"I need the spoon over there, not the cutting knife, you idiot! Can't you remember their shapes?" Ian felt like he was in Snape's class, though he believed he'd eventually raise a Dementor that could brew potions by itself, the kind that Silly Barnabas outside would envy to death.
"..."
The Dementor felt extremely aggrieved.
But it still obediently fetched the spoon—a kind larger than Ian's head. It's some progress after all, and Ian could only use this spoon to scoop the well-mixed materials into the crucible and stir vigorously—this was already the sixth pot, as Ian continually tried adjusting the formula to find the possibility he needed.
The more he studied.
The more Ian realized that Teacher Morgan's real teachings were hidden within the formula of the Amortentia, which made sense, as it wouldn't require Morgan to tear off her gown just for a prank.
"Fairy Grass is the plant that breeds the Flower Fairy, currently only a few remain in the East Asia region, which Teacher Mara clearly didn't see in the textbook I provided."
Ian's sixth potion hit a snag; he had used up all of Snape's Fairy Grass, and to continue researching this potion he would need to find substitutes like Teacher Morgan improved the formula. His Magic Potion Level wasn't very high, and finding substitutes himself was clearly not easy.
"Maybe there are answers already explored in 'Modern Applications of Ancient Magic Potions'." Troubled, Ian thought of Hogwarts' library.
He hurriedly dashed out of the Room of Requirement and, seeing the closing time approaching, sprinted towards the library—if necessary, he might have to ask the Half-Blood Prince for help. After spotting some quirks in the formula, Ian couldn't wait for a holiday to buy materials at Diagon Alley.
"Thank goodness it's not closed!" Ian entered the library and went straight to the Magic Potion Area, only to find that the book he had seen before was no longer in its original place on the shelf.
Reorganized?
Or borrowed?
"Mrs. Pince, could you help me check if 'Modern Applications of Ancient Magic Potions' is still in the library?" Unable to find it after searching, Ian decided to seek help from the librarian.
However.
Before Mrs. Pince, who was reading Lockhart's great work, could look up and respond.
"Is this the book you're looking for?"
Suddenly, a young wizard sitting at a reading table spoke, and Ian turned to look, only to find 'Modern Applications of Ancient Magic Potions' in the hands of this young wizard.
He was evidently reading it.
"Yes... it seems you beat me to it and borrowed it first." Ian muttered to himself, realizing he was a step too slow, and before he could ask, the young wizard stood up, closed the book, and handed it to him.
"I was just passing time. You seem to need it urgently. As a Hogwarts professor, I clearly can't compete with a little wizard for access to the books here."
The young wizard had a gentle smile, his brown hair long and fluffy, woven into simple braids naturally draping over his shoulders.
"You're a professor?"
Ian immediately changed his form of address, finding it hard to believe that the young wizard before him looked just in his twenties, yet was able to hold a professorial position at Hogwarts.
Not knowing what subject he taught; certainly, it wasn't a primary one.
"If you can earn excellent grades in Magic Spell, Ancient Magic Rune, and Transformation Technique in the fifth year O.W.L.s exam, you can participate in the elective course taught by me in the sixth year." The young wizard smiled slightly, his mustache extending.
He seemed like a quiet scholar, yet also possessed a very composed demeanor, his chrome green eyes resembling Ian's, only with a much deeper gaze.
"You're Professor Arthur King!" Ian was a bit surprised; he had always imagined the Alchemy professor he admired to be a wizard not much younger than Dumbledore.
Since it's a subject that requires time and experience to accumulate.
"It appears you're really interested in Alchemy. Generally, little wizards wouldn't pay attention to higher-grade elective courses; they'd mostly be concerned about whether they'd be held back at the end of the term." Arthur King chuckled lightly, his tone humorously lively, and he exuded an aura far beyond what one might expect for his age.
"I've always been learning Alchemy, Professor. I think it's unreasonable as an elective course; without proper interest inducement, how can little wizards be inspired to magnify Alchemy?" Ian was actually voicing his dissatisfaction, as he currently urgently needed a teacher to guide him in Alchemy.
Dumbledore might be a suitable candidate, but he hadn't seen Dumbledore's presence on the Living Map for two days—this old man truly was unafraid of Voldemort sneaking in—well, Dumbledore indeed didn't need to worry, as the current Defense Against the Dark Arts class teacher was genuinely formidable.
"Little wizard, Alchemy has its thresholds. Without ample accumulation, a wizard will only have a worse experience in this course than learning Magic History." Professor Arthur King, with a teasing tone, showed no arrogance, as though explaining a very simple trivial matter.