Chapter 27 – A Good Child Who Protects His Brother
"Yes! Of course he'll go!"
The words did not come from Dudley, but from Petunia. When she heard Dumbledore's invitation, she nearly shouted them.
Everyone turned to look at her. Even Vernon gaped, unable to find words, staring at his wife in astonishment.
'Didn't you say we must stay away from that place?'
His thoughts were in chaos. He wanted to demand an explanation, but clearly this was not the time.
What he did not know was that Petunia was thinking: 'I knew it. My Dudley is so exceptional—of course he can attend Hogwarts and become a great wizard.'
Her change in attitude was so abrupt it left them dumbfounded.
But this was the truth of ordinary people. No one was a saint, and double standards were the rule.
She could disregard Harry's feelings, but not Dudley's. He had always been the mediator between the two, and today was no exception. "Before I answer the Headmaster's invitation, may I ask one question?"
"Go on," Dumbledore replied.
Dudley steadied his heart with Ripple Breathing, keeping himself calm as still water so the other could not read his thoughts, whether or not he was being overly suspicious.
"The men who murdered my aunt and her family—what became of them? Were they punished? Hagrid said before that the laws of our world do not apply to wizards. I imagine those men would very much want Harry dead."
'Thinking of me, even now…'
Harry once again felt warmth surround him. He discreetly wiped the dampness gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Brother D was truly too good. I could cry.
"Most of them have been punished and imprisoned in Azkaban—the wizarding world's prison," Dumbledore answered. At the mention of Azkaban, he paused, then explained for the benefit of the ordinary family.
"Most of them?" Dudley raised an eyebrow, seizing on the key words.
Dumbledore thought briefly, then chose the simplest phrasing. "Some were carried away by impulse. That does not make them evil, nor does it mean they would harm Harry. At the very least, while he is at Hogwarts, they will not."
"I see." Dudley nodded, summarizing with a few sharp words. "Wealth, power, and influence freed them. Unless they are tempted by greater interests, they will not harm Harry."
'Did I say it like that?'
Dumbledore studied him deeply. The Dursleys' child was far more mature than he had imagined.
"Then… one last question." Dudley placed his hands on the table's edge, fingers interlaced before his face. His tone was slow and expressionless as he asked, "Is Hogwarts safe?"
The question was natural. For a Muggle child with no knowledge of Hogwarts' greatness, such doubt was only normal.
Professor McGonagall was the first to reply, her tone proud. "Of course. Hogwarts is the safest place in the entire world!"
Dudley turned his eyes on Dumbledore. The elder, who bore some resemblance to Gandalf, spoke slowly. "Rest assured, young Mr. Dursley, Hogwarts is very safe."
"You guarantee it."
"I guarantee it."
"Then I am glad to attend your school."
Dudley's sternness melted away. A radiant smile spread across his face, making him look like a child again—if one ignored the muscles on his frame.
Professor McGonagall smiled as well. "Then, Harry—"
Before she could finish, Harry cut in eagerly. "If Brother D goes, then I'll go!"
As for their parents, Petunia's earlier excitement said it all—she would certainly agree.
And Vernon? He followed Petunia's lead.
Watching the brotherly affection before her eyes, Professor McGonagall quietly wiped the corner of her eyes. Though she appeared strict, she was in truth a deeply emotional person.
Aside from Vernon muttering his dissatisfaction under his breath, the outcome left everyone satisfied.
"Minerva," Dumbledore nodded with approval. All that mattered was that Harry would attend Hogwarts. "I may trouble you to take them to Diagon Alley for their school supplies. After all, they grew up in the Muggle world and have never been there."
"I had planned for Hagrid to guide them, but I think he is not quite suited to this task."
Professor McGonagall showed no objection; in fact, she was quite pleased. "Tomorrow I was already planning to take a young witch who received her letter. We may go together."
"Then tomorrow at nine in the morning, I will arrive to fetch you. As the parents of young wizards, you may of course accompany us," she said, directing her words to the Dursleys.
"Abs—" Vernon had barely begun when Petunia pinched the soft flesh at his side. As he grimaced in pain, she smiled and answered quickly, "Of course."
Not far from the Dursleys' home, Dumbledore suddenly turned to McGonagall. "Minerva, what do you think of young Mr. Dursley?"
"He is a good child who protects his brother."
Dumbledore paused slightly at the phrase "protects his brother," nodding thoughtfully, lost in his own reflections.
Meanwhile, Vernon, Petunia, Dudley, and Harry sat in the living room, each in a different corner, staring at one another.
"Petunia—" Vernon began. He had wanted to ask earlier but held back while Dumbledore was present. Now, with them gone, his questions pressed to the surface.
He had a thousand doubts in his heart.
"Dudley, Harry."
Before Vernon could finish, Petunia cut him off. Turning to the boys, she said, "Go and rest now. There are matters for adults to discuss."
Obediently, the two returned to their rooms, leaving Petunia and Vernon alone.
"Brother D, we can go to school together again," Harry said excitedly before they parted.
Though missing out on Smeltings was a small regret, the thought of attending with Dudley erased it entirely.
Dudley rubbed Harry's head and said with meaning, "Harry, when we are at Hogwarts, I may need your guidance."
The moment he entered his room, Dudley nearly burst with laughter.
At last, he would have magic of his own.
This was truly a day of fortune—not only confirmed to attend Hogwarts, but also to gain magic.
Riding on his streak of luck, he decided to draw for a spell immediately.
Perhaps a person's good fortune had its limits. And Dudley forgot one important thing—the law of balance in luck.
The slot machine spun wildly before slowing to a halt.
"Congratulations: you have drawn the spell—Lumos!"
Dudley: "Damn, I knew it!"
(End of Chapter)
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