Chapter 678: Norbert, the Object of Affection
Chapter 678: Norbert, the Object of Affection
After visiting Professor McGonagall, Kyle still had to make stops at Professor Flitwick's and Professor Sprout's offices, as students from every house had their sights set on the Ministry of Magic.
However, for Slytherin, Professor Snape didn't seem to think they needed Kyle's input, which saved Kyle some time.
For the next period, he found himself shuttling between the three Heads of House, keeping him constantly busy, even during class time.
The professors seemed to think that missing a few classes wasn't a big deal for Kyle, so it wasn't until three days after the start of term that Kyle finally stepped back into a classroom.
"You're late," Professor Snape said with a straight face, his voice colder than the underground classroom in February.
"I just came from Professor Flitwick's office," Kyle explained, "I thought he had already spoken to you about this."
"Oh, I see..." Professor Snape drew out the word, "A Senior Assistant Minister, sitting in such an important position even before graduating. How impressive."
There was a hint of mockery in his tone.
"Are you going to stand there all day? Do I need to ask you to take your seat?"
Kyle quickly made his way to the only empty desk and sat down. Conna, who was sitting next to him, turned her head to say something, but was interrupted by Professor Snape's voice.
"Universal Antidote...a more efficient antidote, capable of even countering some of the damage caused by Dark Magic..."
He waved his wand, and the instructions immediately appeared on the blackboard.
"The ingredients you need are still in the cabinet, but be aware that unicorn horns are expensive, so each of you can only take one portion..."
"While I don't think anyone here would make such a basic mistake, if any of you waste these materials, you'll have to purchase them yourself."
The students lined up to collect their required ingredients from the cabinet. Kyle also received his share: a piece of dragon droppings, a bag of Ashwinder berries, a small bottle of Morta Rat Gall, and a piece cut into a circle about the size of a Galleon.
"I thought it would be a whole one, but it's only this big," Kyle muttered to himself, but he quickly closed his mouth when he saw Professor Snape's cold stare.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn't surprising. According to the book "Advanced Potion Making," brewing a Universal Antidote required a whole unicorn horn to achieve its maximum effect. However, the school obviously wouldn't allow them to be so extravagant.
After all, in Diagon Alley, a horn reduced to just the outer shell, made into a horn, cost twenty-one Galleons. If each student were to have one, the cost for this lesson would be too high, and the Board of Governors would never approve.
Moreover, for students brewing the Universal Antidote for the first time, this amount of ingredients was more than sufficient. Five minutes before the end of class, only three students had successfully completed the potion, while the others had made some mistakes.
This potion was definitely unusable, even if they had a whole unicorn horn.
"How's your preparation coming along?" Kyle asked Conna as they left the underground classroom. "Are you planning to take the Extraordinary Potion Master Association exam right after the school year ends?"
"That's what Professor Snape said," Conna stuffed two thick books into her bag. "He also told me to brew more different potions recently and familiarize myself with the process, without any pauses."
"Oh, and he asked me to quickly organize the formulas for the latest potions I invented... This is the first step to entering the Extraordinary Potion Master Association."
Kyle nodded. He had heard about this as well. The Extraordinary Potion Master Association indeed had this requirement, valuing a wizard's talent in potion application over mere academic performance.
It was similar to the research paper for "Today's Transfiguration," which didn't need to be flashy but required one's own understanding.
"Do you need my help?"
"I have some basilisk venom and basilisk shed skin here," Kyle offered. "These materials haven't appeared in a long time. With these, you can create a new potion by adding almost anything else, and I guarantee there's no risk of duplication. It will surely help you pass the exam."
"Besides that, I should also be able to get some Phoenix tears, but I might have to wait until Professor Dumbledore returns."
"No, thank you," Conna shook her head. "In fact, I finished the new potion formula before Christmas, and Professor Snape has already reviewed it. He thinks it fully meets the requirements."
"So now, I just need to master more potion knowledge."
"I remember during last year's selection, they had a very obscure exam topic... Merperson Potion. Not a single person passed the exam that year; everyone failed."
"Merperson Potion?" Kyle couldn't help but interject. "Did the applicants for the Extraordinary Potion Master Association offend someone last year?"
This was a potion that caused a witch or wizard to grow a fish tail and breathe freely underwater.
