4

If he had time, Dudley would have burst into tears, wishing he could hold Fawkes in his arms and kiss him. Oh my God, I finally opened my eyes and didn't drive you away, you beautiful bird.

The cry of the phoenix was clearer and higher. After being reborn in the fire, Fawkes had returned to his strongest and most youthful state. It was not afraid of the basilisk's deadly gaze and flew straight toward the serpent's head.

The bright red fire radiating from Fawkes illuminated the entire stone path. In the reflection, Dudley saw the phoenix bravely pounce on the basilisk's head. A pair of sharp claws clasped the serpent's scales, and its long beak fiercely pecked at the basilisk's eyes.

The basilisk roared in pain. It slammed its head against the stone walls, trying to knock Fawkes to the ground, but the phoenix moved faster. The bright red figure leaped to the side, its broad and gorgeous wings fluttering gracefully, avoiding the basilisk's impact in the blink of an eye. Fawkes then pecked the other eye with precision.

Dudley didn't need to look back; he knew the basilisk was blind because the bone-chilling coldness he felt vanished instantly. Instead, the magical warmth of the phoenix, like the fire of life, spread through his body, making him feel so comfortable that he couldn't help but take a deep breath.

The basilisk went completely mad, thrashing its head around desperately, trying to kill Fawkes, but the phoenix easily dodged and retreated into the small tunnel from which it had emerged.

The basilisk, hearing Fawkes's wings, shrieked and rushed toward Dudley. How could Dudley dare block its way? He threw himself to the side, rolling into a crevice between the rocks.

Only then did he get a clear look at the basilisk. Rather than looking like a snake, it actually resembled an eel with the head of a Western dragon. The scales on its body were thick, shiny, and dense. No wonder so many spells failed to harm it.

The basilisk thrashed violently, creating a passage through the stone. It didn't care where Dudley was and slithered forward with a hiss.

Though the basilisk was now blind, Dudley still feared it. Without hesitation, he climbed up the rocks and followed it.

The stone path was not far from the hall of the Chamber of Secrets. Fawkes was like a guiding light, leading the basilisk and Dudley back into the hall. Dudley's eyes lit up. On the stone platform in front of the Slytherin statue, Harry was confronting Tom Riddle's memory. Harry was shocked to see the basilisk rushing out, but when he saw Dudley, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Harry held his wand in his right hand and a silver, gem-studded sword in his left. Riddle's memory, however, merely folded his arms, a half-smile on his face, showing no intention of attacking Harry.

Dudley knew that at this time, the memory had absorbed Ginny's life force and gained the ability to materialize. But he also knew that his future self had backfired when casting the Killing Curse on Harry, so he dared not attack Harry directly, hoping instead that the basilisk would do it for him.

"Damn it! Your bird pecked out the basilisk's eyes!" Riddle's memory roared in anger.

The basilisk, still chasing Fawkes, slammed into a stone pillar. Without its eyes, the basilisk was just a beast.

Harry was overjoyed and shouted at Riddle's memory, "Let Ginny go! You're going to lose!"

Dudley, carefully following the basilisk and searching for an opening, felt speechless. What are you two talking about? Hurry up and help!

Dudley made a wide circle and reached the side of the basilisk. The serpent's face was a mess of blood and flesh—whether from the previous blast or its own collisions, he couldn't tell. One of the basilisk's long fangs was also broken, lying near where Fawkes had flown past.

In the story, the basilisk bit Harry's arm, and the fang was ripped off by Harry. Dudley found the idea absurd. Not all venomous snakes have venom glands in all their teeth, and those terrifying front fangs are incredibly strong. How could Harry's small hands break off a fang as thick as a teacup, while his shotgun seemed to have accomplished the feat accidentally?

Dudley gritted his teeth and dashed toward the broken fang, but he underestimated the basilisk's hearing. The noise from the basilisk's earlier thrashing had masked his footsteps, but now the ground was flat, and the serpent immediately detected him. The basilisk turned and lunged at Dudley.

"Oh my God!" Dudley's heart pounded as he threw himself toward the center of the hall, sliding across the floor.

Of course, Dudley didn't have the Sword of Gryffindor in his hand, nor the power to disembowel the basilisk with one strike. He merely kicked the broken fang aside, rolling clumsily to barely avoid the serpent's fangs.

Before Dudley could regain his footing, a blast of green magical energy fell from above.

Harry cast a spell, and red magical energy erupted from his wand, forcibly deflecting Riddle's Killing Curse. "Don't even think about it!" Harry shouted at the memory.

Dudley was saved once again. He rolled away and hid behind a large stone pillar.

"You filthy little beast!" Riddle's memory cursed at Harry, furious but still too cautious to attack him directly.

"Filthy?" Dudley used the pillar to shield himself from Riddle's view as he edged closer to the platform. He shouted, "Harry's parents were both wizards, but what about you?"

As the saying goes, only magic can defeat magic. Although Voldemort advocated for pure blood, the irony was that he himself was a half-blood. His mother had used a love potion to seduce the elder Riddle and conceived him, a fact Voldemort never mentioned to anyone.

In fact, after leaving Hogwarts, Voldemort went to Riddle House first to kill his father and the entire family, framing his uncle, Morfin Gaunt, for the murders. This showed how much Voldemort hated the blood flowing in his own veins.

Riddle's memory turned pale, then flushed red with anger. Dudley had touched a nerve. Enraged, Riddle hurled curses in Dudley's direction. Green lightning struck the ground near Dudley, but his instincts as a sniper kept him hidden behind the thick stone pillars, avoiding the deadly curses.

But while Dudley managed to evade the spells, he couldn't avoid the basilisk, which was now homing in on the sound. Dudley fired his revolver, hitting the basilisk's snout and drawing blood, but it only enraged the serpent further. The basilisk slammed into a stone pillar, shaking it violently, and a crack rapidly spread up from its base.

The shock knocked a flash grenade out of Dudley's hand, leaving it exposed within Riddle's magical range. Riddle lunged for it in one swift move. Harry tried to block his way with the sword, but Riddle shoved him aside. Harry, after all, was only twelve years old, and no match for Riddle's memory in strength.

"Avada Kedavra!" Riddle's eyes were filled with excitement and madness as the green light of the Killing Curse shot toward Dudley. Dudley gritted his teeth, but there was no time to dodge.

"No!" Harry cried out in fear. A flash of red light erupted from his wand, but it was too late—the Killing Curse was already upon Dudley.

"Boom!"

A loud explosion echoed through the hall, and a ball of fire rose up. Dudley looked up to see Fawkes descending from the sky, blocking the fatal curse for him.

The bright, long feathers of the phoenix burst into flames once more, and Fawkes seemed to expend all its strength. An eagle's cry resounded through the hall, and the life-draining spells from Riddle's memory were blasted onto the phoenix.

"Ah!"

Dudley's Disarming Charm struck Riddle's memory just like the scene when Snape had knocked Lockhart away. Not only had Dudley learned well from Snape's textbook demonstrations, but Harry, too, had mastered the Disarming Charm. The spell hit perfectly, and Riddle's memory was thrown from the stone platform in a burst of red light.

"Go on Harry attack with sword!" Dudley shouted at Harry.

The basilisk, once again locked onto Dudley's position, raised its neck high like all venomous snakes, its head accelerating like a cannonball.

The huge snakehead was like a mountain, covering Dudley from top to bottom.

At that moment, time seemed to stop, and Dudley vanished from sight.

Though Tom Riddle had been knocked away by Harry's Disarming Charm, he burst out laughing when he saw Dudley swallowed by the basilisk. "No one! No one can escape the basilisk's hunt!" Though his wand had been knocked aside, he wasn't worried. Once the basilisk was done with Dudley, it would kill Harry too. His great victory was imminent.

However, a violent tremor ran through the basilisk's throat, and a sword went inside its brain. Then, blue-white lightning erupted from the basilisk's mouth, scattering its fine scales as flesh and blood flew everywhere.

The basilisk's massive body collapsed onto the stone floor, lifeless.

----

Dudley's bloodied figure crawled out from the large hole in the basilisk's throat, clutching the Sword of Gryffindor in one hand, while his other hand morphed into a double-barreled shotgun.

"No!" Tom Riddle couldn't believe his eyes. Dudley's next words struck him even harder.

"Oh, poor Tom, do you really think Voldemort would allow you to become an entity, a younger version of himself?" Dudley grinned, despite the wounds covering his body. He continued to mock, "You're nothing but a pawn he used against Harry. He doesn't care if the diary falls into Dumbledore's hands! Do you think he'd tolerate another version of himself existing in this world?"

The memory's face twisted with rage, nearly seething fire from his eyes. He wanted to unleash a deadly gaze like the basilisk and tear Dudley's soul apart, but deep down, he knew Dudley was right. Voldemort, now half-resurrected, would never allow another him to exist—another complete, young, and prime version…

Yet, the memory didn't give up. He suddenly extended his hand, and the wand that had been knocked away flew back into his grip with a swift motion.

"As long as I kill you! I will become reality! I will be the unique me!" the memory shouted.

Just as he was about to strike Dudley, Harry plunged the broken basilisk fang he held into Tom Riddle's diary without hesitation.

When the basilisk attacked, Dudley thought he was done for and threw the broken fang to Harry on the stone platform. At the same time, Harry tossed the sword to Dudley. The two executed an ultimate exchange.

While Dudley distracted the memory, Harry quietly secured the diary. He knew the memory stemmed from it, and perhaps in a flash of inspiration, he stabbed the venomous fang deep into the diary.

"Ah!" The memory's spell was never cast, as a brilliant white light erupted from his heart. He felt the venomous fang piercing through, and the life he had painstakingly gained was swiftly fading away.

"I'm not ready to disappear!..." After a heart-wrenching scream, the memory disintegrated into countless sparks of light and exploded.

Fawkes flapped his wings and descended, sweeping the light particles towards the stone platform, guiding them gently to Ginny's side where they were slowly absorbed into her body.

