the_debt_of_time

his gaze falling on Sirius, unable to bring up the dementors by name again. "Said it wasn't
my fault. I knew better, of course, but wasn't gonna tell him that. Still got in, though."
"Congratulations." Mia smiled, wishing Lily had been there to hear the news about
her nephew. "That's a wonderful achievement."
"It's all right." Dudley shrugged. "I like it better there than at my job."
"Where are you working?" Sirius asked.
"Grunnings. My dad got me the job. He's in sales. I'm not very good at it, but it
pays for my flat. I only stop by here to do my wash."
"Are you attending class full-time?" Mia questioned.
Dudley shook his head. "Can't afford to just now. Not unless I move back home,"
he said with a wince. The idea was clearly not an option. "Maybe in a year or two, once I've
saved up some."
"Dudley, I want you to write your school's information down for me and mail it to
this address," Mia said, pulling a piece of paper and pen from her purse and noting down
the Muggle mailbox that all the residents of Grimmauld Place used when they needed to
correspond with the Muggle world. She handed the boy the paper and smiled.
Dudley took it, looking confused. "Umm... can I ask, what's this for?"
"You're going to quit that job you hate and attend the university you love full-time,"
Mia informed him. "We're going to pay for your education."
"We are?" Sirius asked, shocked, and Mia pinched his thigh. "Ow, fuck! I mean...
we are. Of course we are!"
"Yes, and since we know what your parents would say about you accepting money
from people like us.. ." She barely prevented herself from rolling her eyes. Sirius did not
even try to stop himself. "You're going to tell them that you won a special scholarship. I
imagine they'll be so proud of you that they won't ask too many questions."
Dudley's eyes were wide. "What? I mean... why?"
"Because... Because Lily would have offered it to you," Mia said, swallowing back
several emotions as they rose to the surface. "Your aunt was the kindest person I've ever
met, and family meant the world to her. I think she would have been very pleased to know
that you were furthering your education."
Suddenly there was the sound of a car door shutting outside.