Author's Note:
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter Universe. All the recognizable characters, the plot and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling. I claim no ownership.
The setting is in an alternate universe. My main focus would be to write multi-dimensional and relatable characters in a realistic setting. Currently it's rated M just to be safe, I might change the rating in the future accordingly. Story is cross posted on Fanfiction, Archive of Our own, Royal Road and Webnovel.
Sorry guys for the late update. As I mentioned earlier my body has been uncooperative with me. Anyways expect two more chapters this week.
Also I am editing and revamping parts of the story from the feedback I got in reviews. Mainly they would be some mistakes I made and somethings I wanted to add that I forgot. The basic story would remain the same. Revamp is almost done. Book1 that is: Summer of Discovery should be complete with all it's revamped content within the next two weeks.
Chapter 14 – The Compulsory Campaign
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Harry shuffled into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Dudley was already seated at the table, scrolling through his phone while sipping a glass of orange juice. The comforting smell of fried bacon, sizzling sausages, and freshly brewed tea filled the air, making Harry's stomach growl despite himself.
Petunia turned from the stove with her usual efficiency, placing two plates loaded with a full English breakfast in front of the boys. Eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and even a slice of black pudding were perfectly arranged. Harry blinked at the feast before him, a mix of awe and apprehension flickering across his face.
"Aunt Petunia, this is way too much!" he protested, holding up his hands. "I usually just grab a bit of toast or something."
Petunia crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look. "Harry, I don't know what the food situation will be like at that magical school of yours, and I'm not taking any chances. You're going to eat a proper breakfast while you're still under my roof."
Touched by her concern, Harry hesitated before nodding. "Thanks, Aunt Petunia," he murmured, picking up his fork.
As he began eating, Dudley, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, decided to lighten the mood. He grinned at his mum. "What about me, Mum? I'm not going off to Hogwarts. Why am I getting the same breakfast?"
Petunia raised an eyebrow, her smirk subtle but unmistakable. "Do you want porridge instead? I can easily replace your breakfast with a nice, healthy bowl."
Dudley's grin faltered as he quickly shook his head. "No, no, I'm good! This is great, really. Best breakfast ever."
Harry, trying not to laugh, chimed in. "Oh, come on, Big D. You should eat porridge. It's good for your muscles."
Dudley groaned, rolling his eyes. "Don't push it, Potter." He cleared his throat and changed the subject with practiced ease. "By the way, how are we getting build and kit ideas for you at Hogwarts during today's D session? Without, you know, accidentally spilling the beans about all those spells in your Hogwarts books?"
Harry put down his fork, leaning back thoughtfully. "I was thinking we could say we're building a system from scratch. Like, make a little booklet of spells, seven levels for the seven years, and give just the barebones descriptions of what's in the books."
Dudley immediately shook his head. "Nah, that's a bad idea. First off, Snape already warned us about exposing magic to Muggles. Even a booklet could get us in serious trouble if someone magical found out. And second, a barebones description won't cut it. If you want a good build, you need detailed ideas, not vague ones."
Harry sighed, conceding the point. "You're right. As usual."
At that moment, Vernon walked in, adjusting his tie and looking as groggy as Harry had earlier. He settled into his chair with a low grunt, and Petunia was quick to place another plate of breakfast in front of him.
"You're looking a bit too thin lately," she said matter-of-factly.
Vernon gave a long-suffering sigh but accepted the plate with a quiet "Thank you, dear." He turned to the boys, noticing their furrowed brows and animated expressions. "What's all this, then? What are you two discussing? Care to involve your old man?"
Harry and Dudley exchanged glances before explaining the situation: Harry's upcoming time at Hogwarts, the D session with Raj and the group, and their shared dilemma of finding a way to get good build ideas for Harry's magical studies without exposing anything magical to the Muggle world.
Vernon listened patiently, chewing his sausage and nodding thoughtfully. When they finished, he set down his fork and leaned back, crossing his arms.
"Well, why don't you just ask for kits and builds from Dungeon and Dragons?" he suggested. "Pick a class or build that fits, then later convert it to match the spells and skills you'll be learning at Hogwarts. Simple."
Harry and Dudley stared at him, stunned.
"That…" Harry began slowly, "…is a surprisingly simple and brilliant solution."
Dudley chuckled, shaking his head. "You've still got it, Dad."
Vernon looked pleased with himself. "Glad I could help. And since you're planning to make this sound like you are making it for your new school to relax with new friends, just say the settings are based on whatever you'll be using at your new school."
