"Go! Of course, we'll go!"
It wasn't Dudley who spoke, but Petunia. Upon hearing Dumbledore's formal invitation, she practically roared the words, her voice sharp with an emotion that bordered on desperation.
Everyone in the room turned to stare at her. Even Vernon's mouth fell open, a bewildered expression on his face as he looked at his wife in astonishment. Darling, he thought, his mind a jumble of confusion, didn't you say you wanted to stay away from that dreadful place? He desperately wanted clarification, but now was clearly not the time.
He didn't know that what Petunia was thinking at that moment was: I knew it! I knew Dudley was so outstanding! He's going to attend Hogwarts and become a great wizard! The speed of her change in attitude was astonishing, a true portrayal of ordinary human nature. No one is a saint, and double standards are often the norm.
Petunia could ignore Harry's feelings, but Dudley couldn't. He had always been the lubricant between his cousin and his parents, a role he had played for years. "Before I answer the Headmaster's invitation," he said, his voice calm and steady, "please allow me to ask a question."
"You may."
Dudley took a slow, deep breath, using the Ripple technique to still his mind, preventing the powerful old wizard from reading his thoughts. "What happened to the followers of the person who killed my aunt's family?" he asked, his gaze unwavering. "Have they all received the punishment they deserve? Earlier, the wizard named Hagrid said that the laws of our world don't apply to wizards. I imagine those followers must be very eager to get rid of Harry."
At his words, Harry felt a familiar warmth envelop him. He quietly wiped away the moisture welling in the corners of his eyes. Brother D is really too good to me, he thought, a lump forming in his throat.
"Most of them have received the punishment they deserve," Dumbledore replied, pausing slightly. "They are locked away in Azkaban... that is the wizarding world's prison."
"Most of them?" Dudley raised an eyebrow, seizing on the key phrase.
Dumbledore considered this for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Some people made mistakes in a moment of poor judgment. It does not mean they are bad people, nor does it mean they will be a threat to Harry, at least not while he is attending Hogwarts."
"I understand," Dudley nodded, summarizing the situation with blunt clarity. "Wealth, power, and influence allowed them to get out of trouble. They won't harm Harry unless there's a benefit significant enough to tempt them."
'Did I say that?' Dumbledore looked at Dudley with a new level of respect. This boy was far more mature than he had imagined.
"Then... one last question," Dudley said, placing his hands on the table, his fingers interlocked. He asked in a slow, deliberate tone, "Is Hogwarts... safe?"
It was a perfectly normal question for a Muggle child to ask. Professor McGonagall immediately responded, her voice filled with pride. "Of course! Hogwarts is the safest place in the world!"
Dudley's gaze shifted to Dumbledore, who slowly opened his mouth. "Please rest assured, Mr. Dursley. Hogwarts is very safe."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"Then I am very happy to attend your school," Dudley said, his previous seriousness vanishing, replaced by a bright, infectious smile. In that moment, he looked like a child again, if one ignored his muscular physique.
Professor McGonagall also smiled. "Then Harry..."
Before she could finish, Harry eagerly chimed in. "If Brother D goes, I'll go!" His parents' opinions no longer mattered; he knew from Petunia's earlier reaction that she would agree. And Vernon always listened to Petunia.
Watching the scene of "brotherly affection and respect," Professor McGonagall quietly wiped the corners of her eyes. Despite her stern exterior, she was a very emotional person. With the exception of Vernon, who was still muttering discontentedly to himself, it was a happy ending for everyone.
"Minerva," Dumbledore said, nodding with satisfaction. As long as Harry was going to Hogwarts, that was all that mattered. "I may need to trouble you to take them to Diagon Alley to purchase their school supplies. They've grown up in the Muggle world and have never been. I had originally intended for Hagrid to guide them, but I believe he is not quite suited for the task."
"Of course, Albus," Professor McGonagall replied, quite pleased with the arrangement. "I happen to be taking another young witch who has just received her letter tomorrow. We can all go together."
She turned to the Dursleys. "Then tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, I will be here to pick you up. As the parents of young wizards, you are, of course, welcome to come along."
"Absol—" Vernon began to protest, but Petunia quickly pinched the soft flesh of his waist, silencing him with a sharp intake of breath. She took over the conversation, smiling graciously. "Of course, we'd love to."
Not long after Dumbledore and McGonagall left, the Headmaster turned to his deputy. "Minerva, what do you think of young Mr. Dursley?"
"He's a good lad," she replied thoughtfully. "A good lad who cares for his brother."
Dumbledore paused at her choice of words, a contemplative look on his face.
Meanwhile, back at Number 4, Privet Drive, the four family members sat in the living room, staring at each other in a heavy silence.
"Petunia..." Vernon began, now that they were alone. He had ten thousand questions.
"Dudley, Harry..." Petunia interrupted, turning to the boys. "You two go rest. The adults have some things to discuss."
"Brother D, we can go to school together again!" Harry said with a hint of excitement before they parted ways. The thought of being with Dudley made the prospect of this strange new school much less daunting.
Dudley just rubbed Harry's head. "At Hogwarts, Harry," he said meaningfully, "I might need you to guide me."
The moment he was alone in his room, Dudley almost laughed out loud. He was finally going to learn magic. Today was truly a lucky day. Taking advantage of the surge in fortune, he decided to use his final reward.
Draw: Random magic skill.
Perhaps a person's good luck has a limit. Perhaps he had forgotten the Law of Conservation of Character.
As the slot machine spun wildly and then slowly came to a stop, Dudley received the result of his draw.
Congratulations: You have drawn the spell -- Lumos!
Dudley stared at the notification, a deadpan expression on his face.
"Damn it," he muttered. "I knew it."
***
(End of Chapter)
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