It was another peaceful day in Diagon Alley.
After finishing his work at Flynn’s Herb Shop, Severus did not return to his mother’s sweet shop immediately.
Instead, he slung a small satchel over his shoulder and began making his way through the bustling streets.
Inside the bag were thirty bottles of Blood-Replenishing Potion and five tins of Scar Removal Ointment.
The Blood-Replenishing Potion was priced at ten Sickles per bottle, noticeably cheaper than similar products sold at apothecaries.
The Scar Removal Ointment, however, was priced at ten Galleons per tin.
The expensive ingredients justified part of the price, but the greater reason was Severus’s confidence.
He knew exactly how valuable his invention was.
It was worth every Galleon.
“Freshly brewed Blood-Replenishing Potion!
Only ten Sickles a bottle!
Reliable quality at a fair price!” Standing along the street, Severus calmly advertised his wares to passing witches and wizards.
His voice was neither loud nor desperate.
He never harassed people who showed no interest.
But whenever someone slowed their pace or glanced toward his basket, he immediately introduced his potions with confidence and composure.
Soon, one middle-aged witch stopped in front of him.
“You brewed these yourself?” “I did.” She looked doubtful.
Without saying another word, Severus took out a small knife and made a shallow cut across the tip of his own finger.
Before the woman could react, he uncorked a bottle of Blood-Replenishing Potion and poured a few drops onto the wound.
The bleeding stopped almost immediately.
Within moments, only a faint pink mark remained.
The witch’s eyes widened.
“Merlin…” After inspecting his finger herself and confirming that he hadn’t used any tricks, she immediately bought ten bottles.
That single sale earned Severus over five Galleons.
It was nearly equivalent to an entire month’s wages at Flynn’s Herb Shop.
Compared to the Blood-Replenishing Potion, however, the Scar Removal Ointment attracted almost no buyers.
No one had ever heard of such a product before.
A ten-Galleon price tag only made people even more skeptical.
Severus wasn’t discouraged.
New products always required time to earn trust.
He simply continued walking through Diagon Alley, steadily selling bottle after bottle of Blood-Replenishing Potion.
Before long, nearly his entire stock had been sold.
Bang!
Just as he rounded a corner, someone accidentally bumped into him.
Because of his small stature, the approaching witch hadn’t noticed him among the crowd.
The impact knocked Severus backward onto the stone pavement.
“Oh!” The woman immediately reached down to help him.
“I’m terribly sorry.
I wasn’t watching where I was going.” “Are you hurt?” Severus accepted her hand and stood up.
“I’m fine.” Then, almost by reflex, he opened his satchel.
“Would you like a bottle of Blood-Replenishing Potion?
Ten Sickles each.” “I also have a newly developed Scar Removal Ointment that permanently removes old scars.” The woman blinked.
Instead of being angry after getting knocked over, this child was trying to sell her something.
She couldn’t help finding it amusing.
Rather than responding immediately, she carefully studied the boy before her.
Severus was doing the same.
The woman looked to be around thirty years old.
Even beneath her hood, her appearance was breathtaking.
Her skin was flawless.
Her features were exquisitely delicate.
She possessed an almost supernatural beauty that drew attention without effort.
Even keeping her face partially concealed, countless people subconsciously glanced in her direction as they passed.
For a brief moment, Severus suspected she wasn’t entirely human.
“…Are you part Veela?” The woman smiled helplessly.
“Only one-quarter.” “But as you can imagine, that’s already caused me enough trouble.” While speaking, she dusted off Severus’s robes before guiding him toward a quieter corner of the street to avoid attracting more curious looks.
Then she crossed her arms.
“A brand-new potion?” “And you’re asking ten Galleons?” “I’ve never heard of anything like it.” “You wouldn’t have.” Severus calmly removed one of the small tins.
“I created it.” The woman raised an eyebrow.
“You?” “I know that’s difficult to believe.” “So…” Severus looked directly at her.
“Do you happen to have any scars?” “If you do, I can demonstrate it.” She considered the offer for a moment before rolling up one sleeve.
A faded burn scar stretched across her forearm.
“I got this while cooking years ago.” She smiled teasingly.
“If this doesn’t work…” “I’m going to give you a proper scolding.” Clearly, she wasn’t expecting much.
To her, this was little more than humoring an unusually mature child.
Severus simply opened the tin.
The dark ointment had an ordinary appearance.
Using one finger, he spread a thin layer across the old scar.
A cool sensation swept across her skin.
Seconds passed.
Then…
The scar faded.
Its edges blurred before disappearing completely.
The skin beneath became smooth, flawless, and even fairer than before.
The woman froze.
She stared at her arm.
Then she rubbed it repeatedly with her fingers.
Nothing.
The scar that had remained with her for over a decade had vanished completely.
Her expression gradually changed from curiosity…
To disbelief.
To complete astonishment.
“As you can see,” Severus said calmly while closing the tin, “I wasn’t exaggerating.” “Consider that demonstration free of charge.” “The ointment is perfectly safe.
It doesn’t irritate the skin and can even be used on children.” “They’re ten Galleons each.” “Would you like to buy one?” The woman slowly looked up.
“…You really invented this yourself?” “I did.” Severus answered without hesitation.
Her eyes seemed to shine as she examined him once again.
This wasn’t admiration anymore.
It was disbelief.
The child standing before her wasn’t even ten years old.
Yet he had created an entirely new magical ointment.
If he continued growing at this pace…
The future of Britain’s Potions community might gain another extraordinary master.
She couldn’t help laughing.
“If Professor Slughorn discovered you, he’d probably drag you straight to Hogwarts years early.” “And he’d finally find someone capable of giving his favorite student some competition.” Severus frowned slightly.
“Favorite student?” “Oh, never mind.” She waved the question away before suddenly reaching over and ruffling his neatly combed black hair.
“My name is Lavinia.” “I own the Rainbow Beauty Salon here in Diagon Alley.” “I’ll buy every tin of Scar Removal Ointment you have.” She paused before smiling again.
“And if you’re willing to sell the recipe…” “I promise you’ll be very satisfied with my offer.” An hour later…
Severus walked out of the Rainbow Beauty Salon with an expression that rarely appeared on his face.
Complete bewilderment.
Several heavy money pouches hung from both hands.
Each one was filled with gold and silver coins.
They were so heavy that even walking became difficult.
For the first time since arriving in this world…
Severus experienced what it truly meant to become rich overnight.