A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 42: Potions

At seven o'clock in the evening, Hermione, as she had for the past two months, entered Professor Harp's office right on time.

However, this time, she felt a bit nervous.

Felix Harp looked up and saw the young witch appearing somewhat uneasy. With a smile, he said, "Please have a seat. I had thought you might have a week off, considering you spend most of your daytime here."

Hermione gathered her courage and said, "Professor, I apologize, but we tracked you because we were following a lead on the Chamber of Secrets and happened to find you in the Forbidden Forest..."

Felix understood, "So, I'm a person of suspicion, I see..."

"It's not that, Professor. You're incredibly skilled. We were just being overly cautious. In the previous school year, we encountered a professor who was a dark wizard and tried to steal the Philosopher's Stone hidden in the school."

"Ah, I see. With such experiences, it's no wonder you're a bit jumpy. However, let me advise you, your intentions might be noble, but it's important to be realistic. Many dangers don't change based on whether a person is vile or virtuous."

Hermione nodded meekly.

For the next two hours, they stayed in the Pensieve for five thought-hours, and Felix taught her three incantations.

They had determined this timeframe through trial and error – not too exhausting and still conducive to learning. Hermione even had some energy left to practice for a little over ten minutes after returning to reality, managing to barely sketch out the three incantations.

"Absolutely splendid," Felix couldn't help but applaud.

If it weren't for his plot armor, he might not necessarily outshine her.

Yet he also noticed a flaw in this young witch. The magic she wielded always seemed to be within the boundaries of the norm, with little fluctuation. While this was good in a way – stable spellcasting that once mastered, had a low chance of failure – it was also a drawback. She was unlikely to "burst forth" with magic, unable to amplify spell effects through powerful emotions.

In a sense, she was better suited to be a magical scholar, studying and learning magic, rather than becoming a formidable spellcasting wizard like an Auror.

Felix pondered, perhaps after her graduation, he could make her his research assistant, or even... a partner?

He couldn't blame himself for overthinking; qualified backup options were scarce, which was also what he disliked about Hogwarts and the magical world at large – their methods of education were too broad. How many wizards continued tirelessly researching magic after graduating?

On the other hand, the black market was filled with such wizards, but the question was, could he trust them?

"If I could govern the wizarding world..." a thought crossed his mind but was quickly discarded. That wasn't his path.

"It's still early. You can head back ahead of time or perhaps watch a movie together?" Felix snapped back to the present, checking the time. It was just past nine. He asked the young witch.

Hermione smoothed her hair and stammered, "Oh – Professor Harp? I was thinking – I'm quite curious about certain potions. I'd like to gain some background knowledge."

"Potions?"

"Yes, you know, in our Potions class, we learn about antidotes and hiccup draughts and such, but I've read in books about some potions, more advanced ones, that have incredibly magical effects..."

"Indeed, that's true," Felix Harp pondered for a moment. "Potions, let me think." He waved his wand, causing the wand to lightly tap the ring on his left index finger, and six small vials, each as thick as six fingers, appeared before him.

"The world of potions is indeed complex and wondrous. Although I took Snape's advanced class, I must admit that I still have a long way to go in the field of potions."

Hermione was a bit surprised that Professor Harp held Snape in such high regard.

"The first one, Babayawake Elixir." Felix gestured, causing the first vial on the left to fly before Hermione. "It significantly enhances the user's intellect, speeding up their learning efficiency. To some extent, it's a bit similar to the Pensieve."

Hermione looked at the vial before her. It contained a pale blue liquid, gently swaying, with bright fluorescent flashes.

"Many wizards have become addicted to Babayawake Elixir due to its misuse, losing the ability to think clearly. But occasionally taking it is fine," he added, seeing Hermione's hand trembling a bit.

"The second, Flamebane Elixir." A small vial of purple liquid flew before her. "Though its name isn't flashy, it effectively shields against magical flames."

Suddenly, Hermione recalled the challenge Professor Snape set up during her first year.

It was a logic puzzle, and one of the potions in that challenge allowed them to pass through magical flames unharmed.

"The third, Felicitea Elixir." A vial with the least potion, only a third full, around two or three milliliters, flew before her. But it was the most beautiful – a liquid akin to melted gold, shimmering like playful fish when lightly shaken.

"Also known as Liquid Luck, it makes the drinker's endeavors smooth and fortuitous, as if they're blessed by providence. However, overuse can lead to dizziness, recklessness, and arrogance..."

"The brewing process must be quite intricate, right?" Hermione inquired.

"Extremely intricate, requiring at least six months. If even a single step goes wrong, it could turn into a cauldron of poison," Felix reflected with a touch of emotion.

"The fourth, Wolfsbane Elixir. It prevents a werewolf from losing control after transforming during a full moon. Of course, it's not useful to me. It's just part of my collection..."

"The fifth, Polyjuice Potion." Upon hearing this, Hermione's spirits lifted, and she stared at the vial that had flown before her. "It seems you've also heard of this potion?"

Hermione whispered, "Professor Snape mentioned it in class. It can make the drinker take on the appearance of someone else."

"Exactly, it's another rather complex potion, with a month-long brewing time. A standard dose lasts anywhere from 10 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the quality of the potion."

"And your sample?"

"Mine? It would probably sustain a half-hour transformation."

Hermione felt somewhat disappointed. It seemed she'd have to brew her own. The problem had circled back; how could she obtain Professor Harp's signature and recipe?

Felix's explanations continued. He waved his wand, causing the last vial to fly before her.

"The sixth, Amortentia. Also known as Love Potion. Once ingested, the drinker becomes infatuated with the one who provided the potion."

Hermione couldn't help but widen her eyes.

"You'll find that its usage is somewhat similar to the Polyjuice Potion. Polyjuice involves adding someone else's hair or body part to transform into them."

"While Amortentia requires adding your own hair or body part, giving it to someone else, making them fall in love with you."

The young witch exclaimed indignantly, "Such potions are utterly despicable."

Felix shrugged, "Indeed, they only provide a false sense of love, like a soap bubble – much like its scent, coincidentally, it's the smell you're fondest of."

With a wave of his wand, the stopper on the vial popped out with a "pop," and he said, "You can try its scent – don't worry, it's the purest form, not very dangerous, at least won't affect your reason."

Hermione leaned in and took a gentle sniff. It smelled like books, sunlight, and the scent of her home in the Muggle world.

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