2

Gilderoy Lockhart was a charismatic and elegant gentleman, known for his impressive titles and numerous books, many of which were required reading for the semester, including titles like Break with a Banshee and Gadding with Ghouls.

In his books, Lockhart painted himself as a fearless hero, an experienced fighter who had vanquished countless dark creatures with ingenious strategies and powerful magic. If Dudley hadn't known he was a fraud, he might have believed Lockhart was destined to be the protagonist of some grand story.

The real Lockhart, however, was lazy and unskilled. The only spell he truly mastered was the Obliviate Charm, which he used to erase the memories of the real heroes from whom he stole his stories. Lockhart would then claim these tales as his own, leaving the true wizards oblivious to their own heroic deeds and unable to expose his lies.

With such duplicity, Lockhart was the most suspicious figure in the entire castle. Dudley's mistrust was further fueled by the fact that the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was famously cursed—no one had held it for more than a year without some sort of calamity.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts course, often referred to as "DADA," was a staple at both Hogwarts and Ilvermorny, teaching students defensive spells, counter-curses, and ways to fend off dark creatures. While magical duels were rare in peaceful times, encounters with dark creatures were not uncommon.

Logically, Dumbledore was the most skilled at combat magic at Hogwarts, with Snape not far behind. Yet, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was always an outsider, rumored to be a choice influenced by the Ministry of Magic or dictated by some unseen plot.

That Lockhart had secured this position was a testament to his ability to deceive—even the Ministry and Dumbledore had been taken in by his lies.

Determined to confront him, Dudley made his way through the crowd to reach Lockhart.

Meanwhile, Snape had caught Harry and Ron and was dragging them off to the teacher's office. It seemed that even though they hadn't crashed Mr. Weasley's car into the Whomping Willow, trouble still managed to find them. Snape's simmering rivalry with Harry was as relentless as ever, as if fate itself was smoothing over the ripples caused by Dudley's unexpected arrival.

"Professor Lockhart! Professor Lockhart!" Dudley called, holding up a copy of Magical Me—a book he had swiped from Neville's bag—who had somehow forgotten to put book bag with other luggage for house elves - and thrusting it towards Lockhart, who was deep in conversation with Flitwick.

"You should say 'Professor,' young man!" Lockhart corrected, raising an eyebrow with his trademark smile.

"My apologies, Professor. My mother and I are both huge fans. Could I possibly have your autograph?" Dudley asked, his expression earnest, his tone reverent.

"Oh, you see," Lockhart shrugged helplessly at Flitwick, "I keep telling people not to treat me like a celebrity. They should be focused on their studies." He paused, then added, "But I wouldn't want to disappoint a student."

Lockhart took the book, turned to the title page, and, with a practiced flourish, pulled out a quill and signed his name. "This appears to be the 1986 edition. You might consider getting a newer copy—I've added four illustrations and two precious photos in the latest edition."

Dudley rolled his eyes inwardly but maintained his eager façade. "The character named Odo Robin in your book is my favorite," he said, watching Lockhart closely for any reaction.

To Dudley's disappointment, Lockhart barely missed a beat, pausing for less than a second before continuing to sign. He didn't even finish the last letter, returning the book to Dudley with a polite smile. "I'm afraid you must be mistaken—there's no such character in my book."

"Not him?" Dudley echoed, feigning disappointment as Lockhart walked away without a second glance. His reaction had been perfect, without a hint of panic or recognition. Dudley was forced to reconsider his suspicions.

Hufflepuff's dormitory was located in the basement, near the passage leading to the kitchens, where a group of house-elves bustled about, distinguishable from the students.

The upperclassmen helped the new students settle into their dorms, reading out the rules. The first years, full of curiosity, asked a barrage of questions, but Dudley's mind was elsewhere—his mission had only 62 hours left.

Dudley's assigned dormitory was a small, two-person room with simple, worn furniture, but it was clean and well-kept, thanks to the meticulous house-elves.

"Hey! Freshman!" A voice called out as Dudley was unpacking his luggage.

Dudley turned to see an older student, probably a year or two older, with an average appearance, a face full of freckles, and messy brown hair. He was already in his pajamas, lying on his bed and reading a book filled with strange and wondrous things.

"Hello, senior. My name's Dudley—Dudley Dursley," Dudley introduced himself politely, aware that they would be living together for several years. He couldn't help but think of his comrades from the military camp, where eight people shared a room, forging bonds of brotherhood.

"Nice to meet you, Dudley. I'm Biro Doo, second year," the roommate replied.

Despite his friendly demeanor, Biro showed no inclination to help Dudley with his luggage. Instead, he continued reading his book. Dudley raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

The dormitory lights were turned off at the scheduled time. Many of the new students weren't accustomed to living away from home and some, feeling homesick, quietly cried into their pillows.

Dudley knew there was no chance of sneaking out, so he closed his eyes and tried to rest. But at midnight, he suddenly awoke, his eyes snapping open.

"Holy… Biro Doo is Odo Robin. He just rearranged the letters of his name to create a different one! My target is my new roommate!" Dudley's mind raced, shocked by his own deduction.

But what was even more shocking was that Biro Doo was standing right next to his bed. In the dim light, he resembled a hungry vampire, his green eyes fixed on Dudley with an unnerving intensity, his expression hovering between a smile and something far more sinister.

"Senior… Please, don't scare me… I'm… I'm not very brave…" Dudley quickly slipped into his act, pulling the quilt over himself and curling up like a frightened child, on the verge of crying out.

"Heh heh heh…" Biro Doo made a strange noise, but the green light in his eyes gradually faded, as if he was waking from a trance.

"Ah, did I scare you?" Biro Doo's expression softened into an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry. I have a habit of sleepwalking. My previous roommates were all terrified of me. None of them wanted to share a room with me after that…"

"Powerful…" was all Dudley could think. In those brief seconds, he had sensed the raw power within Biro Doo, something primal and dangerous. Under the covers, Dudley's right hand had already transformed into a revolver, but he held back, realizing he needed to learn more about this mysterious new roommate.

---------

Dudley didn't dare to fall asleep for even a minute during the second half of the night. He had once gone on a covert mission that required him to go without food or sleep for three or four days. He survived with sheer willpower, and now he was trying to figure out who this new roommate was. Until he completed his hunting mission, he wouldn't dare to sleep in this room again.

He opened the armory manual and checked his current stats.

[Host Information:]

Name: Dudley Dursley (12 years old, human)Strength: 12 (school bully level)Intelligence: 23 (tactical master level)Magic: 1 (Near - Squib level)Agility: 7 (below average level)Willpower: 20 (iron-willed level)Skills: Gun Contract (novice level), Bloodline Coordination (D)

His attribute table had changed, likely due to the exercise and weight loss he had undergone recently, which had increased his agility by 1 point. Though still low, it was no longer at a semi-disabled level. His intelligence and willpower had also been integrated, consistent with his previous life, and the system had given him a high rating.

The glaringly low 1 in the magic column was quite discouraging, labeled as "Near - Squib level," meaning that although Dudley was technically a wizard, he couldn't cast any spells. The only other Squib at Hogwarts was Argus Filch. Squibs were often treated as "mentally disabled" by the wizarding world.

It seemed that the pistol in his right hand was his only offensive tool, and he wouldn't be able to rely on magic to fight anytime soon. But Dudley wasn't discouraged. As long as he could survive and successfully complete his mission, his skills, like Bloodline Coordination, could definitely improve, and becoming a magic master wasn't out of reach.

After a torturous night, dawn finally arrived, and the dormitory door was unlocked. Dudley was the first to rush out, starting to run around the castle.

This was quite unusual at Hogwarts. Most wizards maintained good physical condition and lived long, healthy lives without much exercise. Even wizards who enjoyed sports mainly liked Quidditch, which didn't require much vigorous physical activity.

As soon as he arrived, Dudley made it a habit to familiarize himself with the surrounding geography to facilitate future missions and actions.

Hogwarts occupied a vast area, with tall walls surrounding the school grounds and only two gates. The front gate led to Hogsmeade Station, and the back gate led to Hogsmeade Village. To the south of the campus was the expansive Black Lake, to the north and west were large lawns, and to the east was the dense Forbidden Forest. Between the castle and the Forbidden Forest were the famous Whomping Willow and the greenhouses used to grow vegetables and herbs.

As he ran, Dudley memorized the surrounding scenery. Last night, he had considered shooting Biro Doo while he was asleep, but there was always a voice in his head telling him not to be so reckless.

Biro Doo wasn't some escaped murderer but a serious second-year student at Hogwarts. Even if Dudley misjudged his strength and shot him, what would happen next? Would he have to spend the rest of his life in Azkaban?

To say the least, Dudley couldn't attack an innocent person, even if the other person was suspicious.

After an hour of running, Dudley was out of breath, his body soaked in sweat. However, the exercise unexpectedly diluted his fatigue from the lack of sleep, though he knew this was just an illusion, much like an adrenaline rush. He would be even more exhausted once this surge of energy faded.

Looking up, he saw Professor Pomona Sprout, short and clad in a mud-stained cloak, emerging from the greenhouse. She had likely just finished watering and fertilizing the plants. Without the injury from the Whomping Willow, she seemed in high spirits, even humming a tune.

Dudley recalled that second-year students would be heading to the greenhouse for Herbology class, while first-years like him would have Charms class with Professor Flitwick.

But with the system officially certifying him as a "Squib," attending Charms class would do nothing but embarrass him. He decided to skip his first class and had a brilliant idea.

