Harry Potter: From Muggle Cousin to Conceptual Archmage

Dudley released the vines and the ropes from the Binding Spell that had bound the Malfoy Trio.

Crabbe and Goyle didn't dare to resist. They endured the discomfort and nausea of their mud - covered robes. They got up on their knees, lifted the unconscious Malfoy, whose face was covered in mud and pimply bumps and was barely recognizable, and then left the compartment trembling.

After that, Dudley removed the Unplottable Extension spell he had cast inside the compartment. Then he cast a Cleaning Spell again to clear the garbage and unpleasant odor in the compartment, restoring it to its original state.

"Guys, stop standing there. The problem's fixed. Let's have some snacks! Don't let them go to waste!"

Dudley retrieved his Smelting stick, which had returned to its original form, and greeted the new friends he'd just made with a beaming smile, inviting them to share the snacks. His tone and expression were completely different from those when he berated Malfoy's lackeys earlier.

Ron, Neville, and Hermione were all taken aback for a moment, seemingly stunned by Dudley's 'quickly changing his attitude'.

But soon, they got used to it.

Because Harry took the lead and started eating, and he warmly chatted with their new friends who had fought side by side with them.

Dudley noticed the expressions and reactions of his three new companions. Then he tore open a pack of Chocolate Frogs, quickly grabbed the jumping frog's legs, and began to munch on them.

He could sense that Ron was a bit more distant from him, seemingly frightened by his 'ruthless methods'.

Neville was similar. But since he was a bit slow - witted and extremely introverted, his sense of alienation was more muddled and restrained. He didn't dare to look Dudley in the eye and seemed timid and scared.

However, Hermione didn't feel distant or afraid because of Dudley's previous actions. Instead, she put aside her arrogance and showed an expression of gratitude and admiration for Dudley, much like a fan meeting their idol.

Dudley accepted it with pleasure, considering it as having one more smart companion or subordinate.

He knew very well that Hermione was just impressed by his knowledge, abilities, and way of thinking, not attracted to him.

A strong and intelligent woman like Hermione would only want a partner like Ron, who is a cute yet tough partner.

As for him, Dudley, he would never fall into the trap of love. Becoming stronger was his pursuit.

"Which house do you guys want to be sorted into? I really hope to get into Gryffindor. Everyone in my family has been in Gryffindor!"

As the scenery outside the train window gradually dimmed and Hogwarts was about to arrive, Ron suddenly brought up this topic, which piqued the interest of all the companions.

Harry said that he also wanted to be sorted into Gryffindor because Hagrid and Dumbledore were both students from Gryffindor. He least wanted to be in Slytherin and wanted to stay far away from those decadent pure - bloods.

Hermione and Neville also shared their thoughts. Generally speaking, they didn't want to go to Slytherin.

Dudley didn't join in this topic. According to the original story, everyone in this compartment except him was from Gryffindor. It was probably the same now.

"Cousin, which house do you want to go to?" Dudley kept silent, but Harry asked him actively. "It'd be best if we could be in the same house."

Dudley smiled and said, "It doesn't matter which one. Anyway, the courses in all four houses are the same, no difference."

We're going to Hogwarts to learn magic and improve our skills. It's pointless to overemphasize which house we're sorted into. It's like neglecting the essentials for the trivial."

As soon as he said this, his companions were stunned.

Especially Ron. He had never thought about the problem this way. Almost all his family members were associated with Gryffindor, and his long - held idea was to join Gryffindor.

"But cousin, if we're not sorted into the same house, won't we have to part ways?" Harry asked eagerly.

"What are you afraid of? Do you think these so - called house rules can restrict me?"

Dudley didn't take such things to heart at all.

With his current strength and his relationship with Dumbledore, in Hogwarts, except for the girls' dormitory and the ladies' lavatory, he can stay wherever he wants, can't he?

He even wanted to stay in the Restricted Section of the library.

"You're right!" Harry felt relieved.

The other companions didn't know what to say and fell into an awkward silence.

Hermione hesitated to speak. She wanted to mention the school rules she had memorized before the start of school, but then she thought that they had already broken many school rules before even entering Hogwarts, so she swallowed her words.

"Ding dong ——"

The train's loudspeaker sounded, reminding the passengers that they would arrive at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in five minutes. They were asked to put aside their luggage and get ready to get off the train. Later, each person's belongings would be sent to their corresponding dormitories.

Hearing this news, the atmosphere in the compartment became both lively and tense.

It was lively because they were finally going to reach their destination and see the mysterious Hogwarts;

It was tense because they didn't know who they would meet and what would happen to them after getting off the train. There was a kind of panic when facing the unknown.

"We're getting off soon. Hogwarts isn't going to eat us. Let's divide up the remaining snacks."

Dudley remained calm. With a wave of his hand, the remaining snacks on the table were evenly divided into five portions. "Besides, if the Malfoy Trio is stupid enough to complain to the professors and the headmaster of Hogwarts, you can just shift the blame onto me and Harry."

"That's not right! I was also involved. I won't shift the blame onto my friends!"

Hermione immediately stood up and said excitedly.

"Yeah! Dudley, let's take the punishment together. I have twin brothers. They often get punished at Hogwarts. The punishments are just things like cleaning the trophy room or being confined to the professor's office. It's no big deal!"

Ron echoed. Obviously, he had two good examples in this regard.

"I... I'll do the same." Neville tried hard to find the right words but couldn't come up with anything better, so he just stammered in agreement.

"Good! Very good! Because of your friendship, from now on, we're all good brothers and good friends!"

Dudley suddenly said enthusiastically and gently patted the shoulders of Ron, Hermione, and Neville, making their hearts warm.

But before the three of them could respond, Dudley added another sentence:

"Since we're good friends, don't be so polite. It's better for two people to take the punishment than five. This time, Harry and I will handle it. Next time, you can step up too!"

"What?" Ron and the other two were stunned. "There'll be a next time?!"

Dudley looked unhappy, looking as if he was being looked down on.

"Is that all? There'll definitely be a next time! And the time after that, and the time after that as well!

Don't be afraid! I'll protect you all from now on. As long as we're in the right, don't be a wimp! Face the evil and fight it! If anything happens, I'll take the responsibility!"

Dudley thumped his chest, itching to stir up more trouble, and he didn't have a single care in the world.

He'd gone to great lengths to get the Cheat System and gained a lot of power. He didn't get all that power just to let it go to waste; he was going to put it to good use!

Moreover, he guessed that Voldemort's main soul would most likely come to Hogwarts to look for The Philosopher's Stone to replenish his life force and plan for his resurrection in a new body.

Teaming up with the protagonist group, who had good luck in the original story, would mean having more eyes and more options. Maybe they'd stumble upon some clues related to Voldemort's main soul by accident.

Why not do it?