"It's rare for a warlock to develop a magical core," The pediatrician smiled down at Dudley. As the boy sat in his undies, on the examination table. "Even when they are descended from Wizards. The two magicks conflict with each other too much. With the Warlock pathways usually overwhelming the core, and bleeding it into the rest of the body."

Inara gave a nod, listening intently, as the Warlock healer finished her work. As Warlocks largely use Elemental magics, the healer mostly needed a wide variety of enchanted objects, to take her scans of the boy.

"Thanks to those diet potions," The healer reviewed. Speaking to Inara, and strangely acting as though Dudley wasn't here. "The boy's gained 5 inches in height, and is at a much more healthy body fat ratio. His added weight is due to most of the excess fat being converted to muscle. He can stop taking the potions now. Although I suggest you keep on him, about his diet. Although the occasional sweet won't hurt anything."

Dudley beamed hearing that.

"Occasional," The Healer stressed, and the boy deflated.

"Also," The healer smiled back at Inara. "I'm happy to say, all traces of the Compulsion charms have been gone for a month now. So there is no longer a chance of additional trauma triggering relapses. And all damage done to his psyche have been repaired. Boy's in the clear."

Nodding with satisfaction, the healer gave Dudley a lollipop, which the boy hesitantly looked at Inara. Asking with only his eyes, if he could take it. The companion smiled proudly, at the geisha-in-training, and allowed the boy the sweet with a nod.

Dudley was getting more used to the idea, sugar was a treat, not to be eaten with every meal. And certainly never allowed if he demanded it.

Without those compulsion charms, Dudley was shaping up to be a fine young man... although still a little emotionally stunted, due to being under such spells from a young age.

Inara speculated all three Dursleys were under the charms... which meant Mal not only killed the boys parents... but likely killed innocent victims, who were being mind controlled to act against their nature. He SHOULD have killed that Dumbledore bastard. Then they could have helped the Dursleys.

Inara looked up from her thoughts, as Dudley finished getting dressed.

The boy was giving her a strangely serious look.

"Can..." Dudley forced himself to ask. "Can I talk to the Captain?"

"Inara," Mal acknowledged. Finding it strange to see her. Even if it was just over the ship's comms.

It had been 3 months, since the woman left the ship. That means 5 since they made their deal with the Goblins. 8 since River's vision of Harry in trouble... So nearly 2 years since Mal met Inara.

"This call isn't for me," Inara was quick to say.

Mal puzzled, "Who's it for then?"

"Dudley wants to talk to you."

Mal froze, for all of a moment, as he could swear, he felt his heart stop. "Put him on," Mal spoke with false calm.

Dudley traded seats with Inara, although Mal wouldn't have recognized the boy if he wasn't told. He was a lot taller, and built far more athletically. Even his face was a different shape, due to him losing weight. Revealing a handsome bone structure.

Once he grows up some more, the kid might actually have the looks to be a companion

"You killed my parents," Dudley stated from the get-go.

"I did," Mal acknowledged.

"It wasn't their fault."

"I reckon that's so."

"... Do you regret it?"

"... I do..."

Dudley nodded, "I suppose... I never really met my parents... but still... I loved them..."

"Which's only right," Mal insisted.

"You want my forgiveness?"

"Don't suppose I deserve it," Mal admitted.

He went in guns blazing, never even trying to figure out what was going on. If he had... he should have sensed something wasn't right. Wouldn't be the first case of brainwashing he'd seen... the alliance did their fair share of it. River was such a victim.

True, the Alliance used chemicals, and torture, instead of magic... but still, he should have seen it.

"But do you want it!?" Dudley growled.

"... yes..."

"Then kill the bastard that did this to my family." and in the background, Mal could hear Inara exclaim Dudley's name.

Mal thought a moment, "You want me to assassinate the king of Wizards?"

"You don't need to assassinate anyone," Dudley dismissed. "I've been reading up on Wizarding law. Kinda have to, with my training.

"As a Lord over a foreign, magical, nation, you can file a blood feud. Which will let you challenge Dumbledore to a duel to the death... it's suppose to be an easy way to end disputes between countries, without declaring war... you do this, and whatever the outcome, you'll have my forgiveness."

"If this is what you want," Mal agreed.

"Mal!" Inara yelled. Her face taking up the screen again. "This isn't what he wants! He's hurting and-"

"Sounds to me that this is exactly what he wants. And at least it be done proper, in an official duel. Ain't like I don't got experience with those. Let's just hope swords won't be involved."

Dudley spoke up, "Neither side chooses the weapon, in Wizard duels. It can be a staff, wand, scepter, so long as it's a magical focus it's allowed. That means, since there are no rules against it, you could, theoretically, use a magical gun."

• 1 Week Later.

Dumbledore... wasn't particularly worried. Yet he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a great deal of guilt.

