https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-677-Careers-in-the-Magical-World/12539164/
Chapter 678: Nob Being Remembered
Chapter 678: Nob Being Remembered
In addition to Professor McGonagall, Kyle also needed to visit Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout, as students from each house aspired to join the Ministry of Magic.
However, for Slytherin, it seemed that Snape didn't think they needed Kyle's input, which saved him quite a bit of time.
Over the next few days, he shuttled back and forth between the three Heads of House's offices, busier than ever, even during class time.
The professors seemed to think that missing a few days of classes wasn't a big deal for Kyle, so it wasn't until the third day of school that he finally stepped back into a classroom.
"You're late," Snape said flatly, his voice colder than the dungeons in February.
"Sorry, I just came from Professor Flitwick's office," Kyle explained. "I thought he would have mentioned it to you."
"Oh, he did..." Snape drew out the word, "The Senior Assistant Minister, already occupying such an important position before graduation. How remarkable."
There was a hint of mockery in his tone.
"Are you going to stand there dawdling, or do I need to invite you to take your seat?"
Kyle quickly made his way to the only empty desk and sat down. Connie, sitting next to him, turned to say something, but was interrupted by Snape's voice.
"Broad-spectrum antidote...a more efficient antidote that can even counteract some Dark magic injuries..."
With a wave of his wand, the instructions appeared on the blackboard.
"The ingredients you need are still in the cabinet, but note that due to the high price of unicorn horns, you may only take one portion each...
"Although I don't expect anyone here to make a basic mistake, if any of you waste this ingredient, you will have to purchase it yourself."
The students lined up to collect their ingredients, and Kyle received his portion as well—a piece of bezoar, a bag of shrivelfig, a small vial of Murtlap's essence, and a neatly cut slice of unicorn horn, about the size of a Galleon.
"I thought we'd get a whole horn, but this is just a tiny piece," Kyle muttered to himself, but quickly shut his mouth when he saw Snape's cold stare.
However, upon further reflection, it wasn't surprising. According to Advanced Potion-Making, a full unicorn horn was required to make the broad-spectrum antidote to achieve its maximum effect, but the school obviously wouldn't allow such extravagance.
After all, even a hollowed-out unicorn horn, with only the outer shell remaining, cost twenty-one Galleons in Diagon Alley. If each student were given a whole horn, the cost of this class would be astronomical, and the Board of Governors would never approve.
Moreover, for students attempting to brew the broad-spectrum antidote for the first time, this amount of ingredients was sufficient. Five minutes before the end of class, only three students had successfully brewed the potion, while the others had made various mistakes.
This potion was definitely unusable, even with the addition of a whole unicorn horn, it would be a waste.
"How's it going?" Kyle asked Connie as they left the dungeon. "Are you planning to take the assessment for the Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association right after the end of the school year?"
"That's what Professor Snape said," Connie stuffed two thick books into her bag. "He also told me to brew more different potions and familiarize myself with the process during this time, without any interruptions.
"Oh, and he wants me to organize the latest invented potion formulas as soon as possible... It's the first step to entering the Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association."
Kyle nodded. He had heard about this as well. The Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association did place more emphasis on a wizard's talent in potion-making rather than purely academic performance.
It was similar to the 'Today's Transfiguration' paper, where they valued original insights over flashy displays.
"Do you need my help?"
Kyle asked, "I have basilisk venom and shed skin. These materials haven't been seen in a long time. With just a little something extra, we can easily create a new potion, and there's definitely no risk of duplication. It'll guarantee your success in the assessment.
"In addition, I should be able to get my hands on phoenix tears, but I might have to wait until Professor Dumbledore returns."
"No, thanks," Connie shook her head. "Actually, I already completed a new potion formula before Christmas, and Professor Snape has reviewed it. He thinks it meets the requirements.
"So now, I just need to master more potion knowledge.
"I remember last year's selection process, they set a very obscure question... Mermaid Potion. Not a single person passed the assessment that year, they all failed."
"Mermaid Potion?" Kyle couldn't help but interject. "Did the applicants for the Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association offend them in some way last year?"
This was a potion that caused a witch or wizard to grow a fish tail and breathe underwater.
