Dudley sat reading the comic books that Arthur had left for 30 minutes or so when the door opened again and the same witch appeared leading out Dobby.

"Good luck, Master Duddy Durzy" Dobby said.

Dudley stepped through the door after the witch. He found himself in a large courtroom. The walls were made of dark stone, dimly lit by torches. Empty benches rose on either side of him, but ahead, in the highest benches of all, were many shadowy figures.

In the center of the room was a stone chair, sitting on which was Lucius Malfoy. He looked tired, his hair was dishelved and his eyes wild. He glared with hatred as Dudley entered.

"Take a seat, Mr. Dursley," a voice said. Dudley looked at the speaker—it was Cornelius Fudge, who had dispensed with his lime green bowler hat. Next to him on one side was sat a squat toad-like witch with a pink sweater and a bow on her mousy hair. On the other side was a severe looking witch with a monacle. Next to the witch with a monacle and easily noticeable with his long white hair and beard was Albus Dumbledore.

Dudley, suddenly feeling nervous sat down in an empty chair. His eyes sought out Arthur who was sat near the front. Arthur winked reassuringly.

"You are Dudley Dursley of Number Four Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?" boomed Fudge.

"Yes."

"Very well, let's proceed."

"So, Mr. Dursley—we have all read the interview you gave to the Daily Prophet, but I would like you to tell the Wizengamot in your own words what happened."

So, once again, Dudley went through the events of last year. Occasionally Fudge or the witch next to him, who introduced herself as Madame Bones, interrupted to ask questions.

At the end of it, Fudge nodded. "And you accuse Lucius Malfoy of planting the diary in your belongings—why?"

"Because it was him," Dudley said.

Fudge sighed. "Yes, but how do you know?"

"Oh, I see, well ..." Dudley said, thinking hard. "Well, Hermione worked it out—Dobby was sort of pointing at the diary and hitting himself. And she kind of pieced it together."

"And did Lucius Malfoy admit it?"

"No," Dudley said. "but Dumbledore thought it was him too."

"Albus Dumbledore has already presented his evidence to the Wizengamot," Fudge said.

Now, Dumbledore stood up. "Quite right," Dumbledore said, speaking for the first time. "I have given the Wizengamot my suspicions and theories. And Dobby has presented his. Now, what is not clear is when exactly did Lucius Malfoy slip the diary into your posessions."

"At Diagon Alley, he removed a book from my posession and slipped inside."

"And did you see him do this?" Dumbledore asked.

Dudley shook his head. "No, but when I opened the book during term, the diary fell out."

"Lies!" Malfoy hissed suddenly.

"The defendant will remain silent!" Madame Bones thundered. "Proceed, Dursley."

"Could anyone else have slipped the diary inside?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, no wizards or witches came to my parents and the book was in my trunk."

"And why would Lucius Malfoy do this?" Fudge asked.

"Because me and his son, Draco dont't get along ..." he trailed off and looked at Dumbledore.

"None of which you say here will have any impact n your schooling," Dumbledore said. "You won't be punished for any, erm, incidents you confess too."

"Right," Dudley said, feeling relieved. He told the Wizengamot about his rivalry with Draco Malfoy and how they had often clashed during the first year and how he had beaten Malfoy up a number of times.

"Did you know about this, Lucius?" Madame Bones asked, when Dudley was finished.

"Yes ..." Malfoy said, through gritted teeth.

"And it must have made you furious, that a muggleborn was tormenting your son."

"I would have been furious regardless," Malfoy spat. "His blood status had nothing to do with it."

"But you have a known dislike towards muggleborns," Madame Bones said.

Malfoy didn't answer.

"Dursley, during your rivalry with Draco Malfoy, did he use anti-muggle language towards yourself?"

"Yeah, he called me and my friend Dean mudbloods and Ron a blood traitor,"

There was some scattere, outraged muttering at this.

"What my son says or does at school has no bearing on myself," Lucius said. "I didn't teach Draco to use that sort of language. So don't insinuate that I grudge against muggleborns."

"Well, I don't think there is much more we need from yourself, Dursley, you may wait outside until Arthur is finished here," said Fudge.

Dudley stood up awkwardly and left the courtroom.

Dobby had gone, so Dudley sat on the bench alone and leafed through the comic. After about an hour, the door opened and a bunch of witches and wizards piled out. One or two nodded to Dudley as they passed. At the rear was Arthur Weasley.

"So what happened?" Dudley demanded.

Arthur looked pleased. "Eight years in Azkaban. Unfortunately there wasn't the evidence to retry him as a Death Eateer, but the Wizengamot agreed he was in posession of an illegal, dark object without informing the Ministry—he got three years for that. The Wizengamot also agreed that he slipped the diary to yourself as a plan to frame you, so he got five years for attempting to frame a minor. Unfortunately, we couldn't get charges to stick for attempted murder—the Wizengamot disagreed on whether he intended for Slytherin's monster to murder muggleborns or even be released at all. The argument was that he intended you to be caught in posession of the diary and expelled, rather than the Chamber be opened."

"Still, eight years is pretty good," Dudley said. "I can't wait to see Malfoy's face."

Arthur looked disapproving at that. "Now, I know you have your differences, and he doens't sound like a nice boy. But I don't think it's right to throw his father's jailing in his face. Be satisfied that you have helped to jail a very dark wizard."

"Right," Dudley said, making no promises.

"Oh yeah, Dobby the house elf works for me now. I was wondering, could I keep him at the Burrow?"

Dudley explained what had happened.

"Molly would like that. Having a house elf would be a big help to her," Arthur said. "He can stay, we have a small storage room he can use as a bedroom."