As soon as he spoke, the entire Great Hall fell silent, all eyes turning to him. While the Gryffindors were collectively glaring, the Slytherins looked thrilled. They knew who was speaking all too well: their esteemed Mr. Dursley.
"What gives you the right to say that?"
Just moments after Dudley finished, someone immediately jumped up to challenge him. Dudley knew this person; he had him written down in his little notebook. It was Lee Jordan, the Hogwarts Quidditch commentator. Setting aside his commentary skills, he was known for being blatantly biased, always favoring Gryffindor and ragging on Slytherin.
Other young Gryffindor wizards also stood up, agitated. It wasn't until Dumbledore called for silence that they reluctantly sat back down.
Dudley didn't even bother to acknowledge them. He turned to Professor McGonagall with a slight look of apology. "Professor McGonagall, please forgive me. I don't mean to insult you, nor do I mean to disrespect Godric Gryffindor. I'm talking about this group of Gryffindors who haven't done anything. They are not worthy of winning the House Cup."
He was speaking to the young wizards of Gryffindor, not Professor McGonagall herself. They were reckless, impulsive, always getting into trouble, pulling pranks, and causing mischief. Were they truly worthy? If they were, their house points wouldn't be a measly 111. Without Hermione's diligent work, it took them two whole terms just to barely break into the three-digit range. For them to win the House Cup would be an insult to all the others who had worked hard! Even Hufflepuff was more deserving.
"I think the Gryffindors haven't understood something yet." Dudley's voice was deep and commanding, cutting through the hall. He stood unflinchingly before the glares of a hundred students who looked like they wanted to hex him into oblivion, not even acknowledging them. With his Hamon skills, his Zoldyck family assassination techniques, his alchemy, and the countless potions at his waist, Dudley had grown incredibly powerful. He was not a match for a truly great wizard yet, but these young students were no match for him either.
"Headmaster Dumbledore said those points were awarded to them as individuals, not to Gryffindor as a House."
The gist of it was, "Don't flatter yourselves. Those points were never meant for Gryffindor." Dumbledore had never officially announced Gryffindor as the winner of the House Cup.
"What's the difference?" The young Gryffindors hadn't caught on to what he meant. What was the difference between points for individuals and points for the House?
Most Gryffindors didn't notice, but Dudley's actions were now overstepping the boundaries of a student, yet none of the professors were stepping in to stop him. A number of the more intelligent Slytherins and Ravenclaws caught on to this key detail, as well as a few Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, like fifth-year Percy and third-year Cedric.
"The difference is huge," Dudley stated. He then turned to Dumbledore. "Esteemed Headmaster, will you be making the next announcement, or should I?"
"You may," Dumbledore replied.
Dudley nodded. "Starting today, in addition to the four Houses and the Head Boy and Girl, a new organization will be formed at Hogwarts..."
"...the Disciplinary Committee."
"Ron, Neville, Harry, and Hermione are all provisional members of the Disciplinary Committee."
"And I, Dudley Dursley, am a full member."
"We will handle rule-breaking... and unfairness... and injustice... and we will absolutely handle bullying."
As he said the last sentence, Dudley's gaze was like a piercing sword, staring directly at the Gryffindors. The incident he was referring to had caused a major stir, with several students even expelled. Everyone knew about it, except for the true bookworms who were only focused on their studies. Not a single Gryffindor dared to meet his gaze. When someone's spirit is broken, it's a quick, free fall.
With the silent consent of the professors, Dudley had single-handedly taken control of the situation.
"Anyone with the ability is welcome to join us."
"And one more thing."
"Draco!"
Malfoy, hearing his name called by Dudley, excitedly stood up.
"You have not failed in your honor, and for that, you will receive 100 points."
Malfoy stood up straight, chin held high, as proud as a peacock, even though the praise came from a fellow first-year and not the Headmaster. 'He praised me! D-Dog praised me!'
Dudley clapped his hands together, and a brand new hourglass appeared next to the four House hourglasses. The points previously awarded to Harry and the others instantly transferred to the new hourglass, which immediately surpassed all the others.
"I believe... glory belongs to the Disciplinary Committee!"
Dudley clapped his hands again, and a faint golden glow emanated from the Transmutation Circle on the back of his hands. The decorations in the Great Hall, which had just changed to a red theme with lions, shifted once more. Black and silver intertwined, creating a color scheme that was both solemn and mysterious. The lion emblem also changed, but it wasn't the serpent of Slytherin.
Instead, it was a creature with thick black fur, bright eyes, and a single horn on its forehead, resembling neither a cow nor a goat... it was a Qilin-like beast. It was a Xiezhi, also known as the "law beast," a mythical creature that could discern right from wrong and symbolized justice.
This display of power deeply shocked the students. Dudley had accomplished with a single clap what would have required a joint spell from several older Gryffindor students. What's more, they didn't realize Dudley was using alchemy. As far as they were concerned, Dudley had just performed wandless magic—something even many powerful wizards couldn't do.
While the other three Houses were utterly bewildered, the Slytherins were completely unfazed. 'Just as we'd expect from Mr. Dursley,' they all thought.
A flutter of wings sounded in the hall, and an owl descended. It was carrying a letter for Dudley Dursley. The envelope was exquisite parchment with a beautiful, hot-stamped golden letter and a shining Order of Merlin, Third Class.
The entire hall went silent. This time, even the professors were stunned. That was a genuine Order of Merlin, and not everyone could get one, not even the Third Class!
"Dursley! Our King!"
Pansy, at the Slytherin table, jumped up in excitement and started chanting. Malfoy was the next to react, his pale face flushed with pride. Then, more and more Slytherins stood and joined the chant. The chants were as if they had been rehearsed, uniform and powerful. The roar of their voices nearly shook the entire Great Hall.
"You stopped Gryffindor from winning the House Cup and you have earned..."