After placing the books he retrieved onto the shelves in their proper unread spots and storing the experimental notes in the desk drawer, William carefully set the bundle containing the complete set of equipment on the table. He began unwrapping it layer by layer with his hands.
When the package was fully unwrapped, the items from his memory gradually revealed themselves; cauldrons, small knives, scales, and grinding bowls.
Though they all looked like second-hand goods, they were well-maintained. While such care wouldn't significantly increase their value in the second-hand market, their current condition meant William could use them immediately without any additional maintenance.
Time to brew a potion…. What should I brew?
William hesitated. Technically, for his first attempt at potion-making, he should start with something simple, like a Boil-Cure Potion, which first-years would typically brew. However, he had no intention of wasting time on a potion that held no significance to him.
He didn't have the luxury of a first-year student's ample time for learning, nor was he starting with no foundation.
Even without considering the extensive potion knowledge he had self-studied, the magic he already mastered was enough to handle most mishaps that might arise during potion brewing.
Amortentia? Euphoria Elixir?
Two potions immediately came to his mind; both highly valued within Azkaban. If someone could acquire genuine, undiluted versions, they could trade them for several times their volume in chocolate. And in Azkaban, chocolate held a status higher than Galleons!
Amortentia could make someone perceive their most beloved scent, while Euphoria Elixir brought an inexplicable surge of happiness to its consumer. However, both had relatively short shelf lives.
"Euphoria Elixir it is. Amortentia has a bad reputation; stories about it from Azkaban could fill a book. Besides, brewing Amortentia as a professor at school would immediately lead to all kinds of misunderstandings...
Having made up his mind, William called for a house-elf.
"Bart?"
With a soft pop, a house-elf appeared before him.
"Professor, what can I do for you. Are you brewing a potion?"
"Yes, Bart. I just realized I forgot to prepare the ingredients. Could you please fetch me—no, make that three sets of Euphoria Elixir ingredients from Professor Adams?"
William instructed earnestly; There was no way he'd face Adams again after their earlier exchange.
"Of course, Professor."
Bart enthusiastically accepted the task.
Not long after William had filled the cauldron with water and ensured proper ventilation, the house-elf returned, gleefully carrying a large bag of potion ingredients.
"Professor, here are the materials you requested."
Looking at the neatly wrapped potion ingredients in front of him, William raised an eyebrow. "Professor Adams didn't ask you to pass along any message?"
"No, Professor. Professor Adams was very happy to gather the ingredients and just sent me off with them," the house-elf replied cheerfully.
Although the school typically provided most basic potion ingredients to professors, as long as they weren't mass-producing potions for sale, William found it surprising that Adams hadn't sent a single word.
No magical traps, and with Adams' personality, he wouldn't have slipped in something like a dung bomb to contaminate the herbs. What's he up to?
Curious, William unwrapped the bundle. Sitting atop the pile of ingredients was a note, conspicuously placed.
"Passing notes? Are we children now?"
William chuckled, but as soon as he picked up the note, it seemed to come alive. It leaped off the herbs, landed on the desk, and folded itself into a mocking gesture.
"Euphoria Elixir? Hah! Just take a sniff and call it a day!" Adams' taunting voice filled the room.
The moment the first word echoed, the house-elf had already vanished from the room via Apparition.
A Howler—are we really doing this? Does a loud voice make you right?
William rubbed his temples. It seemed the earlier exchange with Adams hadn't been forgotten. After thoroughly inspecting the ingredients, his suspicions were confirmed.
Sure enough, the ingredients for the Euphoria Elixir had been swapped with those for Amortentia.
Just as Adams had implied, the potion that was supposed to bring joy had now been substituted with one that produced the same effect through scent rather than consumption.
Fine, I'll make do. The method changes, but the purpose remains. It's not like I can just wait around for new materials to arrive from outside the school. Besides, this works out, having a batch ready for lessons will be useful. A practical example of dangerous potions will come in handy.
***
"Here, the ingredients for the Euphoria Elixir you wanted."
At the dining table, Adams handed William a small package.
"No need; I've already brewed it." William's voice was light, almost airy, as he twirled the fork in his hand absentmindedly.
"You've already brewed it?"
Adams sounded genuinely surprised. Not because he doubted William's capability, but because his tone was so distant it felt as if he had consumed the potion himself.
"You didn't actually drink the Euphoria Elixir, did you?"
"I may not be the sharpest, but even I can tell the difference between a Euphoria Elixir and Amortentia."
"Then why do you sound like this?"
"I'm fine. Just let me take a moment—" William stabbed a piece of lamb chop viciously, as if it were a person.
Just an hour ago, the Amortentia had been completed with a quality far beyond William's expectations. He realized that his aptitude for potions was far greater than he had initially believed. Out of curiosity, he had checked his system and discovered that he had unlocked Potions Level 2.
The system scale ranged from 0 to 3, with 0 representing no talent at all. No matter how hard a person worked, someone at 0 would remain at the basics. It was like how Carl Friedrich Gauss, with his innate genius, could deduce mathematical theorems as a child, while the majority of university math majors, even after completing higher education, would often switch fields for graduate studies.
Potions Level 2 meant that even if William had served his full term in Azkaban quietly, he would have easily thrived in the wizarding world as a potioneer.
I was so foolish. I should never have agreed to that deal in the first place. If I'd just stayed in Azkaban and served my time, wouldn't it have been better to leave and run a potions business?
Though hindsight was twenty-twenty, William couldn't suppress his emotions. Something this significant deserved at least two hours of brooding.
He raised his head to gaze at the ceiling of the Great Hall and sighed deeply. Forget it. Curses can always be lifted. Besides, if I hadn't agreed to Dumbledore's terms, I'd never have had the chance to step into Hogwarts.
Even so, understanding the logic didn't stop the feeling of regret.
As he sighed, a flock of owls suddenly flew into the hall.
The noon mail is here... If I'd just gotten out of Azkaban properly, would I be waiting for owls delivering potion orders right now?
Lost in his thoughts, William didn't notice the commotion that suddenly erupted at the students' tables.
***
"Someone's got a Howler!"
A student from an unknown house shouted, drawing everyone's attention to the source of the noise.
William couldn't help but lower his head. His previously sorrowful expression vanished in an instant.
A Howler? Who's the poor soul?
Hah! Curse, my foot!
Where else but Hogwarts could I witness such amusing spectacles?
----------------------------------
To read 40 advanced chapters you can visit my Patreon:"https://patreon.com/TheKindOne"