My School Life At Hogwarts Chapter 674: Petty Tricks - Novel Cool

Chapter 674: Petty Tricks

Chapter 674: Petty Tricks

Albert and Isabel followed behind Hectork, laughing and chatting idly.

After walking along the Wizarding Street for a while, they saw Hectork turn into an unassuming shop with a sign that read "Swish and Flick over the Cauldron".

This was an apothecary.

At least, that was the first impression Albert got as he stepped inside with Hectork.

The shelves were lined with all sorts of potions, each labeled with its effects and price.

"Isn't that a Felix Felicis?" Isabel exclaimed in surprise as she spotted a golden potion in one of the display cases.

"Indeed." Hectork glanced at the glass cabinet and added meaningfully, "But as you can see, the price is available upon request."

Hearing this, both Albert and Isabel understood.

Not only Felix Felicis, but various prohibited potions were also on offer here.

Potions mentioned in 'Advanced Potion-Making' could be found on the shelves, from Veritaserum to complex concoctions.

In another display case were numerous potion ingredients, most of which were also prohibited.

"I'm curious," Albert murmured, eyeing the cabinet full of prohibited items. "Why hasn't the French Ministry of Magic shut this place down?"

"The operations here are completely legal," Hectork explained as he handed his briefcase and golden membership card to the receptionist and slipped them a letter. He lowered his voice and continued, "But many of these items require special connections to obtain, and no one dares to sell prohibited goods recklessly."

"Of course, Mr. Hectork," the receptionist replied.

"Do you need a membership card to purchase prohibited items?" Albert asked.

"Yes," Hectork nodded. "Follow me."

There was another counter on the side of the shop, and as they approached, the witch behind the counter bowed slightly to Hectork. "It's been a while, Mr. Hectork."

"Indeed, it has been," Hectork greeted with a smile. "How are you finding work here, Jessica?"

"It's going well. And who are these two?" Jessica asked, her eyes widening with curiosity as she took in Albert and Isabel.

"I'm bringing them for the entrance assessment," Hectork said, producing his golden membership card to indicate that he was their recommender.

"Very well, please fill out these forms and pay the assessment fee," Jessica said, sizing up Albert. "You must be Mr. Albert Anderson, the winner of the International Wizarding Chess Championship last year. I didn't expect you to be skilled in potions as well."

Albert didn't respond, feigning concentration on filling out the form. Isabel, beside him, seemed like she wanted to laugh but managed to hold it in. She knew Albert disliked when people brought up that topic.

"Here you go," Albert said, handing over the completed forms along with the payment.

The entrance assessment fee for the Extraordinary Potion-Maker's Association was exorbitantly high. In Britain, it would have cost around ten Galleons.

Of course, Albert was the one footing the bill, and he certainly wasn't going to let Hectork pay.

However, he didn't pay in the French wizarding currency but instead used Galleons.

Jessica was clearly accustomed to this, as she accepted the Galleons with a smile and even provided change from the cash drawer. Then, she gestured toward a stone door to the side.

"Right this way!"

Following Hectork through the stone door, they found themselves in a spacious hall, greeted by a fountain featuring a wizard holding a cauldron. The wizard's pose was somewhat peculiar.

"That's Hectork Dagworth-Granger, the founder of the Extraordinary Potion-Maker's Association," Hectork introduced with a hint of pride in his voice. "He's actually holding a golden cauldron, the same one used in the schools' Potions Championship. As for the light golden fountain water, it's a diluted potion that induces a pleasant mood. Would you like to give it a taste?"

"No thanks," Albert declined. He felt they had come to the right place, and perhaps he could find some interesting inspirations here for Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.

"Cheer-Up Potion?" Isabel also had no interest in sampling it but guessed the potion's name from Hectork's description.

"Yes, the Cheer-Up Potion is also part of the assessment," Hectork explained. "Usually, you would randomly draw one of several common potions and then brew it within a specified time limit. The quality of the final product determines whether you qualify for membership in the Extraordinary Witches and Wizards Association."

