Chapter 986: Preparations Before Class
Chapter 986: Preparations Before Class
Hogwarts was bustling with excitement as the new school year began, and the newly introduced Alchemy class had everyone's attention.
Interestingly, when the news first broke, the Daily Prophet didn't seem too optimistic about this new course. They even published an article stating that Hogwarts' decision to revise its curriculum was a mistake.
Their reasoning was simple: Alchemy wasn't prevalent in Britain but was quite popular in France. If graduates wanted to make a name for themselves in this field, they would have to go to France.
Some believed that Hogwarts was cultivating talent for France and that the new Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, might have been too hasty in her decision.
From the recent war against Death Eaters to the Snape hearing about a Horcrux that shocked the entire UK, Hogwarts had consistently been at the center of public opinion. These articles indeed sparked heated discussions.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when Hogwarts announced the new teacher for the Alchemy class, and the Daily Prophet published a completely different article.
Rita Skeeter, outraged, took up her pen and scolded a few colleagues for their short-sightedness and rigid thinking, calling them senile.
In her article, she highly praised the Alchemy class, believing it to be one of Hogwarts' most significant decisions in a century and that McGonagall had a more far-sighted vision than Dumbledore.
Strangely, the article lacked any detailed information or data about alchemy, focusing solely on praise.
This seemingly uninformative article, lacking substance in the eyes of professionals, managed to change public perception of alchemy and instantly improved the reputation of both Hogwarts and McGonagall.
"What do you make of this?" McGonagall asked, looking at the newspapers on her desk in the Headmaster's office, her face filled with bewilderment and confusion.
She had prepared herself for comparisons and criticisms, but after this article, it seemed like the matter was settled without any fuss.
"This is probably what expertise looks like," Kyle, sitting across from her, shrugged. "Rita Skeeter is best at this. She always finds what people are most interested in."
"Of course, I know that," McGonagall rubbed her forehead. "But I always thought she wouldn't praise others."
Most of Rita Skeeter's articles exposed the secrets and juicy gossip of famous witches and wizards.
She never imagined that one day, she would receive praise from Rita Skeeter.
It felt as surreal as seeing a Mandrake singing a lullaby.
Before this, she had only heard Rita Skeeter speak positively about one person, and that person was sitting right across from her.
She couldn't help but look up and, after a moment's hesitation, asked, "Did you do something?"
"No," Kyle shook his head confidently. "I've been preparing for the first class these days and haven't done anything else. I haven't even sent any letters out."
Kyle wasn't lying; he genuinely hadn't contacted Rita Skeeter, and he had just read the article himself.
"Then it's strange why Rita Skeeter would help us..."
"She might just want to draw attention," Kyle thought for a moment and said. "Everyone is skeptical about the Alchemy class, and a dissenting voice at this time might attract more attention."
"I'm concerned that this article might mislead others," McGonagall said softly, looking out the window. "I won't deny that I considered declining Dumbledore's proposal... Don't be surprised. Even as a board member, the Headmaster still has the right to refuse."
"But I accepted it. I believe it's a bold attempt, but we also need to acknowledge the course's shortcomings.
"Perhaps someone chose this class on a whim after reading Rita Skeeter's article.
"But what if they later discover that the class is different from their imagination and expectations?"
"Then they can study something else," Kyle said matter-of-factly, blinking.
"Hogwarts isn't Azkaban, and Alchemy is just an elective. They can always switch to another class."
Headmistress McGonagall was taken aback by Kyle's reasonable statement.
"It's like Divination, Numerology, and Care of Magical Creatures—all electives."
Kyle flipped through the newspapers and noticed that all the articles were similar, filled with phrases like "I think" and "I feel."
Rita Skeeter's article lacked detailed applications and data about alchemy, and the other articles were no different. Everyone wrote with passion, and if there was any misleading information, it was evenly distributed.
The difference lies in one's abilities.
And in this regard, Rita Skeeter has no match.
