15 Worries

A day after Dudley's mother revealed more about the mystery of cooking to the boys, Dudley thinks,

'If cooking in this world has such a mastery leveling system in this world, what else is there that has such a mastery structure? If magic has deeper levels than the ones shown in the movies and novel, then am I even scratching the surface of the well called magic?'

He continues to ponder on these thoughts as he is escorted by his family to the fair happening in the town.

"Psst, hey, Dudley, are you still thinking about what Aunt Petunia told us." Harry whispers

Seeing that Dudley was in his mind, Harry tries again "Mate!" Harry says louder

"Shut up boy" Vernon says from the front seat of the vehicle. When Dudley heard his father's voice, he woke up from his reverie because he thought Vernon was talking to him so naturally, he said "what is going on dad? Can you repeat what you just said because I did not hear you?"

"Nothing son, go back to what you are doing" Vernon said and Dudley nod. Seeing that Harry who was supposed to act his age because they were going to a carnival was quiet, he said,

"Harry mate, why are you not shaking in excitement like you did this morning when Ma and Da told us we would be going to the carnival." Harry kept quiet because he saw Vernon eyes looking directly at him through the rear-view mirror as if saying 'talk and see what is going to happen to you.'

Knowing that Vernon could not keep his eyes on him forever, the moment Vernon moved his eyes to look at the road, Harry pointed his head toward Vernon while looking at Dudley in the eye. Dudley also noting something was wrong with Harry looked in the direction his head was pointing to.

When his eyes recognized that Harry's head was pointing at Vernon, Dudley's eyes widened as he roughly connected the dots as to what his cousin was signing him on. Dudley realized that in his moment of unclarity, something had gone on between his cousin and Dad without him hearing about it. He blamed himself because Harry was once again showing timid behavior that he thought he had helped him rid off.

He almost opened his mouth to talk down his father for making Harry relive the fear he felt from the traumatic event that happened when they were five. He only stopped because he felt Harry was pulling on his sleeves. When he turned to look at him, he found his cousin shaking his head no while pointing outside.

He looked outside and saw that they had arrived at the parking space of the fair. The family got off the car with Dudley and Harry first to start walking to the gate. When the boys reached a distance where they could whisper or talk with no fear of the parents hearing them, Dudley questioned,

"Mate, why did you shake your head at me?"

"I didn't want to ruin the experience for everyone because you stood up for me. Also, it is also your final weeks with us I do not want it to end on a negative note before leaving" Harry said while scratching the back of his hair.

Dudley slowly nods surprised and smiles at Harry's answer. After he finishes processing the answer, Dudley turns around to face his cousin and says with a serious expression "Thank you for that but, I'm your older brother, it is my duty to stand up for you when you can't. Remember mo matter what happens, I'll be there for you. Even if it is standing up to my own parents, I'll do that for you because we are family. Do you understand that?"

"Yea" Harry says in a shakey voice. Nodding in satisfaction that his feelings were well recieved, Dudley then says, "Now let's go have some fun."

'This kid is surprisingly thoughtful. I guess the main character halo shines bright within him. To think he would consider the feelings of everyone except for himself is quite the martyr mindset. I better break it out of him before it begins to take root. I am now worried about living him here with just my parents and him in the house when I go on this trip. More problems to think about when I leave.' With a physical sigh as Dudley concludes his final thoughts.

After he finished putting his thoughts in order, Dudley asked Harry another question, "so what exactly went on between you and Dad and what events led up to it?"

"Well first, I asked you if you were still thinking about what Aunt Petunia told us, but you did not hear me. I was about to ask you again when Uncle Dudley told me to shut up. That was all that went down" Harry explains

"Really" Dudley questions

"Yea" Harry says nervously. Dudley knowing that he was not going to get much out of his little brother even if that is all that happened ended the conversation there and went back to walking with Harry.

As they are walking to the entrance, they heard someone calling out to them. They turn around and heard a "where are you boys going, we haven't gotten the ticket yet" from Petunia. They quickly start walking back to Petunia and Vernon with embarrassed expression on their faces. Seeing their faces, the parents break into laughter thinking about how they are going to tease their son afterwards.

They also quickly took pictures with both of them in it because of how close they were standing together. When the boys got back, they both secretly swore to check their surroundings next time they were out in public to not make a mockery of themselves. This incident will greatly help both Dudley and Harry when they went to the magical side of the world.

The fair was a fun experience for everyone even Dudley who has gone on many carnival festivals than he could think of. The cotton candy was great to Harry and he even got a little sugar high from it. As for Dudley, he had headed to the candy apple booth right after entering the gate. He enjoyed the feeling of biting into one so he got his parents to buy him and Harry more.

After candy shopping, they went to the ring toss booth where Dudley cheated a little with magic. He won the big prize which was a pink plushy rabbit that he gave to his mother. Harry also tried his luck due to a spark of competition that appeared when Dudley won with a smirk on his face.

Naturally he also managed to win the big price but since there was only one grand prize, both Dudley and Harry agreed on a draw. Though Dudley secretly thought Harry only won because the main character cheat was still in effect due to the prophecy and all.

A spark of competition appeared in Dudley also and he and Harry competed to see who would win as many games as possible. Their remaining battles ended with Dudley pulling a slight victory which he went on and on about.

They also enjoyed going to the shooting booth where the family took turns in shooting a balloon with the provided air gun. They won some prizes and kept moving on until they had gotten to most of the booths. If someone were to ask how they got to so many booths without losing a lot of money, the answer would be that they only tried once or twice in a given booth before they moved on because they got what they want.

They found a nice spot to witness the fireworks display. As the event was going on, Dudley turned around to look at everyone's face and hinted at the guy next to them. Before the event began, he asked the guy that was standing by their them to take a picture of the entire family when the fireworks start. The guy said yes and he secretly gave him rope of the camera that was around his neck and gave it to him.

He had gotten the camera when he told his parents that he also wanted to try taking a picture of them. He took good pictures so, they let him have it. Also, the event that day was nearing the end so they let him have it thinking there was not a lot of places left to take a picture at.

After he hinted at the guy, he saw him move in front of them without them noticing. Though their back was not facing the fireworks, the pictures he took showed the lights that reflected in everybody eyes and body and the awe they expressed like they were looking at the Aurora Borealis.

He also took one when Dudley asked them to turn around and face the camera because the second wave was coming. The guy moved in front of them and when the fireworks were launched he took two more ending the festivities for the family.