Second Chances [The Dudley Story] 23 - The Real Target

[A/N: All relevant characters are adults.]

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"Yes!" She exclaimed, a little too loud to his liking. "You said back then, 'Not unless you really want it properly.' And here's my answer. Yes, I want it properly."

What is—Oh, no… She can't… Is this a trick?

He looked down from his height, her mature, white face was like a wild beauty. In that shadowy bathroom, even in that dim light, he could see she was beautiful, and also twice his age. It was hard to believe what she was saying. She was Harry Potter's mother.

“Why?” 

"Because you don't care."

"What?"

"Because you have nothing to gain from me. I-I don't trust anyone anymore, Dudley. I can't call anyone my friend these days. And you're just so… You had every chance to take advantage of me. I offered them up directly and you still didn't take it. That's why I made the decision, I want to try properly."

Seriously? I'm… tempted. What if Harry finds out? No, it's easy to hide from him and… 

It wasn't like he didn't make it clear the last time. He didn't see any aversion or fear in her eyes anymore. 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! More than anything." 

This is awkward.

Despite her direct, verbal desire to take the next step, Dudley didn't feel very confident about it. Looking at her, although there was no hesitation, it still didn't feel right. She had something planned and wanted to use her femininity and his raging hormones to get what she wanted. 

"You do realize that we'll have to keep it a secret," Dudley asked her, trying to see her reaction. "What if Harry finds out?"

"We'll have to do our best to hide it," Lily said and eagerly stepped forward, enough that her heavy bust pressed onto his broad chest. Her hands caressed his shoulders and her face expectantly tilted upwards towards him. "But I've decided that I want this."

Too close, and… 

Although it was mostly dark in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, there was still enough light to look at her face. Her keen green eyes and these warm, silken lips seemingly invited him. Even though she wore clothes that revealed nothing at all, even a witch's pointy hat, it all made her more charming. 

Pushing her away all the time could be counterintuitive. Dudley reasoned that since things had already moved that far. 

Left alone, she might do something independently and ruin everything for me. 

In that quick moment, he made the decision to play along but keep things under control. For now, he chose not to cross that final line.

"If you've made up your mind, then that's it, I suppose... Like I said, Lily, any other fellow would have gone for it. I can't say I’m any better."

He wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, squeezing over her layered witch robes until he felt the undeniable give of the soft flesh underneath. Her waist curved deliciously, mature but sinfully tempting, fitting perfectly against the span of his palm. Soft, squishy, tempting in all the right places.

Testing her resolve, he let his palms trail lower, tracing down the elegant dip of her back, and over the swell of her full, ripe ass-cheeks, plush and wide; the kind that begged to be grabbed and owned.

Lily only responded with a soft, shaky nod, rising up on her toes, her green eyes fluttering shut in aching expectation, her glossy lips parting just slightly as if to invite him.

Dudley bent down, angling his face to capture her lips in a slow, careful clasp. The first brush of her warmth sent a jolt through him, a searing bolt of need that lit up every nerve. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a strange fate bleeding through flesh. She shouldn't exist. He shouldn't either. Yet here they were.

The kiss started tender, but Lily was the one who deepened it. Her tongue shyly pushed between his lips. 

Dudley let her, accepting her flower-sweet breath and velvety tongue into his mouth. He didn’t close his eyes, though. He wanted to watch her, to drink in the image of her flushed, ripe beauty. That soft pale face, framed by her red hair; it all twisted into a deep, forbidden thrill inside him. It should have been wrong, and it was. But that was what made it feel so devastatingly, sinfully tempting.

“Ummmmh…” Lily whimpered, the small sound melting between their mouths. 

She pressed herself tighter against him, her arms winding tightly around his neck, her heavy, full bosom smothering into his chest, the softness of her body molding perfectly against his firm frame.

Spurred by her desperation, Dudley let his hands drop down once more, gliding over her lower back, then locking firmly onto her wide, soft hips. He squeezed, massaged, and then spread them apart with greedy palms. Even under the cumbersome layers of her clothing, her body moved like molten silk; soft, supple, womanly in the most maddening way. She wasn’t some young thing, still tight with innocence. She was a full-grown beauty, seasoned by time, and every inch of her felt dangerously addictive.

