Harry waited with Ron in the common room, neither knowing what to do as they stood, sat and paced; before eventually settling on chess.
They were on their 10th game, still feeling the same as Gryffindors milled around them.
Some had returned to their dorms, preferring their beds to the tense common room. They'd hear the latest eventually as Harry moved his Queen, before glancing up at a grimacing Ron.
It was check.
Ron sighed, shaking his head as he looked around. Their fellow first years sat nearby, each at a table or grouped within a pod of chairs.
They talked quietly, murmuring still about the attack.
Dudley.
He didn't believe them.
When Harry and he had finished History, they'd gone straight to Snape, hoping he'd know the latest.
They'd knocked, stepping in as things were explained.
Harry had been sure Dudley would arrive for lunch, which was ignored in favour of an all-out search.
They'll been told to attend their next lesson, Charms as the following hour before lunch passed quickly.
Harry huffed, hearing another muttered word about his cousin. It was Lavender, she had a loud mouth.
It had been just as they'd left Charms, when the tremors started, reverberating faintly along the dungeon's walls.
Ron had begun to panic, drawing his wand as if a Dragon might leap around the corner. Harry had too, well at least the wand part.
It hadn't lasted long, the sound fading quickly as they walked quickly with the others towards the hall.
Harry had felt uneasy, and justly so as they arrived in the corridors near the great hall.
It was awful, there people crying and sitting, leaning against each other for support.
Professor Snape had appeared, barging past them at a run with his wand drawn. Harry admired his courage, he didn't seem to hesitate as he passed through the doors.
They'd quickly been gathered into groups by the surrounding prefects, and told to return to their common rooms.
People were muttering around them, shuffling into line as whispered words reached their ears.
An attack.
Fire
Sprout.
…
And Dudley.
Harry still didn't believe it, glad that neither did Ron as he glanced towards his friend.
The chess board was reset, the characters ready for another thrashing as the afternoon drew on. It was nearing supper now, they'd need food soon.
"You're white," said Ron, moving his first piece.
Harry returned in kind, the game flowing as people continued around them.
Ron had almost won, when the common room door swung open.
It was the Head boy, looking tired and dehydrated.
Harry leapt to his feet.
"Any news?" he said, hardly letting Wood enter the room.
"Easy Harry," he heard, as Wood gestured him and the growing group away. "Let me get a drink first."
There was water on a table, having been put there by the elves.
Oliver poured himself a glass, breathing through his nose between gulps.
Harry had followed, waiting as he watched the older boy drink.
Ron appeared by his side. "Do you think he's alright?" he asked, giving Wood a look as he poured another glass.
"No," said another boy. "He's been running around since lunch. We saw him helping at the Hospital Wing."
Harry turned, looking intently at the dark-skinned boy. "Who was there?"
The boy hesitated. "W-well."
"Yes?" encouraged Harry. "What did you see?"
"Leave off Harry," called Wood, finally finishing his drink. "I saw Dean on my way in, he didn't see much else."
Dean nodded, stepping away from Harry and his growing intensity.
Wood straightened, addressing the room.
"I've been told, as have the other prefects," he turned, looking at Harry. "That an attack was made upon a Hogwarts Professor, by a-"
Murmuring spread, shocked gasps as Wood gestured for quiet.
His gaze found Harry's in sympathy.
"By Dudley Dursley."
Silence.
Wood placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, Ron too as Harry hung his head. The room watched him, seeing the shock and pain upon hearing the news.
It helped, at least in some of their minds.
Perhaps Dudley had been bewitched.
Harry snapped to attention, feeling the weight lift from his shoulders.
"Is Dudley alright?" he began frantically. "What happened? Why did he-"
"Wow, wow. Harry, I only know so much," said Wood hastily. "I'll tell you though. Just wait."
Wood looked around, knowing the rest would want to here as he recalled McGonagall's words
'Calm the students, tell them briefly that there was no immediate danger anymore.'
He was to tell them what happened, briefly.
Harry wouldn't accept that.
"But before that," he said, turning to face the crowd. "I've been told that we're to stay in the common room for the time being. Food will be brought by the Hogwarts Elves."
A few protests, he ignored them.
"Classes will resume tomorrow, hopefully the damage to the great hall will be repaired by then."
Wood turned back to Harry, he and the other first-years congregating behind him.
It concerned them the most, he supposed. They shared classes with Slytherin.
He started from the beginning, about how he'd arrived for lunch to find a disturbance in the distance, at the main entrance of the great hall.
The side doors were more commonly used, more connected to the other parts of the castle.
