When Harry recounted everything he had heard, Dudley was somewhat puzzled.
That old black diary was currently lying quietly in Dudley's specially made box, and he was planning to transmute it soon. Since it wasn't a pure soul like Voldemort's remnant, but a Horcrux, its special material needed to be destroyed first; otherwise, it would affect the purity of the Philosopher's Stone. Unless his alchemy skill could level up.
Without the diary's call, shouldn't that big old snake be deep in slumber? Why could Harry still hear its voice? Had someone else awakened it?
"What you heard probably wasn't a human voice," Dudley gave Harry a hint.
"Not human?" Harry was slightly stunned. Thinking carefully, his confusion suddenly cleared up. Not human made sense: "A ghost?"
"Possible, but probably not. The ghosts at Hogwarts don't need fresh blood or living sacrifices; they reject everything of the living."
Firstly, ghosts ate different things from the living. Secondly, even Hogwarts' Bloody Baron, though appearing covered in blood, was just a reflection of his appearance at death—he didn't actually need blood or living sacrifices.
"Harry, you know I can understand many animals. You're my collateral relative. Is it possible... you have the same ability?"
Dudley continued to guide Harry: "Remember last year? You talked to a python at the zoo."
"Right, it said it was from Brazil."
Hearing Dudley's words, Harry nodded. He had definitely asked the right person.
"Harry, next time you hear this voice, get away from it immediately and then find me."
After counseling Harry, Dudley headed straight for the Slytherin dormitories. He was going to transmute the diary today.
As for that big old snake, it also needed to be dealt with... It was necessary to tell Dumbledore. A Basilisk, also called the King of Serpents, was an extremely vicious magical creature, bloodthirsty and murderous. Most critically, any creature that made direct eye contact with it would die instantly.
He couldn't rely entirely on luck, nor could he let anyone take risks. Originally, Dudley hadn't planned to deal with the Basilisk so early, but since it had awakened, this unstable factor had to be eliminated.
As Dudley was deep in thought, a figure suddenly rushed out from a corner, bumping hard into Dudley, and was then, without suspense, sent flying back, letting out a cry as she fell to the ground.
"Are you alright?" Dudley said. Judging from the physical contact, it was a girl.
"I'm fine... I didn't expect someone to—oh, Mr. Dursley, I didn't expect it was you."
It was indeed a girl; she cried out with slight excitement.
Dudley now saw the girl's appearance clearly. She was a girl with golden, shoulder-length hair, a delicate face, and smooth, flawless skin. Her chest was slightly budding, not yet obvious but already in its developmental stage. Her brown-red eyes were especially striking, bright and full of life.
Stunning—this was Dudley's first impression of the girl.
The girl slightly lowered her head and looked up, her big, watery eyes gazing at Dudley, seemingly radiating a light called adoration. Many young Slytherin girls had looked at him with this kind of gaze.
"I imagine you don't know me. I'm a new Ravenclaw student this year."
Seeing that Dudley had no intention of helping her up, the girl could only climb up from the ground herself, rubbing her bruised knee and looking at Dudley timidly as she introduced herself.
"My name is Madison Roberts Flint."
Her eyes were as clear and pure as a lake, her voice as crisp and pleasant as a lark's. If it were anyone else, they would surely be moved by this charming and pitiful expression.
Unfortunately, she was facing Dudley, Dudley Dursley.
"Flint?" Hearing this, Dudley's body only paused slightly. He was naturally very familiar with the surname Flint. He had met another young wizard with the same surname when he first enrolled last year. Yes, the guy who had been knocked down by his flying 'Crabbe' hammer. A certain buck-toothed Slytherin captain. If he remembered correctly, he was in his sixth year now.
Judging from the surname, the two should be related. As for why one was named Madison Roberts Flint and the other Marcus Flint, that was their family business, Dudley had no interest and no need to know. He wasn't curious.
"Yes, sir. Marcus Flint is my brother." Madison gently flicked her hair. Though only an 11 or 12-year-old first-year, this gesture carried a maturity that even fourth- and fifth-year senior girls lacked. She inconspicuously moved closer to Dudley...
"I think I should apologize to you for my brother's previous rudeness."
Too close... Dudley could even smell the faint fragrance from her skin. His eyebrows furrowed slightly; he was very unaccustomed to such intimate gestures and silently moved away a little—not backward, but horizontally to the right.
"I didn't take it to heart, and that was last year's matter."
Since Marcus had offended Dudley last year, especially after Dudley's powerful rise, he basically avoided him whenever they met. Actually, this was quite unnecessary. He, Dudley Dursley, was a magnanimous person, persuading people with reason.
"Is there anything else? If not, I need to leave."
Madison opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing, watching Dudley leave.
"I will definitely make you remember me."
Dudley hadn't walked far when he heard a very soft voice from behind. The tone and expression were spot on, completely that of an admirer.
However, Dudley didn't hesitate or pause for a moment, striding forward.
Though he had been thinking about something at the time, he was certain he hadn't heard any footsteps before. So this witch named Madison must have been waiting there from the start, deliberately planning to bump into him.
And the faint fragrance on her was the smell of love potion. The technique was just quite amateurish. If it were Dudley, he had a hundred ways to do it more subtly.
All signs indicated that she was targeting him.
However, he didn't take it to heart, nor was he interested in her purpose. Whatever you're trying to do, if you annoy me, you'll get a big slap.
Dudley went straight back to his room, pushed open the door, and frowned slightly.
Although the furnishings inside were exactly as he had left them, with no signs of tampering, Dudley was certain someone had been in.
No one could deceive Dudley's eyes.
Who it was doesn't matter, but it's necessary to reinforce my bedroom... Anyway, where there's one, there will be a second. Just need to catch them.
Gently closing the door, he clapped his hands together. The transmutation circle at his feet emitted a faint glow, and a black box slowly rose from the floor. Lifting the lid, it was empty.
Stolen? Of course not.
Dudley was not surprised at all. The box itself was just a decoy. He clapped his hands together again.
The old, black-covered diary slowly floated up from the bottom of the box.
It looks like the 'thief' was pretty stupid since the 'thief' couldn't even find the first layer of disguise.
Blind guess some people thought the diary would be stolen... but how is that possible.