"Just a theory," Dudley said with a shrug.
He found his own speculation outlandish, but in the bizarre world he'd once known, he'd witnessed far stranger things—like men transforming into breathtaking women. In such a world, anything seemed possible.
Amid the laughter and chatter, the Sorting Ceremony concluded, and the puddings vanished from the tables.
Professor Dumbledore rose, and the Great Hall fell silent.
"Now that you're all fed and content, I have a few announcements," he began. "As the new term starts, a few points to note."
"First-years, the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to all students. Some older students should take heed as well." His gaze lingered on the Weasley twins.
"Additionally, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, reminds you: no magic in the corridors between classes."
"Finally, those who wish to avoid an accidental, painful demise should steer clear of the right-hand corridor on the fourth floor."
Murmurs rippled through the hall. The Forbidden Forest's dangers were common knowledge, but a restricted fourth-floor corridor was new and puzzling.
"He should at least brief the Prefects," Percy muttered.
"Sounds like a secret," Dudley said, his curiosity piqued.
Forbidden places always stirred intrigue.
"Hogwarts' rules are strict," Percy explained. "Dumbledore highlighting this one means it's serious—potentially deadly. We'd best comply."
Percy memorized the prohibition, though its mystery gnawed at him.
"Rules are made to be broken, right, Harry?" Dudley said, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
"What're you scheming?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Nothing, just musing. You don't strike me as a rule-follower, Harry," Dudley teased.
"You don't know me that well, dear brother," Harry retorted.
Dudley grinned, letting the matter drop.
Dumbledore led the hall in the school song, a chaotic cacophony of shared lyrics sung in clashing melodies.
Dudley's mind drifted. The Black Emperor and Judge pathways hinge on rules and order—twisting them, wielding them, even forging new ones…
A revered name surged unbidden into his thoughts: "You are the Supreme Emperor, the embodiment of Order, the manifestation of chaos, the source of all rules. You are Order, and also Disorder."
Buzz.
His mind jolted, as if struck by a hammer. The Great Hall dissolved, and Dudley found himself in a strange realm—a void of darkness threaded with twisting light.
Time and distance felt nonexistent, yet the space was vividly real.
"Where… am I?" Dudley's face betrayed shock.
The revered name had surfaced from nowhere, and he'd recited it instinctively, as if it were etched deep in his memory. Its utterance had pulled him here.
"I'm not physical—I'm a spirit body," he realized, glancing at himself.
Light and shadow flickered chaotically around him.
His gaze settled on his chest, where Trensost's Brass Book glowed faintly, mercury-like script flowing from it, seeping into the dark void.
The world brightened, shifting from illusion to substance, as if an Order was being woven into the chaos.
Dudley inhaled sharply, scanning his surroundings.
A familiar space took shape in his mind.
The lights gained purpose, swiftly outlining a vast palace. After an indeterminate time, it solidified.
"It's like the Tarot Society's space," Dudley murmured. "Where my memories faltered, this realm's rules filled the gaps."
The long bronze table, the gray mist, the Tarot Society from his memories—all materialized. But the familiar figures, and the deity called the Fool, were absent.
As Dudley prepared to explore, dizziness overwhelmed him—his Spirit power was nearly spent.
Guided by instinct, he looked downward.
The ground vanished, revealing Hogwarts' castle on its cliff. His gaze pierced through layers, settling on the Great Hall, where he saw Harry—and himself.
Buzz.
His spirit body snapped back to his physical form in an instant.
Dudley gasped, his head throbbing from the strain of overusing his Spirit power.
He touched his chest, feeling Trensost's Brass Book, always kept close to prevent its unpredictable activation.
The school song ended.
"Time for bed. Prefects, lead the first-years to their dormitories," Dumbledore announced, closing the banquet.
Students rose to leave.
Dudley tried to stand but swayed, his body unsteady.
"You alright?" Harry asked, swiftly supporting him.
"Just tired," Dudley said simply.
"You look awful. You were fine a moment ago," Harry said, concern etching his face.
"I'll be fine after some sleep," Dudley reassured, craving rest.
"Ron, help me," Harry called.
Together, they steadied Dudley, joining the first-years exiting the Great Hall.