As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the Great Hall.
Compared to the Gryffindors' collective angry glares, the Slytherin side showed delighted expressions, because they were all too familiar with the person speaking—that was their House's respected Mr. Dursley.
"What right do you have to say that?"
Not long after Dudley finished speaking, someone immediately jumped out to question him. Dudley recognized this person—he'd even made a special note about him. Lee Jordan, Hogwarts Quidditch commentator. Setting aside his commentary skills, as a commentator his narration carried very obvious bias, unlimited favoritism toward Gryffindor and unlimited targeting of Slytherin.
Other Gryffindor students also stood up excitedly. Only after Dumbledore emphasized quiet once more did they reluctantly sit back down.
Dudley couldn't be bothered with them at all. He looked at Professor McGonagall with slight apology: "Professor McGonagall, please forgive me. I have no intention of targeting you, nor do I mean to insult Godric Gryffindor. I'm referring to these Gryffindors who have done nothing—they have no right and should not receive the honor of the House Cup."
He was targeting these Gryffindor students, not Professor McGonagall. Reckless, impulsive, only knowing how to cause trouble, pranks, stirring up problems... Did they deserve it?
If they deserved it, their total score shouldn't have been 111 points. Without Hermione's active participation in answering questions, they had spent two full terms going from double digits to barely triple digits.
If this still won first place, it would be an insult to all the hard workers! Even Hufflepuff was more deserving than Gryffindor.
"I think the Gryffindors haven't heard one thing clearly."
Dudley's voice was deep and penetrating, calmly facing those countless gazes that wanted to beat him to death, completely ignoring them.
Ripple (Hamon), Zoldyck assassination techniques, alchemy (FMA), plus countless potions at his waist. Unknowingly, Dudley had become very strong. Even though there was still some distance from truly powerful wizards, he was no longer comparable to these young students.
"The points Headmaster Dumbledore mentioned were awarded to them personally, not to Gryffindor."
To summarize in one sentence: 'Don't flatter yourselves—those points weren't given to Gryffindor.' Dumbledore had never once announced that Gryffindor won the House Cup.
"What difference does that make?"
The Gryffindor students didn't notice anything wrong. Was there a difference between awarding points to individuals versus awarding them to Gryffindor?
Most Gryffindors didn't notice that Dudley's current behavior had actually overstepped boundaries—this wasn't something a student should do, yet no professor stood up to stop him. Many clever Slytherins and Ravenclaws discovered this key point, as well as a very few Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, such as fifth-year Percy and third-year Cedric.
"The difference is huge."
Dudley turned to look at Dumbledore: "Respected Headmaster, should you announce what comes next, or should I?"
"You do it," Dumbledore said.
Dudley nodded: "Starting today, besides the four House prefects and Head Boy and Girl, Hogwarts will establish a new organization... The Disciplinary Squad."
"Ron, Neville, Harry, and Hermione are all probationary members of the Disciplinary Squad. And I, Dudley Dursley, am an official member of the Disciplinary Squad."
"Campus disciplinary violations—we handle them. Campus injustices—we handle them. Campus inequities—we handle them. Campus bullying incidents—we especially handle them."
When he spoke the last sentence, Dudley's gaze was like a sharp sword directed at Gryffindor. That incident had caused quite a commotion and resulted in several student expulsions. Except for bookworms who focused solely on studying, basically everyone knew about it.
Not one Gryffindor present dared meet his gaze. Momentum was something that, once you showed weakness, would collapse completely. Thus, with the professors' tacit approval, Dudley single-handedly controlled the entire situation.
"As long as you have ability, we welcome anyone to join."
"One last thing—Draco!"
Malfoy, whose name was called by Dudley, stood up excitedly.
"You have not dishonored your glory—for this, you should receive 100 points."
Malfoy held his head high, chest out, and chin raised like a proud peacock, even though the one praising him wasn't the headmaster but Dudley, a fellow first-year. 'I was praised—praised by Big D!'
As Dudley spoke, he clapped his hands together. Immediately, a brand-new hourglass appeared beside the four House hourglasses. The points originally awarded to Harry and the others instantly transferred to this new hourglass. In an instant, this new hourglass surpassed all the original House hourglasses.
"I believe... glory should belong to the Disciplinary Squad!"
Clapping his hands together again, the transmutation circles on the backs of his hands emitted a faint glow. The Great Hall's decorations, which had already changed to red tones and lion patterns, transformed once more. Black and silver intertwined, creating a serious atmosphere with a hint of mystery.
At the same time, the lion pattern also changed—but it wasn't Slytherin's serpent. It was a creature covered in thick, dark fur, with bright, spirited eyes and a single horn on its forehead—neither quite ox nor sheep, resembling a qilin.
Xiezhi, also called the Law-Enforcing Beast, is a divine creature that could distinguish right from wrong, representing justice.
(TL NOTE: I searched for other mythological creatures representing law enforcement and justice but couldn't locate a suitable alternative. I'll retain the original until I find a better equivalent.)
This move by Dudley deeply shocked the young wizards present. What originally required several Gryffindor upperclassmen working together to accomplish, he had achieved with just a clap of his hands.
Moreover, others didn't know Dudley was using alchemy. To them, Dudley's current performance was wandless magic. Something even many highly skilled wizards couldn't accomplish.
Compared to the other three Houses whose faces were covered with surprise and amazement, the Slytherin students appeared completely composed. 'Truly worthy of Mr. Dursley.' This was the collective sentiment of the Slytherin students.
The sound of flapping wings echoed in the Great Hall as an owl descended from above. It came to deliver mail—the recipient was Dudley, Dudley Dursley.
Exquisite parchment cover. An elegant gold-embossed letter and a shining Order of Merlin, Third Class medal.
Complete silence filled the hall. This time even the professors at the high table were stunned. That was a genuine Order of Merlin—even Third Class wasn't something everyone could possess!
"Dursley! Our King!"
From the Slytherin table, Pansy stood up excitedly and led the chant. The second to react was Malfoy, his originally pale face flushed red. Then more and more Slytherin students stood up from their table and shouted.
The chanting seemed rehearsed—uniform, orderly, and powerful. The tremendous shouting nearly lifted the roof off the entire Great Hall.
"Prevented Gryffindor from winning the House Cup, obtained—"
(TL NOTE: Unfortunately, my LOTR: Playing Minecraft in Middle-earth book was mistakenly flagged as spam on Webnovel and removed. I'll re-upload it under a different title by tomorrow at the latest. Thank you for your patience!)