Their kiss grew hotter, wetter. Dudley started to sweep his tongue against hers, tasting her, teasing her; when suddenly he felt her right hand slip down from his shoulder.

At first, it was a soft caress. The delicate sweep of her fingers trailed over the hard bulge tenting his trousers. But then, she shocked him—boldly forcing her dainty hand down past his waistband. 

It was a tight, frantic shove, as if she couldn’t wait a second longer, and then she wrapped her soft palm around the heavy girth of his raging erection. It felt arousing, maddening, this was Lily J. Potter, gripping his shaft. Her body was an open invitation. She was willing to give everything.

But then, shocking him further, her fingers squeezed gently but firmly. Her slender digits examined every thick, hot inch of him. She gave slow, coaxing strokes that made his breath catch sharply in his throat, the feel of her slim hand working over his leaking, aching shaft nearly drove him mad right then and there.

Ugh… Definitely not natural. She planned this from the start. Doubts about her intentions grew. But he didn't stop her. 

He kept kneading her fleshy ass, his hands roaming greedily over the plump curves, rubbing and squeezing, even as his mouth stayed locked onto hers. Meanwhile, her hand moved with sinful expertise, stroking along the thick, veiny hardness of his cock in the tight confines of his trousers. Every squeeze made him throb harder, every shift of her wrist a cruel tease that fed his hunger.

Soon, her thumb found the swollen, leaking head, rubbing slow, circling motions into the weeping slit. The slick precum clung to her fingertip, making her touch wet and maddeningly slippery. It was as if his swollen mushroom was rubbed against silk.

“Umhh…” Lily moaned into his mouth, the sound vibrating between them as she kissed him deeper, her head tilting left and right, her lips sliding and sucking as if she couldn't get enough of his taste. Her whole body writhed against him, need and excitement radiating off her in waves.

"I… I didn't expect you to be this…" Lily broke the kiss, panting as she looked down between their bodies, her slender hand still buried inside his waistband, still clutching him possessively. "...big."

Her sensual tone made his cock twitch with wild excitement. The hunger coiling inside him roared louder, a craving he could no longer ignore. He wouldn't push it too far, not yet—but just a taste of her ripe mounds, a sample of those forbidden delights, couldn't hurt, could it? His hand trembled, driven by wicked enthusiasm, fingers itching to roam. Slowly, eagerly, he reached up, ready to claim those soft, luscious swells that beckoned him like the sweetest fruit.

But before he could do or say anything, Lily dropped her gaze low and started to lower herself, trying to sink to her knees. Her intention was obviously laid bare. 

But Dudley moved faster. His fingers gripped her shoulders, stopping her with firm strength.

Not yet!

Not before the third task.

He also stopped himself. He needed to be sure what she truly wanted; and whether it was lust or something far more dangerous that drove her to him tonight.

"Let's… continue sometime later, Lily," he said, pulling her close once more. His arm firmly wrapped around her curvaceous waist as his other hand gently brushed a few unruly red strands from her face. "I’ve got to get to the Great Hall for dinner. I just came here to drop a hint for you."

He pulled out the paper from his pocket and slipped it into her robe. “On the night of the third task, go to Godric’s Hollow at the exact time listed. Don’t be early, don’t be late. You can bring your friends if you like, but don’t go against my instructions. No spying, no visits to Godric’s Hollow beforehand—understand? Don't break my trust, Lily. If you do, I'll forget I'm related to you or Harry. So be wise—don't be a liability to me. I don't hesitate to cut my losses when I have to."

Normally he was a gentleman with women. But Lily was a desperate mother and needed more harsh commands. Although she didn't mean a lot in the grand scheme. But she could still disrupt his plans.

"I understand, Dudley," Lily said softly, rising onto her toes. She kissed his lips gently as if they were lovers. "I promise, I’ll follow every word."

