Chapter 237: Rita's Report
The alchemical world had welcomed its Hermes.
That was how the rumor spread. According to "insiders," this was the biggest news the Daily Prophet had seen in a decade, a scoop risked life and limb for by the reporter Rita Skeeter.
However, given her penchant for twisting words and embellishing facts, the young wizards were skeptical, though undeniably curious.
The story spread like wildfire, with some versions becoming incredibly fanciful—about as fanciful as Sean spending several days failing to replicate the Cleaning Broom the twins had sent him.
Sean rarely encountered such problems in alchemy; he could only glean the faintest clue from it.
With the rain increasing over the past few days, Sean didn't delve too deeply into it. Instead, one early morning, he arrived at the caretaker's office door.
A biting doorknob hung on the door. Ever since getting bitten, the students had stopped loitering around the caretaker's office.
Mr. Filch approached quickly from inside. As he pushed the door open, he saw Sean examining the doorknob.
Filch hadn't asked Sean any questions during the days the broom was gone. He simply spoke in his usual tone:
"Green, care for some breakfast?"
"Thank you, sir. Could I have a bowl of bone broth?"
Sean handed the broom to Filch, and Mrs. Norris leaped onto Sean's shoulder as usual.
"The Cleaning Broom's refinement capabilities have been improved; it can now handle dirt perfectly. But I'm sorry, I couldn't replicate its functions, so I could only reinforce it a bit. Oh, you can try its Summoning ability now."
Filch held the broom, curious yet faintly afraid.
Sean knew Filch's attitude toward magic had always been like this—he yearned for it, but when magic actually came into his hands, he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
That was why Sean helped him.
"May I come in, sir?" Sean asked softly. While Filch was flustered in his reply, Sean simultaneously removed the doorknob.
Moments later, Filch watched as the broom flew into his hand from a distance, his entire back trembling slightly.
The bone broth was delicious. For Filch, who couldn't use culinary magic, simmering such a pot of soup took a great deal of effort.
While drinking the soup, Sean used his tools to easily imbue the biting doorknob with the ability to recognize the room's owner.
Now, Filch wouldn't need to wear gloves.
He also conveniently added a small cat flap to the door for Mrs. Norris.
The Great Hall remained lively.
A hundred owls flew in through the open windows, bringing everyone the morning post. Sean instinctively looked up as many owls circled above the tables, searching for the recipients of their letters and packages. Among the mass of brown and grey, Sean spotted a white shadow.
Hedwig landed on Sean's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek affectionately. Sean waved his wand, offering her a plate with some meat chunks and toast.
She began to eat elegantly.
Hedwig was a girl. When Hagrid told Sean this, Sean's eyes had widened in surprise. This made Hedwig angry for the first time; for a whole week, she hadn't delivered letters properly, attempting instead to drop them on Sean's head.
"Look at this—"
Justin took a letter from an owl's leg and suddenly gasped in a whisper.
"The Daily Prophet: Decade of Impact Special Edition."
Everyone leaned in. Justin liked to read news in the Daily Prophet, but almost nothing ever made him exclaim and share it with the group like this.
"Thrice-Greatest Hermes" Descends on Udala Alchemical Symposium! International Alchemical Symposium Breaks Shocking News!
Rita Skeeter—Special Correspondent, reporting with a trembling quill: The youngest alchemist in history! He has become the brightest alchemical comet of the century!
This sincere reporter states—alchemists have recognized his immortal status in the alchemical world! Rumor has it the Chocolate Frog Card Committee is already drafting his biography...
Regrettably, this reporter was unable to uncover his specific identity (though it may be related to Hogwarts). For further reports, please follow the Daily Prophet's subsequent Decade of Impact editions.
(Note: Upon hearing news of his alchemical creations, Dumbledore purchased three crates in a frenzy.)
"If it's an improved Sherbet Lemon—"
"I reckon the Headmaster would do just that."
The Weasley twins passed by, holding the Daily Prophet and speaking to Sean with exaggerated facial expressions.
At the long table, everyone stopped eating and gathered around to read the report.
"This morning's special edition? I remember Sean went to some symposium too..."
Ron looked at the "Decade of Impact" headline and suddenly seemed to realize something.
"Sean—do you know if this is true—" Hermione asked, voicing her doubt.
Everyone's gaze focused on Sean again.
Looking at the photo in the paper—a reporter with jeweled glasses, blonde hair styled in elaborate curls, teeth bared in a smile she clearly thought was charming—Sean shook his head helplessly.
"Not at all."
Wizarding news was always rather exaggerated, especially in the hands of this reporter.
Sean vaguely understood why she was flattering him so much—it was evident in the capitalized English words in every line of the article.
"Rita Skeeter", "Very", "Sorry".
Hmm, she's probably afraid I'll report her illegal Animagus status, especially since I was standing next to a legal Animagus at the time.
"Too flamboyant, and mostly useless information... Aside from the descriptions of 'young' and 'Headmaster Dumbledore,' which may or may not be true, phrases like 'recognized,' 'brightest new star,' and 'rumored Chocolate Frog biography' are all vague..." Justin analyzed.
His and Sean's responses dampened the group's aroused enthusiasm somewhat.
"Alright, so you think it's another fake report?" Hermione pouted; she had always felt this reporter was unreliable.
"I think it's an underestimation," Justin said suddenly.
"Huh?!" Hermione didn't react immediately.
The Great Hall was filled with shouting and commotion. Rita knew exactly what young wizards cared about—what kind of great alchemical creation would make Headmaster Dumbledore buy three crates in a frenzy?
Not to mention that this wizard was related to Hogwarts.
They didn't know much about other hormones or whatever, but everyone was familiar with Chocolate Frog cards, and the figures on them were ranked alongside Headmaster Dumbledore.
So, who was the youngest alchemist?
Sean thought the rumors would end there. After all, surely not many wizards would believe such a nameless, exaggerated piece of news, right?
But as he quietly ate his meal, he saw a group of Hufflepuffs huddled together. They seemed to discuss something for a while, then excitedly joined up with students from other houses and headed toward Sean and his friends.
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