Regardless, the magical world had just stabilized a few months ago... this could lead to war between the other wizard clans. So he accepted the duel... but Potter had been through so much already. It was a shame Albus had to take away yet another parent.

The two combatants stepped into the main arena, of the Coliseum. Normally, national Quidditch tournaments were held here. But it was known, throughout its long history, to host the occasional Duel between feuding lords... it wasn't even the first time someone of Dumbledore's station was called here.

"Lord Reynolds, conqueror of House Potter," The Goblin overseeing the event, spoke over the hollering crowd. "With our most ancient laws, you have declared a Blood Feud against House Dumbledore. Are there no other ways to settle this matter."

Albus tried to give the man an out. "I'm willing to award compensation, for whatever insult Lord Reynolds believes I have committed against his house."

The Goblin Nodded, looking over at Dumbledore. From his place so high up in the stands.

A magical Illusion, in the sky, showing a massive 3d image of the duelist. So all the spectators could see.

Lord Reynolds stood tall, though spoke in his hick accent. "After what this man has done to the youngins of House Potter, I ain't given him the chance to weasel out. No, House Reynolds rejects all forms of compensation, outside this man's death!"

Great, the man just broke the gag order, and as he was going to die anyway, there was literally nothing Albus could do. In such a public venue, there was sure to be a inquiry, even after Albus won.

The voice of the Goblin, cut through Dumbledore's thoughts. "Very well, take your positions."

The two stood at each other's backs, and took their paces apart. Turning, bowing, and immediately attacking.

As Dumbledore drew his wand, Reynolds drew his gun. Albus was already aware of it, from the wand weighing ceremony from earlier that day.

The gun was of Goblin commission, forged of their steal, and enchanted to act as a magical focus. So it had been allowed, so long as Mal didn't use any of the Magical bullets he also brought. Those had been confiscated, and returned to his Coven.

The gun... was easily on par with the elder wand. Their two spells met, and it was an immediate stalemate, as neither weapon could gain any ground. Until Reynolds chose to fight dirty.

Spikes of earth jet out of the ground, and attempted to impale Albus from behind. He was forced to dodge. Not something his old bones could tolerate. But endure he must.

For Reynolds began running around the arena, shooting out balls of fire energy from his gun. Well the Earth shook, cracked, and shot out more spikes.

Reynolds... was no pushover. He was obviously an experienced and powerful Warlock. He had been hunting magical beast for months.

Dumbledore knew this, but he hadn't expected the man to be... such a cheat.

Every spell Reynolds cast was designed to keep Albus off balance. To the movement of the very Earth... but of course, it wasn't enough.

Albus managed to catch Reynolds with a simple jelly leg hex. The simplicity of the spell, made it so no light was produced. So it was harder to dodged.

Reynolds even dropped his gun, as a result of the erratic movement of his legs

"Do you yield?" Albus asked, approaching the man.

"Yield? YIELD!!!" Reynolds raged. "You expect me to yield after what you did to them!!!"

"The boy needs a father, more then you need your vengeance." Albus scolded the man, as if he was one of his errant students.

Mal scowled, "And what about Dudley! The boy you gorram mind controlled since he was a year old, or his parents, the poor bastards who hadn't had a thought their own since you enslaved them. Don't they deserve some measure of justice, some kinda peace?" Reynolds lowered his head, and crossed his arms, as if in a fetal position.

Albus, in a moment of weakness, lowered his hand... only to realize it was another trick. Reynolds suddenly jerked his arms apart, and raised his head. Just as hundreds of tiny bone shards burst out of his body. embedding themselves into Albus.

It wasn't enough to kill him, but the pain was so unlike anything he had experienced... it caused him to drop his wand. Reynolds managed to kick it away, with his still spasming leg. Before crawling over to his gun.

Albus was too stunned to go for his wand... and that mistake, cost him his life... and his head.

With Dumbledore's death, the hex stopped working. So Mal regained control of his legs. Struggling to his feet, he heard the Goblin announcer proclaim him the victor.

Standing tall, Mal remembered what he had to do now.

"As Victor," Spoke Mal. "I lay claim to all Dumbledore's property, wealth, and titles.

"I hereby Grant stewardship of the Supreme Wugnump to Lady Inara, my Coven Mother." Having already talked to her.

Inara was the most schooled in politics, and was a better choice then anyone they knew.

"For Chief Warlock, I decided to name an actual Warlock. Shepard Book, the Elder of my Coven.

"As for Hogwarts' newest Headmaster, I name Professor Filius Flitwick. The only teacher, in that whole damn school, that didn't insult, injure, or condescend to my ward, Harry Potter. And my strongest suggestion to him. Is he force McGonagall to choose between Duty Headmistress, and Head of Gryffindor House. As she clearly can't handle both positions."