HP North Star's Radiance

Draco thought that this connection was probably because of Winnie Brown.

But after witnessing Prareas tormenting Longbottom in class, Draco became uncertain about his stance on his girlfriend.

In any case, Draco had absolute trust in Praris and was certain that few people could really hurt her.

Pansy said anxiously, "It's not just that! She's getting too close to... Professor Carol, and Headmaster Snape is that kind of person. Aren't you afraid...aren't you afraid she'll turn into someone like you?!"

"What kind of person am I?" Draco's face darkened. "Pansy, you worry too much—don't be as annoying as a long-nosed dog!"

Pansy hadn't heard Draco speak like that in a long time.

But Draco has always been that kind of person, not really caring about the feelings of most people, including Pansy.

In Slytherin, only those of high status like Zabini and those of power like Prares can earn Draco's equality and respect.

Before this, Draco's respect for Pansy stemmed from Prader's concern. However, in the past two semesters, it has changed due to the Malfoy family's downfall.

But when Draco is in a bad mood, he might not be able to keep it up and could easily say something he shouldn't.

That's what Pansy thought, but Draco didn't. Draco couldn't possibly be indifferent to Praris, but what right did he have to offer Praris advice?

In terms of intelligence, he wasn't arrogant enough to think he was smarter than Praris; that would only make him appear foolish and arrogant. In terms of strength, there was no difference between that and intelligence. As for status, come on, he was a Death Eater himself!

Prarese was unaware of Draco's thoughts; she was dealing with Amicus's questioning.

Leaders are always like this. Even though they provided a large roll of parchment, Amicus refused to look at it and insisted that Praris explain it to him.

Prarese offered his explanation, presenting rigorous experimental logic, a clear core improvement plan, and an impeccable improvement process... but Amicus simply couldn't understand it.

Prareas caught a glimpse of confusion in his eyes, coughed twice, and said, "I think Professor Snape is more—"

“No!” Amicus said firmly, “Tell me more about that neutralizing agent!”

Praris caught a glimpse of longing in Amicus's expression, but surely it couldn't be a longing for potion-making knowledge?

Oh—Praris quickly realized that Amicus was here to steal the credit.

He wanted to show Voldemort how dedicated he was to the mission, but if he knew nothing about it, Professor Snape would steal the spotlight, and then how could he possibly perform?

The original Joy Potion is a bright, sunny golden yellow, while the modified version is a warmer, softer golden yellow.

Prareus prepared four vials of modified euphoria: one for Professor Snape, one for Amycus, one for Voldemort, and the last one as a backup.

After dealing with Amycus, Prarese went to see Professor Snape—teaching Amycus and communicating with Professor Snape were worlds apart.

"The first phase mainly focuses on smoothing the effects and providing sedation, addressing the addiction issue," Prares said succinctly. "The second phase is targeting; in my report, I explained the different effects that can be achieved by changing the proportions and the order in which the herbs are added."

Snape's gaze swept quickly across the parchment: "Second stage, your inspiration came from a spiritual potion?"

He skipped over Praris's existing safe achievements and astutely discovered the subtle connection between spiritual potions and soul magic.

“Sir, I have studied spiritual potions, and the research and development ideas can be inherited,” Praris said carefully. “However, the ideas behind spiritual potions include both perception and enhancement. I personally prefer the latter, which is used to amplify positive inner emotions… What do you think?”

In reality, Praris's previous achievement had nothing to do with the soul. However, the limb regeneration potion could not be made public; her previous publicly disclosed achievements were the spiritual potion and the dream potion.

Given this, Prares's research approach in the short term cannot completely deviate from these two drugs; otherwise, it would be too deliberate.

Between the two research directions of perception and enhancement, enhancement can undoubtedly stand alone as a research method, without involving the soul. In this way, Prarese can both build upon previous research and avoid touching on sensitive areas.

Snape, his eyes lowered in thought, understood Prasris's train of thought. He said casually, "Miss Prasris, the effects of the modified pleasure potion seem far less potent than the original pleasure potion—"

“Sir, win some, lose some,” Praris said with a calm smile. “The main purpose of the first phase of research is consolidation, and the second phase is enhancement. If we want to reduce the negative effects of addiction and emotional instability, we must sacrifice some of the original efficacy.”

