Chapter 221: Full of Confidence
Chapter 221: Full of Confidence
"Have you seen these before?"
In the Dark Magic Defense office on the second floor of Hogwarts Castle, Professor Rowena Smith looked up in surprise from the parchment in her hand and gazed at Albert. The young student before her had just glanced at the ancient runes on the parchment she had given him and was already able to provide an answer.
Even though Albert had achieved notable proficiency in ancient runes, Professor Smith didn't believe he could translate them at first sight. The only plausible explanation was that he had seen or studied them before. After all, Professor Broadbent and Albert also shared a good relationship, and it wouldn't be strange if the professor had shown him similar things in the past.
"I've seen them before," Albert admitted readily. "Professor Broadbent once asked me to help him translate something similar, and the content was more or less the same."
Professor Smith fell silent, staring at the parchment. To be honest, she felt a bit embarrassed. With Albert's intelligence, he must have realized that what she had shown him was extracted from a larger piece of text, and she didn't want him to know the full context.
"I suggest you show me the entire content so that I can translate it more accurately. Of course, if it's inconvenient, then never mind." In truth, Albert could guess where these ancient runes came from. Even if Professor Smith wasn't willing to share, he would be able to see them for himself once he gained access to the Ravenclaw Knowledge Treasury, so he wasn't too concerned about the professor's willingness to share these records.
"Give me a few days to organize them, and then I'll trouble you to take a look," Professor Smith said after a moment's silence, making a quick decision. While she had a decent understanding of ancient runes, the gap between her knowledge and Albert's was quite significant. At the very least, she had spent a long time in that secret room, studying the ancient runes on the walls, but she still couldn't fully comprehend their meaning.
"It would be my pleasure," Albert said with a smile.
"Off you go now," Professor Smith said, dismissing him.
Albert stood up, nodded to the professor, and turned to leave the office.
"Did Professor Smith come to Hogwarts because of the Ravenclaw Knowledge Treasury?" Albert wondered aloud as he stood at the end of the corridor, looking out at the pouring rain.
"Hey, do you think this rain will ever stop?" Fred's voice sounded beside him a moment later.
"Who knows?"
"If we miss this chance, we probably won't get another opportunity to enter the forest and look for Dancing Umbrella Mushrooms this year," said Lee Jordan, glancing toward the Forbidden Forest and then back at Albert. He wasn't the only one; the Weasley brothers were also looking at Albert expectantly.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not going to venture into the forest in this weather," Albert said, unwrapping a piece of hard candy and popping it into his mouth. He shrugged and added, "So, you might as well give up."
He looked around to make sure no one else was nearby and continued, "We can get them from Greenhouse 3 or a potion shop in Diagon Alley later."
Going into the forest in the rain was madness, and Albert much preferred the idea of returning to the common room, curling up by the fireplace with a book, and enjoying a leisurely rainy day—that was how a person should spend their time.
"The common room is packed right now," George said, as if reading Albert's mind. He offered a mischievous smile as he spoke.
To be fair, a little rain wasn't a big deal for a Quidditch player; all Quidditch players trained regardless of the weather.
But speaking of that… George suddenly gave Albert a strange look, as if sizing him up.
Could it be that this guy… disliked the rain?
They had often wondered if the real reason Albert didn't want to become an official Quidditch player was that he… didn't want to train on the Quidditch pitch in the rain.
On rainy days, Albert much preferred staying by the fireplace with a book.
"Let's just go to the Great Hall, then. I can finish this week's essay, and maybe it's just a passing shower. Before the rain stops…" Albert began, but he immediately regretted his words as they seemed to come true. The rain, which had come suddenly, left just as swiftly. By two in the afternoon, the rain had completely stopped, and the sky began to clear.
Albert, who had only written half of his essay, had no choice but to join the three of them on their trip into the Forbidden Forest to search for the Dancing Umbrella Mushrooms.
These mushrooms held a special significance for the four of them, and they had spent a lot of time and effort researching them, learning how to catch them, and studying how to convert them into Galleons.
So, despite the challenges, Fred and the others were determined to hold onto this obsession.
Just like last year's garlic-planting incident, if they dragged it out, they would probably forget about it soon enough! "Hagrid should be in his hunting cabin, but we should enter the forest from a different direction, away from his cabin," Fred suggested, recalling the entrance he had used the last time he entered the forest. It was farther from Hagrid's cabin, making it less likely that they would be discovered.
"Don't think we're unprepared," George said mysteriously. "We know a few spots where we might be able to find the Dancing Umbrella Mushrooms."
"Remember the last time we went into the forest?" Fred added. "The route we took…"
"You're not going to fool me with your tall tales," Albert interrupted, changing into a pair of rain boots. "I followed you into the depths of the forest last time."
The ground was wet and muddy from the recent rain, and Albert didn't want to get his shoes dirty. He pulled up the hood of his cloak to shield his head from the residual rain in the forest, preventing his clothes from getting soaked.
"We should be back by five o'clock. Winter nights come early," Albert glanced at his pocket watch and said to the others, "We have two and a half hours."
"That should be enough time, if we're lucky," Fred replied.
"Do you have any Felix Felicis?" Fred asked in a low voice. This was their true source of confidence. With a sip of the lucky potion, Albert's luck would soar, and they wouldn't have to worry about not finding the mushrooms.
"I do, but…" Albert trailed off, feeling a bit helpless. Every sip of the potion meant less of it, and he couldn't brew more without improving his skills.
"Just a two or three-hour dose should be enough," Lee Jordan consoled him.
Albert rolled his eyes and took a tiny sip. How could he be so precise?
(End of Chapter)
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