Dudley Dursley and the Goblet of Fire

by Nuthetes

Now entering his fourth year, Dudley Dursley has a lot more to contend with when Voldemort hatches his plan to return to the world once more. After the finale of Book 3, things are massively different as a result of Dudley's actions and look for more massive changes to come.

35. Chapter 35 - Interlude 5

"Is it done?" asked Lord Voldemort.

"It is, my lord," said Lucius Malfoy.

"I received an owl from Barty Crouch Jr—Dudley Dursley is the Hogwarts Champion and Neville Longbottom is a fourth champion."

"Good—soon I will return to power, and two who may one day pose a threat to my rule will be dead. Now, Lucius, is there any news on who remains loyal? I know you have been in contact with Corban."

"Corban Yaxley is doing as asked," Malfoy replied. "He is getting close to senior Ministry officials so he is in a position to strike once we are ready. He has also sent an update on wizards and witches who will be supportive of a new regime. Albert Runcorn is a hit wizard from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Senior Undersecretary to the Minister Delores Umbridge,"

"You said Umbridge is a Fudge loyalist," Voldemort said.

"She's a loyalist to whoever has power," Lucius said. "Whether that be Fudge, Amelia Bones or, once you make your move, whichever puppet you put in charge."

"And if she becomes Minister herself?" Voldemort asked.

"Who can say—she is a known hater of half breeds and a suspected hater of Muggle Borns, but if she became Minister of Magic, would be she be pursuaded to rule on your behalf, I cannot say and neither can Runcorn."

"She will do as she is told or she will die," Voldemort said, simply. "Of course, having one of my Death Eaters made Minister would be preferable. Runcorn has done well, but you should advise him to be cautious. He can not let slip that I am planning my return and can not look suspicious. He needs to retain appearances as a loyal Ministry of Magic employee."

"I will let it be known, my lord," said Lucius Malfoy.

Voldemort was silent as he ran through the plan in his mind. A lot of it hinged on Barty Crouch Jr, who was his most loyal supporter. If Crouch Jr could get Longbottom and Dursley in place, he would return to power and those two would be dealt with—it would appear as a dueling accident. A tragic event at the climax of the Triwizard Tournament. Nobody would know he was back until it was time to strike. And with the Ministry is disarray thanks to Fudge's incompetence and Lockhart causing trouble, his return to power would be swift—doubly so if Yaxley or Macnair became the new Minister for Magic.

Avery II had served well, Voldemort mused. He had done excellent work advising Lockhart to play the role of kingmaker and cause trouble for Fudge. A Ministry in disarray was only positive for Voldemort.