Felix Felicis Is Dangerous / There's a Treasure Hidden in the Sorting Hat

How could Potions Master like Snape forget the exact ingredients of Veritaserum? So this formula was clearly written specifically for Harry, and it would be easier to find it if it were tucked into his homework.

"Severus Snape, this test you've given me is really putting a lot of pressure on me!"

Looking at the piece of paper in his hand, filled with various ingredients and specific cooking steps, Harry didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

The brewing time for Veritaserum is one lunar cycle. This is actually a convenient term used by the Severus Snape, and does not mean that it actually needs to be a full month.

The so-called lunar cycle actually refers to the Hogwarts month Astronomy, which is the time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth relative to the sun, which is basically a little over 27 days.

So the good news is that a 'month' from December to January has 31 days, so even if Harry was a few days late, he should be able to prepare the Veritaserum before Fudge comes looking for him again.

The bad news is that this is his only chance.

If Harry fails to brew the potion within the next twenty-eight days, not only will Lockhart and the Heir of Slytherin continue to go unpunished, but he will also lose Hagrid, and Lucius's conspiracy may even succeed completely!

That's why Harry really wanted to criticize Snape. Even if Snape wanted to test him, couldn't he have chosen a different time?

Of course, Harry also knew that the reason Snape didn't take the initiative to brew the Veritaserum was because he still had the task of drawing attention away from Harry.

If the Heir of Slytherin were to make another move, their target would undoubtedly be Snape. The Severus Snape is certainly worried that he might be attacked while brewing the Veritaserum, which would mean Hogwarts would truly lose everything.

Therefore, the task of brewing the medicine had to be left to Harry.

Now that the die is cast, Harry has no way out and can only grit his teeth and forge ahead!

Bile from the Sri Lankan vulture, Berkegama heliotrope, ferret heart tendons, salamander serum...

Harry carefully rummaged through Snape's private locker, continuously storing the ingredients that could be used to prepare Veritaserum into his Space Ring.

Finally, he was left with only the last, and equally important, ingredient.

"The feathers of the Jobberknoll... Hmm, what's this?"

While Jobberknoll feather, Harry discovered a small medicine bottle hidden behind it, along with a note underneath.

This is the only bottle; use it carefully.

Snape left behind a bottle of Felix Felicis!!

Felix Felicis, a very special Potions said to bring good luck, allows the user to achieve a state of 'wish fulfillment' for the next twelve hours, comprehensively enhancing all aspects of their abilities.

The process of preparing this Potions is extremely complex and takes up to six months to succeed. If it fails during this period, it could even lead to unimaginable consequences.

It's easy to imagine that this was Snape's most prized possession, but now it's been given to Harry as an aid.

"Heh... if this still doesn't work, then I really won't have the face to call myself a student of the Severus Snape!"

After putting away all the materials, Harry disappeared again and quietly left Snape's office.

Next, Harry needs to find a place where he can brew the Potions in peace and quiet without being disturbed.

He had already chosen the location.

"Thank goodness, Mr. Granger, you've finally arrived!"

At the end of the corridor on the third floor of the castle, Peeves, who had been wandering around, became so excited when he saw Harry suddenly appear with his suitcase that he scratched his head excitedly.

"Well, did you get the password?" Harry asked eagerly.

During the hour Harry spent waiting for Snape to distract the three Pure-blood parents, Harry didn't do nothing. He quietly found Peeves and asked him to ask Professor McGonagall for the password to enter the Headmaster's Office.

Now that Luna Lovegood and the other two are taking care of the Mandrake and Fantastic Beasts in the Room of Requirement, if Harry were to go there to brew medicine, he would become too conspicuous.

Therefore, he had to find another place, and the best place was naturally the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts.

To gain access to the Headmaster's Office through normal channels, one must know the password. In the entire school, besides Dumbledore himself, the only person who knows the password Professor McGonagall is also the vice-headmaster.

Fortunately, Professor McGonagall chose to believe Peeves... or more accurately, Harry behind Peeves.

"I got the password... but when I tried saying it, this ugly thing completely ignored me!"

After giving Harry the password, Peeves started rolling around on the floor complaining.

The stone beast with a dripping spout, carved from stone, was guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's Office. It seemed to have completely ignored Peeves, and even though the latter's command was correct, it still did not move aside.

"I'll give it a try... chilled lemonade."

As soon as the words were spoken, the ugly stone beast jumped to the side, and then the wall behind it split in two, revealing a staircase leading upwards.

"No... you ugly monster, how come you have two faces? I've been talking for so long and it's no use, but you opened the door as soon as Lord Granger arrived?!"

Seeing the actions of the dripping stone beast, Peeves was so angry that he turned his head 360 degrees.

