Chapter 986 Preparation before class
Hogwarts was very lively because the new alchemy course had just started, and everyone was paying attention to it.
Interestingly, when the news first came out, the Daily Prophet was not optimistic about the new course, and even published an article in the newspaper, saying that Hogwarts's decision to change the course was a wrong one.
Their reason was very simple. Alchemy was not common in the UK, but it was very popular in France. If graduates wanted to make achievements in this area, they could only go to France.
So some people thought that Hogwarts was cultivating talents for France, and hinted that Minerva McGonagall, the new headmaster, was a bit too eager for success.
From the previous war against the Death Eaters to the Snape hearings that shocked the whole of Britain because of a Horcrux - Hogwarts has always been at the forefront of public opinion, so. After these articles were published, they did set off a wave of discussion.
Until Hogwarts announced the name of the new professor, the article in the Daily Prophet suddenly made a big reversal.
Rita Skeeter picked up her pen in anger, angrily denouncing a few of her colleagues for their short-sightedness and being a group of old fools with rigid thinking. She also strongly advocated alchemy in the article, believing that this was the most correct decision Hogwarts had made in a century, and Minerva McGonagall had a longer-term vision than Dumbledore.
Strangely enough, the article did not mention any details or data about alchemy, and the whole article was full of praise.
But it was such an article that was considered to be completely meaningless by professionals, but it changed people's views on alchemy in one fell swoop, and also instantly changed the reputation of Hogwarts, including Minerva McGonagall.
"Why do you think this is?" In the principal's office, Minerva McGonagall looked at several newspapers on the table, her face full of confusion and confusion.
She was ready to be compared and attacked, but after one article, nothing happened?
"This is probably professionalism." Kyle, who was sitting opposite her, shrugged. "Rita Skeeter is the best at this kind of thing. She can always find the content that people are most interested in."
"Of course I know this." Minerva McGonagall rubbed her forehead, "But I always feel that she doesn't know how to praise others."
Most of Rita Skeeter's articles reveal the unknown secrets of famous wizards and some explosive gossip.
She never thought that one day she would be praised by Rita Skeeter.
This feeling is like seeing the mandrake singing a lullaby, which is incredible.
Before this, she only saw Rita Skeeter say good things about one person------and that person is here.
She couldn't help but raise her head and glanced at Kyle opposite her. After hesitating for a moment, she asked:
"Did you do something?"
"No." Kyle shook his head and said very confidently: "I have been preparing the content of the first class these days. I haven't done anything. I haven't even sent any letters outside."
Kyle didn't lie about this. He really didn't look for Rita Skeeter. He even saw this article just now.
"That's strange. Why would Rita Skeeter help us--"
"She might just want to attract attention." Kyle thought for a moment and said, "Everyone is pessimistic about the alchemy class. If a different voice appears at this time, it will attract more people's attention."
"What I'm worried about is whether this article will mislead others." McGonagall turned her head to look out the window and said softly, "I don't deny that I once thought about rejecting Dumbledore's proposal---Don't be surprised. Even if he sent the letter as a school director, the headmaster still has the right to refuse."
"But I still agreed. I think this is a bold attempt, but we also need to face the shortcomings of this course.
"Maybe some people chose this course in a rush because they read Rita Skeeter's article.
"But what if he later finds that this course is different from what he imagined?"
"Then he can take other courses." Kyle blinked and said as a matter of course.
"Hogwarts is not Azkaban, and alchemy is just an elective course. If you don't like it, you can change it."
Principal McGonagall was stunned for a moment, and she suddenly found that what Kyle said made sense.
"It's just like Divination, Numerology, and Care of Magical Creatures. It's just an elective course."
Kyle continued: "It's considered to master one more ability. It doesn't mean that you must become a prophet after learning Divination, and you can't become an alchemist after taking the Alchemy course."