"I hope you do. I'll go now." Dudley stopped holding her and moved away, fixing his pants to give space for his hardened cock. "Good night."

Then, without once looking back, he left the bathroom. All the while he contemplated what she was trying to do. He was one hundred percent sure this incident was preplanned by her.

Only two ways this can go. Is she forcing herself sexually to use me for information, or is she genuinely trying to be intimate while also trying to use me?

In both cases, her goal was to use him. But he preferred the latter. 

What mattered was to keep her actions under his control. 

####

Dudley woke up late the next day. Since the Triwizard tournament was coming to an end tomorrow, they didn't have classes that day. Feeling sluggish, he cleaned up and went out to see Hannah and Susan. 

Where are they?

Not finding the girls in the common room, Dudley went out to the owlery. Under his order, Edwin was allowed to use the owls to send him updates on business every few days. Today was one of those days. 

Let's see. 

He reached the dirty-smelling, shit-covered owlery and grabbed his letter. Instead of staying inside, he went out in the open air and read it. 

"Impressive." He muttered, noting the details. As per his order, D&D Holdings had acquired Aston Martin since the company was already held privately by someone, it was easy. Furthermore, the sports brand called Reebok was also acquired. On the side, an offer to acquire General Motors was made as it faced some troubles recently. But that deal failed, not very surprising. 

Soon, the plan was to acquire more companies that manufactured necessary goods. From vehicles to clothing, fashion brands, and even a construction firm as he'd soon get the town of Plymouth. 

Most of the things outside were going as expected. And Edwin promised to follow his written guidelines. D&D Bank's branch in Manhattan was also under construction. It was being built right under the building Dudley owned, which would serve as D&D Holdings' American headquarters, and also house the Muggle side of the Bank. Of course, the wizard money wouldn't be kept there. The vault locations were a tightly kept secret. 

In the end, he returned to the owlery, wrote a letter, and sent it back to Edwin. 

Then, since he was already outside, he headed towards the Forbidden Forest with a purpose. 

The school was mostly busy, the students all huddled around each other, betting, discussing who would win. While Hufflepuff had surrounded Cedric, Gryffindor had somewhat accepted Harry. And of course, Slytherin supported Krum.

Passing around Hagrid's hut, he neared the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Thankfully, it seemed Hagrid wasn't in the hut. The big man had a lot to do to prepare for tomorrow's task. 

As soon as he walked past the first trees, he took out his wand and followed a pre-decided path. He didn't have much experience inside the forest, but he knew a few spots. He knew where the dangers were. 

Careful of his surroundings, and aware of the possibility of Centaurs, Dudley soon arrived in front of a tree. The only thing that stood out in it was a hole in its trunk. Other than that, it looked so ordinary that nobody would even look at it. 

That was exactly what he wanted. 

Let's hope she succeeded. 

Quickly, he shoved his hand into the hole in the tree trunk and patted around to reach for something. It took a little bit of searching before he finally touched a small object, a silver chain with a small, common locket. 

Good job, Tonks. 

He observed it. The locket was one of those that split open to reveal a photo. In his case, there were tiny words. "Not Free!" Were the words that Tonks had left for him. 

"Hah! I'll make it up to you."

He quickly put the locket around his neck and hid it inside his shirt before leaving the Forbidden Forest. The place gave him the chills every single time. The fact that it wasn't yet fully mapped and even adult wizards steered away from it made him uneasy to even approach it. 

Still, he was happy. At last, his preparations were finished. In twenty-four hours, the world would see the rise of a new faction. One devoid of incompetence. One not scared of the likes of Voldemort and his dogs. 

Casually, he strolled back towards the school. But instead of the school castle, he decided to take a look at the venue where the third task would be held. Sure, he couldn't look at the big maze, but at least the gathering area was accessible. 

But as he passed by the shore of the Black Lake, he heard someone’s humming coming from beyond the tall grass. It was the usual spot where Hogwarts students commonly gathered on occasion. 

Intrigued, he changed directions and went ahead. 

"Luna?"

To his surprise, it was the one-year junior of his. The silver-eyed dirty-blonde-haired girl with a brain filled with more dreams than reality. 