To be honest, this potion was rarely used in Britain, let alone the entire wizarding world. And even if there was a need, gill-weed could be used as a substitute, making the extra step completely unnecessary.
Kyle once suspected that the person who invented this potion might have had other intentions.
...
"So, I need to learn more knowledge to deal with their tricky questions." Connie rubbed her eyes and said.
Recently, she had been spending almost all of her free time in the school library.
The library had a wide variety of books on potions, and even the most obscure ones could be found there... This was her advantage, as those who had already graduated did not have such convenient access to resources.
"By the way," Kyle suddenly asked, "what's the potion formula that you invented?"
"It's a potion to relieve fatigue." Connie said, "I used dragon claw powder and peppermint leaves, which can make people feel refreshed."
"Peppermint leaves..." Kyle seemed to have thought of something, "Did you add that to the chocolate you gave me for Christmas?"
"Yes." Connie smiled, "How did you feel after taking it?"
"It was better than a Befuddlement Draft." Kyle smiled, "At least I didn't feel drowsy at all throughout the day."
The Befuddlement Draft could also make people more alert and awake, but after two hours, one would feel very tired, just like finally stopping after exercising for a long time—you just couldn't muster the energy to do anything.
He had eaten the chocolate on Christmas Day and didn't feel that way at all. Of course, its effect was naturally not as good as that of the Befuddlement Draft, but it did keep him from feeling sleepy all day.
"I got the idea from an old book. It recorded quite a few magical herb combinations."
"That's great." Kyle said, "Have you considered selling it? You could make a fortune."
Ever since the Easter holiday ended, the exams seemed to be just around the corner.
Recently, things that could refresh the mind and boost alertness were particularly popular, especially among the fifth and seventh years. The Befuddlement Draft that someone was selling had already reached a price of twelve Galleons.
The problem was that potions that enhanced wisdom and memory, like the Befuddlement Draft and the Felix Felicis, were considered cheating products and were not allowed to be sold or used during exam time. If discovered, they would be confiscated.
It was already hard-earned money, and confiscation would be a loss.
However, Connie's new potion didn't have this worry. It only made people not feel drowsy during the day, which was just what those who tended to doze off while studying needed.
And since this newly invented potion had not yet been introduced to the world, it certainly wouldn't be on the list of cheating products. Even if it was discovered, there would be no problem.
Perfect.
"Never mind." Connie smiled, "I still have to study, and I don't have much time to brew potions. I only prepared some for my friends."
She took out a bottle of potion from her bag and handed it to Kyle, "This is for you."
The bottle contained a semi-transparent light blue liquid, emitting a faint peppermint scent with a hint of sweetness, likely from sunlit dandelion stems.
This was much better than the bitter and astringent Befuddlement Draft.
"You don't need to drink too much at once. This bottle should last you about a week." Connie continued, "Unfortunately, dragon claw powder is not easy to find, and with the failed attempts, I only have six bottles left.
"Cedric, the Weasley brothers, they're all in their seventh year and could use it. As for the last bottle, I plan to give it to Hermione. She's in her fifth year, and the O.W.L. exams are quite important, too."
Kyle's expression suddenly became strange, "What did you just say was hard to find?"
"Dragon claw powder." Connie said, "It's not sold in Hogsmeade at all, and I've used up all the stock in Professor Snape's private storage room. He's helping me look for more dragon claw powder now."
Kyle's expression grew even stranger, and he couldn't help but ask, "Take a good look at me. Does it remind you of anything?"
"Huh?" Connie looked at Kyle subconsciously. After a moment, her cheeks reddened slightly, but she still asked in confusion, "Did I forget something?"
Kyle didn't speak, but instead pulled her into a random empty classroom and then to the small room at the entrance of the box.
Connie noticed that the room was more complete than the last time she had come, and the once spacious space now only had a narrow path that could barely accommodate one person.
"Take a seat." Kyle said casually and then went straight to the bookshelf, finding a bag.
"Take a look at this." Kyle emptied the contents of the bag, and seven or eight dragon claws, each over a foot long, fell onto the table.
Connie froze, "These aren't..."
"Dragon claws, yes." Kyle said, "Don't you remember? I went to the Fire Dragon Reserve in Romania and brought back quite a few trophies."
