Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 131: Vastness

If the vastness of transfiguration comes from the discovery of it by generations of wizards, then the vastness of alchemy must come from the endless stream of ingenious ideas.

The levitation spell combined with a weak soul-stealing spell can create the shorthand quill pen that has been a bestseller for a century.
The copying spell combined with the persistence spell can create eternal ink;
Even the canary cookies that Weasley used were just an application of Transfiguration—the principle being that eating them triggered an advanced Transfiguration that transformed a "living thing" into another "living thing".

Of course, the Weasley seniors couldn't do this; it was Professor Tara who "generously" helped them carve it.

Sheen could foresee that if things could be done this way, why couldn't they be done that way?

For example, shark bread can transform a wizard into a shark and allow him to swim freely in the water.
For example, eagle cookies can grant wizards the ability to fly briefly.

The requirements of the alchemy field are extremely special; it requires wizards to have "unorthodox" ideas—the difficulty lies not in the inability to do it, but in the inability to even think of it.

Just like the Weasleys's Cursed Hat in the original books, is it really impossible for any wizard to make it?
Wizards can even build knight buses—things that can be summoned, extend and retract, automatically hide, are incredibly fast, and can be driven by a single wizard.

Well, it can't even be called driving—the original description is:
The driver seemed unskilled at steering, causing the bus to veer off onto the sidewalk, but without hitting anything. Rows of lampposts, mailboxes, and trash cans jumped aside as the bus approached, then returned to their original positions after it had passed.

Despite such advanced alchemy or alchemical magic, they couldn't even create a single protective hat.

If it were because they were useless, then the Ministry of Magic wouldn't have bought five hundred anti-curse hats for all their staff.

Fred and George even used this as an opportunity to develop a series of anti-curse products: such as anti-curse hats, anti-curse gloves, etc.

Perhaps there are too few wizards who truly delve into alchemy, or perhaps wizards don't care much about these inventions and creations, or perhaps their thinking is limited...

In short, wizards have very little experience in alchemy, yet it is present in every aspect of their lives.

Sheen couldn't suppress the many thoughts in his mind, and for several days he was almost completely immersed in the Gemini's notes.

It contains detailed records of the basic principles of alchemy, as well as how to invent and create some small tools.

His first step, of course, was to make a qualified floating quill pen. He was also very curious about the mysterious Professor Terra who only taught sixth and seventh grade wizards.

But more than these, he cared about the requirements on the panel:

Potions, spells, and transfiguration.

He already knew the role of spells and transmutation in alchemy, but what about potions?

November deepened along with the cold air, and snow gradually began to fall on Hogwarts Castle. Every morning, a thin layer of white covered the ground, and the icy wind and snow cut into hands and cheeks.

The sky and the ceiling of the Great Hall were also adorned with snowflakes, the mountains surrounding Hogwarts were covered in snow, and the temperature inside the castle kept dropping. Sometimes Sheehan even had to wear two sweaters and carry the fire pot that Hermione gave him—it was like a hand warmer.

Because of his alchemy research, Sheen's whereabouts became more regular than ever, and the Weasley brothers always managed to find him easily.

"Great Green!"

They usually hide behind armor, behind portraits, or even in the snow, then shout and run.

Only then did Sheen belatedly look over—his attention was entirely focused on his notes.

"Has he been a little too focused lately...?"

Outside Hope Cottage, Justin, with a hint of curiosity, asked Hermione,
“I know he’s always been very focused, but it’s rare to see him like this.”

Hermione nodded, then glanced at the furtive Harry and Ron, as well as the older Ravenclaw.

"Shall we just get to the point, Harry?"

Around the corner of the corridor, Ron seemed very excited. He kept breathing on the fingers sticking out of his gloves, then asked Harry, trying to suppress his excitement.

"Did you see that? Even Hermione cheered when you caught the Golden Snitch!"

Harry was a little shy, but there was a barely perceptible hint of agreement in his voice: "I think... Sheen would agree to us joining that organization..."

As the two whispered to each other, the tall Ravenclaw prefect appeared before Sheen.

“I am Prefect Penelope Crivat, Mr. Sean Green. I have come to you to make amends for a fool’s mistake.”

She first identified herself, then posed an interesting question.

Behind her, several tall and imposing Ravenclaws were hidden—

"Roger, once you leave the Quidditch pitch, has your gaze changed from that of an eagle to that of an owl?"

A dark-haired wizard joked.

Roger's face flushed red. He wanted to retort, but then remembered his mistake and fell silent.

What has he done? He's let a gifted Ravenclaw Quidditch prodigy languish for so long. He must have been looking forward to a Quidditch team's offer as soon as he passed his flight test! Nobody dislikes Quidditch!

"An owl is still an eagle! Little wizard! Foolish little wizard!"

Suddenly, an image of an owl clutching a parchment appeared on the wall, causing the Ravenclaws to shrink back in shock.

"Mr. Owl, we're not talking about you..."

This Ravenclaw seemed to know of Mr. Owl's existence, and judging from their trembling appearance, they were quite afraid.

"I'm not an eagle?!"

Mr. Owl flapped his wings in a fit of rage.

Seemingly anticipating some unpleasant consequences, the dark-haired Ravenclaw hurriedly tried to salvage the situation:

"I'm talking about you—"

"Are you saying I have no taste?!"

Mr. Owl was so angry that his glasses slipped off.

"...No, not you, no, it's you, okay, no..."

The more anxious he became, the less he could speak, and finally his face grew increasingly desperate.

Now it was Roger Davis's turn to laugh at him.

"Toya, explain yourself properly, or you won't be getting a foot in here for a month—this is a Ravenclaw-designed castle!"

"Shut up, Davis! Help!"

The sorcerer named Toya was sweating profusely with anxiety, and he said angrily,

"If I can't get in, you won't get a good night's sleep either! I'll keep knocking on the door!"

"Hahaha--"

The Ravenclaws around them burst into laughter, some even doubled over with laughter, filling the air with a joyful atmosphere.

But the conversation didn't go so smoothly ahead of them.

Prefect Penelope frowned, trying her best to soften her words.

(End of this chapter)