To be honest, this potion was rarely used, not just in Britain but in the entire wizarding world. Even if needed, gillsweed could be used as a substitute, making the additional step unnecessary.
Typically, only wizards who wanted to disguise themselves as merpeople would use this potion.
Incidentally, merpeople are creatures with human upper bodies and fish tails, often possessing exceptional beauty. They are entirely different from the unattractive merpeople in the Black Lake.
Kael once suspected that the inventor of a particular potion might have had ulterior motives.
...
"That's why I need to learn more to deal with their tricky questions," Conna rubbed her eyes.
Recently, she spent most of her free time in the school library.
Since the library had a wide variety of potion books, no matter how niche, she could find them... This was her advantage, as those who had already graduated did not have such convenient access.
"By the way," Kael suddenly asked, "What's the formula for the potion you invented?"
"It's a potion to relieve fatigue," Conna replied, "I used dragon claw powder and mint leaves to invigorate people."
"Mint leaves..." Kael seemed to have an idea, "Is that what you added to the chocolate you gave me at Christmas?"
"Exactly," Conna smiled, "How did it feel?"
"It's better than Beefeater Brain Tonic," Kael smiled, "At least I didn't feel drowsy all day."
Beefeater Brain Tonic also helps people concentrate and stay alert, but after two hours, one feels very tired, similar to the fatigue after prolonged exercise when you just can't muster the energy to do anything.
Kael had eaten the chocolate on Christmas, but he didn't feel that effect. Of course, its effectiveness was naturally not as good as Beefeater Brain Tonic, it just kept Kael from feeling sleepy all day.
"I found this in a very old book. It records quite a few magical herb combinations," Conna explained.
"That's great," Kael said, "Have you considered selling it? You could make a fortune."
Since the end of the Easter break, exams seemed to be just around the corner.
Recently, things that could refresh and invigorate people were in high demand, especially among fifth and seventh-year students. The Beefeater Brain Tonic, which enhances wisdom and memory, was being sold for twelve Galleons.
The issue was that Beefeater Brain Tonic and Felix Felicis were considered cheating products. They were not allowed to be sold or used during exam time, and if discovered, they would be confiscated.
It was a way to earn some hard-earned money, and confiscation would be a loss.
However, Conna's new potion didn't have this concern. It merely kept people from feeling drowsy during the day, which was exactly what students who tended to doze off while studying needed.
Moreover, as a newly invented potion, it couldn't possibly be on the list of cheating products. It was perfect.
"Never mind, then." Conna smiled, "I still have to study. I don't have much time to brew potions, so I only prepared some for friends."
She took a bottle out of her bag and handed it to Kael, "This is for you."
The bottle contained a semi-blue liquid with a faint mint scent and a subtle sweetness, possibly from sunstem stems.
This was much better than the bitter and astringent Beefeater Brain Tonic.
"Don't drink too much at once; this bottle should last about a week," Conna continued, "Unfortunately, dragon claw powder isn't easy to find, and after some failed attempts, I only have six bottles left."
"One for Cedric, the Weasley brothers, and Autumn... 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 important."
Kael's expression suddenly became strange, "What did you say earlier?"
"Dragon claw powder," Conna replied, "It's not sold in Hogsmeade, and Professor Snape's private stock is also used up. He's helping me find more dragon claw powder."
Kael's expression grew even stranger, and he couldn't help but ask, "Look at me carefully. Does it remind you of something?"
"Huh?" Conna instinctively looked at Kael, and after a moment, her cheeks slightly reddened. Still, she asked in bewilderment, "Did I forget something?"
Kael didn't speak but pulled her into an empty classroom and then took out a box.
"Come with me; I'll show you something," Kael said as he opened the box and walked in.
This work is uploaded by Liu Liu Book Bar.
Conna followed behind.
The two entered a small room at the entrance of the box, which was more fully stocked than when Conna had last visited. The once spacious area now had only a narrow path wide enough for walking.
"Have a seat," Kael said casually and then headed straight for the books, finding a bag.
"Take a look at this," Kael emptied the contents of the bag, and seven or eight claws, each about ten inches long, fell onto the table.
Conna suddenly froze, "This can't be..."
"Yes, dragon claws," Kael said, "Did you forget? I've been to the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary and brought back quite a few souvenirs."
