Even Kael did not expect that the item he casually gave to Neville would become so popular.
Thanks to Neville's enthusiastic promotion, more and more people started coming to buy the same Goblin-Resistant Crystals...
Interestingly, even the name was coined by them.
Fred and George were dumbfounded. The next day at lunch, they found Kael at the Hufflepuff long table, flanking him on both sides.
"Kael, didn't you say you weren't going to get involved this time?" Fred said, "Then why did so many people come looking to buy from us this morning."
"And what the heck is a Goblin-Resistant Crystal..." George eyed him suspiciously, "You haven't been secretly making something good behind our backs, have you?"
"It's just the amethyst used for Christmas decorations," Kael said helplessly. "Yesterday, I gave Neville a piece, and today everyone knew about it."
Not just Fred and George, Kael also received quite a few orders early in the morning.
Kael rubbed his forehead.
Yesterday, Neville wanted to buy some, but he didn't have enough stock, so he didn't take the order and just gave that piece of crystal to Neville.
Neville did say he would help publicize it… who knew he'd do such a good job?
After hearing Kael's explanation, Fred and George more or less understood what had happened.
"Neville Longbottom..."
"Why didn't he come to find you sooner!"
The two of them couldn't help but feel regret— if he had come a few days earlier, they'd have been counting Galleons by now.
After swiftly eating a few bites of lunch, they eagerly used the secret passage to head to Hogsmeade, returning with a load of large amethyst crystals.
Kael, recalling their appearance, cut them into those pointed crystal pillars.
To make the product more distinctive, he added a homemade pepper bomb at the base of the crystal pillar.
When the crystal is shattered at a critical moment, it releases a large cloud of pepper-infused smoke, allowing for a quick escape.
What can I say… it's quite popular.
Fred and George resupplied three times from Hogsmeade, and the last time they even bought out all the amethyst at Dervish & Banges, but it still wasn't enough to meet demand.
Kael had to admit he had miscalculated.
Everyone seemed to be on edge due to the Chamber of Secrets issue, and they were willing to spend ten Sickles each for a bit of peace of mind.
So, even without Slytherin's high-end market, they made a small fortune.
The only downside was probably that for a while, Hogwarts Castle often smelled like pepper.
Every day a young wizard would accidentally break a crystal, like Neville...
At an average rate of one every two days, he quickly depleted his Galleons, to the point where even Fred and George felt a bit sorry for him, offering various discounts and deals. Not only returning the money they had earned from Neville, but even adding more on top of it.
Harry and Ron, who shared a dorm with Neville, often complained that everything they ate now tasted like pepper.
"I think you should buy one too; it's not like those useless onions and Double-Ended Newt tails."
Hermione told them, "The crystal can monitor multiple corridors, the smoke can block sight, and the pepper can affect smell.
Kael was very thorough in his considerations; regardless of what that creature is, it's sure to come in handy."
"Maybe you're right..." Ron waved his hand and said, "But if you had a roommate like Neville, you wouldn't say that."
In this atmosphere, time quickly flew to December.
Lockhart somehow found out that professors could host clubs and approached Dumbledore, expressing his desire to participate.
So, one morning Kael, Conna, and Cedric went to the auditorium for breakfast as usual, only to notice a new piece of parchment suddenly pinned to the notice board as they passed the hall.
"What's that..."
Cedric curiously leaned in to read the text.
"The school is starting a Dueling Club!" someone ahead, a Gryffindor, excitedly said. "The first meeting is tonight at eight, in the auditorium!"
"It's about time." Someone said, "I'd really like to learn some dueling skills, might come in handy one day."
"Ha... you don't think the Slytherin monster is going to duel with us, do you?" a skeptical voice came from behind.
Kael turned and saw it was Ron. Though he said that, it was clear even he was interested.
"Hello, Kael," Hermione greeted, "Will you attend, this Dueling Club?"
"I will." Kael nodded, "I just happen to be free tonight, and I'm quite interested in this club."
"We'll attend too."
She told Harry and Ron, "It will come in handy."
"Of course we'll go, I just hope there won't be any pepper there," Ron whispered.
Harry beside him nodded in agreement; they'd been through enough chaos lately, even eating less than usual.
By the time it was eight in the evening, the auditorium had completely transformed.
The long dining tables had vanished, and along one wall extended a gleaming golden stage, illuminated by hundreds of floating candles.
When Kael and his friends arrived, the place was packed… almost the entire student body was there, gathered in small groups, each holding their wands, faces full of excitement.
"Who do you think is going to teach us?" Cho asked curiously, "Do you think it will be Professor Dumbledore?"
"It might also be Professor Flitwick," Cedric said, "He was a famous dueling champion in his younger days, perfect for teaching us."
"Or maybe none of them," Fred said quietly, looking at the glittering stage. "This flamboyant decor makes me think of one person."
A few minutes later, Lockhart, wearing a magenta robe, stepped onto the stage— radiant and eye-catching, with Snape accompanying him.
"I knew it..." Fred groaned, "None of the other professors would appreciate such flashy stage decor besides this peacock."
"And there's Snape... no worse combination." George sighed, "Do you think it's still possible for us to leave?"
Conna glanced back at the already closed auditorium doors, "Looks like it's too late."
On stage, Lockhart gestured for everyone to quiet down, "Gather round, a little closer."
"Here's the thing, to help everyone protect themselves in times of danger, Professor Dumbledore has graciously allowed me to launch this small Dueling Club to share with you some experience."
"I also want to thank Professor Snape, who kindly agreed to be my assistant. What a good man he is."
Snape's expression was rather unpleasant.
If it weren't for wanting Dumbledore's signature on that supply list, he would never have joined this ridiculously foolish Dueling Club…especially as an assistant!
But Lockhart seemed completely oblivious to Snape's changing expression. He continued smiling brightly and said:
"Just a little demonstration, nothing to worry about, I'll keep it gentle... and after we're done, I'll return your Professor of Potions to you intact."
Snape's gaze became even colder, glaring at Lockhart as if looking at a blindfolded Harry.