Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 35. Have you seen a toad?

Toads, also known as frogs or tadpoles, are amphibians with many bumps on their bodies containing poison glands.

However, Neville didn't lose an ordinary toad; it lost a golden-backed toad that could turn invisible.

The golden-backed toad is a large toad found in countries north of Brazil in South America, and it's considered more attractive than other toads. Most importantly, it's incredibly intelligent, earning it the nickname "the Einstein of toads."

The ability to become invisible is not a characteristic that a golden-backed toad should have, presumably because Neville's Raef possesses the bloodline of some magical creature.

Animals possessing the bloodline of magical creatures are already considered extremely rare.

It seems Neville's family is well-off, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to get an invisible toad. Didn't you see Ron's sour tone when he heard the words "pet toad"?

"If I bought a toad, I would try to get rid of it as soon as possible, the sooner the better."

"I didn't lose it on purpose! It always tries to run away from me!"

Neville retorted loudly, and it was clear he really liked the toad named "Rive."

Perhaps due to possessing some of the bloodline of magical creatures, Na'vi's golden-backed toad is much smarter than ordinary golden-backed toads.

"Can you help him, Dali?"

Seeing Neville's pitiful appearance, Hermione felt a little soft-hearted and gently tugged at Dudley's sleeve, whispering something.

Even if Hermione hadn't said anything, Dudley was going to help him anyway; it wasn't a big deal to begin with.

"Let me look for it for you."

Dudley said, carefully putting the book away. He knew he probably wouldn't be able to read it before they arrived at Hogwarts.

Actually, his first impression of Neville, the chubby boy, wasn't good. His crying and whining appearance didn't show any boyish spirit. However, Neville had a good physique and a large frame. If he could train with him, he might be able to get a good physique.

Dudley's words delighted Neville, but his next words made Neville pause in surprise.

"If you find it, could I borrow it for a few days?"

Although Dudley doesn't particularly like toads, their slime is a good potion ingredient.

Furthermore, he also wanted to know the difference between the slime of the golden-backed toad with magical animal blood and that of the ordinary golden-backed toad.

"Mr. Coco," Neville stammered, his face contorted with grief.

Seeing that Neville agreed, Dudley took out a small bottle of pink liquid with a few impurities from the pouch at his waist.

"Fantastic Beasts Attractant (Inferior Quality)"

This is a substance that Dudley accidentally produced while brewing potions. Fortunately, there is a system to display it, otherwise Dudley, who did not know its function, would probably have thrown it away as a failed product.

Just like the system often mentions, "Knowledge is a prerequisite for becoming a spellcaster," the waste residue from a wizard's failed potion-making is not necessarily useless.

Dudley got some of the food that "Rive" usually ate from Neville, and then carefully dripped a drop onto it.

He only has this small bottle, and he hasn't fully figured out how to produce this potion yet, so he can't mass-produce it.

After all, most failed potion attempts are useless.

It would actually be more convenient if we had the Summoning Charm, but Dudley doesn't know it. Not only him, but even Hermione, who has taught herself at home and successfully cast a few minor spells, doesn't know it. The Summoning Charm is something that is only taught in the fourth year at Hogwarts.

A faint, exotic fragrance began to permeate the carriage. Of course, this fragrance was not detectable by ordinary people; only magical creatures and Dudley could smell it.

Before long, a miraculous scene unfolded.

"Coo coo."

Accompanied by the distinctive croaking of toads and a few extremely faint hopping sounds, a toad the size of a palm with a gradually golden back appeared on the table and began to devour its food.

"Oh, Rafer. You're back!"

Neville happily picked up the toad and rubbed it against his chest.

Dudley finally understood why the other party had run away. For cold-blooded amphibians that prefer to stay in dark and damp places, Neville's behavior of directly grabbing the other party was definitely not going to work, as human body temperature was too high for them.

It would be strange if they didn't run away.

"This is a potion." Ron stared at the small bottle in Dudley's hand and said in surprise, "I've heard George and Fred say that potions are magical potions that can sometimes do things that many spells can't."

"Harry, did your brother make that himself?"

After receiving Harry's affirmative answer, he lowered his voice and whispered, "Your brother is amazing."

Then, in a voice only she could hear, she whispered, "Unlike my brother who only bullies me."

It's not unusual for a young wizard who hasn't started school to teach himself to cast a few spells; there are always some talented young wizards like that every year. But I've never heard of someone who can teach himself to brew potions.

The brewing of potions is often accompanied by danger.

Upon hearing the other person praise his brother, Harry instantly puffed out his chest, feeling even happier than if the other person had praised him. His goodwill towards Ron immediately increased.

"That's Dudley, I've never seen him not be able to do anything."

Harry praised her without reservation.

Harry has never been one to spare a penny when it comes to praising Dudley.

"Neville, if you really like 'Reverie,' you should seriously learn how to care for it."

Dudley offered Neville some well-intentioned advice, then took a book out of his backpack and handed it to Neville, saying, "Take this book; it's never a bad thing to learn more."

It's not a magic book, but a Muggle-published guide to raising cold-blooded animals, which happens to include content on raising amphibians.

Dali's luggage was a veritable treasure trove, containing several sets of fitness equipment such as dumbbells, which only he could lift with his strength.

"Thank you, sir."

Neville carefully put the book away as if it were a priceless treasure. His fear of Dudley lessened, and he felt closer to him. Dudley's image in his heart became even more admirable.

Because of his timid nature, Neville had few friends growing up, especially not a young wizard like Dudley who was very friendly to him from the first meeting. His nose tingled slightly.

Dali said, "You can call me Dali."

"Yes, Mr. Dudley."

The cubicle door was pushed open again, but not gently like Ron's, nor with Neville knocking and asking before opening; it was opened very roughly.

Three boys walked in, the one in the lead being the platinum-haired boy who had been frightened by Dudley and cried. However, he did not notice Dudley. As soon as he entered, he stared at Harry with great interest and looked up at him with his nostrils.

"Everyone on the train is talking about it, saying Harry Potter is in this compartment. That's you, isn't it?"

(End of this chapter)