe a good snog wasn't out of the question. "Vice President, maybe, but that'd mean she doesn't know much about you. This," he picked up the letter, "says she's done her research and wants you on her side."

Hermione was back to frowning, damn it! "Should I be?"

With a sigh, Ron shrugged. "As long as you're both heading in the same direction. At least you'll be able to keep an eye on things. Now," he tugged at her waist, aiming her toward his lap, "shall we entertain each other until bedtime?"

"Mmmm," Hermione said as she accepted his snog and returned it with interest. For about five minutes, he enjoyed a nice leisurely snog. Then she pulled back. "I need to make sure I know Robert's Rules frontward and backward," she said as she stood up.

Ron watched her leave sadly, making sure to get a good look at her arse as she left. Ah, well. At least he'd known what to expect before they got married.

Saturday, August 11, 2018

"So, what did the most romantic wizard in Britain do for his wife?" Hermione teased as they waited at the Leaky Cauldron.

"Is there a special wizarding Valentine's Day or something?" Sophie asked.

Ginny laughed. "No, today's my birthday and some reporter decided to give Harry the most romantic wizard title. I don't know about most romantic," she said rubbing her nose. "My teacup bit me this morning."

"What on earth?" Tori asked.

"My very first birthday after we got married," Ginny answered, "Harry put a ticket for a weekend away on my dinner plate. I wasn't thinking about it and started serving myself." As the other women laughed, Ginny grinned. "Fortunately, he'd thought ahead and had put an Impervius charm on it, or we'd have had an awful time using it, but ever since, when he leaves a gift on the dishes, he adds a charm so I can't use it until I've retrieved the gift. And he likes teacups," she added with a grimace, rubbing her nose.

"So," Hermione said again, "what'd you get?"

Ginny shook her hair over her shoulder and showed off her new emerald drop earrings.

"Oh, those are lovely!" Sophie said. "Harry has good taste."

"No," Ginny said, "Harry knows my favourite jewellery store, and they know me."

Draco smiled as he watched the scene. For all the complaining Ginny was doing, she was clearly delighted at the earrings. He'd have to remember the teacup idea, although he'd come up with something better than biting. Maybe singing a love song? Tori would enjoy the romance of that.

Looking around, it appeared that everyone had arrived, at only ten minutes past the hour. Clapping his hands together, he called out, "All right, everyone, if you would please find your places. There are place cards at every setting; please find yours. If you can't find yours, come up here and I'll help you out." There was a general commotion as everyone who hadn't already found their place went looking. Draco smiled contentedly. Fourteen out of fifteen families were present; all but the Joneses who were on a cruise this week. Mr. Jones had handled all of his daughter's school shopping by owl post; Draco suspected she was disappointed at not going shopping, but she hadn't seemed very surprised.

Once everyone was seated and the salads were served, Draco stood up. "Again, this is the first time we're trying this, so we'd appreciate your suggestions to improve for next year. You'll have noticed that we have some more families this time. All of the new families," Tori had suggested he not use 'Muggle' as a way of differentiating, "have been paired with a more experienced one. We've tried to ensure you're matched with someone who has a similar background and we hope this helps when looking for the supplies. So, get to know one another and enjoy your lunch." He sat down and turned to Mrs. Foreman, who immediately started asking Tori about the quality of the various supplies. He turned instead to her son, John, who asked about joining the Quidditch team. Draco and Scorpius exchanged a happy smile and started describing the best game of all.

*

There were four families seated at Judith's table. She and Matt had been matched with an older woman named Violet Norman. Her youngest son was entering his seventh year; he was busy with interviews for an apprenticeship for after he sat his NEWTs, so she was shopping without him. "I think it's simpler, to be honest," she told Judith. "When the children come along, you wind up spending so much more."

"Tell me about it," Ginny Potter said, laughing. "Other than for robes, it's easier without them along." Judith had been surprised that she was at the Potters' table. The Head Auror hadn't said anything about what had happened last week; he'd simply smiled and introduced his lovely wife and their three children. The children were as well-behaved as children that age ever are, but they were lively and into everything.

"Mum," whined their younger son, who seemed to have a bewildering number of names. "We have to come along to make sure we have the essentials."

"I'm perfectly capable of buying enough quills and parchment," Ginny said, clearly teasing her son.

"Yes, and she has the list the school sent as well," Violet said, going along with the joke.

"I'm sure the shopkeepers will let her know if she's missing anything," Sophie Dursley added. Judith was still trying to figure out how the Potters, who were clearly an old wizarding family, had Muggle relatives like the Dursleys. Sophie had explained when they first sat down that her husband and sons had opted out of the shopping trip, although they were still hoping to see a Quidditch match.

"Ignore 'em, Asp," James Potter said, rolling his eyes and poking his younger brother. "They're just teasing."

"What did you think when Mr. Malfoy visited you about Daphne?" Judith asked Sophie.

"He didn't," Sophie answered. "Because Harry and Dudley are cousins, they just sent a letter. Of course, they had no way of knowing that the only member of the family who knew anything about magic was Dudley." She shook her head. "I found it almost impossible to believe until Harry visited and showed us some magic."

"It was great!" Daphne said, grinning.

Her mother rescued the juice Daphne had nearly knocked over. "It was, but I would have loved some warning. How about you?"

Judith could feel her cheeks warm as she looked down at the table. Before she could say anything, Violet patted her on the arm. "I'm sure it was a terrible shock," she said kindly. "I can't even imagine finding out something like that about my boys. And so late," she continued. "Seems to me they ought to tell you as soon as the little one's born; they know that early."

"They do?" Judith asked, and realized that Sophie had at the same time. Matt had looked up for a minute but had gone back to talking with Albus.

