Hogwarts: The Exemplary Wizard I Am Chapter 358: Two Galleons, Not Profitable - Novel Cool

Chapter 358: Two Galleons, Not Profitable

Chapter 358: Two Galleons, Not Profitable

As Harry munched on the chocolate, Lupin took the letter and left the compartment to find the train driver, as there was an emergency owl in the driver's cabin.

It was something Lupin did during his school days, but he wasn't sure if it was still the case.

After Lupin left, Ron glanced at Harry with concern, "Are you really okay?"

"I feel much better," Harry replied.

Harry took another bite of the chocolate and wiped the cold sweat and rainwater from his face, saying, "But I don't understand... what just happened."

"We're curious about that too," Fred said.

Although the Dementor's presence was unsettling, it shouldn't have caused someone to faint directly. Moreover, out of the hundreds of students on the train, Harry seemed to be the only one affected in this way.

Even Ron was fine.

"When the Dementor turned to look at you... you suddenly became strange."

"I thought you were hit by a bad curse," Ron recalled the scene, looking a bit scared, "You seemed to stiffen up, fell from your seat, and started convulsing..."

Then, Ron and Hermione recounted the incident in detail, including how Harry fainted and how Professor Lupin eventually drove away the Dementor.

"It was a silvery glow," Hermione said, "I couldn't see what it was, but the Dementor seemed to be afraid of it."

"It must have been the Patronus Charm," George whispered.

"I didn't expect him to know that," Fred seemed a bit surprised, "Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor seems to have some skills after all."

"Don't get too excited," Cedric said from the side, "He could also be the Care of Magical Creatures professor... Remember? Professor Kettleburn is retiring this year."

"Damn, I forgot about that," Fred scratched his head, "I hope we won't have to endure another semester of reading classes, I'm really sick of it."

Cedric shrugged, though he felt the same way. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professors at Hogwarts had always been disappointing.

With the experience of the past two years, even if a useless professor came this year, he wouldn't find it strange...

"Patronus Charm?" Hermione suddenly realized the key point.

"Yes," Fred explained, "Kyle just used this charm to ward off the Dementor. Look at our condition; it's much better, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Hermione realized that it was indeed the case.

Ron and Neville, including those outside who were peeking in, all had somewhat pale faces. Even Hermione herself probably looked the same.

However, Kyle and the others had normal complexions, appearing no different from usual, and even the youngest among them, Ginny, was like that.

"Patronus Charm?" Hermione muttered to herself, mentally noting down this charm.

At this moment, Lupin returned. He looked at everyone and said with a smile, "I just asked the driver, and we'll arrive at Hogwarts in thirty minutes."

This was excellent news for Harry, who couldn't wait to get back to the comfortable castle.

Most importantly, there were the professors and Dumbledore there... The Dementor wouldn't dare to enter.

However, Harry was still a bit puzzled as to why only he had fainted while the others were fine.

He asked Professor Lupin, but the latter just shook his head and comforted him.

"Dementors force us to recall our worst memories, and our pain becomes their strength. Perhaps your experiences are different from others, which piqued its interest."

He pretended to be casual and continued, "Moreover, you don't need to worry too much. I noticed that the Dementor's behavior here was completely different from what it was in other compartments.

It couldn't control its desire to feed, actively absorbing the emotions around it... This unique ability of the Dementor, not even adult wizards can resist.

You're only thirteen, fainting is normal."

Harry still found this explanation a bit far-fetched.

"But Ron and Hermione didn't faint, and neither did Neville," he said softly.

Seeing Harry's dejected expression, Ron wanted to comfort him but didn't know what to say.

Just as he was racking his brains, he suddenly turned his head and noticed something flashing on Hermione's clothes.

Ron's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Is it possible that it's because we're wearing the badges?"

He pointed to the identical badge below his collar, "Remember? Kyle gave these to us, and they're made from dragon scales.

Even Dementors should be afraid of such powerful creatures as dragons."

"That's impossible," Hermione said, "Even if Dementors fear dragons, they wouldn't be afraid of a single scale."

"It's also possible... um... that there's a certain degree of protection," Ron admitted, feeling that this reason was a bit far-fetched. However, he couldn't think of a better explanation at the moment, so he continued, "We wore the badges and were fine, but Harry, who changed into his robes first, fainted.