He wasn't worried about the consequences of skipping class. Compared to the grand cause of dealing with Voldemort, skipping a class was a minor issue. When Dumbledore asked, he would simply say that his dreams had guided him. After all, the gift of prophecy could be quite useful!

When it was time for class, the second-year students noisily left the castle and gathered at the vegetable field. Professor Sprout led them into Greenhouse Three, not even noticing that there was an extra student in the crowd.

"Dudley!" Harry spotted his cousin immediately, squeezed to his side, and whispered, "Why are you here? This is a second-year class! You're supposed to be in Charms class in Classroom Two!"

Dudley feigned shock and quickly lowered his head. "I was just running outside and saw you all heading here. I thought this was the place!"

Professor Sprout had already begun her lecture. Greenhouse Three was filled with pots of plants, and today's lesson involved repotting them.

"Can anyone tell me the properties of mandrakes?" Professor Sprout asked loudly.

As usual, Hermione was the only one with her hand raised high, but Professor Sprout had noticed Harry whispering and pointed at him instead. "Potter, tell me!"

Harry was caught off guard. Herbology wasn't his strong suit, and he had been too preoccupied the night before with discussing the year's Quidditch training plan with Captain Wood to preview today's lesson.

"You're killing me!" Harry muttered.

"I know, Professor!" Dudley suddenly stood up and answered loudly.

Professor Sprout glared at Dudley, recognizing him as the first-year who had wandered into the wrong classroom. However, with fewer students showing genuine interest in Herbology these days, even Hermione seemed to study only to pass the exams, lacking real passion for plants. And Neville, who had the interest, unfortunately lacked the talent.

"Then go ahead, Dursley," Professor Sprout decided to give him a chance.

"The juice of the mandrake is a key ingredient in many restorative potions, such as the Mandrake Restorative Draught and the Antidote to Common Poisons. In ancient, remote areas, its roots were also used as emergency food supplies. Of course, they're most famous for their lethal screams. Historically, there have been many cases of people being killed by a mandrake's scream. That's all." Dudley finished, reciting the information from memory.

"Very thorough!" Professor Sprout's eyes sparkled with admiration. Some of the knowledge Dudley had shared wasn't even in the textbook. This young man clearly had an extraordinary love and talent for plants.

"But I can't award Hufflepuff any points. At most, I won't punish you for being in the wrong class, Dursley," Professor Sprout concluded.

Hermione gave Dudley a long, appraising look, sensing that her "best student" status might be challenged. Malfoy, meanwhile, rolled his eyes, having originally intended to tattle on Dudley.

The rest of the class proceeded normally, except that someone managed to slip a smaller mandrake into the toolbox before leaving.

-------

Dudley hurriedly ate his lunch and then found a quiet spot under a tree to catch some sleep. Although there were people constantly moving around the campus, his heightened alertness made him feel safer here than in the dormitory.

The second-year students had no classes in the afternoon, so Wood led the Gryffindor Quidditch team to the field for practice. However, Malfoy and his gang, with Professor Snape's permission, intercepted them, flaunting their new Quidditch gear to the Gryffindors.

Meanwhile, Hermione, still annoyed by her "disobedience" earlier, stayed behind to study her Herbology book, rather than getting involved in the argument with Malfoy.

Dudley found Harry, who looked a bit downcast after the encounter. Since they had nothing better to do, they decided to visit Hagrid's hut, where Harry taught Dudley how to ride a broomstick.

He had brought broomstick despite the ban on first year students , if caught he will try to reason that he is older than 1st year students and try to cash into his 'Dark Wizard killer' favour .

Flying lessons weren't scheduled until later in the year, but Dudley couldn't wait. There were many students practicing on the flying lawn, and with his low magical abilities, Dudley was keen to avoid embarrassing himself in front of everyone.

"Just sit on it, press your feet on the pedals," Harry instructed as he demonstrated on his Nimbus 2000. "The key is to grip the broom handle, keep your breathing steady, and maintain control with your wrists. Don't let it tilt up or down."

Dudley watched carefully, nodding as Harry explained. He was confident that Harry's natural talent for broom riding made him an excellent teacher, possibly even better than Madam Hooch.

Dudley then pulled out his Nimbus 2001, a handsome broomstick that Ron couldn't help but admire. "This is a hundred times better than Malfoy's!" Ron exclaimed.

Harry guided Dudley to hold the broom at the right spot and helped him mount it. But as soon as Dudley sat down, he lost his balance and fell off, much to Ron's dismay.

"It's okay, it's okay," Harry reassured him. "Everyone struggles their first time on a broom."

Dudley wiped his brow, grateful that he wasn't hurt. He remembered how Harry had effortlessly chased Malfoy during their first lesson and felt determined to improve.

With Harry's guidance, Dudley kept trying. His motor skills were good, and he managed to sit up straight this time, but leaning too far forward caused the broom to somersault, landing him on the ground again.

Breathing heavily, Dudley felt more anxious than he had when piloting an armed helicopter for the first time. He tried again and again, but after more than a dozen attempts, he still couldn't maintain his balance on the broom.

Ron smirked and said, "Finally, someone worse than me." Ron's own flying skills were average, which had kept him off the Gryffindor Quidditch team despite his love for the game.

Harry, too, was puzzled. He began to doubt his teaching methods, thinking that by now even a pig would have learned to fly.

Dudley, however, knew the issue wasn't his balance—it was his lack of magical power. The broom required a certain amount of magic to control, and he was struggling to meet that requirement.

On his final attempt, Dudley didn't expect much, but to his surprise, he managed to stay steady on the broom. It hovered about two meters above the ground, wobbling slightly as he moved forward a few meters before landing.

"I did it!" Dudley exclaimed, though Harry and Ron exchanged uneasy glances. They knew that the Nimbus 2001's power should have propelled Dudley forward at a much faster pace.

"Is there something wrong with the broom?" Harry wondered aloud, taking the broom from Dudley for inspection. Although he wasn't an expert in broom maintenance, Harry had always taken good care of his Nimbus 2000 and had taught himself how to handle minor issues.

Ron leaned in to help with the inspection, eager for a closer look at such a sleek broomstick. "Maybe it's been modified," Ron suggested. "It could have special features."

"I'll give it a try. If I can fly it, then Dudley should be fine," Ron offered.

Harry didn't object. Despite Ron's average flying skills, he should have no trouble with a basic flight.

Ron mounted the broom with a confident grin and said, "See? It's simple! I'll just take a quick lap."

He leaned forward and accelerated quickly. Harry and Dudley barely had time to blink before Ron and the broom shot forward, moving faster than Harry had ever gone on his Nimbus 2000.

"Ron! Slow down!" Harry shouted, but Ron seemed to be in his own world, relishing the exhilarating speed. This was a new sensation for him, and he felt as though he could rival any player on the Quidditch pitch with this broom.

"Isn't that a bit too fast?" Dudley asked nervously, pointing at Ron, who was rapidly disappearing into the distance.

Harry just stared in shock.

Suddenly, Harry realized with horror, "He's heading straight for the Whomping Willow!"

Dudley felt his heart drop, and before he could react, there was a loud thud.

By the time Harry and Dudley reached him, Ron had crashed under the Whomping Willow, his face covered in dirt as he desperately dodged the tree's angry branches. Dudley's broom was lodged in the grass nearby.

After they finally managed to pull Ron to safety, he let out another cry of despair. They looked down to see Ron holding his wand, which had snapped into two pieces.

"Just my luck," Dudley muttered, rolling his eyes.

The broom, fortunately, was unharmed. Ron had lost his grip just before impact, causing the broom to fall to the ground rather than get caught in the Whomping Willow's branches. Dudley was relieved; he might have throttled Ron if the broom had been destroyed.

"Hagrid might be able to help!" Harry suggested, feeling sorry for Ron but more focused on Dudley's flying prospects. With Hufflepuff's Quidditch team historically struggling, a skilled Seeker like Dudley could add pressure to Gryffindor's biggest rival, Slytherin.

Dudley's eyes lit up as he recalled Hagrid's dramatic entrance on a flying motorcycle back on Privet Drive. Despite Dudley's size, it was nothing compared to Hagrid's half-giant frame, and he was confident Hagrid could provide some expert advice on flying.

Half an hour later, they were in Hagrid's hut, where the giant examined the Nimbus 2001 carefully. Then he pulled out an old motorcycle engine and grinned, "Plenty of power here. We just need to add a handle!"

Dudley swallowed hard. It seemed Hagrid was planning to magically modify his sleek Nimbus 2001...

---

Except for Ron, most people had a great time on the first day of classes.

 In the first year, half of the newcomers successfully levitated feathers in Flitwick's Charms class, while the other half managed at least to move objects, such as making a chandelier fall. These minor mishaps are common for first years.

Since Dudley was absent from class, Flitwick gave him a warning. However, in the end, he was lenient and did not deduct points from Hufflepuff.

On the way back to the dormitory that night, Cedric found Dudley and relayed Flitwick's message. Dudley confidently revealed his special recruitment due to his prophecy and commented that he was likely a squib in other respects.

With Dudley's excellent acting skills, his portrayal as a simple, helpless, and self-deprecating individual easily won Cedric's sympathy. Cedric offered to help Dudley explain to the professors and comforted him for ten minutes.

During this time, Dudley inquired about his new roommate, but Cedric knew very little about Biro Doo. He remembered that such a classmate did exist but had no further details.