Harry nodded, his mind already whirring with possibilities. "That could actually work. We can map spells to the kits and maybe even get some ideas for gear and tactics based on the campaigns we run. Thanks, Uncle Vernon!"
With the plan set, Harry and Dudley leaned closer over the table, their plates momentarily forgotten as they began tossing around ideas for settings and events they'd want to discuss with the group later that day. Dudley suggested a campaign set in school where you need to focus on problem-solving, while Harry proposed including puzzles and strategy-building that could mirror his magical studies and terrain of the castle.
The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by occasional interjections from Vernon and Petunia. The kitchen was warm and lively, the family's bond palpable in the shared laughter and animated discussions.
The group gathered around the table in Mark's cozy apartment, the familiar sound of dice clicking against the hardwood table setting the scene. The air was electric with excitement as Mark shuffled his notes, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Alright, everyone," he began, rubbing his hands together in mock drama. "After some… unexpected detours last week, it's time to bring our dear wizard and barbarian back into the fold. Harry, Dudley, welcome back to the world of the living!"
Dudley groaned, cracking his knuckles in mock frustration. "Don't remind me about the backstory you guys fabricated for Harry and mine absence last week. Really whose idea it was that we're knocked out by a sleep potion. I'm never trusting you guys with anything ever again."
The group chuckled, and Sarah leaned forward, a teasing glint in her eyes. "That's what you get for going full mysterious on us without a word."
Raj smirked, leaning back with the effortless charm his bard was known for. "Let's not forget that while you two were supposedly snoozing, I kept the villagers entertained with an epic ballad about your heroic nap."
Mark chuckled. "Indeed, Raj's bard did a fantastic job distracting the mob while Kendra's Rune Knight took down the cursed knight. And speaking of accomplishments…" He glanced at Sarah. "Our dear rogue is back from her maze-crawling expedition. Sarah, welcome home."
Sarah gave a mock bow, her braid swishing over her shoulder. "I return victorious, with loot, trauma, and a small existential crisis. You know, the usual. Germany was great though."
Mark clapped his hands together. "Fantastic hope you had a nice vacation, Sarah. Let's dive back in!"
The party stood in the middle of an ancient dwarven stronghold, its massive stone pillars etched with glowing runes. The air was thick with dust and magic, and the faint sound of gears turning deep below hinted at the long-forgotten mechanisms of the stronghold.
Mark's voice turned ominous as he set the scene. "The air is heavy. You feel it in your lungs—a deep pressure that seems to pull you toward the glowing portal at the far end of the hall. The portal pulses with energy, tendrils of light licking the surrounding walls. You have one goal: stop the awakening of the Primordial Wyrm before it can plunge the realm into eternal chaos."
"Are we sure we don't want to let the wyrm wake up?" Raj asked, his tone mischievous. "Could be fun to negotiate with it. Bards are known for their silver tongues, after all."
Kendra rolled her eyes. "And we're known for our common sense. I'm leading the charge. Let's go."
"Wait!" Sarah interrupted, her rogue slipping into a shadow with practiced ease. "Let me scout ahead. I'm not dragging your armored butt through another trap, Kendra."
Mark nodded. "Roll stealth."
Sarah rolled a die, her eyes lighting up. "Thirty-two."
"Nice," Mark said approvingly. "You vanish into the shadows, moving silently along the walls. You spot three pressure plates ahead, clearly designed to trigger a trap. Beyond them, a shimmering glyph pulses on the floor—a magical ward. What do you do?"
Sarah leaned back, pretending to examine her nails. "I disable the traps, obviously."
"Roll sleight of hand."
The die clattered. "Twenty-four." She winked towards Harry. Harry turned his eyes as if he did not see anything.
Mark nodded. "With practiced ease, you disable the traps and render the ward inert. The path is clear—for now."
As the group advanced, Harry whispered to Dudley. "Did you tell Sarah I'm leaving in September?"
Dudley shook his head, whispering back. "Nope. Did you?"
Harry's lips thinned as he shook his head.
Dudley gave him a pointed look. "This is going to suck."
Harry nodded, his focus shifting back to the game as they reached the portal room.
Mark's voice rose dramatically. "As you step into the chamber, the ground rumbles. The portal flares, and from it emerges an enormous mechanical construct, its eyes glowing a fiery red. It lets out a guttural roar as its gears grind, echoing in the vast hall. Roll for initiative!"
Dice flew across the table as everyone scrambled to roll.
"Eighteen!" Kendra called out.
