"Professor Snape, let's raise a Dragon."

Chapter 21: "Professor Snape, let's raise a dragon." Snape finished tidying the lectern and was about to leave when he noticed Brook and Hermione still hadn't gone.

"Aren't you two going to eat?"

Brook walked up to the lectern again.

"It's like this, Professor. I came across an issue of Practical Potion-Making Masters in the library, which introduced twelve uses of dragon blood."

Snape's brow arched slightly, a hint of mockery in his tone.

"Oh, Mr. Lott thinks my teaching isn't good enough for you anymore, so you're planning to study on your own?"

"Of course not, Professor." Brook pretended to hesitate.

"I think Potions is the most precise branch of magic, and the interactions between different potion ingredients feel truly fascinating to me."

A flicker of surprise passed through Snape's eyes, but it was instantly masked.

He said nothing, gesturing for Brook to continue.

"While reading about the uses of dragon blood, I noticed that many potions can have dragon blood added to enhance their potency. Scab Cure Potion is one of them."

"It's possible, roughly a thirty percent improvement. But dragon blood is expensive, and even if added, no one would choose to buy it."

Though Snape's tone was flat, Brook could sense from his wording that his defenses had lowered, and he'd even formed a decent impression of him.

"You must know that dragon blood can act as a catalyst, speeding up potions that require long brewing times."

Snape gave a noncommittal "Mm."

Dragon blood's catalytic effect was used in brewing Polyjuice Potion, cutting the time in half.

But its effectiveness on other potions hadn't been fully proven.

"I was thinking, if Hogwarts could raise a dragon, it would make any experiments you wanted to conduct much more convenient, and it would also lower the cost."

"Raise a dragon?" Snape's brow lifted slightly.

Brook's suggestion did stir some interest in him.

As a Potion-Making Master, he wasn't short on money, and he could even charge it to Hogwarts' accounts.

But the freshness and quality of dragon blood were always an issue.

"Raising a dragon privately is illegal."

"I know that, but we could raise it in Hogwarts' name."

Brook didn't elaborate; he trusted Snape's intelligence to catch his drift.

Snape's eyes lit up.

The idea was indeed feasible.

If Dumbledore applied to the Ministry of Magic, it could probably be approved.

As for whether the old bee would agree?

Didn't he want the Tooth-Growing Potion anymore?

"Why suggest raising a dragon?" Snape asked abruptly.

"Just to benefit Hogwarts."

Snape gave Brook a look that said, "Do I look like an idiot to you?"

Brook pretended to scratch his head sheepishly.

"Of course, I have a bit of selfishness too. After all, a dragon is huge, and you won't use all the dragon blood. If there's any left over, I hope you'll spare me some, seeing as I gave the suggestion. If I can improve some potion, maybe I could even get an Order of Merlin."

He quickly added, "I know my Potions skills aren't there yet. I just want the chance later. You know, I'm Muggle-born, so I don't have much money."

"You may leave." Snape dismissed him.

"Yes, Professor."

In Brook's mind, the task [Get Snape to do a favor] completion prompt sounded.

At the same time, the task updated to [Get Snape to do a favor 1/3].

He grabbed Hermione and walked out without a moment's hesitation.

Snape watched Brook's retreating back, a glint of appreciation in his eyes.

Whether Brook truly liked Potions or how much of what he said was true or false didn't really matter.

What mattered was that this kid had not only courage but also ambition.

As a Slytherin, what he admired most were ambitious people.

And what Brook said did make sense.

But he couldn't just barge into Dumbledore's office and say he wanted to raise a dragon.

This wasn't a small matter.

The biggest issue was protection.

If we can't come up with a solid plan, Dumbledore will drag his feet for who knows how long.

As soon as they left the Potions classroom, Hermione muttered quietly beside Brook.

"Is this the solution you came up with?"

Brook nodded.

He wasn't sure what the relationship between Snape and Dumbledore was like.

But as the head of Slytherin, and given that Hogwarts' shareholders were all Pure-blood family members who graduated from Slytherin, Snape had at least some say.

Handing it to Snape gave the best chance of actually getting it done.

Besides, raising a Dragon would give Dumbledore a bit of a headache—a small payback.

"If Hagrid lets it slip and Professor Snape finds out..." Hermione's face was full of fear.

"Did I lie?"

Hermione thought it over carefully.

Brook had only hidden key information; he hadn't actually lied.

"Do you really want to study Potions?"

"Why not? Don't you think Potions is actually pretty interesting?"

Brook wasn't lying—he genuinely found Potions intriguing.

Compared to waving a wand around like an idiot, he felt Potions was more practical.

For a soul from Daxia, the three things he most wanted to do were wipe out the island dwarves, cultivate immortality, and farm.

He already had a long lifespan now, but he still had to think about the person who'd share his bed in the future.

Potions was basically alchemy.

Worth studying seriously.

Besides, sincerity was always the ultimate trump card.

If even he didn't believe what he said, how could he make anyone else believe it?

They spent the afternoon in the library.

Hermione, of course, read books related to her studies, even borrowing a copy of Hogwarts: A History as leisure reading.

Brook naturally looked for books he found interesting.

He was also quite curious about the Restricted Section.

After all, he had top-tier Dark Arts talent—it'd be a waste not to use it.

But there was no rush; he had plenty of time.

After some persistent effort, he finally found a copy of Complete Guide to Essential Oils.

He flipped through a few pages, then immediately closed the book.

Making sure no one was watching, he secretly slipped it into his ring.

This book was too precious—he'd have to savor it lying in bed tonight.

Just past four, Brook dragged Hermione out of the library and headed to Hagrid's hut.

They happened to run into Harry and Ron, who were just leaving.

They exchanged simple greetings—nothing more, since they weren't close.

With a soul in his thirties, Brook had no interest in babysitting the little brats in the dorm.

Pretty little girls were the exception, of course—like Hermione.

"Hagrid, we're here," Brook called out loudly.

Hagrid immediately smiled and welcomed them inside.

As soon as they entered, Brook spotted a large basket on the floor.

Inside were Billywigs, each about three centimeters long, entirely blue, with wings sprouting from the sides of their heads.

Next to it lay a Quintaped, already plucked and about the size of an ordinary lamb.

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