There was a silence after Dedalus's words. No one answered. Uncle Vernon was still staring in horror at the bulge in Dedalus's waistcoat pocket, in a daze, in a daze...
Harry did not speak either. He was thinking about the sudden change of plan.
How were the Order of the Phoenix going to pick him up without using the Apparition?
"Perhaps we should wait out in the hall, Dedalus," Hester whispered. She was thinking more deeply. She felt that Harry and the Dursleys were going to be affectionate and perhaps they were going to bid each other a tearful farewell. It would be inappropriate for them to stay in the room.
"There's no need," muttered Harry.
Harry did not have to explain. Uncle Vernon's next words made any further explanation unnecessary. "Well, good-bye, boy," he said aloud.
He stretched his right arm forward to shake hands with Harry, but at the last moment, as if unable to face him, he clenched his hand into a fist and swung it back and forth like a metronome.
"Ready, Dada?" Aunt Petunia asked, checking the fastenings of her handbag without looking at Harry.
Dudley did not answer. He stood there with his mouth slightly open, reminding Harry vaguely of the giant Glop. They were alike in a way.
"Well, that's all. Come along," said Uncle Vernon.
He had reached the parlor door when he heard Dudley mutter, "I don't understand."
"What don't you understand, my dear?" asked Aunt Petunia, looking up at her son.
Dudley raised a fat hand like a ham and pointed at Harry. "I don't understand. Why doesn't he come with us?"
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia froze and stared at Dudley as if Dudley had just expressed his desire to be a ballerina.
"What?" cried Uncle Vernon.
"Why doesn't he come with us?" asked Dudley.
"Oh, he, he doesn't want to go!" said Uncle Vernon, turning to Harry. "You don't want to go, do you?"
"Yes, not at all," said Harry.
`Well, the boy's staying here of his own free will, 'said Uncle Vernon to Dudley. `Well, leave him alone, and let's go.'
Uncle Vernon strode out of the parlour, and everyone in the house heard the front door open, but Dudley did not move.
Aunt Petunia staggered a few steps, then stopped and looked at Dudley.
"What now?" growled Uncle Vernon, reappearing at the door.
Dudley seemed to be struggling with inarticulate thoughts. After a moment of seemingly painful internal struggle, he said, "But where is he going?"
Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
Clearly, Dudley had frightened them.
At this moment, Scarlett Jones broke the silence.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but … of course you know where your nephew is going, don't you?" she asked, puzzled.
"Of course we do!" said Vernon Dursley. "It's only natural that he should go with people like you, isn't it? His godfather, the killer … Well, Dudley, let's get in the car. You heard the man. Time is short. "
Once again Vernon Dursley strode to the front door, but Dudley did not follow, and Dursley had to stop again.
"Go with people like us?"
But before he could speak, Hester seemed irritated.
Harry had encountered this attitude before. The wizards seemed shocked to see the famous Harry Potter's closest relatives so indifferent to him. It seemed the most difficult thing for them to accept.
"Come on!" said Harry. "It's nothing, it's really nothing."
"Nothing?" "How can there be nothing?" added Haesta, raising her voice ominously. "How can there be nothing? Do these people know what you've been through? Do they know what danger you're in? Do they know your unique position in the heart of the movement against Lord Voldemort? We're not fleeing in disgrace. We're fighting to save the world of magic, to save this country. You're a hero, Harry! "
"Uh, no, they don't," said Harry. "In fact, they probably think I'm a good-for-nothing, but it's okay. I'm used to it."
"I don't think you're a good-for-nothing."
If he had not seen Dudley's lips move, Harry probably would not have believed it.
He stared at Dudley for a few seconds before he finally admitted that it was Dudley who had spoken. At least he had seen Dudley's face turn red. Harry himself was embarrassed and surprised.
"Oh, oh, thank you, Dudley."
Dudley seemed to be dealing with some inexpressible thoughts. He did not know how to express them. His mouth opened and closed for a long time before he finally murmured, "You saved my life."
"You can't say that!" Said Harry. "That's mainly because of me. Besides, the Dementors wanted to steal your soul …"
He looked at his cousin curiously. They barely had any contact this summer and the previous summer. Harry only returned to Privet Drive for a short time, and he always stayed in his room. After Sirius's warning, the Dursleys also forbade Dudley from approaching Harry, especially after the Dementors' attack.
Knowing this, Harry vaguely understood that the cup of herbal tea he kicked might not have been a prank. Although he was touched, he still felt relieved to see that Dudley's ability to express his feelings seemed to have been exhausted.
Dudley opened his mouth and blushed, but he did not speak.
Aunt Petunia burst into tears and rushed over.
Hesta Jones looked at her approvingly, but she did not expect Aunt Petunia to rush over and hug Dudley instead of Harry. Hesta's face immediately filled with anger.
"So, so good, Dada …" She cried against Dudley's broad chest. "So, so cute, baby, can say thank you …"
"He didn't say thank you at all!" said Hesta angrily. "He only said he didn't think Harry was useless!"
"Yes, but it sounded like 'I love you' coming from Dudley's mouth," said Harry.
Aunt Petunia continued to hug Dudley as if Dudley had just rescued Harry from a burning house. Harry could not help but feel annoyed and amused at the same time.
At this moment, Uncle Vernon walked over impatiently.
"Are we still going or not?" He roared, then looked at Harry awkwardly. "Listen, boy, I don't think you're useless, but I don't like you. Yes, I don't know if anyone has told you, but you're very much like your father. Very much like him. Ever since we met for the first time that night eighteen years ago, I knew what kind of person he was. Arrogant, powerless, impolite, and fond of mocking people. You and him are almost cut from the same mold. You've been like that since you were little. Equally annoying. But … damn it, are we going or not? We don't have much time!"
He waved his hand forcefully, unable to continue the rest of his words.
Harry was also stunned. Uncle Vernon had mentioned that he and his father had met for the first time eighteen years ago, and that no one had ever told him about it.
Obviously, that meeting had not been pleasant.
Eighteen years ago was the year his parents graduated from Hogwarts, and also the year his parents got married.
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