Snape, holding the parchment in one hand, slowly raised his eyelids and met Prader's gaze. One second, two seconds, three seconds... both of them simultaneously smiled.

He quickly rolled up the parchment and said calmly, "I will report your research findings to the Dark Lord and begin your second phase of research as soon as possible. You must not slack off."

Praris nodded slightly in acceptance.

Seeing that Prareas was still there, Snape raised an eyebrow: "Any other questions?"

“Recently…” Praris said hesitantly, “the castle has been quite lively. Professor Carlo has been keeping a giant in the underground to punish disobedient students.”

"so?"

“I don’t think this is a good idea. The trolls are making too much noise and it will affect the precision of the experiment,” Praris said in a low voice. “Currently, Professor Carlo is considering moving the trolls to a different place, but there’s nowhere else in the castle that’s suitable to house a troll. What do you think?”

Praris's idea was that since there wasn't a good place in the castle, they might move to the Forbidden Forest. Whether the trolls would be dealt with by the creatures of the Forbidden Forest was another matter entirely.

Snape said softly, “Miss, that’s not necessarily true.”

Six years ago, a three-headed dog could be kept in the castle, so why can't a troll be kept there?

"Professor Carlos felt that way, but he was hesitant," Prarese said.

Snape didn't ask "why she thought Amycus was hesitant," but Prarese's certainty in saying so meant that Amycus truly thought so.

“Rather than moving the troll to a different location,” Snape chuckled, “it seems more convenient to just move you, doesn’t it?”

As expected of Professor Snape, Prader had never actually considered this question before, but she could consider it now.

“I don’t think other places are necessarily suitable for me.” Praris’s mind worked quickly. “There are many ways to educate students, and you don’t necessarily have to use trolls.”

Weighing Voldemort's needs against Amycus's own need to torture his students, the former is irreplaceable, while the latter is replaceable.

If Professor Snape were to say a few words, Amycus would naturally compromise.

Snape snorted and said, "I'm going to see the Dark Lord today... if your potion is barely acceptable."

Next, Snape subtly inquired about Hogwarts and the D.A.E. Even though he was the headmaster, he wasn't necessarily fully aware of everything that was happening in the castle.

As Prarese walked out of the office, she was still pondering how to make Voldemort keep his eyes on her research findings on the soul.

In the second phase of her research, she plans to add some radical experiments that are bound to fail in order to demonstrate the potentially dangerous side effects that potent materials may cause.

Once Voldemort is certain that the cost of repairing his soul is unacceptable, the research can be rightfully steered onto a safe track.

Praris slowed his pace and his gaze fell on the torches burning in the underground corridor.

She whispered, "Wait for me?"

"Waiting for you?" Draco lightly kicked a brick on the castle floor with the tip of his boot. "Why would I wait for you? You know the way."

“I don’t really like it when you talk to me like that.” Praris was a little too candid. “You don’t seem as attractive to me as you usually do.”

Prarese is a terrible woman. She is clearly making demands of Draco, yet she makes Draco feel that she is doing it for his own good and giving him advice.

“Okay, okay, but you really should condemn Pansy. She’s a busybody herself, and she thinks I should tell you what to do.” Draco immediately started complaining.

Praris leaned closer to Draco and straightened his tie. "She cares about me, always. And you?"

Draco's competitive spirit flared up instantly: "Tsk, who is she? I believe you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Draco regretted it. Just a moment ago, he was worried about how to find out the whole story, and now he had blurted out "I believe"—if he "believes," what reason did he have to continue asking questions!

Praris chuckled softly, his dark eyes gleaming in the torchlight like two obsidian gems: "Really? You believe me?"

Draco, who had been about to change his mind, involuntarily swallowed the words he was about to say and said dryly, "Otherwise what? How could I possibly lie to you..."

Chapter 251 Neville's Medal

Prares's gaze was subtle, but he didn't reveal Draco's true thoughts.

“I’ve been quite busy lately and have neglected you,” she said slowly. “But things are back to normal for now—you mentioned last time that you two started practicing elemental transformations?”

“That’s right.” Draco asked as he walked with Praris towards the lounge, “What are you busy with? It must not be easy to keep you busy, right?”

