Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 163: Recap 6th Year
Many good things happened during Dudley 6th year at Hogwarts, making it one of the most memorable years of his life.
First of all, his older brother, Steve Rogers, had finally enrolled at Hogwarts and become first year student. Although they were placed in different Houses, Dudley in Hufflepuff and Steve in Gryffindor, the mere fact that they were studying in the same school brought Dudley a sense of comfort.
Steve also had template character Ancient One, making him the formidable wizards rivaling Dumbledore. Whenever they had free time, the two of them would meet, exchange knowledge and discuss plans for the future.
Their interaction makes Dumbledore, Snape and Professor McGonagall become cautious because before Steve went to Hogwarts he had indirectly killed several dark Wizards and after coming to Hogwarts, he excel in study and even had learn more upper year knowledge from Dudley and Hermione.
Steve intelligence and hunger of knowledge, with Dudley who are the best student at Hogwarts, making them a powerful pair.
Not enough of that, the DA or Dumbledore Army Club which been created last year are still on going this year.
What started as a small group of students had expanded into a well-organized club. More and more students joined, eager to learn practical defensive magic. Unlike the Ministry-approved curriculum, which focused mostly on theory, Dudley sessions emphasized real combat, survival techniques, and adaptability.
Students began to see the difference, they were no longer just learning spells, they were learning how to fight.
Even some older students quietly joined, setting aside their pride just to gain real experience. Dudley reputation within the school continued to rise.
With more students his hands are full so he forced his brother Steve Roger to join and lecturing new students too.
He was assigned to teach 1st to 3rd year student and at first people didn't believe he had ability to teach them until Steve shows his capability to use magic without a wand.
From that moment it also attracted older student and even Hermione to look and study under him too.
Third, something unexpected happened, Argus Filch, the grumpy caretaker of Hogwarts, finally had a son.
The entire castle was shocked by the news.
For years, Filch had been known as a bitter and lonely man, not many people knows he actually are a squib, constantly complaining about students and magic alike. Yet, somehow, he had found happiness.
What surprised even more was what happened just one month after the child was born.
The baby displayed accidental magic, When Filch spread the news to Dudley, it was as if Filch had been lifted straight into the sky. He was overjoyed... no, more than that, he was transformed to even better man. For the first time, people saw him smile without bitterness. His attitude softened, and even the students noticed the change.
It was a rare and heartwarming sight for Dudley and Steve who knows the real reason why Filch had changed.
The wife that Filch had gotten married, although didn't consummate with him are very happy too. Part of the reason is because she no longer need to work because all of her expenses are being paid by Filch.
Lastly, Voldemort had gone missing.
This single event brought a wave of peace across Britain.
Although only a handful of people within the Ministry knew the true reason behind his disappearance, the general public saw it as a miracle. The fear that once lingered in the shadows began to fade, and people slowly returned to their normal lives.
For now, at least, the war had paused.
Amelia Bones took full advantage of this period of peace.
With her authority and decisive leadership, she launched a thorough cleansing within the Ministry. Corruption, hidden loyalties, and extremist beliefs were exposed one by one. Her methods were strict, but effective.
Many who once believed in blood purity began to abandon those ideals, whether out of fear or genuine realization.
The Ministry, for the first time in years, began to stabilize.
Yet despite all these positive changes, Dudley knew one thing clearly.
This peace... was only temporary.
Because somewhere in the shadows, Voldemort was still alive and when he returned, the world would once again be thrown into chaos and this time, the battle would be far more dangerous than before.
--- Hermione POV ---
"You are 24 years old?" Hermione said in disbelief. The boy who should be around eleven had just claimed he was much older.
"Yeah," Steve replied with a small smile.
"You're lying," Hermione said firmly. "Please stop before this goes too far."
Hearing her words did not stop Steve. Instead, he became more determined. He raised one hand and a subtle wave of magic spread outward. The surrounding area distorted slightly, forming a barrier that kept others away.
Unlike before, when he only used Muffliato, this time he layered multiple spells, concealment, silence and subtle repelling magic. No one would approach them and no one would even notice them.
He wanted to show her the truth.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, her voice filled with confusion and caution.
"You wanted proof, right?" Steve said calmly. "So I'll show you."
Over the past few months, spending time with Hermione had changed something in him. The man who had lived much longer than he appeared could no longer hold back. He knew that this might be the last chance because Hermione might not have feelings for Ron yet, so he wanted to confess to Hermione first.
But he also knew how she saw him when he interact with him.
She simply looked at him as a child,as a younger student and as someone she needed to guide.
That was why he had to reveal everything.
Steve took a step forward, then slowly adjusted his body using his power. His form shifted. his height increased, his features matured, and within moments, he stood before her as a young man in his twenties.
His news physique are taller, stronger and he is handsome, calm and more mature.
Hermione eyes widened, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"You're… not joking?" she asked, her voice slightly shaken as she tried to process what she was seeing.
"No, Hermione," Steve said gently. "I'm actually a wizard from another dimension. Dudley already knows about me, that's why he allowed me to help teach in the D.A. Club."
Hermione blinked, still trying to understand.
"Dudley… knows about you?" she asked.
"Yes," Steve nodded. "And now, you know as well. No one else does."
"Why?" The question slipped out before she could stop herself.
Steve hesitated for a brief moment.
Then he stepped closer, his expression serious.
"Because…" he said softly, "I love you, Hermione."
She froze.
"I know you see me as a little boy… or a younger brother," Steve continued honestly. "But I'm not. I understand what love is, and I don't want to lose the chance to tell you how I feel."
Hermione face turned even redder.
Her heart began to race and something unfamiliar started to grow inside her chest.
She opened her mouth to speak.
"Hic!"
She suddenly hiccupped, startled by her own reaction.
"I… I need time to think," Hermione said quickly, turning away.
Without waiting for his response, she hurried off, almost escaping from the scene.
She didn't notice it herself but her face, once pale, had turned completely red.