Chapter 25: Keeping A Secret And Potion Research
The next day, Saturday.
Today, Vaughn, who was favored by Gryffindor, saw Harry and Ron early in the morning, heading towards the Forbidden Forest, with Hermione following behind them, clutching books.
“I’m going to watch you.” This was her reply.
Ron felt that Hermione must be seeking revenge, preparing to scrutinize their every move and report them to the professors if they made any mistakes.
But Harry didn’t think so: “Hermione values House Points more than anything; she wouldn’t wait for us to make mistakes and cause Gryffindor to lose points.”
“Then what exactly is she planning to do? Merlin’s beard, every time I look back, there’s someone shadowing us creepily. Do you know how terrifying that is?”
Harry didn’t want to know.
They went together to Hagrid’s hut by the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid welcomed them warmly. Hermione also entered the hut, but she barely spoke to anyone but Hagrid, ignoring Harry and Ron the entire time.
There, Harry found a newspaper detailing the robbery of Gringotts, which, according to the date, occurred on the same day he and Hagrid went there.
Recalling what Hagrid was going to retrieve from Gringotts, Harry quickly connected the two events.
On their way back, he tapped the newspaper and said to Ron and Hermione:
“The person who robbed Gringotts might be looking for what Hagrid took. He was so secretive back then, only saying it was very important.”
“Look at this report: ‘The vault that was broken into had, in fact, been emptied earlier that day.’ It’s definitely right! Vault 713! There was only a dirty little bag inside, and Hagrid took it. So it was emptied, wasn’t it?”
“Cool!”
Ron whistled.
Then Harry, as if remembering something, looked pleadingly at his two friends: “Uh, Hagrid told me not to tell anyone about this. You’ll keep it a secret, right?”
“Absolutely secret!” Ron thumped his chest forcefully, then coughed.
Hermione snorted: “I’m always tight-lipped!”
Well, Harry had told Hagrid the same thing at the time.
So the next day, Vaughn knew…
“The Philosopher’s Stone…”
Vaughn went to the library and found a book about this alchemical marvel. Looking at the illustrations, he fell into thought.
Unlike in his previous life, where many in fanfiction novels considered it unimportant.
The more he studied magic, the more Vaughn understood how astonishing the Philosopher’s Stone was. It could reverse matter, doing what even the most profound transfiguration could not—changing the essence of matter, turning any metal into pure gold.
The elixir of life brewed with it was also the only thing confirmed with practical examples that could conquer death.
Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle Flamel lived for 600 more years because of it…
Six full centuries!
Was there anything more incredible in the wizarding world than it?
Of course, that immortality seemed to have side effects. Vaughn recalled reading about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in his previous life, where Flamel made an appearance.
A comical, elderly man suffering from severe osteoporosis.
“It’s said that the Flamels live in seclusion in Devon. My home is also in Devon, but unfortunately, there’s no more precise location. And with their caution, I’m afraid their hiding place would long ago have been protected by spells like the Fidelius Charm, making it impossible for others to find.”
“Otherwise, I would really like to visit him and have a good chat.”
Vaughn hadn’t yet delved into alchemy, this even more mysterious discipline. There were books on it in the Hogwarts library, but Vaughn found them utterly baffling.
They spoke extensively of “spiritual journeys” and the creation of nothingness, making it seem as though someone had written them while drunk.
Vaughn closed the book and was about to leave when the System Panel popped open before his eyes.
【New Quest Activated】
【Side Quest ①: Obtain the Philosopher’s Stone】
【Reward: Alchemy Talent】
“…”
Vaughn was a bit speechless. The System’s quests were becoming increasingly outrageous.
The Philosopher’s Stone was currently the focus of both the Dark Lord and the White Lord. He’d be insane to make a move for it.
Ignoring the System Panel, Vaughn returned the book. Seeing that it was getting late, he hurried to Professor Snape’s office.
To be honest, Vaughn thought Snape’s taste was truly terrible.
Both the Potions classroom and his office were located in the darkest parts of Hogwarts Castle.
As soon as he stepped into the corridor, he felt a chilling sensation all around. With such taste, how could he possibly compete with James Potter?
No girl would ever like him!
But when Vaughn pushed open the office door and saw the shelves filled with potion ingredients, and the piles of medicine stacked on them…
It smelled wonderful!
It truly smelled wonderful. Many people found potion ingredients odd and assumed their smell would be unpleasant, but after processing, most of them had a peculiar fragrance.
Not to mention those bottles, placed in the medicine cabinet, reflecting the firelight from the fireplace, appearing crystal clear and lustrous!
Snape remained in his usual poker face, standing like a ghost in the corner, looking at Vaughn indifferently.
Only when Vaughn was mesmerized by the potions did he reveal a slight smile—
It was worth the two days he spent painstakingly selecting from his collection to fill the newly purchased medicine cabinet!
That was no easy task; it had to be precious, yet not appear ostentatious, and also be educational!
“Professor, this place is truly a treasure trove!”
Vaughn praised him sincerely.
Snape suddenly felt very pleased. This reminded him of Friday night when he went to the Headmaster’s office and gave Dumbledore the “Scabbers Potion” Vaughn had improved.
Dumbledore’s surprised old face at the time had made him very happy.
The Chosen One was nothing more than this, while his wicked classmate was a genuine Potions Prodigy of Slytherin!
“Vaughn Weasley,” Snape said slowly, “you will have plenty of time to visit in the future. Now, let me see what merits your Magic Power Extraction Method truly possesses.”
“Oh? Plenty of time to visit? Professor, I can come here every weekend from now on?”
Vaughn clearly knew how to grasp the most important point.
Snape didn’t answer, evidently a tacit agreement. He moved aside, revealing a cauldron behind him, where a potion was being brewed – the “Scabbers Potion.”
Clearly, he wanted to observe Vaughn’s brewing process from start to finish today.
Vaughn didn’t mind and drew his wand, getting to work.
Afterwards, the only sounds in this gloomy basement were the processing of ingredients, stirring, and occasional snippets of conversation.
“Hmm—a strange choice. How did you ensure magic penetration?”
“Familiarity with the materials, Professor, and perhaps a talent for Transfiguration Studies. My magic can easily observe their interior.”
“Of course, for ordinary wizards, it’s also possible to choose extensive practice; practice makes perfect.”
“…Let me try.”
“Certainly, Professor!”