"It's over…"

Dudley clutched his stomach, unable to hold on any longer, and collapsed. The basilisk's sharp teeth had shredded his body, especially his stomach, nearly pulling out his intestines.

He felt a deep cold, perhaps from blood loss, or the basilisk's venomous fang. Weakness spread from his head to his toes.

Dudley's vision began to blur, and a heavy sleepiness overtook him…

It was a long dream.

Dudley felt as though he had grown wings, soaring through an emerald sky. Velvet-like clouds brushed his face, and the wind, carrying the scent of grass and trees, filled his senses with a refreshing coolness.

In the next moment, his wings vanished, and he was riding his beloved Nimbus 2001. With a mere thought, he accelerated, bursting through the clouds to see a lush landscape below.

The scene was so familiar; it felt like he was flying over the Quidditch pitch on his broom.

He glanced to the side and saw something massive emerging from the clouds—a flying dragon bathed in golden light, with a familiar figure riding on its back.

Ayame Abe waved to him from atop the dragon.

But before he could respond, a large fiery shadow appeared in the clouds ahead. Before he could react, a giant bird's head burst through the clouds, pecking him sharply on the forehead.

"It hurts..."

Dudley clutched his head, nearly jumping up. When he opened his eyes, he found himself neither soaring in the sky nor in a dark chamber, but in the Hogwarts infirmary.

A large group of people surrounded his hospital bed. He saw Harry, Hermione, the Weasley siblings, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Madam Pomfrey, and even Lockhart in a hospital gown. And there was Fawkes, the Phoenix, perched on the bedpost, his bright red feathers glowing like fire.

"Dudley! You're alive! Thank God!" Harry exclaimed.

Lockhart added cheerfully, "Thank God you finally woke up, or they would've driven me mad in the ward…"

Dumbledore smiled warmly, "It seems Fawkes has taken quite a liking to you, thanks to your bravery!"

Dudley realized it was Fawkes who had saved him with his tears. Gratefully, he stroked Fawkes' majestic head. The Phoenix didn't shy away, allowing Dudley to gently comb his feathers.

Professor McGonagall waved her hand, "Alright! Everything is fine! Everyone, please leave. The Headmaster has some questions for our little warrior!"

The Weasley twins grumbled a bit, but Professor McGonagall quickly ushered everyone out, leaving only Dudley and Dumbledore in the ward.

Dumbledore sat next to Dudley, removing his half-moon spectacles, his eyes filled with wisdom. "You've surprised me again, Dudley."

Dudley scratched his head sheepishly, "Actually, a Special Award for Services to the School would be enough."

Dumbledore chuckled, clearly in good spirits, "Is this something you foresaw as well?"

Dudley grinned, "You didn't come here just to ask me that, did you?"

Dumbledore's smile gradually faded, replaced by a serious, slightly sorrowful expression. Under the light, his wrinkles appeared deep and carved like stone.

"Are there really other Horcruxes?"

Dudley stopped smiling and replied, "There are many more—six, to be exact. But I can't tell you where they are. Just knowing could bring about immense danger."

Dumbledore pondered for a moment and then said, "I understand. Perhaps you're right…"

Dumbledore stood up, and Fawkes gently flapped his wings, landing on his shoulder. "You seem to have foreseen some unfortunate events about me... But don't be afraid, Dudley… Everything will be alright."

At the door, he turned back and said, "Dudley, for your rare honesty today, I'll reward you and Harry with a Special Award for Services to the School!"

Dudley felt a bit embarrassed. He had played quite a few tricks on Dumbledore before, which Dumbledore seemed to notice but never exposed. But today, Dudley was sincere. His honesty seemed to have touched Dumbledore, and the wise old wizard, just by observing Dudley's demeanor, seemed to sense that he might face an unfortunate future.

Dudley sighed softly. When Dumbledore left, he suddenly thought of something and perked up.

The golden shimmer formed the manual, and the golden mission prompts on it were strikingly clear.

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

[Mission rewards: Random C-level sub-skill orb1, random C-level enchanted equipment1, 2000 gold Galleons.]

He couldn't wait to retrieve the C-level sub-skill orb, which appeared as a crystal-clear sapphire, gleaming beautifully in the light.

Clicking to open it, three blue light spheres appeared before him:

Sub-skill - Spell Mastery (Level C): Increases the effects of all spells by 20%, and extends their duration by 20%.Sub-skill - Bloodline Coordination (Level C): Increases base magic value by +5.Sub-skill - Wandless Spellcasting (Max): Allows casting of spells without the need for a wand, as the skill focuses magic for you.

Seeing the effects of these three skills, Dudley was stunned. He didn't expect to be so fortunate—these three skills were all outstanding.

Bloodline Coordination was a must-have; he had long suffered from a lack of magical attributes. Living in the wizarding world and taking magic courses daily, he was tired of feeling like a Squib. His magic reserves were nearly depleted, and with the Chamber of Secrets resolved, Quidditch was sure to resume this season.

Although Spell Mastery might not seem impressive at first glance, it was a significant advantage. The effectiveness of a spell could be crucial, whether cast by a first-year or an experienced wizard. The skill would give him a natural edge in any magical duel, especially against someone like Voldemort.

The third skill, Wandless Spellcasting, was at its maximum level, meaning he could now control his magic without a wand—an ability only a few wizards could ever achieve.

Dudley found himself paralyzed by indecision, unable to choose between the three.

---

After over ten minutes of deliberation, Dudley finally opted for Bloodline Coordination (Level C). Although he's not an advocate of bloodline theory, he recognizes that in this world, bloodline is fundamental to wielding magic here. While the other two options were powerful, they required significant magical prowess, which could be fatal without the proper foundation.

Checking his attributes, Dudley was pleasantly surprised to find that the Phoenix's tears not only cured his poisoning and injuries but also boosted his strength and agility.

Name: Dudley Dursley (12 years old, Wizard)

Strength: 15 (Fitness Expert Level)

Intelligence: 23 (Tactical Master Level)

Magic Power: 7 (Magician Level)

Agility: 11 (Athlete Level)

Willpower: 20 (Iron-willed Level)

Primary Skill: Gun Contract (Cannon Fodder Level), Soul Power 65/100

Secondary Skills: Bloodline Coordination (C Level), Flying Mastery (D Level)

The C-level Bloodline Coordination replaced his D-level skill, effectively raising his Magic Power by 4 points, putting him at the Average School Wizard level. Finally, he wasn't as conspicuous as before.

His Soul Power had also seen a significant increase. Killing the Giant Squid added 20 points, and the Basilisk added another 20. The rest likely came from slaying the Giant Blind Salamander and the Black Insect. With only a few bullets left in his pistol, Dudley could practically hear his wallet crying.

After selecting the skill upgrade, Dudley turned his attention to another small box—a C-level Randomly Enchanted Equipment Box.

This was his first encounter with enchanted equipment, and Dudley's anticipation was high. Would it be a fine wand? Perhaps something like an invisibility cloak? As he opened the chest, a burst of blue light revealed a pair of large brown leather shoes. The style was a bit retro, but at least they weren't ugly.

[Obtained: Boots of the Traveler (Level C) – Reduces physical exertion by 20%, decreases negative effects of teleportation magic by 60%]

Dudley scratched his head, unsure of the actual value of the boots, but they felt incredibly comfortable, almost as if they made him lighter on his feet.

Finally, there was a bag filled with Galleons. Since the hunting mission had no time limit, there was no additional reward for completing it early. Though a little disappointed, Dudley now had a "fortune" of three thousand Galleons, more than enough to replenish his ammunition.

Dudley noticed that his Ordnance Manual had two new bookmarks. The first read "World Development: 5%," and the second was "Seven Deadly Sins: 1/7."

At first, he didn't understand what the bookmarks meant, but soon it clicked, and he even felt a twinge of excitement.

Besides the main storyline following Harry Potter, there's another major arc revolving around Voldemort's seven Horcruxes. Assisting Harry in destroying Tom Riddle's diary had also destroyed a piece of Voldemort's soul, fulfilling part of the "Seven Deadly Sins" mainline and advancing "World Development" by 5%.

The development level of this world was intriguing. Although Dudley hadn't received any tangible reward yet, he sensed that this could be the most precious secret of the magical world, waiting for him to unravel it.

The next morning, Cedric was the first to visit Dudley. The warm winter sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Cedric's gentle, almost ethereal face. The guy seemed even more handsome, which was a little irritating.

"Looks like you're recovering well!" Cedric joked. Though he often seemed serious, once you got to know him, he was quite easygoing.

"The game is back on?" Dudley guessed Cedric's reason for coming.

"Professor Hooch has cleared the snow from the pitch. Are you up for it? It's Hufflepuff versus Slytherin this afternoon, and Marcus—Slytherin's captain—claims he's going to knock you off your broom!" Cedric squeezed Dudley's shoulder, testing his strength.

Dudley jumped out of bed, grinning. "When did you learn to provoke like that? I'll bet ten Galleons Marcus will be lying on the grass calling for his mother by tomorrow!"

"Two Galleons," Cedric shrugged, "I don't want to lose money betting on Marcus."

After chatting with Cedric, Dudley was eager to leave the infirmary. He quickly showered, donned his Hufflepuff uniform, grabbed his Nimbus 2001, and dashed out of the castle.

Despite the sun shining high above the castle, the cold wind still gusted outside. The beautiful snowy landscape stretched out as far as the eye could see, filling Dudley with a sense of calm and contentment.

Dudley expertly mounted his broom, took a deep breath, and gripped the handle tightly as the broom shot forward like a cannonball.

Quidditch is a unique sport for wizards, a fusion of three different ball games.

The Quaffle game resembles Muggle basketball and football, where players score by grabbing the ball, passing it, and tossing it into the opponent's hoops;

The Bludger game is similar to Muggle polo and dodgeball, with Beaters using bats to protect their team from being hit by Bludgers, and they can also direct Bludgers to attack opposing players;

The Golden Snitch is almost a rule tailor-made for Harry. After all, finding the Snitch is largely about luck. If you're fortunate, you might spot it right after the game starts and catch it to secure a win. But if luck isn't on your side, you could spend hours searching the field in vain. It's because of this rule that last year, Harry, an 11-year-old first-year, managed to excel in a house team competition against fifth and sixth years.

