Harry Potter: Dudley From LOTM

As Dudley watched Malfoy tumble and writhe, a stark contrast formed in Harry's mind. The raw ferocity, the brutal efficiency, the sheer madness in Dudley's eyes during the fight—it had been terrifying. Yet, in the blink of an eye, that primal fury had vanished, replaced by a calm, almost elegant smile. Could a normal person truly shift so completely? Was this really his cousin, Dudley, the same boy he had grown up with?

"What are you looking at?" Dudley asked, a light chuckle in his voice, his hand absently brushing his cheek. "Do I have blood on my face?"

"No… no, it's just…" Harry stammered, unable to articulate the jarring dissonance he felt.

Dudley simply smiled, reading Harry's confusion, and didn't press him further.

"Stop, don't fight anymore, you two stop fighting!" Hermione's voice pierced through the din, trying desperately to pull a Gryffindor student away from the fray. Her efforts, however, were futile. She merely attracted angry glares from her own housemates.

Dudley watched her, a faint shake of his head. At a time like this, in a brawl between houses, remaining neutral, no matter the reason, was a tactical error. This was a battle between collectives, not individuals. Hermione's refusal to participate, despite her good intentions, would mark her as an outsider.

"Oh, my goodness, what are you doing?!"

"Stop it, all of you, stop this instant!"

Professor McGonagall's stern, furious voice cut through the chaos like a sharp blade, finally bringing the sprawling fight to a shuddering halt. Many other professors, drawn by the commotion, arrived just behind her, their faces etched with shock.

The scene before them was a teacher's nightmare: Gryffindor and Slytherin students, tangled in a messy brawl, almost all of them bearing scrapes, bruises, and torn robes. Even with the professors present, they were still snarling and struggling. Finally, a few well-aimed nonverbal spells from the teachers separated the combatants completely.

"Professor McGonagall," Hermione sobbed, her face streaked with tears and grime. "I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen!"

McGonagall surveyed the chaotic aftermath, her face grim. Her anger, though still present, seemed to temper as she absorbed the full picture.

Ten minutes later, in Professor McGonagall's office, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken fury.

"Gryffindor, one hundred points deducted!" she announced, her voice trembling with barely suppressed rage. "I am truly disappointed in all of you. It is the second week of term, and you are already involved in a group fight! I have never taught students like you." She paced before them, her expression severe. "As the Head of Gryffindor, I am ashamed."

"Professor McGonagall, it was Slytherin who started it!" Ron burst out, indignant. "And they insulted us!"

"That's right, Professor! We can't just let the Slytherins beat us up for nothing!" another Gryffindor student piped up.

"Exactly! We were defending our House's honor!" The chorus of young voices filled the office. Dudley stood silently in the crowd, observing with a detached amusement. This was what happened when a large group was involved; the concept of individual responsibility blurred. They knew they wouldn't all be expelled, at most, a severe point deduction.

"Miss Granger!" McGonagall snapped, her gaze falling on Hermione, the only student who hadn't participated in the melee. "You tell me exactly what happened!"

Hermione, still tearful, recounted the events on the field, carefully emphasizing Malfoy's insults, how he had stolen Neville's Remembrall, and his illegal use of a broomstick. She concluded with how Dudley had intervened, and how Malfoy's enraged attack had then escalated into the full-blown brawl. After listening to Hermione's detailed account, McGonagall's expression, though still grim, softened perceptibly.

"Regardless of the provocation," she stated firmly, "fighting is always wrong. Especially since several students from Slytherin are currently in the Hospital Wing. You had all better pray they make a swift recovery." Her gaze swept over the Gryffindors, lingering for a moment on Dudley, who stood completely uninjured. "Alright, all of you may go. If you feel unwell, report to the Hospital Wing immediately." She waved a dismissive hand. "Dursley! Potter! You two stay."

Ron shot them a sympathetic look before being herded out with the rest of the first-years. Soon, only the three of them remained in the office.

"Dursley!" Professor McGonagall began, her voice now a low, dangerous growl. "I had thought that, with your obvious intellect and refined character, we would not have a repeat of such incidents. Yet, only two weeks into the term, you have once again assaulted a fellow student—and the same person at that! Can you truly not control your temper? Or perhaps, you are simply a Barbarian by nature?"

"Professor McGonagall," Dudley replied calmly, "I believe the primary issue is that Malfoy is simply insufferable. It wasn't that I had to hit him. As for being a Barbarian…" He paused, a faint, almost innocent smile playing on his lips. "I admit, I am indeed a Barbarian. My brother, Harry, can testify to that." He turned to Harry. "I've restrained myself a great deal, haven't I, Harry?"

Harry nodded vigorously, suppressing a grin. Compared to his old self, Dudley was far more restrained. Now, he was a Barbarian with a brain.

Professor McGonagall stared at Dudley, speechless. She had never encountered a student like him. After a long, exasperated sigh, she turned her attention to Harry.

"Mr. Potter," she said, her voice heavy with disappointment. "The famous Boy Who Lived. I had hoped you would lead by example, setting a good precedent for your peers. Your recent performance has truly disappointed me." Her voice softened, a hint of concern entering it. "Do you know? You two have severely injured Malfoy. He is still unconscious in the Hospital Wing. This incident will bring you a great deal of trouble. Do you understand that?"

Harry's face paled. "I'm sorry, Professor," he whispered. "I know I was wrong."

Seeing his genuine remorse, McGonagall's expression softened further. "Alright, you two may go back now. I will discuss this matter with Slytherin House and inform Professor Dumbledore. We cannot let Gryffindor bear all the responsibility, can we?"

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall," Harry and Dudley said in unison, relief washing over them. Harry reached for the door, eager to escape. Just as he opened it, Dudley paused, turning back to face McGonagall.

"Professor McGonagall," he said, a triumphant gleam in his eye, "we Gryffindors won!"

With that, he pulled Harry out of the office, leaving Professor McGonagall standing alone, a look of utter exasperation, yet a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. Her voice came through the closed door, "Dursley!" It sounded as if she was grinding her teeth, but the anger was gone, replaced by a grudging, almost proud, amusement.

(End of Chapter)

***

[Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All

Of My Fanfics!!] [www. [email protected]/meowthtl]

[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]

[Thank You For Your Support!]