"I know," Conna hadn't fully recovered yet, "But I thought you only had dragon teeth and scales."
...
"When dragons fight, they don't just bite each other," Kyle explained. "Their claws are stronger, and their teeth are less likely to break, so I couldn't find many."
"Is this enough? If not, I can probably get a few more," Kyle glanced towards the door.
Norbert was either eating, sleeping, or teasing the Moon Madness Beast. Trimming his claws wouldn't be a bad idea either.
"No, no, this is enough," Conna quickly assured him. "Dragon Claw Powder requires very little; one claw can be used about five times."
"I'll give them all to you," Kyle pushed the claws towards Conna. "If you need more, just let me know."
"You're giving me all of these?" Conna was taken aback. "Aren't you keeping some for yourself?"
"It's fine. I don't really need this stuff anyway," Kyle waved dismissively. "And if I do need it, I can always get more later."
Meanwhile, Norbert, who had been playing with the Moon Madness Beast, suddenly stopped and landed on a nearby cliff, suspiciously surveying his surroundings.
He had sensed a hint of malice, as if someone had ill intentions towards him.
Norbert first glanced at the large black cat sleeping on the ground and then, disdainfully, blew a small flame out of his nostrils.
That little thing was too weak to pose any threat; it definitely wasn't the source of the malice.
Norbert looked towards a cave in the distance, his eyes growing serious. He felt he had found the culprit.
After all, in this small area, the only thing that could threaten him was that giant snake. Once, the snake had looked at him, causing his wings to weaken, and he had almost fallen.
Thinking of this, Norbert instantly became unhappy. He flapped his wings, flew towards the cave, raised his head, gathered his strength, and spat a large mouthful of flame into the cave.
A roar and a dull thud came from the cave, as if something had tried to come out but was stopped.
Norbert roared back, then, satisfied, flapped his wings and continued playing with the Moon Madness Beast.
However, by this time, Kyle and Conna had left the room and didn't hear the commotion inside.
Conna returned to the underground classroom to ask Professor Snape for help in grinding the hard dragon claws into powder. This was a technical task that required special magical assistance, which neither Conna nor Kyle knew how to do.
Kyle didn't follow her; he was worried that if he was there, Professor Snape might not be able to bring himself to help. He might say something unpleasant, so it was better for Conna to go alone.
Kyle took this opportunity to distribute the potions Conna had given him to the others.
Cedric and Autumn were fine, but Fred and George became excited when they learned about the potion's effects. Their eyes lit up.
"Listen, Kyle, this stuff can make us a fortune!" Fred held the potion bottle tightly. "Do you know how many people want Beefeater Brain Tonic?"
"That Ravenclaw, Mitchell, has already sold several bottles..."
"But his potions were all confiscated by Professor Flitwick, haha..."
"I suggest you don't get any ideas about it," Kyle shook his head. "Conna is preparing this for the Extraordinary Potion Master Association's assessment. It's best not to spread it around before then; just use it yourselves."
Hearing Kyle's words, Fred and George gradually calmed down.
Although Galleons were tempting, the assessment of the Extraordinary Potion Master Association was more important.
They were also well aware that Conna had been preparing for nearly a year. If something went wrong at the last moment, Professor Snape might put them in a cauldron... Perhaps Kyle would help by putting on the lid.
In addition to the Weasley brothers, Kyle also gave Hermione's potion to her.
However, Hermione hesitated. She believed that using potions before the exam was cheating, regardless of whether the potion was on the cheating list or not.
Kyle understood Hermione's personality well and had expected this reaction. He shrugged and said, "It's fine. If you don't want to use it, you can give it to Harry and Ron. This stuff will let them stay awake and read an entire book."
"Oh, just tell them not to talk about it."
"I think they'd prefer a potion that turns knowledge into something they can drink, so they don't have to read books," Hermione pouted. "But thank you anyway. I'll keep it safe."
"If Conna passes the assessment for the Extraordinary Potion Master Association, this potion might become my motivation."
Hermione took a deep breath.
She was now increasingly skeptical of the school's claims about the four houses.
Kyle and Cedric were fine; she had gotten used to them over time.
But now, there was also Conna, who was likely to break the record for the youngest member of the Extraordinary Potion Master Association.
So, Hufflepuff was the true house that represented wisdom.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
