Dudley's Dreams
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. He belongs to J K Rowling
A/N Sorry for the long interval. I am almost at the end of this story. I will then rework Flight to Durmstrang to be a continuation where this story ends.
Summary: Delores Umbridge is a powerful Legilimens. She can cause someone far away to have a nightmare or even experience pain. Luna Lovegood is also a powerful Legilimens and can sent a replacement dream to "overwrite" the dark magic dream and pain. Albus Dumbledore also has this power. Luna has another power which makes Umbridge leave her alone. Umbridge's cruelties finally cause the Muggle Prime Minister to confront her.
~oOoOo~
Dudley's dreams changed pattern. He would see the Dementor and reach for Harry's wand. Professor Dumbledore would come and tell Dudley to put the wand down. Then he would drive the Dementor away with a beautiful silver bird.
"Go to sleep, Dudley and let me take care of the Dementor," would say Professor Dumbledore. Dudley would wake up at peace.
Dudley had been held out of school because of his nightmares. He was walking one day and felt awful. Tonkes had instructed Dudley to carry a vial of powdered chocolate and throw it into the air it he felt a Dementor was near.
Dudley took his vial, threw the chocolate powder it into the air and saw the outline of a Dementor. The Dementor fled. Dudley ran home and asked Petunia to call Madam Bones. Amelia Apparated to the Dursley back lawn. She could see three Dementors one brown with chocolate powder. They refused to head her Dementor control bracelet. One settled down on the lawn.
"Amelia Bones," it said, "I have orders from a higher Ministry official than you. Stay out of this or I will kiss Susan."
"How dare you threaten me! EXPECTO PATRONUM!" cried Amelia.
Her bald eagle Patronus came out and drove the three Dementors away.
She sent an a Messenger Patronus to Professor Dumbledore.
~oOoOo~
The Professor ran to the Great Hall.
"Susan Bones, you are to come with me at once. A House Elf will bring you all the food you want. Never mind your food here! Just come now!" Out of astonishment Susan hesitated.
"Do as I say, NOW!" said the Professor sternly.
Susan looked perplexed but got up and followed the professor. He took her directly to his office.
"Susan, I hope I'm not frightening you. You are to stay here with me until your Aunt comes for your safety." A House Elf brought Susan more food than she wanted. Professor Dumbledore sealed his office and waited for Amelia.
~oOoOo~
Back in Little Whinging Dudley refilled his vial with chocolate powder and ate a chocolate bar.
"Petunia, I drove three Dementors away," said Amelia. "Have Dudley keep that vial full. My niece has been threatened and I have to get her out of Great Britain. I'll come back when I've taken care of it."
She stepped out onto the back lawn and Disapparated.
~oOoOo~
Amelia Reapparated on the edge of the Hogwarts grounds. She went in through the Boar Gate straight to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"It's Amelia Bones!" she called out. Professor Dumbledore let her into his office. She gave Susan a hug.
"Susan, Great Britain is no longer safe for you. You are going to the United States tonight and tomorrow you will be in an American magical school," said Amelia, her eyes full of tears.
Susan cried and when she dried up her tears she went to Hufflepuff. She packed her things, Amelia took her to London and put on a Muggle plane to the United States.
~oOoOo~
Flying on a Muggle plane was like riding on a giant magic carpet. Susan arrived in the United States and was greeted by two American Aurors and an FBI agent. After a brief interview with the FBI agent, the Aurors took Susan to her new magical school and introduced her.
Everyone wanted to know about Harry Potter.
"I did not know Harry well but he seemed okay. I was in Hufflepuff and he was in Gryfinndor. The Slytherins and Professor Snape are very cruel to him," said Susan.
"I thought Professor Snape was a very good Potions Master," said an American boy.
"He is but he is not, well, a people person," said Susan. "I have had points taken away from me for nothing."
"He wrote our potions book and its a good one," said a girl. "i can really brew with this book. I think you'll like our Potions Master."
"Ah Susan bones, time for Potions," said a kindly wizard. "I am your new Potions Master. I know you don't have your stuff yet. We'll get it over the next few days. Come to class now and the others will share with you."
Susan found her class refreshingly pleasant.
Susan told her professor that at the end of the day she needed to send an owl to her aunt. The professor showed her how to use the overseas owl.