Dudley knew his strength didn't lie in luck, so he was destined not to be a Seeker but a Beater, wielding a bat in hand.

That said, Dudley had grown to love this position. What's the point of flying around looking for a Snitch? That's just PvE. What does Uncle Dudley enjoy? Beating the other side until they're picking up their teeth from the ground.

The morning was spent on a simple pre-match practice, mainly familiarizing new team members with the Hogwarts pitch. Madam Hooch also reviewed the rules and her penalty standards. Dudley had no doubts about her professional ability, but her penalty standards... well, he could only smile and shrug.

Marcus led the Slytherin team, circling around Cedric and making all sorts of provocative and insulting gestures, but Cedric remained calm and collected, responding with nothing but a serene smile. As practice ended, he leaned over and whispered to Dudley, "I'll bet five Galleons Marcus comes out unscathed!"

"Deal!" Dudley responded with a wide grin.

At lunch, the Weasley twins had already organized a grassroots effort to sell "sports lottery tickets" under the table. While most students placed small bets just for fun, the twins were guaranteed a profit, though losing one or two Galleons was still a possibility. When Fred spotted Dudley, he suddenly looked despondent.

"Boss Dudley, you're gonna bankrupt us! If you back us, we're doomed..." George groaned.

"You can always spread rumors to the Slytherin students that I'm still weak from my injury!" Dudley suggested with a sly grin.

"Why didn't I think of that!" Fred lamented.

Shortly after noon, a large crowd of students gathered on the Quidditch pitch. Many Hufflepuff students had turned out to watch, not to mention the old captain, who was about to step down and was also sitting in the stands. Cedric, the new captain, led the team, and many Ravenclaw and Gryffindor girls had come to cheer him on.

"You're so handsome, you're popular..." Dudley muttered, carrying his broom and bat as he waved to Ron and Hermione in the stands. They were likely the only ones paying attention to him. He didn't spot Harry—perhaps he was tied up with something else.

"Boss Dudley!" A voice called out from the stands. It was Philo, poking his head out from the crowd. "I bet on you to win! Go for it!"

Dudley gave him a rare smile, appreciating this one fan he had at school.

At Madam Hooch's first whistle, the team members mounted their brooms and quickly spread out into their pre-determined formations. Cedric opted for an eagle-head offensive formation, a departure from the defensive style favored by the previous captain.

Buck-toothed Marcus made a throat-slitting gesture at Cedric, while Malfoy sneered at Dudley. Dudley exchanged a glance with Cedric.

Cedric's look said: "I think their new Seeker stands out too much."

Dudley's look replied: "I think Marcus is lonely without his mommy."

The two quickly reached a silent agreement.

Madam Hooch hovered in the center of the field on her broom, ensuring both teams were ready before releasing the Golden Snitch. The excitement in the crowd was palpable.

-------

The game began as Madam Hooch released the glittering Golden Snitch.

The Hufflepuff players moved together in sync, weaving through the air in pairs and forming graceful arcs. Most Hufflepuff students came from ordinary families and used older broomsticks, making it challenging for them to compete against other houses, especially when facing the Slytherin team, all equipped with Nimbus 2001s.

Slytherin took off at an impressive speed, even prompting a gasp from the Ravenclaw commentator.

"Slytherin is incredibly fast! They're really showing off those new broomsticks. Hufflepuff might be at a disadvantage today!"

Marcus Flint, the Slytherin captain, quickly took possession of the Quaffle. Although originally a Seeker, no one could resist the allure of a Nimbus 2001. Plus, he had discovered that being a Chaser suited him better, allowing him to play more tricks during the game.

Less than a minute into the match, Marcus led a fast break and scored through the Hufflepuff ring. The Slytherins in the stands erupted in cheers.

"Stay in position, keep up with their speed!" Cedric shouted.

The Hufflepuff players, initially disoriented by Slytherin's rapid pace, were brought back to focus by Cedric's commands.

"Just you? Think you can keep up with Slytherin?" Malfoy taunted as he flew high, scanning for the Golden Snitch.

Dudley quickly recognized a weakness in the Hufflepuff team. It hadn't been apparent during practice, but it was glaringly obvious on the field: the entire team revolved around Cedric. He was the core, responsible for organizing the offense, commanding the defense, and hunting for the Golden Snitch. Even if Cedric had three heads and six arms, it would be impossible to manage it all.

The Gryffindor team approached the game more strategically. Captain Wood, who was passionate about Quidditch, sacrificed the thrill of charging down the field to serve as Keeper. From there, he could observe the game more comprehensively, gather experience, and adjust tactics accordingly.

Cedric continued giving instructions, but Dudley felt constrained. Hufflepuff, valuing fairness, often avoided physical confrontations, while Slytherin was known for aggressive play, where colliding with opponents was the norm.

Occasionally, someone would be knocked off course. As the referee, Madam Hooch was tempted to stop the game several times, but Slytherin's players stayed just within the bounds of the rules, understanding that a penalty at this stage could be costly.

Hufflepuff's frustration was palpable. Dudley wanted to take the initiative, but Slytherin's Beaters targeted their Chasers relentlessly, forcing Dudley to focus on protecting his teammates.

Fifteen minutes passed, and the score stood at 60 to 10, with Hufflepuff managing just one goal.

The entire audience could sense that something was wrong with Hufflepuff.

"Cedric! We need to adjust our tactics!" Dudley called out, flying over to Cedric.

Cedric nodded and shouted to his teammates below, "Switch to a defensive formation!"

The Hufflepuff Keeper quickly rallied the team into a defensive stance.

"Hufflepuff seems to be changing tactics, but it looks like the momentum is still against them. Switching from offense to defense might only make them more passive," the commentator remarked with a touch of regret.

"Dudley, help with the defense!" Cedric directed, still scanning the sky for the Golden Snitch.

But Dudley had a different plan. "Don't worry about the others. Just focus on finding the Snitch; I'll cover you!" he whispered.

While Cedric hesitated, Dudley spotted the Snitch fluttering near a tall tower beside the stands.

He quickly alerted Cedric, noting that they were much closer to the Snitch than Malfoy, giving them a significant advantage.

Though Cedric was riding a Comet 260, which was not particularly fast, his skills were impressive. He executed a sharp turn in mid-air and dove towards the Golden Snitch.

"Stop him!" Malfoy shouted, noticing Cedric's movement. His Nimbus 2001 responded with a rapid turn, propelling him into a steep dive.

But Marcus wasn't about to let Cedric steal the spotlight. With a wave, he signaled the Slytherin Beaters, who swiftly directed a Bludger towards Cedric. The Beaters passed the Bludger back and forth with incredible speed, flanking Cedric. The Hufflepuff Beaters struggled to intercept.

At twenty meters, the Slytherin Beaters simultaneously swung their bats, sending the Bludger hurtling towards Cedric's head like a cannonball.

"Double attack! Oh my gosh!" The commentator nearly covered her eyes, and the girls in the stands screamed. Despite Cedric's skill, his broom wasn't as maneuverable as Harry's Nimbus 2000. If he didn't dodge in time, a hit to the head from the Bludger could be catastrophic.

Cedric gritted his teeth and twisted his broom, spinning it halfway like a drill and hanging upside down. But even then, the Bludger was poised to strike his broom—a dangerous situation.

"Whack!"

There was a sharp crack as a figure suddenly appeared beside Cedric. It was Dudley, who had risen from below and struck the speeding Bludger just in time, saving Cedric.

The girls in the stands screamed again, but it was Cedric's intact handsome face they were relieved about, not Dudley's heroic play.

"It's a Bludger counterattack!" the commentator exclaimed. The Bludger, not knocked away but redirected, now flew towards Malfoy at breakneck speed. Malfoy's face turned pale as he yanked his broom's handle up, barely avoiding the attack but losing his chance to chase the Snitch.

Cedric righted himself on his broom, but the Snitch had vanished from sight, and the game continued.

Marcus flew over to the Slytherin Beaters and whispered, "He's just a first-year. Focus on Cedric, leave the little fat guy to me!"

The Beaters exchanged glances and veered off in opposite directions. Dudley noticed, smirking to himself. He wasn't afraid of them coming after him—he was only concerned they might not.

Slytherin launched another attack. The Beaters latched onto Cedric like shadows, while Marcus maneuvered closer to Dudley.

"Brilliant pass!"

A Slytherin Chaser sent the Quaffle to Marcus, but instead of flying towards the Hufflepuff rings, Marcus approached Dudley from behind, hurling the Quaffle at the back of Dudley's head. The crowd gasped.

Dudley, hearing the rush of air behind him, smirked inwardly. He had purposely left his back exposed to Marcus. This guy loved to pull tricks on the field, but Dudley wasn't about to let him get away with it.

He abruptly spun around and struck the Quaffle hard with his bat. The force was so immense that even though the Quaffle was soft, it shot back like a cannonball, slamming into Marcus's face.

Marcus felt as though an elephant had landed on his face. His hands slipped from his broom, and though his legs clung to the broomstick, his body was thrown out of control, plummeting from the sky.

Meanwhile, Slytherin's Beaters seized another opportunity, aiming the Bludger at Cedric once more. Dudley, not caring whether Marcus had been knocked out, sped into the air to clear the Bludger for Cedric.

"It seems like Dursley is acting as Cedric's bodyguard!" the commentator exclaimed excitedly, coining a new nickname for Dudley.

Sure enough, the Hufflepuff students cheered, shouting, "Bodyguard! Bodyguard!"

Dudley couldn't help but feel a little bitter. He also wanted to be known as Hufflepuff's prince like Cedric!

---

When people are extremely angry, they might unleash far more strength than usual; of course, they might also make very irrational decisions. As a bully, Marcus was naturally inclined to the latter.