Dudley took a few deep breaths at the door of the dormitory, a psychological adjustment method he always used before tackling a new challenge. Then he walked into the dormitory, determined to address the issue that night.

Biro Doo had returned earlier than Dudley. He had already showered and donned a pair of linen pajamas. He seemed harmless and was holding a renowned humorous novel. However, he had not laughed once in the hour since.

Dudley pretended to review his textbook. Regardless of his understanding, he wanted to see what he would be learning in his first year. He had been puzzled before. While the Charms course textbook was thick, it summarized only a dozen spells. The book was filled with the opinions of wizards from various ages.

In novels and movies, spells appear concise. One can often raise a wand and perform a spell almost instantly. However, spells evolve gradually. In ancient times, casting a complex spell could take half a day to show results. After thousands of years of evolution and countless wizards' research, spells have become what they are today.

Dudley recalled legends about rain-making. Some deities simply pointed to the sky, while others performed elaborate rituals involving altars, tokens, animal sacrifices, and dances. The principle was the same.

Theoretically, learning the principles of spells could allow one to create new ones. Both Dumbledore and Snape had invented powerful spells, but this was not common. Most people used spells to make life easier.

As Muggle technology advances, the advantages of magic might diminish, yet wizards still revel in a medieval sense of superiority.

Soon, it was time to turn off the lights. Dudley closed his eyes, and soon loud snoring could be heard.

Biro Doo, who had been asleep, opened his eyes silently when the clock struck two in the morning. A faint green light emanated from his eyes. He carefully lifted the quilt and stood up, but his movements were stiff, like a puppet on strings.

It was cloudy that night. The dim moonlight filtered into the dormitory through a narrow window near the roof, and the air had a faint earthy smell from outside. Hufflepuff's dormitories were built from thick stone, providing excellent sound insulation. Even if two brown bears were fighting, the noise wouldn't carry to the next room.

Biro Doo shook his head and mechanically approached Dudley's bed. The corners of his mouth seemed to lift into a strange, mocking smile.

His steps were as light as a cat's. He moved within two meters of the loudly snoring Dudley and stopped.

His chest heaved violently, as if a storm was brewing inside. Biro Doo's cheeks puffed out, resembling a human-shaped toad. After a moment, he spat out a green, squirming mass from his mouth.

The mass formed into a face that was bloated and greasy, resembling Dudley's own. Simultaneously, Biro Doo's face grew thinner, his eye sockets deepened, resembling a skeleton, with the green light in his eyes growing brighter.

A strange noise escaped Biro Doo's mouth. Adapting to his altered vocal cords, he whispered: "The pain... will disappear, escape from the hunter... mother... open up to my embrace... put on my face... to search... to find..."

Biro Doo grabbed the terrifying face with one hand and the quilt covering Dudley's head with the other, lifting it forcefully.

The quilt was roughly thrown aside, revealing not Dudley's head but a flowerpot. Dudley turned over and began to speak from the bed. He forcibly pulled out the flowerpot and threw it in front of Biro Doo.

"Ah!!!!" A scream erupted from the mandrake, its ugly, wrinkled face contorted in pain. The scream was piercing, disturbing the silence of the night.

Biro Doo was momentarily stunned. He instinctively grabbed the mandrake. The scream's sound waves hit him directly, penetrating his ears.

Even a professor-level wizard could do little under such a sonic attack. Biro Doo threw away what he was holding and covered his ears tightly.

He fell backward in pain, and the mandrake and the grotesque face in his hands fell to the ground.

Dudley leaped out of bed with a swift motion, kicked the mandrake under Biro Doo's bed, and overturned the flowerpot onto Biro Doo's face. His right hand had turned into a pistol as he pressed Biro Doo's forehead.

"You'd better not move, or I'll blow your head off!" Dudley said fiercely. His voice, however, was still youthful and lacked the depth it had in his previous life.

"Hehehe..." Biro Doo lay on the ground, seemingly unwilling to resist but laughing sinisterly: "Ha, do you dare to shoot? I am your senior... Haha..."

"What are you?" Dudley kept the gun steady and his eyes determined. He would shoot without hesitation if Biro Doo made any dangerous move.

"No, no, no," the green light in Biro Doo's eyes dimmed: "What you should ask is... what a wizard is... Hahaha..."

Biro Doo's muscles were shrinking, and the light in his eyes was fading. It appeared he was about to die without Dudley's intervention.

Dudley shot at green mass.

"Bang!" There was a loud noise as Dudley's right hand emitted light

---------

"Congratulations to the host for completing the hunting mission (lv1)!"

"The remaining mission time is 32:55:11."

"Overall rating: A+."

Dudley heard the gentle voice of the system in his ears. He took a deep breath and sat down on the ground. The flowerpot next to him had exploded into powder, and the face that had been inside was hit by a bullet from his right hand, turning into black smoke amid a burst of agonized screams.

No matter how effective the soundproofing of the stone walls in the Hufflepuff dormitory was, it was impossible not to alert others. By the time the prefect on duty knocked open their dormitory door, Dudley had already helped Biro Doo up. The situation had been quite shocking. If he had hesitated even a moment, his new roommate might have been dead.

Biro Doo was unable to attend class the next morning. He was sent to the school hospital, where Madam Pomfrey promised to take good care of him. Not only was he very weak, but he also lost his memory of the past few months.

Dudley was summoned to the principal's office.

"Professor," Dudley began. He had prepared a lengthy lie on the way there, but upon seeing Dumbledore and Professor Sprout, he felt a bit ashamed. The most valued traits of Hufflepuff are honesty and integrity, and he felt his lies were somewhat difficult to tell. At most, he would keep the ordnance manual and the hunting mission a secret.

"Mr. Dursley... you always surprise me," Dumbledore said gently. Having spent over a century at Hogwarts, he had seen many strange occurrences, but a disaster was only considered irreversible if it resulted in loss of life.

Dudley briefly recounted the events. He discovered that Biro Doo had been sleepwalking and sensed something was wrong. He decided to use a mandrake to deal with him. Unexpectedly, Biro Doo had vomited out a green face and uttered a series of strange words. Ultimately, his own magic had burst forth and destroyed the green face.

Dumbledore asked Dudley to repeat every word Biro Doo had said. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded to Dudley and said, "I will speak with Biro. You should return to your dormitory and rest. I fear you may miss today's Transfiguration class, Mr. Dursley..."

Despite the bizarre nature of the events, Dumbledore accepted Dudley's account. Dudley cast an apologetic glance at Professor Sprout, who stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder in comfort.

Dudley thought: It's a good thing Snape didn't find out, or who knows what trouble it would have caused.

Since he was a Near - squib, Dudley decided to skip the latter part of Professor McGonagall's class. He made his way to the large rock beside the Whomping Willow, where no students would come at this time. He quickly opened the ordnance manual and checked the completion rewards for the task.

The mission had been straightforward but tricky. The names of the mission targets, Odo Robin (pseudo) and Biro Doo, were nearly opposites. It was similar to how Tom Riddle altered his name to Voldemort. The similarities between Odo Robin and Biro Doo were striking.

If Dudley had been ruthless and shot immediately upon seeing Biro Doo at his bedside, the mission might have been completed, but Biro Doo would have lost his life, and Dudley's student career would have ended with a lifetime in Azkaban.

Dudley had speculated that the target was a kind of monster parasitic on the human body. Every time Dudley saw Biro Doo, he was reading a book intently and covering a wide range of topics, indicating that the monster wanted to live as a human.

Parasitism typically consumes something, most likely the host's life. Biro Doo's midnight visit to Dudley's bed was an attempt to replace his host. However, after encountering the mandrake's scream and falling, the monster needed to continue to attract Dudley's attention, making him think that eliminating Biro Doo was the solution. However, if Dudley's hand touched the monster, the human face would be immediately parasitized.

Fortunately, Dudley figured it out and eliminated the monster with enchanted magnum bullets.

The ordnance manual gently opened, and mission information appeared on the blank page:

[Successfully completed the hunting mission (lv1) and obtained the Clue Title Page.]

[Soul power +10, current soul power: 15/100.]

[Received a random D-level sub-skill orb*1, and 2000 gold galleons.]

[Additional reward for A+ level mission evaluation: Magic Battery (D level)*5.]

According to the mission description, he had to kill the monster to obtain the "Clue to the Faceless Man." He suspected the few words Biro Doo had said might be a clue. As expected, his eyes fell on the "Clue Title Page," which automatically displayed a bookmark.

[Faceless Man: Hunter...Mother...Searching...]

The so-called clue consisted of just six words. Dudley was too impatient to decipher them and quickly opened the D-level sub-skill orb, hoping for an item to enhance his magical abilities.

In a flash of light, the orb transformed into three choices:

Sub-skill: Soul Armor (Level D, Soul Strength +1);Sub-skill: Potion Mastery (Level D, increases the success rate of potion preparation by 15%, improves the rate of high-quality potion preparation by 5%);Sub-skill: Flying Mastery (Level D, compatibility of flying magic and flying props +20%).

It was time for Dudley's indecision again. The only skill overlapping with the last selection was Soul Armor, indicating the system found it particularly useful for him. Nevertheless, Dudley was tempted by the other two skills.

Although potion proficiency seemed less significant, Dudley knew it was a lucrative skill. With abilities comparable to Snape's, he could brew many useful potions and even sell them for a handsome profit in Knockturn Alley.

Reluctantly, Dudley turned his attention away from Potion Mastery and chose the third option.

