41Chapter 2: Kevin the Rat
Dudley looked like he was about to burst into tears. Harry felt a strange urge to pat him on the back. But, thankfully, he withheld that particular impulse. "What's wrong with Wendi?" he asked.
"Something's wrong with me?" she asked worriedly, in her bell-like voice, her green-hazel eyes widening in anxiety. "Daddy? What's wrong with me?" Dudley didn't answer. "Is it because of Kevin?"
"Kevin?" asked Harry, confused.
"My big brother." she explained shyly.
"Well, what happened to Kevin?" Harry was starting to think maybe he knew what had happened, what could have reduced Dudley to tears. But, no... it couldn't be...
"Kevin had an accident." she said ashamedly, looking down.
"What kind of accident?" asked Harry, gently. Wendi looked up at her father, as if asking permission. He nodded at her.
"Kevin isn't a boy anymore." she whispered.
"What is he?" asked Harry.
"He-he's a hamster."
"A hamster?" asked Harry, amused. "Why?"
"He was being mean, Mister! I didn't mean to!" she began to cry "He asked me how I made an ice cream when I was hungry and I don't know, Mister, I don't know it was just there!"
"Mister?" asked Harry. "Call me Uncle Harry." Obviously the little girl thought her father was taking her to give her away, or something similar. Dudley really should have explained to her what had happened.
"And then he- he hit me." the tears were coming faster "and then he just... changed."
"Into the hamster?"
"Yes, sir." she whispered. "Do you want to see him?"
"Sure." said Harry.
Wendi reached into her pocket and pulled out a furry, rather fat, white-with-tan-spots hamster. It was nibbling on a piece of corn. "Here he is." she handed him into Harry's cupped hands. Dudley was watching morosely.
"Could you- I mean, is it possible- would you- I mean-?" Dudley stuttered.
"Could I turn him back?" asked Harry. Dudley nodded wordlessly. "Well, it's worth a try." He pointed his faithful wand at the small hamster and it grew, bigger and bigger, until it was a fat boy, who reminded Harry strongly of Dudley at the age of thirteen.
"Dad!" he yelled, and ran to Dudley. "She did it!" he pointed an accusatory finger at Wendi.
"I didn't mean to!" shouted Wendi back at him.
"She did, Dad, I was standing there not doing anything to her then suddenly she got bigger and bigger, she did, Dad, I promise!" the boy insisted. "Isn't she going to get punished?" he asked, evilly.
"No, Daddy, I didn't mean to, please..." she started crying again.
"Do you see?" asked Dudley "I can't- I can't deal with her! What should I do, Harry? Please, help me!"
Harry considered turning him away and letting him suffer, but he couldn't let this little girl suffer for her father's mistakes.
"She's a witch, Dudley." he stated.
"No I'm not! I'm not, sir, really!" she wept.
Harry bent down until he was her height.
"Wendi, do you know who I am?" she shook her head. "I'm your uncle. And, I'm a wizard. My wife is a witch, and my children are also witches and wizards. When I was your age, I lived with Dudley and his family, and I was magic, too. And, do you know, that there's a special place for people like me and you?"
"There is?" she rubbed her eyes with a small hand.
"Yes. It's a school called Hogwarts."
"Is it for bad people?" she whispered.
"No." Harry said, softly. "All my friends come from there. And, you know what?" he asked, forcing his voice to sound more cheerful. "I have three kids, just your age. They're going there too. One of them already goes there! Would you- would you like to meet them?" he offered.
"Yes!" she said, her eyes shining.
"JAMES! ALBUS! LILY! COME DOWN HERE!" he shouted up the stairs. Wendi giggled, looking much happier.
James, Albus, and Lily stomped down the stairs. "Yes, dad?" asked Albus innocently.
"I know you three heard. You're just like Uncle George and late Uncle Fred." Harry turned around a put an arm around Ginny. "This is my wife, Ginny." he told Wendi.
"Hello." Ginny said, her face softening.
"Hi."
Dudley stood up. "Well, I think it's pretty clear what we're going to have to do."
"Yes?" asked Harry.
"We'll hide her. Keep her away from this trash."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "Do you remember the last time you tried to run from wizards?" he demanded.
"I'll do better." said Dudley.
"Daddy?" asked little Lily, still holding her teddy bear. Everyone turned to face her.
"Yes, honey?"
"Why can't she just stay here with us?"
Dudley stared at Harry. "Would you...?"
"Dudley, I can't possibly... what will your wife think?"
"Dora will be fine with it. Never liked little Wendi much, to tell you the truth."
"Well I suppose, if it's just for a year or two..." Harry began, knowing it wouldn't just be for a year.
"So it's settled then." said Dudley, business-like. "We'll be contacting you later to deal with the finer details." He stood up and took Kevin's hand. "Come on, Kevin, we must get home in time for breakfast!"
And, before Harry could stop him, he had grabbed Kevin's hand and practically ran out of the room.
Please, if you're going to review, I would appreciate it if you could be extremely specific. Or, over all, what was wrong or right? Too much dialogue? Too little dialogue? Did I do a good job on portraying the characters?