"Twenty-three," Sarah smirked.
Harry grinned. "Seventeen."
Dudley squinted at his die. "Nine. Guess I'm just a slow starter."
Mark nodded. "Sarah, you're up first."
Sarah cracked her knuckles, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "I shadow-step to a nearby ledge and fire two arrows at its glowing eyes."
"Roll to hit."
"Twenty-nine and… twenty-two."
"Both hit. Roll damage."
As Sarah calculated her rolls, Raj leaned over to Harry. "So, any plans for your big wizard moment, or are you just going to watch Sarah hog the spotlight?"
Harry smirked. "Oh, don't worry. I've got something explosive planned."
The battle raged on, with Kendra holding the front line as the Rune Knight, her shield deflecting devastating blows from the construct.
Raj kept the party alive, healing and taunting the enemy with vicious mockery.
Dudley roared as his barbarian charged in, leaping onto the construct's back and hacking at its gears with his greataxe. "I'm ripping this thing apart one bolt at a time!"
"Roll athletics to hold on," Mark said.
Dudley grinned, rolling his die. "Twenty!"
Mark sighed. "Fine. You're on its back. Harry, your turn."
Harry grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I cast Chain Lightning, directing the main bolt at the construct and chaining it to the surrounding glyphs to disable them."
Mark raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious. Roll for damage."
The dice clattered loudly as Harry calculated. "That's… fifty-eight points of lightning damage."
Raj whistled. "Remind me never to make you angry."
The session continued with laughter, groans over missed rolls, and victorious cheers as they eventually defeated the construct. As the party stood amidst the smoking wreckage, Mark leaned back in his chair, his grin sly.
"You've bought yourselves some time, but the Primordial Wyrm still stirs. Seven weeks remain to stop the impending doom. Let's see if you can save the realm—or watch it burn." He said as he looked towards Harry well aware that Harry is going away on September 1st. Harry turned his head away feeling guilty.
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words settling in.
"Just seven weeks?" Sarah asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mark shrugged. "Time is relative, after all."
As they packed up their dice and character sheets, Harry caught Sarah glancing at him again. Dudley nudged him, muttering, "You've got to tell her, mate."
Harry sighed. "I know."
The energy in the room remained lively, but a subtle tension lingered—as if an unspoken truth hanging over the group.
LINE BREAK
The room was quieter now, the buzz of the game replaced by a more subdued atmosphere. Harry caught Sarah's eye and nodded toward the corner of the room. She hesitated for a moment but then followed his lead.
In the meantime, Raj and Kendra were gathering their things. Raj slung his bag over his shoulder, pausing to grin at Dudley. "You'll be okay without my Bardic Inspiration for a week?"
Dudley smirked. "Barely, mate. Don't get used to me rolling high without you."
Kendra laughed, giving Dudley a light punch on the arm. "Maybe we'll roll better next time without your snores filling the room."
They said their goodbyes and left, leaving Dudley and Mark by the table. Dudley's jokes faltered as his eyes darted toward the corner where Harry and Sarah stood, his nervous energy obvious. Mark noticed and placed a reassuring hand on Dudley's shoulder.
"Don't worry," Mark said softly. "Harry can handle this. He's got a good head on his shoulders, and Sarah's smart. They'll figure it out."
Dudley nodded, though his shoulders were still tense. "I just hate seeing him go through stuff like this, you know? Harry doesn't say much, but… I can tell this isn't easy for him."
Mark gave Dudley's shoulder a supportive squeeze. "He'll be okay. And he's got you. That's more than most people have."
Dudley managed a small smile but kept glancing at the corner.
In the corner of the room, Sarah leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. "I saw you avoiding me during the game," she said, her voice steady but low. "Is everything alright?"
Harry sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I—yeah. No. I don't know." He took a deep breath and looked at her directly. "I know we talked about seeing where things could go this summer, maybe trying to date. But I need to be honest with you."
Sarah uncrossed her arms, stepping a little closer and placing her hand gently over his. "Okay," she said softly. "Go on."
Harry hesitated but pushed forward, his voice careful and deliberate. "Last week, I got a visit from… well, the faculty at my parents' alma mater. Turns out, I was enrolled there at birth. It's a boarding school. Strict rules, no smartphones or laptops. The only way I can communicate is through letters."
Sarah blinked, her expression shifting between surprise and confusion. "Letters?" she repeated, almost incredulous.