His nose was nearly broken, and blood flowed down his face. Yet the right and wrong were clear—Marcus had struck first, and Dudley "mistakenly" thought it was a Bludger, leading to Marcus's "accidental injury." Luckily, the Bludger wasn't particularly hard, and Marcus only sustained minor injuries, managing to stay on his broom.

Marcus had never been this furious. He roared in anger and ordered the two Slytherin beaters to join him in attacking Dudley—three against one.

Dudley thought as I did. How could he, alone, make up for the vast difference in broom performance between the two teams? But he could lure away three of their main players, greatly reducing the pressure on his teammates.

A Quidditch team consists of only seven players. With Cedric's exceptional skills, it wasn't hard for him to take on Malfoy one-on-one. With Dudley distracting three more players, after discounting the keepers of both teams, the remaining Hufflepuff players would have a numerical advantage of four against two. If they still couldn't win, the Hufflepuff team might as well withdraw from the league altogether.

The two Slytherin beaters were highly skilled, effortlessly controlling a Bludger by knocking it back and forth, chasing Dudley relentlessly.

Since everyone's brooms were the same model, and Dudley's broom was slightly superior in performance, Dudley simply switched to "kite flying" mode, keeping a distance of eight to ten meters from them and leading them around the pitch.

Marcus, however, was always just below Dudley. As the saying goes, it's never too late for a gentleman to seek revenge, but for a scoundrel, even waiting until nightfall is too long.

After being chased for a while, Dudley finally began to tire, and his broom's speed decreased slightly. He was sweating profusely, panting, clutching his stomach with one hand, and wincing in pain, as if the wound from the basilisk had torn open due to the vigorous movements.

In the audience, Ron and Hermione couldn't help but gasp, as if they were witnessing Dudley plummeting from a great height.

Marcus grinned, his eyes full of malice. He signaled, and the two beaters drew a figure-eight arc to flank Dudley.

Madam Hooch frowned. She had already noticed Marcus's intent for revenge. Concerned that the Slytherins might take drastic action, she quickly followed.

At this moment, one of Slytherin's chasers suddenly collided with Hufflepuff's keeper. A loud crash of brooms echoed across the field. Madam Hooch was startled and quickly turned to check.

Seizing the opportunity, the Slytherin beaters abandoned the Bludgers and swung their bats at Dudley. But Dudley had anticipated this, and with a swift push on his broomstick, he dove sharply forward.

The beaters' bats collided with each other with full force. Marcus, thinking he would soon have Dudley within reach, was instead caught off guard as Dudley suddenly rushed past him.

Dudley didn't hit him directly but sped past him. In the next second, Marcus felt his world spinning, as if he were riding not a broom, but a wild bull, charging headlong into the ground. The broom's end lodged deep into the grass. If the Quidditch pitch hadn't been soft, Marcus might have been seriously injured.

"Wham!"

With a sharp crack, Dudley struck the Bludger with his bat, aiming it at Malfoy, who was dueling with Cedric. The Golden Snitch hovered just one or two meters ahead of them; the two were almost shoulder to shoulder, their brooms nearly entangled.

Malfoy smirked at Cedric, eyes full of mockery, and suddenly accelerated. Perhaps even Dudley hadn't fully grasped the power of the Nimbus 2001. Unlike the Nimbus 2000, this broom excelled in initial acceleration, abrupt stops, and sharp turns, though its second-stage acceleration was significantly different, making it difficult to keep up with Cedric's Comet 260.

Cedric gritted his teeth, unable to prevent Malfoy from overtaking him, unless he resorted to pulling Malfoy's trousers.

Just when Cedric thought defeat was inevitable, a shadow zoomed in with a "whoosh!" and collided hard with Malfoy's broomstick.

Madam Hooch had just blown her whistle for a foul at the Hufflepuff goal, and as she turned, the stands erupted in loud cheers. Hufflepuff students jumped up excitedly.

Madam Hooch looked back to see Marcus on the ground, Malfoy's broom descending, the two Slytherin beaters clutching their heads, and Cedric holding a small, shiny golden ball.

Hufflepuff ultimately won the game, 190-70.

Slytherin students were disgruntled, demanding that Madam Hooch penalize Dudley for a serious foul and nullify Cedric's Snitch catch. However, the Hufflepuff students were even more adamant. Students from both houses began to argue fiercely, nearly escalating into a fight.

In the end, Madam Hooch and the other professors present sided with the Ravenclaw commentator's assessment: Slytherin fouled first, Hufflepuff was forced to counterattack, and the result stood.

Cedric enthusiastically bumped fists with Dudley, and the two were instantly surrounded by students in yellow uniforms, basking in the joy of victory.

Dudley felt a slight disappointment—Lucius wasn't there. Otherwise, he would have been absolutely furious.

In fact, Lucius was furious at that very moment, having just lost control of Hogwarts after leaving Dumbledore's office. In the corridor, Harry had tricked him into freeing Dobby by placing the diary inside a sock, which Dobby then received.

Lucius was so enraged that he nearly cast the Killing Curse at Harry, but Dobby's snap of the fingers sent him sprawling to the floor.

Then again, Dudley thought Lucius was just putting on a show. There was no way he would dare use the Killing Curse on Harry at Hogwarts. Even during Voldemort's peak, Lucius wouldn't have dared kill anyone with his own hands.

The storm passed quickly, and neither Malfoy nor Marcus was seriously injured. After all, they had broken Harry's arm the last time. Dudley's counterattack was praised by many Gryffindor students, who saw it as standing up for Harry—a sentiment Dudley hadn't anticipated but didn't mind.

In any case, Dudley had suddenly become a celebrity at Hogwarts, with Fred and George subtly spreading his reputation as a steadfast ally who defended his friends.

Beyond Quidditch, another event excited the students this month—Christmas.

Dudley was curious. Since wizards aren't religious like Muggles, what significance does Christmas hold for them?

He soon realized the answer was simple: no child could resist the allure of gifts! For young wizards, Christmas was a joyful holiday with nearly every child receiving presents. Last Christmas, Harry had received the Nimbus 2000 from Professor McGonagall.

During the feast, countless owls swooped into the Great Hall, delivering carefully wrapped gifts to the children. Excited squeals and disappointed groans filled the room.

For instance, the Weasley twins and Neville Longbottom were among the disappointed. Ron received an old book, while Neville got another hand-knitted sweater from his grandmother, which didn't fit well and was even a bit… girly.

"Open it up! Let's see what you got," Philo urged Dudley, eager to see what the Dursleys had sent him. When Dudley opened his package, it revealed the latest gaming console and a long letter from Petunia, still bearing traces of tear stains.

"Oh, it's a shame there's no TV at Hogwarts. Wizards never play Muggle games," Philo remarked, disappointed.

Dudley shrugged, unbothered. The Dursleys still saw him as the lazy, chubby boy, and he had no intention of correcting them. Maybe it was better to preserve the illusion for the sake of their strained family ties.

Harry forced a smile, feeling a twinge of envy as he watched his friends show off their various gifts, even the ones that were utterly useless.

---

"Harry, here it is, your gift!" Dudley said warmly, presenting a box from behind his back.

"Ah! I'm sorry, I didn't prepare anything for you..." Harry replied, clearly embarrassed.

"It's alright, I'm your brother, and it's my job to take care of you! Open it!" Dudley said with a proud smile.

Harry untied the ribbon eagerly and opened the box, revealing a thick photo album. The cover featured a somewhat old photo of James Potter playing on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

"I found this with Professor McGonagall's help. Don't worry about your connection to Slytherin anymore. Both your aunt and uncle were Gryffindor graduates!" Dudley explained.

Harry couldn't hold back his tears any longer and embraced Dudley tightly. After more than ten years of unhappiness, Harry finally let go and truly accepted Dudley as his brother.

Two hours later.

"You said you would protect me! We're good brothers!" Harry said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, and Ron quickly nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Hermione, are you going to join them in this mischief?" Dudley asked, raising an eyebrow at Hermione, who was already prepared for the cold.

"I have to keep an eye on them to prevent even more trouble!" Hermione said firmly.

"Come on, that cat's going to catch us soon. If we get caught, there'll be serious consequences!" Fred urged, his face half-covered by his scarf.

George tapped the hunchbacked statue of the one-eyed witch with his wand and whispered, "Dissendium!"

Yes, they were sneaking off to Hogsmeade Village for the Christmas Eve celebration. The younger students might be asleep under the Christmas tree, but these were seasoned warriors who had faced dark wizards.

Harry had figured out the secret passage long ago. After all, the twins and Harry's trio were inseparable. They hung out every day, making it impossible for the twins to hide their whereabouts perfectly all the time. Plus, there was always something new with them.

Moreover, they weren't the type to hoard secrets, otherwise, they wouldn't have given Harry the Marauder's Map later on. After Ron's insistent questioning, they simply handed it over.

It was the first time Harry, Ron, and Hermione had walked through the secret passage, and it was a thrilling experience for them. Dudley and the twins felt a bit uneasy—the dark, winding passage was unnerving—but the trio, shielded by their friends, felt a little more at ease.

Honeydukes was packed with customers, and the store manager and employees were extremely busy. They had been preparing for Christmas for two weeks, but demand still outstripped supply.

Hogwarts students were their main customers, so it wasn't unusual to see someone emerge from the cellar, as long as they weren't holding unpaid candy.

Dudley was impressed by the selection and bought a palm-sized multivitamin argan candy for each of the trio. The candies changed color after each lick, and the flavor of the next bite was always a surprise. The owner assured them it was both delicious and healthy.

As they stepped out of Honeydukes, the village was bustling. The branches of trees were draped with magical candles, glowing Christmas trees stood everywhere, and snowmen waved at passersby. Of course, there were also various odd voodoo dolls.

Harry and Ron were wide-eyed, taking in the new sights. Everything seemed fascinating to them. However, Fred reminded them to pull their hoods up so they wouldn't be recognized by upperclassmen, especially the Slytherins or their older brother Percy.

