Chapter 79.
"Really? Do I need to use Veritaserum?"
Dudley smiled, and in the eyes of the five, the dragon opened its bloody mouth, poised to consume them entirely.
"I just happened to brew a batch recently."
Dudley retrieved a bottle of clear liquid from a small bag at his waist and set it on the table.
Veritaserum (perfect)
Initially, it was merely a casual glance; after all, he was just a first-year wizard, and even with great talent, brewing it would be an exceptionally challenging endeavor. However, upon seeing the potion clearly, not only Professor McGonagall but even Dumbledore was taken aback.
As esteemed wizards in the magical world, although one of them was not as proficient in potion-making as Snape, they could discern the quality of potions; they were experts.
Dudley presenting this bottle of potion was undoubtedly a masterpiece among masterpieces.
"Did you create this?"
"Yes." Dudley nodded.
As a wizard, it's essential to appropriately display one's skills to gain more recognition and acquire more speaking rights.
Gently lifting the Veritaserum from the table and examining it in the light for a moment, Dumbledore genuinely remarked, "Impressive."
Throughout his life, he had encountered numerous powerful wizards and many talented individuals; aside from Dudley, there was only one other who could receive such commendation from him.
A potion of the caliber of Veritaserum is something that not only first-years but even sixth-years and the vast majority of adult wizards would struggle to brew.
Even if they could, the success rate would be alarmingly low. Dudley producing a potion of this quality could already be considered a master; if he possessed sufficient potion knowledge and could independently create new ones, he could be regarded as a potion master.
A first-year crafting this level of Veritaserum is simply unfathomable.
It can no longer be labeled merely as genius. If Dudley hadn't mentioned it, Dumbledore might have assumed it was made by Snape.
"It's all thanks to Professor Snape teaching me well," Dudley said somewhat modestly.
With his exceptionally high talent for potion-making, combined with a diligent and research-oriented nature, along with the data magic eye.
To others, the potion-making process is incredibly intricate, with numerous steps and a very low success rate. For Dudley, however, isn't it sufficient to just have hands?
"It seems you have completed this week's homework ahead of schedule."
Snape's lips curled slightly, forming an almost imperceptible smile.
Truly worthy of inheriting Lily's talent.
"Yes, Professor Snape."
"Then how about we switch to other potions this weekend? For instance, the Thunderbrew Potion or the Edurus Potion, what do you think?"
The Thunderbrew Potion, a defensive potion, can create a storm around the user, stunning and damaging nearby foes.
The Edurus Potion, also a defensive potion, envelops the skin with a protective layer resembling rock, which is very sturdy, thus enhancing the user's defense, similar to the Ironclad Charm in spells.
The difficulty of either of these potions is not inferior to that of the Veritaserum.
Showing off, boasting about achievements.
"Okay, Professor."
For Dudley, the difficulty of any potion is relatively the same; as long as you are willing to teach him, he can easily grasp it.
What even Snape doesn't realize is that Dudley has already begun attempting to enhance and develop new potions.
Professor McGonagall, observing their exchange, felt quite envious; she also desired a student who could carry on her legacy.
Unfortunately, Dudley's Transfiguration grades were average, often only allowing him to make objects appear similar without altering their essence.
This is understandable; for Dudley to transform an apple into a wrench like a wizard, he would need to learn about equivalent exchange.
"Back to the point."
Just as they were admiring Dudley's potion talent, he had already produced a second potion bottle.
He had not forgotten his objective.
He uncapped the bottle, pinched it, and flicked it lightly, striking the palm of the small wizard from earlier, causing the other to yelp in pain. He then dripped a drop of potion onto his fingertip and flicked it again, a drop of Veritaserum landing precisely in the other's mouth.
Professor McGonagall realized that by the time she wanted to intervene, the other had already reflexively swallowed it.
Then came a question-and-answer session.
Five minutes later, the atmosphere in the headmaster's office had cooled.
In fact, the bully certainly didn't only target Hermione and was far from limited to first-year students; he could be much more unrestrained with her because she had a Slytherin friend.
It was only right.
"Minerva, please take them to Filch first and ask him to keep an eye on these students."
Dumbledore rubbed his throbbing temples: "Tomorrow I will invite their families over and process their expulsion."
Hogwarts has had its share of expelled young wizards, not just a few.
Five minutes was sufficient for them to hear about very serious incidents that had occurred and were about to occur.
"Additionally, Gryffindor loses a full 200 points for this."
This time, as the head of Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall fell silent, her face pale as she led several young wizards toward Filch's location.
To be put in detention without returning to the common room speaks volumes about how severe the situation is.
Human beings often bully their peers the hardest.
"Albus, it seems Gryffindor has quite a few talents; they may not have the heart of a dark wizard, but they are not much better than dark wizards and may even surpass them in certain aspects."
Not long after Professor McGonagall left, Snape coldly mocked.
He was different from Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall; in his youth, he had witnessed the dark side of Gryffindor.
Unprovoked malice, bullying the weak with sheer numbers, resorting to all means of bullying, extreme verbal abuse, and humiliation, claiming it was just a joke, but it nearly cost him his life.
Of course, he had resisted, but ultimately, two fists could not fight against four hands.
Dumbledore emphasized: "Severus, this is just an exception, a unique case."
"An exception? Five exceptions?"
The mocking smile on Snape's face grew more pronounced: "Countless examples?"
School bullying is certainly not led by just a few first-year wizards; it's often the older students who incite it, and it's not only Gryffindor. The other houses likely aren't much better off.
Has the problem become this severe?
Dumbledore directly ignored Snape's words, pulling out a jar of candy from somewhere, the jar buzzing with a 'buzzing' sound; undoubtedly, it was the Honeydukes' beeswax candy.
He loved sweets, as they helped alleviate his inner gloom.
After consuming a few candies, Dumbledore's mood clearly improved significantly; this time he no longer asked Snape but directly approached Dudley.
"Mr. Dursley, are you satisfied with this handling result?"
Dudley's response was very straightforward: "Of course, I'm not satisfied."
As soon as these words were spoken, Dumbledore added a few more candies, which was truly frustrating.
"They have already been expelled."
"Only about to be."
Dudley pouted, honestly thinking that expulsion was too lenient.
"Even if expelled from Hogwarts, they can still attend other magical schools; there are three schools in Europe alone."
"But Professor Dumbledore, have you considered that those who suffer from campus violence may carry this as a lifelong shadow, needing a lifetime to heal?"
At this point, Dudley took a deep breath and said with an incredibly serious and firm tone, "I believe we should address the issue at its source."
"I think..."
"Hogwarts should not have four houses."
***
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