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Chapter 406: Knowledge is Wealth
Chapter 406: Knowledge is Wealth
The effects of the Cheering Charm gradually wore off around lunchtime, and Albert's smile faded as well. As he ate, he listened in on Fred and George's discussion about the possibility of creating laughing toffees, both attempting to use the Cheering Charm on each other's pumpkin pies to no avail.
"Looks like your laughing toffee idea is a bust," Lee Jordan prodded the enchanted pie with his fork and turned to Albert, "Can we even eat this now?"
"Probably not," Albert replied.
"What do you mean?" Lee Jordan was perplexed.
"I recall a magical creature that might produce a similar effect. Puffskeins, I think they're called. They can be used to brew a Laughing Potion, which should work for your toffees," Albert tapped his forehead lightly, recalling knowledge about potion ingredients and magical creatures, "Oh yes, and for the antidote, I believe it's some sort of syrup produced by the Doxy."
"Laughing Potion?" Fred and George exchanged glances, their eyes shining with excitement at the prospect of actually being able to create the laughing toffees.
"There really is such a thing?" Lee Jordan asked, though he trusted Albert's knowledge.
"Of course," Albert assured them, "The renowned potion master Zygmunt Budge documented the Laughing Potion in his book, 'Book of Potions'. But be warned, that book is in the Restricted Section of the library. Be careful when borrowing it, or Filch might catch you."
"Don't worry, we know our way around the library," Fred and George chimed in together, giving Albert a reassuring look.
"Right, and you could also try using Aliotto leaves, which are one of the ingredients in the Laughing Potion. As for the antidote, let me think... oh yes, I believe it's a syrup produced by the Doxy, as I mentioned." Albert offered additional advice.
"Wow! Wow! Wow!"
"You're amazing, Albert!"
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were all astounded, their mouths hanging open as they realized the possibilities. Not only had Albert saved them time by providing a potential antidote, but he had also given them clear directions.
In unison, Fred and George reached for their quills and notebooks, jotting down key terms like "Puffskeins", "Laughing Potion", "Zygmunt Budge", "Book of Potions", "Aliotto leaves", and "Doxy syrup". They would later look up the relevant information in the library during their free time, knowing that Albert didn't have the time to help them with their research. But with these crucial tips, the twins now had a direction to explore and experiment with proportions and antidotes.
"The laughing toffees are fun, but I don't think they'll make much money," Lee Jordan remarked, earning him glares from Fred and George.
"That's true," Albert nodded, "You won't get rich off those."
"Would you keep your voice down," Fred and George said in unison.
"Actually, you could use this as a starting point to develop food that improves people's moods. That's where the real money is." Albert suggested.
"Food that improves moods?" Fred furrowed his brow, "Do you mean like the Laughing Potion? Can it really have that effect?"
"I'm not sure, it depends on the proportions," Albert admitted, offering the Weasley twins an idea to explore. If they succeeded, it could mean a huge profit, and if they failed, they would only lose some ingredients and time.
"Do you mean magical food?" George asked, intrigued, thinking that Albert wouldn't have mentioned it if there wasn't potential for profit.
"Take Honeyduke's Peppermint Toads, for instance," Albert offered an example, "The ones that make you levitate a few inches off the ground when you suck on them. I'm certain they add dried Billywig stings to the candy."
The Peppermint Toads were indeed a popular treat from Honeydukes, and many students enjoyed the sensation of lifting off the ground slightly while sucking on the candy.
The twins quickly jotted down more notes, mumbling to themselves, "Good idea, we can try that..."
"Knowledge truly is the greatest wealth," Lee Jordan couldn't help but exclaim, realizing that with just a few suggestions, Albert had potentially added several new products to Fred and George's future shop, and these were just off-hand comments.
"Exceptional intelligence is mankind's greatest wealth." Albert corrected earnestly, "That's the Ravenclaw motto."
Lee Jordan was taken aback, but Albert continued, "However, I agree with what you said earlier: Knowledge is indeed mankind's greatest wealth."
"If you ever find yourselves out of work, you could consider developing magical food. I think it would sell well," Albert said as he took out his notebook and jotted down the idea.
Indeed, yet another potentially lucrative venture.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were sitting nearby and eating, were all left dumbfounded by the brief exchange between Albert and the others.
Ron, in particular, was so astonished that he couldn't speak. He never expected Albert to casually bring up money-making schemes, and seeing Fred and George quickly taking notes made him wonder if he should take out his notebook and jot down what Albert had just said.
Ron was aware that Harry had some money stashed away in his Gringotts vault, but he hadn't been able to retrieve it yet.
Fred and George had probably also bet and won, which made Ron's feelings complicated as they hadn't claimed their winnings but remained confident they would get their money.
"Albert, do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Hmm, why do you ask?" Albert looked at the three expectant faces and raised an eyebrow.
"We've searched through so many books, but we haven't found even a hint of him." Harry spoke hastily, "You must know, right?"
If they could get an answer from Albert, it would save them a lot of trouble.
"Yes, I know." Albert nodded to indicate that he was indeed aware.
"Who is he?" the three asked in unison.
"Nicolas Flamel," Albert began, but then paused, re-evaluating the trio with narrowed eyes, "It seems like you're quite interested in what that huge dog is guarding?"
"You know what's in there?" Hermione was surprised. She didn't understand how Albert could know about these things. Could it be Hagrid who told him?
"It has nothing to do with you." Albert said seriously, "Of course, it has nothing to do with me, either."
"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all." Hermione tried to explain, still hoping to get an answer from Albert.
"Don't get involved. It's a big pit of trouble." Albert warned kindly, "Of course, if you really want to know, you can search for it in the library or ask Hagrid. He probably knows something about it."
"Hagrid won't tell us."
"But how do you know about it?" Harry asked curiously, "I mean, you seem to know a lot of things."
"I won't tell you." Albert shrugged, "Anyway, you'll never guess."
"I hate his twisted sense of humor." Ron muttered, he was certain Albert was doing it on purpose, or perhaps he simply didn't know.
Of course, this was just Ron's frustration talking.
As the three whispered among themselves, Flint of Slytherin stormed out of the bathroom, clearly intending to confront whoever had been repeatedly pranking him.
After all, anyone would feel angry after being repeatedly targeted like that.
"Cover me."
Fred quietly drew his wand and, with a glance at George and Lee Jordan, used the opportunity provided by their cover to cast the Cheering Charm on Flint.
The next moment, Flint's angry expression vanished, replaced by a silly grin, and he burst into uncontrollable laughter.
This sudden laughter left everyone perplexed.
To prevent any trouble from Slytherin students, Truman brought over the debt collection squad as backup.
"What are you doing?" Professor McGonagall, who had sensed something amiss, approached them, frowning at the laughing Flint.
"He seems to have some sort of illness, he just burst out laughing." Truman covered half his face with his hand, implying that Flint was acting strange.
"Perhaps we should send him to Madam Pomfrey, he might need treatment."
"Is this... the Cheering Charm?" Professor McGonagall instantly recognized Flint's condition, "Who cast it on him?"
"A charm? I thought Flint had a condition where he'd die if he didn't laugh." Lee Jordan feigned shock.
The members of the debt collection squad standing nearby couldn't help but burst out laughing, seemingly infected by Flint's laughter, and they looked rather foolish.
(End of Chapter)
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