Chapter 320: Researching Dark Magic
"Minister Fudge. Professor Dumbledore."
Seeing the two men, Kingsley felt a small knot of tension ease in his chest.
Dudley had certainly made an impression tonight. One Fiendfyre, and suddenly, Kingsley had no idea which way to turn.
"Kingsley, and Scrimgeour," Fudge said, looking around. "We have been briefed on the situation. We already have people investigating the Dementor incident. There is no need to continue checks here."
"Also, we plan to station a few Aurors in the area to protect... er... to prevent any further accidents," he added, his eyes flicking in Harry's direction.
"Minister, we have a new development," Scrimgeour said at once, glancing towards Dudley.
"This underage wizard, Dudley Dursley, has already learnt the dark curse Fiendfyre as well as Apparition."
"What?" Fudge stared at Dudley, visibly shocked.
"Just now, I used Prior Incantato on his wand. The last two spells it showed were Apparition and Fiendfyre," Scrimgeour explained.
For a moment, Fudge seemed unable to process this. Then he turned to Dumbledore.
"In addition, Mr Dursley claims he learnt Apparition from Professor McGonagall, while Fiendfyre..." Scrimgeour began.
"Fiendfyre was my doing," Dumbledore said calmly, cutting him off. "I taught it to Dudley."
For a heartbeat, the garden fell utterly silent.
"There were specific reasons. I taught Dudley Fiendfyre to meet a particular need. That should not be a problem, should it? We are permitted to research dark magic," Dumbledore went on mildly.
"This... is probably not against the rules," Fudge said, frowning.
He was still reeling from the fact that a second-year student had mastered two advanced spells. It was taking him a moment to catch up.
"Minister, this is against protocol..." Scrimgeour said coldly.
"Is it?" Dumbledore said softly. "If dark magic is used solely for research purposes, it does not constitute a violation."
"But..." Scrimgeour tried again, only for Fudge to cut across him with an impatient wave.
"That is enough, Rufus. We will leave it at that. We have more urgent matters than this and cannot waste all night here," Fudge said.
He had never been particularly fond of the Head of the Auror Office. If not for Scrimgeour's competence, he would have liked to replace him long ago.
"Dumbledore, where was I?" Fudge asked.
"You were saying you intended to station Aurors here to prevent any further incidents," Dumbledore prompted at once.
"Ah, yes. Quite right. This area has had too many problems. We must assign some Aurors to it," Fudge said. "Even a Dementor has died. Frightening business."
He lowered his voice slightly as he spoke to Dumbledore. "Tell me, do you think it could be..."
Dumbledore shook his head. "Unlikely. For the moment, I have no idea why a Dementor would have been killed."
"Very well," Fudge said, then turned to Kingsley. "Security here will be your responsibility, Kingsley. Make sure... this area is kept safe."
"Yes, Minister," Kingsley replied at once.
"Scrimgeour, you will come back to the Ministry with me. There is plenty waiting on your desk," Fudge said.
Scrimgeour's expression soured, but he could not openly defy the Minister. He could only swallow his anger.
"You have great magical potential," Fudge said to Dudley before leaving. "I hope you will serve the Ministry one day."
"I would be glad to, Minister," Dudley replied with a pleasant smile.
Fudge seemed quite satisfied with that attitude.
Pop, pop...
A series of soft cracks later, Dumbledore, Fudge, and the others Disapparated.
Throughout, Dudley and Dumbledore had hardly exchanged a word. Even so, certain messages had already passed silently between them in the brief meeting of their eyes.
Once the rest of the wizards had gone, Dudley turned to Kingsley.
"Mr Shacklebolt, is there something special about Sirius Black? Why is everyone reacting so strongly to his escape?" Dudley asked.
From everything he had just seen, Black was clearly no ordinary fugitive. Otherwise, the Minister for Magic and Dumbledore would not both have been stirred into action. And the Ministry had actually authorised the Azkaban guards to leave the prison and search the countryside. That was almost unthinkable.
Nothing about this felt normal. And from the way several people had spoken, their gazes drifting now and then to Harry, Dudley was certain Black had some connection with his cousin.
"Dudley, I cannot tell you the details," Kingsley said. "What I can say is that Black is an extremely dangerous wizard. In truth, he is powerful and exceptionally brutal. His escape is a disaster for everyone."
"For the time being, we will be taking turns patrolling the area to keep you safe. Please do not go out unnecessarily. It is best to avoid accidents."
His expression was very solemn.
"All right. I understand," Dudley said with a nod.
As for Black himself, Dudley was not particularly worried. With his dual Sequence Six strength, most wizards were no threat to him. It was unlikely this Black was on Voldemort's level, and Dudley saw no reason to be overly anxious.
After saying goodbye to Kingsley, Harry followed Dudley back into the house and up to their rooms.
"Dudley, about Black..." Harry began, uncertain what exactly he wanted to ask, only that something had to be said.
"Do not worry. I am here," Dudley said. "And do not underestimate yourself either. We are still the wizards who took down a basilisk. Add in your wandless casting, and even if we do run into him, it will not be a one-sided slaughter."
"Mm," Harry said, nodding. Some of the tension in his chest eased.
Over the next few days, Dudley frequently noticed traces of wizards moving around the neighbourhood. He did not disturb the Aurors and simply behaved as if they were not there.
However, their presence meant he could no longer safely experiment with magic. At such close range, there was a real chance he would be caught, and that would be impossible to explain away.
More than ten days passed. Harry's birthday was drawing close, but there was still no word from Malfoy Manor. Dudley began to feel that something was off.
"Perhaps it is time to contact Draco directly," he thought.
Just as he came to that decision, the very next night a crisp crack sounded in his room.
A small figure appeared at the foot of his bed.
"Dobby!" Dudley said, unable to hide his delight.
With Dobby here, he could finally find out everything that had been happening at Malfoy Manor.