Chapter 89

In the boys Gryffindor dormitory, a group of individuals who had just completed their astronomy class gathered around George's bed, engrossed in the pages of 'Ars Alchemiae: Fundamenta et Initiationes' and engaged in animated discussions about the contents of the book.

Albert, somewhat surprised, had never expected that 'Ars Alchemiae: Fundamenta et Initiationes' would hold such allure for the trio of Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that some items from Zonko's were here.

Despite its seemingly straightforward title, 'Ars Alchemiae: Fundamenta et Initiationes' (which translates to The Art of Alchemy: Fundamentals and Initiations), the book's content proved anything but simple for first-year students. The required knowledge surpassed their current grasp, rendering comprehension of the book's contents challenging. In Albert's eyes, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan exhibited an extraordinary enthusiasm for 'Ars Alchemiae: Fundamenta et Initiationes' because of its association of alchemy with items from Zonko's Joke Shop. 

Albert harboured doubts about 'Ars Alchemiae: Fundamenta et Initiationes'. His primary concern arose from the absence of any alchemy-related skills on his panel after finishing the first quarter of the book. Typically, when he gains knowledge through listening, reading, or active learning, corresponding skills manifest on the panel. The absence of any skills showed either a lack of alchemy in the parts of the book he read or an insufficient level of knowledge to trigger the appearance of skills.

Lost in thought, Albert stirred his tea before him, raising his gaze to observe the trio whispering amongst themselves, taking occasional sips from his teacup. Perhaps this is a promising beginning, Albert pondered, contemplating the implications of his subtle nudging of their interests. Maybe this is the start of something. Something different. Something that deviates from the Canon.

"Do you want one?" Lee inquired, shaking a plate of iced buns in front of the others. "Be quick; otherwise, I'll finish them on my own. By the way, do you understand that book?"

"With some difficulty, but who would have thought that Zonko would be well-versed in alchemy?" Albert replied, while taking an iced bun from the plate. "I wonder what other books he read to create his products. He couldn't get all of his inspiration from here."

"Have you finished reading the book? Can I borrow it once you're done?" Fred asked as he too took an iced bun.

"I'll finish within the next two days. I wrote the chapter I want, and I can borrow the book from you if I need it again." Albert said, as he gave Fred a cup.

"I'm also going to borrow the book. We are going to try it in our free time," George chimed in. He picked up an iced bun and stuffed it in his mouth.

"I thought Flich said that they don't do alchemy anymore," Lee said.

"That's what I thought, but Professor Brődt said that they still teach it. However, Dumbledore raised the entry requirements. This meant that very few could take the course, and even then, only a handful of students chose it. From what I know, there has only ever been one year when two or more students were eligible. Dumbledore privately tutored those that choose to study it himself," Albert said. "The potions and alchemy classrooms are both underground, and Flich does not have permission to clean those classrooms. So, he doesn't actually know if anyone takes or studies alchemy. Professor Brődt said that he says these things to make Dumbledore look bad in front of the purebloods."

"Have you ever considered?.."

"No," Albert interjected.

"But I haven't finished my question." George glanced at his roommate with an exasperated expression on his face.

"I've known you long enough to guess what you are going to ask," Albert said as he turned to face George. "Alchemy is a subject that appears in third-year curricula. It's far too advanced for you. You don't understand half of the book."

"I know I can't. I know that we three can't. But can you?" Fred retorted, curling his lips and gesturing to his twin and Lee.

"I understand what is going on, but putting it into practice is another entirely different story," Albert reminded them. "Alchemy is not as simple as you may think. This book is no joke at all. A wrong step could lead to mishaps. That's very few who meet the requirements to study it."

"I never mentioned wanting to learn alchemy. We want to make some of these," Fred replied. "We just want to have fun. You could certainly do it with help."

"And after, you know, you could teach us," Lee said.

"Very well, if it's small objects before Chapter 12, I can help you," Albert pondered for a moment, reaching into his robe pocket to retrieve a wooden bracelet and tossing it to George. "This is a Silverwood bracelet that can ward off dark creatures. I made it with Professor Brődt at lunchtime."

"What!?" Fred exclaimed, disbelief clear in his voice. "I thought you said that we shouldn't try it. You said it could lead to dangerous mishaps."

"How much is this worth?" George asked.

Albert assumed a serious expression. "This bracelet is worth two galleons. And I said you three shouldn't try it. I said nothing about myself. And I had Professor Brődt help me during lunchtime."

"Two Galleons?" Fred and George's voices rose in unison. They inspected the rough amulet, scrutinising its details and attempting to discern what made it worthy of such a price.

"Damm! Think of all the money we could make," Lee Jordan said as he rolled his eyes upon hearing Albert's words. "We could ask Hagrid for more Silverwood, and we could transfigure it into bracelets, and then you can add your alchemy stuff to it and make it able to ward off dark creatures."

"The only problem is that Hagrid only collects Silverwood branches when the school receives a commission. The next problem is that I hardly believe you three can transfigure a branch into a bracelet. Finally, Professor Brődt said that he wouldn't do that again. He only did it to shut me up and make me stop asking him questions," Albert said.

"Does it actually work?" Fred questioned me sceptically.

"It does," Albert confirmed. "We made this from Silverwood, which has the property to repel dark creatures, and as we soaked it in a Luminara garlic solution, it's especially effective against vampires. However, the effects are very weak. Professor Brődt said that it is negligible. Luminara garlic solution works best with yew wood, and we only soak it in for about twenty minutes."

"Why did you use Silverwood?"

"Can you make it better?"

"Can you make more?"

"Yes, I can. I just have to soak it for longer. And as for why I used Silverwood, I used it because it works against all dark creatures now," Albert said as he took the bracelet back from Lee. "And no, I can't make more. I don't have a supply of Luminara garlic, silver thorns, moonlit dewdrops, or sunstones."

"I heard some of the older students talking about silver thorns and moonlit dewdrops while waiting outside of the herbology classroom. You two could probably steal it from one of your brothers. The kitchens could have Luminara garlic, but for the sunstones, I don't know where you could get them," Lee said as he plonked himself onto his bed.

"I very much doubt the house-elves would let us use their ingredients for something like this," George said. "I think they'll be annoyed when we go to the kitchen for the fifth time that week to get some Luminara garlic."

"We only have to go once," Fred said. "We just need a handful. After that, we could try growing our own. We could also ask Hagrid for help."

"Fred, that's utterly stupid... Wait. That's actually a good idea," Albert said, as he nodded his head. "Well done."

"Are we really going to do this?" Lee asked. The twins nodded.

"Do you know how to grow Luminara garlic?" Albert asked. The twins shook their heads. 

"We don't know, but I'm pretty sure Hagrid could grow them."

"We just need to ask."