Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 57. We can't rely solely on tools. Leave the things with me for now.

Compared to the leisurely weekends of other young wizards, Dudley's weekend schedule is packed.

I train in the morning, go to the library in the morning, and then go to Professor Snape's place in the afternoon to learn potions.

Hermione really wanted to go. Although Snape's reputation wasn't as great as Dumbledore's, the greatest white wizard, he was one of the world's top potions masters, and many people dreamed of receiving his individual instruction.

Unfortunately, Professor Snape did not invite her.

Dali said that he had learned how to teach her, and it would be the same.

Dudley arrived at the Potions classroom a quarter of an hour earlier than agreed, only to find the door locked and Snape not yet there. So Dudley leaned against the door and began reading a book on herbalism.

Herbalism is the foundation of potion-making; to master potion-making, one must have professional herbalism knowledge.

"You're more punctual than I thought."

Snape's calm yet dangerous voice, like "black down," rang out behind Dudley.

Dudley put down his book and said very politely, "Good afternoon, Professor."

Although Snape's footsteps were as light as his voice, and to ordinary young wizards Snape's footsteps seemed as silent as a ghost, Dudley could still hear them clearly.

His hearing was far more sensitive than that of the average person. In fact, in terms of physical ability alone, Dudley could be considered a "little superman".

Well, that's assuming we're not comparing him to a half-giant like Hagrid.

Snape opened the door to the Potions Room, and the two returned to the Potions Room, but this time it was a one-on-one lesson.

"My private lessons aren't that easy to give."

"If I find that you can't keep up with the pace, or that you don't have the talent for it, then get out of my classroom."

Snape's words were harsh, but the two were not related, and it was already quite generous of him to give you a private lesson. After all, the only connection between them was that Dudley's aunt was Snape's crush.

He's not Harry; Snape won't treat him any differently.

"Of course, Professor." Dudley's tone was respectful, but there was an underlying arrogance in him.

No matter how difficult or complicated the process, as long as it is something that humans can do, Dali does not believe that he cannot do it.

He was already a very hardworking and diligent top student, and with the help of the Data Magic Eye, if he still couldn't do it, he might as well find a block of tofu and kill himself.

"Very confident."

"I hope the potion you create lives up to your confidence."

Snape gestured for Dudley to find a seat, while he retrieved some materials from a nearby locker and placed them in front of Dudley.

"Invigorating Potion, the content of your first lesson."

Invigorating Potion, a type of healing potion, is one of the commonly used potions at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries, one of the top three hospitals in the wizarding world.

Invigorating Potion, White Pepper Essence, and Blood Tonic—these three potions are all broadly classified as healing agents, but they each target different areas. To illustrate, they're like the difference between ibuprofen, compound acetaminophen and amantadine tablets, and vitamin C and honeysuckle tablets for treating colds and fevers in the human world.

The main function of blood tonics is to replenish lost blood; they have no other effects.

Dictamnus dasycarpus essence is a magical potion extracted from the plant Dictamnus dasycarpus, used to heal wounds. It is generally used to treat external injuries and is quite effective. Most wizards know how to make it.

Finally, the Invigorating Potion is an adjunct to other treatments. While it possesses some therapeutic and stimulant effects, these are not its primary functions. It enhances the effectiveness of other therapeutic agents.

In other words, the combination of White Dew Essence and Invigorating Potion can significantly enhance the healing effect.

That is why the invigorating potion is much more difficult to brew than the other two.

According to Hogwarts' curriculum, this is already material for upper-level students.

"Do you have any questions? If not, let's begin."

As Snape spoke casually, he took out the ingredients for making the Invigorating Potion.

Hocrab juice and fresh white sage leaves are only two auxiliary ingredients, but preparing them is quite troublesome.

"Professor, I have something I'd like to give you."

As he spoke, Dali took out the things he had prepared beforehand and gently placed them on the table.

That complete set of experimental equipment included test tubes, beakers, evaporating dishes, alcohol lamps, Buchner funnels, and other items.

"Muggle stuff?"

Snape glanced at them and immediately judged from their craftsmanship that these things did not originate from the wizarding world.

"Yes, Professor."

Dali answered truthfully, and then took out the equipment one by one.

They were piled up in a heap.

No wonder Snape's tone was somewhat disdainful; almost every wizard has an innate sense of superiority when facing Muggles.

Few wizards value things made by Muggles. As far as Dudley knows, there seems to be only one well-known wizard who values ​​things made by Muggles in recent years, and that wizard is Grindelwald.

"This is a beaker, this is a measuring cup, this is..."

Seeing that Snape didn't take it seriously, Dudley wasn't in a hurry either. He simply picked up the pieces of equipment and gave a brief explanation of their uses.

As Dudley introduced each of them, Snape's initial disdain gradually turned into seriousness.

Take balances as an example. There is no comparison between old-fashioned brass balances and pan balances. The latter is far superior to the former in terms of accuracy.

As a top potions master like Snape, he certainly knew what precision meant.

Often, just a tiny difference can determine whether a potion is successful or not.

"I thought these things would be helpful for making potions, so I brought them with me."

"Professor, whether it's Muggle-made or wizard-made, as long as the tools work, isn't that enough?"

After the introduction, Snape was deeply attracted by the experimental equipment in front of him and couldn't wait to try it out.

"It's a very convenient thing, but you're not allowed to use it in my classes anymore."

"A wizard cannot rely solely on tools."

Seeing that Dudley had no objection, Snape unusually showed an approving look.

"I'll keep this set of tools with me for now."

"Of course, Professor. These were originally meant for you."

In fact, Dali also agrees with the statement that we cannot rely solely on tools.

Strictly speaking, these experimental instruments were of very limited help to a top potions master like Snape. Apart from the issue of precise calibration, the function of the experimental instruments could often be accomplished by magic. For example, for Dudley, after he obtained the Data Eye, the effectiveness of the experimental instruments was greatly reduced. Snape was just finding them novel.

After all, Snape's daily life was quite boring; he didn't have any other hobbies, just potions.

Oh, and maybe now there's one more thing: looking into Harry's eyes and deducting points from Gryffindor.

However, for those potion beginners, these experimental instruments are invaluable tools.

Potions and technology each have their own advantages and disadvantages. We cannot completely favor one over the other. The right way is to combine the two.

"Whether it's Muggle-made or wizard-made, as long as the tools work, isn't that enough?"

Lily said something similar.

Where Dudley wasn't looking, Snape's gaze softened again.

A book by a popular author: "Shen Gongbao, the Great Sage, Persuades the Immortal Who Dies": "Billions of calamities forged his Dao body, an immortal Great Luo Immortal who will never perish throughout the ages."

(End of this chapter)