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In Potions class, Dudley did not make the Shrinking Solution according to Snape's instructions. He was trying to make something new.
Ever since he had studied Snape's notebook in depth, Dudley had found a great deal of inspiration.
In particular, the potion-combination methods Snape had taught him had opened a door to an entirely new world.
Once the properties of a potion were understood, the question of how to use it became something else entirely. Give a hundred potions masters the same formula, and each would have a different method.
Provided the brewer had enough skill, nerve, and imagination.
And imagination was something Dudley had never lacked. Or rather, anyone from another world would hardly lack it.
"Mr. Dursley, I do not believe the Shrinking Solution requires water chestnut. You have damaged the potion's properties. Do not add unnecessary things."
Snape stood in front of Dudley with a gloomy expression. In front of Dudley sat a cauldron full of an unknown substance giving off black vapor.
"Your performance is not even as good as Longbottom's used to be!"
In first year, Neville's greatest fear had been Snape's Potions class. Every Potions lesson had ended in chaos. His Herbology was quite good, so logically he should not have been that hopeless, but severe lack of confidence combined with Snape's presence had brought out the worst in his already poor Potions ability.
After joining the disciplinary group, Neville's grades had improved by leaps and bounds over two years of study. His Potions skill could not be called top-class yet, but it was already enough to surpass the great majority of students present.
"Professor Snape, I do not think there is anything wrong with adding water chestnut to the Shrinking Solution."
Across all seven years at Hogwarts, Dudley was probably the only person who dared question Snape's opinion in Potions class.
He looked straight at Snape.
"Professor, water chestnut has mild clarifying and stabilizing properties. As a supporting ingredient, it can reinforce the effect of daisy roots and help control the instability of caterpillar flesh. That should push the Shrinking Solution's effect closer to its optimum state."
"You are trying to improve a potion formula?"
Snape sneered, as if mocking Dudley's overconfidence. "You have not learned to walk, yet you already want to run."
If this had been anyone else, Snape would have already verbally crushed them into silence. Because it was Dudley, however, Snape merely made a few cutting remarks.
He had a certain favoritism toward Dudley that would make other young witches and wizards jealous.
"Then did you succeed?"
Dudley shook his head and looked regretfully at the black sludge inside the cauldron.
"Almost. I have not found where the problem is. The problem seems to be the dosage."
Before he could finish, Snape interrupted him.
"That proves your idea is wrong. If you simply follow my instructions, you will obtain a perfect bottle of Shrinking Solution."
Indeed, if Dudley followed Snape's method, he would immediately obtain a perfect bottle of Shrinking Solution. Dudley could already make most perfect potions by following instructions exactly.
But then what?
"Professor, if I do that, then no matter how perfectly I brew it, I will only ever become your imitator."
"So you wish to surpass me? Hm? Master Dursley." Snape's tone was dripping with sarcasm.
"Of course."
Dudley's answer was firm.
An ordinary wizard might have been satisfied with that.
But Dudley was different.
He was not satisfied with only that level. He wanted to surpass Snape.
"Of course I want to surpass you. Not only you. I want to surpass the professors of every other subject as well. As a wise person once said, 'The student can surpass the teacher.'"
The students seemed frightened by Dudley's words. Everyone fell silent at once. The classroom became so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Just when they thought Snape was about to explode with rage, Snape only gave a soft snort.
"Very well, Mr. Dursley."
Snape was standing beneath the large cabinet that held potion ingredients, his entire face hidden in shadow, making it impossible to tell whether he was pleased or angry.
"Since you are so confident, I will give you three weeks. During that time, bring me your improved Shrinking Solution."
"If you cannot, then you will clean every girls' toilet in Hogwarts. No magic allowed. You may only clean them by hand."
"What do you think of that proposal, Dursley?"
"And if I manage it, Professor?"
Snape gave another cold snort.
"If you manage it, then from now on, in my class, you may make any potion you like. If you have questions, you may consult me at any time, and I will answer everything I know."
Dudley considered that fair.
"Then, as you wish."
Snape and Dudley seemed to be confronting each other, but in reality, they understood each other very well.
The so-called wager was only a test.
A test from teacher to student.
And if it was a test, there had to be a punishment. If it was a test, there also had to be a reward.
In a place the students could not see, Snape's lips pressed together slightly. The movement was very faint and gone in a flash.
'Once upon a time, I also talked back to my Potions professor like this.'
After class, the students all discussed what had happened.
Some wanted to see Dudley make a fool of himself. Some hoped he would succeed.
Among those who wanted to see him embarrassed, there were also some who secretly hoped he would succeed.
They were genuinely conflicted.
Dudley's open declaration in Potions class stirred longing in many students' hearts.
'Surpass the professors.'
That was not just a line. It represented the private wish of many outstanding students.
Who had never had an overdramatic phase? Everyone had imagined they were the special one.
"How could Professor Snape do that?"
Everyone else was waiting for the three weeks to pass. Only one girl was indignant. From the moment class ended, she had been muttering under her breath, mostly complaining about Snape.
"Dudley, why did you agree to him?"
Hermione's Potions grades were very good, second only to Dudley's. Because of that, she knew exactly how difficult it was to improve a potion formula.
Three weeks was far too short.
Never mind Dudley. Even if Snape himself were asked to improve it, three weeks would not be enough.
However, while Hermione's Potions grades were excellent, she was still far behind Snape and Dudley. The argument between Dudley and Snape in class had looked like a dispute, but it was actually a silent understanding between teacher and student.
Improving the Shrinking Solution had not been a sudden whim today. Dudley was not starting from nothing. He had already done a great deal of preparation beforehand, and only the final step remained.
Three weeks was not too short at all. It was more than enough.
Hermione looked at Dudley, her brown eyes bright and her voice steady.
"I will clean with you."
If a girl is willing to clean toilets with you, then you had better treat her well.
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