Chapter 44: I Actually Can’t Brew
Hedwig actually had no letters or packages today. She was just following other owls to the Great Hall for a stroll, to visit her master, and incidentally relying on her snow-white beautiful feathers to beg for snacks from other little wizards, eating and drinking her fill before leisurely leaving.
Harry was flipping through the 《Magical Quidditch Ball》 that Hermione had lent him.
After experiencing last night’s matter, they had thoroughly become friends, friends he could even accept who pointed and whispered beside him during class. Although Hermione seemed to have already controlled that behavior, she hadn’t repeated it in the two classes this morning.
“News of Harry competing as Seeker has leaked.”
“Now everyone knows he’s not a reserve player, but Godric Gryffindor’s starting Seeker.”
“…”
Seamus and Ron beside him were discussing the upcoming match.
Next Saturday, Harry would participate in the first Quidditch Match of his life, Gryffindor versus Slytherin.
“Should we hold up mattresses below at that time, in case Harry suddenly falls down.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. Harry will definitely win.”
“…”
Discussions about himself were everywhere.
Harry grew nervous listening to them himself. Seeing Hermione still studying chocolate beside him, he relaxed a bit. Luckily, he had such a calm friend.
…
The Three Broomsticks Inn.
Wright sat beside the counter, idly listening to people arguing.
Melvin walked over and sat beside him.
Wright casually handed over a cup of honey mead, raised a hand to signal him not to speak yet, then pointed at the two male wizards beside them. Their debate was reaching the most exciting part.
“Last time, weren’t you the one asking whose fault Lamont’s short fingers are? Answer me!”
“Is there a problem with what I said! Poor technique himself, complaining about the team, complaining about his parents—why not look for his own problems!?”
“How can short fingers look for his own problems? That’s his parents’ fault!”
“Has the dragon dung in your brain fermented? Do you want to hear what you’re saying!”
“Lamont’s father is famously short. That’s his fault!”
“…”
The two wizards still couldn’t settle the score this time, grumbling as they left the tavern to go to the bookstore next door to flip through newspapers and see which famous players had thick short fingers.
Wright turned back with lingering interest, pointing at the honey mead in front of him: “Madam Rosmerta specially saved this for you, so you can taste this batch of honey mead.”
Melvin picked up the cup and took a sip. The wine flavor and honey sweetness blended together, exceptionally harmonious.
“As per your request, changed from the original oval to square, ratio 16:9, diagonal 150 inches.”
Wright handed over a suitcase: “This custom projection mirror is too big, not convenient to carry around, so it’s placed inside here.”
Four generations of the Monkstanley Family have been in technology, from the Prohibitions Office to the Department of Mysteries, and to street repair shops. The Undetectable Extension Charm is no difficulty.
Melvin took the suitcase and placed it at his feet, without taking it out to inspect.
It wasn’t that it was inconvenient to check in the tavern; mainly it was out of trust in Wright.
Melvin thought for a moment and felt he should still ask clearly. He looked up at Wright: “This suitcase with the Undetectable Extension Charm—is it legal?”
Wright was stunned for a moment, suddenly not knowing how to answer.
The Undetectable Extension Charm, as a highly concealable advanced spell, easily violates Secrecy Law regulations. In the era before it was listed as a restricted spell, wizards always pulled inconceivable things from jacket pockets, knit hats, or wallet wallets in front of Muggles.
There was once a British wizard named Noct Issac who, upon returning from studying in Vagadu, poured 86 elephants from his wallet in front of dozens of Muggle customs officials, and was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment.
New York also had a similar case. In 1982, a wizard packed a 7-ton jet airplane into a suitcase in front of hundreds of Muggles. In 1983, the wizard committed the crime again, attempting to steal the Muggle landmark Statue of Liberty, and was arrested on the spot by Ministry of Magic Aurors.
To cover up this secrecy breach case, the entire Ministry of Magic worked overtime for three weeks, ultimately disguising the whole process as a grand magic show.
Thereafter, the Undetectable Extension Charm was listed as controlled magic. The International Confederation of Wizards made strict regulations on the spell: the Undetectable Extension Charm cannot be used for private purposes, but only for producing a few approved items, such as wizard camping tents.
“…”
Wright and Melvin silently stared at each other, lights flickering faintly in their eyes: “I can give you 95% on the final payment.”
“90%.”
“Deal.”
“…”
Melvin couldn’t help feeling a bit heartbroken. Dreadful, he had asked for too high a price.
Wright took a sip of sherry, a pleased smile on his face. Actually, he hadn’t earned much from the two deals with Professor Levent, nowhere near as much as cooperating with the singer and the newspaper office, but being with Levent was very comfortable. His occasional Muggle ideas were eye-opening.
“Professor Levent—no, Melvin. I’m calling you that from a friend’s perspective.”
Wright paused slightly: “The cost of the large projection mirror is still too high. Muggle equipment isn’t convenient enough, and the wizarding village has no supporting measures, but that system is more mature, with lower costs. I advise you to still consider my previous proposal.”
“…”
Melvin sighed, about to speak, when his peripheral vision caught a figure approaching.
“Professor Levent!”
Madam Rosmerta walked over carrying a copper wine jug, refilling his honey mead that had only a thin layer left: “This batch of honey mead was brewed according to the book you gave. Actually, there were many parts I didn’t understand, thanks to your annotations supplementing them. I’m really so grateful to you.
“On Halloween night, it hadn’t reached fermentation time yet, so I didn’t bring it out for you to taste. It was only unsealed this morning, and less than a day later, three barrels have sold!”
“See how it tastes. Is there anything that needs improvement?”
The tavern proprietress showed an expectant gaze.
“…Madam Rosmerta, actually I don’t know brewing.”
“You’re so humorous.”
“…”
Melvin gave up the debate. Under her expectant gaze, he took a sip of honey mead and began talking nonsense:
“Hmm… The front note of the wine aroma shows typical honey-fermented orange blossom honey and roasted apricot preserve aromas, the middle note aided by oak’s vanilla pod and roasted hazelnut scents, the lingering wine aroma in the finish, worth savoring. The sweet moistness on entry is well-controlled… There’s really nothing to nitpick.”
“This is all thanks to your help.”
Madam Rosmerta smiled brightly. Professor Levent was a good person, just overly modest.
Melvin returned a helpless smile. Looking at this tavern proprietress, an idea suddenly flashed in his mind:
“Madam Rosmerta, do you want all the wines in your shop to sell as well as the honey mead?”