"The owl flies until it is over international water, Apparates to the edge of British waters and then delivers the letter like any other owl. They are special magical owls. It costs ten American dollars. I'll help you change your money to American," said the kindly professor. In her rush Susan had forgotten to change her money to American. She only had pound notes in her purse.
Susan sent her aunt the Owl so she would know Susan was situated. Amelia had prearranged for this during the summer having gotten the idea from Harry Potter's determination to see the American delegation at International Magical Cooperation.
~oOoOo~
After Amelia got her Owl from Susan she called Petunia on the telephone.
"Dudley had some horrible nightmares and I believe you need to come here. We are holding him out of Smeltings because of the dreams. I need to talk to you about it in my home," said Petunia.
At her home Petunia told Dudley's story to Amelia.
"It is a powerful Legilimens," said Amelia. "Not only can they send a nightmare hundreds of miles, they can, using Legilimacy, send the Cruciatus Curse. It's very hard to prove. Professor Dumbledore has interfered with it using his Legilimacy. He is a very powerful wizard. If you ask anyone but Professor Snape they will say Harry Potter is a very powerful wizard."
Amelia told Petunia to keep her posted and went home.
~oOoOo~
Dudley's dreams took a new twist. He saw the Dementor. Instead of Professor Dumbledore the was a cute blond girl in Hogwarts robes and a group of friends one being Hermione Granger. Ron, Fred and George Weasley were there along with students Dudley had never seen.
The girl told Dudley they were Professor Dumbledore's and Harry's friends and they would protect him from the Dementors.
"Lay back and sleep, Dudley, we will watch over you."
"Your robe's is different than Harry's. It has a blue liner," said Dudley."
"That is because I am from Ravenclaw. Some robes have yellow liners. They are Hufflepuff. The red liners are Gryffindor, Harry's house. We are all friends. We are all looking after you. Lay back and get your rest, Dudley. We'll keep you safe."
Dudley rested peacefully. The next morning he told his mother about the dream. Petunia called Amelia over.
"Some one at Hogwarts is protecting him," said Amelia. "Some many of the students are so kind. It makes me feel better when I hear things like this. One of the students is a powerful Legilimens and they are using it to help Dudley. They helped a Muggle they knew little of."
Amelia cried not with sorrow but because of what Luna had done for Dudley.
Amelia dried her tears and said, "It is time for you to meet Mrs. Figg for what she really is. She is neither a witch or a Muggle. She was born into a magical family but she cannot do magic. We call such a person a Squib."
"Mrs. Figg moved into the neighborhood when Harry came. She has been watching out for all of you. She will ask Dudley some questions and have him draw some pictures of what he has seen. She can use an owl to send them to Professor Dumbledore."
Mrs Figg was introduced.
"Dudley," said Mrs Figg. "I'm not really a Muggle. I'm in between a magical and non-magical person. I am in contact with Professor Dumbledore and he will want to see pictures of the people you have seen during your dreams. He'll be able to help. Here is a sketch pad. Take your time."
Mrs. Figg handed Dudley an art sketch pad.
Over the next few days Dudley drew the Dementor, Umbridge, Professor Dumbledore and Harry's friends.
Mrs Figg looked at the pictures.
"Even though I am a Squib I know a Dementor when I see one," said Mrs. Figg. "That is a Dementor. This woman is Delores Jane Umbridge. She is at Hogwarts making everyone miserable.
"The girl is Luna Lovegood," said Amelia. "Very few people know she is a powerful Legilimens. She is also a dragon Animagus. She can take care of herself."
"You mean she can change into a dragon? There are such things?" asked Dudley.
"Yes and yes," answered Amelia."After the attack did Tonks speak with you, Dudley?"
"Yes and I want to see her again about the dreams," said Dudley. "Dad won't let me."
"See her if you have to sneak out," said Amelia. "She knows who can stop these dreams. Until you do that they will continue."
~oOoOo~
Back at Hogwarts Umbridge had Luna in her office.
"You have interfered a Ministry worker's duty," yelled Umbridge.
She slapped Luna hard enough to make her face bleed.
"Legilimacy is not my only power," said Luna "I also have another."
Luna transformed into a small dragon, blew fire onto Umbridge's desk and singed her hair.
Umbridge doused the fire.
Luna transformed back.
