Chapter -98 These Alchemy runes are quite useful.

Chapter -98.

The morning at Hogwarts was as peaceful as ever, with just Dudley and his morning exercise crew enjoying the fresh air on the lawn.

Dudley was leading the way, and everyone was keeping up with him. After nearly a year of training, they had all gotten used to Dudley's workout style.

Their fitness levels had definitely improved!

Once they finished their morning exercises, everyone plopped down on the grass, rubbing their thighs, while Dudley stood tall and proud.

"In just a week, the exams will kick off. For all of you, it should be a piece of cake, right?" he said with a casual grin.

Can you believe it? The first year is almost over!

The young wizards at Hogwarts were on the brink of completing their first year; as long as they passed the final exams, they'd be ready to move up to the second year.

"No problem at all!"

After some one-on-one time with various professors, the morning exercise group was feeling pretty confident. Even though they were just first-years, they joked about taking on the challenges of the second year.

The final exams were no sweat for them; the real challenge would be what came after!

"Can we really do it?" Ron asked, a bit unsure. "I mean, Dudley, you'll definitely ace it, but can we really pass the tests from Professor Dumbledore?"

"Those are tests from the greatest white wizard!"

To keep the pressure off, Dudley only shared part of the truth.

He also mentioned wanting to start a club.

Clubs like that were pretty common at Hogwarts, kind of like that slug club everyone talks about.

Dudley didn't plan to officially include Harry and the others until after their third year.

"Of course, we'll be just fine!"

Neville chimed in, his voice steady and strong.

His once-chubby cheeks had slimmed down a bit, and he looked a little more solid now. Not as much as Dudley, but definitely sturdier than before.

Training with Dudley had really helped him out. He had pushed through his limits, and his confidence had grown a ton.

Exercise is a great way to clear your mind!

What Neville really needed was confidence.

Now, he knew one thing for sure: if he was with Dudley, he wouldn't trip up. If Dudley said they could do it, then they could!

"Ron, you've got to believe in yourself!"

Dudley looked at Ron earnestly. "With your skills, no one in Gryffindor's year is better than you."

He silently added a note in his mind, excluding the others present.

"Me?" Ron felt a bit shy at the compliment, his freckles standing out even more. "That's impossible! I know my skills; I'm the least impressive one at home."

Honestly, Ron had the same issue as Neville.

He struggled with confidence, or rather, feelings of inferiority.

Neville's feelings came from his childhood experiences, but Ron's stemmed from his family's financial struggles. He had been aware of their situation since he was little, which made him the most obedient and "understanding" one at home, but that understanding only fueled his feelings of inferiority.

Ron was just as talented as Neville, Harry, and Malfoy.

Dudley didn't say anything more; he just gave Ron a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

The truth would shine through in time.

Meanwhile, Harry and Malfoy had made a bet: whoever scored lower on the final exam wouldn't be allowed to call Dudley "Big-D" for a month.

If they flunked the tests afterward, it would be three months without that nickname.

What a bunch of kids!

Dudley shook his head and turned his attention to Hermione.

Unlike Ron's lack of confidence and Neville's overconfidence, Hermione seemed to have everything under control.

"Don't worry! I've memorized everything from the first and second-year textbooks, plus all the notes from the professors' weekend classes."

Dudley thought, "As expected of you!"

During breakfast, an owl swooped down and landed in front of Dudley with a letter.

After giving it a few treats, Dudley opened the letter.

It was about the "Dragonlance Chronicles." Thanks to its quality, it had become a surprise hit, winning the hearts of wizards of all ages in the fantasy world. It swept up awards and was named the most popular novel of the year, leaving the runner-up far behind.

Rumor had it that the group awarding the Order of Sir Merlin medals was considering giving Dudley a third-level medal.

While the third-level medal wasn't super important, it was more of a fun recognition.

The letter invited Dudley to the award ceremony, but he was too busy and asked Carlo to collect it for him. Just as Dudley was about to enjoy his breakfast, another owl landed on the table.

This one had an unsigned letter.

The assessment details had arrived. In a week, Dudley would face his first exam at Hogwarts, which included both written and practical parts. The written section was a breeze for Dudley; he was always the first to finish his paper.

"The questions are so tough!" Many young wizards left the classroom looking frustrated.

"I probably failed; I can't remember any of that stuff."

"Did the teacher even mention this in class? I don't remember a thing!" Even the Ravenclaw students were saying the same.

Ron and Neville happened to walk by and exchanged surprised glances. They thought the exam questions were pretty easy, even easier than usual!

As for the practicals, they had to make a Forgetfulness Potion, which Dudley nailed effortlessly.

The spell involved making a pear dance, and with a clap of his hands, Dudley made the pear not only dance but also split in half to perform a duet! For the Transfiguration spell, he turned a mouse into a snuffbox, and with another clap, a beautifully crafted snuffbox appeared.

With a clap of his hands, Dudley realized he didn't need to stress about achieving magical effects through scientific means. Understanding the essence of matter made it even simpler than using pure spells. Alchemy is truly amazing!

After a long day of exams, the relieved young wizards cheered as they rushed out of the classroom like a wave. They ran around the castle, sprawled on the lawn, and even took to the skies on their broomsticks.

Oh, but they shouldn't have flown freely over Hogwarts Castle! They got caught by a professor and lost some serious points. But hey, the end of the final exams meant they were finally free!

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Tl/N: If you want to read more [upto 15 chapters] while supporting me, you can join me on patreon.com/EmptyThoughts ;Thanks.

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Note : Guys, some power stones will be really motivating.