He explained how Professor Sprout shouted to get back, her raised voice doing just the opposite as he drew near the panicking students.
Some of those present, a boy from 3rd and a girl from 5th chimed in, saying that Dudley hadn't looked right.
Covered in ink stains, dishevelled with a manic gleam to his eyes.
Harry wanted to deny it, knowing Dudley was nothing but sane and sure of mind. Yet – how could he?
Then came the fire, bright and hot – even reaching Wood at the other end of the hall.
That was when the chaos began, when Wood had seen only glimpses as students ran towards him; he'd been knocked against the wall, a shadow of his panic visible even now as the common room listened.
Despite the frenzied escape, Wood said that many students had been injured; particularly the younger Ravenclaws, who's table had been closest.
At least a dozen, heard Harry as his dread deepened.
Dudley wouldn't have done this, something must have happened to him.
Wood described the spell fire next, clueless as to what Dudley had been casting. He'd tried to reach Professor Sprout, pushing his way through with his wand drawn.
Debris had clipped him, a piece of stone that bruised horribly; he only noticed it when he'd begun to limp.
Madam Pomfrey was an amazing woman.
Ron asked about the spells, others too who weren't present. Those that were, hardly remembered, too terrified to truly recall a description.
Wood said Dudley was fast though, not saying a word either as sizzling lights careened towards their Professor. Some were red, others blue whilst the most devastating seemed colourless, shockwaves that ripped the stone apart.
A boy nearby spoke up, whose father was in the Auror Corps. He recognised only one of the spells.
The Rupturing Curse.
Wood believed him it, vaguely recalling its description as it sealed the deal for the rest.
Dudley had used Dark Magic, which meant the rest of whatever he'd produced was dark too.
Wood concluded after describing how Sprout had been knocked down, the last manipulation of stone far behind anything they could do.
Harry hadn't said a word, even as others looked to him, as if you ratify his cousins' guilt.
He wouldn't, even if he did know what spells he'd used. But they'd never discussed such magic, only their shared abilities like Legitimacy and Dudley's wandless repertoire.
The Rupturing Curse? How had he learned that?
Harry searched his mind, thinking of all the thi-
He closed his eyes. Of course.
Gorble.
Harry cursed the portrait in his mind, his anger growing along with his own shame.
How many times had Dudley gone alone?
It had been years – years of not feeling like it, of preferring to stay inside or watching a TV Show.
Dudley had gone every day, not to mention the library there, which Harry had only loosely touched.
Magical Creatures, that was his interest. He couldn't do magic like Dudley could, so to him, it was redundant until he could get his wand.
But not for Dudley.
Ron brought him back to awareness.
"The foods here, Harry."
Oh, thought Harry as he saw the elves appear with plates.
Wood was arranging the affair, doing his best to control the hungry students.
"Harry?"
Harry glanced at Ron. "Yeah?"
Ron looked unsure, but asked anyway. "You don't think… do you think they'd-"
"Expel Dudley?"
Yes, as Ron nodded in apology; and he was, petty jealousy aside.
Something terrible had obviously happened to Dudley, it was unfair as Harry turned away.
"I don't know," he said, touching his chin in thought as they headed for food. "In the muggle world, they'll sometimes let you off with a fine if it's your first offense."
Ron glanced his way. "Really?" he was surprised. "It's not like that here."
They each grabbed a plate, joining the queue. "If they think a wizard is dangerous, they won't take the chance. That's what my Dad said."
Harry moved along, listening as he grabbed a sandwich.
"What would they do?"
"The Ministry?"
Harry nodded.
…
"They'll break his wand."
Harry flinched around, staring. "Then," swallowed Ron. "Assuming he's expelled, and since he's a… muggleborn."
Harry looked pained.
"They'll probably obliviate him," said Ron, glancing away from a horrified Harry. "Then send him back to the muggles."
Harry dropped his plate.
Break
Lucius walked with a strut, his elegant cane tapping in rhythm as he led the Ministry's delegation through the Hogwarts corridors.
They all knew the way, of course; but it was the principle of the matter that Lucius cared for. He was here as their lead, along with another from their esteemed Ministry.
Delores Umbridge, a recent addition to Fudge's administration.
He heard her steps, following as she was a little too close behind him, a bad sign in his opinion.
The woman was the worst the ministry had to offer, with him sitting firmly at the opposite end as they passed through a tall arch, before heading up towards the Headmaster's office.
That was where it would be decided, as the group turned a bend in the stairs.
He glanced behind him.
The Aurors were unnecessary; utterly so as they followed Bartimaeus Crouch.