Hectork explained, "So, as long as your potion-making skills aren't abysmal, passing the entrance assessment after a few tries shouldn't be too difficult."

Albert refrained from mentioning that it would also be rather expensive. However, as long as one had connections within the association, it would be a matter of collecting the required potions and undergoing specialized training, which shouldn't be overly challenging.

"Well, well, if it isn't Hectork. What brings you here?"

A peculiar voice rang out from not far away. An elderly wizard approached them, followed by a young man around Albert's age.

"Oh? And to what do I owe the pleasure, Bernard?" Hectork's tone was indifferent, clearly indicating his dislike for the man before him, Bernard.

"Nothing much. It's just surprising to see you introducing others here. Are these your students?"

"No," Hectork replied impatiently.

"By the way, this is my grandson, Guy. He just passed the association's entrance exam, and he plans to participate in the Magical Schools' Potions Championship this year." Pride and boastfulness were evident in Bernard's tone, as if his grandson had already won the championship.

"Speaking of which, no one from Britain has won the Magical Schools' Potions Championship since you, Hectork."

"Hello there!" Guy's eyes lit up as he laid eyes on Isabel, staring intently at her. He eagerly reached out to introduce himself, "I'm Guy Bernard, a student at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic."

Isabel furrowed her brows slightly as she looked at Guy, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Bernard," Albert said with a fake smile as he shook the man's hand. "I'm Albert, Albert Anderson. And this lovely lady beside me is Miss Isabel McDougal."

His tone paused briefly as he added, "If you're planning on pursuing this lovely lady, you might want to be careful because her boyfriend is quite possessive."

Hectork's cheeks twitched at Albert's words, and Isabel couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.

Guy looked taken aback, his hand still outstretched, and he managed a awkward smile before quickly withdrawing his arm.

After Bernard and his grandson walked away, Isabel chuckled, "You're something else, talking about yourself like that."

"What can I say? I am possessive, and he lacked manners." Albert shrugged.

"Pay no mind to such a blowhard. Now, let me continue the tour." Hectork led them further, pointing at the portraits hanging on the surrounding walls. "These portraits are of witches and wizards who have made significant contributions to the field of potion-making. Damocles was up there recently; that's his portrait over there."

"Because of the Wolfsbane Potion, right?" Albert asked.

"And yours?" Isabel inquired.

"Mine is on the other side." Hectork pointed to a spot further down the wall.

"You don't seem to like Mr. Bernard very much," Albert remarked curiously.

"I can't say I dislike him, but I don't appreciate his style of doing things. Bernard just took up the position of president of the Extraordinary Wizard Association." Hectork explained indifferently, "He's not a pure potioneer, and many people say that he's made a mess of the association. In fact, it's pretty much as you two guessed."

"People like that are everywhere," Albert remarked casually.

The trio made their way to the reception desk and handed in their assessment reports. Soon after, they were guided through the entrance assessment process.

An elderly wizard named Eugene, who was acquainted with Hectork, took charge of their test. After a brief chat, he presented them with twelve cards and instructed them to draw one. The card they picked would determine the potion they had to brew.

Albert drew the Cheer-Up Potion, and to his surprise, Isabel also drew the same potion. The old wizard, Eugene, looked slightly embarrassed.

This led Albert to suspect that all twelve cards were for the Cheer-Up Potion.

While the old wizard went to prepare the ingredients, Isabel whispered to Albert, confirming his suspicion that all the cards were indeed for the Cheer-Up Potion.

Apparently, Bernard's grandson, Guy, had also drawn the same potion not long ago.

"Looks like Bernard's grandson isn't as talented as he boasted," Hectork said disdainfully, "Don't be surprised; this is one of Bernard's petty tricks. Mr. Eugene must have forgotten to reshuffle the cards, giving Bernard away."

(End of Chapter)

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