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Compared to the relaxed weekends of the other young wizards, Dudley's schedule was completely packed.
Morning training, library time, and in the afternoon, Potions lessons with Professor Snape.
Hermione actually wanted to go. Although Snape's reputation wasn't as grand as Dumbledore's—the greatest white wizard—he was still one of the world's top Potions Masters. Being taught by him personally was something countless people dreamed of.
Unfortunately, Professor Snape hadn't invited her.
Dudley simply said he would learn first and then teach her.
Arriving a bit earlier than the agreed time, Dudley went to the Potions classroom door. Seeing that it was still locked and that Snape hadn't arrived yet, he leaned against the wall and began reading a Herbology book on his own.
Herbology was the foundation of Potions. To truly master Potions, one needed solid knowledge of magical plants.
"You're more punctual than I expected."
Snape's voice, calm yet faintly dangerous, smooth as velvet, sounded from behind Dudley.
Dudley closed the book and replied politely:
"Good afternoon, Professor."
Although Snape's footsteps were extremely quiet—almost ghostlike to most students—Dudley could hear them clearly.
His hearing was far sharper than that of an ordinary person. In terms of physical ability, Dudley could already be considered something of a small superhuman.
As long as he wasn't compared to someone like Hagrid.
Snape opened the Potions classroom door, and the two entered once more. This time, however, it would be a one-on-one lesson.
"My private lessons are not so easy."
"If I find that you can't keep up or lack the necessary talent, I will end these lessons immediately."
Snape's words were cold, but the two had no personal relationship. The fact that he was offering a private lesson at all was already more than enough. After all, the only connection between them was that Dudley's aunt had once been someone Snape cared about.
He wasn't Harry. Snape had no reason to treat him differently.
"Of course, Professor."
Dudley's tone was respectful, but there was a trace of confidence beneath it.
No matter how difficult or complex the process, if a human could do it, he believed he could as well.
He was already an excellent student by nature—disciplined and hardworking. With the addition of the Data Eye, if he still couldn't manage it, he might as well smash his head into a wall.
"Quite confident."
"I hope the potion you produce matches that confidence."
Snape gestured for Dudley to choose a seat. Then he began laying out the ingredients from a nearby cabinet.
"Invigoration Draught. That will be the focus of your first lesson."
The Invigoration Draught was a type of healing potion commonly used at St. Mungo's Hospital, one of the leading wizarding hospitals in Britain.
Broadly speaking, the Invigoration Draught, Essence of Dittany, and Blood-Replenishing Potion all belonged to the category of healing potions, though each served a different purpose.
The Blood-Replenishing Potion was mainly used to restore lost blood, with little effect beyond that.
Essence of Dittany was extracted from a plant and used to heal external wounds. It was widely used and familiar to most wizards.
The Invigoration Draught, on the other hand, was a support potion. While it had some healing and stimulating effects, its main function was to enhance the effectiveness of other healing potions.
In other words, combining Essence of Dittany with the Invigoration Draught significantly improved healing results.
Because of this, the difficulty of brewing the Invigoration Draught was far greater than the other two.
According to Hogwarts' curriculum, this was content usually taught in the upper years.
"Any questions? If not, we'll begin."
As he spoke, Snape began laying out the required ingredients.
Horklump juice and fresh dittany leaves.
Only two supporting ingredients, but the process was quite complex.
"Professor, I have something I'd like to show you."
Dudley took out something he had prepared in advance and placed it on the table.
It was a complete set of laboratory equipment.
Test tubes, beakers, evaporation dishes, alcohol burners, funnels, and more.
"Muggle items?"
Snape only glanced at them once before immediately determining they weren't from the wizarding world.
"Yes, Professor."
Dudley replied calmly and began laying out each piece in order.
It wasn't surprising that Snape showed a hint of disdain. Most wizards had a natural sense of superiority over Muggles.
Few paid any attention to Muggle inventions. As far as Dudley knew, in recent years, only one notable wizard had taken them seriously.
Grindelwald.
"This is a beaker, this is a measuring cylinder, this is..."
Seeing Snape's initial lack of interest, Dudley didn't rush. He simply explained each item's function one by one.
As the explanation continued, Snape's gaze changed.
From initial disdain…
To attention.
And then, seriousness.
Take scales as an example. A modern scale was far more precise than the old brass ones.
For someone like Snape, a master of Potions, precision meant everything.
Even the slightest difference could determine whether a potion succeeded or failed.
"I believe these tools can help with potion-making, so I brought them."
"Professor… whether they're made by Muggles or wizards, as long as they work well, isn't that enough?"
By the time the explanation ended, Snape's attention was completely fixed on the equipment before him.
He clearly wanted to test them immediately.
"They are useful."
"But in my class, you will not use them."
"As a wizard, you cannot rely solely on tools."
Seeing that Dudley had no objections, Snape rarely showed a trace of approval.
"Leave this set with me."
"Of course, Professor. They were meant as a gift for you."
Dudley, in fact, agreed with that idea.
For a master like Snape, these tools had limited usefulness. Aside from precision, most of their functions could be replaced by magic.
For Dudley, after obtaining the Data Eye, their usefulness had also diminished significantly.
To Snape, however, they were something new.
After all, his daily life was rather monotonous.
Potions… and more potions.
Perhaps now, watching Harry's eyes and deducting points from Gryffindor as well.
However, for beginners, these tools were incredibly valuable.
Magic and technology each had their own advantages.
The right path wasn't to favor one over the other…
But to combine them.
"Whether they're made by Muggles or wizards… as long as they work well, isn't that enough?"
"Lily used to say something similar."
Without Dudley noticing, Snape's gaze softened once more.
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