Chapter 301 — Harry's Curse
The unfamiliar name Tom Riddle—and his book, which many wizards considered complete nonsense—should have triggered widespread complaints from students and parents alike.
But even Rita Skeeter could never have predicted what happened next.
When Riddle accidentally leaked those photos during his interview, everything changed.
Pure-blood families who were preparing to protest and call for a ban on Magic in the Muggle World suddenly fell silent.
In fact, many of them began recommending the book enthusiastically.
Dumbledore's supporters backed Riddle simply because of the Headmaster's public approval.
And onlookers became even more supportive thanks to the handsome photographs—and the rumors of a certain "affair" between him and Dumbledore that Rita heavily implied.
Now that Riddle had officially appeared at Hogwarts, the students realized something shocking:
He was even more attractive in person than in the photos.
So Lisa Dupin's words carried enormous weight.
Even Harry felt a cold sweat trickling down his back.
What surprised him even more was Ron. Under the attention of so many people, Ron didn't get nervous—he became calmer. Almost frighteningly calm.
"Professor Riddle? No, I'm not talking about him," Ron said casually.
"Professor Lupin was a friend of Harry's dad. We all know he's extremely capable!"
"You know, he used to be a Gryffindor prefect."
Ron took a small sip of pumpkin juice, as if Lupin—not Riddle—was the center of attention.
The table fell silent for a moment. Lisa Dupin smacked her lips in disappointment.
Ron actually looked a little proud of himself.
Dean perked up at once.
"He's from Gryffindor? And a prefect?"
"Good—finally someone reliable."
"I get it now! That's why we have two Defense Against the Dark Arts professors!"
"Lupin must be the real teacher. Riddle is just there to take credit."
"Actually… I think Professor Riddle is Dumbledore's son. He only just bought a wand, right? That means he grew up in the Muggle world!" Dean whispered, clearly afraid that Riddle's fangirls might overhear.
Seamus strained his ears, though he didn't comment—he was still annoyed at Ron from their earlier quarrel.
"Well, maybe," Ron said, barely holding back laughter as he shot Harry a smug look.
Clearly, Ron enjoyed being the one who "knew" more than the others.
Harry suspected that if Dean had been the one improvising, the story would've been even more ridiculous.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Harry suddenly wanted to punch Ron in the eye.
Why am I like this?
Dudley must've rubbed off on me, Harry realized ruefully.
He glanced toward the Hufflepuff table at his cousin, whom he hadn't seen for months.
"Merlin's beard!" Harry blurted.
"What?"
"Harry, what's wrong?"
"What happened?" Ron, Ginny, and Dean asked in alarm.
Others looked over too.
"Look at Dudley—my cousin!" Harry pointed with a trembling hand.
A sturdy figure sat not far away—a figure that had absolutely nothing to do with obesity.
"Did he drink some kind of weight-loss potion?" Ron asked, bewildered.
As far as he knew, such a potion didn't exist.
But Dudley had transformed completely—his once round body was now sharp-angled and muscular.
If Dudley used to resemble a fat pig, he now looked like a lean bull.
"Harry… you didn't curse him during the summer… right?" Dean asked suspiciously.
He didn't know Harry had spent the summer with Draco and the others in the wizarding world.
He assumed Harry had cast something nasty on Dudley to get revenge.
A powerful curse that backfired by making Dudley handsome.
But then Dean shook his head.
"No—if you cursed him, Harry, you wouldn't be surprised."
"Harry spent the summer with us," Ron said, still trying to think of a potion that could cause such a change.
"So the curse took effect late… and had a weird side effect?" Dean concluded triumphantly.
"It's not a curse!" Harry insisted.
He was beginning to doubt whether he'd been right to think Dean was more reliable than Ron.
To Dean, however, Harry looked exactly like someone hiding something.
After all, Dean knew how disgusting the Dursleys were.
If he were Harry, he'd take revenge too.
And as for the Ministry detecting underage magic? Please.
He was Harry Potter—the Boy Who Lived!
Maybe his magic simply didn't trigger the Trace.
"Harry! Brilliant! You actually hid this from me!"
"And it seems your curse shouldn't be used on fat people," Ron declared in awe.
"Hey! We could get Sirius to publish your spell in the Daily Prophet!"
"Title: Fatty Gospel — Savior Potter's Miraculous Weight-Loss Curse!"
"We'll include Dudley's before-and-after photos!"
"He's a celebrity, you know—well, not as famous as you or me—but he's been in the Daily Prophet before!"
"Imagine how many Galleons we could make!" Ron said, eyes sparkling.
A whole business empire was already building itself inside his mind.
Ginny buried her face in her hands again, silently mourning the existence of her brother.
"We?" Harry echoed in disbelief.
He hadn't expected Ron to turn his random accusation into another money-making scheme.
"Yes, of course!"
"I'll handle the advertising, planning, and sales! And Fred and George can give input—they're practically businessmen already!"
"This won't slow you down either—you're Ravenclaw's Quidditch captain! We still need new players this year!"
"Captain Johnny, Dennis, Woody, and Arrow graduated—so both Beater and Keeper spots are empty!"
Ron suddenly frowned.
"Wait… Harry… you're not thinking of doing this business without me, right?"
"I told you—I DIDN'T curse Dudley!" Harry nearly shouted.
Before Harry could actually lose his mind, the plates on the table cleared themselves—becoming spotless once more.
The feast had ended.
Dumbledore rose again.
"Well! Now that we are all fed and content, and since I have already said what must be said before the Sorting… it is getting late."
"You will need a fresh mind for classes tomorrow morning."
"Off to bed! Quickly!"
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