"Good afternoon, Professor Brood."
Albert gently knocked on the Defense Against the Dark Arts Office door, and after getting permission, he pushed the door open.
His gaze fell on Professor Brood, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, and he didn't forget to thank him for what happened last night: "Last night, we really owe you, Professor Brood; thank you for saving the three of us."
"You're welcome," Professor Brood said with a smile, looking at Albert, "I think even if I hadn't gone, you would have found a way to get the two of them out of the Forbidden Forest, right?"
Albert didn't answer; he did have a way to get the Weasley Brothers out of the Forbidden Forest, but he wouldn't admit he was capable of it.
After all, he was only a first-year student now, and it was impossible for him to use Apparition.
"Sit down, what would you like to drink?" ProfessorBrood pointed to the book on the table and said with emotion, "Morg has already had the book printed.
His efficiency is as high as ever; take a look at the fruits of your labor during this period!"
"You mean Mr. MacDougall has published a book?" Albert sat down opposite Professor Brood, picked up the book on the table, and lightly ran his fingers over the gold-embossed letters on the cover: "Advanced Rune Studies."
It truly belonged to advanced Runes research; the title was quite direct.
"There's a surprise on the first page!" Professor Brood mysteriously winked at Albert.
"A surprise?" Albert was a bit puzzled, looked at Professor Brood suspiciously, and then opened the first page of the book.
A sentence was written on it:
Dedicated to the youngest Master of Runes, thank you for helping me complete the compilation of Advanced Rune Studies. Morg MacDougall.
Albert was stunned; of course, he knew who the Master of Runes in that sentence referred to, but when did he become… a Master of Runes?
"Actually, Morg thought about putting your name on it too.
However, he later felt that with your ability, you didn't need to rely on him to become famous, and for you, it's still a bit early to be famous," Professor Brood closed the book, looked at Albert opposite him, and continued, "This book is his gift to you."
"I remember 'Advanced Rune Studies' wasn't finished, was it? Oh, so that's how it is." Albert turned to the last page and, looking at the content, understood what was going on; Mr. MacDougall had split the book into three parts.
"In a while, this book will be sold in bookstores, and I estimate not many people will buy it," Professor Brood said with a smile, "Morg even made a bet with me about it, saying he could sell a hundred copies."
Albert glanced at the book's price: 5 Galleons.
For the price of a book, it wasn't very expensive, but the problem was how many people would actually study this stuff?
They couldn't even understand it, let alone buy it.
Moreover, the population of British Wizards was also a big problem; if it couldn't be translated into other languages, selling a hundred copies would mean Mr. MacDougall was truly capable.
"Oh, by the way, I have something for you." ProfessorBrood placed a glass bottle in front of Albert, "Acromantula venom.
When I was tracking your footsteps, I found an Acromantula that you had killed, and it was a rare opportunity, so I collected some venom."
"For me?" Albert noticed that the Acromantula venom had been specially treated, and a Freezing Charm had been cast on the glass bottle.
"Yes, this is your trophy."
Speaking of this, Professor Brood was also quite emotional, "It's just that I didn't expect there to be so many Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest, and I certainly didn't expect you to defeat one."
Actually, the bottle of venom in front of Albert was obtained from the first Acromantula he had knocked down; that unlucky creature was eventually killed by Albert using a pile of spells.
Professor Brood later found a bunch more Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest and didn't continue collecting venom, which was related to his rush to find people.
"Professor, can you…" Albert hesitated for a moment, then said, "…help me dispose of it?
I have no use for this thing."
"I already guessed you would say that!" Professor Brood nodded with satisfaction, "This is a wise choice.
Acromantula venom is not easy to preserve, and this liquid is very valuable.
This bottle… is probably worth 50 Galleons.
Of course, it might be higher on the black market."
"Then I'll trouble you!" Albert said.
He knew very well that holding onto something like this was useless to him; it was better to exchange it for Galleons.
If he ever truly needed Acromantula venom, he could just take a stroll in the Forbidden Forest, and he would naturally find some.
After all, it was an Acromantula farm!
"Here you go." Professor Brood handed Albert the Galleons he had prepared beforehand.
Actually, it wasn't hard to guess Albert's choice from the start.
"Thank you, Professor!" Albert expressed his gratitude to him.
"You're welcome," Professor Brood became even more satisfied with Albert.
He continued, "There's one more thing."
"What is it?"
"The Gryffindor's secret treasure, you still have that map, don't you?" Professor Brood unceremoniously exposed Albert's previous lie.
The latter's expression stiffened; he neither admitted nor denied it, just quietly listened to Professor Brood continue.
"Don't rashly try to enter the Forbidden Forest again; it's still very dangerous for you there," Professor Brood warned.
"Is there really a so-called secret treasure?" Albertasked curiously.
"Legend has it that the four founders left their own inheritances at Hogwarts, gifts for the students of Hogwarts," Professor Brood said, recounting what he knew: "However, the so-called secret treasure is just a legend; no one knows where the secret treasure is, and no one has found it.
Of course, if it were so easy to find, it wouldn't be called a secret treasure."
Albert fell silent; he felt that Professor Brood might know something.
Every Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor who came to teach at Hogwarts had their own purpose; could Professor Brood be here to find the so-called secret treasure?
Ravenclaw's secret treasure?
Wait… secret… treasure… Ravenclaw… Room of Requirement…
It is said that the Room of Requirement was Ravenclaw's doing.
Perhaps, Ravenclaw's secret treasure is hidden there!
And Professor Brood likely already knew… Albert felt he might have guessed the so-called truth.
He could try it if he had the chance.
"What are you thinking about?" Professor Brood interrupted Albert's thoughts.
"I was thinking, where did the Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest come from?
Such a quantity is no joke; is someone really breeding Acromantulas?" Albert said casually.
"That's unlikely," Professor Brood stared at Albert and said seriously, "Don't rashly go looking for any secret treasure."
"I value my life very much," Albert replied.
"Oh, by the way, I heard you use a wand made of red cedar?" Professor Brood suddenly brought up Albert's wand, leaving the latter a bit puzzled.
"Yes, Mr. Ollivander said it's a wand that can bring good luck," Albert usually tells people this when discussing his red cedar wand.
"That's good; a wand made of red cedar is quite good," Professor Brood nodded, relieved.
He, of course, also knew that the so-called red cedarwand that brings good luck was purely a trick to fool people, but Wizards who possessed such wands were always prepared individuals and usually managed to turn danger into safety.
Albert Anderson clearly fit this description; it wasn't hard to see from last night's events that his ability to find the two Weasleys and return safely from the Forbidden Forest wasn't just due to the luck brought by the red cedar wand, but because Albert had made a series of preparations from the very beginning.