"I'll figure out a safe method, Harry, and Dudley, I promise you that!"
After a moment of silence, Dumbledore spoke earnestly.
"You'd better add another promise to that, Dumbledore!" Dudley said coldly.
"If you come up with any ideas, I expect you to tell us directly, just like I did, and discuss it with us instead of arrogantly acting on your own.
You can evaluate my methods, and I need to evaluate yours. Understand?"
"I'll discuss it with you, Dudley. I promise!" Dumbledore replied without hesitation.
"Keep asking," Dudley said, leaning back in his chair and getting comfortable.
"I don't have any more questions. Knowing your intentions and abilities, and unexpectedly learning the key to defeating Voldemort, the smaller details don't matter as much."
Dumbledore also shifted in his seat, his expression somber. "Now it's your turn to ask me."
"Alright!"
Dudley waved Diggle's wand, summoning three bottles of juice from the fridge. The caps of the glass bottles popped open on their own, and each bottle flew to Dumbledore, Harry, and Dudley.
Dudley took a long drink, quenching his thirst and calming his nerves before continuing:
"Our questions are simple. There are two main ones—one about the past, one about the future.
First, the question about the past. Professor Dumbledore, Harry and I need to know the full story of how Voldemort killed Aunt Lily and Uncle James.
Why did Voldemort target the Potters? What was his motive?"
"Because of a prophecy—a prophecy about Voldemort's downfall," Dumbledore answered without hesitation.
"What was the prophecy?"
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord would be born to those who had thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies, and possess a power the Dark Lord knows not."
"Who made the prophecy?"
"Professor Sybill Trelawney. She made the prophecy while applying for the position of Divination professor at Hogwarts."
Dudley and Dumbledore engaged in a rapid-fire Q&A, with Dumbledore answering promptly and honestly—until the next question.
"How did Voldemort find out about the prophecy? Who told him? Did Trelawney go around boasting about it?"
As Dudley asked, his eyes locked onto Dumbledore, carefully observing his microexpressions and body language.
"Well... no. Trelawney came to me immediately after making the prophecy, at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade. She told me everything she'd seen..."
Dumbledore's answer was no longer direct. He spoke slowly, sidestepping the question.
"Dumbledore!"
Dudley suddenly shouted, startling Dumbledore and cutting off his hesitant explanation.
Then, Dudley fixed Dumbledore with a piercing stare and said, "Answer honestly, Professor Dumbledore! When you paused just now, your lips pressed into a thin line—a sign you're hiding something.
Also, while you were speaking, your eyes kept shifting from the lower left to the upper right. That means your thoughts were bouncing between memory and imagination.
You were trying to fabricate a story to cover for someone, weren't you?!"
"I... you... I..."
Dumbledore flustered, avoiding Dudley's intense gaze. When he glanced at Harry and saw the disappointment on his face, his heart ached.
"I'm sorry, Dudley and Harry. I just didn't want you to form an irreversible, negative impression of someone prematurely."
Dumbledore sighed deeply. "Dudley, you're far too perceptive. I've never heard such a... professional explanation of those signs."
"It's the Muggle version of Legilimency—a science called microexpression psychology, Professor Dumbledore!
So, don't lie or play games in front of me! It's neither smart nor fair!
Harry and I answered your questions honestly!"
Dudley glared at Dumbledore, his eyes full of warning. "Also, stop making decisions for others. Just tell us the truth. How we interpret it is our business!
Now, tell us—who told Voldemort about the prophecy?!"
"Severus Snape. He overheard my conversation with Trelawney at the Hog's Head and heard the first part of the prophecy. He reported it to Voldemort."
Dumbledore finally told the truth, though he quickly added, "At the time, Snape was obsessed with dark magic, chasing power and influence. That's why he joined the Death Eaters and became Voldemort's servant.
When Voldemort learned of the prophecy, he began hunting down potential targets. Eventually, he narrowed it down to two possibilities—Harry and Neville Longbottom.
Snape and Harry's mother, Lily, had known each other since childhood. They had a... complicated history.
Snape had always loved Lily. So, when he realized his actions had put the Potters on Voldemort's hit list, he was filled with remorse.
He defected and came to me, begging me to protect the Potters. I agreed..."
"Hold on, Professor Dumbledore."
Dudley interrupted Dumbledore's lengthy explanation. "The situation is clear. Snape was Voldemort's accomplice, just with a touch of romantic obsession and a guilty conscience.
By Muggle legal standards, he'd get at least ten years in prison!
Professor Dumbledore, you can't excuse him just because he became your spy.
Your casual remark about Voldemort 'hunting down targets' represents the deaths of countless wizarding families!
Hagrid mentioned yesterday that Voldemort and his Death Eaters killed many talented witches and wizards. Hagrid could name several examples!
Those people didn't have to die. It was all because of Snape's betrayal!
And from what you've said, it's clear Snape didn't realize his mistake out of moral clarity. He was just obsessed with my Aunt Lily!
If Harry hadn't fit the prophecy and Voldemort hadn't targeted the Potters, would Snape have defected? Huh?! Ask yourself honestly—would he?!"
Dumbledore fell silent, then after a long pause, he answered with difficulty:
"He likely... would not have."