This is a magical whistle that imitates the wing-fluttering frequency of the "Treefang Bee." These creatures are not only the natural enemies of the Whomping Willow but also a communal insect feared by most magical plants, as they feed exclusively on mobile plants.
Maca approached and tapped the thick root that was exposed on the surface. The root immediately trembled and shifted, revealing a deep, dark hole.
It was a sloping downward tunnel, big enough for a person to lie down and slide through. Maca frowned, cradling the suitcase in his arms, and then leaped in, sliding down.
The slope wasn't very long, and soon Maca found himself in a passage that required him to bend over to proceed.
The passage was cut off from all light, shrouded in pitch darkness. Maca clutched his head, which had bumped into the ceiling, fumbling to draw his wand. But halfway through the motion, he hesitated and ultimately placed it back.
The Ministry of Magic had left trace threads on every finished wand. If a wizard under 17 years old used magic outside of school, they would be immediately detected. Especially in a place with few people, it would be highly conspicuous. So, he avoided using it if he could, even though he was still within the boundaries of Hogwarts.
He reached into the inner pocket of his robe and pulled out a small glass bottle. He shook it vigorously, producing the sound of gravel colliding.
In the darkness, a soft, faint light emerged, gradually growing brighter. If you looked closely into the bottle, you'd notice a peculiar mist inside, becoming denser over time.
"When I've earned enough money, I'll definitely buy a convenient, portable pouch," Maca mused, hefting his robe, which was filled with various bottles and containers, making it quite heavy.
There were potions, some unfinished, and others mere ingredients; however, without exception, they were all practical little items.
"...Or maybe I'll make one myself." He was still reluctant to part with his money pouch.
As he walked forward, pondering various matters, he soon sensed the passage gradually inclining upwards. Before long, a vague light appeared ahead.
Maca pulled the stopper from the bottle emitting a continuous glow. With a soft "pop," the mist spread throughout the passage from the bottle, dissipating shortly thereafter.
The mist in the bottle was gone, leaving only a small amount of fine black sand at the bottom. Maca put the stopper back.
Many potions, even simple ingredients, could produce effects similar to spells, and some were even more potent, with a much lower barrier to usage. Of course, you needed to be prepared in advance and carry them with you. But the benefits outweighed the costs, one reason why potions were so expensive.
Over time, many potion recipes had been fragmented by the wheels of history, leaving behind the remnants of their glorious ages. But a new generation of apothecaries continued to strive for them, whether it was restoring the recipes or attempting innovations, maintaining the significant role of potions in the wizarding world.
"...So, I won't agree unless it's 200 Galleons."
In a corner of the Hog's Head Inn in Hogsmeade village, a short wizard swathed in a grayish, felted cloak with a hood, his body bundled tightly, was calmly saying something in a rough Western country accent.
His hoarse voice sounded as if his vocal cords had been scraped by a file, making one involuntarily frown.
Facing him was a wizard who had wrapped his exposed skin in many bandages, using an equally unpleasantly vague voice to haggle. His voice made you wonder if he had a mouthful of old phlegm.
"No! Cough, cough, this potion of yours is a new product, and before I see its effects... cough, cough... I can't sell it in my shop. I can't risk my shop's reputation."
"But as a trial, cough, cough... this price is too steep!"
The tone of the short wizard remained calm, and he said in a detached manner, "In that case, the deal is off."
With that, he stood up by the table, supported himself, and walked straight to the door.
"Oh—cough, wait, damn it!" the bandaged wizard weakly exclaimed. "I'll pay! But cough, cough... you have to give me a better deal—if you want long-term cooperation!"
"150 Galleons, valid payment." The short wizard, who had already reached the door, turned back, impatiently saying.
"Deal, cough, deal."
The bandaged wizard weakly waved his hand. He was indeed eager for this practical new product—if its effects were as good as claimed.
That short wizard, of course, was Maca in disguise. He had tidied himself up to avoid one of the main disadvantages he might face in negotiations—his age. Through a fair exchange of words, he steadily gained the upper hand.