The green skill orb transformed into a ray of light and merged into Dudley's body in an instant. A subtle, inexplicable sensation spread through him.

In addition to the skill orb, a heavy magical package appeared in Dudley's hands. When he opened it, he found sparkling gold galleons and five black magical batteries.

[Magic Battery (Level D): Provides 100 points of power for magical props.]

Dudley was elated and nearly jumped with joy. Although he still had only 1 point of magical power due to his bloodline, with the flying mastery and magic battery, he reignited his hopes for mastering flight.

What was even more exciting was that he could store the magic package back into the ordnance manual, avoiding the need to carry two thousand gold galleons everywhere.

------

In the afternoon, Dudley eagerly anticipated the flying lesson. It wasn't just him; all the first-year students were excited. Who could resist the thrill of flying freely? What young wizard wouldn't be captivated by the excitement of Quidditch?

Moreover, flying lessons provided a prime opportunity to make an impression, especially the first one. It served as an unofficial tryout for major house teams, where talent could be easily spotted. Harry, in his first lesson, had impressively caught a memory ball (Neville) thrown by Malfoy with his broom, catching Professor McGonagall's attention.

That's why Dudley had been so eager to ask Harry for a flying lesson the day before, hoping to avoid being eliminated from the team's candidate list by Madam Hooch in the first session.

Dudley arrived early at the flying field, with the other new students arriving soon after. From a distance, Philo spotted Dudley, trotted over, and enthusiastically greeted him, inquiring if he had missed two classes in a row due to illness.

Dudley gave Philo a perfunctory response, but his attention was drawn to another newcomer—Ginny.

Ginny was petite and cute, but Dudley noticed her expression was a bit dazed, as though she was severely sleep-deprived.

Dudley recalled an incident from Harry's second year. Before school started, Malfoy Sr. had slipped Tom Riddle's diary into Ginny's cauldron. By now, Ginny should have opened the diary and been affected by its memory-altering effects.

Dudley felt conflicted. The poor girl had endured months of torment from the diary and nearly lost her life. He didn't want to expose her suffering, but revealing it could disrupt the events surrounding the Chamber of Secrets and undermine his greatest advantage: his knowledge of the plot.

Dudley gritted his teeth and made a difficult decision.

Madam Hooch, with her short silver hair, emerged from the broom shed. With a wave of her wand, more than twenty brooms flew out and were neatly arranged on the grass. She glanced at her pocket watch and blew her whistle.

Madam Hooch had striking golden eyes and a commanding presence. A Quidditch referee appointed by the Department of Magical Sports and Games, she had been an outstanding Quidditch player in her youth and was the former coach of the Gryffindor team.

The new students followed instructions and stood to the left of their brooms. Most of the brooms used for teaching at Hogwarts were somewhat outdated, lacking pedals or anti-slip straps, but they were perfect for beginners.

Dudley placed his right hand on top of the broom, feeling extremely nervous. When he shouted, "Up!" the broom reluctantly flew into his hand.

"Very good!" Madam Hooch nodded approvingly as about half of the children managed to get their brooms to respond.

Brooms often seemed to "prefer" some wizards over others. Madam Hooch referred to this as the "compatibility between wizards and brooms." She observed that the little fat boy at the end of the line seemed particularly well-matched.

Dudley's physique was somewhat bulky, which made it challenging for an ordinary broom to carry him, let alone achieve agile flight. However, not all Quidditch positions required agility; some demanded physical strength, so Dudley still had potential.

The next step was to take off. The children placed the brooms between their legs and held onto the handles tightly (different from competition brooms like the Nimbus 2000, which had pedals). Madam Hooch appeared more anxious now, recalling that another chubby student had lost control of his broom and broken his arm the previous year.

Following Madam Hooch's instructions, everyone used their magic to make the brooms float. Dudley was puzzled. Where was he supposed to get the magic power to lift the broom?

"Don't tell me I need to use a battery for the first lesson…" Dudley lamented as he glanced at the "magic battery" in his ordnance manual.

However, when he turned his head, he noticed Cedric standing on a nearby hillside, seemingly observing the performance of the new students.

At this time, Cedric was not the captain of the Hufflepuff team yet. The current captain was about to graduate, and the Hufflepuff team had been underperforming, so Cedric had taken on the task of leading the team and selecting new players.

Cedric wasn't alone. Captain Davis of Ravenclaw was also across the field, watching the flying lessons.

Dudley was determined to pass this challenge. He took out a dark battery, and as soon as he pressed the bulge on it, something extraordinary happened. The broom in his hand didn't change, but many small parts appeared on the back of his right hand, eventually revealing a small square hole.

Dudley looked around surreptitiously. The other students were too absorbed in their own attempts to notice him. He discreetly inserted the battery into the small hole on his hand.

As soon as the "power" was activated, a delightful surge of magic energy flowed from Dudley's wrist to his shoulder, filling him with a warm, invigorating sensation.

[Magic battery (level D) connected. Current magic energy storage: 100/100]

Dudley was thrilled. He had expected to charge the battery into his broom, but it turned out it powered his "robot hand," saving him from wasting energy.

He focused, leaned slightly forward, and gradually lifted his feet off the ground.

"Success!" Dudley nearly cried with joy. Yesterday's "private lesson" had been disheartening, and he had almost lost hope of ever mastering flying.

"What's your name, young man?" Madam Hooch approached Dudley, her eyes full of approval. She could tell he wasn't from a wizarding family and was likely new to broom riding.

"Dudley Dursley, Professor!" Dudley carefully steadied the broom and smiled at Madam Hooch.

"He's Harry Potter's cousin!" Philo chimed in from the side.

Madam Hooch nodded at Dudley and said, "Fly around for a bit. Are you up for it?"

Dudley nodded eagerly, quickly recalling Harry's flying techniques. Amid the admiration of his peers, he guided his broom steadily upwards, flying diagonally across the field at a leisurely pace. He made a few loops and then landed smoothly in front of Madam Hooch.

"Excellent!" Madam Hooch praised without reservation. "Do you enjoy Quidditch?"

"I absolutely love it!"

"You'll make a great goalkeeper!"

"What?"

-------

The flying lesson went flawlessly. Mrs. Hooch gave Dudley an exceptional evaluation. Cedric, who was observing from a distance, seemed to believe Dudley was a strong candidate for the team. However, if Dudley had to compete with Cedric for the position of Seeker, it wouldn't be an easy task.

During dinner, Dudley met up with Harry and his friends again. Ron was grumbling about how Professor Pompous's Defense Against the Dark Arts class was a disaster, while Hermione criticized Ron for constantly injuring himself with spells.

The first Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin was approaching. Harry invited Dudley to watch the game, hoping he would learn about each house's tactics and the main players' strengths.

"We also have practice in the evening. If you're interested, you're welcome to come and watch!" Harry said enthusiastically.

Captain Wood, who was nearby, merely smirked and said nothing. Although Hufflepuff was a competitor, they were known for their fair play, so Gryffindor didn't mind being observed by them, especially since Dudley was just a first-year who hadn't even made the team yet.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to train today!" Slytherin players, led by their captain Marcus Flint, approached. Malfoy, looking particularly smug, was at his side.

"You shameless villain!" Wood's face flushed with anger. He almost charged at Flint, his frustration evident. Wood had spent the summer devising strategies for the game, only to find that Slytherin, under Snape's instructions, had been monopolizing the Quidditch pitch.

Dudley watched the confrontation between the captains with a shrug. Wood was so obsessed with Quidditch that he spent all his time on the pitch, leaving Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff without a place to practice.

Eventually, the matter was brought to Professor McGonagall. Wood hoped she would side with Gryffindor, but McGonagall explained that the Slytherin team had new brooms and needed time to adjust. This explanation only fueled Wood and Harry's frustration.

Dudley, however, was aware that Professor McGonagall harbored a deep-seated grudge against Slytherin. She had been a Gryffindor player in her youth and had suffered a crushing defeat to Slytherin in the final, an experience that had left Gryffindor reeling for years. This desire for revenge was unlikely to change the situation over a mere scheduling conflict.

Professor McGonagall suggested trying near Hagrid's paddock. Hagrid might be able to provide suitable lighting equipment.

Dudley eagerly followed. He needed to collect the Nimbus 2001 from Hagrid, and he was also keen to speak with the Weasley twins, who were on the Gryffindor team, about Ginny.

After explaining his visit to Hagrid, the enthusiastic gamekeeper quickly cleared the paddock with Tooth. George suggested setting up several large fire pits for lighting, but Hagrid eventually brought out some Muggle searchlights and an old diesel generator.

Like Mr. Weasley, Hagrid enjoyed tinkering with Muggle machinery, probably due to his wand snapped, although his budget was tight, leading him to salvage and repurpose old equipment.

"I have the lamps and generator, but I haven't figured out the wiring yet..." Hagrid pointed to the tangled mess of cables. These were parts he had salvaged from a junkyard and had yet to organize.

"I can handle that!" Dudley offered. After all, his experience in the field army made him adept at repairing and wiring.

After some fiddling, Dudley managed to get the diesel generator running and the searchlights lit.

"Fantastic!" Wood exclaimed, giving Dudley a thumbs up.

Fred commented wistfully, "These would have been so useful! If I had known, I would have bought them from the bounty hunter last time..."

George shot Fred a warning glance, and Fred quickly fell silent.

Dudley picked up on the term "bounty hunter." It reminded him of the Faceless Men from his previous knowledge, suggesting a mysterious and possibly dangerous organization.

