"Dudley, come with me for a moment."
Just then, Dumbledore suddenly looked up toward Dudley's direction, and immediately after, the headmaster's voice appeared directly in Dudley's ear through magical means.
Dudley nodded in acknowledgement.
On the staff table, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stood up together and entered a private room nearby.
Dudley quickly followed, pushing the door open behind them.
"Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall," Dudley greeted them with proper respect.
"Dudley, how have you been during our summer apart?" Dumbledore asked with his characteristic warm smile.
Dudley shrugged with obvious weariness. "As you probably know, not particularly well."
He had encountered quite a few troubling incidents during this summer vacation.
Dumbledore smiled knowingly but didn't press for details.
"Harry and Ron chose the car because the barrier to Platform 9¾ was mysteriously sealed, so they couldn't board the school train," Dudley explained proactively.
"We've already investigated this matter thoroughly. There was indeed a serious problem with the platform," Professor McGonagall confirmed.
"However, even considering that circumstance, they shouldn't have driven that enchanted car to school. They violated numerous school rules along the way, not to mention several magical laws."
Professor McGonagall spoke with obvious seriousness and disapproval.
"So what does the school plan to do about this situation?" Dudley enquired.
"Necessary punishment is unavoidable," Professor McGonagall stated firmly, then looked to Professor Dumbledore for guidance. "Let's punish them both with detention, Professor Dumbledore. What do you think?"
"You're the Head of Gryffindor House. You can make that decision," Dumbledore replied diplomatically.
"You children always give me such terrible headaches," Professor McGonagall said, shaking her head with frustration. After nodding to Dumbledore, she turned and left, presumably to handle Harry and Ron's disciplinary matter.
After Professor McGonagall departed, Dumbledore's profound gaze turned to focus entirely on Dudley.
"Do you have any theories about what happened, Dudley?" Professor Dumbledore asked with obvious interest.
"I suspect it was orchestrated by the house-elf that previously intercepted our letters. Only such a creature would have both the ability and motive. But I can't quite understand why it would do this. Just to prevent Harry from coming to school? That seems rather extreme and presumptuous," Dudley analysed thoughtfully.
Dumbledore remained silent, displaying a deeply contemplative expression.
After a considerable pause, Dumbledore slowly began to speak. "Dudley, the magical world hasn't been very peaceful recently. I can sense dark undercurrents stirring ominously in the shadows."
Dudley frowned with concern. "This has nothing to do with us directly."
"I didn't say it was related to you specifically. There are some matters I'm currently investigating myself. I'm telling you this because for the next period of time, I may be away from the school for extended periods, and I need you to honour our previous agreement," Dumbledore said, his penetrating blue eyes gazing carefully at Dudley through his half-moon spectacles.
"Protect Hogwarts well. I need to unite all forces that can be united. Do you understand what I mean?"
Dudley looked directly at Dumbledore with full comprehension.
He understood that the "forces" Dumbledore referred to didn't mean Dudley's personal strength. Dumbledore didn't place particular faith in Dudley's limited abilities. His real meaning was hoping that the Night Emperor would stand firmly on Hogwarts' side.
"I understand your meaning perfectly, Professor. This is our agreement, and I've always been someone who keeps my promises," Dudley said with complete seriousness.
"Very good," Dumbledore nodded with visible relief.
"Professor, I'd like to know... has something significant happened in the magical world recently?" Dudley enquired carefully.
"Certain things have occurred, matters that even I cannot fully grasp or control. In any case, I have many urgent matters to handle, and sometimes I may not be able to personally oversee Hogwarts," Dumbledore admitted with obvious concern.
He didn't reveal the specific details to Dudley. Of course, it was also possible that Dumbledore himself wasn't entirely clear on all the details at this point.
"I understand completely," Dudley assured him.
He had previously promised Dumbledore to protect Hogwarts, especially during this academic year.
From the current situation, it seemed that shortly after the summer vacation ended, Dumbledore had encountered some serious complications. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used the Elixir of Life formula to secure Dudley's protection of Hogwarts, or rather, to secure the Night Emperor's protection of Hogwarts.
"I'll grant you special authority, allowing you to freely enter and exit certain restricted areas of Hogwarts, including some forbidden places, while not being constrained by normal Hogwarts school rules. But you must guarantee not to abuse this power," Dumbledore said with utmost gravity.
"I guarantee it absolutely," Dudley replied solemnly.
"Very well, there's nothing else for now. You may return to the feast," Dumbledore said, waving his hand with obvious weariness.
Dudley turned to leave. Halfway to the door, he turned back and offered, "If there's anything I can help you with, please feel free to ask."
Dumbledore smiled with genuine appreciation. "Then what price would I need to pay for such assistance?"
"Equivalent exchange," Dudley said with a meaningful wink.
"Haha, then before I make any requests, I'd better think carefully about what kind of price I can afford to pay," Dumbledore said with honest laughter.
Dudley shrugged and left the room with a slight smile.
After leaving the room, Dudley's expression immediately became considerably more grave.
"What has happened in the magical world to make even Dumbledore so cautious, even choosing to cooperate with me when he can't fully trust my true nature?" Dudley thought with growing concern.
"Could it be related to sealed artefacts?" Dudley speculated internally.
"If it's connected to sealed artefacts and can cause Dumbledore such deep concern, then it's not something ordinary sealed artefacts could accomplish."
"Of course, it could also be problems that exist within the magical world itself."
"Forget it. These matters have nothing to do with me directly for now. I've already expressed my goodwill and sincerity. If Dumbledore really needs help, he should come find me or come find the Night Emperor. That way, I could obtain the latest intelligence from the magical world immediately."
Dudley slowly walked toward the Gryffindor seats, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Will there be any significant changes at Hogwarts this year? Without the Philosopher's Stone as bait, what reason would Voldemort have to infiltrate here?" Dudley calculated silently.
The Sorting Ceremony had ended by the time he returned.
Harry and Ron had returned to their seats before long. They hadn't been expelled, but the detention punishment was still quite severe and embarrassing.
News about the two driving a flying car to school also began spreading rapidly among the students. It was said that this incident had already been reported in magical world newspapers. Some students thought it was incredibly cool, others thought Harry was showing off for attention, but only the two culprits themselves knew how great the negative impact of this incident would be on their futures.
The first day of school passed in such a muddled, uncertain way.
What should have been a relaxed and pleasant school life was now cast under a dim shadow by Professor Dumbledore's ominous words about gathering forces and dark undercurrents stirring in the magical world.