June had passed and July came. When I and mom told dad about me being a wizard, dad completely flipped out. He blamed Harry for "rubbing" his freakiness on me essentially calling me a freak in a round-about way. He didn't want me going to any "freak" school. Mom kept on explaining tirelessly about the wizarding world to him but it didn't have any effect whatsoever.

He eventually allowed me to go but only because mom threatened to divorce him. This has practically damaged his relationship with both me and mom. Not that it was better with me before. Ever since I saw him beat Harry, I haven't been able to hold proper conversations with him.

He also refused our request to provide Harry another room. So, mom brought in a bunk bed to replace my old one. Sharing a room has brought us closer as we spend most of the nights wondering about the wizarding world.

Mom also told Harry the real reason behind his parents' death. Harry was noticeably sad to hear about it. However, after a week or two, he had cheered up. Although, his sadness would still come out time and again. Like this, days passed by as Harry's birthday finally arrived.

July 31, 1991

My eyes open to the view of the ceiling above my bed as I struggle to wake up. In a semi-awake groggy state, I push my blanket to the side as I get down from the bed. I go to the bathroom dazed and still sleepy. I turn on the water as I reach my hand towards it. The cold water jolts me fully awake as I suddenly notice the unusual quietness. I am usually awoken by the loud music played by Dale but today, it was different.

I rush back into the room to see no sign of him anywhere. I find it very strange but I just dismiss it as his new prank. We have been pranking each other for quite a while now. As I reminisce, I find myself wondering about my friendship with Dale.

I used to be very jealous of him. He got things I had always wanted but he used to take those things for granted. He also looked and behaved like a pig so it wasn't very hard to hate him either. But, he changed one day. I still remember that day like it was yesterday.

[]

I had just woken up when I heard a scream from outside. I quickly opened my door to see Dudley lay on the floor. I was about to reach him, but I saw Petunia arrive. I stood silent and frozen, praying that she wouldn't accuse me. It wouldn't be the first time that she accused me of things that I never did. Unfortunately, today was no different.

She screamed and screeched at my face accusing me of making Dudley fall as she shook me back and forth. I repeatedly refused her accusations. But all hopes of saving myself went out the door when Vernon locked me inside the closet room. When he said that I would get beaten, I was so scared that I kept on begging and explaining even though they were already gone.

It had already been a long time since I heard any noise. It had perhaps already been dark when I heard some people enter the house. They had probably arrived home. After a little while, a delicious smell wafted through the door gaps into my nose. Starving the entire day had left me with no energy. My already weak and small body was screaming for food. I could only hope that they would at least give me some food.

However, all hopes came crashing down as I saw Vernon's huge silhouette covering the door. He barely fit inside the cramped space as he tied me up and gagged me so I wouldn't scream from what was coming next.

At this point, I already knew what was about to happen. He took off his belt as he started beating me. He also said some very nasty and derogatory words as he beat me. The very first hit had almost knocked me out. I felt like fainting which I probably should have. It would have at least relieved me from the pain. But, a part of me felt like I would lose to this sorry excuse of a human if I were to faint. I screamed which only came out as whimpers as another strike hit me.

By the third strike, I was already half-unconscious. I don't know how but I somehow endured through the beating. I could only cry without letting out much noise as I experienced incredible pain. He had already locked the room and left when I heard the door open once again. My body stiffened thinking that he had come back.

I had my head down as I looked at the dirty blanket I laid on. Suddenly, a smell entered my nose as my stiff body relaxed a little bit. I looked up to see Dudley enter the room with food in his hand. At first, I was angry at him thinking that he was here to taunt me with food. However, I noticed he was trembling a bit. His face expressed guilt, shame, and so many other things. He was biting his lips as tears threatened to come out of his eyes. Later, I found out that he had this habit of biting his lips whenever he felt stressed and frustrated.

He drew closer to me as he laid the food beside me. I could hear him saying something. At first, I couldn't make out what he was saying. But after a while, I could hear him say, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I am so sorry. Why didn't I know beforehand? Why did I treat you like that? I am so sorry."

He went out as he constantly apologized. My thoughts immediately went haywire. I was shocked, to say the least. I was angry at him for having bullied me, angry because of his parents. But I also understood that we were just kids. My heart also felt warm, maybe for the first time. I could feel his sincere feelings when he said sorry. At that moment, I knew he had changed.

But I couldn't think any longer as the food in front of me enticed me. I quickly dug into it. This was the first time, I had eaten fresh food. Most of the time, I was fed cold leftovers from the previous day or none at all. It tasted incredibly delicious. I knew that I would no longer be able to be mad at him. To me, the food he gave shone brightly like light.

He came back once again to take back the dishes. This time, he didn't say anything but the tears streaming down his face said more than any apology ever could. He left the room locking me inside but I couldn't focus on that. Rather, I was hopeful that maybe I wouldn't have to feel as lonely after today. This thought alone would have left me sleepless if not for the pain and tiredness my body was experiencing. Soon, I succumbed to the pain as I fell asleep.

In the morning, I woke up feeling sore and numb all over my body. But strangely enough, my thoughts kept on wandering to Dudley's crying face. Once again, warmth invaded my heart but I also feared that yesterday was just a dream. Before, I would have preferred if those beatings were just a nightmare but not today.

The moment I saw Dudley's face, I knew that he hadn't slept all night. Despite his tired face, I could see a fire in his eyes. At that moment, all my worries disappeared because I knew he had truly changed.