Dudley shot off his bed when he heard a loud, knock on the door. He was barely halfway down the stairs when the knock came again.

"Who the blazes is that?" he heard Vernon growl from the living room.

Dudley swore quietly. He had forgotten to tell his mum and dad that Mad-Eye Moody was going to be coming around to discuss the Dursley's security arrangements. Moody, on the orders of Dumbledore, had become the Dursley's new "next-door neighbor."

"He looks barking!" Vernon had said, over breakfast, the morning that Moody had arrived on Privet Drive. "What is the neighborhood coming too!" He had arrived in the muggle way, with a moving van but the burly men assisting him removed a variety of peculiar objects included a large cracked mirror, a stuffed crocodile, some trashcans which rattled menacingly, a crystal ball, some paintings and a large trunk with a number of different locks.

Petunia had spent most of the first days of summer with her long neck craned over the boundary hedge to spy on the peculiar, scarred, one-legged old man who always wore a sinister-looking bowler hat pulled down over his head.

"He has visitors at all hours!" Petunia had said. "Just as we were going to bed last night, old Mrs. Figg from across the street popped by. Not to mention that unsavory chap with the ginger hair—always has some package or another."

"I tell you one thing, we need to keep an eye on him. Up to no good, I'll be bound," Vernon had said.

Dudley hadn't mentioned that Moody was a wizard—his dad was a bit more accepting of wizards since Dudley was one, but he doubted he would be pleased that one had moved in next door. Especially one like Moody. Vernon had watched wide-eyed in amazement on Saturday as Moody tried to cut his grass with pruning shears ("Spot of gardening—lovely day for it," Moody had said, giving Dudley a wink—Petunia had dragged him back inside).

Now, Moody was here, unannounced.

Vernon got to the door before Dudley and opened. "What in the …" he began and froze. His eyes bulged slightly as he caught sight of Mad-Eye Moody. "What … what …"

"Mind if I come in?" Moody said, stepping inside without waiting for permission.

Moody pulled out his wand and gave it a wave. Vernon's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head.

"You're one of them …"

Moody ignored him. "Good, no wizards nearby …" he caught sight of Dudley halfway down the stairs and grinned. "Detection spell—dead useful, detects all signs of magical concealment. Doesn't work too good on invisibility cloaks, but that's what the eye's for."

"Hi, Professor," Dudley said.

"You know this man?" Vernon said, his voice cracking.

"Yeah, Professor Moody taught me at Hogwarts."

"Not taught you well enough," Moody said, sounding stern. "You haven't even checked to make sure it's actually me. I could be a Death Eater for all you know."

"Oh, right, erm …" Dudley trailed off. An owl had arrived for him yesterday from the Ministry of Magic. It had contained a pamphlet that featured a variety of tips for security, including asking security questions and passwords or even questions which only the real person would know as a safeguard against polyjuice potion.

"What did you teach us in your first class?" Dudley said finally.

"Unforgiveable Curses," Moody said. "But lots of people know that, Dudley. You've got to do better. Now, to business …"

"Hang on just one minute!" Vernon said, firmly. "What's going on? Who are you? What are you doing here? How do you know Dudley?"

Moody looked at Dudley.

"Sorry, I forgot."

"There's a lot going on—which is what we're going to discuss," Moody said to Vernon, answering his first question. He quickly continued as Vernon showed every sign of interrupting. "I'm Alastor Moody, former Auror and now a member of the Order of the Phoenix. I'm here about your security arrangements. I know Dudley from Hogwarts."

"Security arrangements? What security arrangements? We have a very fine burglar alarm system!"

Moody looked at Dudley again. "You haven't told 'em?"

"Not yet," Dudley admitted.

"That makes this more difficult," Moody growled. "Maybe we'd better sit down."

He led the way into the living room and Dudley could hear him greeting Petunia.

"Dud, what's going on?" Vernon's bushy moustache was bristling.

"I'll tell you in a minute," Dudley said.