"What are you doing here alone?"

She was sitting there alone under the tree, staring at the big lake. They had no classes but she was still dressed in her school uniform. And now that Dudley thought about it, he couldn’t remember seeing her in anything but the school uniform yet. 

"Dudley?" Luna looked behind and jumped to her feet as if her legs were springs. 

All smiles, she skipped over to him and without a warning, jumped in to give him a hug. Having reached adulthood that year, she'd gained a few more inches in height, but even at five feet two, she was short to him and delicately petite. To the point that Dudley wondered if she didn't eat enough.

Chuckling, he hugged her back like a friend would. But then Luna jumped and kissed his right cheek for a quick moment. 

"What was that for?" 

"We're friends," Luna replied and skipped back to the tree and sat down again, staring at the lake. 

Scratching his head, Dudley went ahead and sat down beside her to see what she was even doing. Normally she'd travel around and search for her mysterious creatures. 

"What are you looking for?" He asked. 

"Merpeople," Luna said dreamily. "I'm just waiting for them to appear. Harry mentioned there are lots of them living here. Perhaps they'll have some insight into the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

Honestly, her logic wasn't wrong. Out of all beings, they'd know something. Perhaps even the Centaurs. Though he personally didn't believe the Crumple-Horned Snorkack existed. 

Nodding, he looked at her face, so eager, her eyes focused, her small, pale face frozen in seriousness. Her hair was long, reaching all the way to the grass behind her. 

He'd met her father previously regarding investing in The Quibbler. To this day he remembered that strange man vividly. After all, who the hell suggests some random guy to marry his daughter, or ask if he likes his daughter and whatnot? Not that he didn't like Luna, though. 

He just didn't have any desire to get married. If someone were to ask him where he saw himself in ten years. He'd reply with "On the bed between Susan and Hannah." While meeting and experiencing other ladies was a thrill. He was perfectly content with the two housemates. His friends since the first year. 

"How's your father's business going, Luna? I hope he's not mistreating the new editors I got him," Dudley asked her, making small talk. 

Luna straightened her back suddenly and nodded excitedly. Giving him a cute smile, she reached for his hand, her slim fingers warm and tight. "Oh, he loves it! The Quibbler is doing wonderfully, you know. Dad’s been so busy lately, that he hardly has time to write to me. He mentioned that he’s planning to expand to America and Europe this year, which is quite exciting, really."

Well, I did poach the Daily Prophet's editors. 

The Quibbler had transformed into a full-fledged newspaper magazine, not just a tabloid of weird topics. From Magical to Muggle, the big events were reported. Great natural calamity, great loss of human life, or a war breaking out. It was all reported. The magazine was a loss-making business right now. 

Dudley didn't care. He needed a reader base, and that was it. Eventually, he had plans to make it his goldmine—literally. As he'd give out Muggle rates of gold daily in the magazine in the future. Slowly equating wizard wealth with Muggle. 

"That's great. What about you? Does anyone trouble you in Ravenclaw?" 

Luna shook her head strongly, tossing her hair. "Oh, I have so many friends now. Cho brought me lovely things from her trip to China, you know, from her grandparents. And Padma and I, we visit the baths together. Really, I have more friends than I ever thought possible. I told Dad and he was so happy."

Damn? All that just from an indirect warning to Cho and Padma? Dudley was surprised by his own influence in Hogwarts.

"That's great to hear, Luna." He muttered, feeling good about the small change. 

"Yes!" Luna chirped. She stared at Dudley for a while after that. Then something came over her and she moved all of a sudden, breaking the tranquil moment. “Oh, and…”

She abruptly hopped onto his lap, surprising him. 

In a swift motion, she settled herself over his thighs, her knees tucked beside his hips, straddling him. Without hesitation, Luna leaned in, her slender arms looping around his neck, and pressed her tender, thin lips against his. Her slight weight sank down onto his loins, the heat of her body seeping through the thin fabric of her skirt and sending a hot rush of blood straight to his groin.