Head of the office for Magical Law Enforcement - for now.
He'd be gone soon, his failings finally catching up to him as they continued to walk.
It was an extraordinary tale, Lucius would admit; a boy attacking a Professor, destroying most of the great hall?
Completely absurd, in his mind. Yet here they were.
The delegation had checked the damages first, wanting to be sure of their charges.
It was catastrophic.
He'd never seen a place experience such damage, his own memories of the majestic hall contrasting starkly.
He might have been impressed, had it been a Pureblood.
Instead, it was one Dudley Dursley. Potter's cousin.
He was surely a loon then, who'd no doubt become an enormous problem later if allowed to continue his education.
Lucius would see him gone.
To be sure.
…
"Ah, welcome. You're just on time."
Lucius inclined his head, offering the bare minimum among the present company.
The room was busy it seemed; the congregation joining the circle as the Professor welcomed them.
He glanced at Severus, unsurprised when the man didn't acknowledge him.
Dumbledore stepped out, lingering in-front of his desk.
"Thank you for responding so quickly," he began, his attention panning across those gathered.
He focused on the Aurors. "An auror presence won't be required," he said, glancing at Crouch. "No crime has been committed."
"I beg to differ," said Lucius. "There has been an attack, has there not?"
Lucius sensed the Headmaster's disagreement. "Mr Crouch," he added, suppressing a smile as he felt Dumbledore approach. "You have a report, don't you?"
The man nodded, pulling a letter from his robe.
"Indeed, shall I read it aloud? Or can we all agree on the events that transpired?" he held the letter out, almost threateningly.
Dumbledore slowed, frowning lightly. They'd had no choice but to report it.
"This is not about culpability," he said deeply. "He is a child, not a criminal."
A strange cough was heard, their attention shifting towards a short, ugly woman.
She smiled with false emotion. "Headmaster," she squeaked. "If a crime has not been committed, then why are we here?"
Dumbledore glared at her, as Minerva stepped forward. "Dudley needs help! Not whatever justice you seek!"
Delores tightened her eyes, clearly disagreeing. "You are not involved in this discussion," she said, dismissive. "Professor."
Things devolved quickly, the two women arguing back and forth about children and magical crime. Whilst the men angrily tried to debate what the crime actually was, raising voices and points as they somehow made it across.
The issue was, that although no one was killed, and Professor Sprout merely wounded. It was that Dudley had attacked, with an assumed intent to kill; and had almost succeeded.
He'd used devastating magic, Dark Magic – a subject that Crouch felt very strongly about. Use of which could only mean the boy was guilty, let alone the question of how he'd come to learn it, or wield it for that matter.
That subject was mercifully ignored, since none could truly the how of it.
This wasn't the end of it though, since many students had been injured too, some of which were from well-established families.
It had become a personal matter for Lucius. Narcissa had been distraught, when she'd heard that Draco was in the hospital wing; a broken arm, along with all manner of cuts and bruises.
Easily fixed, true. But beside the point.
The children had been attacked, with an unfortunately high number being Pureblooded.
Dumbledore was trying to reduce the damage, knowing he needed to protect Dudley.
Breaking his wand and expelling him would do no good. It would only send him on a spiral they wouldn't have means to control.
Not that they could break his wand, since none had been able to find it. A fact that Dumbledore found most difficult to believe. The Ministry, particularly Delores, believed they were hiding it. It would be important evidence against the boy after all, who still slept in a secluded section of the Hospital Wing.
The parents didn't know he was there, thankfully as Dumbledore flicked his wand, a loud clap sounding across them.
They stopped, some scowling as Dumbledore gained their attention.
"Enough," he said. "A decision must be made."
He looked at Lucius.
"Lucius, you're here representing the governors. I assume?"
"Yes, and the Ministry." Lucius preened.
Dumbledore suppressed a scowl, turning to another. "And Miss Umbridge?"
The woman made a face, preening similarly. "I am proxy to the Minister - himself."
Minerva scoffed from the side, shaking her head at the silly woman.
"And Bartimaeus," said Dumbledore. "The DLME."
A statement, Dumbledore had known him for years.
The man nodded seriously. "I petition for the boy's immediate expulsion," he said. "There can be no second chances, not after an attack like this."
Lucius concurred, adding. "His wand will be snapped," smirking slightly. "His memories of Magic, removed."
Dumbledore wouldn't have that. "That is not within your power, Lucius."
That could only be done through a vote of the Wizardmont, something Dumbledore had ensured through his own power.
