After Snape finished clearing the lectern and was about to leave, he noticed that Brook and Hermione had not left yet.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
Brook stepped up to the lectern again.
"It's like this, Professor. I saw an issue of Practical Potion-Making Masters in the library, and it introduced twelve uses for dragon blood."
Snape's brow lifted slightly, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
"Oh? Does Mr. Lott think my standards are no longer enough to teach him, so he's preparing to study on his own?"
"Of course not, Professor," Brook said, pretending to hesitate.
"I think Potions is the most rigorous kind of magic, and the interactions between different potion ingredients feel incredibly fascinating to me."
A flicker of surprise flashed through Snape's eyes, but he concealed it in an instant.
He said nothing, merely signaling for Brook to continue.
"While reading about the uses of dragon blood, I discovered that many potions can be enhanced by adding dragon blood. Scab Cure Potion is one of them."
"It can indeed be done. It can increase the effectiveness by roughly thirty percent, but dragon blood is expensive. Even if it were added, no one would choose to buy it."
Although Snape's tone was flat, Brook could tell from his wording that his mental guard had lowered somewhat. He had even begun to form a decent impression of him.
"You must know that dragon blood can act as a catalyst. For potions that require long brewing times, it can speed up the process."
Snape gave a noncommittal hum.
The catalytic effect of dragon blood had been used in making Polyjuice Potion, cutting the required time in half.
But whether it worked on other potions had yet to be fully proven.
"I was thinking that if Hogwarts could raise a dragon, it would be much more convenient for you to conduct related experiments, and it could lower the costs as well."
"Raise a dragon?" Snape's brow rose slightly.
Brook's suggestion did tempt him.
As a Potions Master, he did not actually lack money. He could even charge the expenses to Hogwarts.
But the freshness and quality of dragon blood had always been a problem.
"Raising a dragon privately is illegal."
"I know that, but Hogwarts could raise one in its own name."
Brook did not explain further. He trusted that Snape was intelligent enough to get his point.
Snape's eyes lit up as well.
The idea was indeed feasible.
If Dumbledore applied to the Ministry of Magic, it would probably be approved.
As for whether that old bee would agree?
Didn't he want the Tooth-Growing Potion anymore?
"Why are you suggesting that Hogwarts raise a dragon?" Snape suddenly asked.
"I just want to bring benefits to Hogwarts."
Snape gave Brook a look that clearly said, Do I look like an idiot to you?
Brook scratched his head, pretending to be embarrassed.
"Of course, I have a little selfish motive too. Dragons are so large, and you can't use all their blood. If there's any left over, I hope you'll give me a little for the sake of my providing the suggestion. If I can improve some potions, maybe I could even earn an Order of Merlin."
He hurriedly added, "I know my Potions skills aren't good enough yet. I just want a chance in the future. After all, you know I'm Muggle-born and don't have much money."
"You may leave," Snape said, dismissing him.
"Yes, Professor."
A quest completion notification for [Have Snape help with something] sounded in Brook's mind.
At the same time, the quest updated to [Have Snape help with something 1/3].
He grabbed Hermione and headed outside without the slightest hesitation.
Snape watched Brook's departing back, a trace of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
Whether Brook truly liked Potions, and how much truth there was in his words, did not really matter.
What mattered was that the boy had not only courage, but ambition.
As a Slytherin, he admired ambitious people the most.
And what Brook said did make sense.
Still, he could not simply march straight to Dumbledore and say he wanted to raise a dragon.
This was no small matter.
The biggest issue was security.
If he could not come up with a complete plan,
who knew how long Dumbledore would drag things out.
The moment they left the Potions classroom, Hermione muttered softly beside Brook.
"This was the plan you came up with?"
Brook nodded.
He did not know what the relationship between Snape and Dumbledore was like.
But Snape was the Head of Slytherin, and Hogwarts's shareholders were all Pure-blood family members who had graduated from Slytherin.
Snape had some influence, at least.
Leaving it to Snape gave the plan the best chance of being carried out.
Besides, raising a dragon would give Dumbledore some trouble. It counted as a small bit of revenge.
"What if Hagrid lets something slip and Professor Snape finds out..." Hermione's face was filled with fear.
"Did I lie?"
Hermione thought carefully about it.
Brook had merely concealed the crucial information. He truly had not lied.
"Do you really want to research potions?"
"Why not? Don't you think Potions is actually pretty interesting?"
Brook really had not lied. He was quite interested in potions.
Compared to foolishly waving a wand around, he found potions far more practical.
For a soul from Great Xia,
the three things he most wanted to do were destroy Japan, cultivate immortality, and farm.
He already possessed a long life.
But he still had to consider the person who would share his pillow in the future.
Potions were the equivalent of alchemy.
They were worth studying properly.
And sincerity was always the ultimate move.
If he did not believe his own words, how could he make others believe them?
They spent the afternoon in the library.
Naturally, Hermione read books related to her studies. She even borrowed Hogwarts, A History as extracurricular reading.
Brook, naturally, looked for books he found interesting.
He was also quite interested in the Restricted Section.
After all, he still had a top-tier Dark Arts talent. It would be a waste not to make use of it.
But there was no need to rush. He had plenty of time.
After persistent searching, he finally found a copy of Complete Guide to Essential Oils.
After flipping through a few pages, he immediately closed the book.
When no one around was paying attention, he secretly put the book into his ring.
This book was far too precious. He needed to savor it properly while lying in bed that night.
Just after four o'clock, Brook dragged Hermione out of the library and headed for Hagrid's Hut.
By chance, they ran into Harry and Ron at the door, just as the two were about to leave.
The two sides merely exchanged simple greetings. After all, they were not familiar with one another.
With a soul over thirty years old, Brook naturally had no interest in playing with those little brats in the dormitory.
Pretty little girls were an exception, of course. Like Hermione.
"Hagrid, we're here!" Brook called loudly.
Hagrid immediately welcomed them in with a smile.
The moment he entered, Brook saw a large basket on the floor.
Inside were Billywigs about three centimeters long, blue all over, with wings growing from either side of their heads.
Beside them was a plucked Quintaped about the size of an ordinary lamb.
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