Potion brewing is a slow business. If you could find a way to shorten the process, your exam scores would soar.
"Didn't you go see Professor Snape after class?" Wyzett asked.
"I didn't dare…" Penelope's voice grew small. "Last term, Robert plucked up the courage to walk into his classroom, but before he could even ask his question, he was made to stay and clean the place."
Robert Hilliard—another Ravenclaw prefect.
"So what happened after that?"
"He never got to ask anything."
Wyzett gave a sympathetic cough. "Professor Snape really isn't so bad… you just have to get used to how he talks."
Compared to others, Wyzett realized that Professor Snape was actually quite kind to him. At the very least, whenever he helped clean the classroom, Snape not only awarded him points, but also answered his questions in detail.
The two issues Penelope mentioned were things he'd already studied before Christmas. Now, he could finally help.
He pointed to a line in her textbook. "Here, you need to use double the amount of vervain, chopped finely and added to the cauldron. That'll cut the brewing time by ten minutes, but you'll need to switch to medium heat."
"And about the stirring… it's not about speed, but about force. Each turn should reach all the way to the bottom, scraping along the cauldron wall each time…"
As Wyzett explained, Penelope's face brightened with realization. "That's it! That's exactly what he said! Thank you so much!"
"I'm glad I could help," Wyzett replied with a smile. "But I suggest you actually try brewing it yourself."
"If you follow the steps, you should be able to shave fifteen minutes off the brewing time for the Invigoration Draught."
"How many times have you helped me now? I honestly don't know how to thank you." Penelope looked at him with envy. "You're so much braver than I am—actually daring to ask Professor Snape questions."
"Hah!" She sucked in a sharp breath, fumbling for her prefect's badge. "Blast it, I've got patrol duty again. See you later!"
"See you!"
After saying goodbye to Penelope, Wyzett continued toward the common room.
There was still so much to learn—like deciphering Professor McGonagall's notes and combining them with Professor Flitwick's to unlock the secrets of nonverbal spellcasting.
He remembered, on the night before Christmas, not wanting to wake Luna and managing to cast a nearly silent Transfiguration spell…
Lost in thought, he was startled by Dumbledore's gentle voice behind him. "Wyzett, would you come with me for a moment?"
…
Hogwarts Castle was vast, and exploring every corner would take a lifetime.
Dumbledore led Wyzett down a path he'd never seen before.
"Wyzett, I received your Christmas gift—all those marvelous candies… absolutely delightful!"
As he gathered up stray traces of Ancient Magic, Wyzett smiled. "I was actually worried I should've given you a book instead… but that felt too formal."
"Then, when Luna and I were in London, we sampled all sorts of curious sweets. That's where the idea for your gift came from. I'm just glad you liked it."
"Family…" Dumbledore murmured, his voice mellow and musical, like a saxophone. "I loved it—truly, truly loved it!"
"If you're ever at a loss, you could always send socks… or even more unusual candies. Consider it an old man's foolish request."
Wyzett laughed. "Of course, I'll remember that."
He followed Dumbledore through corridor after corridor, past hall after hall, until they reached the castle's back gardens.
At the center stood a grand, circular fountain. Further off, a magnificent marble archway rose, flanked by two winged boar statues.
The archway was pure Gothic grandeur, every inch carved with intricate patterns.
The two boars crouched on either side, so lifelike they looked ready to leap at any moment.
"Where are we going, Headmaster Dumbledore?" Wyzett asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"To Hogsmeade Village," Dumbledore replied, leading the way. "Normally, you'd have to wait until third year to visit."
"So… we'll need a bit of subterfuge." He raised his wand and gently tapped Wyzett's forehead.
A cool sensation washed over Wyzett, like a bucket of icy water poured over his head. He looked down—his hands had vanished. He was invisible.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, is this the Disillusionment Charm?"
"Brilliant minds are humanity's greatest treasure!" Dumbledore said, beaming. "You're quite right. Just follow me—and try not to speak along the way."
Hogwarts was alive with magic. As they passed through the marble arch, the iron gate ahead clattered open, revealing a broad stone bridge.
The bridge was battered and pitted, every mark a testament to centuries of history.
Wyzett strolled across it beside Dumbledore, mentally unfolding his inner map.
Sure enough, as he followed Dumbledore along the route, new areas lit up in his mind's eye.
He made no effort to hide his excitement, absorbing every trace of Ancient Magic he could find.
Dumbledore glanced down at him, a thoughtful twinkle in his eyes, as if sensing something.
Students returning from Hogsmeade crowded the bridge, laughing and chatting, arms full of parcels and bags.
The Disillusionment Charm kept them hidden; as long as they stayed quiet, none of the students would notice.
Beyond the bridge, the countryside opened up. A simple dirt road ran between fields of magical plants, their leaves rustling in the breeze.
They followed the lane until it ended at a crooked T-junction.
In the center stood a signpost like a tree's crown, its arrows scrawled with the names and directions of Hogsmeade's many shops.
Dumbledore slowed his pace, clearly giving Wyzett time to memorize the route.
"We'll go this way, Wyzett," he said, his deep voice full of quiet warmth.
Strangely, though Wyzett couldn't see Dumbledore, he could sense the headmaster's presence as clearly as if he were walking beside him.
A gentle warmth filled Wyzett's palm. Maybe it was Fawkes's feather, he wondered?
Following Dumbledore's footsteps, Wyzett soon spotted a pointed wooden gate ahead, a sign swinging above it.
The sign was charming—two crossed wands at the top, two boars about to clash below, and beneath them, an arched plaque that read: "Hogsmeade."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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