"I'm registered as an Animagus. That was just a warning!"
"Get out you evil child!" shrieked Umbridge.
Luna was happy to oblige.
~oOoOo~
Ron and Hermione were getting very concerned that they were not being taught to defend themselves and they knew Harry was an expert. A student meeting was called at the Hog's Head. They did not know the barman was Aberforth Dumbledore, Professor Dumbledore's brother. Aberforth harshly threw out two Slytherin students. Both were members of the Inquisitorial Squad. Unknown to the students Aberforth did what he could to keep Umbridge's people out.
Hermione spoke. Harry was reluctant. He did not want any more difficulty. Harry had lost a good deal of his self-confidence.
Minister Fudge had stopped the detentions with Umbridge largely because he was pressured not only by Professor Dumbledore but also Mr. and Mrs. Granger who had been taught by Hermione to use the owl they had. Fudge, though frightened and despotic did not want trouble with the Muggle Government.
"We need a teacher, a proper teacher, not an Umbridge or a Lockhart," said Hermione. "Harry has had experience fighting dark forces. I know a lot of spells but Harry has some defensive spells I do not have yet."
"Tell us how Cedric died," asked a curious student.
"I'm not here to talk about Cedric. If that's why you came you can clear out now!" said Harry. Cedric was a very painful subject for Harry.
"I understand you can do the Patronus Charm!" said Luna's soft, comforting voice.
"Yes I've seen it!" said Hermione. "It lit up the woods and drove away over a hundred Dementors. According to Professor Snape it takes a very powerful wizard to do what Harry did."
"Isn't it true you and your cousin were attacked by Dememtors?" asked Ron. "You used a Patronus to drive them off. I know Fudge put you on trial for it but Fudge is a git. My Dad say no way is what you did a crime. You also killed a Basilisk with a sword in Professor Dumbledore's office and saved Ginny's life."
"You have to understand that out there is not like school. when your friend is about to be murdered," said Harry. "What I mean is at school if you make a mistake you can fix it. Out there the Killing Curse is for keeps. No spell reawakens the dead."
With some reluctance, Harry agreed and Hermione prepared an enchanted parchment that everyone signed. Harry told them to look for a place to practice. They came back to Hogwarts excited. Umbridge knew they were up to something but could not figure out what it was.
~oOoOo~
It was Neville Longbottom who found the Room of Requirement by accident. The room materialized ready for practice. Harry began with the Stupify spell. Then came Expelliarmus and Protego. By Christmas time they were having practice duels.
Umbridge tried everything to no avail. Professor Snape, who at first was sympatric to Umbridge, secretly turned against her. What she thought was Veritaserum was actually Muggle pancake syrup.
She was suspicious but had nowhere to turn. She decided to wait until she had something and then use it to destroy Professor Dumbledore.
~oOoOo~
Just before Christmas Harry had seen Arthur Weasley attacked at the Ministry of Magic in a dream by a huge snake and, in the dream state, he was that snake.
The shaken teen was taken to Professor Dumbledore's office. Professor Dumbledore asked some questions and arranged for Arthur to be "found by the right people". Arthur was rushed to St. Mungo's.
Harry was given an Occlumancy lesson by Professor Snape but he did poorly. There would be more lessons after the Holidays.
Harry and the Weasley Children were sent to Twelve Grimmauld Place by Portkey. They had a pleasant Holiday. Harry and Sirius had some time and Arthur recovered fully.
~oOoOo~
Umbridge was very angry about Harry and the Weasleys leaving.
"This is a school not a prison," responded Dumbledore.
"No one leaves without my authorization!" snapped Umbridge. "A Ravenclaw ran away last October."
"I'll Owl his father," said Dumbledore. "Professor why was I not told?"
"I run this school now. Minister Fudge has given me complete authority and responsibility," snapped Umbridge. "I'll tell you what I see fit to tell you. I'm not required to tell you anything at all. The boy is a Mudblood. Send his father a Muggle post from Dufftown."
"Why not go to Dufftown and call him on a Muggle telephone.? It's faster," said Dumbledore.
"Leave those Muggle artifacts alone!" barked Umbridge.
"What are you afraid of?" asked Dumbledore. "The telephone is not going to electrocute me!"
