Chapter 296: Changes
Chapter 296: Changes
Over the next few days, Albert kept a discreet eye on Professor Snape.
He completely forgot about the planned attempt at brewing a Wake-Up Potion, but he didn't slack off on his Patronus practice. There weren't any significant results, and dividing his focus made his Patronus weak. If it weren't for the slowly increasing skill experience in the Patronus Charm, Albert might have even suspected that Aberforth was playing a prank on him.
Perhaps one day, he would truly be able to cast a non-verbal Patronus and wouldn't have to worry as much about Dementors affecting his spellcasting.
"What's up? By the way, you've been making quick progress lately."
Right after the Duelling Club meeting, Katrina stopped Albert, and the two walked side by side in the corridor. Noticing that Katrina wasn't going to speak up, Albert casually brought up a topic.
"I make time every week to learn magic techniques from Professor Flitwick."
"Professor Flitwick is indeed gifted in teaching. It's a pity that he'll be resigning soon."
After greeting some passing acquaintances, Albert continued, "Speaking of which, when did the two of you become so close?"
"Don't you also often go to Professor Flitwick for tea?" Katrina was a little unhappy with Albert's phrasing, feeling like he was implying that only he was allowed to visit the professor.
"Well, it's because we have common topics to discuss!"
When Albert went to have tea with the professor, it was indeed because they had certain topics of mutual interest, and their conversations could go on for a long time, resembling academic exchanges.
Katrina understood what Albert meant and couldn't help but pout. She suddenly asked, "Have you been busy lately? I heard from Isabelle that you haven't been to the Ancient Runes supplementary class in a while."
"Yeah, something's been distracting me. After all, I only have one brain, and there's only so much time in a day. I need to make sure I get enough rest, too."
These days, Albert had been sparring with his roommates in the Room of Requirement.
As for where he found the time, well, he just squeezed it out, pushing everything else aside.
"So, what's up? What do you need?"
"Is your Wake-Up Potion effective?" Katrina hesitated for a moment before finally getting to the point. "I heard that the Wake-Up Potion can make the user smarter."
"Are you participating in the Wizarding Chess tournament?" Albert stopped walking and sized Katrina up and down. "Do you want a Wake-Up Potion?"
"I've signed up, so I'm asking in advance. If the Wake-Up Potion doesn't work, then I..." Katrina was only interested in the prize. She wanted to buy a potion from Albert but felt that he probably wouldn't sell her one. Plus, she didn't have much pocket money, unlike Albert, who always seemed to have a handful of Galleons.
"Yes, it's effective, but you need a certain concentration of the Wake-Up Potion. The one I have is diluted and doesn't have a permanent enhancement effect." Albert didn't hide the truth and reminded her, "If you want to take an undiluted Wake-Up Potion, you have to be extra careful. One mistake, and it could turn you into an idiot."
"Have you taken it?" Katrina raised an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"Can you get me an undiluted Wake-Up Potion?" Katrina's eyes lit up. If possible, she wanted to become smarter, and she had heard that Albert might know some skilled Potion Masters.
"No, I can't. The Wake-Up Potion is a prohibited item." Albert shook his head. "And it's very difficult to brew. Almost all the ones on the black market are failures, which is why they need to be diluted to reduce the harm."
"Wait, so you've taken an undiluted Wake-Up Potion?" Katrina's expression changed as she realized the implication.
How was she supposed to enjoy playing with him now?
At that moment, she didn't want to talk to Albert anymore.
"What's wrong?"
Albert watched Katrina walk away, not understanding what she was thinking.
After parting ways with Katrina, Albert headed straight for the Room of Requirement, where Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were already practicing spells.
In fact, Albert had known that these three rascals had been secretly practicing the spells from Practical Defensive Magic and Its Use Against the Dark Arts, but he didn't mind. The spells in the book allowed for sale by the Ministry of Magic weren't dangerous at all.
When Albert entered, the trio was practicing the Leg-Locker Curse. He saw George hit by the curse, his legs turning limp and unable to stand.
"This curse is far less practical than the Full-Body Bind Curse." Albert drew out his wand to release George from the curse, giving a simple evaluation.
"I think it's pretty useful," George mumbled.
"That's only because you want to use it for pranks." Albert saw right through their intentions and scoffed, "If you really want to get someone, you should aim to cast non-verbally and without your wand. That way, no one will know what you've done."
"Wow, it's really you, Albert." The three of them made exaggerated expressions and aimed a Leg-Locker Curse at Albert, but their spells were blocked by the Shield Charm.
"If you have time, learn the Spider Repelling Jinx first." Albert waved his wand, and a red light hit Lee Jordan, disarming him.
"Damn it." George muttered an unknown curse, and Albert quickly dodged. He pulled his wand up, and George was left hanging upside down in mid-air.
"Okay, okay." Fred raised his wand, conceding defeat.
"Let's practice the Stunning Spell today." Albert pointed to the training dummy. "And don't use it on me. I don't want to be carried to the hospital wing."
"We already know how to cast the Stunning Spell!" Fred and George protested, "We want to learn the Disarming Charm!"
"When you can cast quietly and swiftly, then you can say you know how to cast it." Albert was a little annoyed. "Shouting out your spell in front of others is like telling them what you're about to do. Don't you think that's stupid?"
"Is it?"
"If you want to prank someone, at least make sure they don't know it was you." Albert was exasperated.
He flicked his wand, and Fred was hit by a Trip Jinx, falling to the ground.
"Ouch!"
Fred rubbed his backside, complaining.
"If you don't want to practice the Stunning Spell, then let's continue the previous combat practice!" Albert said, "The three of you can work together and speed up your casting of the Trip Jinx, aiming at me."
"What's the point of that?" George mumbled, not understanding why Albert wanted them to keep practicing the Trip Jinx.
"You idiot, don't you feel like your attacks are becoming more fluid?" Albert was annoyed. "Developing a feel for casting will make your attacks faster when facing others, and you won't be left breathless. It's an advanced magic technique. If you don't want to learn it, then don't."
"Are you sure you're not tricking us again?" The three of them looked at Albert with suspicious eyes, clearly not believing him.
Albert huffed, "Can't you feel the difference? Don't you notice that your casting is becoming smoother?"
"Casting does feel smoother," Fred mumbled.
In fact, Albert was tricking them.
However, the four of them were indeed growing rapidly in their magical duels, surpassing most of the students.
If the previous four had merely treated their wands as tools, they now at least looked like they were wielding weapons.
(End of Chapter)
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