Chapter 571: Drunkenness
Chapter 571: Drunkenness
"I've been waiting for this Bracelet for over a month", Slughorn complained, but he quickly changed the subject. "Of course! It's already quite fortunate that such a top-tier Magic Item, something that can be a Family Heirloom, can be bought with Gold. Especially since it's a work from a young future Alchemist. Not to mention the current dangerous situation where countless people need such defensive items."
"Thank you for your praise", Liam nodded slightly. "But it couldn't be helped that you had to wait so long. This kind of item is extremely complex to make, and I still have to attend school. I can't devote all my energy to this. So, I can only produce a little bit each month to supply the store."
"Yes, that's true. You're still a student, so I can understand", Slughorn said. "But I think I can help you. I believe that with your current Potion-making skills, doing the homework I assign is a waste of time. I think I can allow you to skip the homework I assign after class. This way, you can provide more Magic Items to protect people from Dark Magic attacks."
"Thank you very much", Liam smiled. Time was always in short supply for him, so having more free time to do his own work was certainly a good thing. After hearing Slughorn's words, he opened the bottle of Elven Fruit Wine on the table, filled a Golden Cup, and handed it over. "Professor, try this wine. I got it during my last trip to China."
"It's really good", Slughorn said after taking a sip. He then brought the Golden Cup up to his face and examined it closely. "Hmm, this doesn't seem to be an ordinary cup."
"Of course not", Liam smiled. "All the dinnerware here is something I made when I was practicing. Not only can it adjust the temperature of the liquid in the cup, but it can also detect if anything in the cup is poisonous."
"I once saw a similar set of dinnerware at the Malfoys' house. It wasn't as exquisite or as magically effective as yours, but they keep it in a glass cabinet like a treasure. The house-elves polish the cups and plates every day but never use them."
"That's no fun", Liam said. "All alchemical devices are made to make life more convenient. Storing them away goes against their purpose."
"Perhaps that's because you're an Alchemist. Most Wizards wouldn't think like you", Slughorn said with a hint of envy. In this world, an Alchemy Master is worth much more than a Potion Master, especially now that Nicolas Flamel has passed away. In Slughorn's eyes, Liam, if he continues to grow steadily, will surely become an Alchemy Master one day. So, he naturally felt a bit envious.
For the next while, Liam and Slughorn discussed the procurement of materials in Diagon Alley. They both began to complain about certain unscrupulous merchants in Diagon Alley. Soon, with Liam's deliberate flattery, Slughorn started talking about his younger days. He also promised to introduce Liam to a few of his former students, so Liam could buy better and cheaper raw materials in the future.
By this time, the wine Slughorn had brought and the bottle on the table were almost finished. Felix Felicis gently nudged Harry. Liam noticed Harry leaning over to Hermione and whispering something. Hermione then pulled out several square bottles from another Spatial Bag and stood up to refill Liam and Slughorn's cups.
Liam, upon receiving Hermione's notification through the Phoenix Mark, immediately started talking to Professor Slughorn about purchasing various raw materials in Knockturn Alley. This clearly caught Slughorn's attention, and he didn't notice that Hermione had switched the wine.
"Dwarf Mead", Liam took a sip and immediately identified what Hermione had brought out. This was something the Dwarves had made after returning to Lonely Mountain. They tried to take over the Elves' mead market, so this mead is very similar in taste to Elven mead. The only difference is that, despite its smooth taste, it has a very high alcohol content. Just two bottles can knock out a Dwarf.
At this point, Liam could only use Alchemy to its fullest to break down the alcohol he had consumed, to avoid getting drunk. However, Slughorn, sitting across from him, was unaware of this. He still thought that this drink, like the sweet wine before, wouldn't get him drunk.
Just half an hour later, Slughorn, regardless of his age, was already sitting shoulder to shoulder with Liam, toasting to Hogwarts, Dumbledore, and even Harry Potter. Hermione, sipping her sweet tea, watched Liam and Slughorn with an amused look. Harry, holding his glass, pretended to drink, always finding the perfect moment to encourage Slughorn to drink more.
Before long, Liam successfully sold the experimental bracelet on Harry's hand to Slughorn. Slughorn handed over a bag containing 2800 Galleons, which had been enchanted with a Dimensional Extension charm.
Liam had initially asked for 2500 Galleons, but Slughorn looked like he would take it as an insult if Liam didn't accept 3000 Galleons. After much negotiation, they finally settled on 2800 Galleons. Slughorn then raised a toast, "To a future Alchemy master!" and tucked the bracelet into his pocket, raising his glass of amber-colored wine to his lips.
After draining his glass, Slughorn began to sing a slow, mournful song. Liam had never heard this song anywhere else, but it seemed to be a Wizard folk song. Indeed, when he listened carefully to the lyrics, he realized it told the story of a Wizard named Aldo on his deathbed.
"Death is always terrifying", Hermione said after the song ended. "So many people try to avoid death, pursuing life and fearing death, which is probably an instinct of living beings. Only a few great individuals can overcome the instinct of life and face death with dignity when necessary."
"Yes, my parents were like that", Harry added, then looked at Slughorn. "Do you know about this?"
"Oh", Slughorn suppressed a large burp, "oh, yes, they were truly heroic, and I admire them greatly. But that event was also—very terrifying. Terrifying... terrifying..." He didn't know what to say next and reached for another glass of wine from the table. Then he awkwardly asked Harry, "I suppose—you don't remember, Harry?"
"I don't—when they died, I was only one year old", Harry said. At that moment, he saw Liam pull out a small pill made of herbs from his pocket and light it. Soon, the smoke spread throughout the room, and Harry inhaled the grass-like scent, feeling his nerves relax.
"Calming Potion", Liam mouthed to Harry, making a fist with his right hand in a gesture of encouragement.
Harry nodded at Liam and turned to look into Slughorn's eyes. "Although I was too young to remember those events, I learned a lot as I grew up. My father died first, did you know that?"
"Sorry, my boy, I—I really didn't know that", Slughorn said weakly.
"Yes... Voldemort killed him, then stepped over his body and walked toward my mother", Harry said calmly, almost coldly. He ignored Slughorn's fearful gaze and continued, "Voldemort told her to step aside. He said she didn't have to die, that he only wanted to kill me, and she could have escaped."
"Oh, dear", Slughorn whispered, "she could have... she didn't have to... so terrible..."
"Yes", Liam saw Harry move closer to Slughorn and speak in a near whisper. "But she didn't. She pleaded with Voldemort, begging for my life. But he just laughed..."
"Enough!" Slughorn suddenly shouted, raising his trembling hand. "Really, dear boy, enough... I'm an old man... I don't need to hear this... I don't want to hear this..."
"You once told me that my mother was one of your best students, didn't you?" Harry, guided by a small sip of Felix Felicis, shifted the topic.
"Of course, of course", Slughorn, helped by the alcohol and the Calming Potion, fell into a reverie. "Who could dislike Lily? She was so brave... so lively... but in the end, ah, the most terrible thing happened..."
"So I hope you can help, help the son of your former prized student", Harry finally said, revealing his goal for the evening.
(End of Chapter)
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