Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 168: Proposal
1 SEPTEMBER 1997
BREAKFAST TIME - SECRET HOME
This time, the ones cooking were Harry and Dudley.
"Oi, Harry, don't burn that," Dudley said while stirring a pot.
"I'm not going to burn it!" Harry shot back. "I've been cooking since I was five, remember?"
"Yeah," Dudley smirked. "And half the time you were forced to do it."
Harry rolled his eyes but couldn't deny it.
Even though things had changed after Dudley become wizard, still in the past he was being forced by Aunt Petunia to help her in kitchen, later when he become a bit older and can cook egg perfectly, he was the one who did the breakfast.
But after Dudley finally become Wizard, Petunia no longer forced Harry to cook and instead took responsibility herself, although he no longer cook his own food Harry still enjoyed cooking from time to time.
"I like it, alright?" Harry added, flipping something in the pan. "It's relaxing."
Dudley chuckled. "Didn't expect that from the Boy Who Lived."
"Shut up," Harry muttered, though there was no real annoyance in his voice.
In the past, Petunia would have been the one cooking right now. But ever since Dudley brought Dobby and Mipsy into the house, everything changed.
The two house-elves were extremely eager to take over kitchen duties.
If Petunia even tried to step in they would be the one who protest.
"Madam Petunia must not do that!" Dobby would cry dramatically.
"Mipsy can cook! Mipsy can do everything!" the other would insist.
Eventually, Petunia gave up trying to compete with their enthusiasm.
So now, the kitchen mostly belonged to them but today was different.
Since it was their last morning before returning to Hogwarts, Dudley decided to cook personally.
"I just feel like doing it," Dudley said earlier when asked and Harry, of course, joined him.
Meanwhile, Susan stood nearby, watching them with interest.
"…That smells really good," she said, leaning slightly closer.
"Of course it does," Dudley replied confidently. "You're watching a master at work."
Harry snorted. "Master? You almost burned the soup yesterday."
"That was intentional," Dudley said immediately.
"Intentional?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I was testing the limits."
"That's not how cooking works!"
Susan couldn't help but laugh.
"I can help, you know," she said, stepping forward. "At least let me try something."
Dudley immediately raised a hand.
"No."
Susan blinked. "No?"
"No," Dudley repeated. "Just sit there and watch."
"That's rude," she frowned.
"It's not rude," Dudley replied. "It's called preventing a disaster."
"I'm not that bad!"
Harry glanced at her. "…Have you ever cooked before?"
Susan hesitated.
"…No."
"Then yeah," Harry nodded. "Maybe just watch."
"Hey!"
Dudley smirked. "See? Even Harry agrees."
Susan crossed her arms but didn't move away.
"…Fine. But next time, I'm helping."
"We'll see," Dudley replied casually.
From the side, Dobby suddenly appeared, peeking into the kitchen.
"Master Dudley is cooking?" Dobby said, eyes wide. "Dobby is amazed!"
"Mipsy also amazed!" another small voice added.
Dudley sighed. "Relax, I'm not stealing your job."
Dobby shook his head rapidly. "No, no! Master Dudley can cook anytime! Dobby is honored!"
Harry laughed softly. "You've got fans now."
"Of course I do," Dudley replied proudly.
Susan rolled her eyes. "You're unbelievable."
But despite the teasing, the atmosphere in the kitchen felt warm.
Peaceful and normal.
For a moment, they weren't thinking about Voldemort or war or what was coming next.
They were just… Enjoying a simple moment together.
Amelia Bones looked from the table at her nephew and can only shake her head with amusement.
...
AFTER BREAKFAST
"Dudley, you're a very good chef," Vernon commented, clearly impressed as he took another bite.
Dudley raised an eyebrow and glanced at him. "Dad, you should cook for Mom sometimes."
Vernon paused, slightly awkward under Dudley disapproving gaze.
Although Vernon had never raised a hand against Petunia or done anything unfaithful, he had never been the type to help in the kitchen either.
"…Alright," Vernon finally said, giving a small, sincere smile toward his wife. "I'll help your mom from now on."
Petunia waved her hand lightly. "No need, Vernon. Dobby and Mipsy are more than enough."
"Yes! Dobby can do many things!" Dobby said proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Mipsy too! Mipsy can cook, clean, everything!" the other house-elf added enthusiastically.
Dudley chuckled softly at their reactions.
Suddenly, a baby cry echoed from the room.
"It looks like my little sister just woke up," Dudley said, his expression softening into a gentle smile.
"Dudley, relax. Let Mommy handle it," Petunia said as she stood up and walked toward the baby room which had been decorated and looks like small nursery.
A few moments later, she returned, holding the baby girl, now calm and well-fed, her diaper already changed.
"She's getting heavier," Petunia said with a fond smile.
"Hello my little girl," said Vernon.
"Hi my baby sister," added Dudley.
Suddenly Vernon glanced at the clock. "Is it eight o'clock already? Time for you to leave for the train?"
"Yes," Dudley answered.
Then his expression shifted and become serious.
"Mom, Dad," Dudley said, his tone suddenly serious. "Please sit down. I have something important to say."
Vernon and Petunia exchanged glances, sensing the change in atmosphere, before quietly sitting down.
"Aunt Amelia, Susan… please sit as well," Dudley added, looking toward them.
"Huh?" Susan blinked, surprised.
Everyone assumed Dudley was about to give some kind of warning or serious discussion about Voldemort and the dangers ahead.
Even Harry sat down beside Amelia, his expression attentive.
"Dudley, what is it?" Susan asked, slightly nervous.
Dudley took a deep breath.
Then, without hesitation he took out the ring that he had prepared.
"I'm going to say something important," he said. "Susan… will you marry me?"
Everyone in the room become silent, the entire people in the room froze.
Susan eyes widened, her face instantly flushing red.
"W-What…?" she stammered.
Dudley didn't look away. His gaze was steady, serious—completely different from his usual teasing expression.
"I'm serious," he said. "I've always been serious."
His parents stared at him in shock.
Amelia, however, narrowed her eyes slightly. She could tell immediately, this wasn't a joke.
That look in Dudley's eyes… He had never shown it before.
"You… are you teasing me again?" Susan asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"No," Dudley replied firmly. "Before this, I hid my feelings behind jokes because you never accepted them but this time… I'm not joking anymore."
The room fell into complete silence.
No one knew what to say.
Even Harry was stunned.
Then... Amelia gently placed a hand on Susan back and gave her a small push forward.
"Susan," Amelia said calmly, "your aunt is fine if you want to get married early."
Susan turned to look at her in disbelief. "Aunt…?"
Amelia gave a small, knowing smile.
She understood why Dudley chose this moment.
The shadow of Voldemort was looming closer and danger could come at any time.
And Dudley, most likely didn't want to live with regret.
Everyone in the room remained quiet.
All eyes were now on Susan... waiting for her answer.