It was a mutually satisfactory business negotiation. No matter how unwilling the bandaged wizard appeared, he was determined to obtain this new product this time.
A new type of invisibility potion, what a tempting opportunity!
After the bandaged wizard had tried it, the two of them signed a magical contract, sealing the deal for this long-term transaction.
"Costing 200 at purchase, 70-30 split... not a bad deal!"
Back in the Shrieking Shack, Maca hung the torn cloak directly in the old wardrobe of the room. Then, he spit out a small stone from his mouth, and his voice finally returned to normal.
He flicked the exquisitely crafted parchment scroll of the magical contract with his finger, revealing a slightly excited smile.
Of course, as of now, with just 1200 Galleons recently earned, he had barely filled the financial hole left by the materials he consumed during practice. And he still had to continue practicing the preparation of other potions, so he was far from becoming a wealthy man!
"No wonder the pages of potion books often say, 'This is a path paved with Galleons.' It makes sense," Maca sighed. The excitement from earlier had vanished with his changing mood.
...
Ever since Maca had secured the potion sales channel, everything seemed to be going smoothly. His studies and research in various subjects progressed slowly but surely with each day's dedication. And what made Maca especially happy was his genuine breakthrough with the Patronus Charm!
On a quiet and deserted night, Maca stood in the spacious room provided by the Room of Requirement.
Yes, after a long search and recollection, he finally found the location of this place—it was on the eighth floor of the castle, opposite the tapestry of "The Giant Grindylow."
God knows how many times he had wandered back and forth like a fool among countless paintings, tapestries, and statues to find the exact spot!
"Expecto Patronum!"
Maca stood straight in the center of the room, holding his wand straight in front of him like a sword. He concentrated all his spirit and attention on the tip of the wand. As the pure silver-white light became brighter, it detached itself from Maca's wand.
For a moment, the light freely circulated around Maca, forming a faint silver-white mist.
Since Maca started practicing the Patronus Charm, he had always been stuck at this point. You could even say that he could emit this hopeful and lively silver-white mist from his wand since his first attempt at practicing it.
However, with each practice, while the mist became denser, he still couldn't summon his Patronus.
This compelled Maca to re-examine the basic theory of this spell.
He looked through numerous books again but found nothing particularly helpful. Most of the theoretical explanations for this spell were vague, emphasizing the need for the caster to focus on happy and positive memories. In other words, a positive emotional state.
Helpless, Maca turned his focus to successful examples of casting the Patronus Charm.
Finally, fortune favored the prepared, and several instances where the Patronus Charm saved loved ones led him to a new breakthrough. He discovered that the moment when the caster, faced with a situation, desired to protect a specific person, was when the spell truly exhibited its power!
"...Expecto Patronum."
Maca recalled the portrait of Luna he had seen in the graveyard for the first time.
In the sunset, the girl's light golden hair emitted a faint halo. Standing before the cold tombstone, she stared silently at her deceased mother. Amidst the overall gray scene, her silhouette was the only thing vivid;
Under the starry sky, when Maca subconsciously avoided the topic of her mother, Luna calmly told him that it was indeed a sad story but one that needed to be faced directly;
Before parting, Maca could only remember her silvery-gray eyes. In those misty and dreamy eyes, a hidden desire to see him again sparkled.
As Maca reminisced, the dense silver-white mist swirling around him surged suddenly, forming a translucent silver eagle that circled him.
Maca looked at the huge eagle before him, a look of embarrassment on his face.
"...How am I going to face Headmistress Sprout in the future."
In Hogwarts, eagles were the symbol of Ravenclaw House, representing justice, sharpness, severity, foresight, and loftiness.
When the Sorting Hat assigned Maca to his house, it first considered Ravenclaw, even though for some unknown reason it eventually placed him in Hufflepuff. However, this undoubtedly demonstrated the deep connection between Maca and Ravenclaw.
At this moment, this eagle Patronus, apart from being related to his emotions of "hoping to protect Luna," probably had something to do with that.
"Anyway, it's time to go to sleep!"
Maca waved his wand, dispelling the Patronus Charm, and then left the Room of Requirement with a heart full of complex emotions.