"Ghosts are really strange. There's the amiable Fat Friar, Headless Nick, and even a professor..." Justin opened his homework, which had a rough framework written on it.
"Oh, if only he wouldn't suddenly get confused. Cedric said there's never been such long homework for first-years. He tried to find Professor Binns but could never locate him. I'm guessing even if he found him, he might not be able to change the professor's mind. One-foot homework, Merlin's beard... this is still too difficult. Shawn, have you finished?" Justin embarrassedly closed his homework, hope flickering in his eyes.
"Yes." Shawn nodded, then took out a piece of parchment from his bag and a light blue notebook. The parchment had the essay key points written down by Michael and others, while the light blue notebook was Shawn's summarized and organized History of Magic notes. He had another identical notebook for organizing his thoughts and inspirations.
"Goodness! Shawn, you really finished it?!" Justin had just finished speaking when he covered his mouth. "Although I definitely thought this wouldn't stump you, every time it happens I still can't quite believe it... Are we really the same year wizards..." His last half-sentence gradually lowered in volume, almost inaudible.
"I'll only look at a little bit of the framework. I definitely won't plagiarize your homework. If I do such a thing, may I never be able to enter the kitchens." Justin suddenly made a solemn promise, his gray-blue eyes conveying sincerity and barely concealed anxiety.
"Okay." Shawn placed the notebook in Justin's hands and left the Great Hall for the library. Morning was when his energy was most abundant. Shawn would complete some more demanding tasks, like completely organizing A History of Magic, combining it with Modern Magical History, Notable Magical Events of the Twentieth Century, An Anthology of Eighteenth Century Charms, and other books to create a framework uniquely his own.
Shawn felt this would definitely help him achieve Outstanding in History of Magic.
The library's oak tables were brownish-red, with magical lanterns, crystal balls, and some flower arrangements beside them. Shawn was immersed in the wonder of magical history. He had to say, wizards really had interesting lives. For example, this passage:
Occasionally they did catch a wizard or witch, but in such cases, burning had no effect. When being burned, wizards or witches would cast a basic Flame-Freezing Charm, enjoying the gentle tickling sensation produced by the flames while pretending to suffer and screaming. The diviner Wendelin enjoyed being burned so much that she allowed herself to be caught in various disguises, a total of forty-seven times.
This was very different from the witch-burning tragedies Shawn had imagined and also very different from the wizards Shawn had envisioned. After completing his organization of the Middle Ages, Shawn had to face that question again: Where would he find potion ingredients?
Perhaps Professor Sprout would have unwanted materials? Perhaps he could find a way to go to Hogsmeade village to buy some? As long as he found the castle's secret passages. Perhaps he could ask Professor Sprout—could young wizards use Hogwarts' potion materials after class to brew potions? Then practice secretly? But this method had extremely high risk and required great caution.
However, there were always more solutions than difficulties. Shawn took out his notebook, preparing to organize his complicated thoughts. But opening the first page, he froze:
[Emeric was a short-lived but extremely vicious dark wizard...]
Shawn continued flipping: [Uric, upon hearing the Augurey's cries, became convinced he had died and become a ghost...]
Wrong notebook!
In the Great Hall, Justin was engrossed in the parchment, his gaze focused, occasionally making low exclamations. "Oh, it can be written like this. What genius..."
He opened the light blue notebook with understanding. The content inside made his hand freeze in midair.
[Find materials for brewing potions.]
Shawn wants to practice potion brewing on his own? This was his first thought.
Shawn is troubled by not having materials? This was his second thought.
But I have them. This was his final thought.
He carefully put away the parchment and notebook. Before Herbology class started, he ran back to the Hufflepuff common room at full speed. Here, green vines surrounded everything. On the tables were always steaming milk, pumpkin juice, and various candies and pies.
He followed a small path hung with candlelight into the dormitory and opened the luxurious large trunk. Beside scattered letters and postcards were various jars and crystal bottles. Looking carefully, one would discover all the potion ingredients first-year students needed could be found here in duplicate.
He remembered the conversation that day at Slug & Jiggers Apothecary:
"Are you certain you need everything packaged twice?"
"Yes, thank you, sir."
"Oh, my generous lady, I really don't wish to deceive a beautiful lady like yourself... Actually, these potion materials are not on Hogwarts' shopping list. Even so, do you still need them?"
"Precisely for this reason. Package two sets, sir."
At this moment, Justin vaguely felt his mother's foresight. "Dear Finch-Fletchley, if everyone has something, you must have it better. If no one has something, you should have it even more. Those small expenses are necessary investments. As for the best investment, you always know, dear—it's sincerity and love."
"I think I might understand now..." Justin gazed at the packed trunk for a long time. The always crisp white shirt collar seemed to still retain his mother's ironing warmth.
At Hogwarts Library, Shawn walked out of the archway, waiting for the staircase to rotate over. He didn't plan to find Justin to retrieve the notebook, because the second morning Herbology class was about to start. Besides, there was nothing on the notebook that needed to be kept secret—just some herb processing methods and his plan to find potion materials. After class, he could exchange the truly useful notes with Justin and retrieve the notebook at the same time.
Eight o'clock. Soft sunlight danced on the armor. The grassy scent of the greenhouse still lingered in the outer corridor. Shawn pushed open the large oak door.
Young wizards had already arrived at the greenhouse sporadically. Shawn saw Professor Sprout put down her hoe and nod at him with a smile.
"Over here! Shawn!" Michael grabbed Shawn's arm and pulled him beside Anthony and Terry.
"Why do I feel like the professor is looking at you?" Michael craned his neck and said.