Moreover, Professor Malin is clearly not a law-abiding citizen. Her research into Human Alchemy, her attempts to create souls, and her secret teaching of magical modification are all enough to warrant a visit from the Ministry of Magic.
If her secret comes to light someday, and a thorough investigation reveals that she had a close relationship with a first-year wizard during her time teaching at Hogwarts, and that he frequently visited her office, it might be a good thing.
At that time, Professor Malin might be too proud to say anything, but if she doesn't have a suitable reason, such as a reasonable alchemy study plan and a presentation of her work, then it's really hard to explain.
The key issue is that she herself is not trustworthy. Herman believed in herself; she probably wouldn't do anything too bad, but she certainly wouldn't be unfamiliar with violating the Ministry of Magic's rules.
Herman believed that Harry Harry, his best friend, would definitely do something bad and drag him into it; that's what you call reputation.
Furthermore, Herman was interested in many kinds of magic, such as Animagus, and was also interested in the Unforgivable Curses. After all, he was a transmigrator and lacked reverence for many things.
Moreover, after today's consultation, Herman felt that his alchemical knowledge was growing rapidly.
The key points of Dissilio's spellcasting, precautions for material handling, and the principles of various alchemical reactions suddenly enriched the theoretical knowledge points, as if several rows of books had been stuffed into a previously empty shelf.
The urge to do something also increased rapidly.
Just like someone who has just learned a new spell and can't help but want to try it out everywhere, he already has several design plans for small things in his mind, all he needs is the materials.
After leaving Professor Malin's office, Herman did nothing else but go down the stairs to the common room, sit down at the desk, and take out a blank parchment from the drawer.
He had intended to write to the address Professor Malin had given him; the nib was already dipped in ink, ready to fall, but then he thought for a moment and put the pen back down.
28 Knockturn Alley sounds like the territory of a wizard's shop, and wizards usually only accept Galleon. The Galleon they have are enough for them to live comfortably, let alone purchase alchemical materials.
I have to call my old friend Kramer.
He took another sheet of paper and began to write.
The instructions were brief, listing all the necessary materials: several basic metals and a small bottle of special solution for making reagents.
He wrote quickly, his handwriting messy but still legible. He paused at the end of the letter, thought for a moment, and added:
I'm wondering if Mr. Kramer would be interested in some Muggle- related businesses; I'm currently lacking some partners.
September is almost over, October is coming, and a world-shaking event is about to happen. Herman feels he has to get on board.
The collapse of the Soviet Union was a chapter in history textbooks in his previous life, but now, he was standing at that point in time, watching the countdown turn page by page.
If he could invest his pounds and any other funds he might acquire into the United States stock market before the event occurred, and then wait for the news to spread, the dollar to strengthen, and oil and gold to fall, he would be the one who had positioned himself at the forefront of the trend.
If Kramer wanted, he could even fund Kramer's trip to the post- Soviet Union countries, which are now like open-pit gold mines, brimming with business opportunities.
Besides, Kramer just a little Goblin, so there's no need to worry about the chaos after the disintegration. Why would a robbery target a little Goblin?
That way, you'd get more than just pocket money. The only risk is the wizarding International Statute of Secrecy, which is why Kramer invested. I believe the little Goblin will find a way to resolve that.
It's no wonder Herman was so eager to make money; Alchemy was clearly a money pit.
Buying materials costs money, waste costs money, conducting experiments costs money, and starting over after failure costs money. I'm not like Marlene, who has achieved success in her studies and can make a fortune from something; this is purely a money-burning learning process.
Before having sponsors, I had to work hard to earn money and take out loans to go to school.
After finishing the letter, Herman folded it neatly, pulled a thin string from the pouch on the corner of the table and tied it tightly, then stood up and walked to the small window in the common room that faced the lake, took out his whistle and blew it.
Less than a minute later, a black shadow swept past the window, the sound of its wings flapping growing louder as it approached, finally landing on the windowsill.
Xiao Hei tilted its head, its dark eyes looking at Herman. The raven was a size bigger than when it was first bought, probably because the small wild animals around the castle hadn't been doing too well lately.
Herman tied the pouch to Xiao Hei's foot, patted its wings, and signaled that it could walk.
As a result, Xiao Hei cried out once but didn't leave.
It stood on the windowsill, tilting its head to look at Herman, its large, dark eyes filled with a strange focus, as if reminding Herman, "Have you forgotten something?"
Herman looked at Xiao Hei, and Xiao Hei looked at Herman.
The person and the bird stared at each other for a while in front of the window.
Herman finally remembered.
I made empty promises to Xiao Hei.
Last time I got a recipe from Hagrid, which was said to enhance physical fitness, make feathers shinier, and fly faster. At the time, I was in a hurry to find Kramer to buy materials to make a healing Potions, and I hoped that Xiao Hei would be more dedicated, so I made an empty promise.
Later, the injury was healed, and he forgot about it, but Xiao Hei clearly still remembered it.
This time, I asked Xiao Hei to send a letter again, and Xiao Hei came to demand his unpaid wages.
Herman looked into Xiao Hei Hei's dark eyes, his mind raced for a moment, and then he put on a sincere smile, "Don't worry, it's fine. The materials are all in the letter. This letter is for you to prepare the feed."
Xiao Hei stared at him for two seconds, as if trying to discern the truth from his face, but Raven was not human after all, and Herman's expression was perfectly impeccable.
In the end, Xiao Hei chose to believe, letting out a short cry, flapping its wings, and taking off from the windowsill into the twilight sky, quickly becoming a Xiao Hei.
Watching the Xiao Hei fly away, Herman's smile vanished, replaced by a guilty expression.
There should still be quite a bit of the leftover Ashwinder ash from last time. I bought a whole bag of that stuff last time, but only used less than a third of it for making medicine.
We've got the main ingredients for Hagrid's secret recipe, but something's still missing.
It's probably unrealistic to ask Xiao Hei to buy it from Kramer again; Xiao Hei isn't stupid, he can't fool him twice.
Looks like I'll have no choice but to go beg Hagrid for my money.
Since he has the recipe, he probably also has the ingredients. If all else fails, Hagrid can find some fresh game from the Forbidden Forest to improve Xiao Hei's condition; that should be enough to get by.
Ravens are omnivorous anyway, Hagrid has everything.
Herman sighed, leaned against the windowsill, and watched the surface of the Black Lake gleam with a dark light in the twilight.
How did I become a heartless boss?