Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 124: Filch Secret
"I hope he trusts me and doesn't do anything foolish," muttered Dudley as he stepped out of Dumbledore's office, his voice low and his brows drawn together thinking of how Dumbledore would die in a novel.
He shook his head in disbelief. Dumbledore was a wise man, but his emotion make him do something foolish like touching that stone, though he knew that the stone are being cursed with Dark Magic.
Dudley could still remember the story of the Gaunt Ring, that so-called Resurrection Stone. It was never a true relic that could summon the dead. At best, it was an enchanted projection that fooled its user into believing they were seeing souls. A dangerous illusion, and yet, even Dumbledore had fallen for it.
As Dudley prepared to return to his dormitory, a raspy voice halted him mid-stride.
"Mr Dursley."
He turned and saw Argus Filch standing awkwardly at the corner of the corridor. The caretaker expression was hesitant and almost desperate.
"Yes, Mr Filch? How can I help you?" Dudley asked politely, though his curiosity was piqued.
"I heard about what you've done… and I need your help," Filch replied, his tone surprisingly grave.
Dudley raised an eyebrow. "All right, tell me what kind of help you need."
"Not here. Please come to my office," said Filch in a hurried whisper.
Dudley nodded and followed. The corridors were quiet and when they reached the caretaker office, Filch shut the door and turned to face him, fidgeting with his hands as if struggling to find the right words.
"I know what your cousin did to the Dark Lord," Filch began carefully. "But I believe you were the one who truly made it possible. And… I need your help."
"What kind of help?" asked Dudley, crossing his arms.
Filch took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "My wife… she's pregnant."
"Wait, what?" Dudley eyes widened. "You're married?"
Filch nodded sheepishly. "I married secretly. I didn't tell anyone not even you because… well, I'm ashamed. I thought people would laugh at an old man like me taking a wife."
Dudley blinked, then chuckled. "Old man? You're what, forty? That's not old. So… how old is your wife?"
"Twenty-eight," Filch admitted, a faint blush creeping up his face.
Dudley grinned teasingly. "Why not someone in her thirties?"
"I couldn't find anyone," Filch said defensively. "And… her name is Arabella. She's a Muggle-born witch. I met her by chance in Diagon Alley. We talked and I remembered what you once said, to find someone kind, and also must a Muggle-born woman who wouldn't judge me for being a Squib and had potential to make me have a wizard son."
"And she agreed to marry you?" asked Dudley, still surprised.
"Yes," Filch said softly. "I told her that if she became my wife and carried my child, I'd support her financially. All she had to do was be a mother."
Dudley studied him for a moment. "So… when did you find out she's pregnant?"
"We used IVF," Filch replied quietly. "She didn't want to be intimate. She only agreed to bear my child that way."
Dudley sighed, shaking his head. "Honestly, if I were a woman, I might understand. You really need to fix yourself up, Mr Filch. Your teeth are yellow, your hair falling out and you look like you haven't slept in years and you stink.
Filch face turned red, a mixture of embarrassment and hurt. Yet he didn't argue. He respected Dudley too much. The young man had saved his life by making a potion to become a wizard and despite his harsh words, Filch knew there was no malice behind them and Dudley truly meant what he just said.
After a pause, Dudley softened. "I shouldn't have said that like that. What I mean is, if you want your son to grow up proud of you, then you need to take care of yourself. Brush your teeth, use a potion to restore your hair, maybe do a little exercise. You can even ask Madam Pomfrey for a potion to strengthen your gums."
Filch gave a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. I know your advice isn't mockery. Arabella said something similar. She wanted to refuse me at first, even when I offered her a monthly salary."
"So, she finally agreed after you mentioned IVF?" asked Dudley.
Filch nodded. "Exactly. She was shocked I even knew about it. I told her about your theory, how children born of a pure-blood and Muggle-born union often possess stronger magical potential, like Professor Dumbledore."
Dudley chuckled. "I didn't expect you to remember that. So, how much are you paying her?"
"The more children she bears, the more I'll support her and more pocket money from me," said Filch earnestly. "I don't want her to live poorly. She only needs to be a good mother, nothing more."
"Good," said Dudley, smiling faintly. "Though I must admit, I'm a bit hurt you kept your marriage secret. Still, I'm glad you came to me for help. So, what exactly do you need?"
Filch's expression shifted, anxiety tightening his face. "My wife is a Muggle-born. You-Know-Who followers might come after her. I want you to protect her."
Dudley leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment. "That's easy enough," he said finally. "Send her abroad. Somewhere far, perhaps Southeast Asia."
"Southeast Asia?" Filch repeated, confused.
"Yes," Dudley explained. "The Dark Lord's influence doesn't reach there. His priority is Britain, maybe the rest of Europe, but not beyond. He needs to defeat Dumbledore first before spreading his forces."
Filch rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That might actually work…"
Dudley continued. "And one more thing about south east asia, their currency are not that strong compared to UK Pound. For example, one British pound is worth over twenty-two thousand Indonesian rupiah. You can live comfortably if you convert it first before traveling. Use a Portkey.... I can arrange one for you."
Filch eyes widened in relief, the weight of his worry easing. "Thank you, Mr Dursley… I mean, Dudley. I don't know how to repay you."
Dudley waved off the gratitude. "Just promise me you'll take care of your wife and future child. Don't let fear ruin what you've finally found. You've earned a bit of happiness, Argus."
Filch nodded slowly, eyes glistening. "You've no idea how much this means to me."
As Dudley stood to leave, he placed a reassuring hand on Filch shoulder. "Everyone deserves a new beginning, even those who've been overlooked their whole lives. You're proof of that."
For the first time in many years, Filch smiled not the crooked, bitter grin he used when catching misbehaving students, but a genuine, fragile smile filled with quiet hope and this smile is also quite different when he first time use magic.
...........
Chapter 151: New Family Member
Chapter 152: Little Violet
Chapter 153: Voldemort Adventure
Chapter 154: Malfoy Dilemma
.........
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