"John?"
With his broad shoulders and long arms, Dudley was well suited to boxing.
He had a large frame, and his reach was long enough, too.
The bully who had once picked on his little cousin was now a winner in life, enjoying wealth and fame on the international sporting stage.
When Dudley saw John, an affable smile spread across his face. "You're back?"
As it happened, John and Dudley had had a few run-ins as children.
John had not known magic back then, so he had used a pencil to scare several children into bawling their eyes out.
Dudley had been one of them. He had also eaten the entire cake John's family had brought over as an apology.
Later, John had gone to Hogwarts, and his interactions with Dudley had grown fewer and fewer.
John did not dislike Dudley. In fact, he had no particular dislike for the Dursley family as a whole.
Although the potbellied Mr. Dursley always liked to shout at Harry, he was quite polite to his neighbors and others.
An ordinary man, Mr. Dursley nevertheless had the courage to raise a gun against a wizard to protect his family.
He might not have been a good uncle, but he was a good husband and father.
"Yes, I'm back." A smile curled John's lips as he looked at Dudley.
They had actually seen each other on the day John first returned, but unfortunately, John had only stayed a short while before leaving.
Dudley looked a little embarrassed, wanting to greet him but not knowing what to do with himself. At last, he remembered the freshly baked pie in his hands.
"I thought you might like this."
He rubbed his nose awkwardly.
John accepted it with a smile and remarked, "You've matured a lot, Dudley."
"I