"This... well..." McGonagall had more to say, but now she felt it unnecessary. She suddenly realized that she might have been a bit too tense... especially after officially becoming the Headmistress. Kyle only needed a glance at the newspaper to discover something that had eluded her for two days.
Indeed, it was just adding an elective course; thinking about it carefully, it wasn't a big deal.
"Your... how's the course preparation going?" She proactively changed the topic.
"Almost done," Kyle replied.
"Oh, I almost forgot." He took out a piece of parchment from his pocket and placed it on the table, "This is my application, hoping the Headmistress will approve it."
"Application." Headmistress McGonagall instinctively glanced at the parchment, "Weasley Wizarding Wheezes entering Hogwarts... No!"
Without even reading the entire content, she outright rejected it.
"I don't oppose students buying Weasley's joke toys in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, and it's up to their skills whether they can bring them into the castle. But their shop absolutely cannot be allowed inside the castle!"
"And Hogwarts has no such precedent." She stated firmly.
"No, Headmistress, you misunderstood. I'm not suggesting they open a shop within the school." Kyle quickly explained, "I mean, I want to represent the school's Alchemy class and collaborate with them."
"Collaboration?"
"Yes." Kyle nodded.
This was also the reason for his visit to the Headmistress's office today, but he hadn't had a chance to speak before being interrupted by several newspapers.
"First, the Alchemy class requires materials."
Kyle patiently explained, "The expenses for the Alchemy class are even higher than the combined costs of two or more other classes, with expensive materials accounting for half of the total."
"Potions class..." McGonagall whispered.
Currently, the Potions class at Hogwarts has the most funding. Fortunately, the school's greenhouses can provide some raw materials; otherwise, the Board of Governors' annual Galleon allocation would be insufficient.
The Alchemy class is likely not much better than the Potions class. It was only because Dumbledore provided a substantial amount of Galleons for this class that she agreed to it.
"I went to Hogsmeade yesterday, and Fred and George agreed to provide Hogwarts with some basic materials."
"Oh?" McGonagall raised her head, "Then, what's the return? Don't tell me they're providing them for free."
"Of course not." Kyle said, "They want to collaborate with the school, acquiring students' homework at a lower price and placing additional orders for the upper grades."
Similar to how students brew Scabbers' Cure in Potions class, there are also homework assignments in Alchemy class, and Fred and George want to purchase these students' homework, or rather, the semi-finished products.
The most significant difference between Alchemy and Potions is that it doesn't have to be done in one go and can be divided into numerous distinct stages.
The first stage of Alchemy usually involves constructing a magical script framework, which is a simple yet tedious process.
In Potions, this would be equivalent to handling materials... like grinding lionfish bones into powder and preparing rat tails and leech juice.
It doesn't require complex techniques, but it is time-consuming.
In Potions class, these tasks are typically assigned to students in detention. Sometimes, the materials needed for an entire lesson require two students to spend an afternoon in the detention room.
After hearing Kyle's explanation, McGonagall furrowed her brows, neither agreeing nor refusing.
This wasn't an unacceptable matter; Hogwarts saved some money, the Weasleys gained convenience, a win-win situation.
"There's one more question." She asked, looking up, "Will the content of the Alchemy class be altered according to their needs?"
"No, it won't." Kyle blurted out, "They made this decision after seeing the textbook I brought. In fact, most of the items in their shop fall under the category of basic Alchemy, which is highly applicable."
McGonagall nodded.
"And what do you mean by the additional orders for the upper grades?"
"Consider it an opportunity to earn some pocket money." Kyle said, "Once the students become proficient in Alchemy, they will acquire a batch of extra finished or semi-finished products each year.
The original text can be found in Chapter 6, Book 9.
"Students can purchase their materials or obtain them elsewhere. As long as they can create what's needed, they will spend money to buy it.
Even Professor McGonagall, and the portraits on the wall, were left stunned.
They had never imagined that Hogwarts students could earn pocket money in such a way.