At first, Dudley stiffened in shock, but when he realized how unpracticed and sloppy her kiss was, more like a gentle smash than anything seductive. He found it oddly endearing. Smirking against her mouth, he eased into it, kissing her back properly, teaching her with slow, sure movements. 

His hands slid down to her backside, palming her delicate ass through her skirt. She didn’t have much in the way of curves, but what she had was firm and fit perfectly into his large hands. He gave her a slow, deliberate squeeze and ground her deeper against his lap, groaning inwardly at the way her soft warmth pressed onto his hardening shaft.

Luna's breathing grew rougher against his mouth, her silver eyes half-lidded but still open, watching him with wide, curious wonder. 

Taking the chance, Dudley slipped his tongue forward, gently probing between her lips, and she answered back sweetly, shyly offering her own tongue, brushing against his with a timid flick that made his heart thud harder.

It wasn't lust that drove her. It wasn't calculation or hunger. Luna's movements were soft, testing, almost innocent; like a girl trying to piece together the new, thrilling feelings building inside her chest. 

She kissed him with pure, searching curiosity as if trying to understand what love or longing might feel like, using him as the only person she trusted enough to explore with. Her small hands clenched tighter around his neck, her lips parting eagerly, following his lead with blind trust.

But then, as if some deeper instinct woke inside her, something hot was building up. Luna started to shift her hips slowly. Tentatively at first, then with growing certainty, she started to grind her warm, tight mound against the rising hardness beneath his trousers. The friction between them, light at first, deepened with every little rock of her slender body.

Dudley, caught between disbelief and arousal, slid his hands up under her skirt. First over her panties, feeling the silky fabric warmed by her grinding. Then, without thinking, he pushed beneath the waistband, sliding his palms over the bare flesh of her ass.

She was soft and warm to the touch, a delicate heat that pulsed against his hands. Her flesh was silky and supple, sliding ticklishly against the lines on his palms, almost steamy from her constant arousal, driving both of them into a quiet frenzy of sensation.

He kneaded her pert lower cheeks slowly, savoring the contrast of her shorter, tight body in his big palms, grounding her harder onto him. It was maddening, she was too sweet and earnest.

But then Dudley pulled away from her mouth, ending the kiss with a lingering brush of his lips. They both stared at each other for a moment, breathless. 

Dudley looked into her wide, trusting eyes as if he were trying to measure what this was exactly. 

Luna simply smiled faintly, almost dreamily, as if she'd found something new and thrilling.

He pulled his face away from hers and looked deeper into her eyes. She looked as if she were testing a new toy. Enjoying a new experience. "What was this for?"

"Dad said I should try to seduce you," Luna said in her usual calm, matter-of-fact tone, as if she were simply reciting the weather forecast.

"..."

That was too direct. Even if it was true. Hearing her say it with such blunt innocence made him feel like his brain had short-circuited.

"Haha!" Dudley laughed out loud. "I don't think he wanted you to tell me that."

"But you shouldn't lie to your friends, right?"

He nodded, admiring her face. He reckoned that if Fleur didn't have her Veela charm, she'd have felt the same, just more curvy. Luna’s raw, unpolished innocence felt even more dangerous. She was pure in a way that could snare a man without magic.

Holding her slim waist, he wondered what to do next with Luna. "You do know that friends don't do things like this."

"I do. I’ve read about it in one of my magazines, and Padma mentioned it too. She said you’re quite amazing. She said liking someone doesn’t always have to be romantic, it can be friendly as well, just... a bit more physical. I think she’s onto something."

With a raised brow, Dudley once again wrapped his arms around to her back and over her skirt, palmed her ass. Making it clear that she stood on the point of no return. She wasn't dumb, contrary to what most believed. She knew exactly what was going on. Only her way of responding was out of the ordinary. 

"And you want that? A friendship that’s more physical?" He asked her. He didn't even have any plans to flirt with Luna. But if she wanted it, he was no saint to refuse. She was really cute.

"Hmm…" Luna pursed her lips and placed her hands on his shoulders. Then, she grounded herself on his fully hardened erection a few times, as if feeling it press against her petals that were most certainly virgin. "I don't think you hate it. So… I want to be more physical."

