Chapter 205: Fairy Tale Biscuits
Sean's Quick-Quotes Quill scribbled conjectures about the "Bowtruckle" ritual in his notebook as he walked the perimeter of the castle in the night.
Having just completed a practice session, he needed to record his unique intuitions while they were fresh.
A pair of deep, calm green eyes flashed in the darkness above the dungeons.
Sean's notebook was filled with practice schedules for Transfiguration, Charms, and the Dark Arts. The scene reflected in the Mirror of Erised was one he had been recalling frequently lately.
In that image, Headmaster Dumbledore remained kindly, and Professor Snape remained gloomy.
Saturday.
Hogwarts Castle was once again immersed in the joy of the weekend.
Room of Hope.
Sean touched Tila's twig-like hand, then immersed himself in the development of the new alchemical ritual.
Tila wasn't hiding in Sean's pocket anymore because Sean had spent less than an hour building it a dwelling.
A wooden house engraved with Engorgement and Shrinking Charms, simple and portable. When not needed, it sat in Sean's pocket; when needed, it transformed into a tiny house.
Tila was exploring the wooden house with curiosity. Not knowing what kind of wood Bowtruckles preferred, Sean had simply taken samples of various woods from the Forbidden Forest.
In the process, he had been chased by an angry Bowtruckle—because he had accidentally dismantled its door.
The profound aspects of potion rituals played a huge role in Alchemy. By borrowing from potion rituals, Sean finally found the path to success.
[You have practiced crafting a Bowtruckle Biscuit to the Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1]
Success!
After nearly a month of effort, he had finally completed the creation of the next Transfiguration Biscuit.
After calling Justin over to watch, Sean took a small bite of the biscuit.
In less than a second, Tila jumped up from inside the wooden house, hung onto the elm wall, and cautiously touched its "companion" beside it with a twig-arm.
It was still early, and only Sean and Justin were in the Room of Hope.
About a minute later, Justin handed Sean a slip of paper recording the exact time.
Another type of Magical Creature Transfiguration Biscuit had been added. Sean was one step closer to the Master Alchemist title.
Yes, Master level. Six Expert-level Intermediate Alchemical Creations and twelve Adept-level Alchemical Creations would unlock the Expert Alchemy title.
The Master title would likely require Advanced Alchemical Creations.
To this day, Sean still didn't know what the Master title would bring.
He hadn't reached Master proficiency in any magical branch yet; even his Transfiguration was still far off.
Master was completely different from Expert. It signified a wizard at the pinnacle of a specific field, roughly corresponding to the level of a professor.
Over the next few days.
Sean studied Justin as he transformed into a Bowtruckle. No matter how many times he saw it, he was still exhilarated by the wonder of magic.
Looking at the slender body made of bark and twigs, no one would know this was Justin. He looked exactly like a twig. In dangerous situations, this could save a wizard's life.
Another point was that although Justin didn't retain his consciousness, his habits persisted to some extent.
For example, he didn't resist hanging onto Sean's hand, and he was extremely easily attracted by the smell of food.
Sean thought he might be able to exploit this to achieve other effects.
Transfiguration Biscuits weren't limited to transforming wizards into magical creatures; other animals could also serve as vessels.
This meant if Sean could develop a Dragon Biscuit, he could possess a short-term dragon army. Even if they might not listen to orders.
"Are you okay?" Sean asked, looking at Justin, who had finished transforming back.
"It's amazing! Sean, I actually turned into a Bowtruckle—"
Justin was extremely excited. He fully grasped the significance of this.
It was no exaggeration to say that without prior knowledge, even Headmaster Dumbledore might not pay attention to a Bowtruckle.
"Sean, I think we shouldn't advertise this."
In the early morning, as the snow slowly melted, Justin's voice mingled with the sound of dripping water.
Sean nodded. Just as they were discussing the "One Hundred Uses of a Bowtruckle," a paper airplane flew straight through the wall.
"See you tonight."
After receiving the message, Sean quickly headed to the Alchemy office.
Professor Terra watched Sean arrive. With a flick of her wrist, the floor rippled like a wave, delivering Sean to her.
"The International Alchemical Symposium will be held in two and a half months. Regarding Magical Creature Transfiguration, I know about as much as those mediocre alchemists. My apprentice, this is a path pioneered by you, traveled by you, and glorified by you. The only thing I can tell you is that you need at least three types of Magical Creature Transfiguration Biscuits to declare to those wizards that the era of Alchemy's decline is over."
Professor Terra's eyes shone with a light called pride.
From today onwards, no one could claim that Hogwarts students were not what they used to be.
"I know it's difficult. Genius inspiration is fleeting. Even those alchemists on the verge of death dare not guarantee anything. Creating a magical ritual from scratch... how intoxicating."
Professor Terra was filled with emotion.
"How far have you got?"
"It's finished, Professor." Sean replied.
"Patience is... You mean—"
Professor Terra curled her fingers slightly, and a biscuit sprouting small twigs appeared in her hand.
Under her composed face, turbulent emotions surged. Finally, they settled into a profound sense of regret.
"You will surpass Master Nicolas Flamel. When he meets you, you will both understand... the greatness of magic lies in how it welcomes every wizard equally."
Professor Terra spoke word by word, with an expression Sean had never seen before.
Before Sean left the classroom, Professor Terra asked again, "Have you named it?"
Sean fell silent.
He seemed to have... indeed forgotten about that.
"Learn to enjoy your honours, my apprentice. Those people would name their creations the 'Most Powerful Item in the Wizarding World' if they could. And you—"
Professor Terra found it somewhat amusing.
Some wizards racked their brains and still couldn't make a ripple, while others, with a single thought, turned the entire alchemical world upside down.
As Sean headed to the Forbidden Forest, he pondered this question deeply.
He looked at the floating copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Monster Book of Monsters beside him, and several ideas popped into his mind.
He had to admit that alchemists were good at naming things. The Vanishing Cabinet really vanished, Portkeys acted like portal keys, and even the twins' Headless Hats literally hid heads.
So, possessing magical power, capable of transforming into animals... let's call them... Fairy Tale Biscuits.
(End of Chapter)
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