At the same time, outside the window of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the air rippled slightly, gradually revealing a tabby cat.
She glanced at Malfoy and the others as they departed, paused for a few seconds, then turned and left with feline grace.
In Dumbledore's office, Professor McGonagall stood before the headmaster's desk with obvious concern.
"Professor Dumbledore, I don't quite understand why you gave Dudley the authority to substitute for the professor and then had me observe his classes," Professor McGonagall said with a frown.
After Lockhart had been seriously injured by Dudley's punch, Professor McGonagall had spoken in anger about letting Dudley substitute teach.
However, under Professor McGonagall's supervision, Dudley had completed that lesson excellently.
For subsequent classes, Professor McGonagall had actually planned to hand everything over to Professor Snape.
But when Dumbledore learnt of this arrangement, he immediately stopped Professor McGonagall, only allowing Professor Snape to take over the upper-year classes while still having Dudley substitute for first and second years.
This approach was very controversial and could easily draw questions from the Board of Governors, but even so, Dumbledore insisted on his decision.
This led to Dudley continuing to substitute teach and having his detention punishment cancelled.
"Dudley performed too well," Dumbledore said with a light laugh.
"It could even be described as perfect."
McGonagall's frown deepened. She didn't understand what Dumbledore was implying.
"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore, I don't understand what you mean," McGonagall said after thinking for a moment but still unable to grasp what Dumbledore was trying to express.
Dumbledore smiled knowingly and said, "Professor McGonagall, don't you think he's very much like a certain person?"
"Intelligent, studious, powerful, with great influence among students. He could even be described as perfect."
Hearing this description, Professor McGonagall immediately understood who Dumbledore was referring to, and her face couldn't help but pale slightly.
"Professor Dumbledore, do you mean Dudley might become like that person?" Professor McGonagall asked, covering her chest and speaking with obvious shock.
"No, no, no, I don't mean that at all," Dumbledore waved his hands repeatedly.
"I just think the two of them are very similar, but I don't believe Dudley will become that person. At least, from what I've observed so far, there are still quite a few differences between Dudley and that individual."
Professor McGonagall hesitated before asking, "So you had him substitute teach to test him?"
Dumbledore nodded with serious consideration.
"To test a person, the best way is to give them power and see what they do after gaining authority."
"I've given Dudley quite a few privileges before, but he seems truly careful. Every time he breaks rules, it's to uphold other rules. Even with some excessive behaviour, I can't say he did wrong."
"He indeed grasped that balance very well."
"But I still wanted to see what would happen if I gave him more authority. For instance, giving him the right to deduct points. Would he deduct points from Malfoy for personal gain? And when facing someone he dislikes, would he use his authority to do certain things?"
Dumbledore explained his reasoning simply.
"So, did you get the answer you wanted?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Recalling what had happened in the classroom earlier, she considered Dudley's actions carefully.
Dudley hadn't been entirely fair and impartial. He had found quite a few excuses to deduct points from Malfoy, and during spell practice, he had deliberately targeted him.
Could such behaviour be considered crossing the line?
Moreover, at the end, Dudley had unhesitatingly used his superior strength to intimidate Malfoy.
However, those words seemed more like educating Malfoy not to bully other students in the future, without causing any real harm.
To be honest, Professor McGonagall had been ready to intervene to save Malfoy then, thinking Dudley would beat him up like that incident on the Quidditch pitch last semester.
"More or less. At least it let me see another side of this boy," Dumbledore smiled with satisfaction.
"What do you mean?" Professor McGonagall asked with puzzlement.
"Don't you think this behaviour is more like the normal emotions a person should have?"
"If he had been truly impartial in front of Malfoy, I would have suspected he noticed you watching and was deliberately putting on an act."
"Now, I actually think he's quite genuine."
Dumbledore stroked Fawkes' brilliant feathers with a light laugh.
"That previous person disguised himself very well, so perfectly that even I was deceived."
"So, compared to hypocritical pretence, this appropriate use of authority actually makes me feel there's nothing wrong with him."
Professor McGonagall listened to Dumbledore's words, falling into her own contemplative thoughts.
"Well then, Professor McGonagall, thank you for your efforts these past few days," Dumbledore said with genuine appreciation.
Professor McGonagall nodded and turned to leave the office.
However, upon reaching the door, Professor McGonagall stopped, turned back to Dumbledore and said firmly, "Dudley is our Gryffindor child. I believe in him."
After saying this, Professor McGonagall left the headmaster's office without looking back.
Dumbledore glanced at the closed door and fell into thoughtful silence.
"What you don't know, Professor McGonagall, is that he's not just like Tom. He's also very much like another person..." Dumbledore showed a deeply contemplative expression, as if immersed in distant, troubling memories.
Meanwhile, Dudley walked through the castle corridors with purpose.
"That should have been Professor McGonagall outside the window just now," he thought to himself.
"Disillusionment Charm? Much worse than Harry's Invisibility Cloak. Even without activating spiritual vision, I could sense something unusual there."
"Was she afraid I'd beat up Malfoy?" Dudley shook his head with mild amusement.
Even if he wanted to fight, he wouldn't do it in the classroom. He'd definitely find a place with no one around.
"Professor McGonagall really worries too much. She has me substitute teach but doesn't trust me, coming to observe almost every class I teach. Isn't she tired?"
Dudley didn't dwell on these matters anymore.
Harry and the others hadn't returned yet from their visit to Hagrid. He went to the Great Hall alone for dinner, then headed to the library with growing excitement.
"Hogwarts' library has quite a few banned books. Ordinary students can't borrow these books at all. They need a professor's signature."
"Now that I'm a substitute professor, it would be very reasonable for me to look at books in the Restricted Section, right?"
Dudley thought with anticipation.
He had previously wanted to wear Harry's Invisibility Cloak to see what was so special about those forbidden books but had never found the right opportunity. Now he had finally discovered a perfect loophole to exploit.