What a surprising day. Dudley thought. 

"Right then, let's go for it. But seeing as we're friends, we’ll take our time, alright? That’s the proper way to go about it. How about we make some plans for the summer?" Dudley replied, slowly pulling his hands away from her ass, intentionally slow. "But you'll have to learn a few things if you want to seriously seduce me."

"Oh? What's that?" She asked eagerly.

"It's not that difficult, really. I'll pass you a magazine later. Just have a look through it and it’ll explain everything," Dudley cheekily replied. It was Susan's own magazine about ways to please your partner and different positions. 

Hearing him, Luna got up from his lap. "I'd love to read that."

"I'll have someone hand it to you before the term ends." Dudley got up, patting the dust off and settling his shaft into a better position. "I'll be off now. Are you coming, or are you staying here?"

"I'll wait for Merpeople." Luna focused back on the lake as if nothing had happened between them. 

Not disturbing her anymore, Dudley headed to the third task's venue this time. It was a field magically altered to look like an amphitheater. There were seats in the form of multiple, long steps. As for the maze, he couldn't see anything. It was all covered in a massive, white mist. 

The main event is not even going to happen here. 

Done, he headed back to the castle at last. After Lily last time and now Luna, he really needed his girls to help drain the pent-up heat. 

Where the hell are they?

They weren't the type to circle around Cedric, so it was hard to find them. 

WOOSH!

"LOOK OUT!"

BAM!

Before Dudley could even react, he felt something slam hard into his back. It was a heavy and strong force, throwing him into the air. Luckily, he turned around midway and didn't fall flat on his face. Though, he did feel the broom slam against his chest roughly. 

Thud!

And then, he landed on his ass with a red-haired girl on top of him, her eyes bright brown, freckles on her face, an athletic and slender build. 

"Owww… That hurts." The girl groaned. 

Dudley recognized her right away. "Yeah, that did hurt, Ginny."

"Ah!" Ginny froze, realizing she was sitting on someone’s lap, practically straddling him, and not letting him get up. Her face turned bright red when she saw his surprised expression. "Oh! Sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to—Ow..."

Dudley rose to his feet and placed a supportive arm around her shoulder as she groaned in discomfort, her hand clutching her side. "You’ve got a knack for flying, but that was a bit too fast and close to the ground, wasn’t it?"

She nodded, her face getting even more flushed. "I was just… Ah!"

Dudley was quick to support her before she could fall. It seemed her ankle was sprained too as she didn't put much weight on that foot. "Let me take you to Madam Pomfrey."

"No!" Ginny panicked. 

"Don't worry about it. I'll just tell them you took a tumble down the stairs." Dudley shrugged and with a smirk, reached down with his other arm and smoothly scooped her up in a princess carry. "Since you're not walking, I imagine you won't mind this."

Wide-eyed, Ginny Weasley squeezed her lips together, holding back the pain and the shame. Her flushed expressions were also amusing to Dudley. As far as he knew, those expressions should be reserved for just one guy. Not him. 

"Thanks… Du—Mr. Dursley."

"Ha! You make me feel ancient, you know? I'm only a year older, just like Harry. Call me Dudley, or Dud, whatever you fancy," Dudley replied, being completely respectful towards her. Never touching her inappropriately. 

Ginny chuckled. This was her first-ever interaction with Dudley. And honestly, now that she got the chance to look at him from so close, she found him pleasing to the eye. And he was Harry's cousin and a famous Muggle. She'd heard stories Harry told Ron, who told her—How Dudley helped Harry fight bullying and loneliness before Hogwarts. 

"So, why were you flying so low anyway?" 

"I—Please don't tell anyone. I wanted to check out the mist and see what the next task is about so I could help Harry."

"Is that all?" Dudley raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You could’ve just asked me, you know. Given the size of the mist and the other tasks we've had, I'd wager it’s some sort of time-based obstacle course. Likely a maze of sorts."