Hermione kept telling Harry about the goblin rebellion of 1612, which had its headquarters here, but Harry and Ron were more interested in the "famous spots" that the twins had often mentioned.

Fred enthusiastically led them to Zonko's Joke Shop and the famous haunted house, The Shrieking Shack, while Dudley slipped away from the group and headed to a secluded alley.

After slipping a gold coin into a slot, a door creaked open, revealing a dark corridor leading to a room where bounty hunters discussed their missions. Mr. Motu, a bald man with a shiny head, was sipping dark brown tequila as he tapped a ledger. A man in a silver mask stood silently in the shadows like a statue.

"Mr. Rollins, welcome back!" Mr. Motu greeted him with a nod, setting down his ledger and drink. "What can I do for you today?"

Dudley sat down politely and got straight to the point: "I need to order a Muggle weapon."

Mr. Motu's interest was piqued: "What kind of weapon?"

"An original AK-47 automatic rifle, and I'd like it enchanted for accuracy," Dudley replied. After battling the giant squid and the basilisk, Dudley had developed a fear of insufficient firepower. Now that he had some money, he needed a reliable weapon.

After consulting a weapons manual, he knew that his "Gun Contract" could be upgraded to an automatic rifle. And when it came to the best automatic rifle of this era, it had to be the Soviet-made AK-47. It was exported to hundreds of countries and copied by many others.

Mr. Motu stroked his sparse beard and said, "With all due respect, Mr. Rollins, Muggle weapons like automatic rifles are strictly controlled even in the wizarding world."

Dudley handed over a small bag of Galleons, saying, "Half now, and I'll pick it up in a week. Is there a problem?"

Mr. Motu weighed the bag, which contained about 150 Galleons, and smiled. "At your service, Mr. Rollins. Is there anything else you need?"

Dudley thought for a moment and said, "I'd like to take on some tasks, preferably involving dark creatures."

Mr. Motu grinned, "Need to earn back the Galleons you just spent? I'm afraid the Bounty Association prohibits tasks for wizards under 17..."

Dudley shook his finger. "Isn't there anything involving the Forbidden Forest? It's not exactly easy for adult wizards to enter and exit Hogwarts, right?"

Mr. Motu paused, then narrowed his eyes, but Dudley thought he saw a hint of approval in his gaze.

Nevertheless, Mr. Motu waved for Dudley to follow him to a small room. Inside, a row of dirty old-fashioned mechanical typewriters lined the wall, which was covered with bounty posters. They were densely packed, like butterflies pinned to a wall, occasionally shifting to make space.

With a wave of Mr. Motu's hand, a bounty poster flew over.

"Oh! Unicorn blood and tail hair. Blood is 30 Galleons per ounce, and tail hair is 4 Galleons per ounce. It must be pure white... Not interested?" Mr. Motu asked, observing Dudley's reaction. Dudley quickly shook his head.

Just kidding, poaching unicorns is a serious crime, you bald old man, Dudley thought.

Mr. Motu quickly changed the poster.

"The hoof of a centaur... well, never mind... some weird voodoo magic..." Before he could finish, he tore up the poster himself.

Although centaurs weren't recognized as an "intelligent race" by the Ministry of Magic, but classified as "magical creatures," many wizards believed they, along with giants, should be treated as equals. For Mr. Motu, dealing with a few dark wizards might not be a big deal, but going to the Forbidden Forest to harm centaurs would lead to serious trouble.

Dudley searched for a while longer and finally found a suitable task.

"A pint of acromantula venom is worth one hundred Galleons. I guess the employer doesn't actually expect the hunter to collect so much venom. Let's say five Galleons per ounce."

"Perfect, I'll take it!" Dudley agreed. His enchanted +1 pistol bullets cost about 3.3 Galleons each, so if he used them sparingly, he wouldn't lose money...

Mr. Motu rolled up the bounty poster gracefully and handed it to Dudley, who tucked it into his robe. When no one else was around, Dudley whispered:

"Mr. Motu, I also want to ask about something else..."

Mr. Motu raised an eyebrow, waiting for Dudley to continue.

"Have you heard of the Faceless Men?" Dudley asked cautiously, watching Mr. Motu's reaction closely.

But he was disappointed. It seemed like Mr. Motu was hearing the term for the first time. The man spread his hands and said, "I'm afraid I don't have the information you're looking for here." After a pause, he added, "But I'll keep an eye out for you. Consider it a little value-added service."

Dudley sighed and strode out of the Bounty Association. But after he left, Mr. Motu nodded to the man in the silver mask, who shook his head like a puppet on a string.

---

The Forbidden Forest, located to the east of Hogwarts Castle, is a vast expanse of ancient woodland, filled with towering trees and dense undergrowth. This primeval forest is home to hundreds of magical creatures, as well as ordinary animals, insects, and plants. In the Wizarding World, it is a precious and untouched natural sanctuary.

However, Dudley didn't buy into the public image of the Forbidden Forest. Encircled by an impenetrable magical barrier, it was clearly the private property of Hogwarts, or more accurately, a revenue source for the school's board of governors.

While the magical world possesses extraordinary abilities, it cannot create food or daily necessities from thin air—hence the need for currency. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a massive institution, doesn't charge tuition or possess significant assets. So how are the students' meals, the professors' salaries, the maintenance of the castle, and the school's massive consumption funded?

In reality, these expenses are covered by the twelve members of the school's board, each representing a powerful wizarding family. However, even these ancient families, like the Blacks, Malfoys, and Gaunts, have seen better days. Centuries of lavish lifestyles have drained their fortunes. It's unlikely that someone like Lucius Malfoy would donate money to Hogwarts out of sheer generosity.

Unless, of course, these are not donations, but investments. The Forbidden Forest, then, is where the profits are made.

This becomes apparent from several details. For instance, Hagrid's official title is "Keeper of Keys and Grounds" rather than a simple groundskeeper or forest ranger. He's responsible for protecting the hunting grounds of the board members. If Hogwarts' walls were truly built to safeguard students, why would they need to encompass the entire Forbidden Forest?

The word "forbidden" in "Forbidden Forest" isn't meant to protect students (otherwise, first-years who misbehave wouldn't be sent there as punishment—proving the professors don't truly consider it dangerous, just intimidating), but rather to prevent others from poaching.

Christmas break came with a five-day holiday, and most students chose to go home. Dudley wrote a lengthy letter to Vernon and Petunia but decided to stay at Hogwarts with Harry.

Spending time alone with Dudley for the first time, Harry felt something different. Dudley seemed like a mix of the three of them—Hermione's intelligence, Harry's own bravery, Ron's loyalty, and even... a touch of Snape's cold demeanor.

They sneaked out of the castle, passing by Hagrid's dimly lit hut. Poor Hagrid wasn't home yet.

A few days prior, after a student was attacked, Malfoy had convinced the Ministry of Magic to reopen an old case, resulting in Hagrid's arrest and imprisonment in Azkaban. Although it was soon proven that he was innocent, the Ministry was slow in releasing him. He wouldn't be back until next week at the earliest.

The Ministry of Magic has always operated this way—quick to catch and slow to release the innocent, and slow to catch and quick to release the guilty.

Though it was night, Fang heard Harry's footsteps from afar and ran over obediently for a lick and a hug. However, Harry didn't have the energy.

Dudley wanted to fly his broom over the Forbidden Forest, but he underestimated Hogwarts' security measures. As a school, Hogwarts has a strict curfew system, and for good reason—to protect the board's property.

Flying on campus at night triggers an immediate alarm. Unauthorized entry also triggers an alarm. Dudley had to abandon his plan to fly and decided to walk to the Forbidden Forest instead. Besides the defensive spells, there was also Fang, acting as a patrol guard. Just one bark from Fang, and their plans would be foiled.

Harry excitedly ventured into the Forbidden Forest with Fang, and Dudley agreed. After all, the forest was vast, and they were unfamiliar with the terrain and could easily get lost.

"Dudley, do you think Hagrid would be upset if we went after some Acromantulas?" Harry asked as they entered the forest, which seemed to darken suddenly. The moonlight outside made the snow glow brightly, but the cedars and redwoods within blocked most of the light, creating an eerie atmosphere.

If it weren't for his absolute trust in Dudley, Harry wouldn't be out here in the middle of the night. They had likely broken at least eight to ten school rules and had no clear reason why.

"Let me put it this way... I need to improve my combat magic through constant practice... and the Acromantula is a perfect target. I read Professor Flitwick's report. The Acromantula population has grown too large, threatening the habitats of centaurs and unicorns. So, you could say we're doing everyone a favor by culling them!" Dudley explained confidently.

Harry shrugged, not particularly invested. He wasn't as fond of magical creatures like Acromantulas or Blast-Ended Skrewts as Hagrid was. Besides, he owed Dudley; whether it was in everyday interactions or fighting in the Chamber of Secrets, Dudley had proven himself and earned Harry's respect.

Dudley wasn't bothered by the occasional pair of glowing green or yellow eyes that appeared and then quickly vanished in the darkness. Holding his wand in his left hand, and with his right hand transformed into a revolver, he was more than ready to take on most wild beasts.

They soon encountered a line of small spiders crawling deeper into the forest. The Acromantulas were described as strange creatures in the book—they looked like spiders, could speak human language, and had characteristics similar to ants or bees. Even in winter, these small spiders searched for food to bring back to their nests.

These small spiders, crawling throughout the forest, were mere drones. They had no intelligence and couldn't grow or reproduce. Only a few female spiders and soldier spiders could grow to one or two meters in height. In the book, Hagrid had instructed Harry to follow these foraging spiders to find Aragog.

"Follow the spiders, and you'll find their nest," Dudley whispered.

Harry nodded but couldn't help asking, "I think we should try not to hurt Aragog... after all..."

Dudley chuckled. "Then you'd better be able to stop me..."

