Over the following period, Dudley began seriously studying the Philosopher's Stone.
For this purpose, he expanded the basement at home, transforming it into an alchemy laboratory exclusive to wizards, storing various magical items and potions inside.
In just two days, Dudley used the Philosopher's Stone to create his first gold bar!
Although the Philosopher's Stone was said to be capable of transmuting base metals into gold, it wasn't something that could be achieved by simply touching it. The process required precise alchemical techniques to refine the Stone together with metals. And because different metals were used, the amount of gold produced would vary significantly.
During this process, Dudley had to guide the power of the Philosopher's Stone as carefully as possible, coaxing those metals to transform into pure gold.
Any slight error in the process could lead to complete failure.
Given Dudley's natural talent, taking two days to produce results showed that this method of getting rich wasn't something just anyone could accomplish.
With the first gold bar successfully created, the second wouldn't be far behind.
After a week of intensive work, Dudley calculated that the gold he had produced would be worth approximately a million pounds when converted to British currency.
At this point, Dudley stopped the production entirely.
Money was certainly useful, but too much of it could become problematic, especially for someone like Dudley, who had grown much more indifferent to material wealth.
For him, as long as he wasn't completely destitute, it was sufficient.
This amount was already enough for their family to live very comfortably. Any more would easily invite unwanted attention and trouble.
The remaining time was devoted to brewing the Elixir of Life.
For this endeavor, Dudley made a specific trip to Diagon Alley to purchase the necessary ingredients. It was fortunate he now possessed adequate funds, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to afford several of the rare magical components.
This was precisely why Dudley hadn't started with brewing the Elixir but had first produced gold to fund his research.
Some of the ingredients couldn't be purchased with Dudley's current student status, so he had to write to Dumbledore again, having the headmaster step in to help him obtain the restricted materials.
Next came the actual brewing process, and this time, the complexity far exceeded what Dudley had anticipated.
So much so that during the entire summer vacation, he devoted most of his energy to this challenging project.
A month passed with remarkable swiftness.
During this period, the Aurors had completed their investigation of the letter interception incident. They claimed it was caused by some rogue magical creature, but they hadn't managed to capture the culprit.
After the Aurors intervened in this matter, Dudley and the others could finally send and receive letters normally, and they finally received correspondence from Ron and Hermione, telling them about various events that had occurred during this time.
Besides managing his alchemical experiments, Dudley would visit the abandoned wooden house in the suburbs every day or two.
On one hand, it was to bring Cole some basic food, and on the other hand, it was to continue interrogating him.
This person's greatest value now was helping Dudley digest his beyonder potion through practice.
Under Dudley's relentless interrogation, Cole had already confessed everything imaginable, including embarrassingly personal details about his first romantic encounter, but still couldn't escape Dudley's persistent questioning.
In any case, Dudley would find various reasons to interrogate him, even though he had already revealed his entire dark history.
Late July arrived with its characteristic summer heat.
This day marked Harry's birthday, and for once, Dudley wasn't buried in his basement studying magical theories.
"Oh, my dear little Dudley, you've gotten thin again recently," Petunia embraced her son with obvious concern, tears threatening to fall.
"It's perfectly fine, Mom. I've grown taller, so I naturally look thinner," Dudley didn't resist and simply allowed Petunia to hold him.
He was now almost as tall as Petunia, and it probably wouldn't be long before he completely surpassed his mother in height. In the future, being held in Petunia's arms like this would become physically impossible.
"Dudley, I think you should eat more and develop a build like mine. This is what a proper man should look like. You're really too thin now," Vernon commented from nearby.
He had always considered Dudley's weight loss a mistaken decision and firmly believed that men should carry more weight to project strength and security.
"Dad, I'm exactly right now. I'm very satisfied with how I am," Dudley replied directly.
Vernon muttered helplessly a couple of times but didn't press the matter further.
"Good morning," Harry descended from upstairs, looking well-rested.
"Good morning, Harry, happy birthday!" Dudley said with genuine warmth.
"Happy birthday, young man," Uncle Vernon also offered his congratulations.
"One year older, now you're twelve just like Duddy," Petunia gave Harry an affectionate hug.
Quite a few wrapped gifts were arranged in the kitchen. Petunia and Vernon had both prepared birthday presents for Harry, and several packages were from Hermione and Ron, who had sent them to Dudley in advance.
"Thank you all," Harry looked at those colorful gifts and smiled from the heart.
The birthday celebrations he had always longed for were finally becoming reality.
Although he still hadn't completely integrated into this family dynamic, this was more than enough.
"To celebrate Harry's birthday properly, I've decided that for lunch today, I'll be doing all the cooking!" Dudley announced to everyone with theatrical flair.
"Baby, you can actually cook?" Petunia asked with amazement.
"Of course I can," Dudley nodded confidently.
"Oh! My little Duddy can cook. He's really, really amazing," Petunia was moved to tears once again.
"Are you sure you won't end up like Seamus?" Harry looked at Dudley with suspicious eyes and made a reference only Dudley would understand.
"No explosions, I promise," Dudley said with complete confidence.
Then Dudley diplomatically escorted Harry and the others out of the kitchen and began cooking independently.
Dudley could indeed cook, he just rarely chose to do so.
In that otherworldly realm, many times Dudley had been forced to solve his own meal preparation.
Close to noon, the food was finally ready.
However, it wasn't standard British cuisine, but incorporated sophisticated cooking methods from that mysterious world's culinary traditions.
"Not bad at all. Although I haven't cooked in quite some time, the skills are definitely still there," Dudley tasted a sample and nodded with satisfaction. It was still that familiar, complex flavor.
"Dudley, is the food ready?" Vernon called out loudly from the dining room.
He had already detected the incredible aroma wafting through the house. Originally having modest expectations, he was now practically salivating with anticipation.
Harry was also filled with eager anticipation. The scents emerging from the kitchen were indeed remarkably appetizing.
As for Petunia, she had already been moved to tears by Dudley's thoughtfulness.
Her son had not only become a wizard, but now could even cook sophisticated meals. This far exceeded her wildest expectations for Dudley's development.
"Almost finished," Dudley responded loudly.
Then he said quietly to himself, "Just one final step."
As his words faded, Dudley retrieved a small medicine bottle from the Mirror of Erised. After opening it carefully, faint green vapor emerged, and a strange, almost intoxicating fragrance filled the air, making the entire kitchen pulse with vibrant energy.
Dudley took a deep, appreciative breath, then added a single drop of crystal-clear liquid to each carefully prepared dish.