Chapter 130 "Staff Checking"

In the dimly lit Potions underground classroom, Harry and Hermione occupied one table, while Ron shared another table with Dean and Seamus.

"Antidote!" Snape's voice echoed through the room as his cold, black eyes surveyed the class with an unsettling glint. "Prepare your own formula now. I expect precise and careful brewing. We will select someone to test it..."

The fourth-year potion course proved challenging, demanding students to delve into the intricacies of potion formulas on their own.

From the first week of school, Snape had elucidated the vast realm of antidotes, extending beyond mere counter-curses.

The curriculum covered remedies for love potions, polyjuice potions, and antidotes for Veritaserum. The depth of knowledge approached that of a distinct subject, although Hogwarts primarily focused on antidotes for more common potions.

Snape had ominously hinted at testing their antidotes with a potential poisoning before Christmas. It seemed that today marked the day for that unsettling experiment.

Skyler, however, remained indifferent. In accordance with the plot, both he and Harry were excused from attending class on this particular day.

As for Daphne, Skyler had clandestinely practiced concocting the universal antidote with her several times. As long as Daphne adhered to the correct steps, even without syncing with the changes in astronomical time or maintaining perfect control over the flames, she could successfully neutralize most poisons.

The inclusion of bezoar stones in the antidote offered reassurance, rendering it effective against a wide range of toxins—excluding those as potent as basilisk venom or lethal substances like acromantula venom.

Furthermore, the likelihood of Snape selecting a Slytherin student as a poisoning target was extremely slim.

Just as the tension in the underground classroom lingered, a knock echoed through the air, diverting attention from the potion-making tasks.

As Skyler recalled, the visitor was a third-year Gryffindor named Colin Creevey—short with ash-brown hair and an ardent Harry Potter enthusiast. Colin entered the room with a smile directed at Harry before approaching Snape's podium.

"What?" Snape inquired impatiently.

"Excuse me, sir, I need to take Harry Potter upstairs," Colin explained.

Snape's gaze shifted from his aquiline nose to scrutinize Colin, causing the enthusiasm to evaporate from the Gryffindor's face.

"Potter has another hour of Potions class," Snape replied coldly. "He will go upstairs after class."

Colin blushed, clearly uneasy. "Sir—Sir, not only Harry Potter, but also Skyler Malfoy. Mr. Bagman asked me to call them. All the champions are gathering. I believe they want to take pictures..."

Snape's expression betrayed his internal turmoil. He had harbored a desire to poison Harry on Halloween, but the welcome ceremony for outside guests thwarted the opportunity. Now, he found himself on the verge of punishing Harry, only to witness the prey slipping through his fingers.

Despite his reluctance, Snape bit back any retort. After all, Skyler was leaving the classroom along with Harry.

"Potter—" he sneered, "Why does our famed Potter need to attend such a rudimentary potions class?"

Approaching Skyler's table, Snape scrutinized him with a critical gaze.

Maintaining his characteristic cold expression, Snape offered a somewhat ambiguous wish, "Malfoy, I wish you good luck." After a brief pause, he added in a softer tone, "After you finish, come to my office sometime."

Skyler acknowledged Professor Snape with a nod, and both Harry and Skyler rose from their seats, making their way toward the classroom door.

As soon as they exited, Colin eagerly expressed his amazement, "It's amazing, isn't it, Harry? You've become a champion!"

Harry, feeling his face flush, wished for Colin to stop talking fervently. The remainder of his recent defeats against Skyler had dealt a blow to his confidence.

Attempting to shift the topic, Harry asked, "Why are they taking pictures, Colin?"

"Probably for the Daily Prophet!" Colin replied with excitement.

"Great," Harry muttered to himself, "just what I need—more public embarrassment."

After conveying his good wishes, Colin hastily departed, leaving Harry and Skyler to proceed to the designated classroom.

The smaller classroom they entered had most of the desks pushed to the back, creating a spacious area in the middle. Three desks, covered with a long piece of velvet, stood in front of the blackboard.

Behind the velvet, five chairs were arranged, and among them sat Ludo Bagman, engaged in conversation with a witch in a magenta robe.

Upon spotting Skyler, Eleanor, and Catalina greeted him with surprise, completely overlooking Harry standing nearby, further souring Harry's expression.

When he entered the room, Bagman's attention was abruptly drawn to Harry, prompting the judge to rise and approach swiftly.

"Ah, come in, Harry, come in... There's nothing to worry about; it's just a wand-testing ritual. The other judges will be here soon," Bagman reassured Harry.

"Wand-testing?" Harry thought uneasily.

"We must check whether your wands are fully functional and in good condition because, in future competitions, your wands will be your most important equipment. The expert is upstairs with Dumbledore," Bagman explained before adding, "Then, take some photos. This is Rita Skeeter," he said, pointing to the witch in the magenta robe. "She's writing a little article about the Tournament for the Daily Prophet..."

With a fashionable dress and meticulously styled blond curls, Rita exuded an air of deliberate glamour. Despite her efforts, the overall aesthetic impact was awkward, especially when coupled with her wide chin.

Narrowing her eyes, Rita stared at Harry as though a hyena had found its prey.

"Before we start, can I have a few words with Harry?" she asked Bagman, her gaze fixed firmly on Harry. "The youngest champion, you know... to add a little color to the article."

Bagman agreed, and Harry found himself trapped in an unfortunate interview in a broom closet.

Observing the scene with a knowing look, Eleanor whispered to Skyler, "You British reporters are really interesting—left our overseas guests alone and even ignored you, Sir Merlin, selecting the boy who survived the catastrophe for an exclusive interview…"

Skyler was well aware of the situation unfolding before him.

