Chapter 957: Kanna's Shopping Guide
Chapter 957: Kanna's Shopping Guide
"I believe that one Galleon is a very reasonable price."
As Kyle spoke these words, Madam Rosmerta happened to bring over a glass of honey wine and two freshly brewed butterbeers.
Looking at the trio chatting together, she was still surprised.
For Kyle, Madam Rosmerta was no stranger. Even before this young wizard graduated, he had conversed with many renowned wizards here.
First and foremost was Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts. There was no need to elaborate on him. Long ago, many wizards already knew that Kyle was one of Dumbledore's most favored students.
Additionally, the former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had also taken a special liking to him. He went against popular opinion and appointed this ungraduated student as the youngest Senior Ministerial Assistant in the Ministry's history.
This incident sparked much discussion at the time, with many believing that Fudge was attempting to appease Dumbledore... After all, they had previously argued incessantly over whether Voldemort had truly returned, even to the point of a rift.
They thought that Fudge must have realized something and wanted to make amends, repairing his relationship with Dumbledore.
Kyle was an excellent opportunity for this.
Of course, these were all speculations from the drunkards after they finished their drinks. Madam Rosmerta didn't think that Fudge, with his arrogance, would bow down and show goodwill towards Dumbledore at that time.
Moreover, the professors' occasional remarks when they came for drinks gave her a better understanding of Kyle's excellence than most others.
But she never expected that this young wizard would be on such good terms with Saxia, the Headmistress who lived in seclusion and rarely appeared in public... They even drank together.
It was truly astonishing.
As Madam Rosmerta approached, Kyle took the tray from her hands.
The butterbeer was for him and Kanna, but the honey wine... Kyle looked at the glass in his hand, shook his head slightly, and instead took out a bottle with no label from his bag.
"Headmistress Saxia, if you enjoy honey wine, you must not miss this."
Upon hearing Kyle's words, Madam Rosmerta instinctively looked at the bottle, narrowing her eyes with anger.
What a discerning eye...
The honey wine she had just brought was the finest aged oak barrel wine, a treasure that Professor Slughorn had coaxed out of her after numerous attempts.
But the bottle Kyle produced was the simplest glass bottle, without a label, and even its color seemed off. Could this be genuine? But Saxia had no objections. Lost in thought, she didn't care what she was drinking and casually pulled out the cork.
In an instant, a rich aroma of honey wine began to permeate the Three Broomsticks.
"Merlin's beard..." Madam Rosmerta exclaimed, "That unique oak flavor... Have you discovered Hogwarts' secret cellar?"
Even Saxia was surprised. After taking a small sip, she immediately poured herself another glass and seemed to think of something, furrowing her brows slightly.
But she soon shook her head, no longer thinking about the honey wine, and continued her contemplation.
However, Madam Rosmerta on the other side wasn't as calm. As she looked at the silent Saxia, she hesitated for a moment before deciding not to say anything and quietly retreated back to the bar.
After Madam Rosmerta left, a few more minutes passed before Saxia raised her head.
She seemed to have made a decision, smiling as she extended her wrinkled hand.
"Then, the deal is done."
"I'll purchase that item, one Galleon per year, until the full amount of one hundred Galleons is paid."
"You're getting a great deal." Kyle also extended his hand and shook Saxia's.
This also meant that he was completely disconnected from the Basilisk. It was hard to not feel a twinge of regret.
The Basilisk was a precious gift specifically left to Kyle by Salazar Slytherin, and it was the most helpful magical creature among all.
For instance, in Godric's Hollow, even six fire dragons couldn't match the effectiveness of one Basilisk.
But for the sake of completely eradicating Voldemort, this had to be done.
Furthermore, if the Basilisk was still alive, no one could guarantee that Grindelwald wouldn't take an interest in it. After all, it was considered top-notch equipment for Dark Wizards, no less impressive than the Deathly Hallows.
Even if it wasn't used, having it by one's side was a symbol of status.