Under the sparse moonlight, they trudged through the snow, which crunched softly beneath their feet. The Forbidden Forest was silent and mysterious at night, but trolls, werewolves, and other creatures lived deeper in the forest and didn't venture out in the freezing cold.

Perhaps the most unsettling creatures were the Thestrals resting under the large trees. Only those who had witnessed death could see their skeletal forms. If given the chance, Dudley would love to have a Thestral as a mount—it would certainly make an impression.

After walking about two miles, they arrived at a woodland almost in ruins. The trees had lost most of their branches and leaves. Pale spider webs hung from the swaying trunks, forming a maze. Dead grass and snow-covered ground were dotted with squirming eggs or cocoons of various shapes. These cocoons were likely the "reserve food" hunted by the larger soldier spiders.

Deep within the woodland were several hills covered in caves. This was where Harry and Ron had found Aragog in the book.

"I don't think Hagrid realizes just how much damage the Acromantulas have done to the forest!" Harry muttered. The scene before him confirmed Dudley's words. The spider nest was expanding, and wherever the Acromantulas went, nothing else could survive.

Dudley merely curled his lips, not commenting on Harry's remark. While Hagrid certainly loved magical creatures, his understanding of them was far from objective. Predators and prey are both parts of the ecosystem. Too many predators, and they threaten livestock; too few, and the prey overruns the land. Humans shouldn't favor certain animals based on sentiment, nor should they introduce invasive species that have no natural enemies.

So, as Dudley surveyed the scene, he felt that Hagrid's brief stay in Azkaban wasn't entirely undeserved.

"Stay sharp! We've got work to do!" Dudley pointed to a cave entrance.

Something in the darkness had heard them. It cautiously revealed part of its body. Eight green eyes on its round head stared out of the woodland entrance, waiting for prey to stumble into its trap.

--------

[Rare magical creature detected: Adult Acromantula (lv.4)]

[Optional Mission Triggered - Revenant Hunter (repeatable): Hunt the adult Acromantula, no time limit.]

[Task reward: Soul power +5, Crispy Acromantula legs (excellent) x2]

As Dudley Dursley saw the spider's head in the black hole, larger than a TV, the system immediately displayed a mission prompt. He paused for a moment, then understood. For wild magical creatures that actively attack humans, the system issues the Revenant mission—clearly designed to help him "level up." Otherwise, to upgrade his firearm contract by one level, he might have to eradicate every dark wizard in Britain.

Since the food he obtained from killing the Giant Squid had been delicious and nutritious, Dudley suddenly grew excited. Initially concerned about his bullet supply, he now had no worries and headed straight into the forest.

Harry took out a bottle of "Insect Repellent" and sprayed it on himself. Fang seemed a little frightened but still followed Harry closely.

Dudley didn't expect Harry to be particularly effective in combat, but having him along would grant some protection from the protagonist's halo. Additionally, Harry was proficient in spells and would serve as the primary attacker while Dudley assisted. It seemed like a decent combination. Of course, if given the choice, Dudley would rather have Hermione by his side.

On the forest floor, there was often mucus secreted by spiders, which could slow down any creature entering the forest. When a soldier spider emerged from its hole to attack, any startled prey could easily get caught in the spider webs spread across nearby branches and be captured.

Dudley specifically chose Christmas time to hunt because it was winter, and the snow from the last storm had yet to melt. This meant the mucus had frozen along with the snow. Dudley tested it with his hand, finding that the enormous spider web connected between the tree trunks and the ground had also lost its stickiness, which significantly reduced the difficulty of his operation.

Carefully stepping on the snow, Dudley moved toward the black holes in the hills ahead, where more and more giant spiders were starting to stir. On one hand, these creatures were a source of soul power; on the other, they also posed an increased risk to Dudley. He knew the Acromantula wasn't as weak as depicted in the movies. In the films, Harry and Ron had barely resisted and had only narrowly escaped their encirclement. Such beasts were clearly a local hazard, naturally fierce and challenging to deal with.

By his estimation, Dudley was about 30 meters away, which was already within the optimal shooting range for his pistol. He immediately stopped, tucked his wand into his waistband, and took out the searchlight from his magic pouch, aiming it at the nearest black hole. The two large spiders hiding in the darkness were instantly exposed. Startled by the bright light, they let out a strange hiss and crawled out of the hole, their eight long, hairy legs making Dudley's skin crawl just to look at them.

"Bang!" Dudley wasn't going to let them get closer. He shot the spider nearest to its mouthparts, causing blue-green blood to spurt out as the creature collapsed.

"There are more!" Harry quickly stepped forward and stood beside Dudley. With a wave of his wand, dozens of black stalagmites suddenly rose between them and the spider hill, forming a barrier like the "chevaux-de-frise" used in ancient wars, hoping to slow the spiders' advance.

However, while the idea was solid, the reality was less so. Dudley soon found that the stalagmites blocked his view instead of stopping the spiders.

"Back up! Change your spell! Change your spell!" Dudley quickly pulled Harry back, downing another spider with two more shots as they retreated.

Although Acromantulas were far from ordinary insects, they were still arthropods. Their exoskeletons formed a solid shell, making them difficult to damage with a sword or low-level attack spells. However, once the outer shell was breached, the soft tissue inside was vulnerable. Dudley's enchanted bullets were perfect for this type of body structure, though they were rapidly depleting.

Dudley's gunshots had clearly alerted the entire forest of Acromantulas. In an instant, large and small spiders surged from the hills ahead like a tide. Dudley held the searchlight in one hand and his gun in the other, firing wherever he aimed. A hail of bullets took down four giant spiders, and they retreated to the edge of the forest. Fortunately, it was winter—had it been summer, retreating while fighting would have been much more challenging due to the risk of stepping on the sticky mucus or getting caught in the webs.

"Petrificus Totalus!" While Dudley reloaded, Harry cast the Full Body-Bind Curse on a spider that had crawled within seven or eight meters. Ironically, despite having eight long legs and moving quickly, the spider lost its balance and rolled over to one side when one leg was petrified.

"Ha, this works!" Harry was overjoyed, feeling he was finally making a difference.

"Back to that small ravine!" Dudley shouted. With a swift motion, he reloaded his gun, flipping the hammer of the pistol like a Western cowboy. In three seconds, he had fired six shots, blowing the heads off three more giant spiders.

As the spider carcasses piled up, submerged by the swarm, Dudley couldn't help but feel regret. There was no salvaging the venom from those spiders—others of their kind would soon devour the bodies. He barely had time to glance at the ordnance manual as the spiders crept closer. Dudley wished he could sprout eight legs and sprint away.

"Incendio!" Harry shouted as two more giant spiders emerged from the dark forest to their side. He quickly cast a fire spell at the dead branches, causing a large ball of flames to block the spiders' path. However, there was still snow on the surrounding branches, and the fire quickly sputtered out.

Dudley pulled Harry along, urging, "Retreat! There are too many of them!"

Harry thought, I regret coming with you!

Fang, sensing the danger, dashed ahead to lead the way. The two brothers quickly followed, sprinting back the way they had come. It was only when Dudley started running that he realized just how effective his leather shoes were—reducing his physical exertion and making his body feel lighter, which was crucial in any battle.

The trio retreated to a small ravine, which Dudley had identified as an ambush site on their way in. Harry had already sprinkled a large amount of insect repellent on both sides of the valley, and the narrow passage in the middle meant that the giant spiders could only approach one by one—making them easy targets for Dudley.

With Dudley sniping and Harry covering any missed shots, the two worked seamlessly together. In just ten minutes, the corpses of Acromantulas had piled up at the mouth of the small valley, forming a hill. The remaining spiders, seeing so many of their kind killed, began to retreat slowly, likely driven by fear.

"Ding dong!" A clear sound echoed in Dudley's ear, like the bell on a convenience store door.

"Congratulations to the host for collecting enough soul power. The main skill, Gun Contract, has begun to upgrade!" The system prompt in his ear was as gentle and pleasant as ever.

Dudley looked at his right hand in surprise. The mechanical structure, originally dark in color, transformed into countless small parts. As each part flipped over, they all changed into a refined silver-gray structure, with more elegant lines outlining a robotic hand full of steampunk aesthetic.

"The Gun Contract has successfully upgraded to the Charger level. The upper limit of soul power has increased to 1000, and basic firearm permissions such as automatic rifles and assault rifles have been successfully activated."

After spending over 100 Galleons worth of bullets and finally upgrading his main skill, Dudley felt elated, itching to rush to Hogsmeade Village immediately to pick up the AK-47 he had ordered.

However, just as he was considering whether to continue "earning experience" here and use the Acromantulas to upgrade the Gun Contract to the next level, the system reminded him that killing hostile creatures below level 5 would no longer yield soul power. Left with no other choice, Dudley reluctantly gave up.

"Who's there?" Harry suddenly turned, his wand pointing behind them. Dudley was startled—he had been so focused on the ordnance manual that he hadn't noticed the two figures approaching from behind. Cold sweat broke out all over his back. How had his years of vigilance failed him? He couldn't help but blush.

Under the moonlight, two figures emerged from the shadows of the trees. They were tall, with the upper bodies of humans and the lower bodies of horses.

"It's a centaur," Harry whispered.

---

Dudley holstered the revolver and pulled Harry behind him. Centaurs weren't inherently evil, but they held a deep mistrust of humans, likely because their territory had been severely encroached upon. The Forbidden Forest, though vast, had become more of a prison than a sanctuary for them.

Two centaurs approached slowly, spears in hand, their eyes reflecting complex emotions.

Dudley took a closer look. The centaurs were starkly different from one another. One was as strong as an ox, his large muscles barely contained by his animal skin coat. He had a wild, proud demeanor. The other was more refined, with a well-proportioned figure, platinum hair, and a neatly trimmed beard. If he were human, he'd be considered quite handsome.

Dudley immediately recognized the "delicate" centaur as Firenze, the centaur who appeared multiple times in the books and later served as the Divination professor at Hogwarts.