Harry nodded. "Yeah. And it's not just for a year or two. It's… most of the year, every year, for the foreseeable future." He looked down at their joined hands, his grip loosening. "I don't want to waste your time. We haven't even started dating, and it wouldn't be fair to make you wait for something that's not even there yet."
Sarah's hand pulled away from his, and her gaze dropped. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. She turned her face away, her voice monotone. "Yes. Most long-distance relationships don't work out anyway."
Her words hung in the air like a heavy weight. Harry opened his mouth, unsure of how to respond, but Sarah lifted her head and met his eyes.
Her voice cracked slightly, though she fought to keep her composure. "But you didn't even try. You didn't give us a chance. This whole 'summer dating' thing—it wasn't even your idea. I made the first move, Harry. And now you're just… pulling the plug before we even started."
Harry's throat tightened, his chest heavy with guilt and uncertainty. "Sarah, I—"
But she shook her head, cutting him off. Turning toward the door, she gathered her bag and gave a quiet, "Goodbye," to Mark and Dudley.
As she reached the door, she glanced back at Harry one last time, her smile sad but resigned. "Don't get lost in all your science and research, okay? There's more to life than just that."
Harry opened his mouth, as if to argue or explain, but the door closed softly behind her.
He stood there for a moment, staring at the door, his thoughts a jumble of regret and resignation. When he turned back toward the room, Dudley gave him an uncertain shrug, his usual bravado gone.
Mark walked over, placing a gentle hand on Harry's head like he was smoothing down a stray thought. "You did what you thought was right," he said quietly.
Harry didn't respond, only nodded, his mind replaying Sarah's parting words.
Dudley, ever the optimist when it came to easing awkward moments, clapped his hands and turned to Mark with a grin. "So, Harry's got this big plan he wants to share with you. Right, Harry?"
Mark raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? What's this about?"
Harry shot Dudley a brief, unimpressed look but cleared his throat and turned toward Mark. "Well, as I mentioned before, I'm moving to a new school soon. And, you know, to make friends faster, I thought I'd reach out to some of the other students beforehand. We decided to organize weekly D campaigns as a way to break the ice and get to know each other better."
Mark's expression shifted into one of admiration. "Smart idea, Harry. Using D as a social tool? That's impressive."
Dudley exhaled in relief, the story smoothly delivered.
Mark leaned forward. "So, what's the setting? Got anything in mind?"
Harry hesitated for a moment, recalling the sprawling grounds of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest. "It's… academic. A large castle surrounded by a medieval town and a dark, dangerous forest."
Mark tilted his head. "That's very specific."
Harry nodded quickly. "Yeah, the person working on the campaign wanted it to feel relatable to our school environment but with a fantasy twist."
Mark seemed intrigued. "Fair enough. Let's sit down and hash this out, then."
The three of them settled back around the table, water bottles in hand. Harry outlined the basic framework of the campaign: Firstly, the castle as a school, with its labyrinthine corridors, secret rooms, and mysterious faculty. Secondly, the medieval town as a hub for resources, rumors, and social encounters and lastly the forest as a dangerous yet essential area for quests and exploration.
"I'm still working on the exact build to impress others," Harry admitted. "And I've been brainstorming various situations that my character might need to overcome. Like blending into a new environment, sneaking past authority figures, defending against rivals, exploring the surroundings, and solving puzzles. I'd love builds that can handle these scenarios effectively."
Mark nodded thoughtfully. "Got it. Let's tackle this step by step."
Dudley cleared his throat pointedly. Harry blinked at Dudley owlishly not sure, what he is hinting at?
Dudley mouthed "Magic" silently.
Harry turned to Mark and clarified,"I'd like the builds to focus primarily on spells. You can pull from any class or spellbook. Let's prioritize versatility while keeping them thematic to the situations I described."
Mark's eyes lit up with excitement. "Got it. Spell-centric builds? This'll be fun."
"So your first objective is being able to blend well in the environment"
"For blending in, we'll need spells for deception, charm, and disguises," Mark began. "I'd suggest leaning into Bard and Sorcerer spell lists. They've got the charm tools you'll need. For that your list of suggested spells would be:"
Disguise Self: To alter appearance.
Friends: Boosts Charisma checks temporarily.
Charm Person: Ensures faculty or students are more agreeable.
Suggestion: A subtle way to manipulate others into cooperation.
Minor Illusion: Create distractions or hide.
Mark added, "A caster with high Charisma is your best bet here. Sorcerers can Metamagic their way into more flexible uses of these spells."
Harry nodded. "I like that. The ability to manipulate interactions through spells seems perfect."