In addition-
Kyle flipped through the newspaper and found that the articles on it were the same, all with "I think", "I feel", "I feel"-
Rita Skeeter's article did not have detailed applications and data of alchemy, and neither did other articles. Everyone wrote articles with passion, and even if they were misleading, they were all the same.
The difference depends entirely on personal ability.
And in this regard, Rita Skeeter can't find a rival at all.
"Well, okay."
McGreg wanted to say something else, but now she felt it was unnecessary.
She suddenly realized that she seemed to be a little too nervous - especially after officially becoming the principal, she didn't notice what Kyle found out after just a glance at the newspaper for two days.
Yes, it's just adding an elective course. If you think about it carefully, it's really not a big deal.
"How are you preparing for the course?" She took the initiative to change the subject.
"Almost." Kyle said.
"Oh, I almost forgot." He took out a piece of parchment from his pocket and put it on the table, "This is my application, I hope the headmaster can agree."
"Application." Headmaster McGonagall subconsciously glanced at the parchment, "Weasley Magic Wheezes to enter Hogwarts - No!"
She didn't even read the whole content, and directly rejected it.
"I don't object to students buying Weasley joke toys in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Whether they can bring them into the castle depends on their ability, but their shops must not be opened in the castle!"
"And Hogwarts has never had such a precedent." She said firmly.
"No, Headmaster, you misunderstood, I don't want them to open a store in the school." Kyle hurriedly explained: "I mean, I want to cooperate with them on behalf of the school's alchemy class."
"Cooperation?"
"Yes." Kyle nodded.
This is also the reason why he came to the headmaster's office today, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by several newspapers.
"First, Alchemy requires materials."
Kyle patiently explained: "The cost of Alchemy is even more than the other two or more courses combined, and expensive materials account for half of it."
"Potions--"
McGonagall suddenly whispered.
Potions is the most funded course at Hogwarts now. Fortunately, the school greenhouse can provide some raw materials, otherwise the few Galleons provided by the school director every year would not be enough.
Alchemy is probably not much better than Potions. It is because Dumbledore provided a large amount of Galleons to open this course, otherwise she would never agree.
"I went to Hogsmeade yesterday, and Fred and George agreed to provide some basic materials for Hogwarts."
"Oh?" McGonagall raised her head, "So, what's the reward? Don't tell me they are providing it for free."
"Of course not." Kyle said, "They want to cooperate with the school to purchase students' homework at a lower price and place additional orders in senior grades."
Just like students will make scabies potion in potion class, alchemy class naturally has homework, and Fred and George want to buy these students' homework, or semi-finished products.
The biggest difference between alchemy and potion is that it does not need to be done in one step, and can be divided into many different stages.
The first stage of alchemy is usually to construct the magic rune framework, which is a simple and tedious step.
Change to potion is equivalent to processing materials---such as grinding lionfish bones into powder, preparing rat tails and leech juice, etc.
It does not require much complex technical content, but it is very time-consuming.
In the potion class, these things are usually given to the students who are in detention. Sometimes, two students need to stay in the detention room for an afternoon to use the things needed in a class.
After listening to Kyle's explanation, McGonagall frowned and did not agree, but did not refuse.
This is not something that cannot be accepted. Hogwarts saves money and Weasley gets convenience. It is a win-win situation.
"There is another question." She raised her head and asked, "Will the content of the alchemy class be changed according to their needs?"
"No." Kyle blurted out, "They made the decision after reading the textbooks I brought. In fact, most of the things in their store belong to the category of basic alchemy and are very applicable."
McGonagall nodded.
"Also, what do you mean by the extra orders from seniors?"
"It's an opportunity to earn pocket money." Kyle said, "When students can master alchemy, they will purchase a batch of extra finished or semi-finished products every year.
"Students can buy materials from them or buy them from other places. As long as they can make what they need,
they will spend money to buy it. "
Not only Principal McGonagall, but even the principal on the wall was stunned.