"That can be arranged, if necessary," said Delores. "However, the Ministry will settle for expulsion, his wand snapped and a fine for damages."
…
Dumbledore began to shake furiously.
"That's not good enough!" he shouted. "This boy needs our help, he's only 11!"
He didn't stop, even as the Aurors showed their wands.
"This is a vendetta," he said accusingly. "A petty hate against all Muggleborns!"
"-"
"Don't deny it!"
Lucius stood tall, refusing to be intimidated. "Don't make things worse, Dumbledore," he said, gesturing with his cane. "It's unbecoming."
He was going to enjoy this, as the Professors listened with muted horror
"The boy is henceforth, expelled," announced Lucius with a gleeful lilt. "His wand will be found, and broken. If it isn't already in bits," he snickered slightly. "Then, he will be sent home. Back to his filthy, muggle life."
…
"Good, now that that's settled," he added glibly as he turned to Delores. "I trust the Minister will be updated in full?"
She nodded, watching Dumbledore as he turned away, moving off towards his window with a defeated air.
"Of course," she said, smiling with satisfaction. "He'll be most pleased the danger has been removed."
They turned, heading out with an air of triumph.
No one had won, as the Heads of Houses turned away.
They'd failed him.
Minerva slumped into a nearby chair.
"How could this happen."
The others looked down in shame, even Severus as he walked slowly to the Headmaster's side.
"Albus," he said. "Can nothing be done?" the Headmaster didn't turn. "Why not deny them?"
Severus knew it would be difficult, but it was worth a try as the great man before him seemed to shrink, before turning to him in sadness.
"I can't Severus," he said, both frustrated and distraught at what had happened. "If it were a matter within the school, where no crime had been committed, it would be different."
Dumbledore glanced at Minerva.
"My hands are tied."
It echoed, causing the woman to rub her head.
Severus huffed, glancing out the window as Albus peered at him, sensing he had something to add.
"Dudley is a Legilimens," said Severus, drawing the other's attention. "He removed Pince's memories."
Dumbledore didn't speak, nor Filius as he approached with Minerva.
"Legilimens?" asked a baffled Minerva. "Surely not."
Filius nodded, finding it hard to believe. "That would be most unusual."
Severus turned to them, almost scowling.
Dumbledore spoke.
"He is," he declared. "I've experienced it myself."
They stared at him, baffled and shocked as he shuffled away from the window. "He's also an Occulmens."
He flopped into his chair, tired.
…
"And Harry?" asked Severus, ignoring as his colleagues glanced at him strangely.
"I do not know," sighed Dumbledore. "But, they do seem very close."
Who knew what they'd practiced together.
"You think Dudley might have…" said Minerva, not even sure if that was possible.
Severus made noise. "It's possible, both skills can be taught. Though the skill's potential is more limited."
They'd need to keep an eye on Harry then, as Minerva huffed. "How did this even happen?" she began, looking off in thought. "Dudley shouldn't have been able to."
She glanced at Albus, the man as usual giving nothing away. "Something's not right," she said. "A boy of 11 cannot do the things he did."
The Headmaster nodded, agreeing fully as he glanced at Severus.
"Severus," gaining the man's attention. "What were your thoughts on Dudley? You've spent the most time with him, did anything seem off during your trip to Diagon Alley?"
Severus thought back. There were a few things.
"You went to Diagon Alley?" parroted Minerva. "With a student?"
He gave her a sour look, before resuming his pondering.
Dudley was intelligent, fantastically so, some might say.
However, there were some things one needed to learn, they simply could not be discerned no matter how insightful.
He looked at Dumbledore, meeting his eye as something passed between them.
The Headmaster nodded, confirming his suspicions.
"I see," he said, looking down resignedly. "Someone must have helped him."
Minerva was aghast, as was Filius.
"What?" she called. "Who? What do you mean?"
She appeared before the Headmaster's table.
"Albus."
He looked up, seeing her worried eyes. "What really happened to Dudley? What do you know?"
Dumbledore breathed weakly.
"I know nothing else-"
Minerva glared.
"-on his previous teachings. Which could be any manner of scenarios."
He scarcely believed it, the thought that someone, or perhaps something; was teaching Dudley the spells he'd used against Sprout.
Even Tom Riddle hadn't displayed such skill.
"However," he paused, glancing at Severus. "Dudley appears to have tattooed something, on his palm. Since coming to Hogwarts."
He indicated his own, making a circle with his finger. "A symbol of sorts," before adding. "I do not know why. But it must have a reason, some use. Dudley would not have done so otherwise."
