Chapter 58: Dudley's Two Small Goals

Dudley spent the weekend with Snape, dedicating over eight hours each day to the study of magical potions. From afternoon until evening, Dudley underwent repeated trials of Snape's poisonous teachings. If Snape decided to be cryptic, it could truly drive a person crazy.

After all, it was Dudley's first time making unfamiliar potions, and some mistakes in the details were inevitable.

Brewing, infusing, soaking, ointments, poultices, elixirs, and tonics—magical potions were not just about boiling things in a cauldron; that was just one of the seven methods of potion-making.

During Snape's demonstration, he used six methods to create an uplifting potion, broadening Dudley's horizons.

These were things he had never imagined before.

After all, the first-year textbook only taught the brewing method.

Snape's expectations of Dudley reached an unimaginable level.

He was stricter than other people by at least tenfold.

It was simply absurdly demanding. Snape demonstrated it once and then assigned homework, requiring Dudley to use at least three of the methods to create an uplifting potion.

Afterward, Snape let Dudley start making it on his own following the methods he had taught.

When Dudley presented the ordinary-grade uplifting potion he had made using three methods in front of Snape after completing it, he was dismissed with contempt.

"Is there a giant dancing in your head?"

"Maybe there's no giant dancing in your head. You're the giant."

"What's in your head? Giant snot?"

"..."

It seemed that Snape associated Dudley with giants every time he criticized him.

Dudley always felt that this guy was secretly making fun of his physique.

"If it were me... if it were Lily... I could definitely produce a higher-quality potion."

After entering teaching mode, this was the only thought in Snape's mind.

He completely ignored the fact that they were not on the verge of graduation, and Dudley was just a first-year wizard.

When you think about it, it's understandable. Who would subconsciously treat a 180 cm tall man as an eleven-year-old wizard?

However, under such excessively strict demands, Dudley's spirit of not admitting defeat was ignited.

He completely clashed with the uplifting potion.

Relying on the advantage of his data magic eye, he began frantically raising the proficiency of the uplifting potion. After all, there weren't many other things in the potion classroom, but there were plenty of materials.

How could such a good opportunity be wasted?

So, Dudley completely entered the state of potion-making.

By Sunday night, the table was already full of finished products of the uplifting potion.

From initially using three methods to brew an ordinary-grade potion, to now being able to create a perfect-grade potion using five methods, Dudley experienced a lot in just two days, and only he knew about it.

Just relying on this perfect-grade uplifting potion, the current Dudley could graduate from Hogwarts and even apply directly to St. Mungo's Hospital for a job.

However, this was just enough to barely satisfy Snape.

"Spent a whole two days just to barely pass. I really suspect that a giant sneaked into your head at night. Your talent has tarnished your aunt's reputation. Don't mention that I taught you outside."

Snape stared into Dudley's eyes, showing no expression, and neatly stored away the perfect-grade uplifting potions on the table.

"If it were your Aunt Lily, she would have been able to use seven methods to create it in just one day."

Since Dudley had referred to Lily as his aunt in front of Snape several times, Snape gradually accepted this term of address and even began using it more smoothly.

Dudley, however, was unaware of how strong his aunt's talent in potion-making was. Through Petunia and Snape's descriptions and their words of admiration, she was undoubtedly a top-notch master of magical potions.

In the field of magical potions, it seemed that there was no potion she couldn't make, and nothing she couldn't do well.

This stirred up the thought in Dudley's heart of wanting to compare himself to her.

Although Snape claimed that it would only take a day for him to create the uplifting potion using seven methods, it couldn't be ruled out that Snape was boasting.

But who was Dudley? He was someone who loved to say 'NO' to those who thought highly of themselves, a challenger who never admitted defeat!

Goals are only valuable when they are set higher.

Dudley had already found two small goals at Hogwarts.

Physical fitness similar to Hagrid, and potion-making proficiency similar to Lily, his "Aunt."

"We'll be studying Shrinking Potion and Invigorating Draught next weekend. I hope you can prepare well during these days. Don't act as ignorantly as you did today, like a giant."

Dudley didn't respond, and he even couldn't be bothered to deal with him. After two days of interaction, he had already understood that the angrier you got, the more spirited Snape became.

Shrinking Potion was taught in the third year at Hogwarts. It was a magical potion that could make living beings smaller or revert them to a younger state. It could even fit a group of pigs into a wizard's pocket. In terms of difficulty, it was second only to the Uplifting Potion, but since Snape had set it, it definitely wasn't an ordinary Shrinking Potion.

As for the Invigorating Draught, it was part of the fifth-year potion curriculum, capable of replenishing the vitality of the consumer. The potion Dudley had given to Malfoy earlier was a simplified version of the Invigorating Draught, a stamina replenishment potion.

"Dursley, why don't you leave? Do you want me to keep you for dinner?"

Seeing Dudley staying in the potion room without leaving, Snape impatiently spoke, "Then you'll be disappointed. I don't have any food here that can satisfy a giant like you."

"Professor Snape."

Dudley maintained a respectful attitude. Snape, despite his sarcasm, was sincerely teaching him knowledge. Although Dudley considered himself a commoner and a rough person, he knew the importance of respecting his elders.

He slowly took out a book from behind and placed it in front of Snape.

It was an old, worn-out advanced potions textbook from the higher years, as indicated by its title, "Advanced Potion Making."

On the yellowed pages, there was a signature with the words "Half-Blood Prince" written in the corner.

"May I take this book back? The notes written in it are very helpful to me."

Dudley handled the textbook with the care one would give to a first love, gently wiping away the dust.

Perhaps due to Dudley's emphasis on the potion's textbook, or perhaps because Dudley consistently didn't fight back and always maintained a respectful attitude, Snape's tone gradually softened. For once, he didn't launch into a tirade.

"Where did you find it?"

Dudley pointed to a bookshelf in the corner of the potion room, where a pile of old books was stored. "Over there, Professor."

"This book is still too early for you," Snape began, but paused as he seemed to realize that he was currently teaching advanced content himself. Then, he casually flicked his robe. "If you want to take it, you can. Go and have a look."

(End of this chapter)

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