"Alright, stop complaining," Harry said, trying to Peeves, who was sulking and fiddling with his hat. "The password doesn't work just because someone says it, which is actually a good thing."

Although Dumbledore is not at school now, Harry's brewing of medicine here could still be discovered, so the 'facial recognition' function of the Dripping Stone Beast is still very necessary.

At least those with ulterior motives, even if they knew the password, the Dripping Stone Beast could keep them out, preventing them from bothering Harry.

"May you succeed." Harry heard a soft growl as he led Peeves up the stairs.

"I will!"

As the wall behind him was about to close, Harry solemnly made a promise.

As the saying goes, "Those who follow the right path will find many supporters, while those who stray from it will find few." The Pure-blood parents, led by Lucius, thought they could completely shut down Harry's actions, but they couldn't stop the entire Hogwarts from helping Harry!

Luna Lovegood and other willing classmates, the professors who offered cover, Ghost, Peeves, and even the stone sculpture at the Headmaster's Office entrance...

They were all standing behind Harry!

Chapter 160 The effects of Felix Felicis are very dangerous.

This was the first time Harry had entered the Hogwarts Headmaster's Office while Dumbledore was away.

The room was still decorated the same as before; the round room was spacious and beautiful, and the walls were covered with photos of the former headmaster. Harry now knew that they were all spirits.

This is actually one of the reasons why Harry chose to brew the Veritaserum in the Headmaster's Office. Regardless of their reputations, the headmasters of Hogwarts were all extremely powerful wizards. If they were willing to give Harry some pointers during the brewing process, the success rate would likely be higher.

On the shelf behind the headmaster's desk, Harry also saw the crumpled Sorting Hat.

At this moment, the hat was trembling all over, clearly resisting Harry's approach.

"I... I'm warning you, don't think you can do anything to me just because the Headmaster isn't here!" The Sorting Hat yelled at Harry, her voice trembling with fear. "Get away! I said get away, don't come near me again..."

"Are you out of your mind?" Harry rolled his eyes in disgust. "Stop being so self-important. I came here to see Fawkes. You really think I want to talk to you?"

Harry gave that obviously paranoid hat a little jab, then turned his head to the side. Facing the only living thing in the Headmaster's Office, Fawkes, Harry's attitude was like fire and ice.

"Fawkes, how did Nirvana go?" Harry smiled and patted Fawkes's head.

Fawkes now looks completely different from what Harry had seen before. It is covered in a layer of grayish down and is about the size of Harry's palm, looking just like a chick that has just hatched from an egg.

It wanted to grow back to its original swan size and regain its fiery red feathers. Harry didn't know how long it would take, but a month certainly wouldn't be enough.

"Uh... didn't the headmaster leave you any food? Then eat this first."

Seeing that Fawkes had no food, Harry quickly pretended to reach into his pocket, but actually took out a special food from his Space Ring.

Although he had already transferred most of the Fantastic Beasts food to his briefcase, there was still some left in the ring. The food that Fawkes was originally meant for the young Occamy, so it should also be suitable for the phoenix that had just completed its rebirth.

"Woof~" Fawkes barked happily. Although it could go for a long time without food, who would refuse a treat offered to them?

"You should rest. I have important business to attend to."

Time was of the essence, and Harry couldn't afford to waste any more time. So, after briefly tending to Fawkes, he set up his preparations, arranging the Cauldron, balance, and various medicinal herbs needed for brewing the medicine, and began to concentrate intently.

"These medicinal herbs... this child actually wants to brew Veritaserum here?"

There were clearly many Potions experts among the past headmasters, such as a female headmaster named Dilys de Dilys Derwent, who saw through Harry's plans at a glance.

"It's probably also to catch that Heir of Slytherin... Albus was saying before he left, 'Harry's really working hard.'" The most recent former headmaster, Armando Dippet, sighed with a mix of emotion and guilt. "It's all my fault. I failed to catch the real culprit back then, and now a second-year student has to bear all the pressure..."

"Headmaster Dippet, your only mistake was believing slander and expelling Hagrid for incorrect reasons."

Harry shook his head, while taking a small Felix Felicis. He was about to begin!

"It's Felix Felicis? It seems he was indeed well-prepared, and the Cauldron and scales he used also seem quite unusual."

Headmistress Dilys Derwent, who had spoken earlier, watched Harry begin processing the herbs with great interest, occasionally offering Harry pointers at crucial points.

"After cutting the shoots of the half-ear grass, you can soak them directly in salamander serum; also, when grinding stalactites, remember to seal it tightly."

Headmistress Derwent had previously worked as a healer at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, and was extremely knowledgeable about the handling of various potions and materials, offering many insightful suggestions.

"Thank you~" Harry replied gratefully, his tone completely calm, and his hands moved without even the slightest tremor!

