great-warnovel Chapter 14 Perfume Blending Techniques
Chapter 14 Perfume Blending Techniques
"Potions class is an art of precision and inspiration. Put away your various wands here. I don't want to see anyone randomly casting spells into the cauldron."
Mrs. Potter, like the queen of the Potions classroom, exuded an aura of power. The steam rising from the cauldron above the ceiling made her appear even more imposing.
"According to the latest curriculum, you need to master the brewing of the improved version of Wolfsbane Potion by the time you are in the 7th year. Of course, if anyone performs exceptionally well, I will suggest that they try to make Felix Felicis." As she said this, her eyes never left Harry and Hermione, clearly placing high hopes on the two of them.
"Actually, she was the one who decided on the teaching plan," Harry told the two in a low voice, trying his best to keep his mouth still.
Lily's voice came from the podium: "By the end of your third year, you must learn how to make Fairy Enemy Potion, Compound Potion, and Living Hell Potion, and this year's ultimate goal is to make Anti-Radiation Potion and White Essence."
"The former can help you cope with most high-radiation environments, while the latter can help you survive pneumatic rifles and chainsaw swords."
She tapped the cauldron, making a crisp sound: "In the past, potions was a path to glory, a road to eternity. Skilled potions masters were respected wherever they went."
"Now, potion-making is your most important means of protection when you are out and about. Whether it is healing potions, amplification potions, or poisons, the wide variety of potions can always help you get out of danger and even turn defeat into victory."
"Now, pair up and open your books. In this lesson, we will learn about the preliminary steps of anti-radiation medicine—the extraction of Prussian blue."
Under Professor Potter's direction, the students were divided into pairs. Hermione and Ron were paired together, while Harry was asked to complete the entire process alone, a testament to the deepest love a mother can give her child.
Hermione was very interested in the potions of this world. In the Borderlands, the Faded Ones usually did not concoct potions. They only used Dettol Chalice Bottles to restore their condition and used various Dettol from the offspring of the Golden Tree to make elixirs. Due to the scarcity of Dettol, each use was a gamble of choice. If they used up their Dettol too early, they would be in the awkward situation of having no potions available.
However, another art form from the royal city of Rodel is similar to potion making—perfume making.
Perfumers were a profession that served the nobility. They were originally highly respected herbalists who were sent to the battlefield during the War of Destruction, and their duties gradually changed – perfumes were transformed into poisons and gunpowder.
They are healers, supporters, and warriors. Their invigorating fragrances and euphoric drugs work in a similar way, while their sparkling fragrances have the power of high explosives. There are also corrupt perfumers who drink the fragrance powders, causing bizarre changes to their bodies.
Their greatest secret is said to be a elixir with resurrection abilities, though many have spent their entire lives trying to obtain it.
As the Finger Witch, Hermione has mastered the production of many perfumes, and if possible, she would like to bring them back to this world, perhaps sparking a unique synergy with Potions.
However, all of this is predicated on Ron not being there to make things worse.
This clumsy redhead spilled Scottish Highland bull blood more than once, and even almost sneezed on the ashes. Luckily, Hermione reacted quickly and used her newly learned Transfiguration to temporarily turn the ashes into a stone, thus preventing everyone from getting covered in soot.
"Prussian blue originated from experiments by 18th-century Muggle scholars, and for over a hundred years afterward, no one considered this pigment to have any other value."
Ms. Lily walked among the students' crucibles, watching everyone's movements.
"It wasn't until the outbreak of nuclear war that my mentor, Professor Slughorn, unexpectedly discovered the remarkable effect of this pigment on radiation protection and made a huge contribution to the magical transformation of this Muggle material."
"Also due to the legacy of nuclear war, the radiation concentration in many parts of the world is so high that even wizards cannot stay there for long. Anti-radiation potions are something you will definitely need frequently in the future, at least for the next hundred years."
"Mr. Weasley, if you had half the care of your mother, I think Miss Granger would save a lot of trouble and might even win another point for Gryffindor."
"Mr. Malfoy, I know that cow's blood is indeed too lowly for someone as distinguished as you, but think about it from another perspective: it was thanks to them that you cured your radiation sickness. If you really need to vomit, please turn your head to the side. If you contaminate the ingredients, your and your deskmate's grades for this class will be invalidated."
"Harry Potter! How have I been teaching you?! At what angle should the stirring rod be used to quickly stir the powder to dissolve it?"
And so, the class passed in a blur of Harry being educated by Potter's mother. Hermione was ultimately unable to earn any more points for Gryffindor. With Ron's "help," they managed to extract the Prussian blue, but the purity and quality were poor, so they had to try again next time.
As for Harry, he didn't return to the Gryffindor common room until just before curfew, completely exhausted.
Ron and Hermione were playing Wizard's Chess. To Hermione's surprise, this guy, who was terrible at chess, was actually quite good at it and could keep up with her, who was reading a book while playing—even though she had only just figured out the rules of Wizard's Chess.
"You're doomed. You'll be spending the next seven years in Potions class like this." Ron said, pointing at the chess pieces while looking at Harry with pity.
"We brought you some pies, with bullfrog and snail meat. Which do you want?" Hermione asked.
Harry waved his hand weakly: "Mama had a house-elf deliver dinner to my office, I've already eaten."
He looked indignant: "I ate it while dealing with Mibu Mibao's disgusting thick juice."
"Your mother has high hopes for you." To avoid wasting food, Hermione chose to eat the bullfrog pie herself and gave the snail pie to Ron, while also having her queen checkmate Ron's pawn.
"This is outrageous! How come you're so good on your first try!" Ron angrily bit into his pie, pushed the chessboard aside, and vented his dissatisfaction.
"Hermione, are your parents really Muggles? Or do they have some powerful wizarding lineage?" Harry couldn't help but ask.
"Why do you say that?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"A powerful magical talent—able to reflect killing curses when magic surges, a brilliant mind—able to play wizard chess in a flash, and the almost extinct ability of the third eye. You're like the child born of a romantic god and a mortal in a novel." Harry recounted Hermione's performance since the start of the school year, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
"That's Muggle life, full of endless possibilities," Hermione said casually, turning another page of the book.