"What do I need to do?" Dudley took a deep breath and asked directly.
"You simply need to fulfill your role as a Hogwarts student should," Dumbledore replied with his characteristic gentle smile. "For example, protect Hogwarts, study diligently, refrain from bullying your classmates..."
"That's all?" Dudley asked with genuine surprise.
He had expected Dumbledore to demand that he confront Voldemort directly.
"Oh, it's not quite that simple, Dudley," Dumbledore shook his head with knowing amusement.
Dudley regarded Dumbledore carefully, understanding the deeper implications. As a Hogwarts student, he would naturally be expected to defend this place. If danger threatened the school, he would need to step forward and assist.
However, Dumbledore had presented everything quite cleverly. He wasn't forcing Dudley to do anything specific but rather making him feel genuinely part of this community and then allowing him to act voluntarily from that sense of belonging.
In exchange, if the Trunsoest Brass Book awakened again in the future, Dumbledore would help Dudley manage the consequences.
This arrangement was essentially a transaction, but Dumbledore's presentation made it far more palatable and wouldn't create psychological resistance.
If Dumbledore had begun by proposing a straightforward deal, Dudley wouldn't have remained polite either. Bargaining would have been inevitable, and Dudley might even have used his beyonder abilities to influence the negotiation.
But this current approach, where Dumbledore first demonstrated genuine sincerity, made it uncomfortable for Dudley to resort to underhanded tactics. One reason was it seemed inappropriate, and another was that Dudley found such methods distasteful.
"Very well," Dudley finally agreed with a nod.
Hogwarts itself wasn't particularly dangerous under normal circumstances. This year's situation with Quirrell and Voldemort represented an exceptional incident. Surely Voldemort wouldn't attempt infiltration again next year?
Even if Voldemort did somehow return, his primary targets would almost certainly be Dudley and Harry. In other words, whether Dudley agreed to Dumbledore's proposal or not, he would inevitably act in such situations, just as he had this time. When Voldemort came to kill him, he couldn't simply stand aside and watch.
On another level, Dudley understood clearly what truly motivated Dumbledore's offer. The headmaster wasn't primarily interested in his personal abilities, at least not his current capabilities, but rather in the Night Emperor's power behind him.
This connection represented the real reason Dumbledore was willing to extend this olive branch.
When Dudley had fought Quirrell and driven away Voldemort recently, virtually no one had witnessed exactly how he had accomplished such feats. Under these circumstances, Dumbledore would most likely speculate that Dudley had summoned the Night Emperor and that it was the Night Emperor who had actually defeated Voldemort.
This reasoning made perfect sense. No one could reasonably expect an eleven-year-old child to achieve such results, even if Dudley had demonstrated remarkable maturity beyond his years.
Seeing Dudley's acceptance, Dumbledore smiled with obvious satisfaction.
The two continued their leisurely walk along the Black Lake's shoreline.
"There's another matter, Dudley. I've noticed that you seem to be deliberately pursuing certain objectives. For example, guiding me to appoint you as Hogwarts' security officer and later as Interrogator."
"I didn't recognize this pattern initially, but as time passed, I sensed something purposeful in your behavior. So, does this pursuit of official titles hold some special significance?"
"Don't rush to deny it. If such positions can genuinely help you, you can approach me directly in the future. There's no need for elaborate maneuvering."
Dumbledore's tone carried generous understanding.
"You're correct. I do require certain special privileges. The Interrogator position suffices for now, but I hope to expand that authority and obtain genuine interrogation rights," Dudley admitted honestly.
His Interrogator role-playing hadn't progressed smoothly at all. After all, Hogwarts didn't present many situations requiring actual interrogation.
Moreover, Dumbledore had explicitly stated previously that he needed to exercise proper restraint or risk having his Interrogator title revoked. Consequently, regarding his Interrogator duties, Dudley had been extremely cautious, to the point where his beyonder characteristic digestion remained at disappointingly low levels.
"Interrogation rights represent authority that can be either significant or minimal depending on application. Can you maintain appropriate restraint?" Dumbledore asked with careful consideration.
"I won't abuse my position," Dudley assured him.
"Excellent, though this arrangement will need to wait until next semester. If you don't mind the additional responsibility, you could assist with matters requiring interrogation. For instance, when students commit infractions but refuse to admit their actions, I could have you question them."
"That would be perfect," Dudley agreed readily.
"Summer vacation approaches soon. I genuinely envy you students," Dumbledore observed, noting a group of Hogwarts students lounging by the distant shoreline, peacefully sunbathing and reading.
"Speaking of summer vacation, I'd like to understand how the Ministry of Magic detects underage magic use," Dudley inquired.
"The Ministry places something called the Trace on all underage wizards. It's a magical monitoring charm designed to detect when young wizards perform magic."
"This enchantment can locate the approximate position of underage wizards and detect magical activity within a certain radius centered on that individual. If it discovers underage wizards using magic in front of Muggles or similar violations, the Ministry's Improper Use of Magic Office receives automatic warnings and sends written reprimands to the person involved."
"What you should understand is that the Trace has nothing to do with specific wands but operates through contract magic and notification systems to monitor underage wizards."
Dumbledore looked at Dudley with obvious meaning behind his explanation.
"The Trace," Dudley murmured thoughtfully.
He had long suspected this monitoring system had nothing to do with individual wands. Otherwise, simply switching wands could bypass detection entirely.
However, from Dumbledore's implications, this detection wasn't particularly precise. If several underage wizards were present in the same area, or if other adult wizards were nearby, misidentification could easily occur.
"Regarding this matter, you'll receive an official notice from the Ministry before summer vacation begins, prohibiting underage wizards from using magic outside school grounds. You'll need to sign and confirm receipt."
"Additionally, the Trace isn't omnipotent. There are certain situations it cannot detect, provided no evidence remains behind."
Dumbledore casually waved his hand as he spoke. The lake surface in the distance immediately raised a stream of water that swayed rhythmically with his hand movements.
Dudley's eyes sharpened with understanding as he grasped Dumbledore's subtle message.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
"You're quite welcome, Dudley. I'm your headmaster. It's my fundamental duty to answer your questions," Dumbledore replied warmly.
"Also, regarding the protective charm on Harry, I'd like to learn more about its specifics," Dudley added.
"Oh, there's quite an extensive amount to discuss on that subject. Let's continue our conversation as we walk," Dumbledore suggested as they maintained their peaceful stroll along the water's edge.