"Dudley, come join us!" Harry called out.

Dudley waved back, "Next time. I'm more focused on my broom right now..."

Hagrid led Dudley to his hut. Dudley's heart raced, fearing trouble.

When Hagrid uncovered a dirty linen, Dudley braced himself, expecting to need to buy a replacement broom with the two thousand galleons he had just earned. Fortunately, the Nimbus 2001 was intact, though it had been modified with a simple handle that resembled a hybrid of a bicycle and a broomstick.

"I don't have much material. If you give me another week, I could improve it further..." Hagrid said, raising his eyebrows.

"Thank you, Hagrid!" Dudley said, giving him a grateful hug.

Hagrid chuckled, "Just don't hold a grudge about that pig tail incident..."

He was referring to the time he had put a pig tail on Dudley in retaliation for Vernon's criticism of Dumbledore. The experience had been a nightmare for Dudley, who had required a private hospital visit to have the tail removed.

Dudley grinned wryly, "Maybe I'll learn how to conjure a fire dragon's tail for you someday!"

Hagrid laughed heartily, and the two of them developed a friendly rapport.

"Go out there and show those arrogant boys what you've got!" Hagrid encouraged. While he didn't think Dudley would outshine Harry, he enjoyed seeing the students give their best and compete valiantly.

During Quidditch practice, the Golden Snitch was generally not used, as it was expensive and easily lost. Seekers were trained to dodge Bludgers and stay focused.

"Watch out!"

As Dudley flew on his broom, a Bludger hurtled towards him. Harry narrowly avoided it, but saw the Bludger approaching Dudley's head and shouted a warning.

Dudley's sharp eyes caught sight of the Bludger. Instead of dodging, he spun around and kicked it back at high speed, nearly hitting Angelina off her broom.

Wood, amazed by the Bludger's speed, commented with a wry smile, "Anyone related to the Potter family seems to be extraordinary. This year's match against Hufflepuff is going to be intense..."

-----

When training time arrived at 9:30, Ron's older brother Percy, with a stern expression, arrived to escort the team back to the dormitory. Percy had been promoted to prefect this year and was known for his strict adherence to rules.

On the way back, Dudley pulled the twins aside into the shadows of a corridor.

"This is serious!" Dudley whispered urgently.

"What's going on?" Before the twins could respond, Percy's head appeared around the corner. His gaze wasn't directed at Dudley but was fixed on the twins, who were his main concern.

"You showed up just in time—it concerns you too!" Dudley rolled his eyes, noting that Percy was clearly more reliable than the twins.

"Something's been off with Ginny lately!" Dudley described Ginny's strange behavior in class in detail and then voiced his suspicion: "I think someone might have cast a curse on her!"

Percy looked at Dudley as if he were speaking nonsense. "How could that be? We see her every day."

"Maybe you're too focused on your own self-importance..." George muttered, having long been frustrated with Percy's self-righteousness.

"Where's Ron? Didn't he notice anything?" Fred asked, equally incredulous.

Percy glared at George and replied firmly, "I can't start an investigation based on your assumptions!"

Dudley shrugged and said, "It's up to you. She's not my sister anyway. I'm leaving now."

As Dudley hummed and walked away, Percy elbowed George and ushered the twins back to the dormitory.

Dudley wasn't expecting the Weasley brothers to solve the mystery of Tom Riddle's diary. He knew the Chamber of Secrets would eventually be opened. His aim was to form a short-term alliance with the Weasley twins, which would help Ginny avoid danger and provide assistance in his future plans.

Biro was still in the hospital, leaving the dormitory as Dudley's personal domain. He placed his broom across the backs of two chairs and wiped it clean. The memory of Ayame Abe, as beautiful as a fairy, crossed his mind, and he sighed, wondering when he might see her again.

On Thursday, despite his reluctance, Dudley attended his first Defense Against the Dark Arts class with Gilderoy Lockhart.

The classroom was cluttered with Lockhart's personal items: stacks of his books, boxes of fan mail, and a collection of dismantled gift boxes, all displayed as if they were trophies.

Two hours later, Dudley and his classmates emerged from the classroom, bewildered. Everyone seemed to be asking themselves, "Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?" At least no one noticed that Dudley was a squib.

Ginny, still dazed, didn't acknowledge Dudley as she left.

After lunch, Dudley was on his way to get something to eat when the twins cornered him, sandwiching him between them.

"There's definitely something wrong with Ginny!" Fred said, his usually playful expression replaced by concern.

"You should know my specialty—I can predict what will happen in the next few days in my dreams, or uncover secrets about people around me," Dudley boasted nonchalantly.

George said, "We've heard Dad mention that, but what does it have to do with Ginny?"

Dudley had prepared his excuse: "Ginny might be in danger, or many students at the school could be. No one will believe me if I just say it."

George smirked and said, "It's hard for us to believe unless you can prove your prediction."

Dudley pondered and said, "You still haven't figured out how to use the items you stole from Filch's office..."

Fred's face fell, but George quickly shot him a warning look: "Stop talking nonsense! You'll get us all expelled!"

Dudley shrugged. "It's the stuff with Moon Face, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. You can deny it all you want. Besides, it's not like its my sister is in immediate danger."

Dudley turned to leave, but the twins quickly stopped him, their faces smiling. They were eager to join forces with Dudley, hoping to keep him from alerting Professor McGonagall.

"But how do we help Ginny?" Fred asked.

"Someone needs to check Ginny's dormitory for anything suspicious," Dudley suggested, pretending to think deeply.

"But that's in the girls' dormitory, and we can't get in!" George said, frustrated.

At that moment, they all thought of the perfect solution simultaneously: "Hermione!"

Meanwhile, Harry and his friends were bickering as they left the castle for a walk by the lake, only to run into the Malfoy gang again.

Before they could finish three sentences, Malfoy had already called Hermione a "Mudblood." Hermione was devastated and began to cry.

Then, in an attempt to cast the "Slug-Spitting" charm on Ron, Malfoy's wand malfunctioned, and the spell rebounded, causing the Malfoy team to laugh uncontrollably.

Dudley's voice rang out from behind Malfoy: "Anyone can mock Muggles, but you're the only one who isn't qualified, Malfoy!"

Malfoy turned around, seething with anger. The recent humiliations were fresh in his mind. Why did this annoying fat kid keep appearing everywhere he went?

"The Malfoy family is the purest wizarding family, and you, Dursley, are just a Mudblood like Granger! You don't deserve to talk to the Malfoy family!" Malfoy shouted.

Harry raised his wand threateningly and said, "If you say one more word, I'll make sure you regret it!"

Dudley sneered, waved his hand towards Harry, and addressed Malfoy: "Wizards don't have princes or nobles! You don't know how the Malfoy family makes its money, do you? Every cent you spend comes from doing business with Muggles! Muggles are your lifeblood!"

"You..." Malfoy was speechless. He knew full well how the Malfoy family maintained its noble image. While Lucius Malfoy despised the Weasleys' association with Muggles, he himself dealt with Muggles daily. When it came to some business, he was the go-between for the wizarding and Muggle worlds especially for the raw materials .

Dudley realized that Lucius Malfoy didn't genuinely hate Muggles; he just didn't want other wizards mingling with them, thereby undermining the Malfoy family's status.

Malfoy glanced at his Slytherin companions. They looked at him with disdain. The "wizard prince" persona he had worked so hard to create was crumbling.

"I'm going to rip your mouth off!" Malfoy shouted, lunging at Dudley in a fit of rage.

Dudley grinned. He had never feared a fight and didn't even need to lift a finger. He simply stepped aside and tripped Malfoy, causing him to crash to the ground.

The twins laughed at the scene, but the Slytherin students made no move to help Malfoy and quickly dispersed.

---

To assist Ron with the "slug-spitting" issue, they hurried to Hagrid's hut. However, Hagrid could only offer a bucket and suggested they wait for the spell to wear off.

Hermione occasionally wiped her tears while Harry and Hagrid offered her comforting words.

"Dudley, aren't you upset by what they say about you?" Hermione asked, noticing that Dudley's demeanor remained calm.

Dudley shrugged and replied, "To me, there are just good people and bad people. Wizards and Muggles aren't all that different. Just a few weeks ago, I was a Muggle myself. Today, I could take down someone who claims to be a pure-blood wizard. Besides, Muggle technology is advancing rapidly; maybe one day, wizards will lose their sense of superiority."

Seeing the skepticism in everyone's eyes, Dudley added with a smile, "In fact, as long as half-blood and Muggleborn wizards don't look down on themselves, this issue can be easily addressed. We could even form a Association to unite everyone and stand up to anyone who tries to bully us!"

Dudley made this suggestion casually, but Hermione's eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she had found a beacon of hope.

Dudley wished he could slap himself. He remembered Hermione's enthusiasm for organizing such associations. She had previously advocated for the "House-Elf Rights Campaign" when she saw house elves being exploited. Dudley figured she might soon be promoting the "Non Pure-Blood Wizards Rights Association."

After leaving Hagrid's hut, the twins led Dudley to a secluded area and mysteriously produced an old roll of parchment.

Fred proudly revealed how he had stolen it from Filch's "high hazard drawer."

Dudley guessed correctly—they probably hadn't figured out the map's purpose for a long time. Otherwise, when Ginny disappeared in the Chamber of Secrets plot, they would have used the map to locate her and discover the Chamber's location.

"You've convinced us. Besides prophecy, we can't figure out how you knew about this map's existence," George said, rolling his eyes.

