After leaving the Dursley home, Dumbledore did not Apparate directly back to Hogwarts. Instead, with a soft pop that disturbed nothing but the air itself, he reappeared on a secluded, tree-lined path several streets away from Privet Drive. His gaze immediately fell upon a prim-looking tabby cat sitting patiently on a garden wall, its tail twitching.
"Minerva," Dumbledore said with a knowing smile. "I knew you'd come."
The cat gave him an distinctly unimpressed look, then leaped gracefully from the wall. As it landed, its form shifted and expanded, stretching and reshaping itself until it was no longer a cat, but a severe-looking middle-aged woman dressed in a dark emerald cloak.
"Albus," Professor McGonagall said, her voice crisp and business-like. "I didn't expect to find you here."
"I needed to explain yesterday's events to the boys," Dumbledore replied. "And to deliver their tickets. Hagrid, in his haste, forgot them."
"You needn't worry so much about Harry's safety," she said, though her serious expression betrayed her own concern. "The Ministry has already dispatched Aurors to the area. He will be fine."
"Gringotts' defenses are also considered impenetrable," Dumbledore countered gently, "and yet a terrible thing still happened. At a time like this, we cannot afford to let our guard down."
A rare, small smile touched McGonagall's lips. "Harry would be very happy to know he has a professor who cares for him so deeply."
"I only have a few free days, so I came to check on the situation," she explained as they began to walk down the quiet street. "I've been observing them since they returned yesterday. The Dursley family… they seem different from how they were ten years ago. Their attitude toward magic, and toward Harry, seems to have improved."
"Perhaps that's because their own son, Dudley, has also become a wizard," Dumbledore suggested.
"Ah, yes. Dudley Dursley." McGonagall frowned. "His name appearing so suddenly in the Book of Admittance… isn't that a bit peculiar? To awaken magical talent at this age is truly rare."
It was true. Most wizarding children showed signs of magic early, their names appearing in the ancient book at Hogwarts almost from birth. For someone to manifest their power at eleven, just a month before the school term began, was a significant anomaly.
"It is rare," Dumbledore agreed, his tone unhurried, "but in the long history of Hogwarts, he is not the only one. Since Petunia's sister was a witch, it is not impossible for her son to inherit the gift." He paused. "Additionally, I have already had someone make contact with Dudley. We've confirmed that he has indeed awakened his magical talent, and have found no other unusual circumstances."
McGonagall stopped, looking at him with surprise. "You've already investigated? It seems I was worrying for nothing."
"Yes. After I discovered his name in the book, I immediately arranged for a… consultation. A simple tarot reading."
"And what were the results?"
Dumbledore's expression became thoughtful. "He asked about the past, present, and future. 'The Emperor' represented his past, and 'The Judgment' his future. As for the present, unfortunately, Vernon's intrusion knocked over the divination table before the card could be read."
"The Emperor and The Judgment…" McGonagall murmured, her brow furrowed. "What could that possibly mean?"
"I cannot say for certain," Dumbledore admitted, spreading his hands. "The diviner herself found the combination impossible to interpret. The cards were… vague. She said they felt as if they belonged to a different deck entirely."
"Well, if that's the case," McGonagall said with a sigh, "then we will have to see for ourselves once he is at school." A determined look entered her eyes. "On September 1st, I believe I will take a trip on the Hogwarts Express. It has been some time since I've enjoyed the journey."
Dumbledore smiled. He understood perfectly. She was still worried and intended to personally escort Harry to the safety of the castle. "Then I shall leave him in your capable hands, Professor McGonagall."
"Perhaps he will become a Gryffindor," she said, a hint of pride in her voice. "I would simply be escorting a student from my own house." With a final, shared look of understanding, the two powerful wizards disappeared from the street as if they had never been there at all.
Time flew by. Dudley spent the rest of August devouring his new books, his mind absorbing magical theory and history with an unnatural speed. Blessed with the intellect and insight of his past life, he found the first-year curriculum almost laughably simple.
"Meow."
A small orange cat with a fluffy tail leaped gracefully into his lap, purring as it kneaded his robes before settling into a comfortable ball. Dudley stroked its soft fur, a small smile on his face. It had been a gift from his parents. After learning that Harry would have an owl, they had insisted that Dudley couldn't go to Hogwarts pet-less. After ruling out toads and snakes as "too freaky," they had settled on a cat. Dudley had chosen this one himself, for no other reason than he found its confident, lazy demeanor pleasing.
"Tomorrow, I go to Hogwarts," he whispered to the cat. "I find myself looking forward to this world of magic more and more." There was a downside, however. "It's a pity my Characteristics haven't been fully digested yet. It will probably take another two weeks. Without the proper 'acting,' digestion is incredibly slow." Acting as the "king" of the neighborhood kids had helped, but it was a far cry from being a true Lawyer or Arbitrator. He would need a new stage. I wonder if Hogwarts has positions like class monitor, prefect, or Student Council President, he mused. Those could be very useful for digesting my subsequent Characteristics.
After packing his trunk, ensuring Trunsoest's Brass Book was securely hidden in a false bottom, he took out his ticket one last time. Tomorrow morning, his father would drive him and Harry to King's Cross Station in London. Everything was ready. But one detail still left him slightly bewildered: Platform 9 ¾.
***
(End of Chapter)
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