Um,  where's the "chance encounter on a London street?"

Wow.... and this goes on? I wasn't expecting another chapter! Wow!

What an exceptional piece of writing this is. Rarely anybody has ever taken on the challenge of Dudley and have made him into a potentially interesting and/or redeemable figure at all, while still keeping the boy in character. I'm very, very impressed. I also love how you handled the narrative- how it seemed as if you were describing his life, rather than it all coming from Dudley's perspective (as that would have made him seem too intelligent for it to be his thoughts at all).

This is one heck of a piece of work. Much kudos to you and the wonderful Pumpkin Juice. :) Will be awaiting the next chapter happily and patiently- wonder what Dudley is going to do next! ;)

This is wonderful. A very plausible start to what promises to be a very interesting story. I can definitely see this happening to Dudley - even though I think he'll grow up to be exactly like Vernon, but we can dream, can't we? - and I can't wait to read the next installment. Excellent job!

Bella

Very interesting portrayal of Dudley and how he grows up.  I really think we don't see enough of him.  Is there going to be a sequel involving the curly-haired girl.  She seems to pop up too much for it to be purely for the sake of being mean.  You also did a really good job portraying college.  The changes can be kinda jarring and sudden.  My only criticism is the scene when he first gets there and he lets his parents baby him so people could hear it.  Didn't he start crying so his mother would do something for him sometime, maybe in the first book, and then immediately shut up when his friend came over to go to the zoo?  And Harry laughs at the contrast between "Big D" and "Dinky Duddums" or something in book 5.  Anyway, you've totally got the start-of-college-struggle down pact, with it being more work than ever before and a huge adjustment from what you're used to.  In a lot of fics, Dudley suddenly becomes a good guy and apologizes to Harry.  It's cool to see how in this one, Dudley changes slowly as a part of growing up and we get to see just how that happens.  Great story.

That I would normally not be interested in a Dudley story is a testimony to your skill in writing. Not only have you made an otherwise taboo topic interesting, but believable as well, which makes it even better.  Well done, and I'm looking forward to wherever you chose to take this.

Delani

I normally don't read Dudley stories, so when I came across this one I nearly skipped it.  I'm really glad I didn't and I will definitely be looking for future updates.  That said, I'm fascinated by the fact that your Dudley is finally maturing and realizing just how shallow his parents' lives are.  I'm very glad he's decided that that is not the life he wants even though he's scared of what this realization means to him.

Please update soon.  This story is terrific!

Very good story so far.  Very thoughtful and introspective.  I rarely enjoy looking very deeply into Dursley life, but you have me curious as to how Dudley will develop.

You also have me curious as to whether Harry's world will intersect with Dudley's as some point.  Could the curly haired girl (or any of the unnamed dormmates) be someone we've seen before in the HP books?