Time passed, and December arrived.
The weather grew increasingly cold, and a thick layer of ice covered the Black Lake. Even the giant squid rarely appeared anymore.
Despite the lack of snowfall, the landscape already resembled a typical winter.
Even Vison was reluctant to venture outside in such chilly conditions.
To stay warm, he installed a simple fireplace in his office and placed two Fire Salamanders inside.
These small lizards thrived in flames and could survive as long as the fire continued to burn.
However, if the flames died out, they would quickly perish.
Fire Salamander blood had potent healing properties and was an ingredient in many potions. For that reason, many wizards liked to keep them during the winter months.
"Alright, little ones, time for your meal."
Vison tossed a few branches from a Flame Tree into the fireplace.
Even a single Flame Tree branch could keep the fire burning for nearly an entire day—
and fire was the daily sustenance for the Fire Salamanders.
As they jumped and wriggled in the fireplace, the temperature in the office gradually rose.
Vison soon removed his robe and collapsed into a chair, enjoying the warmth and rare moment of rest.
In front of him, on the desk, sat two small bottles.
After much research, Vison had finally refined the last of his golden apples into a pair of golden potions.
[Name: Purification Potion]
According to the Tree of Wisdom's analysis, the Purification Potion could neutralize the effects of dark magic present within or surrounding the human body.
This included curses, hexes, and various other dark magic influences.
It was a remarkably powerful healing potion.
Compared to the original golden apple, its healing effects were far more pronounced.
Just as Vison was admiring his creation, a gentle knock broke his concentration.
"Come in," he called, carefully placing the potion bottles in a small box and closing the lid.
The door creaked open, and to his surprise, Hermione Granger stepped inside.
Her cheeks were red from the biting wind outside, and her hair was slightly messier than usual.
She held a stack of books in her arms. Since it was Saturday, Vison guessed she'd just returned from the library.
"Professor, I'm sorry to disturb you," Hermione said politely. "I just had a few questions."
Vison blinked, momentarily surprised, then gestured to the chair opposite him.
"Take a seat, Hermione."
Although he knew Hermione was an eager learner, he was still slightly taken aback.
After all, his subject—Care of Magical Creatures—wasn't offered until the third year.
"So, what would you like to ask?" he inquired, genuinely curious.
Hermione hesitated for a moment before replying,
"It's about the Wit-Sharpening Potion. I read about it in a book. I heard it can significantly enhance a wizard's intelligence—make people smarter for a while. Is that true?"
Wit-Sharpening Potion?
Vison smiled and gently shook his head.
"Actually, it's a rather common potion. It doesn't make someone smarter, per se, but it can help clear the mind.
When your thoughts are jumbled or you're distracted, drinking it can help you focus and think more clearly.
But if there's something you truly don't know, it won't magically fill in the blanks.
You'll learn how to brew it in third or fourth year."
Hermione nodded slowly, processing the explanation, although she looked a bit disappointed.
She had always felt she wasn't smart enough, no matter how hard she studied…
After a pause, Vison looked at her curiously and asked,
"Shouldn't you be asking your Potions professor about this?"
Hermione dropped her gaze, a little embarrassed.
"Harry said… you're really good at Potions too. So, I thought I could come ask you instead."
Ah, that made sense.
Vison nodded. He could understand that.
It wasn't easy for a student—especially one like Hermione—to approach Professor Snape.
Snape might answer, but rarely with kindness.
Vison had experienced that sharp tone firsthand back in his own student days.
He gave Hermione a warm look and said gently,
"Hermione, you're always welcome to ask me. I'm happy to help, as long as I know the answer."
Hermione smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Professor."
Just then, the fireplace crackled loudly.
One of the Fire Salamanders must have smelled the air beyond the flames.
With a loud pop, it leapt out of the fireplace, leaving a singed mark on the wooden floor.
"Oh no!"
Vison quickly raised his wand, attempting to levitate the little creature back into the fireplace.
But the Fire Salamander kicked furiously in the air and dropped—landing near Hermione's feet.
Now outside the flame, it began flailing weakly.
Its body twitched as it struggled, on the verge of death.
"Hermione, quick! Help me get it back to the fire!"
Startled at first, Hermione sprang into action.
She bent down and gently scooped up the Fire Salamander with both hands.
It was warm—almost hot—to the touch, but not unbearably so.
Without hesitation, she carried it to the fireplace and placed it back inside.
Once back in the flames, the creature immediately perked up and began moving energetically again.
"That," Vison explained, "is a Fire Salamander—a magical creature."
"I know, Professor," Hermione said confidently, turning to him.
"I plan to take Care of Magical Creatures in my third year. I already started previewing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
It said Fire Salamanders are magical creatures that live in flames."
Vison's eyes lit up with admiration.
"Excellent, Hermione. If we were in class, I'd give Gryffindor two points."
A first-year already previewing third-year electives—
Vison couldn't help but feel impressed.
He had never seen such dedication from a student before.
Hermione blushed slightly, clearly pleased but also a bit bashful.
Losing two points would've been better than gaining them, in her view—she was modest like that.
Before leaving the fireplace, Hermione's gaze drifted toward the bookshelf nearby.
It was crammed with books.
Who could resist a full bookshelf?
Certainly not Hermione.
As her eyes scanned the spines, she suddenly paused.
One title caught her attention: About Nicolas Flamel's Unknown Stories.
She blinked at it for a moment.
Nicolas Flamel... The name felt vaguely familiar.
But there were too many notable names in the wizarding world—she couldn't possibly remember them all.
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