But upon further consideration, there didn't seem to be any issue. Perhaps no one would dare to purchase potions brewed by students, but it seemed like there were no concerns with half-finished alchemy products.
"How much money?"
"Around three to five Galleons per batch," Kyle calculated briefly. "It's not a lot, but it's more than enough to buy snacks, sugar, parchment, quills, and the like."
"And you think this isn't a lot?" Professor McGonagall's voice had a slight change in tone.
Most Hogwarts students had around ten Galleons of pocket money for an entire year, and three to five Galleons was nearly half of that amount.
Moreover, she realized that Kyle was referring to a single batch, not the total.
She could already imagine how many students would sign up for Alchemy class next year if this application were approved.
After all, it was the only class where students could earn money before graduation, and the earnings were quite substantial.
Professor McGonagall knew that this was a good thing for the students, but deep down, she didn't want Hogwarts to be too closely associated with Galleons. Learning shouldn't be linked to business.
Students couldn't stay in school forever.
If they focused on earning money during their studies, what about after graduation? But by then, five Galleons wouldn't be considered much.
"Albus..." On the wall, Armando Dippet quietly slipped into the largest painting and whispered to Dumbledore.
"You think... keeping this child at Hogwarts is right or wrong?"
"What are you asking him for?" Phineas, standing nearby, scoffed. "Don't forget, it was he who insisted on keeping that little brat at Hogwarts."
"I think it's a good idea," Dumbledore replied, not directly answering Dippet's question.
"Gringotts' exchange rate isn't very favorable. Most young wizards from Muggle families are quite strapped for cash, and this is a good opportunity for them."
"What kind of reason is that?" Phineas couldn't help but speak up. "I've figured it out, you're all in cahoots."
"You don't understand," Dumbledore said without explaining further.
Phineas, with the surname Black, would have a hard time comprehending these matters.
The portraits on the wall discussed, and the current Headmistress, McGonagall, hesitated.
He thought for a long time, and in the end, he agreed to Kyle's request with some modifications.
It was acceptable to assign additional tasks, but only to students in their sixth year or above, and only during the first half of the school year.
The second half of the year was dedicated to exams, and distractions couldn't be tolerated.
Kyle had no objections and readily agreed on behalf of Fred and George.
This was already within their expectations, and there was nothing to hesitate about. Moreover, the current situation was already quite favorable, as at least sixth-year students were included.
Previously, they had thought that additional tasks could only be assigned to seventh-year students.
After leaving the Headmistress's office, Kyle made his way to Hogsmeade and shared the news with Fred and George.
However, they weren't as thrilled as he had imagined, and there was even a hint of disappointment.
It was because the Alchemy class currently only had third-year students, who were all beginners. The materials they provided and the yield barely balanced out, which was already quite good.
Don't underestimate the significance of even the most basic wands, magical ink, fire salamander stones, and boar tusks. These seemingly insignificant items could add up to a substantial expense.
If it weren't for their trust in Kyle, they wouldn't have agreed to such a request, not even if Professor McGonagall herself had asked.
"I hope we don't lose too much," Fred said with a sigh as he watched Kyle rush off with a large bag.
It was all because he had been too hasty in his offer of help yesterday, saying, "If you need anything, just ask. Don't be shy."
Who would have thought that Kyle would take him up on his offer so readily?
They also wondered if the third-year students could handle it. What if they ended up with a pile of defective products?
"Trust Kyle," George said, patting Fred's shoulder.
"If he dares to give me a pile of defective products, I'll send him a bag of droppings every day!" Fred muttered.
Meanwhile, back at Hogwarts, Kyle sought out Hagrid.
If Potions class had Herbology to provide ingredients, then Alchemy class should have Care of Magical Creatures.
Hogwarts' greatest advantage over Beauxbatons was its vast Forbidden Forest, home to numerous magical creatures.
Unicorn hair, fire crab shells, griffin feathers, Thestral mane...
These were all excellent materials for alchemy, and all Hagrid needed to do was collect them.
...
(End of Chapter)
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