The Open Closet

The Open Closet

Chapter 3: Reminiscing

A very dead Dudley looked at Harry. Harry looked at Dudley curiously and said, "What do you want?"

"What do YOU think? I've been dead for a year! I'm bloody starved!" replied Dudley, looking at Harry with hungry eyes.

"Ok..." said Harry, feeling very uncomfortable. "Umm, what would you like?"

Dudley looked confused. "I don't know, what do zombies eat?" he asked.

Human flesh, thought Harry, but decided to keep quiet. He had learned enough about zombies in Defense of the Dark Arts. Then Dudley took a step towards him. Harry gasped.

"Good heavens!" Harry said, pointing to the mirror. "Look at your reflection!"

Dudley stared. "Yeah, I could use some more botox." He reached into the cabinet, pulled out a syringe, filled it with poison, and then shot it into his face. "There. All better." He paused, then turned to leave. "I'm craving a bacon and crumpet sandwich," he said turning toward the kitchen. "And a spot of tea."

Phew!!!! thought Harry. I don't feel like being eaten today; enough has already happened. Thankfully, Dudley's still stupid.

"Well, I'm going to hit the hay," Harry said to Dudley. "Uh, I guess I'll see you later?"

"Wait!!!" Dudley screamed. "Aren't you going to make my sandwich?"

"Do you want me to kill you again?" asked Harry, with an evil grin.

"NO! I don't like dying!" whimpered Dudley. And he ran off down the stairs. Harry went to his room to get some rest before he met Hermione in Diagon Alley.

***

Hermione cut the last piece of ribbon. This year, Harry was going to love the present she got him. She had bought the scrapbook the day she got home from Hogwarts, because she needed time to work on it. She found all of the pictures she had taken at Hogwarts, cut out Ron, who was really freaking Harry and her out, and had put them in the book. She put all sorts of pictures from Hogwarts: A History in it, also, because it had great pictures of the hallways and the paintings they so fondly remembered. She also found pictures from when Harry had visited her during the summer.

Later on, she had felt bad about not putting Ron in, so on the last page of the book, she put a picture of the three of them from first year, when Ron wasn't so flaming. It was taken on the train after leaving Hogwarts. They all looked so young and happy. Back when everything was so simple...

***

"Bloody hell!" yelled Draco as he slammed the bathroom door," that's the tenth time this hour!" It turns out he found out about his overactive bladder three days ago. (That means he had to pee at least 720 times since then, if you do your calculations correctly.) Draco hoped this new development wouldn't screw up his love life. He suddenly felt a familiar tingle, and he groaned. It had only been eight minutes!!! Although, he was improving. After he was finished in the loo (again), he took out his American Express card to pay for a magical catheter. Come quickly! he thought to himself. I've already got to go again!

Hermione knew all along that she had always had strong feelings for Harry, but now it was harder for her to pursue a relationship (aka, jump him) when her other best friend was also pursuing him. Hermione knew that Harry would never love Ron that way, but she didn't want to compete. She wanted Harry to realize that he loved her on his own. Plus, she didn't want to hurt Ron, flaming as he was.

She thought back to the picture of the trio. Even then, her admiration for Harry was evident. Harry looked happy, but she could still sense his dread of going home. It was in his emerald eyes. And Ron? From this picture, she couldn't even tell he was gay like Liberace. The only difference was that women had been attracted to Liberace.

She finally turned off the light and climbed into bed while visions of Harry danced in her head.

She both anticipated and dreaded the next day, having to see him again...