Collective Potions and a Strange Gift

"Why not Professor Sprout? Those guys who live in the rainforest all day must love Herbology too."

"I covet the treasures in Professor Sprout's greenhouse, and I think Castelobruxo's will be very satisfied," Snape questioned without hesitation.

"But the competition doesn't require Herbology. Or rather, it's not the main focus."

"This Triwizard Tournament is a new type of event that all students can participate in."

"Therefore, it's more important to look at what each school excels at overall."

"If the focus is on Herbology, the students of Castelobruxo, who practically grew up with magical plants, have a huge advantage," Dumbledore explained patiently.

"So, Dark Magic, Alchemy, Herbology aren't the main subjects tested in this Triwizard Tournament?"

"Wait a minute, in this competition, the Champion aren't allowed to use Potions, are they? And these Potions are brewed by themselves or by the other students?"

"Group Potion that's almost obsolete? Is this what those Castelobruxo guys came for?" Snape squinted.

As the name suggests, Group Potion requires multiple wizards to concoct; it is Potions that a single wizard could never create.

In ancient times, it was often prepared by shamans and given to the chief to bring victory to the tribe.

However, with the development of Potion-Making, these Group Potion have been replaced by alternatives that can be made by one person, at most taking more time.

"Obviously, you guessed right."

"Group Potion have been developing in Castelobruxo, after all, they have the most skilled Potions- making wizards in the world," Dumbledore said cheerfully.

"Do those Austria and Germany officials have other motives? That's why you sent Arthur; he knows your old lover is behind them, so he'll be a little wary," Snape continued.

"Then why not send Alastor? He—" Weasley asked upon hearing this.

"Mad-Eye is also an Auror known internationally for his paranoia."

"Given that he's already retired, it would be better to—" Dumbledore hadn't finished speaking.

Snape then added, "Wouldn't it be better to have Arthur, who seems so naive and innocent, greet them?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I trust Gellert, but I think it's necessary to be wary of his Saints."

After all, those Saints also have another very famous name Wizards' Supremacy Party.

The belief in wizard supremacy, rather than being bound by Muggle or Pure-blood ideology, has always been popular in the wizarding world.

Dumbledore didn't say it explicitly, but rather that he was more concerned about the spread of such ideas in the newly opened Britain wizarding community than about the doubts he had about the Saints.

But if it were Arthur, he believed it would be different.

"Durmstrang, you chose Arthur; Castelobruxo, I am; and what about Beauxbatons?" Snape asked abruptly.

"My Alchemy are not bad, and if you know Headmaster Beauxbatons, you should know that," Dumbledore smiled mysteriously.

He's a real old riddle maker.

"Hagrid or you?"

"Or perhaps both?" Snape continued.

"Yes, I have them all." Dumbledore stood up and stretched.

Harry had no idea how long he had been staying at the Weasley family.

He hadn't looked at the calendar in a long time.

He didn't even keep track of the dates in the Daily Prophet.

These days, he either stays in his room practicing carving words on pudding with the Cutting Curse, or he walks around the village with Ginny.

They even climbed the nearest White Ferret Mountain to raid rabbit burrows.

Ron wasn't without the desire to join in.

But Fred and George pulled him away, saying they were going to test the new product.

Harry was very grateful for this.

Harry thought he would drift along like this until the start of the school year.

However, Hagrid's letter interrupted everything.

It was early morning, Harry was spreading butter on Ginny's bread slices.

The familiar sound of an owl flapping its wings came from above Harry's head.

"Hello, Hedwig." Ginny, who considered herself the mistress, lovingly cut open a meat pie and picked up a pinch of meat filling with her fingers, bringing it to Hedwig's mouth.

"What's this?" Harry noticed the letter on Hedwig's right leg.

"Poor thing, poor thing."

"I was wondering why you looked so tired, little one." Ginny patted Hedwig, who was pecking at the meat filling, and looked up at Harry. "Where did this letter come from?"

Harry opened the letter directly, and Ginny leaned her head in and rested it on his shoulder.

Dear Harry:

How have you been having at the Weasley family lately?

Recently, many strangers have come to Hogwarts.

They were all the principals and professors of the other three colleges in the Triwizard Tournament.

There's something I want to ask you: is the book Ron recommended, "Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches," really useful?

He said that's how you charmed Ginny.

Finally, happy birthday in advance!

I had Hedwig bring the gift; you'll be very surprised!

Your friend Rubeus Hagrid Hagrid

"That hypocrite!" Ginny said, almost scoffing.

So Hagrid is finally in love?

"My Merlin!"

"I need to reply quickly, because I'm afraid the contents of that book might have a negative effect."

Hagrid finally developed feelings for the other witches.

"We can't let Ron delay this." Harry stood up abruptly.

Then, "Ouch!" Ginny clutched her head where she had been hit.

"Um— Ginny, I was just in a rush." Harry was at a loss, not knowing what to do.

"It's all that bastard Ron's fault," Ginny grinned.

"But didn't you notice you also have a gift?"

"Where did the gift go?" Ginny reminded her.

"I almost forgot." Harry looked around. "Could it be that the news about him dating Hagrid is also with Ron?"

"Coo coo!" Hedwig turned her snow-white little head, gesturing for Harry to look at the ground.

"Is this a book?" Harry guessed, judging from its appearance.

"Could it be that damned 'Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches'?" Ginny covered her forehead, looking like she had a headache.

"I know what it is, damn it—"

"Ginny, stop it!" Harry tore it in half and, seeing the beautiful green cover, knew what it was.

But Harry still couldn't stop it.

The book then bounced off the table, stood up, and ran rapidly along the table leg, looking just like some kind of strangely shaped crab.

"Huff—hah—hiss—what is this?" Ten minutes later, Ginny, panting heavily, slumped against the floor in her chair and looked at the strange book that was proudly displaying its open pages.

"It's obviously a book." After getting rid of Ginny's interference, the agile Harry slammed the book, which was rushing towards him by its cover, down in his hand.

The sound of hurried, dragging footsteps in the room finally disappeared.