Chapter 90

In the realm of magic and wonder, where the extraordinary meets the ordinary, Albert found solace in the realm of potions. His innate talent in this arcane art had garnered the attention of none other than Professor Snape. Once he met Professor Snape's expectations, he backed off and started doing what he usually does: making Gryffindor miserable.

On a crisp morning a few days after their discussion in the dormitory, when the Potions class had concluded, Albert and George visited the library. Their first order of business was to return the book 'Ars Alchemiae: Fundamenta et Initiationes', and in its place, they sought to borrow a new book on the art of alchemy.

They stumbled upon a book called 'Potentiae Potionum et Elixirum Arcana: Iter in Alchimiam' by Professor Elara Everglow. It means 'Potent Potions and Mystical Elixirs: A Journey into Alchemy'. She wrote it around the same time as 'Ars Alchemiae: Fundamenta et Initiationes' and had seven sections. The sections were Essence of Alchemy, Brewing Basics, Alchemical Apparatus, Unravelling Potion Families, Advanced Elixirs and Rarities, Alchemical Ethics and Responsibilities, Theory of the Elixir of Immortality, and Eternal Youth.

The reason this book was in the alchemy section instead of the potion section is because of the last section, as well as the title. Another reason is that in Advanced Elixirs and Rarities, it used some alchemical principles to amplify the effects of the original potion and gave detail on the differences in their effects. 

One advanced elixir that caught Albert's attention was the 'Advanced Dittany Elixir'. It used nearly exactly the same ingredients, but it took much longer to brew. The book highlighted the differences in the extraction process of the dittany plant and how to effectively use it. Its effects far surpass the original. The book describes the situation of burning your hand in an open fire. The Dittany Potion allows for your skin to heal; however, the nerves in your hand cannot heal. With the 'Advanced Dittany Elixir', the nerves will regrow, and the slight discolouration of the healed skin will not be there. This happens as long as they used it quickly enough; otherwise, it would have the same effect as a regular Dittany potion.

Meanwhile, Fred and Lee embarked on their own venture into the kitchen. They returned empty-handed. Their despondent countenances found solace in the neighbouring chairs as they extended their hands towards George, their expressions filled with helplessness.

As expected, the duo had bought nothing. The house-elves stood firm in their refusal to relinquish the precious garlic stored within the kitchen's supply closet. The twins' valiant plan had been thwarted even before it could take root.

"I hate to say it, but..." Albert said.

"No, you don't. Just say it," Lee said.

"I told you so," Albert remarked, casting his gaze upon the dispirited duo. "Perhaps you should send a letter home. Ask your parents to send you some."

"Are you out of your mind?" Fred retorted incredulously, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Do you know what would happen if we asked them about that? Our mother would probably give it to us during the Yule party."

"And we would never get our brooms. Do you know how long we had to beg for it?" George chimed in.

"What's the Yule Party?" Albert asked.

"It's a party that is hosted after the Winter Solstice. It's usually done by one of the twenty-eight pureblood families. There's a seven-course meal, a dance, and the exchanging of presents," Shannon said as she took a set beside Albert.

"And how do you know that?" Albert asked.

"I read books," Shannon said. "So, what are you doing here? I just saw the two of you coming from the kitchen."

"We were hoping to get some Luminara garlic from the house-elves, but they turned us down," Fred said.

"You could go to Diagon Alley and buy some? Or have you tried to order it from Hogsmeade?" Shannon asked. "Anyway, Albert, can you help me with the potion's homework?"

"Yeah, sure," Albert said as he moved some of this stuff around the table. "You can sit here."

Albert got out his homework from his bag and his potions book. He opened 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi' by Phyllida Spore and folded the pages he thought would be relevant for her. Professor Snape had given them an uncompleted recipe and tasked them with finding three suitable ingredients to fill that hole. They would then test it in their next potions class.

After doing this, he continued reading the book. Skimming through it, he found something else that caught his attention. A method to create moving portraits. When he got to the end of the chapter, a chime rang in his ears. 

Heir to Da Vinci

Mission Description: You have come across a method to create a moving portrait in the book 'Potentiae Potionum et Elixirum Arcana: Iter in Alchimiam'. Why not embrace your artistic side and challenge yourself to create three moving portraits?

Mission aim: Successfully create three moving portraits

Mission Reward: Alchemy skill level +1, 500 experience points

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

During lunch in the Great Hall, Albert contemplated whether he should devote his time to completing the mission. The quest's rewards might be modest, yet getting the skill of alchemy directly would prove helpful, especially considering the other mission to create a magic torch. After lunch, as Albert walked across the viaduct bridge, he heard a group of people running towards him.

"Albert! Wait up!" Lee shouted. "Slow down."

"Hey, what's up?" Albert said, looking at their distressed faces.

"We're planning to visit Hogsmeade or Lower Hogsfield to get the garlic," Fred said.

"Ah, I wish you good luck," Albert replied, his hand gently patting Fred's shoulder while taking a right up the stairs. "If I were you, I would go to Hagrid for help."

"And what do you need my help for?" an unexpected voice interjected.

"N-nothing," George stammered, momentarily flustered. 

"What are you doing here, Hagrid?" Lee asked

"I was just in the library picking out a book to read, and now I'm off to see Dumbledore. On official matters," Hagrid said as he showed the four boys his book. "So, what do you need my help for?"

"We were looking for someone who has Luminara garlic and knows how to cultivate it. We were wondering if you knew how to," Albert asked.

"If it's that, I can help you with that. Visit me when you're free, and I'll help you get started," Hagrid said. "And hurry; you are going to be late to your next lesson."

"Thanks, Hagrid," the four boys said at once as they waved him goodbye.

"See, that wasn't too hard," George said.

"So, have you decided yet?" Albert asked.

"Decided what?" Lee asked.

"What are you going to give him for Yule?"

"Why?"

"He helped us, and the least we could do is buy him a gift," Albert said. "What are we going to give him?"

"We can decide later. We have herbology," George said. "Race you to the greenhouse. The last one there pays the money for Hagrid's gift."