The first chance to get Malfoy came the middle of next week at breakfast. The hatred that Dudley felt towards the blond Slytherin had only been growing. Whenever they passed Malfoy in the corridors, Malfoy made a jibe about Dudley's weight, Ron's family or Dean being a mudblood. He also frequently targeted Hermione Granger, doing buck-toothed impressions of her, and Neville, who he frequently insulted and tried to trip when he passed. While Dudley, Ron and Dean took the insults well, knowing they were going to get revenge soon and Granger ignored him, her nose in the air in a dignified way, Longbottom reacted badly, often getting upset at the bullying. He had even started taking long detours around corridors to avoid Malfoy and the Slytherins.
"He's pathetic," Dudley snarled, watching as Neville fled the great hall, his hair dripping with pumpkin juice that Malfoy had 'accidentally' spilled on him. "I've no idea why he's a Gryffindor."
Dudley's disdain for Neville was well known in Gryffindor tower. He regularly turfed Neville out of the comfortable chair, scoffed about him in a loud voice that Neville could hear and even forced Neville to finish his herbology assignment once while Dudley played gobstones with Seamus. It was only the fact Dudley was fixated on getting Malfoy that stopped him from picking on Neville more. Ron and Dean largely left Neville alone, other than laughing at some of Dudley's more cutting remarks. They too didn't think highly of Neville.
"Finish up, we're going," Dudley muttered, watching as Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle stood up to leave the Great Hall earlier than usual.
Ron looked sadly at his half finished breakfast, crammed an entire sausage into his mouth—something even Dudley felt he would struggle to do—but stood up. Dean too pushed aside his almost-finished bowl of cereal to follow Dudley.
"I'm going to get Malfoy," Dudley whispered as they followed behind Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. "You two keep the gorillas busy. Then I'm gonna get them too."
"I want to get Malfoy too," Ron said, determinedly. "He's made too many cracks about my family."
"You can have him when I've done with him," Dudley promised.
They turned down a deserted corridor, and Dudley grinned. This was it.
"Oi, Malfoy!" he called, striding forward.
Malfoy turned in surprise and smirked. "What do you want?" he sneered, looking at Dudley, Ron and Dean as if he would a pile of maggots. "I don't talk to mudbloods, so tell Weasel what you want, and he can tell me."
Dudley raised his eyebrows. Malfoy was either really thick or really arrogant that he still thought he was safe. Didn't he remember getting punched on the train? Or did he think he, Crabbe and Goyle could take himself, Ron and Dean.
Dudley marched forward without speaking. Malfoy paled as he suddenly realized what was going to happen and tried to move behind his two bigger companions. He was too slow, and Crabbe and Goyle were too stupid and surprised to react.
Dudley grabbed a handful of Draco's robes, slamming him backwards into the wall—two wizards in the painting behind him leapt for cover. As quick as a flash, Dudley drilled his fist as hard as he could into Malfoy's stomach, doubling him over. He followed by swinging his fist into Draco's ribs with a crunch.
There was the sound of scuffles to either side as Ron and Dean fought with Crabbe and Goyle. With Malfoy down, Dudley spun around. Dean and Goyle were grappling, each trying to get the advantage—while Dean was taller, Goyle was stronger.
On the otherside, Crabbe had forced Ron into a headlock. Dudley took his chance and gave Crabbe a hard punch on the ear, breaking the hold. Ron, red-faced and breathing heavily straightened up and threw a punch at Crabbe, catching him hard on the nose.
Behind them, Dean had managed to get the advantage over Goyle and tripped the heavyset boy who fell backwards against a suit of armour.
"What is the meaning of this?" a sharp voice called. Dudley glanced around to see Professor Sinistra, the astronomy teacher hurrying towards them.
"They started it," Dudley said immediately.
"I don't care who started it," Sinistra said sternly. "No fighting in the corridors." She looked at Malfoy who had just gotten back to his feet, his face shining with tears, at Crabbe who was holding his bleeding nose and at Goyle whose fists were clenched as he stared daggers at Dean whose robes were torn.
"Never have I seen …" she hissed, shaking her head. "You, hospital wing," she said, pointing at Crabbe. "You, on your feet. You're ok," she said, pointing at Draco. "And you, calm down." She pointed at Goyle.
"Now, five points each from Gryffindor, and five from Slythering for fighting in the corridors."
"But, professor," Dudley started.
"Dursley, I don't care who started it," Sinistra said, sternly. "If you have a problem, you go to a professor. You don't start … muggle dueling. Now, from what I saw, you three—she pointed in turn at Dudley, Ron and Dean—were the aggressors. So, a detention each."
Dudley narrowed his eyes, Dean looked like he had been punched and Ron scowled.
"Thomas, you will have detention with me. Weasley, you will help Mr. Filch in his cleaning. Dursley, your detention is with Hagrid. Tonight. Now, go, get out of my sight. And if I catch you muggle dueling again, I will take it up with your head of house."
"Come on," Dudley grunted, leading the way back to the Great Hall.
"Detention," Dean muttered morosely.
"At least we taught Malfoy a lesson," Dudley chortled. "Did you see him whimper?"
"Nice right hook, Big D," Dean said, grinning. He looked very pleased that Draco had gotten some retribution.
"And see me punch Crabbe?" Ron said.
"Only because I helped," Dudley answered.
"I was ready to finish him myself," Ron protested.
"Goyle is lucky Sinistra showed up when she did," Dean said, joining in the show of bravado.
Even back at the common room, the three carried on discussing their victory.
"… I just wish I got the chance to pummel the little slug," Ron was saying.
"We can always do it again." Dudley said. "Go Malfoy Hunting."
Someone nearby tutted, and they turned to see Hermione looking at them coldly.
"I suppose you think it's big and clever, fighting," she said scornfully. "But you've lost Gryffindor 15 points. That makes the 15 I earned in charms and transfiguration completely worthless."
"Who care?" Dudley snorted, carelessly. "Least we got to show Malfoy who's boss, right boys?"
"I care," Hermione replied. "And the rest of Gryffindor cares. You may not have noticed, but everybody is starting to think you're nothing more than a big bully."
"Leave off, Granger," Ron said bracingly. "You've heard what Malfoy has been saying. He deserved it. You should be pleased Big D beat him up."
"Yes, I've heard, but that doesn't mean you can go around fighting," Hermione said. "You'll lose us the House Cup, and if you fight anymore, I'll go to McGonagall myself." With that, she turned around and stormed up the stairs to her common room.
"I say we beat up Granger next," Dudley chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Anyone seen Longbottom? I want someone to do my charms essay."