Ginny's eyes sparkled, completely forgetting she was being carried and there were a lot of students who saw her like that. "T-That makes sense—Ah, I'm sorry, you can put me down. Your arms must be tired."

"Tired? You weigh nothing," he said, a lie. 

Though she was a light, she was still a grown woman. He was no superhuman and felt his arms were slightly sore. But saying that would've made her feel ashamed of her weight. He'd dealt with enough girls to know that. 

Soon, Dudley walked into the Hospital Wing with her and placed her on the bed. Madam Pomfrey came quickly, asked a few questions, and started healing Ginny. 

"Thanks, Dud," Ginny said from the bed. 

"Don't min—"

Just as he was hoping to leave, he saw Professor McGonagall stride towards him. By her speed and expressions, he knew exactly what she was going to say. So, he responded to her before she said anything. 

"Understood, Professor. I'll go to the Headmaster's office right away."

"..."

Professor McGonagall was left speechless. Was she really that obvious?

####

Dudley sat in front of Dumbledore. The old man was busy nursing Fawkes' feathers. 

"Cornelius left only an hour ago—quite an outburst, I’m afraid," Dumbledore said with a calm, almost gentle smile. "The Ministry has become aware of your attempt to use magic for Muggle manufacturing. I daresay they may call upon you to explain your actions. And, naturally, they are none too pleased about your meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister, especially given the lack of prior notice."

Dudley’s expression darkened, his arms folding tightly across his chest. "The Ministry has no say in my personal affairs. I'm not breaking any laws, whether the Ministry’s or the IWC's. And as for the Muggle Prime Minister, they’d do well to remember I’m a Muggle businessman first—certainly not some Ministry servant."

The old man nodded thoughtfully, his eyes twinkling with a hint of understanding. "Indeed, that's what I did. But, alas, I fear that Cornelius is losing his way. You see, all men yearn for power, and the more they possess, the greater their hunger grows. The Ministry's position must be a most intoxicating one, don't you agree?"

"Are you warning me, Professor?"

"I'm advising you, Mr. Dursley. Be wary of the Ministry. While there may be no laws in place at present, but remember, the Ministry possesses the power to craft them at will. It is not beyond their reach to outlaw the very D&D Bank itself. The Goblins, too, are watching closely and hold significant influence within the Ministry. Exercise caution."

Dudley gritted his teeth and got up, pacing back and forth in the room. "You see it, don't you, Professor? This is exactly why we need to get the bank right. The Goblins have far too much say in our finances… Ugh, I hate politics."

Dumbledore gave a knowing nod. "It is not the thing itself, but those who wield it, that makes it distasteful."

"I suppose you're right, Professor."

In the end, Dudley sighed and just accepted it. But he wasn't out of options. 

Everything will change tomorrow. 

"I’ll take my leave now, Professor. If the Ministry intends to summon me, I’d like to have a few answers ready."

After meeting the Headmaster, Dudley went to the Great Hall and finally found Hannah and Susan having lunch. He spent the rest of the day with them, then eventually a fine, steamy evening in the Arithmancy classroom. 

Late at night, all of Hufflepuff gathered to wish Cedric luck. 

"Good luck," Dudley shook his hand. 

But at the same time, he felt conflicted. Should he save him or not? He thought about it a lot, even after lying in his bed in the dorm room. He turned and tossed nervously, but eventually made up his mind. 

If I can without endangering myself, I'll save him. If I can't… that's bad luck. 

####

Pa! Pa! Papapa!

The Hogwarts band played the trumpets well. Loud claps and cheers echoed through the amphitheater. The four Champions had come out into the middle where Dumbledore was busy explaining their task. 

In the stands, at the far back, Dudley sat between Susan and Hannah. The girls were screaming loudly for Diggory, waving the flag of Hufflepuff. It was late evening, not that far from sunset. The air itself felt eerie that evening. Perhaps Dumbledore sensed something too as the old man looked like he was sweating. 

BOOM!

With Filch's untimely cannon explosion, the task began. One after another, all the four champions rushed into the maze. Unsurprisingly, Fleur gave him a look before entering. For that, he received a lot of elbow wounds from Hannah and Susan at his sides. 

