Potion brewing is a time-consuming process, and any method to shorten that time could be a tremendous advantage — especially when it came to improving exam scores.
"Didn't you go ask Professor Snape after class?" Vizet inquired.
"I didn't dare..." Penelope's voice grew quieter, tinged with guilt. "Remember last semester? Robert worked up the courage to go into the classroom, but before he could even ask his question, he was made to stay behind and clean up."
Robert Hilliard — another Ravenclaw prefect.
"What happened after that?"
"He didn't get to ask anything at all."
"Ahem..." Vizet gave a light cough. "Professor Snape is actually a good person... you just have to get used to his attitude."
There was no harm without comparison. Vizet truly felt that Professor Snape was — at least to him — rather kind.
At the very least, whenever Vizet helped clean up, he was rewarded with house points and patient answers to his questions.
Penelope had actually learned about those same two problems before the Christmas holidays. Now, Vizet was able to explain them to her.
He pointed at a line in the textbook. "Here, you need to add two portions of verbena. Chop it finely and add it to the crucible. That'll shorten the boiling time by ten minutes, but you have to adjust to medium heat."
"And as for the spoon..." He mimed the motion with his hand. "It's not about speed — it's about strength. Each stir has to reach the bottom and trace the inner wall of the cauldron."
As Vizet laid out the details, Penelope's expression gradually brightened. She suddenly clapped her hands together. "That's it! That's exactly what he said at the time! Thank you so much!"
"I'm glad I could help." Vizet smiled. "But I'd still recommend trying it again. If everything's done right, the brewing time for the vitality tonic should be shortened by fifteen minutes."
"I've lost count of how many times you've helped me..." Penelope said, an expression of both gratitude and envy on her face. "And you're brave enough to actually talk to Professor Snape!"
She let out a breath and fished out her prefect badge. "Ugh, unlucky again — I've got to patrol. See you later!"
"See you later!"
After bidding her goodbye, Vizet continued on his way back to the common room.
He still had a great deal to learn. For instance, he planned to revisit Professor McGonagall's notes and compare them with the ones from Professor Flitwick, to delve deeper into the secrets of silent casting.
He remembered how, on Christmas Eve, he hadn't wanted to wake Luna — so he'd cast a nearly silent Transfiguration spell...
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a familiar voice floated up softly behind him.
"Vizet, would you come with me for a moment?"
It was Professor Dumbledore.
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Hogwarts Castle is vast, and even the most dedicated explorers can spend years without uncovering all of its secrets.
Dumbledore led Vizet down an entirely unfamiliar path.
"Vizet, I must tell you, I received your Christmas gift — the assortment of candies... it was absolutely wonderful!"
As they walked, absorbing the leyline magic around them, Vizet smiled. "I was a bit nervous, to be honest. I thought about giving you a book, but that felt too conventional."
"Later, Luna and I had a chance to travel to London, where we tried many interesting candies. That's how I came up with your gift. I'm glad you liked it."
"Family..." Dumbledore whispered softly, his voice warm and melodic, akin to the rich tone of a saxophone. "It's such a beautiful thing."
"If you ever feel like giving an old man a present again..." he continued with a chuckle, "you could consider something like wool socks, or perhaps even more of those delightful candies. It's a small request, but one I'd appreciate."
Vizet smiled and nodded. "Of course. I'll remember that."
They continued their journey, weaving through various corridors and halls, until they finally arrived at the back garden of the castle.
At the center stood a grand circular fountain, its water flowing serenely. In the distance, a magnificent marble archway stood, flanked by two majestic winged boar statues.
The arch, in a style that could only be described as Gothic, was imposing, with intricate patterns carved along its structure. The two boar statues were so finely sculpted that they appeared poised to spring into motion at any moment, as if ready to charge.
Curious, Vizet asked, "Professor Dumbledore, where exactly are we going?"
"Hogsmeade Village" Dumbledore answered, moving closer to the archway. "Normally, students aren't allowed there until their third year."
He paused, turning to Vizet with a smile. "So for you, we'll need a little discretion."
With a flick of his wand, he tapped Vizet gently on the forehead.
A cool sensation spread from where Dumbledore had touched him, flowing through his body as though a bucket of clear water had been poured over him. In an instant, Vizet looked down at his hands — only to find he was no longer visible. The world around him seemed to blur, as if he had disappeared entirely into thin air.
"Professor Dumbledore, this is the Disillusionment Charm, isn't it?" Vizet asked, his voice tinged with awe.
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure!" Dumbledore chuckled, his voice rich with amusement. "Indeed. Just follow me, and try to remain as quiet as possible."
Magic was woven into the very stones of Hogwarts. As they passed through the archway, the large iron gate in front of them creaked open with a low groan, revealing a wide stone bridge beyond.
The bridge looked ancient, its weathered surface etched with countless marks from years of passage. Potholes and cracks told the story of its age.
Vizet followed Dumbledore across the bridge, his mind instinctively opening to the flow of leyline magic. As he absorbed the ambient power, several areas lit up on his mental map, confirming the energy that surrounded him.
Unbothered, Vizet drew the energy in, storing it carefully, making sure not to waste a single drop.
Dumbledore, seemingly sensing something, glanced down at Vizet with a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
Around them, students were making their way back to the school, chatting among themselves and carrying their bags with varying degrees of enthusiasm. The Disillusionment Charm rendered them all but invisible to the students as long as they remained quiet and avoided drawing attention.
Once they crossed the stone bridge, a pastoral scene unfolded before them. To either side of the dirt road stood rows of lush magical plants, swaying gently in the breeze.
They continued down the path until they arrived at a T-junction. In the center stood a cluster of crooked, wooden signposts, each marking the names of various shops in Hogsmeade and the directions to reach them.
Dumbledore seemed to slow his pace deliberately, allowing Vizet to take in the surroundings and get familiar with the area.
"Let's go this way, Vizet," Dumbledore said, his voice low and reassuring.
Despite the Disillusionment Charm, Vizet felt a strange but unmistakable sense of Dumbledore's presence, as though he could sense the warmth in the professor's movements. It was a connection that felt almost tangible.
"Perhaps it's the feathers of Fawkes," Vizet thought to himself, considering the possibility.
Following Dumbledore's lead, Vizet soon spotted a small wooden gate ahead, its top adorned with an interesting plaque. The design was peculiar — a pair of crossed wands above, with two wild boars about to collide below. Beneath the image was an arched wooden sign that read: Hogsmeade.