Petunia had written of it, years ago. About Dudley's drive, his need to discover. How far he was willing to go to achieve something.
Dudley had a strong will, as the professors frowned.
"What symbol is it?" squeaked Filius, curious as Dumbledore rummaged, looking for paper.
Severus handed him a sheet, the Headmaster nodding gratefully.
It was difficult to remember, yet he pictured the general shape easily enough.
He drew the eye first, a simple circle which he loosely filled in. Then the lines as they linked at the ends of the oval.
The others scrutinised it, leaning in as Albus carefully finished the shading.
"I am not familiar with this," said Minerva, Filius too. "Is it a rune?"
Dumbledore shook his head, looking at it carefully. "Dudley seems to have designed it himself."
Minerva paled, thinking that if the Headmaster didn't know what it was… she turned to Severus, who'd yet to speak.
The man appeared lost, staring at the paper as his arm cradled slightly.
Minerva approached carefully. "Severus?" she asked. "Do you know it?"
He looked at her slowly, then shook his head.
Minerva sighed.
Filius indicated the paper, leaning forward as Albus passed it to him.
He looked at it closely.
"Can it be removed?" he pondered, looking up at the Headmaster. "Have we tried?"
The Headmaster hung his head. "Yes, I have tried," he'd even found the book Dudley had used, not that it helped. "It will not come off."
His voice sounded cross, as if the tattoo were a personal insult.
And in some ways, it was.
"You found the spell he used?" probed Severus as the Headmaster nodded.
He reached below, surprising the others as he removed the tome.
Minerva scowled. "Don't tell me," she said sarcastically. "The Restricted Section?"
Albus looked away.
Minerva stifled a shout.
"How many times will this happen?!" her hands waved, causing Filius to step aside. "That room should be removed from the school!"
"That is not the issue."
She swung towards Severus. "It is the issue! This never would have happened if-"
"Minerva."
She stopped, looking upset as the Headmaster opened the book. He turned to a page that had been marked, a few splotches of ink marring its surface.
"Poseta-" he paused. "-Ingrenum."
Severus came beside him, looking quickly over the page.
His eyes widened.
"He cast this on himself," by way of statement, looking up in wonder.
Minerva didn't understand.
"Well of course he did," she said, still upset.
"That's exactly the issue."
She blinked, even more so at his use of phrase. "What do you mean?"
Dumbledore rubbed his eyes, gesturing for Severus to speak.
"That's exactly the issue," he repeated. "The boy cast Dark Magic, on himself."
Minerva frowned.
Severus made an exasperated noise. "Normally, when one uses Dark Magic; the effects are upon another. It may come from the caster, but the damage is done elsewhere."
Plenty of people used Dark magic, every day in some countries.
Yet, they didn't try to kill their Professors.
"He's too young," he said. "I doubt it would have affected someone older. Certainly not a trained wizard."
Dudley had been unlucky, picking a dangerous spell with dangerous side effects.
They'd fade in time, probably had already.
But the damage was done.
"Yet."
He paused, turning back to the page. "That doesn't explain why we weren't able to remove it."
The spell may be dark, but it wasn't illogical. It could be removed, with the correct method.
Most who used the spell would rely on its obscurity to avoid removal. The book being the key, which was ancient, even the English read differently.
Dudley was indeed remarkable.
"So," edged Minerva. "That was why he attacked? The spell bewitched him?"
…
"Not quite," said Albus, his eyes no longer itching as he read the passage again. "The spell. Poseta - is meant to brand a victim, with a tattoo that…"
He looked up. "Tortures it's bearer."
…
"However," he added hastily. "The version Dudley used, Ingrenum – in some ways counteracted the first part. It branded the tattoo… but."
Severus shook his head.
"But not without consequence, it seems," he said quietly. It reminded him of other, far worse magics he'd seen. "At least the effects were temporary."
It might have been fascinating, on any other. It seemed to play on one's fears.
Dudley had acted out of protection, not malice; a fact that soothed them all.
Sprout was a kind woman, explaining that Dudley wasn't himself almost as soon as she woke.
She was confined to bed rest, at least for the next few days as Dumbledore closed the book with a sigh, the pages thudding loudly as he delayed no longer.
"Dudley Dursley is henceforth expelled, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
The magic took hold, the deed done.
AN
There it is, more to come of course. Now the game changes, and who better to win than our very own Dudley D.
Stay tuned, and please stick with it! If you liked what's come so far, you'll love what comes next.
If you want to support me and my FanFiction, check out www. Pa treon com/ bactum (no spaces and a dot before com) where you can read ahead.
Till next time!
