A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

At seven o'clock in the evening, Hermione entered Professor Hyp's office on time, just as she had for the past two months.

This time, however, she felt a little uneasy.

Felix looked up and saw that the little witch was a bit reserved. He smiled and said, "Sit down quickly. I thought you would have a week off, since you spend most of your daytime here."

Hermione mustered her courage and said, "Professor, I'm sorry, we followed you because we were investigating clues about the Chamber of Secrets and happened to find you in the Forbidden Forest..."

Felix understood somewhat. "So, I'm the one being suspected..."

"No, Professor, you are very talented. We were just being too sensitive," Hermione quickly explained. "Last year we encountered a professor who was a dark wizard and wanted to steal the Philosopher's Stone hidden in the school."

"Oh, having had such an experience, no wonder you're so suspicious. But I still want to advise you, perhaps your intentions are good, but you should also act within your capabilities. Many dangers are not determined by whether a person is despicable or noble."

Hermione nodded obediently.

The two then spent five mental hours in the Mind Hut, during which Felix taught her three spell runes.

This timeframe was determined through repeated comparisons; it was neither too tiring nor too slow to learn anything. Hermione even had some energy left, and after returning to reality, she continued practicing for another ten minutes or so, barely managing to sketch the three runes.

"Absolutely fantastic!" Felix couldn't help but clap his hands in praise.

If he were in her shoes, without his special abilities, he might not necessarily be as outstanding as her.

However, he also discovered a weakness in this little witch: the magic she possessed always seemed to be of moderate power, with little fluctuation—which was a good thing to some extent, as it made casting spells stable and difficult to fail once learned.

However, this is also a drawback at times. For example, she is unlikely to "go into overdrive" and cannot amplify the power of the spell through strong emotions.

It could be said that she was more suited to be a magic scholar, researching and learning magic, rather than becoming an Auror or a spellcasting wizard.

Felix thought that perhaps after she graduated, he could make her his research assistant, or—a research partner?

It's not that he's overthinking things; there are simply too few qualified backup candidates. This is also where his dissatisfaction with Hogwarts and even the wizarding world lies—the training methods are too crude, and how many wizards are still diligently researching magic after graduation?

On the contrary, there are plenty of such wizards in the black market, but the key question is, would he dare to use such a person?

If I could rule the magical world… a thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it; that was not his path.

"It's still early, you can go back early, or we can watch a movie together?" Felix snapped out of his reverie and checked the time; it was just past nine o'clock. He asked the little witch.

Hermione smoothed her hair. "Oh—Professor Hyp?" she stammered. "I think—I'm curious about some potions and would like to know some background information."

"A magic potion?"

"Yes, you know, in Potions class we learn about antidotes, burp potions, and things like that, but I've read in books that some potions, some advanced potions, have very magical effects..."

"That's true." Felix thought for a moment; it wasn't a big deal. "Potion, let me think." He waved his wand, letting it tap lightly on the ring on his left index finger, and a small vial, about the thickness of six fingers, appeared before him.

"The field of potions is indeed complex and magical. Although I attended Professor Snape's advanced class, I have to say that I am still far from being good enough in the field of potions alone."

Hermione was somewhat surprised that Professor Hyp held Snape in such high regard.

"The first one is the Buffet Mind-Boosting Potion." Felix let the first vial on the left fly to Hermione. "It can significantly enhance the user's mental abilities and accelerate learning efficiency. In some ways—it's similar to the Mind-Boosting Hut."

Hermione looked at the small bottle in front of her, which was filled with a light blue liquid. When she shook it gently, a bright fluorescent light flickered.

"Many wizards become addicted to Buffalo's Mind-Boosting Potion due to its abuse, becoming unable to break free and completely losing their ability to think." Seeing Hermione's outstretched hand tremble slightly, he added, "However, taking it occasionally is still acceptable."

"Secondly, a fire-retardant potion." A small bottle of purple liquid flew in front of her. "Although the name is inconspicuous, it can effectively prevent damage from magical flames."

Hermione suddenly remembered the challenges Professor Snape had set up during her first-year "challenge" period.

It was a logic puzzle, and one of the potions was meant to allow one to pass through magical flames.

"The third one, Felix Felicis." A small vial flew in front of her, containing only the smallest amount of the potion, about a third of its original volume, probably only two or three milliliters. But it was the most beautiful—it was a liquid like molten gold, and with the slightest movement, droplets would leap up like swimming fish.

Also known as the "lucky potion," it can make the user's life go smoothly, as if divinely aided. However, misuse can lead to dizziness, recklessness, and arrogance...

"It must be very complicated to make, right?" Hermione asked.

"It's extremely complicated and takes at least six months. If you make a mistake at any step, it will turn into a pot of poison," Felix said with a sigh.

"Fourth, wolfsbane potion. It can prevent werewolves from losing their minds after transforming into their full moon form. Of course, it's not very useful to me; it's just for my collection..."

"The fifth one, Polyjuice Potion." Hearing this, Hermione's eyes lit up, her gaze fixed on the small vial that flew towards her. "So you've heard of this potion too?"

Hermione whispered, "Professor Snape mentioned in class that it can transform the user into someone else."

"That's right, this is also a rather complex potion, taking a month to brew. A standard dose lasts for about 10 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the quality of the potion."

"And what about yours?"

"This portion? It's probably enough for one person to transform for half an hour."

Hermione was somewhat disappointed. It seemed she would have to make it herself again, and the problem was back to square one: how could she get the professor's signature and the recipe?

Felix continued his explanation, waving his wand and sending the last vial flying to her.

"The sixth one is the love potion. Also known as the love charm. Once taken, it will make you fall madly in love with the person who gave it to you."

Hermione couldn't help but gape.

"You'll find that its usage is somewhat similar to compound decoctions: compound decoctions involve adding someone else's hair or body tissue, thus transforming oneself into that person;"

"Aphrodisiacs are made by adding one's own hair or body tissue to another person's drink, thereby making the other person fall in love with oneself."

The little witch said angrily, "This potion is awful!"

Felix shrugged. "Indeed, it will only give you false love, like a soap bubble—just like its scent, which happens to be your favorite scent."

Felix waved his wand, and the stopper of the small bottle popped off with a "pop." "You can try its smell—don't worry, it's the purest original liquid, not very dangerous, and at least it won't affect your sanity."

Hermione leaned closer and took a gentle sniff; it smelled of books, sunlight, and her home in the Muggle world.