If Grindelwald wanted to take it by force, Kyle wouldn't be able to stop him.
This was fine for now.
Kyle silently comforted himself, at least everyone wouldn't have to worry about the Basilisk suddenly jumping out of the box and harming Hogwarts students.
"What's wrong? Having second thoughts?" Saxia looked at Kyle with a hint of amusement, seeing his conflicted expression.
"No," Kyle shook his head, placing his box on the table, "It's inside. Do you want me to take it away now?"
"There's no rush. I don't have a container that big, so you might as well help me deliver it later," Saxia waved her hand.
"No problem. Consider it an additional after-sales service. I'll ensure it's delivered to the specified location," Kyle forced a smile.
"Of course, I won't let you lose out either," Saxia continued, "In the next hundred years, I will..."
"No, forget it." Kyle suddenly changed his mind, interrupting her, "I've changed my mind. I'll pay the full amount of one hundred Galleons upfront."
"Oh?" Saxia looked at Kyle with surprise, "Why?"
"I admit, I might have had other ideas before... like using the Basilisk to gain access to Saint Mungo's or your friendship," Kyle confessed.
"So what?" Saxia said, appearing unbothered.
"It's nothing. I just feel it's unnecessary," Kyle said.
He took a large gulp of Butterbeer, furrowing his brows, "And I suddenly realized that I looked like a Minister of Magic just now, which is not good."
"Pfft..." Kanna beside him couldn't help but chuckle.
Even Saxia couldn't help but smile, tugging at the corners of her mouth, "Good thing Amelia isn't here. Hearing you, it seems like being a Minister of Magic isn't something you'd like?"
"It's unrelated, but that's not my preference," Kyle shrugged, "So, I'll pay the full amount upfront. Deal?"
"I disagree."
Saxia looked at Kyle, gently shaking her head, declining his proposal.
"In fact, my thoughts are the same as yours," she poured herself another glass of Honey Wine. "Because, whether it's Saint Mungo's or me, we can't afford a whole Basilisk.
"Not even with one hundred Galleons?"
"I'm referring to its true value, without the 'friendship' factor," Saxia shook her head. "So, even if you didn't say it, I might have to use 'friendship' to make up for a large portion of the Galleons.
"I agree with you. One hundred Galleons is a reasonable price. I didn't realize my friendship was worth so much... Oh, and this."
Saxia placed a gold Galleon on the table.
Kyle fell silent for a moment before suddenly laughing and naturally picking up the Galleon to hand it to Kanna beside him.
"Help me remember, Saxia owes us ninety-nine gold Galleons. If she doesn't pay up next year, we'll report her to the Ministry of Magic," Kyle said.
Kanna was momentarily stunned, looking at Kyle and then at Saxia.
"What are you waiting for? I truly love the Basilisk. Don't let Kyle change his mind," Saxia said with a smile.
Only then did Kanna accept the Galleon with a mix of laughter and tears.
Headmistress Saxia seemed to be in a great mood. In a short while, she had already finished half a bottle of Honey Wine.
"I used to love this when I was younger, but later I realized it affected my potion-making, so I rarely drank it," Saxia took a small sip, pursing her lips. "But this taste... It's as if you've found Hogwarts' secret cellar."
"Something like that," Kyle feigned nonchalance, "It's just Helga Hufflepuff's thousand-year-old Honey Wine. Nothing special."
"As I thought..."
"What do you mean?" Kyle was taken aback.
He felt like Saxia already knew the origin of the Honey Wine...
She shouldn't know about the Hufflepuff Cup, and Dumbledore wouldn't have told her, would he?
"It's the taste of honey," Saxia explained, as if reading his mind. "I once received a precious gift, a small bottle of honey from a thousand years ago.
"I tried using it as a substitute for spinach petals and lemon juice to brew a special Felix Felicis, and I personally tested its effects. I remember that unique taste, completely different from the honey we have now."
Upon hearing her words, Kanna's interest was piqued, but not in the honey.
