Chapter 322: A True Warrior
Chapter 322: A True Warrior
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan envied Albert's money-making prowess. With just the recipe for the Pepper-Up Potion, he easily earned ten Galleons from Kenneth Towle without even having to help transcribe the recipe. It was a completely risk-free deal.
"Don't you know how to make the Pepper-Up Potion as well?" George looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping and then whispered, puzzled by Albert's decision to sell the recipe. With his abilities, he could easily brew and sell the potion to others, as Albert had considered before.
While it was true that some of the ingredients, like Runespoor eggs, were hard to come by, they could always be procured on the black market. Wouldn't it make more sense to cut out the middleman and reap greater profits? After all, a single bottle of Pepper-Up Potion now sold for several dozen Galleons.
"Okay, that's enough," Albert laughed, interrupting George. "You guys have no idea how difficult it is to make the Pepper-Up Potion. An ordinary potion maker simply doesn't have the skills to pull it off. Just like I told Kenneth Towle, without exceptional potion-making skills and a fair bit of practice, it's impossible to brew successfully. Remember the potions you made in class? Would you dare drink those?"
Drink their own brewed potions? The students?
There was that one time when someone ended up in the school hospital after doing just that.
Shaking his head at the trio's dumbfounded expressions, Albert couldn't help but attribute it to their youth and tendency to jump to conclusions. He was well aware of the prowess of Master Potioneer Hector Dagworth-Granger. Even a master like him approached the brewing of Pepper-Up Potion with caution, let alone less skilled potion makers.
"If," Fred began, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he relished the thought, "Kenneth Towle actually tries to brew the Pepper-Up Potion..."
"He'll likely lose a small fortune in ingredients. I've already warned him about that," Albert shook his head. "And if he dares to sell a diluted failure here at Hogwarts, Snape will definitely invite him for a cup of tea."
The three exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with a shared mischievous smile, anticipating Kenneth Towle's impending misfortune.
Whether or not Kenneth Towle attempted to brew the Pepper-Up Potion, Albert never found out. However, he himself was soon invited for tea by none other than Professor Snape.
As for the reason, Albert knew all too well.
"Professor Snape doesn't seem too pleased. You'd better watch your step."
"That Slytherin student who delivered the message just now." Terrence Higgs spoke up casually.
"Thank you, Higgs," Albert acknowledged.
"You're welcome. I'm sorry you didn't join the Gryffindor Quidditch team. To be honest, I was looking forward to another match against you." Terrence Higgs still held a grudge from his previous loss to Albert.
"By the way, before you go, someone asked me to inquire if you have any more of that potion and they're willing to purchase it at a negotiable price." Terrence added before taking his leave.
"Unfortunately, I only had that one bottle, which was a gift. So, even if I wanted to sell, I don't have another one to offer." Albert shrugged helplessly.
"What a pity." Terrence Higgs quickly departed.
"I didn't expect you to know students from Slytherin?" The twins appeared as soon as Terrence had left.
"He's Slytherin's reserve Seeker. He's alright, I plan to develop him into the person in charge of Slytherin Wizarding Cards." Albert explained.
"I thought students from Slytherin wouldn't like Wizarding Cards." George said, recalling the absence of Slytherin students in the previous Wizarding Card tournament.
"There are always a few who do." Albert tucked the note into his pocket and checked his pocket watch before preparing to head to Snape's office for tea.
A few minutes later, the door to the Potions office was knocked on, and Albert entered, not for the first time.
"Mr. Anderson, do I need to remind you that the Pepper-Up Potion is a Ministry of Magic Class B non-tradeable item?" Snape glared at Albert, his face grim.
"Of course, I'm aware of that, sir." Albert wasn't fazed by Snape's gloomy expression and remained calm. "However, I don't believe I've broken any laws, be it those of the Ministry or Hogwarts."
"You haven't broken any laws?" Snape's gloomy face twisted into a strange, cold smile. "One hundred percent of the Pepper-Up Potions sold on the market are poisonous."
"I know..."
"Then why would you..." Snape seized the opportunity to reprimand Albert harshly, his words laced with threats and intimidation.
"Sir, you should let me finish my sentence instead of interrupting. How can you be sure that I've broken any laws?" Albert responded nonchalantly after Snape finished his lecture.
This time, Snape's face turned ashen with anger.
"That bottle of Pepper-Up Potion was a gift to me from Master Hector Dagworth-Granger," Albert continued, unperturbed by Snape's stern expression.
"Hector Dagworth-Granger?"
"Yes, Hector Dagworth-Granger. I believe you're familiar with him; he's a rather famous Master Potioneer, and we've been corresponding through letters." Albert replied casually, "Also, I can assure you that the Pepper-Up Potion I had was completely authentic and non-toxic."
"Lastly, I never sold any Pepper-Up Potion. I merely gave away my own possession as a prize for a competition, which does not constitute a trade, and is perfectly within the rules."
"You've consumed undiluted Pepper-Up Potion!" Snape suddenly realized something, his grim face twitching slightly as he stared intently at Albert.
"Yes, sir, and it worked quite well," Albert said nonchalantly.
"Have you lost your mind?! Don't you know that if something goes wrong with that potion, it could turn your brilliant mind into a mushy mess?!" Snape exclaimed, his face contorting in surprise.
"Hmm," Albert hummed indifferently, not bothering to react further, which only served to infuriate Snape further, who promptly showed him out of the office.
As for putting Albert in detention, Snape didn't even consider it. He knew what kind of person Albert was. The incident where that young man forced the Ministry of Magic to apologize was quite famous among the Hogwarts staff. It was said that Albert had become acquainted with Hector Dagworth-Granger during that incident, and their relationship had not soured but instead improved.
As soon as Albert stepped out of the Potions office, he was surrounded by the twins, who bombarded him with questions about what had just transpired.
"We just heard Snape's roar. Seems like he's pretty angry," Fred commented.
"It's nothing. I merely pointed out a few mistakes in Professor Snape's understanding," Albert replied casually.
"You're a true warrior," Fred and George exclaimed, giving Albert a thumbs-up. "Snape must have given you a few days' worth of detention."
"I didn't do anything wrong, so why would he give me detention?" Albert said calmly. "After all, it's not my fault, and I won't take the blame for it. Besides, there's no way another bottle of Pepper-Up Potion will be found in the school."
"Actually, Kenneth Towle seems to have gotten his hands on several bottles of Pepper-Up Potion, which he's selling on the black market," Lee Jordan rushed over to inform the trio as they reached the entrance hall.
(End of Chapter)
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