Dudley raised an eyebrow. He was curious about how the twins had learned the spell to activate the map, but that wasn't crucial. What mattered was that if he could maintain his pretense, it would be easier to manipulate the twins in the future.

Dudley took out his wand, tapped the parchment, and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He wasn't concerned about the map not responding. With a magical battery in his hand, the Marauder's Map was definitely a magical artifact.

As the twins watched in awe, thin lines of ink spread across the parchment, forming a detailed map of Hogwarts Castle and showing tiny black dots. Eventually, the parchment displayed the large, flowing script:

"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, the gentlemen who help magical mischief-makers, present the Marauder's Map."

The twins were astounded by the map's clarity and detail.

"The important part is these secret passages!" Dudley pointed out various passages leading outside the castle and said, "Also, note the locations of some key people..." His eyes scanned the map, and he noted several important locations. To maintain his image as an "expert," he refrained from taking the map away directly.

Dudley located Ginny's name in the Gryffindor dormitory and advised, "In addition to seeking Hermione's help tomorrow, keep an eye on Ginny's location to see if she visits any suspicious places."

Fred, taking the map from Dudley, expressed his gratitude and admiration, considering Dudley to be a mature and knowledgeable figure.

After parting ways with the twins, Dudley carefully avoided Filch's patrol, made his way through the classrooms, and arrived at the statue of the one-eyed witch. Suddenly, two figures emerged from behind the statue, surprising him. They were the twins who had just seen him off.

"Don't even think about leaving us behind!" George winked slyly.

"You forgot that you have a role here!" Fred brandished the map.

"Alright! I get it!" Dudley said, tapping his chest in mock resignation.

Following the map's instructions, George tapped the statue with his wand and said, "Dessendium !"

With a mechanical sound, the statue's hunchback opened a small passage.

"It might be a bit tight for you, Master Dudley~" Fred teased.

"Keep it up, I'm trying to lose weight!" Dudley retorted. He led the way, and after much effort, managed to squeeze through. Fortunately, the passage wasn't too narrow; otherwise, he might have been stuck waiting for rescue.

They slid down a stone slide and landed in a patch of cold, wet dirt.

George used his wand to illuminate the way, with Fred keeping watch. After about ten minutes of navigating twists and turns, they reached a stone step that was too high to climb.

"Climb, just think of it as losing weight..." Dudley muttered, exerting all his strength.

After scaling at least ten floors, Dudley was impressed by the craftsmanship of the secret tunnel. By the time George's head hit the trapdoor at the end, Dudley was so exhausted he could barely breathe.

"There's a cellar up there!" George whispered.

They stashed the map and carefully climbed out. Hearing the bustling noise upstairs, Fred exclaimed, "It's HoneyDuke Candy Shop!" They frequented this shop, and Ron had always raved about their fruit juice milk balls.

Even though it was nighttime, the shop had many customers. However, since it wasn't a holiday, they stood out as students who had sneaked out.

"Take these!" Fred handed out a few black pills. Dudley wasn't sure what they were, but Fred's distressed look indicated they were hard to come by.

They each took a bill pill with some liquid in it, touched their wrists, and swallowed simultaneously. A strange sensation spread from their throats to their chests, then throughout their bodies, like eating an ice-cold orange while taking a bath—quite refreshing.

"This will keep us from being noticed!" Fred explained.

"I doubt we'll ever get this from Dad's office again..." George added, muttering.

Dudley recognized these as the same items Nina used to conceal her presence while disguised as an old woman. Sure enough, they went unnoticed as they exited the cellar and the Bee Duke Candy Shop.

"Now, tell us why you sneaked out to Hogsmeade!" Fred demanded.

"Two things: finding the bounty hunter's hideout and spending some money," Dudley said, producing a package filled with gold Galleons.

The twins' eyes widened as they gazed at the pile of gleaming gold coins.

-----

"Are you planning to blow up the castle?" George was stunned. It was the first time he had seen so much money. If he bought all the dungbombs, he might blow up the entire castle.

"There's a dangerous dark creature lurking at Hogwarts, threatening the safety of many students, including Harry and Ginny. We can't rely on the professors to handle this, so I need to prepare some weapons. If you trust me, I'll fight alongside you. If not, you can handle it yourself. I'll leave afterward." Dudley remained indifferent.

Before George could respond, Fred spoke up "earnestly": "Boss Dudley, no one at Hogwarts is more gallant than us! Whatever you need to buy, we promise to help you get it!"

It has nothing to do with gallantry; you guys are just too greedy for money... Dudley rolled his eyes inwardly.

"You must know where I can buy medieval Muggle items. Take me there," Dudley said, "I'll give you a [percentage] commission."

George beamed: "At your service, Mr. Dursley!"

They put on the hoods of their robes, walked through the winding alley, and arrived at a grimy, thick wooden door. Fred extended his hand and said, "Boss Dudley, I need a gold galleon for the ticket."

Dudley smirked and said, "I bet it's your first time here too…" Despite this, he took out three gold coins and tossed them to Fred.

Fred chuckled and knocked on the wooden door. The pattern on the door began to shift, gradually forming the shape of a gargoyle. The menacing gargoyle opened its mouth, and Fred slightly blocked it with his body, stuffing a gold coin inside.

"Gela~" The heavy wooden door cracked open, and the wooden panels retracted on both sides, revealing a dark passage.

Some murmured voices diluted the eerie atmosphere of the black passage. They entered and found themselves in what looked like a dimly lit small bar. The main difference was that at the far end of the hall, there was an open small room with a bald old man wearing glasses, sitting among a mountain of scrolls and account books, surrounded by three burly men.

There were people sitting in the surrounding booths, most of whom had their faces obscured. Small round tables were scattered with all sorts of odd items, similar to what Harry had seen in Mr. Borkin's magic shop.

The three burly men seemed displeased with the payment. They roared and slammed their fists on the table in front of the bald old man. The old man calmly took out a handkerchief, removed his glasses, and wiped them, ignoring the angry men.

A man with a silver mask stood up from the side. His right hand rested on the wand at his waist, while his left hand toyed with a delicate silver dagger. The dagger glowed with a green light. Just looking at it made one's arm feel as though it had been sliced.

The burly men, like ducks caught in their throats, suddenly fell silent and left dejectedly. The masked man resumed his seat in the darkness, merging with the shadows.

"The Bounty Association welcomes you, three young gentlemen." The bald old man put on exquisite gold-rimmed glasses with a very professional smile.

The twins were a bit nervous. They usually weren't afraid of much, but this place made them uneasy. There might be dark wizards around who could be dangerous. Their small figures felt like lambs among wolves.

Dudley sat down opposite the old man politely and said, "I want to buy some Muggle gadgets. Money is not an issue."

The old man's smile grew even wider. He waved his hand, and a gold coin floated on his palm.

"The gold galleons from 1870 are still in very good condition. The Bounty Association appreciates such fine items… I'm happy to assist you, sir."

"Call me Eminem Rollins. That's my code name. I have plenty of these gold coins. As long as your goods are authentic enough, there will be many opportunities for future cooperation," Dudley said in an authoritative tone.

Fred, standing nearby, looked a bit embarrassed, not expecting to be exposed immediately.

Dudley seemed unfazed by Fred's embarrassment. The bald old man waved and led the three of them through a small side door. The man in the silver mask reemerged and followed them from a distance.

George was panicking, but Dudley gave him a reassuring look, which helped him feel a bit more at ease.

Dudley's right hand was concealed in his robe, the enchanted Magnum bullet loaded and ready. As the saying goes, it's better to be prepared, but Dudley was actually more nervous than George.

They entered a windowless warehouse. The old man lit the candles on the walls, revealing that the warehouse was filled with all sorts of junk, from rice cookers without lids to broken engines with exploded cylinders.

"They're all here?" Dudley looked at the piles of discarded items, amused by the thought that many wizards might scavenge in Muggle junkyards.

The bald old man took out his wand and said, "Wizards have a way to restore them to their former glory. Feel free to choose."

Dudley turned around, having already identified his target. Among the used electrical appliances, he found a Seneca double-barreled shotgun in good condition and a Springfield M1903 rifle. After inspecting them, the system promptly displayed a message:

[Seneca Double Barrel Shotgun (not certified), caliber .50, gas-operated double barrel single shot. Certification required. Certification fee: 500 gold galleons.]

"What the…" Dudley couldn't help but exclaim. The system wanted to charge for certification. Different firearms suited different combat scenarios. He originally planned to buy as many as possible, but now he had to reconsider.

Ultimately, he chose three items: a high-power flashlight (since he couldn't cast Lumos yet), two old walkie-talkies, and the double-barreled shotgun.

The bald old man glanced at them without comment. He waved his wand, and a bright silver light flashed over the items. In an instant, the flashlight and shotgun looked brand new, as if they had just been manufactured.

"A total of 210 galleons. If you need, you can also add magical effects to these items, though that will incur additional charges," the old man said with elegance.

"I'll come to you if needed." Dudley counted out the gold coins and handed them to the old man. The old man weighed them, then waved his hand, and the gold coins vanished.

Although the atmosphere was somewhat grim, they exited the Bounty Association safely, and George and Fred breathed a sigh of relief.

"Where did you get your gold galleons? The ones from 1870 are considered antiques. One can be exchanged for two more Sickles in Knockturn Alley," Fred whispered.

