Harry Potter: Dudley From LOTM - 359

Chapter 359: A New Order

“They were only afraid you would punish me, Professor. They just wanted to plead for me,” Dudley said calmly.

“And why would I punish you?” Dumbledore countered.

“So I sent them back,” Dudley replied.

Dumbledore smiled. “Come. Walk with me around the castle for a bit. Since returning this year, I haven’t had a proper chance to talk with you.”

“Oh, and with how well you know Hogwarts now, you may already surpass this old man.”

Dudley smiled, but said nothing.

The two of them wandered the corridors without any clear destination.

“About what happened with the Ministry, Dudley… I am sorry,” Dumbledore said slowly.

“There is no need to apologise. It has nothing to do with you,” Dudley said.

The Ministry of Magic was not under Dumbledore’s authority, and from everything that followed, it was clear Minister Fudge had begun to resent Dumbledore’s interference. Under those circumstances, the fact that Dumbledore could smooth over as much as he had was already impressive. Dudley understood that perfectly well.

“The Ministry is sliding towards a dangerous cliff, and yet I am powerless to stop it,” Dumbledore continued. “Fudge is too enamoured of power. He finds it harder and harder to listen to my advice, and I cannot say what will happen next.”

“On top of that, with the wizarding world in such turmoil, I increasingly feel… I can no longer do as much as I once could.”

Dudley neither agreed nor disagreed. He simply nodded, acknowledging Dumbledore’s difficulties.

“So, Dudley,” Dumbledore said suddenly, changing course, “what are your plans for the future?”

Dudley did not answer at once. He knew exactly what Dumbledore was really asking.

After a moment of silence, he said, “Power is what matters most.”

“Whether it is the Ministry sliding into the abyss, or Voldemort and Grindelwald rising again, we will need enough power to withstand it.”

“I have heard that when you fought Voldemort, you formed an organisation under your leadership, the Order of the Phoenix.”

“An organisation made up of people who did not necessarily look like heroes, people who were not famous, yet most of them were brave and unafraid.”

“The Order of the Phoenix stood against Voldemort’s Death Eaters. In the struggle against Voldemort in the seventies, many members of the Order died. They were a group with real toughness.”

“And now, I believe I may carry a duty in the future to protect the wizarding world. So I have formed my own organisation as well, the one you just saw, the Kingdom of Order.”

“We will bring a new order to this world,” Dudley said seriously.

Dumbledore listened without interrupting, offering no opinion.

After a long while, he asked, “Is this the will of that Night Emperor?”

Dudley nodded.

“A new order…” Dumbledore murmured. “But the process…”

“The establishment of a new order often means death and suffering,” Dudley said evenly. “But the wizarding world has reached the point where reform is no longer optional.”

“Besides, can death and suffering be avoided by refusing to build a new order? Probably not.”

“Whether it is Voldemort or Grindelwald, if they seek to seize power again, conflict and disaster are inevitable.”

“I only intend to use this opportunity to reshuffle the wizarding world,” Dudley said, his voice still calm.

At this point, Dudley no longer felt any need to hide much from Dumbledore. One reason was that he truly did not have to. Another was that he did not care if Dumbledore knew.

Dudley’s growing strength made one outcome unavoidable.

Dumbledore could either acknowledge Dudley’s path or part ways with him.

And if it came to the latter, that would be the true disaster for the wizarding world.

If Dumbledore were still young, perhaps he would choose a different road from Dudley’s. But he was old now. Even with his power, many things could no longer be forced to move according to his vision.

After hearing Dudley out, Dumbledore remained silent for a long time.

They continued wandering the corridors in silence.

“Good evening, Professor Dumbledore. Dudley,” came a voice from the other side of the passage.

Professor Lupin walked towards them at an unhurried pace.

“Good evening, Professor Lupin,” Dudley greeted.

“Sorry to interrupt. I couldn’t sleep, so I came out for a walk,” Lupin said, glancing at Dudley.

“That is quite all right, Remus,” Dumbledore said.

“Then I won’t disturb you,” Lupin said and moved on.

His appearance was only a small interlude in the night.

Once Dudley was sure Lupin had gone, he asked, “I am curious. Why did you choose a werewolf to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts?”

“He is a good choice. Surely you have already noticed,” Dumbledore said.

Dudley pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

“Since you have asked me a question, I would like to ask you one as well,” Dumbledore said. “That man with the monocle. Who was he?”

“Someone I fear,” Dudley answered simply.

Dumbledore shook his head, helpless.

“Very well. Lupin may be a werewolf, but he is not evil by nature. He is also skilled in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and I trust him completely.”

“Furthermore, he is a member of the Order of the Phoenix, and he was a close friend of Harry’s parents.”

Only then did Dudley nod.

“That man is my enemy, but you need not worry. He will not pose a threat to the wizarding world.”

Dumbledore looked slightly surprised. “That does not really answer my question.”

“Professor Dumbledore, sometimes knowing too much is not a good thing,” Dudley said.

Dumbledore did not press further. He simply continued strolling along the corridor.

“Dudley,” he said at last, “will you become the next Dark Lord?”

“No,” Dudley replied without hesitation.

“Why?” Dumbledore stopped and turned to him. “You resemble them too much. Voldemort and Grindelwald alike.”

“Because I will become the Black Emperor,” Dudley said with a faint laugh.

Dumbledore frowned, plainly displeased with the answer.

“Professor Dumbledore, do you think Voldemort and Grindelwald are powerful?” Dudley asked.

Dumbledore nodded. If they were not powerful, they could not have shaken the wizarding world the way they had.

“But no matter how strong they are,” Dudley said, “they are still only human!”