Half an hour later…
Charlotte emerged holding a dark crimson stone about the size of an egg.
Hermione followed close behind, looking utterly exasperated.
“I honestly think you’ve lost your mind.” “You actually spent one hundred Galleons on that worthless rock.” “Everyone in the Hog’s Head knows that Sheld is a con artist!” In Hermione’s opinion, not a single word the middle-aged wizard had said was true.
Fighting a vampire in a castle for three hundred rounds?
A priceless relic left behind after a legendary wizard battled an Abyssal Flame Demon a thousand years ago?
It might fool a three-year-old…
But certainly not anyone else.
Yet Charlotte had acted as though he’d been bewitched by a Dark Wizard.
No matter how hard the three of them had tried to stop him…
He had stubbornly insisted on buying it.
Charlotte simply smiled and ignored Hermione’s endless complaints.
“I just happen to like this stone.” “Don’t you think it’s rather beautiful?” The other three stared at the dark red, pitted lump in his hand.
Then they all shook their heads in unison.
Charlotte said nothing more.
Inside…
He was so excited he wanted to shout.
Because this wasn’t a stone at all.
Abyssal Flame Demon Blood: Once, a thousand years ago, the renowned wizard Edward Kelley successfully summoned an adult Abyssal Flame Demon.
However, the demon refused to honour the contract.
Edward Kelley sacrificed his own life to banish it back into the Abyss.
This drop of blood, taken from the demon’s heart, remains the only proof that the event ever occurred.
Charlotte had spent a long time wondering what magical creature he should choose for his second bloodline.
His first choice had always been Dumbledore’s phoenix.
Rebirth through flame was an incredible gift.
If he could obtain it…
He would, in a sense, become almost immortal.
The problem was…
Phoenixes in this world didn’t appear to possess overwhelming combat power.
And obtaining phoenix blood wouldn’t be easy.
His second option had been a dragon.
Immensely powerful physically…
Capable of breathing devastating fire…
Another extraordinary magical creature.
But now…
Compared with an Abyssal Flame Demon…
Neither phoenixes nor dragons seemed quite as impressive.
Charlotte also preferred creatures that embodied absolute destructive power.
There was only one remaining problem.
The demon’s blood had petrified over the centuries.
It was now as hard as stone.
How exactly was he supposed to use it?
Surely he couldn’t simply swallow it whole?
Ding!
The host may immerse the petrified blood in a Mandrake Restorative Draught.
Replace the potion once each day for seven consecutive days to restore the blood’s vitality.
Now…
He had the magical creature’s blood.
The Mandrake Restorative Draught wasn’t an especially rare potion.
All that remained…
Was accumulating enough Skill Points to fuse his second bloodline.
“Harry!” A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind them.
Without even turning around…
All four knew who it was.
Hagrid.
Taking several long strides, Hagrid reached them and looked genuinely surprised.
“What’re you lot doing here?” “If Professor McGonagall catches you…” “She’ll have the four of you in detention for a whole day and night!” Hermione immediately rushed over.
“Hagrid!” “I’ve got something incredibly important to ask you.” “Really important—” “Hermione.” Hagrid interrupted her with unusual seriousness.
“I think what you ought to do first…” “…is get back to school.” “Otherwise I’ll have to tell Professor McGonagall you snuck out.” Harry recognised from Hagrid’s expression that he wasn’t joking.
He quickly pulled Hermione back.
“Hagrid.” “We’re leaving right now.” “We were just about to head back anyway.” The four of them immediately ran towards Honeydukes.
Watching them disappear into the distance, Hagrid scratched his beard and sighed.
“I knew it.” “They came through the secret passage behind the humpbacked one-eyed witch.” “Looks like I ought to remind Dumbledore.” “There’re just too many secret passages in this school.” He shook his head.
“Still…” “I’d better go see that fellow first.” “Hopefully what he said about the dragon egg is true…” The four students returned to Hogwarts through the same hidden passage.
Ron patted his chest in relief.
“Good thing we ran into Hagrid.” “I reckon next time we should ask Fred and George for some Ageing Potion.” “Then nobody will think we’re first-years.” Hermione looked at him as though he were hopeless.
“Ageing Potion only makes you look older physically.” “It doesn’t completely change your appearance.” “Everyone would still recognise Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.” Charlotte waved as he walked away.
“Polyjuice Potion would work much better.” “It actually lets you become someone else.” “I’m heading to the greenhouses to see Professor Sprout.” “See you at dinner.” By the time Charlotte had disappeared into the distance…
Ron suddenly shouted after him, “What’s Polyjuice Potion, Charlotte?!” The primary ingredient in the Mandrake Restorative Draught was, naturally…
Mandrake root.
Only Professor Pomona Sprout’s greenhouses cultivated Mandrakes.
As Hogwarts’ Herbology professor and Head of Hufflepuff House…
Professor Sprout possessed unparalleled knowledge of magical plants.
She was also highly skilled at brewing potions.
Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey could both prepare the Restorative Draught as well.
However…
Snape was far too cautious.
Charlotte doubted the Potions Master would agree so easily.
Madam Pomfrey, meanwhile, was an extremely strict healer…
And constantly busy.
Charlotte had no wish to trouble her.
Professor Sprout was different.
She treated everyone kindly…
Especially students who showed a genuine interest in Herbology.
Inside the greenhouse…
Charlotte soon found Professor Sprout tending to her magical plants.
After hearing why he had come…
She looked genuinely surprised.
“You already know Mandrakes can be used to cure Petrification?” “That’s material taught in the second year.” Charlotte smiled.
“I simply think Herbology is an incredibly fascinating subject.” “So I read a few extra books.” “When I came across the section on Mandrakes…” “I became very interested in them.” Professor Sprout beamed.
She had always been especially fond of students who genuinely loved Herbology.
“In that case…” “I’ll teach you how to brew the Restorative Draught.” “But in return…” “You’ll spend today helping me care for these plants.” “No problem, Professor Sprout.” Charlotte smiled.
“I’d be happy to.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Dark_Verse IF YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER PLEAsE WRITE REVIEW