Dudley set the diary aside, then pulled a sealed barrel from his waist pouch. He unhurriedly took out a gas mask and put it on his face. Lifting the lid of the sealed barrel, an extremely pungent odor emerged. The barrel was filled with a colorless, transparent, viscous liquid.
He had no interest in reading the diary of this senior named Tom Riddle, nor was he interested in the knowledge it contained. That kind of information could be understood by directly asking professors or reading books. Why ask something that could very well deceive and use you?
But he coveted the Philosopher's Stone and Magic Crystal that could be transmuted from the soul fragment within the diary.
The diary seemed to sense the danger, constantly buzzing, as if trying to negotiate, resist, or beg for mercy.
But it was useless. Dudley had no intention of even opening it.
Without having absorbed enough life force, it couldn't even manifest a phantom soul state. It was just a black diary, with a vibration mode at best.
Rustle... The diary opened automatically. A line of text appeared on its pages: 'Please wait, I think we can talk.'
Dudley completely ignored it and picked up a pair of large tongs to grip the diary.
The diary's struggles were useless. Horcruxes were made with extremely special methods. Even an inconspicuous diary, once made into a Horcrux, was far more durable than many things. Destroying it required special methods. Known methods included Godric Gryffindor's sword or a Basilisk fang coated in venom.
However, Dudley had neither. So he used a new method, the liquid in that barrel.
Did you think this barrel contained a potent potion comparable to Basilisk venom? No, it wasn't, not even a potion.
This was a barrel of fluoroantimonic acid. He called it 'Magic Acid.' This was a superacid with extremely strong corrosive properties, even more potent than aqua regia.
According to Dudley's calculations, this was the best method to destroy the Horcrux itself without degrading the quality of the Philosopher's Stone.
Of course, this was targeted specifically at the diary. If it were a locket, the Resurrection Stone, or something similar, the effect might not be as good. It would, however, have a miraculous effect on Hufflepuff's Cup, provided that thing was really made of pure gold.
He tossed the diary into the barrel, and the viscous liquid inside instantly enveloped the diary completely.
The entire barrel began to shake violently, and the liquid inside boiled like water. To Dudley's satisfaction, the 'Magic Acid's' corrosion was effective. The diary began to dissolve at an extremely fast rate, constantly making sizzling sounds.
The diary wouldn't go down without a fight. Large streams of black liquid seeped out from all over it, but unfortunately, this black liquid couldn't slow the 'Magic Acid's' corrosion. When less than a third of the diary remained, a wisp of black smoke emerged, accompanied by an indescribably putrid stench.
The black smoke formed a young, twisted human face, which opened its mouth wide at Dudley, seemingly letting out silent roars and bellows.
"Finally, it's out!"
Seeing this, Dudley revealed a satisfied smile, took a small step back, and then stomped his right foot. A massive transmutation circle covering the entire room immediately appeared beneath him.
"Hello, Senior Tom. I'm your junior, Jerry."
Dudley introduced himself to the twisted face. But it was just a greeting. Dudley had absolutely no intention of communicating with the other party. After speaking, he waved at the black smoke.
"Well then, goodbye, Senior."
He gave the other party no time for explanation or communication. Clapping his hands together, a red transmutation circle illuminated the entire room.
A moment later, one red and one blue gemstone lay quietly in the transmutation circle, sparkling brightly.
The girl named Madison watched Dudley leave. As his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but lift into a perfect arc.
She took a few steps to the right and leaned against the adjacent windowsill. In the warm sunlight, she lazily stretched, relaxing her body. Her movements were very gentle, and she couldn't help but let out soft purrs from her throat, like a small cat enjoying the sun.
Though she looked very young, every gesture exuded a unique allure, a word that perhaps shouldn't apply to a first-year witch, yet it was the only one that fit.
Yes, the girl's entire being radiated an aura of enchantment. She was not purely human. Her mother was not human at all, but a magical creature called a Veela.
She and her brother Marcus were not full siblings, but had the same father. She was an illegitimate daughter. Roberts was her mother's surname.
Logically, pureblood wizards looked down on even Muggle-borns, let alone magical creatures, but that didn't stop them from 'playing around'. This was not uncommon among pureblood wizards. Malfoy's grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy, had died of dragon pox... how do you think he got it?
"Truly worthy of being the King of Slytherin. He's really different from the other little wizards."
Madison licked the corners of her mouth alluringly. At this moment, she had dropped all her disguises. If any other young wizard had seen her, they would have been instantly captivated and become her prisoner.
Veela charm could make men obsessed and crazy, and Madison, with her half-Veela blood, had perfectly inherited this trait. It was even stronger than a full-blooded Veela. She called it succubus charm.
She knew Dudley had definitely seen through her disguise, because it was intentionally done. The collision at the corner, the low-quality love potion perfume on her... all of it.
As long as the other person was willing to use their brain a little, they could figure it out. But didn't this successfully attract his attention?
Madison smiled softly, her glance full of charm, revealing eight perfectly white teeth.
As long as he remembers me, he'll notice me... The rest will be easy. In the future, if he's still deeply attracted to me without the love potion perfume, do you think he'll believe it's love?
Madison had complete faith in the plot she had designed and even more faith in her own charm. Her charm was irresistible even to adult wizards. She had confirmed this long ago.
One more thing to mention. She was actually supposed to be sorted into Slytherin, but she had refused the Sorting Hat's decision and ended up in Ravenclaw.
In her words, she wanted to bring a different kind of experience. Tired of the girls in your own House? Why not look at the girls from the next House over?
Just wait... As long as I create a few more 'coincidences'... He will deliberately try to understand me, then pay attention to me, care about me... and then... it won't be long before he surrenders at my feet.