Chapter 161: The Alchemy Plan
Change the world?
Sean didn't have such grand ambitions for the moment. He was simply planning to bake some very specific biscuits.
[Create Animal Biscuit Series]
Sean wrote this at the top of the first page of his notebook.
Combining Alchemy with Transfiguration was undeniably fascinating. The "Animal Biscuit Series" was a comprehensive plan he had devised.
It had two paths for development. First, improve the quality: create biscuits that allowed the wizard to retain a clear will and consciousness during transformation. Second, increase the variety: create biscuits for different animals.
Studying Transfiguration would naturally improve the quality of the biscuits. So, Sean's immediate concern was deciding which animal to tackle next.
[Unlock Novice Alchemy Title by creating Animal Biscuits]
He wrote down the second step of the plan.
The 'Apprentice' and 'Novice' titles offered little boost to his Gold-tier talent. However, once a title reached 'Adept', it provided unique, specific talent bonuses.
For example, the Adept Charms title boosted non-verbal casting; the Adept Transfiguration title enhanced object-to-magic transformations; and the Adept Flying title granted bursts of speed.
These extra bonuses were invariably beneficial.
He checked the advancement conditions:
[Next Tier: Create three Novice-level and six Apprentice-level Alchemical items to unlock the Adept Alchemy Title.]
The Howler, the Levitating Quill, and the Owl Biscuit were the three creations he had mastered so far.
Next, he needed to decide on new animals. They had to be creatures found within Hogwarts to allow for observation, and they had to be useful.
In the planter box, the Fanged Geraniums swayed left and right, emitting a soft, unobtrusive squeaking. Time drifted by amidst these rustling sounds.
Noon. The Great Hall.
Snow fell from the enchanted ceiling. Amidst a massive holly tree, the sound of hundreds of wings fluttering filled the air. Brown, grey, and snowy feathers mixed with the falling snowflakes—the owl post was arriving.
Sean sat at his usual table. Beside him, Hermione had propped her copy of Important Modern Magical Discoveries against a milk jug. She was frowning, seemingly puzzled by something in the text.
Neville, who had arrived earlier, greeted Sean cheerfully. "The post is coming—Gran said she's sending a few things I forgot."
As Sean started his porridge, the air above became a chaotic swirl of feathers. Hundreds of owls descended, circling the hall and dropping letters and packages into the chattering crowd.
A large, bulky package landed on Neville's head. Immediately after, a large grey owl swooped past Hermione's jug, knocking it over and splashing milk onto the table.
Christmas was approaching. Students preparing to go home had much to say, and their families had much to say to them.
Hermione was writing a letter. Every so often, she would pause, steal a quick glance at Sean, and then continue writing furiously.
Since the troll incident, Sean and Hermione had communicated much more frequently, mostly with Sean sharing tips on spell combinations. It wasn't just about mixing different types of charms, but also applying Professor Flitwick's theory of simultaneous casting.
Sean's Christmas gift for Hermione was a notebook compiling these advanced theories.
For Justin, Sean had organized a collection of Muggle recipes from his memory (specifically Chinese cuisine), which he had then tested with Ila, the kitchen house-elf. The results were excellent, so he compiled them into a cookbook.
After working through his lunch break, Sean realized he hadn't made much progress on his own list.
He sighed. Since when did he have so many Christmas presents to prepare?
He even had to ask the older students for help, as some items couldn't be found at Hogwarts and had to be sourced from Hogsmeade.
He wondered if Bruce was feeling any better. The last time they had tried to visit him in the Hospital Wing, an irate Madam Pomfrey had chased them out:
"I have never seen such a foolish wizard! Testing the strength of a Snargaluff with his head! And you lot are just as foolish for not stopping him!"
After lunch, Sean headed to the Hospital Wing.
Located on the second floor, the Hospital Wing was Madam Pomfrey's domain. It was a legendary place in its own right. Its track record included curing Colin Creevey's petrification, healing Harry after his duel with Voldemort, and repairing Malfoy after Sectumsempra. The more Sean thought about it, the more curious he became about healing magic.
Entering the ward, he saw that Madam Pomfrey still looked stern, but she didn't kick him out this time.
"...idiot... hanging on the wall..."
Before he even reached the beds, Sean heard Leon's voice.
"You provoked a Snargaluff, then went and tested a Devil's Snare? Did you think they'd fight each other? And what happened? They both attacked you, didn't they? Idiot."
Leon sounded exasperated.
"Mmph mmph..."
It seemed Bruce was injured quite badly again; he couldn't even speak clearly.
"He says practice brings true knowledge, Leon," Pister translated helpfully.
"Mmph mmph!"
"He says Pister is right."
"I don't need a translation!" Leon snapped.
The three older Hufflepuffs were bickering as usual.
"Mr. Green?"
A voice suddenly spoke from the wall. Sean turned and noticed a large portrait of a witch with long silver ringlets.
The plaque read: Dilys Derwent, St. Mungo's Healer (1722–1741).
Sean had seen another plaque for her in the Headmaster's office: Hogwarts Headmistress (1741–1768).
"So glad to see you, child," Dilys Derwent blinked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity and a hint of mischief. "I hear there is a special story unfolding today."
"A special... story?" Sean looked at her quizzically.
She smiled and shook her head. "A story about a happy ending... It is truly moving. Fate flows like a flood; without islands and reefs to obstruct it, it cannot create beautiful waves."
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the blizzard outside, past the abandoned streets and dilapidated houses of London, through the eternal smog, to a place where something great had once been born.
"A steadfast soul will always carve out a path."
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