Dudley held the shotgun and grunted in response. Each gold galleon minted by the goblin bank had a unique number, acting as an anti-counterfeiting mark. So where did the gold coins rewarded by the system come from? They couldn't have been stolen from someone's vault. It seemed likely they were obtained from a buried tomb or a sunken ship. This would neither attract the attention of the goblin bank nor disrupt the wizarding financial system.

"The Bounty Association is much more gentlemanly than I expected. Dad always said they were dangerous," George muttered.

"Haha, don't jump to conclusions just yet. It's possible there are dangerous people around," Dudley said, pointing toward the entrance of the alley. Three burly figures emerged from the darkness.

-------

"Uh... Boss Dudley, should we run away?" George asked, slightly panicked but already gripping his wand. After all, he was a third-year Gryffindor student. Harry had faced Voldemort by his third year, so a magical showdown wasn't entirely out of the question.

Dudley chuckled, remaining calm.

The range of his right-hand revolver was about 60 meters, and the closer it was, the higher the accuracy.

Based on his observation of the magical duel between Nina and Linton, as well as his analysis of the relevant plots in the novel, Dudley noted that most dark magic had a range of about 30 meters.

Compared to Muggle weapons, magic had its own strengths. The biggest advantage was precision. A Muggle gunner needed weeks of training to consistently hit targets at around 30 meters. Wizards could aim with their wands and hit targets with their thoughts, maintaining accuracy as long as they kept their wands pointed roughly in the right direction.

Therefore, Dudley's optimal engagement distances were between 30 to 60 meters and within 15 meters. The alley was only 30 to 40 meters deep, so maintaining distance was impossible. Dudley slowed down, feigning panic, while cautiously approaching the three burly men who had emerged from the shadows.

Despite their thick black cloaks obscuring their faces, it was clear that these were the troublemakers from the Bounty Association. They had likely suffered a loss at the Bounty Association and were now planning to target Dudley, seeing him as an easy mark to make up for their losses.

"Little brats, drop what you have and maybe you'll avoid trouble," the leader growled in a hoarse voice. He and the "bald man" to his right had their wands pointed directly at Dudley.

The man on the left, shirtless with a long scar from his shoulder to his ribs, took out a long rope and began twirling it menacingly.

"That's a magical rope. If you throw it, it'll bind us..." Fred whispered.

Dudley, trembling slightly in "fear," let the double-barreled shotgun and money bag fall to his feet.

The men watched as the dark package hit the ground, spilling golden Galleons with a clinking sound. There were at least seven or eight hundred Galleons.

The leader's eyes widened. The three had worked hard for a month on a bounty mission, earning only two to three hundred Galleons. Today, however, they had stumbled upon a windfall. These kids had brought so much money.

"I'll give you the things and the money... can we leave?" Dudley asked, feigning fear. His round face was pale with "terror." In terms of acting, he was top-notch.

George and Fred exchanged glances, surprised by Dudley's apparent timidity. Would he really surrender now?

The "bald man" to the right said, "Boss, we can't let them go! They've seen our faces inside!"

The "scarred man" on the left grunted, "Maybe we can tie them up and demand more money from their families. They're carrying so much at such a young age..."

The leader snorted, "I don't want any wizard family targeting me... Boys, you're unlucky today. It's your own fault for being in a place you shouldn't be!"

"Expelliarmus!" Before the strong men could act, George stepped forward and cast his spell.

Dudley appreciated the twins' bravery. They were usually chatty and prone to mischief, but in this crucial moment, they had stood their ground and fought, drawing attention away from Dudley and indirectly ensuring his safety.

However, George hadn't finished his incantation, and the strong men weren't idle. The "boss" had already leapt to the side, his wand aimed forward. He cast a spell, and green magical energy burst forth, faster than George's.

The "scarred man" was quick to act as well. The rope in his hand came alive like a snake, flying towards Fred.

The "bald man" moved more slowly, his wand glowing blue. Dudley guessed he was casting a defensive spell.

Seeing Dudley's wand still secured in its holster, the three strong men didn't attack him directly. Dudley, however, continued to "panic" and stagger forward as if terrified.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Two loud noises rang out almost simultaneously. Fred's wand emitted a beam of light, shattering a large rock in the road and deflecting the magical rope from its path.

At the same time, Dudley's wrist lit up. The Curse from the "boss" collided with George's disarming spell. Before the outcome could be decided, Dudley felt a sharp force push against his chest, causing him to fall backward. Pain spread through his body, and he roared in agony.

The "bald man" and "scarred man" were momentarily stunned, unsure of what had felled their formidable "boss."

"Bang!" Another shot rang out. The "bald man" screamed as Dudley's shot hit his wrist, causing his wand to fall.

Dudley stood, holding the double-barreled shotgun. George and Fred exchanged astonished looks. They hadn't anticipated Dudley's sudden and decisive action. The power of that shotgun was astounding.

Blood gushed from the "boss's" chest. Seeing that he was beyond saving, his two companions exchanged a glance and fled in panic.

Just as Dudley hesitated, considering whether to finish off the remaining men, a figure moved swiftly through the alley's shadows. In an instant, he appeared beside the "bald man." A flash of light, and the "bald man" collapsed like a ragdoll.

The figure didn't pause, moving immediately to the "scarred man." Another flash of light, and the "scarred man" fell, twitching briefly before lying still.

Even Gryffindors George and Fred were shaken. They saw that the figure was a person in a silver mask and black cloak, wielding a glowing green dagger. The two men on the ground had their throats almost completely severed and were clearly dead.

Dudley gritted his teeth, discreetly loading another enchanted bullet into his right hand, prepared to defend himself. This masked man was the strongest opponent he had encountered (aside from Dumbledore). If the masked man turned hostile, Dudley would be ready to shoot.

"Do you also want to take advantage of us?" George asked, his teeth chattering.

Fred edged closer to George, his wand already slick with sweat.

The masked man turned slightly, glancing at them, and said in a mechanical voice, "Offending Mr. Motu is already a death penalty, let alone committing murder at the Bounty Association's entrance... Let's go. Mr. Motu instructed me to ensure your safety."

Dudley didn't relax but quickly gathered the Galleons from the ground, despite them being muddy, stuffing them into the ordnance manual, and pulling George away.

The masked man stepped aside, crossing his arms and maintaining an air of elegance.

"If you don't mind..." Fred said, rubbing his hands behind his back. Seeing the masked man's lack of reaction, Fred quickly grabbed the small purse from the "bald man's" waist and hurried away.

------

Dudley and the twins walked in silence, quickening their pace as they made their way back to Hogwarts through the secret passage. Oddly enough, though the route was the same, the slide they had descended earlier now seemed to be replaced by an equally long climb. Dudley's legs ached from the ascent up the spiral staircase.

On their way back to the dormitory, they were intercepted by Percy, who had evidently been waiting for them at the main staircase. This time, however, Percy did not cause any trouble. Instead, he expressed his concern about their progress.

Fred said, "I've asked Hermione to keep an eye on it, but Hermione seems to be quite busy. I'm afraid we might not see results for a day or two."

Dudley was aware that Hermione was preoccupied with studying Lockhart's works and preparing for the upcoming Defense Against the Dark Arts exam.

Percy escorted Dudley to the entrance of the Hufflepuff dormitory, reminding him that Percy wouldn't be on duty every night. If Filch caught them out in the middle of the night, the consequences would be severe.

Dudley nodded in understanding, showing a look of conviction. After sneaking into his room, he retrieved the double-barreled shotgun from the magical bag.

[Choose certified firearms!]

A glimmer of light emanated from the ordnance manual and was slowly absorbed into the double-barreled shotgun. Dudley noticed that a quarter of the gold galleons from the bag had vanished, which was quite painful for him. It wasn't that he disliked the M1903 rifle, but the cost to certify it was 500 Galleons, which was exorbitant.

As the word "edible" appeared in the description of the double-barreled shotgun, Dudley hesitated, wiped the fine dust off the gun with a handkerchief, and then bit down on the barrel.

For some unknown reason, the certified firearm, whether it had a steel barrel or a hardwood stock, seemed to shatter into pieces when Dudley bit it, much like biting into a freshly baked scallion pancake. The taste was salty and bitter, with a hint of butter. It seemed that the previous owner had used butter to maintain the barrel and the mechanical spring.

It took Dudley ten minutes to eat the one-meter-long shotgun. He burped and sat down on the floor.

"Eating like this, I'm afraid I'll never lose weight!" Dudley remarked, feeling his stomach as the shotgun was absorbed into his body, much like ice cubes evaporating in a hot pan.

Recently, he had been exercising daily and strictly managing his meals. His weight was decreasing, and his height was increasing, but weight loss was a gradual process.

Dudley's right wrist transformed once again. This time, not only was the back of his hand and fingers covered, but the transformation extended to his elbow. He rolled up his sleeves to find that his arm was covered with small components, which then reassembled into a mechanical arm, with the index and middle fingers forming the two barrels of a shotgun.

"It looks pretty impressive!" Dudley admired the silver and black mechanical arm. It not only looked striking but also had a design aesthetic.

"There are only two enchanted bullets left..." Dudley noted, looking at the ammunition section in the ordnance manual. With only two bullets remaining, he would be ill-prepared for a high-intensity duel.

At that moment, the Ordnance Manual issued a prompt:

[Activate two firearms and unlock the ammunition magazine function.]

It was as if Dudley had been waiting for just such an opportunity. He accessed the ammunition depot and found a long list of various types of ammunition, though the prices were quite high...

