Many Spell Masters and scholars had accidentally killed themselves while developing spells.
Even after combining the runes, the work wasn't finished. Next, they had to be translated into incantations according to the pronunciation rules of Ancient Runes, and complex magic also required Hand Seals.
Then came experimental casting, another dangerous stage of spell development. It was like drawing a bridge on paper: whether it could actually support people still had to be tested. Quirrell was at this stage. The combinations of runes needed adjusting, as did the proportions of magic, the incantations, and the Hand Seals. Nothing could be taken lightly.
The incantation and Hand Seals Quirrell used this time were slightly different from the last time Anduin had heard him cast. Professor Flitwick also offered Quirrell many suggestions for improvements. This sort of practical spell wasn't very dangerous or complicated, but developing it was still tedious. Compared to creating new spells, developing applications and casting techniques for existing spells was more likely to yield results. Vanessa's casting technique for the Extraction Curse was a case in point.
This was still a long way off for Anduin, but it gave him plenty of inspiration. He'd also learned a rather useful Semi-finished Product of a spell.
In fact, when many spells were first developed, their Hand Seals and incantations were extremely long and cumbersome, making them impossible for ordinary people to learn. The developer was probably the only one who could use them. Quirrell's incantation, for instance, was clearly several syllables longer than before. Anduin reckoned that once the spell was fully developed, it would probably turn into an absurdly long sentence.
That was why many of the masters who developed spells were proficient in Silent Wandless Spellcasting. They could construct rune models in their minds and cast the spells directly. Only after the casting tests succeeded would they develop the incantations and Hand Seals. As a result, many spells existed without their incantations ever being developed, and were eventually lost when their creators died or for other reasons.
After the gathering, Anduin returned to his dormitory, still wanting more. He first recorded everything he'd learned that day, then eagerly began studying Lily's research notes.
Lily's notes showed that she had studied several forms of Protective Magic, including ways to defend against many curses, the idea of adding Reactive Charms to Alchemical Tools, and her theories on Emotional Protective Magic, which she had been researching for a long time.
Anduin also found the improved Protective Rune Lily had devised. He guessed it was the Protective Charm on the amulet she'd given him, but there was no incantation. He couldn't tell whether she simply hadn't recorded one, or whether she'd designed it specifically for use in Alchemical Tools and never created an incantation for it at all.
According to Lily, many forms of Protective Magic could be strengthened by infusing them with feelings and emotions, whether they were enchanted into Alchemical Tools or cast directly. She specifically noted that the emotions had to be positive: the stronger the conviction and the more intense the feelings, the better the effect.
There was no doubt that Lily had used the corresponding technique on that amulet.
"This rune... It looks a little like the Shield Charm." Anduin opened Magical Defense Theory and studied the Rune Formula for the Shield Charm, comparing it with the notes in the manuscript. He found many similarities.
He guessed it was an improved version of the Shield Charm. He just didn't know how their strengths compared. Could the only difference be that the rune produced the image of a doe when activated?
Reluctantly, Anduin closed the book and put the notes away. He couldn't help sighing. "This subject involves Ancient Runes too. There's still so much to learn."
But Anduin knew the value of taking things step by step. He hadn't even finished learning the basic spells yet. This wasn't the time to bite off more than he could chew. He'd better master most of the spells first.
In the days that followed, Anduin returned to his life as a complete shut-in. Apart from classes and meals, no one ever saw him.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Gryffindor and Slytherin at Hogwarts had erupted in full force. The two sides fought fiercely, and students who got separated from their friends were often hit by curses or pranks like Stink Bombs. Professor McGonagall and Professor Slughorn were driven to distraction by the two houses, though most of the trouble was caused by students in their third year and above. The younger students were largely unaffected.
He had no intention of getting involved in these prank-like squabbles. To him, what was the difference between a fight without bloodshed and a game? What he was watching out for was the conflict escalating and the Death Eaters outside the school. If he wanted to secure a place for himself, he needed to be strong enough to stand on his own.
At the weekend, Anduin went to Hagrid's for another private lesson. This time he made roasted meat, and brought along his pot of scallions to plant in Hagrid's vegetable garden. Anduin planned to visit Chinatown in London over the Christmas holidays to buy some vegetable seedlings and more seasonings. Hagrid's cooking used up far too many of them.
Holding a baked potato in one hand and a roasted pork chop in the other, Anduin enjoyed the delicious food with Hagrid in the cool breeze beside the hut. It was wonderfully relaxing. The big pot Anduin had asked Hagrid to make wasn't ready yet, but he now had a little Fwooper.
Hagrid named him Rhine. He hoped the little dog would grow up to be as mighty as a lion, though Anduin thought he might as well have called him Swallow. With his two tails, the little dog looked more like a swallow.
He'd heard that if someone wanted to keep a Fwooper in the Muggle World, the Ministry of Magic required one of its tails to be surgically removed. Hagrid was horrified when he heard this. He hugged Rhine and kept reassuring him that no one would cut off his tail.
But Anduin thought the poor little Rhine was even more pitiful being squeezed so tightly in Hagrid's arms.
Anduin also got the list of potion ingredients and prices that he'd asked Hagrid to collect.
At last, Anduin had a chance to think about how he could make money. He started by studying the current Potion List. The most expensive potion was naturally Felix Felicis, but Anduin had never considered making money by brewing it. Its ingredients were demanding, and brewing it took an exceptionally long time.
Next came various healing potions, antidotes, blood-replenishing potions, and so on. But Anduin was doubtful about who would buy these potions if he put them on the market. Both Aurors and ordinary wizards could get them at hospitals.
That meant the people who needed these potions were most likely Death Eaters or Dark Wizards. Anduin had no intention of getting mixed up with them.
Aside from healing potions, the most suitable ones to sell were the Elixir to induce euphoria, Buffy-Brain Potion, Veritaserum, and Everlasting Potion. The Elixir to induce euphoria and Everlasting Potion were in high demand, while Buffy-Brain Potion and Veritaserum fetched high prices.
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