"Potion research isn't something I can't do," Prare said honestly. "So, how are you putting it into practice? Have you really started alchemy?"

“No.” Hearing Prares’s relaxed answer, Draco himself didn’t realize he was relieved. He raised his chin and said, “If you really want to see it, I don’t mind spending a few minutes demonstrating.”

The two entered the Slytherin common room, and Draco took a small vial, about two fingers wide, and a box from his bag. The vial contained a colorless, transparent liquid, and the box contained grayish-white lead blocks, each about the size of a blueberry.

Draco first used tweezers to remove the lead block, then dripped a small drop of liquid from the vial onto the lead block, and finally raised his wand and said, "Comwelltrey!"

Under the influence of magic, the grayish-white lead block turned silvery-white in the blink of an eye.

"I've turned lead into silver," Draco said, chin up, grinning smugly. "In the entire seventh grade, I'm the only one who's managed to do it now."

Praris looked surprised, and in fact, she was genuinely surprised. She knew Draco had always been interested in alchemy and that he had considerable talent in it, but she hadn't expected him to be this good.

She didn't hold back her praise: "Draco, that's amazing!"

Draco's youth began with setbacks. But how can one endure darkness forever? Even a tree will stretch its branches toward the sunlight.

The areas that Draco once found interesting and that brought him joy are now also the way he regains his confidence—even though he has willingly given up some of the abilities that he sees as tainted with blood and fear.

Prarese wasn't simply praising Draco; she genuinely thought it was impressive. With a scholarly air, she asked, "Doesn't this violate Gamp's fundamental law of transformation?"

“That’s Transfiguration, which is fundamentally different from alchemy,” Draco said very professionally. “Take gold as an example. Transfiguration can produce ‘things that look like gold.’ Alchemy produces ‘real gold.’ This is easy to understand: Transfiguration is temporary and superficial, while alchemy is eternal and real.”

These are two categories within the magic system, and their principles and limitations naturally differ.

"So these lead blocks will always be silver?" Praris asked.

"Ahem!" Draco coughed lightly and said softly, "This is our first fundamental experiment on elemental transmutation, do you understand?"

Praris blinked: "I understand, so—"

"Therefore, the catalysts we learn to use for alchemy are also temporary, far less effective than Philosopher's Stones!" Draco explained quickly. "Although this lead block is only temporarily transformed into silver, it lasts much longer than a typical transmutation spell, and it can exist independently of the mage's life or death. The silver I made in class lasts for a week, and this silver block can last for about three days..."

Praris thought that Draco's current desperate attempt to regain his dignity was somewhat reminiscent of his appearance a few years ago.

“You will succeed in this.” She rested her chin on her hand, smiled at Draco, and said from the bottom of her heart, “I believe you.”

Voldemort viewed Draco as a cowardly and incompetent man, and had no expectation that Draco could accomplish his goals. But Draco not only learned Occlumency, but also actually repaired the Vanishing Cabinet, successfully letting the Death Eaters into Hogwarts.

Draco is actually a very promising wizard. In Praris's eyes, his talent in alchemy is not necessarily weaker than Praris's talent in potions.

If Voldemort hadn't been resurrected, Draco might have had a smoother path. But similarly, Draco's maturity would have come much later, and he would probably still be the arrogant and domineering Draco.

It's hard to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong, but seeing Draco's growth will sadden more than just Mrs. Narcissa.

Hearing Praris's words, Draco pursed his lips, unable to contain his joy: "Sigh, I really feel sorry for those guys who can't conjure silver!"

“But my dad said there are too many unintelligent people in the world. We have to allow for the existence of idiots to do things we don’t want to do. Besides, how can we stand out from the crowd without idiots?”

Praliss began to reflect on what she had just been thinking. Perhaps she hadn't slept well, because she actually felt that Draco had grown up, and even felt a touch of melancholy and sadness about it.

She tried her best to hold back, but couldn't help saying, "You can say that to me."

It's easy to guess that Lucius's words were made in a context that involved Crabbe and Goyle. Given all this trash talk, it's no wonder Crabbe harbored resentment.

Back in the girls' dormitory, Pralis received another complaint from Pansy about Draco. Those two are really something; they should just take this to court!

After skillfully comforting Pansy, Praris finally managed to steal a moment of respite—just half an afternoon and an evening.