[.357 Magnum Bullet*6-Enchanting +1: 20 Gold Galleons]

[.357 Magnum Bullets*6-Enchantment +2: 50 Gold Galleons]

[.50 Pneumatic Shotgun*6-Enchanting +1: 40 Gold Galleons]

[.50 Pneumatic Shotgun*6-Enchanting +2: 100 Gold Galleons]

Like certified firearms, the prices were prohibitively expensive.

Dudley grimaced as he purchased three sets of +1 enchanted pistol bullets and one set of +2 enchanted pneumatic shotguns. Normally, he wouldn't use the shotguns, but if the situation called for it, he needed to ensure his opponent would be unable to resist.

He glanced at the "Contract of the Gun" and noted that defeating the brawny boss had increased his soul power by 5, bringing his total to 20/100. The path to upgrading was as long as his weight loss journey.

The following weeks passed with unexpected calm. Dudley's routine became more regular; he was the first to leave the dormitory each morning for exercise and never missed a class. He occasionally exchanged news with the twins. Hermione found an excuse to visit Ginny's dormitory but found no clues.

Cedric approached Dudley, inviting him to be a reserve member of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team and assigning him the position of "Beater." He must have heard about Dudley's impressive "foot power" from the Gryffindor players. The nightly Quidditch training sessions provided a rare sense of relaxation and joy.

Despite Dudley's Charms class being lackluster, Snape's Potions class went surprisingly smoothly. The only downside was Lockhart's self-promotional class. Not to mention Lockhart often enlisted Harry to help with reader correspondence, much to Harry's dismay. Harry would have preferred cleaning the men's room.

After more than ten days of hospitalisation , Biro finally returned to the dormitory. He seemed much more cheerful, or perhaps he was just naturally upbeat. He had no recollection of the faceless man's possession, and even Dumbledore's Legilimency had yielded no results. However, Dumbledore was convinced Biro had been attacked by some unknown dark creature and indirectly acknowledged Dudley.

Autumn had deepened in England, and the hardwood trees in the Forbidden Forest had begun to turn yellow. Viewed from a broomstick, the woods were a vibrant patchwork of red, yellow, brown, and green, as if nature had overturned a color palette. It was stunning.

One day, Dudley encountered Harry in the castle courtyard after class. Harry's face was pale, and he wore Gryffindor's thick red and yellow scarf, giving him a look of someone unwell.

Although wizards generally enjoyed better health and longevity than Muggles, they were not immune to illness. Colds had begun circulating in the castle, prompting Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout to brew herbal remedies.

Harry didn't appear to have a cold. Dudley suspected he was troubled by the basilisk's whispers, a sinister, hoarse, low, and breathless voice that plagued Harry with vicious curses. Coupled with Lockhart's incessant nagging, it was no wonder Harry looked exhausted.

"I barely recognized you, Dudley," Harry joked, forcing a smile.

Dudley had lost nearly twenty pounds and grown two centimeters in height over the past month. Although he was still quite large, Crabbe and Goyle kept their distance, cursing and laughing behind his back, calling him a squib.

"Sometimes, you have to learn to say no, cousin." Dudley patted Harry on the shoulder. Harry knew Dudley was referring to Lockhart's incessant demands. There were also admirers like Colin Creevey, who would always intrude on conversations with him and Ron or snap photos incessantly.

"Besides, if anything unusual happens, I'll be here to protect you!" Dudley said sincerely. Harry smiled and nodded in response.

---------

What is the happiest thing for European children in October? Preparing for Halloween, of course! Dudley Dursley hadn't quite gotten used to the wild enthusiasm for monsters and ghouls.

Throughout the month, everyone focused on this topic, decorating the Great Hall, corridors, dormitories... everywhere you looked. They speculated about what novel activities would be held for Halloween this year. There were rumors that Dumbledore had booked a skeleton dance troupe, but Professor McGonagall quickly denied it. Others made up various rumors, but they never tired of it.

The damp, cold air led to more and more students catching colds and fevers. Madam Pomfrey was very busy, but the Gryffindor Quidditch team trained in all weather. Captain Wood had several famous sayings, such as: "If you can't win, you die on the field," and "Training must not be interrupted unless a blade falls from the sky."

It rained continuously for nearly a week, and Harry was tasked with "finding the Golden Snitch in a complex environment." He was nearly soaked through and shivering from the cold.

He wanted to rush back to Gryffindor Tower, take a hot bath, and relax in front of the common room fire with a joke book.

However, by chance, Filch, who looked particularly unfriendly, dragged him to his office. In the end, Nearly Headless Nick rescued him and invited him to the Deathday party.

The next day, Harry found Dudley. "I think it will be interesting! Ron and Hermione both agreed. I think you'll enjoy it too!"

"Oh, no! It's not the first day you've met me. I'm most afraid of ghosts. If I don't want to go, I won't go!" Dudley waved his hand quickly and ran away as fast as he could. He wasn't interested in the ghosts at Hogwarts, especially because he received a new task issued by the system:

[Complete the trigger plot: Halloween Celebration, automatically accept the hunting mission (Lv. 5)]

[Hunting mission (Lv. 5): Kill the basilisk and obtain "Snake Fang".]

[Task reward: Random C-level sub-skill orb1, random C-level enchanted equipment1, 2000 Galleons.]

[Failure Penalty: None]

[Task time limit: None]

[Difficulty tip: It is very dangerous, and the snake's fangs are important plot props.]

Finally receiving the task of killing the basilisk, Dudley was a little excited. It was rare to have neither a failure penalty nor a task time limit, so he had ample time to consider countermeasures.

There is no doubt about the strength of the basilisk; otherwise, Salazar Slytherin wouldn't have thought that a single monster could fulfill his wish to bloodbath Hogwarts.

But Dudley had no idea how strong the basilisk was. The description in the novel was only vague. Except for the mysterious Myrtle, the basilisk had been causing trouble, but it had only petrified a few students and a dog. It had neither swallowed anyone nor sent anyone to death with its venom. Even when it took Ginny away, it was careful not to harm her with its fangs.

Myrtle's story was even more outrageous. The ghosts at Hogwarts could all communicate normally. How clever were the school's management back then that they didn't ask Myrtle what had happened to her? They believed Tom Riddle's accusations and fired Hagrid without cause, even though there were no spider bites on Myrtle's body.

However, being at Hogwarts, Dudley knew that complaining was pointless. Whatever existed was reasonable. He had to see for himself what was going on with the basilisk before deciding on tactics.

The basilisk first appeared on Halloween, when the students were partying in the Great Hall. Harry and his friends came out of the Deathday party hosted by Nearly Headless Nick and saw the petrified cat.

As Halloween approached, Dudley practiced various tactical moves daily, including the ability to identify locations by sound while blindfolded, to prepare for the battle against the basilisk.

Although there was no penalty for failure in the mission, Dudley knew very well that the basilisk was far from being as "otherworldly" as it was portrayed in movies. If he failed, he would likely end up as a sacrifice to the basilisk's fangs, without the need for the system to impose any penalties.

Despite not having Harry's protagonist aura, Dudley had other advantages. With the twins' Marauder's Map, he drew a more detailed map of the castle, highlighting the locations and directions of the water pipes.

Just like the stairs in Hogwarts, the water pipes in this magical castle also changed positions over time. This movement was irregular, and many water pipes were completely nonsensical. For example, there was a sewer pipe leading downwards from upstairs, but it couldn't be found when going downstairs, which distressed Dudley.

The added difficulty hint for this mission was even more intriguing. Dudley speculated that if he ignored the entire plot and didn't pursue the mission rewards, Harry would still rely on his protagonist's aura to control the mission. Both the basilisk and the diary would be resolved, but this difficulty prompt seemed to suggest that wealth and prosperity were found in danger, and the true value of this hunting mission was much greater than it appeared.

Dudley suspected this related to the core of the entire Harry Potter story—the destruction of Horcruxes. There were roughly three methods for destroying Horcruxes in the story: using the basillisk's fang, the Fiendfyre Curse, and the Sword of Gryffindor. Apart from the sword, even Dumbledore couldn't destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Among these methods, Dudley was not a Gryffindor and therefore couldn't draw the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat. His magical power was still low, making the use of the Fiendfyre Curse impractical. Even if he could use it, he might end up burning down the castle before resolving the Horcrux. Therefore, he had only one choice: to obtain the basilisk's fangs.

In this way, the situation was clear. He could only become stronger by actively participating in the plot, completing tasks, and receiving rewards. Only by becoming stronger could he face future challenges. If he chose to do nothing, he would become cannon fodder in the wizarding world. He shouldn't expect the Death Eaters to spare him; he was now a notorious "Mudblood," and even Vernon and Petunia would be in danger.

On October 31st, the entire castle was immersed in a festive atmosphere. Not only were there no classes, but students in third year and above could also visit Hogsmeade Village with their guardians' consent. This was also the happiest time for many students.

The Bounty Association handled matters that day very discreetly. Not a single bit of news about the three strongmen who died in the dark alley leaked; it was as if nothing had happened.

Dudley was deeply impressed by the masked man's strength. He was different from all wizards. His magic was used to enhance his own strength and speed, and he used cold weapons to kill people. It was like encountering a character from Assassin's Creed.

In other words, he might have killed many people, but he never used a single dark magic spell. When he removed his mask and changed his clothes, he might be an ordinary waiter, driver, or even a student.

This also gave Dudley a good inspiration. If his magical power had not grown, he could still become powerful through other means.

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