"What about Neville, he doesn't have a badge either," Hermione frowned.

In the corner, Neville heard his name and timidly raised his head.

His current state was worse than Harry's, even after eating a large piece of chocolate, his body couldn't stop trembling.

Somehow, after combining Professor Lupin's words with Ron's, Harry felt much better.

Although this thought was somewhat self-deceptive, compared to feeling even weaker and more fearful, he preferred to believe that the Firebreather Emblem was effective.

In the box, there was one more person who believed it.

"What Firebreather Emblem..."

Neville stood up, looking at Kyle with hope, "Do you have more? I want to buy one."

The chilling sensation that seemed to penetrate his soul earlier was something he didn't want to experience again.

"Well... I do have more..."

Kyle fished out a handful of colorful badges from his pocket, "But this probably won't work against Dementors..."

"I'll take it!"

Before Kyle could finish his sentence, Neville had already taken all the badges from his hand.

"How much?"

"Um... two Galleons each."

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Neville's hand paused as he took out his money, "How much?"

"Two Galleons," Kyle explained, "This is genuine Dragonhide, which is already quite valuable on its own. The emblem on it is also hand-carved by locals in Romania. Two Galleons is barely breaking even."

Neville looked at the six badges in his hand, hesitating.

Twelve Galleons in total... he didn't have that much money.

Due to his tendency to lose things, Mrs. Longbottom usually didn't give him much pocket money.

"Forget it, it's not really useful anyway," Kyle tried to persuade him again.

He had his ways to sell things, and didn't need to do it like this.

Dementors would be stationed at the castle this year, and it wouldn't take long to find out if they were effective or not.

False advertising would likely lead to returns and severe negative impacts, possibly damaging the reputation they had built over the past three years.

It didn't seem worth it at all.

But just as Neville was hesitating, Professor Lupin unexpectedly spoke up.

"Perhaps, it might actually help."

This sentence seemed to have made up Neville's mind.

He gave Kyle three badges and took out six Galleons from his robe's pocket, handing them over, "This is all I have, I'll take three!"

"This..."

Kyle looked at Professor Lupin, unsure what he meant by those words.

Facing Kyle's questioning gaze, Professor Lupin shook his head. He approached Kyle when no one was paying attention and whispered, "When facing Dementors, the most important thing is courage. Only by not fearing them can you remain unaffected.

If Mr. Longbottom firmly believes that the badge can ward off Dementors, then it will work.

I think, as the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin, you should understand what I mean."

Believing in its effectiveness... would it really work? Kyle pondered seriously.

This wasn't hard to understand, as many spells worked this way. When Newt was teaching him the Patronus Charm, he repeatedly emphasized that one must have unwavering belief to successfully cast a complete Patronus.

The same was true when he learned Apparition. Once he doubted himself, he would fail.

"Do you mean that the badge can give him the belief to no longer fear Dementors?" Kyle asked thoughtfully.

"You could say that."

Professor Lupin nodded, "But it's crucial that the Dementor can control its desire to feed."

He pointed in Neville's direction and said softly, "However, at least for now, it seems to be working."

Kyle also looked in Neville's direction.

After obtaining the badge, Neville stopped trembling. His pale face had become rosier, and he looked much better overall.

"The badge is just a vessel. It could be a stone, a leaf, or a dry twig. What's important is that people truly believe in their hearts that it works!"

Professor Lupin turned to Kyle, and his expression suddenly changed as he said, "But selling it for two Galleons, isn't that a bit expensive?"

"No, sir," Kyle smiled, "You can ask around Diagon Alley about the price of Dragon Scales. In the Apothecary, they're clearly priced at fifteen Sickles each.

Adding the cost of the emblem design and the Portkey to Romania, two Galleons is the cost price. I'm not making any profit."

Professor Lupin was momentarily speechless.

Indeed, anything related to dragons had a frightening price tag. He sighed and turned back to his seat.

At that moment, a commotion was heard outside. Just as Professor Lupin had left, someone entered the box.

"Sorry, I accidentally overheard your conversation... Do you have more of those badges?"

(End of Chapter)

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