Chapter 426: Falling into Another Trap
Chapter 426: Falling into Another Trap
News of a malicious individual sending Albert a sinister Christmas gift had spread throughout the castle, thanks to the students of Gryffindor House.
This incident once again proved that there were no secrets within Gryffindor.
Many Slytherin boys relished Albert's misfortune, and a few students with whom he had a less-than-friendly relationship even threatened to send him cursed packages. Malfoy, in particular, made snide remarks, suspecting that the previous Christmas gift was anonymously sent by Albert himself.
Most students expressed sympathy for Albert, especially the girls in the school, who were quite indignant. They believed that the person who sent the anonymous package was a coward.
Of course, the girls' reaction was related to Albert's public disclosure of the formula for the Swelling Solution. Since the release of the potion recipe, most of the girls in the school had taken a liking to Albert, and some even joked that they should thank the coward who anonymously sent him Bubotuber pus. If not for that incident, the Swelling Solution may not have been created so quickly.
The topic soon drifted off-track.
Whether or not the anonymous sender felt depressed about the turn of events was unknown to Albert, but Fred and George were certainly feeling glum. They couldn't fathom why Albert would disclose the formula for the Swelling Solution, as it was a highly profitable business opportunity.
After all, exclusive businesses tended to be the most lucrative.
This sentiment only grew stronger after Albert sold all the trial batches of the Swelling Solution. Each small jar sold for three Sickles, resulting in a substantial profit.
If others were to make and sell the Swelling Solution using the formula, it would directly cut into their customer base.
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were still too young, and the temptation to earn more Galleons led them to start persuading Albert to produce more of the potion. However, their efforts were politely declined by Albert.
Albert asked the trio to be patient, explaining that the Swelling Solution's production technique was not yet mature and needed further improvement before it could be officially sold. Even if others knew the formula, sometimes it was more cost-effective to just buy a ready-made bottle than to spend their own time, money, and energy on brewing it.
Obtaining Bubotuber pus was challenging in itself, and even if one managed to gather all the ingredients for the Swelling Solution, there was no guarantee that the final product would be of high quality.
Otherwise, why would so many girls come to the twins to buy a small jar for three Sickles?
For now, the supply of this potion was limited, and each person could only purchase one small bottle.
While this was partly due to high demand, the most important factor was Albert's strategy of creating a sense of scarcity.
This was Albert's way of advertising the Swelling Solution.
The Weasley brothers had come to accept Albert's reasoning. If there were to be better formulas in the future, sharing the current one wouldn't be much of a loss. After all, they needed to build their customer base.
Indeed, the Swelling Solution proved highly effective in eradicating acne, and many girls returned to the Weasley twins, hoping to purchase more for future use. However, Fred and George could only express their helplessness, explaining that they had run out of Bubotuber pus and that Albert didn't plan to make any more batches for the time being.
Most of the girls expressed their regret, wishing someone would send Albert another batch of Bubotuber pus.
Nowadays, the anonymous gift incident had become a popular topic of discussion among the girls in the school. Everyone was speculating about the sender's identity, and Kenneth Toole even opened a betting pool.
Each person only needed to bet one Sickle, and guessing correctly would earn them a reward of ten Galleons. Suddenly, a group of Slytherin students eagerly claimed that they were the senders, providing all sorts of detailed information and turning the whole affair into a joke.
...
"Are you really not going to make any more of the Swelling Solution?"
In the library, Fred, who was working on his homework, couldn't help but ask about it again. The thought of leaving money on the table was torturous to the young Fred and George.
Several girls nearby overheard Fred's question and perked up their ears to listen in.
"I've been busy lately, and I don't have the ingredients anymore."
"Oh, I was just messing around," Albert brushed them off casually. He didn't place much importance on the Swelling Solution, after all, it was just a simple experiment.
"I heard Kenneth Toole hired someone to make a large batch of Swelling Solution to sell to the girls in school," Lee Jordan said tentatively.
"That Kenneth Toole is such a pain!" George exclaimed, not expecting someone to muscle in on their business.
"It's fine, let him sell it if he wants to!"
"Making the Swelling Solution requires some skill in potion-making. I just hope Kenneth doesn't end up causing another incident like last time," Albert said, unbothered by the development.
Upon hearing Albert's words, the girls who had intended to buy the Swelling Solution from Kenneth Toole changed their minds. They had also heard that Kenneth was preparing a large batch, but at an increased price of five Sickles per bottle, despite the larger quantity. The girls were quite displeased about this.
"Kenneth Toole really doesn't know how to do business!"
Back in their dormitory, Albert privately expressed his thoughts to Fred, George, and Lee Jordan.
"He could have easily made a profit, but why did he have to go and offend the customers? It's not worth getting a bad reputation just to make a little money."
A good reputation was also a form of capital! "Be careful, or he might not find a girlfriend in school."
"He doesn't have a girlfriend anyway," George said quietly.
They, too, were annoyed that someone had stolen their business, and even contemplated teaching Kenneth a lesson he wouldn't forget. The twins plotted to put Engorgio Powder in his pajamas, causing him to break out in boils all over his body.
Albert put a stop to this plan.
Feeling increasingly resentful, Fred and George secretly contacted Montague Fletcher, attempting to obtain undiluted Bubotuber pus from him.
While the school's Greenhouse Three did contain Bubotuber plants, the plants within were all somewhat dangerous. Ever since Albert's last visit, the greenhouse had been under the strict surveillance of Professor Sprout.
It was challenging for ordinary students to sneak into Greenhouse Three to obtain Bubotuber pus, and some girls had already gotten into trouble trying. A Hufflepuff student had attempted to enter the greenhouse to steal some pus, but she was caught red-handed by Professor Pomona Sprout, reprimanded severely, and given a detention that resulted in house points deducted.
"You failed?"
Albert inquired, seeing a dejected Fred and George emerge from the shop, 'Weasley Wizard Wheezes'.
"What are you talking about?"
The twins were a bit flustered, unsure how Albert knew about their attempt to secretly brew the Swelling Solution.
Albert looked at them calmly, saying nothing.
"You also said before that we need to master the method of making the Swelling Solution," Fred mumbled guiltily.
"Why should we just sit here and watch while Kenneth Toole makes a fortune?" George complained, "It's so frustrating."
Not making money when you have the chance is just asking for trouble, they thought.
"Do you really think Kenneth Toole will make a lot of Galleons?" Albert sighed inwardly. Money had made Fred and George restless, and now all they could think about was profit.
"Isn't that right?"
"Of course, he won't make much," Albert shook his head, "After all, the current Swelling Solution is just an inferior version. Once I release an improved version, he'll be the one losing money."
"You've already researched an improved version?" Fred finally understood why Albert had made the formula public; he had an even better one in his pocket.
"No, you're overthinking it. I just meant that the Swelling Solution can still be improved upon."
"We understand!" the twins said together.
Albert was left speechless.
What exactly do you two understand?
"I suddenly feel sorry for Kenneth Toole. He's been tricked by you again,"
Upon learning the truth, the twins no longer felt jealous of Kenneth Toole; instead, they sympathized with him.
"I didn't trick him."
"During the Wake-Up Potion incident, he was already tricked by you."
(End of Chapter)
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