Chapter 26: Questioning

Dudley lay half-reclined on the sofa, feigning exhaustion, but behind his closed eyelids, his mind was racing. When Dumbledore voiced his theory about a fourth person, Dudley's pupils contracted slightly. The old wizard was formidable, weaving together a tapestry of truth from the thinnest of threads.

From the moment they had entered the room, Dudley had been observing them all, his Beyonder senses analyzing their power, their demeanor, their relationships. Fudge was a politician, flustered and reliant on the opinions of others. The Gringotts guards were soldiers, disciplined but out of their depth. But Dumbledore… Dumbledore was different.

Through his spiritual perception, Dudley could feel the immense, ancient power coiled within the Hogwarts Headmaster's soul. It was a calm, deep ocean of energy, but it radiated a potential threat that put every one of Dudley's instincts on high alert. This was a wizard who could likely rival some of the demigods he had known. The deference Fudge showed him only confirmed his high standing in this world.

But the deduction should end there, Dudley thought, a cold certainty settling in him. Even a wizard as powerful as Dumbledore could not possibly conceive of Beyonder powers, of different pathways to godhood. He has no framework for it. The name "Night Emperor" was a calculated piece of misdirection—a false trail for them to follow, a tangible mystery to solve so they wouldn't go looking for an intangible one.

Dumbledore's words sent a ripple of shock through the room.

"You mean…" John, the Gringotts guard, began, his gaze immediately sweeping over the only three people who had been at the scene: Harry, Hagrid, and the seemingly unconscious Dudley.

"Oh, for merlin's sake, John," Fudge scoffed, looking at the guard as if he were an idiot. "Hagrid can barely perform magic, and the two boys haven't even been to school yet. How could they possibly cast magic of that level?"

"Sorry, Minister," John said, looking embarrassed.

"They haven't even bought wands yet!" Hagrid added, his voice thick with indignation.

All eyes turned back to Dumbledore.

"I did not say it was one of them," the old wizard clarified, his voice gentle but firm. "My meaning is that it is very likely a fourth person was present. Someone who found it… inconvenient to appear directly, and so created the phantom as a projection, while he himself cast the spells from the shadows."

As he spoke, Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes swept subtly over Dudley, a gentle, probing gaze searching for any flicker of reaction. But Dudley remained perfectly still, his expression that of a frightened child lost in the aftermath of trauma. It was a flawless performance.

"That is indeed possible," Fudge conceded, nodding thoughtfully. "If one intruder could get in, perhaps another could as well."

"But we found no clues at the scene, sir," John said helplessly. "No magical traces other than those from the intruder and… the phantom."

"Damn it! And the intruder got away!" Fudge fumed, his face turning a shade of purple. The failure of both the Gringotts guards and the Aurors to capture the perpetrator was a major embarrassment. Questioning Harry was their only remaining lead.

"Regarding the robed person…" Dumbledore began, looking at Fudge.

"We don't know his exact origin," Fudge admitted with a frown. "But the Unspeakables have a theory… they believe he might be a Death Eater."

"Seeking to avenge Lord Voldemort?" Dumbledore said softly.

A collective shiver went through the room at the sound of the name.

"Uh… actually," Harry spoke up, his voice hesitant but clear, "I have another guess. I don't think he came for me. Or, at least, that wasn't his main purpose."

Every head in the room turned to him. "Hmm?"

"We were right at the entrance to Vault 713," Harry explained, glancing at Dudley. This was the theory his cousin had whispered to him as they were being led out of the cavern. "I think… he was after whatever was in the vault."

"Vault 713?" Fudge looked at Dumbledore, confused.

"It contained a small package, something an old friend asked me to store," Dumbledore said simply, his expression giving nothing away. "I had asked Hagrid to retrieve it and bring it to Hogwarts. I did not anticipate… this."

"I see," Fudge said, clearly understanding this was a matter he shouldn't press.

"I'm so sorry, Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid said, his voice thick with guilt. "I overslept. We should have been there this morning. If I hadn't been late, we would have emptied the vault, and none of this would have happened."

"Hagrid, it is not your fault," Dumbledore said kindly. "One cannot predict the actions of such individuals."

Dudley remained a silent observer throughout. He was a Muggle-born child who had yet to even touch a wand. No one took him seriously, and no one cared what he had to say. This was exactly as he wanted it. Invisibility was a powerful shield.

"Last question, Harry," Dumbledore said, his gaze softening. "The syllables the Night Emperor uttered. Do you remember them?" This was their final clue. If they could identify the language, they might be able to trace the phantom's origin. The appearance of this mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful entity was a major event, one that had sent ripples of unease throughout the entire British wizarding world. That palpable sense of majesty had been felt far beyond the tunnels of Gringotts. They needed to know if this "Night Emperor" was a friend or a foe even more terrifying than the one who had escaped.

Harry squeezed his eyes shut, trying to recall the strange, powerful sounds. But his mind was a jumble of fear and confusion. "I… I can't," he finally said, shaking his head in frustration. "I'm sorry."

"That's quite alright, my boy," Dumbledore said gently. "You rest now. We will not disturb you any further."

The ministry officials began to file out of the room, their hushed conversations filling the air. Just as they were about to leave, Hagrid suddenly spoke up, his voice booming in the quiet room.

"Oh, right! Speakin' of strange things, there is one more. It was Dudley here who discovered the robed fella. He saw him before he ever made a move. It was Dudley who warned Griphook. That's the only reason Griphook went to check behind that rock… right before…" Hagrid trailed off, the memory too painful to finish.

***

(End of Chapter)

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