Dumbledore went into Dufftown and called the boy's father. The boy had been enrolled at Durmstrang. Viktor Krum was running the school because of the death of Igor Karkaroff. Viktor had taken care of everything. The father was upset with Professor Dumbledore until the Professor explained the mess at Hogwarts.
"Oh Albus, we my have to leave England because of Minister Fudge," sobbed the man. "Now I don't dare bring my son home for the Holidays."
Professor Dumbledore sent the father a lengthy Owl. The bird waited for a reply.
~oOoOo~
"Dear Professor Dumbledore,"
I had to get my son out of Great Britain and fear reprisals if I bring him back for Christmas Holidays."
~oOoOo~
The short reply was all the father had dared send. Fudge made a political move and guaranteed the boy would not be given any difficulties during Christmas Holidays.
Umbridge was furious. She tried to hold another boy over Christmas. He left anyway. Auror Yaxley was sent to fetch him back but the boy's father, a Secret Service Agent, shot Yaxley in the foot. Yaxley was taken from the Muggle Hospital to St. Mungo's for bone regrowth with Skelegrow. Yaxley was his menacing self in a few hours.
Fudge told his Aurors to leave the matter alone. This pleased some wizards but angered Umbridge and Yaxley.
Both boys went to Durmstrang after Christmas.
~oOoOo~
After Dudley's dreams were tame Vernon took him to Smeltings. A week later he had to bring Dudley home as he had worse nightmares than ever.
These bad nightmares did not happen at home. In these nightmare it was Voldemort who made the contact. He terrified Dudley. He asked Dudley is his rasping voice where Harry was. He gave Dudley a taste of the Cruciatus Curse. Dudley woke up screaming. Vernon came and got him. He was very angry.
"Dad I know this Voldemort is real!" said Dudley.
"Was real," said Vernon. "Yes he killed your aunt Lily and your uncle James. He was killed when he tried to murder Harry."
"No Dad," said Dudley, "He lost his powers but last summer. When he killed that Cedric freak he regained his powers. He told me old magic will not let him touch the house."
"Nonsense son!" said Vernon. "Harry is bewitching you. If he doesn't stop it I'll find a way to go to that freak school of his and make him stop. Crackpot Dumbledore will coöperate or he's dead. You will be unbewitched. I've had my gun repaired and I'll take it to Hogwarts! It will convince them. Don't tell Mum."
Dudley knew he needed magical help. He knew his father would find some way to get to Hogwarts with the gun. Dudley needed help not just for his own sake but also for the sake of Harry and his friends. Something magical was blocking the real bad dreams. Towards Christmas he snuck off to Tonks and she took him to St. Mungo's where a new Occlumancy treatment was done by Healer Pye. It stopped the nightmares cold. Tonks transformed to look like a Muggle Police officer and took Dudley home in a Ministry car. She told Vernon and Petunia Dudley had witnessed crime and could not discuss it with them and they were satisfied. Dudley's health returned and he went back to Smeltings after the Holidays.
~oOoOo~
Largely unknown to Umbridge, Dumbledore or Harry, a many students had taken the Knight Bus to St. Mungo's. The problems were mostly emotional but there were injuries from Blood Quills, Hexes and assaults. The Inquisitorial Squad was threatening the students that there would be reprisals if they went to the hospital wing.
Umbridge came to Healer Pye and threatened him. Pye Owled Fudge. The Minister told Umbridge to leave Pye alone. He also reminded her she was not to restrain students from getting medical help.
Umbridge left Pye alone but she did punish students for going to the medical wing. Hermione Owled the Muggle Prime Minister directly.
~oOoOo~
The Muggle Prime Minister was furious. He, a Squib Secret Service Agent and Mr. Granger went to Hogwarts and confronted Umbridge directly. She was so arrogant it was all Mr. Granger could do to restrain himself from slapping her.
"Now Delores, you are not autonomous," said the Muggle Prime Minister. "The Ministry of Magic operates under the good will of the Muggle Prime Minister and the Muggle Crown. If we have to come back here I will arrest you."
Delores stepped to her fireplace and called Cornelius Fudge over the Floo. In a moment a furious Cornelius Fudge stepped out of the fireplace.
"You never talked to me," yelled Cornelius. "Why did you bring a commoner Muggle here?"