Dudley looked around and failed to find the fake Professor Moody. Nor was there Lily anywhere in the arena. 

Let's get on with this. 

"Susan, Hannah—I think I ate something bad." He clutched his stomach hard. "I'll be back in a moment."

Hannah looked worried. "I'll come with you."

"No!—That's what you get for giving that Veela all the attention." Susan scoffed, pouting, and grabbed Hannah's arm. "Let him go alone, Han." 

Dudley chuckled and roughly pinched Susan's cheek. "You minx—You'll have all my attention this summer."

"We'll see." Susan shrugged and let him go. 

Dudley didn't know if Susan somehow knew he had a different motive. Or perhaps she was really angry. He silently thanked her and left the audience's stands. There was nothing to watch anyway with the champions running around in the maze. 

Careful of his steps, alone, he entered the Hogwarts Castle, grabbed a low-quality, temporary Invisibility Cloak, and went out again, towards Hagrid's hut. As the big man was at the amphitheater, there was nobody stopping Dudley. 

By the time he reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the sun had already set, coating everything in pitch-black darkness. But still careful, Dudley put on the white mask on his face underneath the Invisibility Cloak. After that, he normally wore the rest of his clothes. Combat boots, pants, a tactical belt, a shirt, gloves, and an enchanted black leather trench coat.

Finally, he fetched the silver locket on his neck and gripped it in a pinch. 

"Tonks is the best."

Snap!

####

The Portkey’s password was set by Tonks, he had no other choice. Dudley felt his body twist and contract for a split second. 

The next moment, he found himself standing in the middle of an underground hall, surrounded by men and women dressed similarly to him, except their masks were white and his had a faint golden hue. None of the masks had any eyes or mouths, they were plain blank covers. 

Thud!

Thud!

Urgently, the crowd took an attentive position like a professional army. So many of them yet the silence was deafening. Each breath was measured, and he could feel all their eyes behind the masks were centered on him. 

They were his. 

This was his wizard army. 

"Vanguards!" Dudley addressed them, his voice slightly changed now. Heavier, deeper, and hoarse. "What's the word?" 

"Fate is a number!" The Vanguards replied in unison like a salute, loud but not as a shout. 

Dudley nodded and walked to the front of the gathered men and women. There were a hundred in total. The best of the Vanguard Group who'd finished the advanced training. Each of them was trained according to Auror’s training manual that Tonks had gotten for him. But he’d gone a step further and bought more training manuals from other governments. Of course, unofficially.

"Mr. X." 

He saw Tonks approach him in her masked attire. "Show them the picture, Ms. Secretary."

Quickly, Tonks waved her wand in the air and a massive image of a man's face appeared on the ceiling. It was bright in that dimly lit hall. It was extremely vivid.

"Remember this face!" Dudley gave the official order, bound by the vow. "Once we reach there, we'll see plenty of evil. We'll see the Dark Lord himself. But—the Dark Lord is not our target tonight."

"Etch that face in your minds."

Dudley pointed his wand at the ceiling, his voice filled with pure disdain. 

"Remember the long blonde hair! That sneering face! Those proud eyes! Remember it!"

He took a pause and waited. Each of the hundred members there were like him in one way or another. Muggleborn or harmed by the Purebloods. They hated the purebloods, and they hated the system that enabled those purebloods.

One after another, the Vanguards stopped looking up. Once their focus returned to Dudley, he commenced the operation. 

"He is who we hunt tonight."

_______________

Question 1: Not everyone always likes it when Luna gets banged. I know she sometimes feels like no-no territory, so I try to write her as a slightly more developed person, but still with that airhead charm.

So the question is. Do you want Dudley to bang her?

Choice 1: Yes, let him smash.

Choice 2: No, leave her.

________________

Question 2: Bang Ginny? Yes or no? [No, it won't be cucking Harry. The dude doesn't even see her as a living breathing girl with a pussy yet.]

Choice 1: Yes, bang her.

Choice 2: No, leave her for Harry.