It had been a week since school started at Hogwarts. George found the experience completely enjoyable. Seeing the influence of Fred and himself on the younger generations put him in such an excellent mood that he began to make Ron more popular. Although initially everyone had laughed at Ron's curls, George's own personality had made Ron seem like a new person—much cooler and confident. Hence within a week, everyone had been scrambling to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes to buy the Cool Curl Concoction, thinking that it would not only bring them up to date with the curly hair trend, but also boost their level of cool.
The teachers on the other hand, were shaking their heads after seeing that Ron had taken after the twins. McGonagall had told them that she had had a message from Dumbledore saying that Harry, Ron, and Hermione must be let alone. Most of the professors were too stunned that Dumbledore had returned (after McGonagall had proved it to them with a simple token from Dumbledore) to even question such a strange request. They did not know of their true identities, merely that they were to excuse any strange behavior. McGonagall herself kept a cauldron full of polyjuice potion and ensured that Mrs. Figg, George, and Dudley were drinking it on a regular basis. One thing that continued to stump her was that muggles were not allowed into Hogwarts—yet Dudley had made it in. She figured that it must have been Dumbledore's magic.
As for Dudley, he spent the first week in utter silence from the shock. Yet by the second week, his ambition of becoming the greatest wizard had multiplied by five fold.
"I want to be a wizard," he said to Mrs. Figg in the hall.
"Why you know that's impossible, boy!"
"No, it isn't," he replied. "I can do things."
"You're imagining them!" replied George. "I think you've had a tad bit much too eat."
Well, Dudley knew that at least one part of the accusation was true. After realizing that he was no longer overweight, he realized that he could stuff himself as much as he wanted. "But I mean it, I can do magic!" he insisted.
"Sure, sure," said Mrs. Figg, looking a little worried.
It wasn't until an interesting encounter that they believed him.
They were standing in the hall when Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle approached them.
"Hey there, Pottuh," spat Draco, shoving Harry. Well, rather, Dudley.
"Hi," replied Dudley, a little cautiously. He honestly had no idea who this ugly blond fellow was.
"Can't believe you had the nerve to show your face again after Dumbledore died. Sure you don't want to spend some time at home crying?"
Now even though Dudley was a little thick at the head, he knew an insult when he heard one. Furthermore, after a few unwanted experiences with wizards, he had realized that wands were a source of power. Before Draco could say 'Long-Live-Voldemort', Dudley had knocked the wand out of his hand, and had put Draco in a headlock. Unfortunately he had forgotten that he was no longer a large heavyweight junior champion. When Crabbe and Goyle began to pound on him, he drew out his own wand, (which had been obtained for him by Harry, Ron, and Hermione) and yelled, "Sectum sempra!"
Within a split second, the three Slytherin students were covered in blood.
"What is the meaning of this!" yelled Professor Sprout who was just passing by in the hall. "Who did this?"
Three Slytherin fingers pointed toward a panting Harry. Mrs. Figg stood panting, and George gaped. A small smirk began to crawl across Draco's face. "He did it! He cursed us that's what he did!"
"Harry?"
Dudley automatically responded. As much as it was unsettling for him to appear like his cousin whom he had been taught to despise, he realized that here in this magical world, Harry Potter was treated with a kind of respect and fear that he had always wanted—that he could not get despite all the bullying he had inflicted.
"Yes?"
"Did you do this?"
"Yes."
Professor Sprout paused for a moment, glancing at Hermione and Ron,
both of whom were silent. "Ah well then," she cleared her throat.
"Off with you."
Draco's mouth dropped open. "But, but,
but---"
"No worries Malfoy. Off with the three of you Slytherins to Madame Pomfrey and she'll patch you right up."
Draco in his absolute shock, was only dimly aware that Harry had just used a dark spell, and was excused. Something was definitely very, very wrong.