They had never thought that students at Hogwarts could earn pocket money in this way.
But if you think about it carefully, there is no problem. Maybe no one dares to buy the potions brewed by students, but it seems that it doesn't matter if they make semi-finished alchemy products.
"How much?"
"You can earn about three or five Galleons at a time." Kyle made a simple calculation, "Not much, but it's definitely more than enough to buy some snacks, candies, parchment, quills and the like."
"Isn't this enough? "McGreg's voice changed a little.
Most students at Hogwarts have only about ten Galleons a year in pocket money, and three or five Galleons is almost half of that.
And she also found that Kyle was talking about one time, not all.
She can already imagine how many students will sign up for the alchemy class next year if this application is approved.
After all, this is the only course that can make money without graduating, and the money is not small.
McGreg knew that this was actually a good thing for students, but deep down she still didn't want Hogwarts to have too much to do with Galleons, and learning shouldn't be linked to business.
Because students can't stay in school forever.
When you are in school, you are focused on making money, so what about after graduation? Will you continue?
But five Galleons won't be much at that time.
"Albus---" On the wall, Armando Dippet sneaked into the largest painting and whispered to Dumbledore.
"You say--.--Is it right or wrong to let this child stay in Hogwarts.
"Why are you asking him?" Phineas curled his lips beside him, "Don't forget, it was he who insisted on keeping that little bastard in Hogwarts."
"I think this is a good idea." Dumbledore did not directly answer Dippet's question.
"The exchange at Gringotts is actually not cost-effective. Most young wizards from Muggle families are in financial difficulties every year. This is a good opportunity for them."
"What kind of reason is this?" Phineas couldn't help but said, "I can see that you are wearing the same pants."
"You don't understand." Dumbledore didn't explain.
Phineas's last name is Black, and it is difficult for him to understand these.
The headmaster on the wall was discussing, and the current headmaster McGonagall was also hesitating.
He thought for a long time, and finally agreed to Kyle's request, but made some changes.
It is okay to issue additional tasks, but they must be above the sixth grade, and the time can only be in the first half of the school year.
In the second half of the school year, there will be exams, so you can't be distracted.
Kyle had no objection to this, and happily agreed on behalf of Fred and George.
This was in their expectation, there was nothing to hesitate about, and it was already good as it was, at least there was one more sixth grade.
They had thought that extra tasks could only be issued in the seventh grade.
After leaving the principal's office, Kyle went all the way to Hogsmeade and told Fred and George the news.
But they were not as happy as they thought, and even a little disappointed.
Who let the alchemy class only have third-year students now, and they were all novices, so it was good enough that the materials paid and the gains could barely be equal.
Although they were just some of the most basic guardian branches, magic ink, fire lizard stones, warthog teeth and other small things, but the large number was also a considerable expense.
If it weren't for their trust in Kyle, they would never agree to such a request if another professor came, even if it was Principal McGonagall.
"I hope I don't lose too much."
Watching Kyle hurriedly leave with a large bag of things, Fred said faintly,
It was also his fault for being quick-mouthed yesterday, saying that if he needed any help, he could ask, and he was not polite.
Who would have thought that Kyle was really rude.
I don't know if those third-grade kids can do it, so I won't return a bunch of defective products.
"Trust Kyle." George walked up and patted him on the shoulder.
"If he dares to send me a bunch of defective products, I will send him a bag of dung eggs every day!" Fred couldn't help but mutter.
At the same time, Kyle, who returned to Hogwarts, went to find Hagrid again.
The potion class has materials provided by the herb class, and the alchemy class also has materials, that is, the care of magical creatures class.
The biggest advantage of Hogwarts over Beauxbatons is that it has a vast forbidden forest.
There are many magical animals in it, unicorn hair, fire crab shells, hippogriff feathers, and thestrals' manes on their necks...
These are all good materials that can be used for alchemy, and Hagrid just needs to collect them.
