Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Learning to Change for the Better

By: ChoCedric

The first memories Dudley ever has are of his parents totally doting on him. They give him everything he wants, he doesn't even have to ask. They fill him up with treats and hand him toys, so Dudley grows to be very spoiled indeed.

He also can see the way his parents treat the other boy living in their house, Harry. From a very young age, Dudley realizes that this boy is not to be given the love and attention Dudley himself gets. His parents seem to be fine with the fact that he kicks up a fuss whenever the boy gets a tiny little thing, and he feels a great sense of pleasure whenever he picks on the boy. Harry seems so frail and small, and as long as Dudley's not chastised for it, he's fine with it.

That is, until he's attacked by a horde of dementy-whatsits from Harry's world. Yes, his cousin's odd, freakish world. When he learned exactly how Harry was "different," a sense of curiosity overwhelmed him. Not only did he hate his cousin, but he hated the fact that he possessed a gift which Dudley didn't have.

But when he is attacked by those thingies, he suddenly hears voices inside his head. Every voice he hears makes him somehow feel regret that he didn't stick up for his cousin more. He also sees memories of all the little kids he and his gang beat up, and he suddenly realizes, with a huge pang, that maybe he's been wrong to do that for all these years. All these memories come back to haunt him, and throw him into an ocean of utter turmoil.

But the axe really falls when Harry, who he'd done nothing but ridicule and jibe, saves his life. To think that someone he'd been so terrible to would still reach out and help him is mind-boggling to him, and he feels horribly ashamed when he reaches deep inside himself and knows that he wouldn't have saved Harry if their situations were reversed. What kind of a person am I, really? he thinks to himself. I'm such a spoiled, bullying brat.

From then on, he vows to be better, and he stays away from his cousin rather than picks on him. But then, all hell breaks loose when he and his parents are told they have to leave their home because of Harry's wizarding war. The two people who escort him and his family arrive, and Dudley knows this will probably be the last time he ever sees his cousin.

Dudley knows Harry will never know the shame and guilt he feels, but he hopes his last words to him will at least gain some respect from him. "You're not a waste of space," he says, and then he thanks the boy for saving his life. His cousin looks shocked, and then Dudley is escorted away by his family.

Throughout the rest of his life, Dudley tries to be a better person. He doesn't bully people anymore, and he actually met a woman and fell in love. He realizes his parents weren't the best role models, and he vows to himself that when he has children, he will treat them equally. He doesn't want to make the same mistakes his parents made. And every night, he spares a thought for Harry, hoping he is happy and safe and that his war is over. Dudley Dursley has truly changed.