In the Hogwarts Headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore was replying to letter after letter.
Before him lay a neat stack of letters with various handwriting, all investigation reports on Seneca Smith from different wizards. Most came from Britain, with a small portion from his friends in France.
However, despite so many letters, they hadn't uncovered any useful information.
Having replied to all the letters, Dumbledore adjusted his glasses, a trace of helplessness flashing in his blue eyes.
Actually, when it came to finding people or investigating cases, Evans was the most suitable person. Among his many magical creature abilities, quite a few could be useful for searches. If Evans had personally got involved in this matter, Mr. Smith might have already been caught by him.
Unfortunately, why did he have no curiosity about this matter?
Moreover, not only had he disrupted his plans, but this young professor had also brought a special student to the school.
Looking at the Cait Sith file jointly created by Evans and Newt beside him, Dumbledore's eyes flashed with curiosity.
Mr. Filch had already been quite miserable after he gave Harry that Invisibility Cloak.
If they added this little black cat that could turn invisible at will, had a natural affinity with all cats, and was planning to learn magic...
Dumbledore mourned for the school's caretaker for two seconds in his heart, then his eyes showed anticipation.
He could sense the fun to come!
With this anticipation in his heart, Dumbledore picked up the fairy tale book from the table, lay down in the rocking chair by the fireplace, pulled out his bookmark, and began reading with relish.
Hmm... this set of fairy tales was almost finished. He'd have to find an opportunity to get Evans to bring a few more books.
This time, what excuse should he use?
"Pomona, do you still have any Cold Relief Grass?"
"Should have some. Let me look for it."
Watching Professor Sprout enter the greenhouse, a trace of sentiment flashed in Severus's eyes.
This entire holiday, he had been researching a potion to cure diseases.
In the wizarding world, some minor ailments could be directly dispelled with magic, but many serious diseases still needed to be solved with potions.
The types of potions used to treat diseases weren't actually that numerous, and the price of each wasn't very pleasant.
But now, he was about to create a disease-treating potion so cheap that everyone could afford it.
Although he was reluctant to admit it, the manuscript Evans had given him at Christmas had indeed provided great inspiration.
Once he developed this potion that could target most serious diseases while being extremely cheap to produce, he could at least earn a Second Class Order of Merlin for it. His reputation in the potion-making world would also be completely solidified... no longer just a young man who had luckily become a Potions Master through a few newly created potions.
In the potion-making world, his age of over thirty could indeed be considered quite young.
Lost in thought, Severus watched Professor Sprout emerge from the greenhouse holding a string of light purple herbs.
"Here, but this is the last of my Cold Relief Grass. The next batch will probably take over a month."
"This is enough. I'm only missing the final standardisation process and techniques. Thank you, Pomona."
After thanking Professor Sprout and watching her put on gloves to re-enter her greenhouse, Severus shook his head and turned back toward the castle.
Walking through the castle corridors, he couldn't help but think again of the manuscript Evans had given him.
Setting aside the boy's frequent operations that made his blood pressure soar, he really was quite a good student.
Once this potion is truly completed, he should give him a gift.
Hadn't he seemed very interested in potions that could strengthen Lethifolds before?
Although such potions didn't exist on the market at all, with a Lethifold personally cooperating plus some of their blood, creating one shouldn't be difficult.
Consider it a return gift for the boy. Hmph, given that he had provided that manuscript.
"Before the students return to school, this school is indeed a bit too quiet."
Walking on the path to the Deputy Headmistress's office, looking at the empty corridors around him, Evans couldn't help muttering quietly.
A castle that could accommodate nearly a thousand people living simultaneously, housing only a dozen or so faculty and staff plus some ghosts and house-elves, was truly too spacious.
He wondered what kind of life those European nobles who lived in castles in ancient times actually led.
Getting up in the morning and walking ten minutes to reach the dining hall or study... didn't they really feel tired?
Did they really live just on this amount of daily exercise?
Or were those people truly so extravagant that they needed to be carried even for walking?
And with such empty homes, weren't they really afraid at night?
Shaking his head and suppressing his complaints, Evans considered how to elegantly avoid any topics related to lesson plans after applying for the Care of Magical Creatures Club.
After all, he still hadn't written a single word of those things, and Professor McGonagall would most likely ask.
But just as he thought of a brilliant idea, he suddenly saw a pure black figure in the corridor ahead, walking slowly and seemingly thinking while muttering something.
His eyes lighting up, Evans stealthily approached from behind, came up behind that figure, and pricked up his ears to listen to what he was saying.
"For dark creatures, they should grow by plundering magic power or similar methods, right? If so, some materials imbued with magic power should have good effects..."
Hearing what his dear Head of House was quietly muttering about, Evans's eyes gradually showed a trace of emotion, then he slowly extended his sinful hands.
"As for the potion's name, I'll just call it Lethifold Potion, since it's for... hmm?"
Muttering quietly, Severus suddenly felt a pair of hands reach around from both sides and tightly embrace his waist.
Then, that damned voice he would never forget sounded behind him.
"Wuu wuu wuu, Head of House, I'm really so moved. If I'm not mistaken, the Lethifold Potion you just mentioned is a gift you want to give me, right?"
Professor Snape's face instantly darkened as he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.
"No, get lost!"
"It must be, Head of House. I know... you're the best to me!"
"Let go, let go of me!"
Snape tried hard to pry off the arms locked around his waist, but no matter how much force he used, he couldn't pull those hands away.
His anger kept rising, but just before he was about to lose his temper completely, the person behind him suddenly released his hands and said in a perfectly casual tone:
"I'm going to find Professor McGonagall to discuss the club matter. If you need Lethifolds while researching potions, remember to come find me anytime!"
Having said this, he transformed into a silver-white arc of light and completely disappeared.
Looking back at where Evans had vanished, Professor Snape felt his brain buzzing, an extreme sense of frustration brewing in his heart.
This boy seemed able to hear his thoughts... every time he acted obnoxiously, he'd choose to escape just when Snape was about to lose his temper, leaving him unable to vent his anger!
Damn it!
Speaking of which, had he actually just thought that Evans Kahn was a good student?
Heh, he must have been too busy recently and worked his brain sick. He'd have to drink a Pepper-Up Potion to fix his brain when he got back.
Evans, this person, didn't deserve even a trace of a kind expression!