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Chapter 151: The Treasure Trove
Chapter 151: The Treasure Trove
"Good afternoon, Professor Broad."
Albert knocked lightly on the door of the Dark Magic Defense office. After receiving a response, he pushed the door open and directed his gaze at Professor Broad, who was sitting on a sofa and reading a book. He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the previous night's events: "Last night, we were truly grateful for your help, Professor. Thank you for saving the three of us."
"You're welcome," Professor Broad said with a smile as he looked at Albert. "I think that even if I hadn't gone, you would have found a way to get the Weasley brothers out of the Forbidden Forest."
Albert remained silent. Indeed, he could have found a way to get the Weasley brothers out, but he wasn't about to admit his capabilities.
After all, he was just a first-year student and wouldn't have been able to use the Disillusionment Charm yet.
"Take a seat. Care for a drink?" Professor Broad said, pointing to the books on the table. "Mogg has already had the book printed. His efficiency is as remarkable as ever. Take a look at the fruits of your labor."
"You mean Mr. McDougall has published a book?" Albert sat down across from Professor Broad and picked up one of the books from the table. He gently ran his fingers over the gilded letters on the cover: Advanced Magic Rune Research.
Indeed, it was a book on advanced magic rune research, and the title was straightforward.
"There's a surprise on the first page!" Professor Broad winked mysteriously at Albert.
"A surprise?" Albert was puzzled and glanced at Professor Broad with suspicion before opening the book to the first page.
There was a sentence written there:
Dedicated to the youngest Master of Magic Runes, who helped me complete the writing of Advanced Magic Rune Research. — Mog McDougall Albert was stunned. Of course, he knew who the Master of Magic Runes referred to, but when had he become a master...?
"Actually, Mog wanted to include your name on the cover as well. But later, he felt that with your abilities, you didn't need his help to become famous, and that it might be a bit too early for you to gain such recognition," Professor Broad closed the book and looked at Albert as he continued, "This book is his gift to you."
"I thought Advanced Magic Rune Research wasn't finished yet?" Albert said as he flipped to the last page and understood what had happened. Mr. McDougall had divided the book into three parts.
"Soon, this book will be available for sale in bookstores," Professor Broad said with a smile. "Mog even made a bet with me, saying he could sell a hundred copies."
Albert glanced at the price of the book—five galleons.
It wasn't very expensive for a book, but the question was how many people would be interested in studying this?
Most wouldn't even be able to understand it, let alone buy it.
"By the way, I have something for you." Professor Broad placed a glass bottle in front of Albert. "Spider venom from the Eight-Eyed Giant Spider. When I was tracking your trail, I found one that you had killed, so I took the opportunity to collect some of its venom. It's a rare find."
"For me?" Albert noticed that the spider venom had been specially treated, and the glass bottle had been enchanted with a Freezing Charm.
"Yes, consider it your spoils of war."
Speaking of which, Professor Broad also had his own thoughts. "I never expected there to be so many Eight-Eyed Giant Spiders in the Forbidden Forest, and even more so, that you would be able to defeat them."
In fact, the venom in front of Albert had been extracted from the first spider he had knocked down. That unfortunate creature had ultimately been killed by Albert using a series of spells.
Professor Broad had later discovered a whole cluster of Eight-Eyed Giant Spiders in the Forbidden Forest but had not continued to collect venom as he had been in a hurry to find the students.
"Professor, could you..." Albert hesitated for a moment before continuing, "...help me get rid of it? I don't have much use for it."
"I knew you'd say that!" Professor Broad nodded in satisfaction. "A wise choice, as the venom of the Eight-Eyed Giant Spider is quite difficult to preserve, and such a liquid is extremely valuable. This vial... is probably worth 50 galleons. Of course, it might fetch even more on the black market."
"Then I'm grateful for your help!" Albert replied, well aware that the venom would be of little use to him, and he'd much prefer the galleons. After all, if he ever truly needed spider venom, he could always make another trip to the Forbidden Forest and collect it himself.
Indeed, the Forbidden Forest was like a giant spider farm! "Here you go." Professor Broad handed Albert the galleons he had prepared beforehand. From the start, it was easy to guess what Albert would choose.
"Thank you, Professor!" Albert expressed his gratitude.
"You're welcome," Professor Broad said, growing increasingly pleased with Albert. "There's one more thing."
"What is it?" Albert asked.
"That secret treasure map of Gryffindor's, you still have it, don't you?" Professor Broad bluntly called out Albert's lie from before.
Albert's expression froze. He neither admitted nor denied it, simply listening quietly as Professor Broad continued.
"Don't attempt to venture into the Forbidden Forest again. It's still very dangerous for you there," Professor Broad warned.
"So, the so-called secret treasure really does exist?" Albert asked curiously.
"Legend has it that the four founders of Hogwarts left behind a legacy, a gift for the students of Hogwarts," Professor Broad shared what he knew. "However, the secret treasure is just a legend, and no one knows where it is or has ever found it. Of course, if it were that easy to discover, it wouldn't be called a secret treasure."
Albert fell silent, feeling that Professor Broad might know something more about this matter.
Each time a new Dark Magic Defense professor came to teach at Hogwarts, they had their own agenda. Could it be that Professor Broad was here to search for this so-called secret treasure?
The secret treasure of Ravenclaw?
Wait... secret... treasure... Ravenclaw... the Room of Requirement...
Rumor had it that the Room of Requirement was Ravenclaw's handiwork.
Perhaps the secret treasure of Ravenclaw was hidden there! And Professor Broad might have already guessed as much... Albert felt that he might have stumbled upon the truth.
He'd have to test this theory out someday.
"What are you thinking about?" Professor Broad interrupted Albert's train of thought.
"I was just wondering where all those Eight-Eyed Giant Spiders in the Forbidden Forest came from," Albert said casually. "That number is no joke. Could someone really be breeding them?"
"That's probably unlikely," Professor Broad said, fixing Albert with a serious gaze. "Don't go looking for any secret treasure rashly."
"I value my life, thank you very much," Albert replied.
"By the way, I heard that your wand is made of redwood?" Professor Broad suddenly brought up Albert's wand, leaving the latter perplexed.
"Yes, Mr. Ollivander said it was a wand that would bring me luck," Albert shared, as he usually did when discussing his redwood wand with others.
"That's good, then. Wands made of redwood are quite beneficial," Professor Broad nodded in approval, now reassured.
Of course, he also knew that the so-called lucky wand was just a sales pitch, but wizards who owned such wands were often those who were well-prepared and could turn dangerous situations around.
Albert Anderson clearly fit that description. From the previous night's events, it was evident that his safe return from the Forbidden Forest with the Weasley brothers was not just due to the luck of his redwood wand, but also because Albert had made a series of careful preparations from the start.
(End of Chapter)
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