After coming out of the eighth-floor Headmaster's office, Kael cheerfully greeted every portrait he passed by.
Hogwarts is indeed full of surprises. Who would have thought that on this ordinary Christmas, he would not only see the legendary Nirvana Ashes but even receive a small vial.
It's like a dream.
Kael didn't know how often Fawkes goes through Nirvana, but it certainly wouldn't be a short time... Dumbledore's eyes were red at that moment; it was the first time Kael saw him so out of sorts.
Moreover, Newt's "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" didn't mention the specific timing of a Phoenix's Nirvana. This means from the time he wrote the book until now, Fawkes hadn't undergone Nirvana.
If that's the case, then the interval between Fawkes' Nirvana should be at least over sixty years...
Of course, this refers to the natural state; special circumstances like having consumed the Killing Curse are not counted.
Kael couldn't help but take out that tiny vial again, examining it under the dim light...
At least sixty years, a small handful of ashes... This can be considered the most precious material in the Magic Realm, without comparison.
It is said that the ashes left after a Phoenix's Nirvana contain both death and are overflowing with rebirth, something countless Alchemists and Potion Masters dream of.
Kael even suspected that one of the Deathly Hallows, the Resurrection Stone, might have been made using Phoenix Nirvana Ashes.
If there's an opportunity, he might research it.
Kael glanced back at the Gargoyle at the entrance of the Headmaster's office, instinctively quickened his pace, and jogged all the way to the staircase.
By the time he reached the first floor, he ran into two familiar faces in the entrance hall.
"Harry, Ron?"
Kael greeted them and asked, "What are you doing here so late."
The two were startled, quickly turning around, looking nervous at the suddenly appearing Kael.
"Can't, can't sleep... just taking a walk..."
"Why... why are you here!"
The two stuck together tightly, like they were caught wandering at night.
"Oh, I just came out of the Headmaster's office," Kael casually said. "But aren't you wearing the wrong clothes, why do they look so big... wait, that tail..."
"What tail, you must have mistaken... haha..." Harry stammered.
Ron quickly nodded, "That's right. You must be too tired from reading."
Despite the cold weather, they were sweating.
Something's not right... These two might as well have "guilty conscience" written on their faces.
Kael suddenly lifted his head and said in surprise, "Professor McGonagall, why are you here."
"Professor McGonagall!"
"Ah!"
Harry and Ron turned around at the same time, but the next second, they found nobody behind them.
But at this moment, Kael also saw clearly what they were hiding behind them... a tawny, furry big head, seemingly... a cat?
When Kael shouted Professor McGonagall's name, she was equally startled and reflexively looked up.
Confirmed, that was a cat, but the body was human, still wearing the same oversized robe.
Kael studied her closely and uncertainly asked, "Hermione?"
"Ah!" The other exclaimed instantly, clutching their face.
Kael looked at Harry and Ron.
The two sighed, tacitly admitting it.
Ill-fitting school uniforms, coupled with Hermione turned into a cat...
Kael couldn't help but ask, "She must have drunk a Polyjuice Potion with cat hair, right."
The two chose silence again.
After a while, Ron quietly asked, "Do you have any ideas."
"The Homorphus Charm should work." Kael thought for a moment and said, "Lockhart mentioned it in 'Wanderings with Werewolves,' but I don't know if you might want to ask Lockhart if he still remembers the charm..."
"Lockhart?" Harry's eyelids twitched, and he immediately shook his head, "Any other way?"
"Another way..." Kael furrowed his brow, "I'm not sure it will work. Well, we better take her to the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey surely has a way."
"Alright then."
Harry and Ron nodded, re-covered Hermione, and headed toward the Hospital Wing.
Fortunately, it was the holiday period, and since it was already late, besides Kael, they didn't encounter anyone else along the way.
...
"Very troublesome..."
In the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey carefully examined Hermione's condition, looking up with a serious expression.
"Didn't Professor Snape teach you that Polyjuice Potion cannot transform into animals?"
"We, didn't know... It was animal hair..." Ron stuttered.
He and Harry were prepared to confess everything, from stealing items from Snape's private storeroom to secretly brewing Polyjuice Potion.
The most crucial thing now was to return Hermione to her original form; as for whatever punishment they might face later, they were beyond caring.
"So reckless... careless..." Madam Pomfrey said angrily, "You don't even know what the potion ingredients are, yet dare to drink it; you really have luck on your side."
She scolded Harry and Ron, but didn't ask where their Polyjuice Potion came from, nor what they intended to do.
Then Madam Pomfrey took out her wand, tapping Hermione several times.
Large patches of fur fell off, but more remained on her.
"She'll need at least five weeks of treatment here to recover."
Madam Pomfrey waved her hand, starting to shoo them away, "Now, you should leave."
"Can we stay here to watch..."
"No!"
Harry's words were cut short, rejected. No matter what reason, Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let them stay.
With no choice, they had to bid goodbye to Hermione, leaving the Hospital Wing, turning back three times with each step.
"Why are you still here." Madam Pomfrey looked at Kael, who had no intention of leaving.
"Madam Pomfrey." Kael asked, "I want to know, for this kind of erroneous transformation due to potions, do Mandrake Leaves have any effect."
"Mandrake Leaves?"
"I read in a book," Kael said, "that someone used Mandrake Leaves to restore people turned into octopuses."
"Don't tell me it was a Lockhart book."
Kael nodded.
In fact, he had seen it in "Holidays with Hags."
"Mandrake and Lovage used together can indeed restore the appearance altered due to curses or transformations."
Madam Pomfrey said seriously, "But to configure the Resurrection Potion, what's needed is not the leaves, but the juice from mature Mandrake plants."
"Resurrection Potion?"
"That's right." Madam Pomfrey glanced at two beds in the corner, "This can also be used to cure those who have been petrified."
Kael understandingly nodded... so Lockhart listened to the story wrong, and made up a recipe.
If that's the case, there's no way around it.
Although the seeds the Ministry of Magic gave last time just happened to include both Mandrake and Lovage, they're all in the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor, meaning they're all still immature.
Mandrake seeds take about a year to sprout and grow facial features, and that's only considered seedlings; maturity requires another year.
Lovage is even slower... it takes at least three years to mature, just like the Poisonous Tentacles.
...