Chapter 323: Harry's Birthday
"Oh, right. On that note, I should remind you of something," Vernon said, his face flushing slightly. "I told Marge I had sent both of you to a boarding school, so..."
Aside from himself, no one in the wider Dursley family knew Dudley was a wizard. Vernon could not exactly announce it. He had come to terms with it, but others would not do so easily, and he had no desire for anyone to start calling his son a freak.
"All right, I understand," Dudley said, pulling a face.
Since returning to this world, he had not seen this particular aunt. She had visited once, apparently, but at the time he had been away at Hogwarts, so they had missed each other.
"I know too. I will try to stay out of her way as much as I can," Harry said with a sigh.
Marge was Vernon's sister. Harry might not share blood with her, but he had to think of Dudley and Vernon. He did not want to make things difficult for them.
"Er... that is one way to handle it. But I will explain your situation to Marge as well, so she can drop some of her prejudices," Vernon said.
"Thank you, Uncle Vernon, but I doubt it will help much," Harry said, shrugging.
He alone knew how much Marge detested him.
Vernon realised his words were wishful thinking and let the matter drop.
"Do not worry, Harry. You have us. Leave it to us," Petunia said.
Now that her own son was a wizard—and a very capable one at that—the old visceral revulsion had faded. It was time, she decided, to push Marge into changing her attitude as well.
Harry nodded and said no more.
He had been looking forward to the party tomorrow. At the mention of Marge, that anticipation dimmed.
The next morning, Vernon and Petunia started preparing for Harry's birthday feast. Like Dudley's before it, this party was booked at a five-star hotel not far from home.
Vernon had gone out of his way to invite several well-known investors. He wanted to use this opportunity to secure funding to expand production and take his business to the next level.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang, and Harry went to answer it out of habit.
"Harry, happy birthday!" a familiar voice called.
A moment later, the sound of someone being swept into a hug reached the hallway.
Petunia and Vernon both stiffened and hurried to see what was happening. Dudley, smiling, followed at a more leisurely pace.
At the door, Hermione was hugging Harry tightly. She held a wrapped present in one hand.
"Oh, Harry, I got up at the crack of dawn to get here. Thank goodness I was not too late," she said brightly, handing the gift over.
It was a broomstick servicing kit.
Harry loved it at once.
When Vernon and Petunia saw that Hermione looked perfectly normal, wore no odd robes, and behaved with polite, proper manners, they both relaxed a little.
"Hello, Uncle, Aunt. I am Hermione Granger, Harry and Dudley's classmate at Hogwarts," she said with a small, courteous smile.
"Hello. Do come in," Vernon said, doing his best to appear natural. Petunia nodded along.
Even though there were two wizards in the family now, they were still nervous around unfamiliar witches and wizards.
"Thank you," Hermione said, following Harry inside.
"Welcome, Hermione," Dudley said, giving her a quick hug.
"It is a shame Ron is off in Egypt. Otherwise, the four of us would all be together," Harry said happily.
"Do not mention Ron. He is having so much fun in Egypt, he has practically forgotten about us," Hermione huffed.
They went into the sitting room together.
The telephone rang shrilly.
Vernon, who was closest, went to pick it up.
"Hello, Vernon Dursley speaking," he said pleasantly.
Lately, many calls had come in from clients and partners, so he now habitually answered with a polite introduction.
"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?"
"I—want—to—speak—to—Harry—Harry Potter!"
The voice was so loud that everyone in the sitting room heard it through the receiver. Vernon nearly dropped the phone.
"Good grief," Hermione gasped.
Clearly, she had not expected Ron to actually ring Harry to wish him a happy birthday.
Harry darted over, snatching the receiver from Vernon's hand.
"It is me, Ron. You do not have to shout. I can hear you perfectly," he said quickly.
"This thing really works!" Ron crowed. "Did you see that? It is brilliant."
"That is Ron," came Mr Weasley's voice in the background. "Muggles are ingenious."
"Quick, wish Harry a happy birthday for us," Mrs Weasley urged.
"Right then. Harry, happy birthday from all of us!" Ron bellowed, as if Harry were a mile away instead of right on the line.
Harry hurried to thank him and begged him again to lower his voice.
Vernon still looked badly shaken. Dudley had to quietly soothe him with a touch of Beyonder power before he calmed down.
Harry and Ron chatted for a few minutes more before hanging up.
"Ron is impossible. I warned him already, and he still did it like that," Hermione said helplessly.
Obviously, she had been the one to give Ron the Dursleys' number; otherwise, he would never have thought of using a telephone.
"Ron needs you to teach him everything step by step," Dudley said with a laugh.
Hermione pulled a face, remembering all too well what it had been like to coach Ron through Wingardium Leviosa.
Thump.
As they were talking, a dull thud sounded from somewhere above, as though something had landed on the roof.
"What was that?" Harry asked, looking up.
Vernon and Petunia were out. Only the three of them were in the house. So what had made that noise?
"Dobby," Dudley said at once, eyes lighting up.
"Dobby? What is he doing here?" Harry asked, startled.
He had no idea Dudley had been in touch with the house-elf. Ever since Dudley had freed him, Dobby no longer hovered anxiously around Harry, trying to save his life, instead turning his attention fully towards Dudley.
"There should be good news," Dudley said.
He stood up quickly and led Harry and Hermione upstairs to his room.
Sure enough, Dobby was perched on the bed, waiting for him.
"Oh! Mr Dursley, tonight is a good chance. The whole Malfoy family is away from the Manor. You can use this opportunity to slip inside," Dobby said excitedly.
All his work as a spy these past weeks was finally about to pay off.