Rita specialized in writing sensational and scandalous tidbits. Despite not fearing Dumbledore for the sake of her career, she did have vulnerabilities.

What she dreaded most was jeopardizing the career she had painstakingly built. Skyler knew she had influential connections in the media industry, making her hesitant to provoke him.

Responding with a smile, Skyler remarked, "After all, he is the Boy Who Lived! It's always more attractive to readers. Today's readers are quite discerning. They demand novelty, eccentricity, logical consistency, and divine writing. Even so, some Daily Prophet readers, who pay only a few Knuts, resort to reading pirated copies from its competitors."

Catalina burst into laughter and said, "Mr. Malfoy, why do I feel that you are so resentful?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the approaching footsteps of Dumbledore and Mr. Ollivander. They descended together from upstairs after learning about Harry and Rita from Ludo.

Dumbledore, upon hearing of the interview, immediately entered the broom closet to put an end to it, rescuing Harry in the process.

Flushed with excitement, Rita hurriedly ran out with her parchment, while Harry wore an expression as if he had just eaten a fly.

The next event on the agenda was the wand-testing ceremony.

Catalina was the first to have her wand tested.

Ollivander twirled the wand between his slender fingers like a conductor's baton, and the wand emitted numerous pink and gold sparks. He then brought the wand closer to his eyes, studying it carefully.

"That's right," he said softly, "eleven and a half inches...very elastic...made of aspen wood...and it contains...oh, my God, it's..."

"Contains a feather from a feathered serpent," Catalina said, "It's a wand inherited from my family."

Although Skyler had never crafted a wand himself, he was well-versed in the science of wandlore. There were classic texts on wand-making, whether it was the Malfoy family, the Black family, the Greengrass family, or the Ravenclaw library.

Drawing from the knowledge passed down by these families, Skyler might not match Ollivander's expertise, but he was certainly more knowledgeable than most in the field of wand-making.

Aspen wands were known for being particularly martial, and suitable owners of aspen wands tended to be natural duelists. When the Silver Spear was founded, it was rumored that only wizards and witches with aspen wands were allowed to participate.

The wing feathers of the Quetzalcoatl were of extraordinary origin. They combined the potent characteristics of dragon-core wands, making the spells cast with them more powerful. Additionally, they possessed the diversity of phoenix-core wands, allowing for varied spell effects with a creative twist.

Judging from the magic wand alone, Skyler concluded that it was indeed a formidable weapon.

Ollivander frowned deeply. The abilities of this wand surpassed his own understanding. The feathered serpent had long been extinct, and he had never encountered a feathered serpent wand before.

So, he could only feign passing the wand with his fingers, meticulously checking for any scratches or blemishes, and then returned it to Catalina without daring to cast a spell with it.

"Very good, very good, the wand is in good condition," Mr. Ollivander commented while observing the wand. "Mr. Malfoy, it's your turn."

Catalina returned to her seat with brisk steps, and as she passed Skyler, she smiled sweetly at him.

Mr. Ollivander checked meticulously, examining the wand repeatedly. It took him more than ten minutes before he looked at Skyler seriously and said, "Mr. Malfoy, do you recall what I told you about the wand you purchased from me three years ago? I've noticed that your wand seems to have changed..."

Skyler frowned and asked, "Excuse me, is there something wrong with my wand?" He thought it was odd, as he believed he had always maintained his wand very well and was unaware of any issues.

"No, no, don't get me wrong, Mr. Malfoy," Ollivander said hurriedly. "There is nothing wrong with the wand, but I sense that it has undergone some changes that I can't quite describe. I assure you, these changes are only beneficial. Its compatibility with you has improved, and using it will make your spellcasting more convenient."

Mr. Ollivander requested that Skyler's wand produce a string of silver-white smoke rings.

The ethereal rings floated gracefully from one end of the room to the other. Expressing satisfaction, Ollivander remarked, "Miss Hohenheim, it's your turn."

Eleanor rose gracefully, presenting her wand to Mr. Ollivander.

"Well," began Ollivander, "if I'm not mistaken, it's a creation of Gregorovitch. He's an excellent wandmaker, though his style isn't something I'm particularly...yet..."

There was no change in Eleanor's expression, but Skyler detected a hint of sarcasm flickering in her eyes.

Ollivander's face suddenly shifted. "Oh—"

His complexion turned an unnatural shade of red, clearly shocked by his revelation. He whispered, "I made a mistake; this is not Gregorovitch, this is... this is..."

"This is the wand of Cadmus Peverell!"

Eleanor's eyes betrayed a momentary surprise, perhaps not expecting the unassuming old man before her to discern the wand's origin. However, a smile graced her lips.

"Yes, our family ancestors were fortunate enough to acquire this artifact."

A glint of intrigue flashed in Skyler's eyes.

Is this family, deeply immersed in the practices of necromancy alchemy, truly entwined with the "Resurrection Stone," the pinnacle of achievements in necromancy alchemy?

In this manner, Skyler almost underestimated this adversary.

Beyond the legacy of Paracelsus, does Eleanor von Hohenheim also possess the inheritance of the Peverell family...

Ollivander raised the wand before his eyes, scrutinizing it repeatedly. A faint cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He couldn't discern the material of the wand's body or the composition of its core!

After a prolonged inspection, he spoke, a tremor in his voice: "Very good, very good... It seems to be an excellent wand."

At long last, it was Harry's turn.

Aha!

"Ah, yes," Mr. Ollivander exclaimed, his light-colored eyes suddenly ablaze with excitement, "Yes, yes, yes. I remember it vividly."

No one could fathom his inner exhilaration! Finally confronted with a straightforward magic wand!

Isn't it just phoenix tail feathers and Holly wood? The most uncomplicated wand imaginable!