Dudley's dissatisfaction with Dumbledore's methods hadn't developed overnight. Previously, when he tried to see things from Dumbledore's perspective, he could understand certain decisions. After all, the old wizard was leading everyone against Voldemort and had to consider countless variables. Some matters inevitably fell through the cracks, which seemed acceptable at the time.
But now, this dissatisfaction had grown into something deeper, making it impossible for him to trust this wizard who commanded such respect throughout the magical world.
"Professor Dumbledore, you don't have children, so perhaps you can't comprehend what it truly takes to raise a baby into adulthood," Dudley began, his voice carrying sharp edges. "Of course, you might believe that Harry didn't live well in our house, that our entire family was abusing him."
"If that's your assessment, so be it. Indeed, he didn't live well under our roof. If we could return to that initial night and I could make the choice for my parents, then sending Harry to an orphanage or to a family actually willing to raise him would have been far better. Don't you agree?"
"Fundamentally, it's your magical world that needed us, that required Harry to have shelter and blood protection, not the other way around. But what did you do? You deposited Harry on our doorstep without any explanation whatsoever. We didn't even know that his enemy was Voldemort, the Dark Lord who terrorized your entire magical community."
"If Voldemort had returned, or if his followers wanted to resurrect him, you gave no consideration to the danger our family would face. Even if my mother and I could benefit from that magical protection, so what? What about my father? And if it wasn't Voldemort himself but his followers who acted, would this magic still function?"
The more Dudley spoke, the more his anger crystallized into cold fury.
"Oh, wait. I just realized something rather interesting." His tone turned dangerously quiet. "Perhaps you deliberately refused to give our family a single penny for raising Harry precisely so we would view him as a burden and treat him poorly. That way, when Harry eventually discovered this magical world where he was so celebrated, he would abandon that home without hesitation and throw himself into magic's embrace."
"Otherwise, if he had lived too comfortably in the Muggle world and didn't want to return to the magical realm, what would you have done then? The Boy Who Lived, a legendary figure in the wizarding world, ultimately chose to become a Muggle. How ironic that would be."
"Indeed, I was still far too naive. How did I not consider this layer of manipulation before?"
Dudley's bitter laughter filled the office.
Dudley watched Dumbledore closely. The moment Dudley had brought up that hypothetical despised brother in his example, something changed in the old wizard's face. Dumbledore seemed to age before his eyes, a cascade of complex emotions playing across his weathered features.
Dudley caught the change immediately. "Don't tell me he actually has a brother he can't stand," Dudley thought with surprise. He had mentioned it casually, merely as an illustration.
"Dudley, please don't think so poorly of me," Dumbledore said after a long pause, his voice carrying genuine weariness. "I admit there are many areas where my consideration was inadequate, but that doesn't mean I would deliberately orchestrate such cruelty."
"The concerns you've raised, I can understand them all. And I feel deep empathy for your family's situation. For these oversights, I can only offer my apologies now. But, child, please believe me when I say I harbor no ill will toward you or Harry."
Dumbledore spoke with measured slowness, his tone remaining calm despite Dudley's harsh accusations. He didn't become defensive or hysterical, which somehow made his words carry more weight.
Dudley remained silent for several moments. Having released his pent-up anger, he found himself less interested in pursuing these past grievances.
"So, after telling me all this, what exactly do you want from me?" Dudley asked finally. "Do you expect me to continue serving as Harry's bodyguard? Or perhaps you want me to join your noble cause of sacrificing everything for the magical world?"
Dumbledore considered his response carefully before speaking. "I'm growing old, Dudley. I only hope the magical world can remain peaceful, that darkness won't return to plague us again. I'm not certain I still possess the ability to lead our community out of Voldemort's shadow a second time. I need to borrow your strength."
His admission carried no pretense or manipulation, just honest vulnerability.
Dudley weighed this confession seriously before responding. "Since you've been so direct, let me express my position with equal clarity. Harry is my brother, and I will protect him with my life. Ron, Hermione, and my other friends matter to me, and I'll do everything possible to keep them safe. As for what happens to the broader magical world, I genuinely don't care."
"Very well, Professor Dumbledore. Our conversation ends here. I'm exhausted, so I'll retire for the evening."
Without waiting for any response, Dudley turned and headed for the door.
"The Philosopher's Stone," Dumbledore called to his retreating figure. "Consider it payment for your services. Use it wisely, and please don't let it corrupt you."
Dudley offered no acknowledgment and soon disappeared through the doorway.
"He accepted payment, which suggests there's still room for future negotiation," Dumbledore murmured to himself, studying the empty doorway. "His devotion to Harry means our fundamental goals align, even if our methods differ."
"However, I'll need to find some way to compensate Nicolas. After all, the Philosopher's Stone rightfully belongs to him. What a headache this has become."
Dumbledore shook his head wearily and rose from his chair.
"Professor Dumbledore, though saying this might displease you, I believe Dudley made several valid points just now," the Sorting Hat interjected suddenly.
"Actually, I think much of what he said made perfect sense," Dumbledore admitted with painful honesty. "There were far too many areas where my planning was inadequate. If I had done better from the beginning, then the Potters wouldn't have died, Voldemort wouldn't have gained such power, I wouldn't have lost that person, and I wouldn't have lost Ariana and..."
His voice trailed off as he supported himself against the wall, moving slowly toward the stairs.
"Oh, please don't be so harsh on yourself, Dumbledore! You've already accomplished remarkable things," the Sorting Hat said quickly, trying to offer comfort.
Dumbledore gently stroked the newly reborn Fawkes perched nearby.
"Thank you, Fawkes," he whispered.
The phoenix responded with a soft trill, his slightly ungainly head nuzzling affectionately against Dumbledore's finger.
Meanwhile, Dudley walked through the corridor outside, his mood feeling considerably lighter than before. Although he had argued intensely with Dumbledore, he had also released much of his accumulated resentment, leaving him feeling somehow cleansed.
"Dudley, Professor Dumbledore didn't give you serious trouble, did he?" Harry's voice came suddenly from nearby as he lifted the Invisibility Cloak and hurried over.
"How did you get out here?" Dudley asked in surprise.
"I was terrified Dumbledore might expel you! I was prepared to go in and plead for your reinstatement," Harry said, his face pale with worry.