"I... I didn't think of this deliberately."
Dumbledore's mind quickly recalled his thoughts at that time. As he delved deeper into his thoughts, he suddenly realized, "But perhaps I really thought so subconsciously. I didn't even notice!"
"Dudley, your analysis is like a sharp blade, cutting straight to the depths of my heart."
As Dumbledore said this, his embarrassment faded away, and his self-analysis became clearer:
"Just as I said earlier, I've been overconfident for too long. I have many dark thoughts hidden under the pretense of fighting Voldemort and saving the wizarding world. Just like the shadows in the sunlight, they seem so natural and are so easily unnoticed!"
"These are indeed my mistakes. Dudley, Harry, if you don't forgive me, I have nothing to complain. In the future, I will make it up to you and the Dursleys with practical actions."
After Dumbledore expressed his apology, Dudley went silent. Instead of speaking, he looked at Harry.
Harry knew what his cousin meant. His cousin respected his opinion and didn't want to forgive or not forgive others for him.
Harry thought seriously for a while and then said to Professor Dumbledore:
"Professor Dumbledore, regardless of your thoughts, you did offer shelter to my parents back then. Besides, I'm very grateful that you sent me here, allowing me to grow up with my cousin."
"So, I don't bear much resentment towards you. I'll try to let it go."
"Good! Very good! Harry, I'm really relieved." Tears welled in Dumbledore's eyes.
At this time, Dudley composed himself and, under Dumbledore's expectant gaze, said:
"Mr. Dumbledore, I'm a rather practical person. Words are far less persuasive than actions. So whether I forgive you or not depends on what you do in the future."
"Moreover, Harry and I can't make decisions on behalf of my parents. After our conversation, please keep your promise to apologize to them just now."
"I will, Dudley!" Dumbledore immediately promised.
"Alright, then. We've finished talking about the past. Now, let's talk about the future!"
Dudley focused, thinking about what he was going to say. The success or failure of today's negotiation hinged entirely on this moment.
"Go ahead, Dudley. State your and Harry's requests, and I'll do my utmost to meet them!"
"Whether you want to stay in the UK, come with me to Hogwarts, or go to other countries to learn magic, I'll back you up!"
Dumbledore had already let it go.
"It seems that Mr. Dumbledore has truly and thoroughly learned his lesson!"
Dudley felt a tinge of joy. Even before the negotiation officially started, he had already achieved half of his goal.
"Now, I'll officially start asking about the future!"
"Mr. Dumbledore, can you guarantee that from this moment on, you won't act smart and secretly influence Harry's growth anymore?"
"Yes, I guarantee it! In the future, regarding matters related to Harry, I will discuss them with you and Harry and let you decide whether to carry them out."
"Mr. Dumbledore, can you guarantee that you won't interfere and will even help Harry and me in our revenge against Voldemort and his accomplices?"
"Yes, I guarantee it! Getting rid of Voldemort and his followers has always been my goal!"
"Mr. Dumbledore, if Harry and I go to Hogwarts to study, can you guarantee the personal safety of my family, especially my parents, the Dursleys, won't be violated?"
"Yes, I guarantee it! I will never let the tragedy of Lily and James recur!"
"Good! Great! Fantastic!"
Dudley suddenly jumped to his feet, walked up to Dumbledore, who had tears in his eyes and was emotionally excited, and solemnly extended his right hand:
"Mr. Dumbledore, then, are you willing to listen to the opinions of an eleven - year - old advisor like me in future life and battles and enter into a covenant with me?"
"Dudley, what are you..." Dumbledore was stunned. He felt that Dudley was playing an extremely big game of wizard's chess.
"Let me wield your power and prestige! Dumbledore! Let me be your second brain. For a beautiful and peaceful life, to eliminate regrets, to become stronger purely, for our common goal, and for an ideal future!"
"I hope I don't make a mistake in this decision!"
After seriously thinking for several seconds, Dumbledore stretched out his grizzled and large hand and tightly shook Dudley's right hand. Two magnificent and magical twisted threads were born out of thin air and gently wound around their wrists. Then, with a flash of light, they disappeared without a trace.
They made an Unbreakable Vow (a magical and binding agreement).
At this time, Dumbledore couldn't imagine what bold and decisive actions he would take in the future that he couldn't even think of before after forming an offensive and defensive alliance with Dudley.
Nor could he imagine what a tremendous huge shock this covenant would bring to the wizarding world in the future.
At this moment, the strongest thought in Dumbledore's mind was that Dudley and Harry had finally accepted him.
At his advanced age and in his twilight years, he had found two intimate companions and companions despite the age difference.
"Cousin! Are we going to stay?"
Harry witnessed the entire process of Dudley and Dumbledore making the covenant. After the Unbreakable Vow magic threads disappeared, he finally couldn't help asking.
"Yes, Harry! Now that we have the greatest wizard of the twentieth century as our teammate, why do we still need to wander in a foreign land?"
Dudley showed a victorious smile of victory in the negotiation.
However, before Dumbledore and Harry could celebrate, Dudley immediately entered a serious 'work' state.
"Dumbledore, there are fewer than a month left until the start of school. We need to take action!"
"Action? Dudley, what kind of action do you mean?" Dumbledore was a bit puzzled.
"Many aspects!" Dudley's mind was working quickly. "Among them, the most urgent thing is to deal with that disobedient Minister of Magic! Dumbledore, you should have read today's the Daily Prophet, right?
If I'm not mistaken, there isn't even a single word about Voldemort in it, right?"
Hearing this, a helpless look immediately appeared on Dumbledore's face: "That's right!"
With that, Dumbledore took out a folded newspaper with pictures and animations from his pocket.
Dudley took it and unfolded it in front of himself and Harry.
The front page headline read:
"Yesterday, Gringotts underground vaults carried out a special security drill. The minor earthquake in Diagon Alley was purely an accident!"
"The goblins of Gringotts solemnly promise: the property in no vaults has been lost. Please rest assured!"