"Mr. Fudge, let me remind you that you a challenging my authority as Prime Minister. I am a commoner myself. I have had owls about mistreatment and I want that to stop. I will tell you what I told Delores. If I ever have to come here again because of these abuses I will arrest you and Delores!"
~oOoOo~
The Inquisitorial Squad came rushing in. "Muggle filth leave!" yelled Draco.
"This is the Muggle Prime Minister. He is also your Prime Minister," said Mr. Granger.
"Not mine!" yelled Draco. "We don't vote in Muggle elections."
You are both a British subject and a magical citizen," said the Muggle Prime Minister. "Nothing prevents your father from voting and I have told Minister Fudge wizards should vote. It is not necessary to reveal your nature to vote. Many wizards do vote. Two sit in the House of Commons."
Many of the Inquisitorial Squad looked shocked.
"More blood traitors!" snapped Pansy Parkinson.
"What is your name young woman?" asked the Muggle Prime Minister.
"I don't speak to Muggle filth!" yelled Pansy.
"Young woman I ought to spank you and wash your mouth out with soap!" said the Muggle Prime Minister.
"Woo big nasty Muggle! You should have brought Vernon Dursley, not the Mudblood's father!" taunted Draco.
"All of the Inquisitorial Squad will clear this office except you and you!" ordered the Muggle Prime Minister, pointing to Pansy and Draco.
Umbridge looked at her squad and said, "I know Potter and his friends are doing something illegal. Go find out what it is while I say goodbye to these Muggles."
The squad filed out while Draco and Pansy remained.
"Now," said the Muggle Prime Minister, "I want your names!"
Draco and Pansy remained silent.
"The young man I have met on Diagon Alley," said Mr. Granger. "His name is Draco Malfoy. He delights in calling my daughter a 'Mudblood' which I believe is vulgar language Among wizards. The young woman I don't know."
"Alright! My name is Pansy Parkinson and Draco is my boyfriend," snapped Pansy. "We are proud pure-bloods. We do not associate with Muggles. Leave us alone."
"Draco and Pansy. Do you head the Squad?" asked the Muggle Prime Minister.
"Yes," said Pansy.
"You are to call a meeting of the Squad. You are to tell them that they are forbidden to come to the Hospital Wing unless they need medical attention. They are forbidden, when they have needed help, to report anything that goes on in the Hospital Wing, who was in there or why they were there."
"I take my orders from Professor Umbridge," snarled Pansy.
"Miss Parkinson I can override any order Umbridge gives you. I can override any order Minister Fudge gives you," said the Muggle Prime Minister. "I may even Owl your directly. I have an owl familiar I use to communicate with the wizarding world. If I Owl you then you must obey my orders. Fail to do so and I will arrest you."
"How dare you!" snarled Pansy.
"I don't know if this Voldemort character is back or not," said the Muggle Prime Minister. "I have a hunch he is. People are disappearing like back in nineteen eighty. Minister Fudge claims Voldemort is not back. If he is back and anyone follows him that person will be charged with treason. If the Ministry does not throw them into Azkaban I have a special prison of my own and I will put them there."
"A lot of you young people think Voldemort is a hero. This is one of the atrocities he committed: He broke into a house, killed a lovely kind wizarding couple and tried to kill their innocent baby. He and his followers, who called themselves Death Eaters, have committed many such atrocities. Who was the baby? Fifteen month old Harry Potter! Harry has suffered a lot of grief. If you so much as scratch him I'll arrest you! Tell that to your squad! You are dismissed!"
Pansy and Draco left.
Mr. Granger and the Muggle Prime Minister left.
They went to Gryffindor Tower, got Hermione and took her to an empty classroom. Hermione locked the doors with magic and cast silencing charms. Then they talked.
Hermione was told to keep the Muggle Prime Minister posted on the goings on at Hogwarts. In confidence she explained the existence purpose of Dumbledore's Army.
"Umbridge is not a proper teacher. She is here to limit what we learn and we will not do well on our OWLs. Harry has fought Voldemort. He is back and he is real. He used the Triwizard Tournament to get Harry to the little Hangleton Grave yard. There Peter Pettigrew did a very dark ceremony. We aren't just afraid for wizards. He's after Muggles too. We aren't clear on whether he intends to kill them all or enslave them."
The Prime Minister agreed to tell no one "for the time being."
~oOoOo~