He sat down opposite Moody who eyed him for a few seconds. Petunia was staring determinedly at the TV, even though it was turned off.

"You look tired," Moody said.

"Yeah … bad dreams," Dudley said, lowering his gaze. Each night since returning to Privet Drive he had dreamt of the graveyard—of Voldemort returning, of the crowd of black-clad Death Eaters surrounding them and of Neville being tortured and murdered.

Moody stared at him for a few seconds, but didn't comment.

"What's all this about then?" Vernon said. He had poured himself a large brandy, but hadn't poured one for Moody.

"You-Know-Who is back," Moody said.

"You-Know-what?" said Vernon. "Who the ruddy hell is …"

"Voldemort, dad," Dudley said quickly.

There was a tinkling of glass. Petunia had dropped her wine glass. "He's back?" she asked, her face pale.

"He's back," Moody said. "Returned not long ago."

"Voldemort, he's the one who murdered …"

"Yes, Vernon," Petunia said, sharply.

Vernon looked like he didn't know what to do, so took a big gulp of his brandy. "So why are you hear? Shouldn't your lot be tracking him down?"

"We're trying," Moody said. "But as for why I'm here, well, I'm your security."

"Our … why do we need security?" Vernon spluttered.

"Because You-Know-Who wants Dudley," said Moody.

"Wants …" Vernon looked at Dudley.

Dudley hadn't told his parents about Voldemort's return. He hadn't wanted to talk about it at all and with them being muggles, he knew they wouldn't understand.

"I angered him last year," Dudley said, finally. "It's because of me that everyone knows he's back."

"Which is why I'm here. Dumbledore thinks you're in danger, so he assigned me to protect you," Moody said. "I've cast an anti-apparation jynx around your house. Should stop anyone apparating inside. I've also cast detection charms around your property and enchanted your dustbins with anti-intruder hexes. We'll know if anyone comes. Madame Bones, interim Minister for Magic, has also made it illegal to connect your property to the floo network"

Dudley knew that his parents wouldn't have understood any of that. Sure enough, when he looked at his father, his expression looked the same as Ron's during potions.

"Needless to say, your house is secure, but we need to discuss other issues," Moody said. "You're vulnerable at work and …"

"Hang on just a moment!" Vernon shouted. "What do you mean vulnerable? What's going to happen?"

"Dumbledore thinks You-Know-Who is going to try and get you," Moody said.

"Get us!" Vernon's eyes bulged again.

"Yes. He considered moving you to a safehouse, but for now, he's satisfied that I can provide adequate protection—to your home. Now, yesterday you interviewed a Mr. Podmore for a position?"

"Yes, you're not going to suggest I don't hire him? Podmore was by far the most suitable applicant …"

"That's because he's one of ours," Moody said with a slight smile.

"One of …"

"A wizard," Moody said. "He will work for Grunnings and provide protection there. I will be your next-door neighbor and provide protection here. Dumbledore thinks that will be enough."

Vernon looked like he needed another extra-large brandy. "But …" he said, weakly.

Dudley could see why all this might be an issue for him. Being suddenly told he was on a genocidal wizards hit list must be a bit of a shock.

"Now, you also have Dudley—your boy is one heck of a fighter,"

At this, Vernon looked proud. "Our Dud? Of course he is—runs in the family."

"Quite," said Moody. "Well, he knows how to defend himself. If you get attacked. You listen to Dudley. Of course, with the defensive spells we have in place—Order members and Aurors will be here sharpish, but until they arrive, you listen to Dudley."

"Is he really back?" Petunia said.

Moody eyed her. "He's back," he said simply.

"Then Dudley isn't to stay here," Petunia said firmly.

"Mum!" Dudley could scarcely believe what he was hearing. Surely his mum didn't mean what he thought she meant?"

"It's not safe for Dudley here," Petunia said, firmly. "If Voldemort has his eyes set on Dud, he needs to be with other wizards who can protect him."

