Dudley's Plans and Heavy Tasks!

"I knew it would be like this. The media and public opinion have been manipulated, all because of foolish politicians forcing the issue—and because you, Dumbledore, tacitly allowed it."

Dudley handed the newspaper in his hand to Harry, then commented without the slightest politeness.

"Dudley, I never told Fudge to do such a thing. I warned him. It was he—" Dumbledore hurriedly defended himself, feeling that this truly could not be blamed on him.

"He acted on his own?"

Dudley took over. "Dumbledore, I think you really ought to reflect on yourself. Sometimes, you're simply too naive and weak.

Yesterday in Diagon Alley, when Harry and I were buying wands, Minister Fudge was shouting at you and Hagrid in the street, wasn't he?

He might even have been baring his teeth and making threats at you, right?

He was already bullying you to your face, yet you still let him run around causing trouble everywhere. Isn't that tacit approval of his actions?

How long are you going to keep compromising? I truly can't understand it. Why don't you deal with someone like that quickly? Are you keeping him around for Christmas?"

Dudley's words gave Dumbledore a fright, and he hurriedly said, "Dudley, surely Fudge doesn't have to die?"

"What are you thinking?" Dudley's eyes widened as well. "Don't make me sound so evil! Dumbledore, I'm only asking you to remove him from office!

An idiot whose mind has been blinded by power shouldn't remain in the position of Minister for Magic. Otherwise, he'll bring disaster upon all the wizards in the United Kingdom!"

"So that was what you meant."

Dumbledore let out a breath of relief. Removing Fudge from office was much easier to accept than killing him.

"But how do I make Fudge step down? Surely you aren't asking me to use magic and my reputation to force it... That would meet with considerable resistance!"

Having agreed with Dudley's idea, Dumbledore now found himself troubled by how to carry it out.

"There's no need. Forcing it would be too exhausting, and too crude. If you did that, you'd become Voldemort wearing sheep's clothing!"

Dudley began laying out a plan for Dumbledore. "You've been openly fighting Voldemort for nearly twenty years. You must have people in the Ministry of Magic, right?"

"I do have a few. Dudley, what do you intend to do?" Dumbledore asked.

"Have your people dig up evidence of Minister Fudge's crimes. A man so obsessed with power that he denies reality must have tasted the wonderful benefits power brings.

Is it possible for someone like that never to have accepted bribes or bent the law for personal gain?"

Dudley remained calm and composed, carrying himself like someone who had everything under control. "Tell your people to move quickly. Or, Dumbledore, you can do it personally—read Minister Fudge's memories and swiftly uncover all his crimes.

Then have your people submit the evidence to the Wizengamot and formally impeach Fudge.

After that, as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, all you need to do is conduct an impartial trial into Minister Fudge's corruption case. You can remove him from office openly and legitimately, then nominate an outstanding wizard who listens to you to take charge of the Ministry of Magic.

To be honest, in the Wizarding World of the United Kingdom, two of the three major institutions controlling administration, justice, and education are already in your hands. Your reputation is unmatched as well. I can't think of anything out in the open that could possibly stump you."

"Dudley, you... It's fortunate that you chose to stand on the side of justice. Otherwise, I cannot imagine what you might do once you grow up!"

Dumbledore was stunned by the plan Dudley had proposed.

"Dumbledore, you're wrong. I'm not standing on the side of justice. I'm standing on the side of my family. It's just that if I want my family to live safely and well, I need a Wizarding World that follows a relatively just order.

Besides, no matter which side I stand on, what I'll be capable of doing in the future is beyond your imagination!"

Dudley was very confident, and his words were firm.

"I believe that without a doubt!" Dumbledore did not think Dudley was boasting in the slightest. "Then I'll begin working on it now. Voldemort is active again, and I need to put the Wizarding World on alert as soon as possible."

"Oh, right. These are the train tickets Harry and you will need to get to Hogwarts when term begins—the Hogwarts Express at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters in London's King's Cross Station!"

Dumbledore rose to his feet, took out two train tickets, and placed them on the desk in Dudley's bedroom. He then prepared to say goodbye and leave.

Unexpectedly, Dudley called him back.

"What's the rush? Dumbledore, you're over a hundred years old. Why are you rushing about like some green youngster? Have you forgotten what I just said? I still have plenty of things for you to do this month!"

"Huh? This month? I thought the other matters were to be finished after term started! After all, replacing the Minister for Magic is such a major affair that even one month is already extremely tight!"

After reflecting on himself, Dumbledore had regained the drive he had possessed as a young Gryffindor lion. But the sudden change had left him unable to adapt in time, and he had lost some of his aged steadiness.

"Sit down properly first. Time is like water in a sponge—if there isn't enough, squeeze some out!

As for replacing the minister, at most you'll need to appear in person for Legilimency and the trial. Leave the miscellaneous work to others.

Once Fudge falls, he and his confidants will leave behind a great number of vacant positions. That will be an enormous benefit for the wizards working for you, so there's no need to worry that they won't put their hearts into it."

Dudley had analyzed everything with perfect clarity. Next, he was about to arrange Dumbledore just as clearly.

"Dumbledore, aside from dealing with Fudge, this month you need to make a trip to Azkaban. Use Veritaserum or Legilimency to question Sirius about the final doubts surrounding the deaths of my Aunt Lily and Uncle James.

If Sirius surrendered to Voldemort and leaked the secret, then cripple him and bring him before Harry and me.

If Sirius was merely trying to be clever, mistakenly trusted Pettigrew, and gave away the position of Secret Keeper, then get every minute detail about Pettigrew from his mouth—especially any abilities that might help Pettigrew disguise himself and remain hidden.

Then..."

"If Sirius didn't intentionally cause my parents' deaths, Professor Dumbledore, please rescue him from Azkaban. He's been imprisoned for nearly ten years. Along with his own self-reproach, the punishment he has suffered should already be enough to make up for his crime."

After Dudley deliberately paused, Harry naturally added to his cousin's words. This involved his parents' grievances, after all, and he needed to state his own clear opinion on how their enemy should be handled.

"Harry's meaning is my meaning," Dudley continued. "Also, if you're going to release Sirius, Dumbledore, don't tell him yet that Pettigrew most likely faked his death and escaped. Otherwise, he might recklessly do something foolish again and alert the enemy.

And it would be best to release him a month after Harry and I begin school. Find somewhere for him to calm down first.

The Dementors of Azkaban are very good at tormenting people. After being locked up for so long, he'll inevitably be mentally unstable."

"I understand." Dumbledore agreed, though his expression remained somewhat hesitant. He stammered, "Dudley, I still hope you won't let Harry come into contact with bloodshed so early..."

"Whether Harry comes into contact with bloodshed isn't for me to decide, Dumbledore! Fate wants to toy with us, so all we can do is face the hardship head-on and become unyielding, courageous fighters!"

Dudley forcibly crushed the pity and weakness that had just arisen in Dumbledore's heart, then added with a grin:

"We personally watched that strange man with faces on both sides turn into gold and then crumble into ash in the underground vaults of Gringotts. That was hardly less stimulating than any bloody scene, so don't treat us like weak children!

So put away the pity in your heart, Dumbledore! Let me assign you your next task!"