43

 Chapter 43: Brewing Potions

**Ravenclaw Dormitory**

Ethan looked at his three friends with a fond expression and said slowly:

"I'm offering you a chance to earn some money. Are you interested?"

Ethan had no intention of brewing the Brain Potion himself. Although the potion-making process wasn't overly complex, it was time-consuming.

Ethan wasn't willing to spend his time on it. He wasn't like Snape, who devoted his life to potions following Lily's death.

"A chance to earn money?"

Terry took a step back, eyeing Ethan cautiously.

Even though Ethan's expression was inscrutable, it didn't seem like he had good intentions, and Terry was wary about the prospect of earning money.

Even though this world was quite open, Terry wasn't inclined toward such ideas—he was just eleven, after all.

"And what about you two?"

Ignoring Terry's concerns, Ethan turned to Michael and Gene.

Among the three, Michael showed the most talent in potion-making, while Gene and Terry were average.

"Who wouldn't want a chance to make some money? Right?" Gene said enthusiastically, placing a hand on Michael's shoulder.

Even though he came from a wizarding family, his allowance was limited. More Galleons would always be welcome.

Michael nodded in agreement. Although 100 Galleons a year was enough for now, having more would be beneficial for his future in the wizarding world.

"Then follow me!"

Ethan led them to a small suitcase.

To brew simple potions, there was no need for the Room of Requirement. 

The dormitory was equipped with four sets of cauldrons and various small tools, sufficient for their needs. Potion-making didn't require much space.

If they didn't mind the mess and odd smells, they could brew potions right in the dormitory.

"This is a magic suitcase with an Undetectable Extension Charm. My family has a similar suitcase and tent. Though it looks small, there's actually a lot of space inside," Gene explained to his roommates, who looked puzzled.

Gene recalled that Ethan was from a Muggle family, so how did he have such a suitcase? Even Gene, born into a wizarding family, didn't have one. Was something amiss?

"Check if these frogs are still good. We'll use them to brew potions. One Galleon per potion."

Ethan stated as the three began to gather around.

The price was quite high. Even with their spare time and effort, the money they earned in a month would surpass the salary of Arthur Weasley, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

However, the actual production would depend on the demand.

Each cauldron could produce several small bottles.

"Alright, I'm in!"

Michael was the first to agree. Even though he wasn't sure how to brew the potion, he wanted to seize this opportunity.

Even if it was just one Galleon, he'd do it. 

From the Sorting Hat ceremony, he knew Ethan's destiny would differ from his own. Now, seeing Ethan's exceptional grades, his ability to interact with everyone in Ravenclaw, and his connection to the Chosen One, it seemed Michael's initial thoughts were correct. It was admirable to be associated with someone like Ethan.

With Michael taking the lead, Gene and Terry nodded in agreement.

"I'll start first. Remember, bring the cauldron inside and brew the potion here."

"Also, remember, don't disclose the potion's formula."

Ethan's face was serious.

The system had given him a most advanced recipe of potions . 

Books contained outdated recipes, the improved recipes are with pureblood families or potion masters like Severus Snape . 

The wizarding world did have intellectual property rights, like the Potter family's ancestral shampoo, though it was eventually sold. 

However, this intellectual property protection was for pure-bloods. For a Muggle-born wizard like Ethan to discuss intellectual property was almost a joke. Ethan was sure that if he applied, the information would be processed swiftly, and the formula would be registered with a pure-blood inventor.

"We understand!"

The three friends looked at each other and nodded.

Despite their good relationship, they had no intention of breaching Ethan's trust. They were simply eager to make some money.

Even if they wanted to share the formula, they had to consider the repercussions of offending Ethan. As a young wizard who had started to show extraordinary talent, his future prospects seemed promising.

After giving a few final instructions, Ethan began.

He took a frog from the oversized fish tank, carefully used a knife to cut open the back of its head, and then removed the brain to place it in a container.

The scene was somewhat unpleasant, but potion-making often involved such tasks.

For example, the Intelligence-Enhancing Potion required armadillo bile and crushed scarab beetles, while the Shrinking Potion called for caterpillars (sliced thin), mouse bile, and leech juice. Other potions were no less unappealing—just the previous day, they had used slugs!

Ethan repeated the process until he had extracted sixteen frog brains and then stopped.

Next, he heated oil in a pan. 

He placed the cauldron over the alcohol lamp, added the oil, and stirred until it reached the right temperature before adding the frog brains.

Fortunately, the oil wasn't vegetable or animal oil; otherwise, it would have turned into fried frog brains.

After more than ten minutes, Ethan removed the cauldron from the alcohol lamp and stirred the liquid, which had turned green.

The brewing process was successful.

Afterward, Ethan divided the potion into four small bottles.

He handed one bottle to each of his friends: "Would you like to try it? It's a freshly brewed potion that can enhance brain power."

"Ethan, are you sure it's safe to drink?"

Terry examined the potion warily. As a Muggle-born, he instinctively resisted the idea of drinking it.

What could oil and frog brains possibly taste like?

"It's safe!" 

Ethan drank a whole bottle to demonstrate. To set a price, it needed to be based on its effects and duration.

Seeing Ethan's confidence, the three friends took their chances and drank their potions.

The taste was indeed peculiar and somewhat greasy.

Ethan then took them back to the dormitory to test the potion's effects.

Ethan himself felt no noticeable effect, but Michael and the others reported improved memory and comprehension, though the effects lasted only about twenty minutes.

Once the effects wore off, they returned to their usual state.

After considering the market prices for similar potions in Diagon Alley, they decided to charge five Galleons per bottle. It would be disruptive if Ethan's potions were priced too low.

Furthermore, this was a unique potion that enhanced brain power, so it was a take-it-or-leave-it deal!

After all, they were dealing with pure-blood or half-blood wizards, and the number of Muggle-born wizards at Hogwarts wasn't very high.