Moody gave her a lopsided smile. "Dumbledore plans to move him soon to the Order headquarters. He got permission from Madame Bones yesterday. We're just sorting out the details—probably get the Floo Network ban lifted, although …" his eyes drifted over to the Dursley's fireplace. "Your fireplace is blocked off. Course, that's an easy fix. Dumbledore might also use a portkey."

"When will I go?" Dudley asked, quickly. He enjoyed being with his parents, but the prospect of being at the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters was a good one. That would put him right on the front line of the fight against Voldemort.

"As soon as Dumbledore gets permission for a portkey or to connect the Floo Network," Moody said. "Now, Dudley—there's more I want to discuss with you."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Your owls," Moody said. "You've been in correspondence with Gilderoy Lockhart still?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Mind telling us what he said?"

Dudley didn't think this was any concern of Moody's, but he respected his former teacher so he answered. "He wrote about running for Minister. He wants me to give a statement in support of him to the Daily Prophet. And wants me to join him during the Wizengamot's Conference."

"Yes, all prospective Ministers will speak there," Moody said. "Gives them a chance to talk themselves up to the Wizengamot."

Moody eyed him. "Dumbledore doesn't want Lockhart to be the Minister," he said, firmly.

Dudley bristled at that. Lockhart was his friend and had saved his life twice now. "Why?"

"Doesn't trust him," Moody answered. "Says he is unreliable."

"Yeah, well, I like Lockhart," Dudley replied. That was true. Lockhart had his flaws. He was very vain and very arrogant and had moments of idiocy. But he also told good stories, albeit, about himself and had been eager to teach Dudley in magic in his own free time. Thanks to Lockhart he had learnt memory charms, the patronus charm and Lockhart's bubble-head charm had got him through the second task. Plus, he had followed Lockhart's advice that sometimes it was better to flee than to fight and that had likely helped save his life.

"I disagree," Dudley said, firmly. "I think Lockhart would be a great Minister."

Moody gave a nod of his head. "Well, your word will carry a lot of weight, Dudley," said Moody. "You're well respected in the wizarding world—stopping Quirrell, helping defeat Slytherin's serpent, stopping Sirius Black …"

Dudley's heart froze at that. Sirius, it turned out had been innocent. Though Dumbledore had assured Dudley he wasn't to blame, he still felt immensely guilty about it.

"… being one of the Hogwarts Champions and surviving You-Know-Who back in June. The Wizengamot will respect you," Moody finished. "I won't say your support will swing it, but you'll get some support."

"Who does Dumbledore want to be Minister?" Dudley asked, curiously. He had read the Prophet's report a few days ago on the candidates to be Minister.

"Madame Bones," said Moody. "She's by far the most experienced and would be a very capable leader."

Dudley nodded. He didn't know much of Madame Bones beyond what was written in the Prophet and that she was his friend, Susan Bones' auntie. She had also been present during Lucius Malfoy's trial.

"Right," Moody said. "If there's nothing else, I'll be off. I'll get in touch about your transfer to the Order of the Phoenix's HQ."

Note from the Author

Ok, because Order of the Phoenix was heavily involved with Harry's connection to Voldemort, this book is going to differ greatly. I think the Wizarding War itself was an area which wasn't explored enough in Rowling's book, so there are going to be quite a few chapters away from Hogwarts, Dudley and his friends which will be Wizarding War focused. They will be Voldemort's operations, Dumbledore's plots and schemes, goings on at the Ministry etc.

The first part of the book, before the students return to Hogwarts will be very Ministry and Death Eater focused, so there won't be too many Dudley chapters early on. Instead, we are going to Ministry politics, Voldemort and Dumbledore's plots and schemes and game of cat and mouse and more. Dudley will get more of a focus once he returns to Hogwarts, but there will also be chapters and sections focusing fully on the Wizarding War.

Minor spoilers - I think Umbridge's story was played out enough in Order of the Phoenix. So, while she is going to play a role in the story, she isn't going to be at Hogwarts. Instead, I plan to have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher-somebody familiar to Harry Potter fans and someone who I think needs an enhanced role.