Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 89: Amelia Suspicion
---Voldemort POV---
The silvery bird vanished in front of him.
He had been haunted with a Patronus every day without stopping and it made him become very angry and his mental state become worst.
The person he wanted to kill the most right now is Dudley Dursley.
The silvery bird dissolved into mist before his eyes, leaving behind nothing but the echo of Dudley message mocking him: "Tommie is a coward who only knows how to hide."
Every day, he was haunted by a spell… the Patronus spell, none other from Dudley Dursley. He sent a message telling him he was a coward, that his father was a Muggle, that he was just a fake leader who hid behind a mask, a no-nose bastard, and so much more.
He had tried everything to stop the Patronus but to no avail, the spell was unbreakable, and the message was still sent to him. No barrier or dark spell could destroy or stop the spell from reaching him.
Maybe it was because he was too focused on destroying the spell, if it had been given to Severus Snape, the man would simply have used Muffliato to block the sound. Pity him, Severus had never taught him how to use Muffliato.
So the spell arrived one after another, every single day without stopping.
Dudley Dursley of all the names in the world, it was his existence that Voldemort wished to erase most. Not Potter. Not even that meddlesome old fool Dumbledore, but a mudblood wizard named Dudley.
The boy who, by rights, should have been nothing more than a spoiled Muggle brat had somehow managed to insert himself into the mind of the greatest Dark Wizard. And he couldn't do anything at the moment because he was still hiding from the public.
He had even asked Lucius for Dudley picture, trying to imagine the face as he cast the Cruciatus Curse on him.
Suddenly, he could hear footsteps, then a stop at the door before something knocked on it.
"Enter," said Voldemort.
A Death Eater entered. "My Lord… there is news. The Dursley boy and Potter… they have returned from Hogwarts because of holiday. They are traveling together and we can capture Dursley. Just give us the command and we will capture him."
A slow smile crept over Voldemort lips, though it did not reach his eyes. "Holiday?"
"Yes, my Lord. They will be within reach soon. We could… intercept them. Just give us the order."
For a moment, the Dark Lord considered it. The image of Dudley screaming for mercy played out vividly in his mind, storming upon Dudley without warning, cutting him down before he could react. The thought was intoxicating, and the hunger for it stirred inside him like a beast straining at its leash.
But then came the cold voice of reason in his mind. The war was not yet at the point where he could reveal himself openly. The world was still filled with doubters, which was good for him, he needed to gather an army first. To show his hand too soon would only give the Order time to rally and even shackle the hands of his inner circle.
No, he told himself, better to wait until they were ready.
At the moment, let the boy think he was safe. Let him lower his guard, let him believe he had escaped the Dark Lord reach. When the moment came, it would be perfect. And Dudley Dursley would know fear, true fear, before the end.
"Stand down," Voldemort ordered, his voice like a whip crack. "Do not pursue them. We need to gather an army first. Keep watch. The moment we are ready, that will be the last day they see the sun. We will kill them without mercy."
"Ok, my Lord," said the Death Eater before leaving the manor.
Alone once more, Voldemort leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. Soon, he promised himself. Soon the boy's laughter would be silenced forever.
---Petunia young---
Amelia Bones and Sirius Black both rubbed their eyes, convinced for a moment that they were seeing things. Petunia Dursley stood in front of them… and she was stunning. Not merely attractive in a well-kept, middle-aged way, no, she looked like she had stepped straight out of her twenties. Smooth skin, bright eyes, the glow of youth practically radiating from her.
Amelia was the first to speak. "Petunia… your face."
Petunia tilted her head, smiling politely. "What about my face?"
"You look…" Sirius hesitated, which was rare for him. "…different. Younger."
Petunia gave a small, almost playful laugh. "Oh, you're imagining things."
But they weren't. Even with her meticulous skincare and careful presentation, there was no mistaking the difference between thirty-six years of life and the unmarked vitality of a twenty-year-old. Her jawline was firmer, her cheeks fuller, her posture straight and energetic in a way that made Amelia suspicious immediately.
Before either could press further, footsteps sounded from upstairs. The teenagers began coming down the staircase—Harry, Dudley, Susan, and the rest. The moment their eyes fell on Petunia, they all pause except Dudley
Harry blinked, his mouth opening slightly. "Aunt Petunia… what happened to you?"
Susan's brow furrowed, and she glanced sideways at Dudley, who was suddenly very interested in the floor. "You look… amazing," she admitted, though her voice was tinged with curiosity.
Petunia waved a hand dismissively, as if brushing off the attention. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a bit of extra care this morning."
Amelia's sharp eyes darted between Petunia and Dudley, catching the subtle, almost guilty twitch in Dudley expression. "Uh-huh," she murmured, already forming her own theory.
Breakfast passed with a strange energy in the air. Petunia seemed almost giddy, her usual brisk movements now graceful, almost light. Vernon couldn't stop staring at her, his face glowing showing her youth. Dudley tried to act normal, but Amelia could see with a glance that the reason why Petunia looks young is because of him.
When the plates were cleared and the others began drifting off to their own business, Amelia made her move.
"Dudley," she said, her voice casual but firm, "come with me."
He hesitated, glancing toward his parents. Vernon looked confused, but Petunia gave a small nod, still smiling.
Amelia led him out into the hallway, Sirius trailing behind with a smirk that said this is going to be interesting. Once they were out of earshot, she crossed her arms.
"You gave her something," Amelia said flatly. "I don't know what, but I can guess it wasn't a normal beauty product. So, are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to find out myself?"
Dudley swallowed, suddenly realizing that the real challenge wasn't hiding it from the world… it was hiding it from Amelia Bones.
Author Notes: To read advanced chapter you can go to my patreon.
Chapter 117: Late Sirius
Chapter 118: Tired
Chapter 119: The Hero
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