"Really? Headmistress Saxia, can honey really replace spinach petals?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Of course, and very successfully," Saxia said, looking at the young witch with shining eyes. "Initially, the duration of Felix Felicis increased by twenty percent. More importantly, the effects of this Felix Felicis gradually diminish towards the end, allowing one to adapt to the difference more quickly.
As Kanna spoke, Kyle remained deep in thought.
"You don't need to remember these," Saxia continued, "It might be a matter of variety. Only honey from a thousand years ago will do. I've tried the modern kind, and while it works, it significantly diminishes the effects of Felix Felicis."
"Oh..." Kanna seemed a bit disappointed.
Saxia looked at her, "Have you started brewing Felix Felicis yet?"
"No, I'm just preparing," Kanna shook her head, "Brewing Felix Felicis takes a long time, and I'd rather learn some special healing potions right now."
"If it's about Universal Cure and Dark Magic Neutralizer, I do have some special tips I can share with you, if you're willing."
"Of course, I mean, I'm all ears..."
Kyle watched as the two suddenly became chatty, silently moving aside and taking a sip of his Butterbeer.
For a long time, he felt like he didn't exist, listening to the names of various potion ingredients.
At first, it was all about potions and potion ingredients, but later, he wasn't sure when, but the conversation also included cauldron types and grinding techniques.
He had already finished three Butterbeers, and not a word could he contribute.
It wasn't until noon that the two finally ended their conversation, still feeling like there was more to discuss.
This was only because Saxia had to return to stir the cauldron, forcing them to pause the topic.
They parted ways at the door of Three Broomsticks, with Kanna deciding to stay, while Kyle accompanied Saxia back to Saint Mungo's, also taking the opportunity to send the basilisk over.
When he returned, he saw a quill pen standing in front of Kanna, swiftly recording their previous conversation.
"How does it feel?"
"Very fruitful," Kanna said excitedly, "Headmistress Saxia recommended a great shop to me. She told me there's a half-wizard village in Satire County that sells potions of much better quality than Diagon Alley."
"And in Stock Village, you can buy even better cauldrons. I remember your family lives there, why didn't you ever tell me about this!"
There was a hint of complaint in Kanna's voice.
Kyle blinked, feeling a bit lost.
Stock Village, do they sell cauldrons there?
Maybe... As a village with many wizard residents, there are likely some special shops. These places usually have Muggle Repelling Charms, allowing only wizards to enter.
But to be fair, Kyle wasn't lying to Kanna; he genuinely didn't know, and had no memory of it. After all, if he needed to buy something, he would typically choose to go to Diagon Alley directly.
There were enough shops there, and you could buy whatever you wanted, making it the most convenient place.
Anyway, it wasn't far. Just walk out of the cottage, use the Floo Network, and you're there in a blink.
Even the Weasley family does the same. Kyle has never heard them mention buying things in the village; they always go to Diagon Alley.
Perhaps it's only wizards like the Lovegoods, without a Floo Network fireplace, who choose to buy necessities in the village.
But Kyle truly didn't know, especially about cauldrons. He only knew that for a while, Percy was quite obsessed with them.
"I'll help you write a letter to inquire. If there really is a place selling cauldrons there..." On their way back to Hogwarts, Kyle couldn't help but ask, "But did you two just talk about these things?"
Good potion shops, good cauldron shops... Even robes better suited for brewing potions.
These topics seemed a bit different from what he had in mind.
Two potion enthusiasts together, shouldn't their conversation be about refining potion recipes and their effects?
Like how their conversation started.
But listening to Kanna's description, Kyle always felt like they were discussing a shopping guide exclusively for potion masters...
"Because I've been learning potions mostly from Uncle Severus," Kanna explained, "So, while Headmistress Saxia is also a Potion Master, her methods aren't all suitable for me."
"In comparison, her experience surprised me. I didn't know there were so many great places in Britain, even with fixed locations for selling restricted trade items."
...
(End of Chapter)
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