"I know." Connie hadn't fully recovered from her surprise, "But I thought you only had fire dragon teeth and scales.
At that moment, Nob was either eating, sleeping, or teasing the Moon-Crazed Beast. Trimming its claws a little shouldn't be a problem.
"No, no, this is plenty," Connie quickly said. "A little dragon claw powder goes a long way. One of these should be enough for about five uses."
"Then take them all." Kyle pushed the claws toward Connie. "If you need more, just let me know."
"Are you sure you want to give them all to me?" Connie hesitated. "Don't you want to keep some for yourself?"
"It's fine. I don't really have a use for them anyway." Kyle waved his hand dismissively. "And if I do need them, I can always get more later."
Meanwhile, Nob, who had been playing with the Moon-Crazed Beast, suddenly stopped and landed on a nearby cliff, eyeing its surroundings suspiciously.
It had just sensed a hint of malicious intent, as if someone was plotting against it.
Nob first glanced at the large black cat sleeping on the ground and then snorted a small flame out of its nostrils in disdain.
That little thing was too weak and no match for it, so it definitely wasn't the source of the threat.
Nob then turned its gaze toward a cave in the distance, its eyes narrowing. It had found the culprit.
After all, within this small territory, the only other creature that could pose a threat to it was that giant snake. Once, the snake had stared at it, causing its wings to weaken, and it had almost fallen from the sky.
Filled with indignation, Nob flapped its wings and flew over to the cave. It reared its head, gathered its strength, and spat a large burst of flame into the cave.
A roar and the sound of something heavy colliding with the cave entrance could be heard, as if something was trying to get out but was being blocked.
Nob roared back, satisfied, and then flapped its wings, continuing its game with the Moon-Crazed Beast.
However, by this time, Kyle and Connie had already left the box and didn't hear the commotion.
Connie returned to the underground classroom to ask Snape for help in grinding the hard fire dragon claws into powder. This required a technical skill and specific magical assistance that neither Connie nor Kyle possessed, so they needed Snape's help.
Kyle didn't accompany her, as he was concerned that Snape might find it difficult to refuse his request if he was there. He imagined Snape making snide remarks, so he decided to let Connie go alone.
Kyle took the opportunity to distribute the potion that Connie had given him to the others.
Cedric and Cho were fine, but Fred and George's eyes lit up with excitement when they learned about the potion's effects.
"Listen, Kyle, we can make a fortune with this!" Fred exclaimed, clutching the potion bottle tightly. "Do you know how many people would pay for a potion like this right now?"
"That Ravenclaw, Camichel, has already sold quite a few bottles..."
"But Flitwick confiscated all his potions, haha..."
"I advise you not to get any ideas." Kyle shook his head. "This is for Connie's assessment for the Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association. It's best not to spread it around before then. Just use it yourselves."
Hearing Kyle's words, Fred and George gradually calmed down.
While Galleons were tempting, the assessment for the Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association was more important.
Moreover, they were well aware that Connie had been preparing for this for almost a year. If something went wrong at the last minute, they knew that Professor Snape would not hesitate to throw them into a cauldron... and Kyle would probably help by handing over the lid.
In addition to the Weasley brothers, Kyle also gave Hermione her share.
However, Hermione hesitated, as she believed that using any potion before an exam was cheating, regardless of whether it was on the list of cheating products or not.
Kyle was familiar with Hermione's character and had expected this reaction from her. He shrugged and said, "If you don't want it, you can give it to Harry and Ron instead. It will keep them awake enough to read an entire book.
"Oh, just remind them not to talk about it to others."
"I think they'd prefer a potion that turns knowledge into pumpkin juice, so they don't have to study at all." Hermione scoffed. "But thank you anyway. I'll keep it safe.
"If Connie passes the assessment for the Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association, this potion might just be the motivation I need to keep pushing forward."
Hermione took a deep breath.
She was starting to doubt the school's claims about the four houses and their respective traits.
Kyle and Cedric were one thing, she had gotten used to them over the years.
But now, there was also Connie, who was on track to break the record for the youngest member of the Extraordinary Potion-Makers' Association...
So, Hufflepuff was truly the house that represented wisdom, right?!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