"Hogwarts students are not permitted in the Forbidden Forest at this hour," the muscular centaur stated, his deep voice full of displeasure, as though his territory had been invaded.

Firenze, however, was more composed. When he noticed the corpses of at least ten acromantulas in the ravine, his eyes betrayed a hint of surprise.

"I apologize if we disturbed the noble centaurs' peace," Dudley said, bowing slightly. He was no fool like Malfoy, who constantly offended others. One of Dudley's guiding principles in the Special Operations Brigade was to rally as many allies as possible.

Dudley's respectful attitude softened the centaurs' expressions. Though they didn't hate wizards, they simply wanted fair treatment. Unfortunately, many wizards harbored an innate arrogance towards any non-human species and held Muggles in contempt.

"As far as I know, Hogwarts forbids hunting in the Forbidden Forest. And it seems you've used… some sort of dark magic," Firenze said slowly.

"Sorry, I needed some venom for potion-making. The market prices are just too high," Dudley replied, sounding helpless.

He wasn't particularly concerned whether the centaurs believed him or not. From Firenze's eyes, Dudley deduced that they detested the acromantulas. The Forbidden Forest was vast but still too small for the centaur tribe. Over the years, the acromantulas had claimed a significant portion of the forest, making them mortal enemies of the centaurs.

"I'm willing to share the spoils with the esteemed centaurs," Dudley said, pointing to the spider corpses in the ravine. "Moreover, I plan to hunt these spiders regularly, once a month, with your permission."

His words acknowledged the centaurs as the de facto rulers of the Forbidden Forest, which greatly pleased the muscular centaur. When he mentioned returning monthly, the two centaurs seemed quite pleased.

Firenze slung his spear over his back, drew a knife, and smiled. "In return, we'll help you extract the venom. It doesn't keep well, so it's best done quickly."

Dudley stepped aside politely, recognizing Firenze's character. The books described him as sympathetic to human wizards, a rare rationalist and scholar among centaurs. He was later ostracized by his peers for assisting humans, but that was a story for another time.

"That was close… I thought they were going to attack," Harry whispered, watching the centaurs skillfully extract the venom. Although he never voiced it, Harry still viewed Dudley's Gun Contract as a rare and dangerous form of dark magic due to its lethal power.

"They probably wish I'd wipe out all the acromantulas," Dudley muttered. He checked his mission progress and saw that he'd earned 10 Crispy Spider Legs (excellent), indicating that he'd completed five Revenant Hunter missions. It seemed the system didn't classify many of the larger spiders as "adults," but that was a minor detail.

[Crispy Spider Legs (Excellent): A hearty meal that restores 30% of physical strength and speeds up wound recovery by 20%.]

After a long night, Dudley and Harry were famished. Dudley generously shared four spider legs with Harry and the centaurs. Over the course of the meal, the four of them grew quite familiar with each other. The muscular centaur introduced himself as Bane, the new leader of the centaur tribe. Though not as friendly as Firenze, he was at least reasonable.

About 8 ounces of venom were extracted from the spider corpses—less than half of what Dudley had hoped for. Still, it was better than nothing. However, Dudley had another gain: during his conversation with Bane, his armory manual displayed new information.

[Reputation system unlocked. Speak with the leaders of certain magical organizations to unlock their corresponding reputations.]

[Silver Mane Tribe Reputation Unlocked (Neutral): The centaur tribe residing in the western Forbidden Forest respects nature and believes in shamanism.]

[Blunt Hammer Clan Reputation Unlocked (Hostile): The giant clan living on the northern edge of the Forbidden Forest has avoided humans for years but often disputes territory with the Silver Mane Tribe.]

Simply chatting with Bane had unlocked reputations with two factions, which Dudley found intriguing. He silently reviewed the reputation details: increasing his reputation with a faction would grant rewards and potentially gain their assistance in battle. However, the system didn't provide direct tasks for improving reputation, leaving Dudley to discover them on his own.

The two reputations corresponded to the centaurs and giants in the Forbidden Forest. These two races were enemies, and unlocking them simultaneously seemed to suggest that Dudley might eventually have to choose one side, possibly eliminating the other to gain their favor.

Dudley glanced at the double-barreled shotgun and small revolver in his inventory. Fighting giants with these weapons seemed like a fool's errand. Giants weren't mere beasts; they were intelligent, often skilled in unique magic, and their thick skin provided strong resistance to spells.

Calmly, Dudley asked Bane if there was anything he could help with. The question infuriated Bane, who seemed to take it as a great insult to the centaurs and ordered them to leave.

As they were saying goodbye, Firenze discreetly handed Dudley a small object and winked.

The two hurried back to the castle, just as the sun's golden rays began to peek over the horizon.

With Biro visiting home, the dormitory was Dudley's once more. He carefully counted the spider venom in a small glass vial, placing it into his magic pouch, then examined what Firenze had given him. It was a small, polished bone flute, delicately carved with a tiny mark on the second hole. Dudley immediately understood that Firenze wanted to meet him privately in two days.

Since it was a holiday, Dudley took a long nap before heading to the library. Mrs. Pince, the strict librarian, never took a day off. She was notorious for grilling students about their intentions when borrowing books and the condition of the books themselves. Dudley, however, was prepared. He wasn't there to investigate ancient legends but to study Potions, especially Snape's work.

Giving up the Potions Mastery sub-skill had always worried Dudley. He knew better than anyone the value of potions, and diligence could substitute for system-based knowledge.

Harry couldn't understand why his cousin was so interested in Potions, a subject he found dreadfully boring. Every Potions class was torture for him; Snape never praised him and always found fault with him and Ron. Of course, Snape frequently found fault with all Gryffindors, while giving leniency to dullards like Goyle and Crabbe.

Two nights later, Dudley took Harry with him once more to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He found a small, picturesque pond and began to play the bone flute.

The flute's sound was crisp and melodious, blending seamlessly with the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the calls of nightingales, creating a soothing, peaceful atmosphere.

"I didn't know you could play! It sounds amazing!" Harry said, wide-eyed.

"Humph, there are only two or three notes. It's more like blowing a whistle," Dudley shrugged, dismissively.

"Here he comes!" Dudley perked up as Firenze's silver figure emerged from the forest. His white-blond hair shimmered beautifully in the moonlight.

-----

Dudley was very curious, what could be the reason for Firenze looking for him?You won't let him deal with the giant, right?

Firenze saw the two people by the pond and slowed down. Only then did Dudley see that he had brought a beautiful colorful nightingale. When he walked in front of Dudley, he let the nightingale fly, as if to be his His eyeliner prevents others from approaching, which shows that the matter he wants to entrust is not trivial.

After nodding, Firenze took the initiative to speak: "Thank you for coming, our new friends of the centaurs." Then he turned to Harry and said: "The legend of little Harry Potter is also spreading in the forest. I am glad that you are also here. I can come." Harry was flattered and bowed repeatedly.

Dudley also nodded and said, "Let me get straight to the point. Is there anything I can do for you? I am happy to deepen our friendship with the centaurs."

Firenze had originally prepared some polite words, but they seemed to be omitted now. He stepped forward and patted Dudley's shoulder gently: "Thank you for your kindness to the centaurs. I can see that you are sincere." "." Compared to Dudley and Harry, he was too tall. He knelt down in the open space by the pond and then explained his purpose.

The situation of the centaurs is very bad. It's not that the giants or other races want to kill them all at once, but that the tribe is visibly weakening.

It is difficult for them to communicate with the centaurs tribe outside the Forbidden Forest. No new centaurs have been born for several years. The tribesmen have gradually forgotten their respect for nature. They do not want to learn shamanism, or even go hunting. Facing the Acromantula Occupying the forest land, the horse people do not want to resist. It can be said that the horse people have no hope of fighting.

Dudley saw in Firenze's eyes his concern for the tribe and even the entire species, and he couldn't help but sigh slightly.

"But Hagrid said that the Forbidden Forest was closed to protect you?" Harry asked with some confusion. He had read stories about how Muggles and bad wizards tortured centaurs, made them into specimens, or... It's really scary to use centaur's hooves to make evil magic props.

"Yes, that's right... centaurs are voluntarily recognized by the Ministry of Magic as magical animals... We voluntarily do not have personality like humans..." Firenze's expression was sad and painful. Giving up personality is such an undertaking. It was a humiliating decision. If they had not faced the disaster of annihilation, how could the proud centaurs bow to the Ministry of Magic and beg them to pity them like they protect animals.

But Dudley knew very well that it was impossible for humans to hand over large tracts of land to centaurs or other races. No race had ever had such a strong sense of territoriality as humans. For humans, the entire earth belonged to them.

Since ancient times, countless wars have been fought among humans for land. How could they be spit out?"Nature reserves" like the Forbidden Forest are just human beings' self-impressions in order to label themselves as civilized. They don't really care about the happiness of the horse people.

"But...how can the two of us help?" Dudley scratched his head and said, he still didn't understand why Firenze told them this.

Firenze calmed down, took a deep breath and said: "I am good at divination. I can see that both of you will become great people. I beg you, when you have the ability, you can help the centaurs get out of the Forbidden Forest. Really To thrive..."

Harry's old face blushed slightly, and he hesitated: "I'm just a second-year student... It's too far away to become a big shot..."

Dudley also felt baffled. Even if they remembered this, it would take who knows how many years to realize it. Wasn't he being too ahead of his time by secretly inviting him over?

"Of course, there is another thing I want to ask you... You can help me now..." Firenze's ears seemed to be slightly red, as if he was a little embarrassed: "I want to ask you to help me find Scar." Mr. Mander, Newt Artemis Fido Scamander."

Dudley and Harry were both stunned, not thinking who this was for a moment. Dudley then realized that Firenze was talking about Newt, the protagonist of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", a man who truly loves magical animals and will spend his whole life with them. Dedicated to the learned master who protects magical creatures, but he should be almost a hundred years old by this time.

Dudley also guessed Firenze's intention. Of course, the two junior students could not solve the centaurs' urgent needs, but Master Newt should be able to help. In "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", Newt has a suitcase , connected to a mysterious space where there are no humans and is a paradise for magical animals.