Dudley chuckled. "Sounds sneaky. Make sure you don't charm the wrong person, though.
"For your second objective which is sneaking past authority figures, stealth and misdirection are key," Mark said. "Illusion magic will be invaluable, as will spells that help with stealth. I would suggested following spells:"
Invisibility: Classic for avoiding detection.
Silence: Neutralizes noise while sneaking.
Pass Without Trace: A boost to stealth checks for the whole party.
Mirror Image: If caught, it can confuse pursuers.
Phantom Steed: For a quick getaway in an emergency.
Mark continued, "You could go with an Illusionist Wizard or a Trickery Cleric here. Both have access to these spells, and each adds a unique flavor."
Harry tapped his pen against his notebook. "I like the idea of combining stealth and misdirection. Invisibility and Silence together could create some interesting options."
"For defending against rivals, crowd control and defense are crucial," Mark explained. "You'll want spells to incapacitate or dissuade attackers while maintaining some offensive options. These spells being:
Mage Armor: For protection if you're caught off guard.
Thunderwave: A great AoE to push enemies back.
Counterspell: Shut down other casters' moves.
Hold Person: Lock a single opponent in place.
Fireball: It's a classic for a reason—high damage, wide area.
Mark leaned forward. "An Abjuration Wizard would excel here for defense, while a Sorcerer with Metamagic could provide flexibility in offensive spells."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't Fireball be overkill in a student setting?"
Dudley smirked. "Only if you use it indoors."
Mark sat back, thinking. "And lastly for exploration and utility, you'll need spells for mobility, problem-solving, and environmental interaction. Following spells might come in handy in these situations:"
Detect Magic: Always useful for spotting hidden enchantments.
Knock: Opens locks and bypasses puzzles.
Feather Fall: Great for vertical exploration or sudden falls.
Spider Climb: To scale walls and access hard-to-reach places.
Locate Object: Helps track down specific items during quests.
He continued, "A Druid or Wizard would handle this well. Druids bring versatility for survival and nature-based exploration, while Wizards have raw utility through their spell selection."
Harry nodded. "Spider Climb and Knock sound like must-haves. I can see how they'd come in handy in a castle environment."
Dudley added, "And Feather Fall. You don't want to break your neck in the middle of the campaign."
LINE BREAK
After a long discussion, they had finally fleshed out some potential builds and scenarios, and Harry's notebook was brimming with ideas.
Mark leaned back with a satisfied grin. "That should give you plenty to work with. You've got a solid foundation for any type challenge that you might face in the campaign you want to participate in."
Dudley clapped Harry on the back. "See? Told you Mark would have your back."
Harry smiled faintly, the weight of the evening still lingering. He glanced toward the door, where Sarah had left earlier, her words echoing in his mind. Shaking his head, he packed up his notebook and followed Dudley out.
Mark watched them go, giving Harry an encouraging nod as he walked past. "Good luck, Harry. And don't overthink it."
Harry gave him a small smile in return. Dudley waited by the door, clearly trying to gauge his cousin's mood, but Harry just sighed. "Let's head home."
As they stepped out into the evening, Harry couldn't help but feel a bittersweet mix of excitement for what lay ahead and the quiet ache of what might have been.
LINE BREAK
The warm glow of the living room lights softened the atmosphere as Harry, Vernon, and Dudley settled down after dinner. The remnants of their meal lingered in the air—a blend of roasted vegetables, spices, and the faint sweetness of pie. Dudley leaned forward, his tablet in hand, eagerly scrolling through the notes Mark had shared earlier.
"Right, Dad, check this out," Dudley began, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Mark came up with this setup for sneaking past enemies—'Invisibility,' 'Silence,' and this thing called 'Pass Without Trace.' Basically, you're a ghost. Can't see you, can't hear you, and you leave no trace behind."
Vernon squinted at the screen, his eyebrows raised in approval. "Sounds like the perfect trio for slipping out of trouble. But do they teach these… uh, stealth spells at Hogwarts?" He glanced at Harry.
"Not exactly," Harry admitted, flipping through a small notebook he'd been jotting notes in. "There's the Disillusionment Charm—it makes you blend into your surroundings like camouflage. And I think the Silencing Charm might work for, well, silencing things. But as for erasing traces… I'm not sure."
Dudley grinned, nudging his cousin. "We can't have you leaving muddy footprints all over the magical castle now, can we?"
Harry chuckled. "I'll have to ask someone more experienced when I get there. But let's write down Pass Without Trace as something to revisit."