Felix Felicis... Harry had to admit, the potion was so effective it made him want to scream.

Exhilarating! Refreshing!

Harry felt as if a special current was coursing through his body, constantly stimulating all his nerves, making him extremely excited and giving him a sense of confidence that he could do anything with ease!

His mind was more active than before, and his fingers seemed to have become several times more nimble. The difficulties in processing the herbs recorded in the formula were like child's play to him at this moment, without any obstacles whatsoever.

He quickly processed all the materials and prepared to mix them together, except for the feathers of the Jobberknoll, and then put them into Cauldron to simmer for a long time.

However, at this moment, he also realized that something was wrong with his condition.

Every step of his Potions- making process was completed with the guidance of Felix Felicis. While the potion made him extremely excited, it also seemed to subtly guide his thoughts, making him unconsciously act according to Felix Felicis's instructions.

"Peeves... come help me stir!"

Finally, Harry boiled all the distinct ingredients in the Cauldron into a cloudy potion, and after stirring it thoroughly to make sure they were completely blended and could be heated evenly, he handed the stirring stick to Peeves.

"Maintain this heat, add water every few hours, and stir until well mixed."

While directing Peeves to perform the tedious stirring task, Harry was simultaneously gripping the ring on his hand and reciting the Clear Mirror Still Water spell countless times.

Felix Felicis, that stuff is really too dangerous.

Now, trying to recall, Harry found his memory of how to handle the herbs to be very vague, as if he had gotten through it all in a flash, and the experience he gained from handling the herbs was negligible.

No wonder Felix Felicis is strictly prohibited in formal exams and tests; its effects are essentially the same as taking drugs.

At that moment, Harry couldn't help but think of the ancient Five-Stone Powder and the performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes...

He also discovered that Felix Felicis seemed to be highly addictive. Harry had only drunk about a third of the bottle when he started to crave the taste of the next sip!

He had received emotional control training from the Book Spirit, yet the potion still had such a strong effect on him. One can imagine that if it were someone else with a weak will, they would probably easily become deeply entangled in it and unable to extricate themselves.

"Let's save this for when we're really fighting."

With a grave expression, Harry looked at the remaining half-full of the potion in the bottle, shook his head vigorously to clear his mind, and then carefully put it into his Space Ring.

Harry would absolutely not touch that thing again until, at least, he was going to have a showdown with that Heir of Slytherin and Lockhart.

Chapter 161 The Sorting Hat Holds a Treasure

"Oh, you've gotten rid of the effects of Felix Felicis so quickly? You're quite impressive, kid!"

Inside the Hogwarts Headmaster's office, Headmistress Dilys Derwent, depicted in a portrait, was somewhat surprised to see Harry manage to extricate himself from the pleasure brought on by Felix Felicis.

As a former therapist, she had treated far more than ten patients addicted to Felix Felicis, so she knew very well just how potent this substance was.

Harry's ability to overcome his craving for the potion in such a short time demonstrates the incredible strength of his will.

"This kid is really good. Besides his terrifying talent, what I admire most is that he can actually keep Peeves so well under his control!"

Another headmistress, Euprasia Moore, was shocked by Harry's methods of taming Peeves. Back then, she had tried everything to deal with this troublemaker but failed, and in the end, she even had to sign an 'unequal treaty' with Peeves to barely reduce the frequency of his troublemaking.

Who could have imagined that the stalker who used to play all sorts of pranks on campus and even shoot at students would now obey a second-year student's orders and obediently help him stir the Cauldron?!

"Master Granger is incredibly powerful, much more so than you guys!" Peeves, stirring the Cauldron, shrieked without turning around. "My pranks are nothing compared to his! He almost burned that ugly hat when he first entered school last year!"

"Damn it! Don't mention that again!!"

Peeves's explosive cooking naturally displeased the Sorting Hat, causing it to scream and yell at him to stop.

Last year's fire has clearly become a nightmare for the Sorting Hat, filling it with terror at the mere mention of it.

"Speaking of which, the Sorting Hat seemed to have let slip last year that Harry possesses the qualities of all four houses, right?" The next speaker appeared to be a former headmaster of Eagle House, who was clearly pleased with himself. "But now it seems that a genius like him is indeed more suited to Ravenclaw's standards."

"I think Hufflepuff is pretty good too!" A headmaster, clearly from Hufflepuff House, retorted, not to be outdone. "Didn't Albus say that this kid apprenticed with a Magizoologist and might very well follow in his footsteps?"

"Hmph, only those with no talent or unique qualities would waste their lives in a place like Hufflepuff! In my opinion, it's incredibly foolish of this kid not to choose Slytherin! Didn't you hear his conversation with Dumbledore? He's a Parseltongue, who knows, he might actually be the Heir of Slytherin!"