This suitcase should lead to a rift space. Like Diagon Alley, it opens up a rift in the normal earth space. Dudley doesn't know the principle of this. He doesn't know which powerful wizard can open up such a big rift. of folding space, but Master Newt should know, and he should be happy to help the centaurs.

"Scamander...sounds familiar..." Harry muttered. After thinking for a long time, he suddenly clapped his hands, startling both Dudley and Firenze.

"Ginny mentioned that there is a classmate named Scamander! Dudley, like you, is a new student at Hufflepuff!" Harry said happily.

Dudley was stunned and slapped his thigh suddenly. He did have such a classmate, his name was Ralph Scamander. That boy was stupid and naive, and he was usually transparent. He was the grandson of Master Newt.In the novel, he later marries Harry's good friend Luna Lovegood.

"That's great!" Firenze took out a thick letter from his arms, solemnly put it into Dudley's hands and said, "Please help me deliver the letter to Mr. Scamander."

"Don't worry!" Dudley put the letter into the magic package and said, "I will personally deliver it and convey the situation of the centaurs. I believe Master Newt will have a solution!" Even if there was no such thing as the centaurs, he I also want to visit Newt, who can be regarded as a legend of Dumbledore's generation. If he could get the magic to open the folded space, it would be incredible.

Firenze thought for a while, then took off another decoration on his wrist, handed it to Dudley and said, "To express your gratitude, please accept this gift!"

Dudley was about to be polite. It was just a rough bracelet made of unknown bark and ore. It looked like a normal bracelet, but suddenly a system prompt sounded in his ear:

"Accepted the prestige mission: The Future of the Centaurs Tribe. The reputation of the Silver Mane Tribe has been raised to Friendly, and you will receive a C-level enchanted equipment gifted by the centaurs."

Dudley quickly linked his hand, and a message popped up on the ordnance manual:

[Get the Forest Wind Bracelet (Level C): Basic Agility +2, Dodge +2%]

Dudley immediately beamed when he saw the attributes of the equipment. He quickly put it on his right wrist and proudly flaunted it in front of Harry. He was joking. It was too good-looking to be eaten. It would probably take him a year to gain two more points of agility through training.

Harry raised his eyebrows, and there were only a few words in his eyes: "As long as you are happy."

On the way back from the Forbidden Forest, Harry suddenly asked curiously: "Dudley! You are really different from before. You couldn't have been so enthusiastic before..."

Dudley understood what he meant. In the past, Dudley wouldn't even help an old lady on the roadside if she fell, but today he was willing to help the centaurs enthusiastically. There was indeed a big contrast.

Dudley turned around and said pointedly: "Brother, remember what I said, you will meet many people, and some people's first impression is completely different from the truth."

Harry looked confused. Dudley shrugged and quickened his pace. He didn't dare to tell Harry about Sirius in advance. He had already seen the serious consequences of changing the plot without authorization. Maybe it was best to just let nature take its course. Result.

Before returning home for the holidays, the twins threw the Marauder's Map to Dudley. They carefully avoided Filch and his cat and returned to the dormitory safe and sound.

The next day, Dudley sent the Spider Venom to the Bounty Association alone, and finally got what he wanted. In the box was a very well-maintained AK47.

"Certified firearms!" Dudley gritted his teeth and saw that 600 Galleons were instantly missing from his wallet, feeling that his fragile heart was bleeding again.

----

Like drinking half a bottle of vodka, Dudley felt as though he had swallowed an entire Soviet-made AK47, nearly choking on the intense experience. Dizzy and disoriented, he lay there for what seemed like half the night before finally absorbing the details of this famous light weapon.

When he activated the weapon contract, he realized that the energy and money spent had been worthwhile. Instead of his arm turning into a massive automatic rifle, a bulge formed at the top of his wrist. From this bulge, a barrel about ten inches long extended, allowing for precise aiming when firing and effectively distributing the recoil throughout his upper body.

The second pleasant surprise was that, after upgrading his main skill, the cost of bullets significantly decreased. Now, he only needed 30 Galleons to purchase a single round of rifle bullets enchanted with a +20 power boost. He felt that if he encountered a basilisk again, two shots could leave it bloodied and toothless.

As the Christmas vacation ended, students returned to school. Dudley and Harry immediately sought out Ralph, the grandson of Master Newt Scamander. Ralph was amusing himself with his pet cat Niffler when the Dudley brothers visited him, their arrival catching him off guard.

Ralph had a simple and honest face, an average build, unremarkable appearance, and unremarkable conversation. His grades were neither outstanding nor poor, and he seldom drew attention. Apart from the ever-nagging Luna Lovegood, Ralph didn't seem to have many friends.

"Hi, Ralph!" Dudley and Harry sandwiched him between them, making the young man feel slightly flattered. After all, the Dudley brothers were now celebrities—one had a legendary backstory, and the other had just defeated Slytherin, becoming a Hufflepuff hero.

The brothers quickly explained their intentions. Ralph, not one for schemes, revealed his family's whereabouts within a few sentences. His grandparents were now living in seclusion in Dorset County, southern England, occasionally advising the Ministry of Magic on challenging matters.

Only Dudley knew that Master Newt was still tending to the magical habitats inside his suitcase, diligently protecting the ecological balance of magical creatures.

With his destination in mind, Dudley realized he needed some Floo powder before setting off.

"Why don't we just ask Ralph to send a letter directly?" Harry asked, a bit puzzled. With an owl, the task could be completed in a day.

Dudley ruffled Harry's hair and replied, "I've got my own plans, little brother. Don't worry, you'll get to join in on the fun soon enough!"

Harry retaliated with a nudge to Dudley's ribs. As a Gryffindor, he couldn't resist the thrill of adventure.

Though Dudley indeed had many questions he wished to ask Newt in person, he didn't want Harry to get too involved in the dangers he was facing. This time, Dudley was determined to go alone.

After a week of diligent studying, Dudley finally felt like he was catching up in his first-year spells class. He practiced repeatedly, reviewed his progress, and sought advice from Hermione Granger, especially regarding teleportation magic. As the first of their group to master Apparition, Hermione was an invaluable resource.

In the magical world, there were many methods of teleportation: the "Floo Network," the two-point and one-line "Portkey," and the advanced "Apparition." Compared to the first two, Apparition was several levels more challenging, and many wizards never mastered it.

Dudley, still unfamiliar with his magic, couldn't even consider Apparition. With no Portkey readily available, he had to rely on the Floo Network. At Hogwarts, Floo Network and Apparition were disabled to prevent unauthorized entry, but in Hogsmeade, they were fair game.

Climbing out of Honeydukes' cellar, Dudley smiled wryly. He must have broken more school rules than any other first-year in Hogwarts history.

Fortunately, Mr. Motu wasn't at the Bounty Association, and Dudley was served by a young waiter instead. A handful of Floo powder cost only 3 Sickles, but the ticket still set him back a whole Galleon—a clear rip-off.

Standing in the fireplace, Dudley couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. While magical transportation was convenient, Harry had described the Floo Network as an extremely uncomfortable experience, reminding Dudley of his first time using it.

Clenching his left fist, Dudley threw the Floo powder onto the firewood at his feet and shouted, "Bournemouth, Dorset!"

The Floo powder ignited into green flames at his feet, and if he hadn't been mentally prepared, Dudley might have panicked. The flames quickly formed a whirlpool, and Dudley felt his body being pulled in, his bones turning to liquid as he was sucked into the vortex.

The sensation was intense, like being stretched out like dough by a master ramen chef. His head was still in Hogsmeade while his feet had already been dragged hundreds of kilometers away. Thankfully, the process was brief.

When Dudley opened his eyes again, he found himself back in his own body. His hands, feet, head, wand, and clothes were all intact. Relieved, he noticed that his enchanted shoes had worked; he didn't feel the dizziness or nausea that Harry had described.

Looking around, Dudley found himself in a small bar. It was early morning, and there were no customers. The bartender was busy cleaning the tables and benches, paying no attention to Dudley's sudden appearance in the fireplace.

Dorset County was sparsely populated, consisting of villages and small towns much like Dudley's hometown of Surrey. The area was picturesque, with lush vegetation and numerous farms scattered across the countryside.

Following the address Ralph had scrawled on a piece of paper, Dudley found a rather remote farm. He checked the last name on the gate and then pocketed the note.

He gently pushed the fence gate, but it didn't budge. He pushed again, noting that a wooden fence should have some give. But this simple wooden gate felt as solid as stone.

Dudley reached out to touch the air behind the fence. Sure enough, an invisible magical shield acted like a transparent wall, covering the farm. The paddocks and barns he saw were just illusions.

Most wizards' homes were hidden within Muggle society, not only to avoid detection by Muggles but also to protect themselves from dark wizards. Master Newt's home was no exception.

Dudley was about to call out when a large, old poster suddenly appeared on the fence gate. Unfolding it, Dudley saw three riddles written on it:

First riddle: "Small as a mouse, bold and greedy for treasure."

Second riddle: "Golden wings break through clouds, singing like a phoenix, majestic and proud."

Third riddle: "Travels a thousand miles a day, fast as the wind, fierce in spirit with a child's heart."

Dudley couldn't help but smile. Though Master Newt was nearly a hundred years old, he still retained a childlike charm. These were clearly three riddles, testing whether the visitor was a kindred spirit.

Ordinary wizards, even academic prodigies like Hermione, might be stumped by these riddles. But for Dudley, it was a breeze.

Master Newt had many magical animal companions, but three stood out the most.

The first riddle referred to the Niffler, a small creature notorious for getting into trouble and stealing shiny objects. The second riddle described Frank, the Thunderbird that Newt had rescued. The third riddle was about Zou Wu, a fearsome-looking yet playful creature from the East.

With a flourish, Dudley wrote the answers—Niffler, Thunderbird, and Zou Wu—below the riddles, feeling confident in his responses.