Vernon tapped his chin thoughtfully. "What about this one?" He pointed at the screen. "Phantom Steed. Now, that sounds useful. Quick getaway, right?"
Harry considered it. "It's a cool spell, but I don't think we'll need it in Hogwarts' hallways. Broomsticks are a thing, though. Maybe that's the wizarding equivalent?"
Petunia entered the room carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. "What's this about brooms now? Don't tell me they're replacing cars with sweeping tools," she teased, setting the tray down and joining them.
"Not exactly, Mum," Dudley replied, smirking. "We're planning Harry's magical D campaign. Or, well, Hogwarts campaign."
"Oh, how exciting!" Petunia settled into the armchair beside Vernon. "What's next on the list?"
Harry smiled. "We were discussing spells for sneaking, but now we're moving to defenses. Mark suggested Mage Armor for protection and Counterspell to shut down other wizards. Both sound really useful, but I don't think there's a direct match in the curriculum for either."
Petunia leaned forward. "Defense against other wizards? Don't you learn something like that in school?"
"There's Protego—a basic shield charm—but it's not the same as Mage Armor or Counterspell. The former is more like a protective coating, and the latter is about stopping spells in their tracks," Harry explained.
Dudley tapped the screen again. "What about offensive stuff? Like this Fireball Mark mentioned. That's got 'Dudley Dursley approved' written all over it."
Harry snorted. "Yeah, except setting the school on fire probably wouldn't go over well."
Vernon guffawed. "Can you imagine the letter home? 'Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, your son has incinerated half the castle. We kindly request you pay for the repairs.'"
The room burst into laughter, and the mood lightened for a moment.
"I'll stick to less explosive spells," Harry said, shaking his head, a small smile on his face. "But I'll definitely keep Fireball in mind for larger threats. Maybe some dueling spells, too, like Expelliarmus or Stupefy."
"Stupefy? Sounds like something I'd yell at a customer service rep," Dudley joked.
Petunia playfully swatted his arm. "Behave, Dudley. What else is on the list?"
Harry glanced at the notebook. "Mark suggested utility spells like Knock for opening locks and Feather Fall for avoiding injuries from high places. We've got Alohomora for locks, but Feather Fall? No clue."
"Maybe they have a charm for soft landings?" Petunia suggested.
"Possibly," Harry replied. "I'll have to look into that one, too."
Maggie joined them just then, sitting cross-legged on the floor with a pillow hugged to her chest. "What's all this plotting and scheming about?"
"We're strategizing for Harry's upcoming magical adventures," Vernon said, beaming with pride.
Maggie tilted her head. "Adventures? You mean school?"
"Same difference," Dudley said with a shrug. "Anyway, we're breaking down this list of spells to see what Harry can actually learn."
Maggie skimmed the notebook Harry handed her. "Huh. Some of these sound super useful. What about sneaky charms or combat spells? You don't want to go in unprepared."
"We've covered a few," Harry said, grinning at her enthusiasm.
The discussion continued with everyone pitching ideas, swapping spell suggestions, and occasionally debating the practicality of a particular spell. It felt collaborative and warm, each member of the family eager to help Harry prepare for this new chapter.
Finally, as the conversation died down, Dudley shot Harry a pointed look. Harry sighed, setting his notebook aside.
"So," he began hesitantly, "I talked to Sarah earlier. We decided not to try dating."
The room fell quiet.
Vernon leaned back in his chair, studying Harry thoughtfully. "I think you made the right choice, lad. It wouldn't have been fair to either of you. Doesn't mean it's easy, though."
Petunia stood and wrapped her arms around Harry, pulling him into a comforting hug. "I'm proud of you for being honest, Harry. That's not always easy to do."
Maggie frowned slightly but nodded. "It was the right decision, considering the circumstances. But you could've handled it a bit better. Maybe softened the blow?"
Harry sighed again, leaning into Petunia's embrace. "I know. I'll try to do better next time."
Dudley, trying to lighten the mood, stood up dramatically. "Well, there's only one thing to do now."
Harry looked at him quizzically.
Dudley grinned and threw his arms around both Harry and Petunia in a bear hug. "Group hug!"
Laughing, Maggie and Vernon joined in, creating a chaotic but heartwarming pile of arms and affection.
Endnote:
Some points to keep in mind—
I would be posting 3 chapters regularly every week.
I might drop bonus chapters occasionally on festivals and other such events.
I would be very appreciative for any review, suggestions and feedback that I would get considering this is the start of my journey too.