"As soon as the child's born, his or her name is written in a book at Hogwarts," Violet explained. "That's how they know who to send the letters to when it's time. I don't see why they can't contact the families immediately."

"Y'know," Ginny said, "that's a really good question. Harry?"

Her husband shrugged. "No idea. Ask the Headmaster; he should know. Unless it's one of those old traditions that no one knows where, why or how it started." He frowned. "It really is a good idea."

Sophie had pulled out a pad and pen. "On the list of questions it goes. Now. . ."

Judith finally relaxed; it was clear that only those people directly involved knew what had happened with Matt. It was nice not being judged for every misstep, and Violet was treating her very kindly, explaining everything.

*

Malfoy was confirming that all the books he'd listed on the booklist were still available when Hermione Weasley found him. "Malfoy," she said, "why did you put the Mitchells with Violet Norman? What do they have in common?"

"A little more softly, please," Malfoy said, keeping a pleasant smile on his face, as he pulled her into a corner. Then he cast Muffliato. "A little respect for people's privacy, please. Now, what do you know about the Mitchells?"

"I know they're in danger of being used to discriminate against the Muggleborn students," she said, scowling.

He shrugged. "I suppose it's a danger, but I don't think so. Now, did you know that Judith Mitchell lost her mother not quite two years ago?"

The seeming change in topic threw Mrs. Weasley off. She shook her head and let him continue.

"I thought it might be nice to pair her with an older woman who could be, well, maternal towards her," Draco said.

"She's also sure that all Muggles mistreat their children." Her hands were on her hips and her eyes were narrowed.

Draco sighed. "And now, by meeting the Mitchells, she'll get to know them, see that the real problem is a mixture of ignorance and isolation, and realize that the best way of stopping further trouble is to make Judith realize that her son is in excellent hands at Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley," he continued, "Mrs. Norman not only attends her local church every Sunday, she's very involved. Just last week, she was trying to get donations for . . ." He trailed off as he realized he couldn't remember what her last cause had been.

Fortunately, Mrs. Weasley picked up on his plan. "She's involved with her church?" she asked. "That's why you paired them."

"In addition to hoping that Mrs. Mitchell will go to her with her questions?" Draco nodded. "Yes. Judith Mitchell wants her son safe, from evil as well as everything else." He shook his head. "I have no idea how she's going to deal with Quidditch."

"I agree with her on that one. All right, I'll accept that you're trying to do what's best, but I'm keeping a very close eye on this situation."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Draco said, relieved that he was telling the truth. "However, can you please remember that the Mitchells are due their privacy, just like everyone else?"

The reminder obviously embarrassed her. "Yeah, thanks for ensuring that. I just didn't want her to be harassed."

"Nor I," Draco said. "Now, I don't know about your lot, but I think Mr. Foreman is the sort to try to find out where he's not supposed to be."

"And I think we may lose my lot if I don't go find them now." She smiled. Draco was surprised by how pretty her smile was. "Thanks."

*

A full day of shopping on Diagon Alley had Judith's head spinning. She was delighted to have been paired with Violet; the older woman had been through the entire process three times before and was thrilled to have someone to shepherd through it. She'd invited Judith and Matt to their church for services in the morning; unfortunately, the older woman lived in Fleggburgh, which was too far for them to reach.

"Are you sure you can't just Floo over?" Violet asked.

"I don't even know what that is," Judith explained.

Violet proceeded to explain about the Floo, which entailed throwing a special powder into a fire in the fireplace and stepping into another one. The whole thing sounded terrifying to Judith, although it was obvious that Violet found it completely ordinary.

"It just seems so strange doing without Floos," she finished. "Next weekend," she said after another minute, "why don't you come for a visit. We have plenty of room; Ned just took a flat with a friend of his from school. You can see what a wizarding house is like and come to church with us before you go home."

"Well," Judith said, very tempted.

Before she could finish her sentence, Matt was beside her. "Please, Mum," he asked, "it sounds great. And very educational," he continued, looking very prim.

"I'll think about it," she told him. He ran back off to look at the Quidditch supplies, which were surpassed in popularity only by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

"He's quite the handful," Violet laughed. "Do come."

Judith thought. "Would you like to come to tea tomorrow and we can discuss it?" Then she realized, "There is a Floo close by, isn't there?"

"Of course, but I'll probably just Apparate." That involved another explanation.

Judith thought that in this case, wizards definitely had it better. "It sounds just like 'Star Trek'," which she then had to explain.

*

After spending the day getting the children completely wound up in Diagon Alley, with a special stop at the Weasleys joke shop for tasteless entertainments, Draco thought that finishing up at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour was adding insult to injury. At least he only had to handle one of them after this. Even though it was no longer owned by a Fortescue, the new owners had kept the name. "And now," Tori murmured into his ear, "we wind them up on ice cream and send them home."

Watching everyone check over their purchases to make sure they didn't forget anything, exchanging addresses so that post could be exchanged, Draco smiled. Another successful excursion with no catastrophes. Judith Mitchell and Violet Norman appeared to be happily bonding with one another and he couldn't see any problems on the immediate horizon.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

In the Classified section of the Sunday Prophet:

All wizards: A new organization dedicated to strengthening the ties of family and community is being formed, the Knights of Walpurgis. It is open to all wizards within the United Kingdom. If you are interested, please contact Lucius Malfoy at Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire.

Draco strode into his father's study, ignoring the implicit request for privacy in the closed door. Waving the morning's paper, he asked, "Have you gone completely mad? What do you think you're doing?"

With a completely neutral expression on his face, Lucius looked at his son. "Exactly the same thing you're doing, Draco," he answered. "Doing what's best for our world and, most importantly, the Malfoy family. Shall I show you what I have in mind?"