#39 - Add Firewood to the Fireplace

None of the young wizards could find any information about advanced fire magic.

That's because the relevant books were all kept in the restricted section.

Even Hermione, emboldened, went to Professor Flitwick to apply for a permit, but was not granted one.

Ron didn't laugh at Hermione this time, who had been so confident but ultimately failed to get the permit.

Because he was also very eager to see these advanced fire spells.

Upon learning that Hermione had not obtained the permit, Moon returned to his seat and resumed his homework.

In his original assignment, he hadn't written about the connections between fire spells, especially those related to cooking and daily life.

Although Moon had now joined Hogwarts, he still believed that magic and ordinary life were two things that could never be integrated.

He never imagined that even trivial things in life could be related to fire magic.

For example, Ron often mentioned his mother using magic to iron clothes.

This kind of life, where the shadow of magic was everywhere, filled Moon with anticipation.

......

In the afternoon's flying lesson, Moon finally attempted to fly.

After the last lesson, Madam Hooch only allowed everyone to be six feet off the ground.

This was a distance where she could reach out and grab the young wizards.

Of course, she also agreed that students with flying talent could practice freely.

Harry thus became the darling of the flying lesson, flying fast and steadily, his laughter echoing across the meadow.

"Come on! Moon, I know you can do it!"

Harry's voice came from above, but Moon ignored him.

His broom was simply no match for the Nimbus 2000, so he steadily maintained a height of six feet.

Although the view at this height wasn't very good, Moon's control of the broom was becoming more and more proficient.

Turns, emergency stops, and other basic flying techniques were gradually becoming second nature.

In the distance, Malfoy glared angrily at Harry at the top, his broom, also provided by the school, couldn't even catch up to the tail of Harry's broom.

As for Neville, he received almost all of Madam Hooch's attention.

He was also the only young wizard in the entire class who was constantly practicing communicating with his broom.

"Up ~"

"Up ~ ~"

"Up ~ ~ ~"

The flying lesson ended with Neville's repeated calls of 'Up'.

In the evening, Moon, having finished his spell homework, began the task of adding firewood to the fireplace again.

He had failed fifteen times. After sweeping the wood shavings into the fireplace once more, Moon took out five more sticks and began carving.

......

On Friday morning, Moon woke up a little earlier than usual.

Because today, in addition to adding firewood to the fireplace, he also had to preview the Potions lesson.

If learning magic at Hogwarts was joyful, then Snape's Potions class was the only shadow for the Gryffindor lions.

Even Hermione, the best student, was no exception.

Last week, she was docked a point for not following classroom discipline when she answered a question too quickly.

Therefore, the two consecutive Potions classes on Friday became the main battlefield for the Gryffindor first-years to protect their House points.

Of course, in addition to Professor Snape's strict and somewhat biased teaching style, the demanding and practical nature of Potions itself was also one of the reasons why the first-years lost points.

Now, only three weeks into the semester, Moon was about to learn his third potion.

This intense infusion of new knowledge every week made one suspect the professor's intentions.

However, Snape clearly didn't care about these things. He hurriedly strode to the podium, his cloak billowing, as soon as the class began.

After calling the roll, he routinely questioned Harry, followed by another round of belittling.

"Very well, I hope you won't be like Potter, who, despite having previewed, still doesn't know the key points..."

After finishing with Harry, Snape gazed at Moon and Neville, who were sitting in the front.

"Mr. Longbottom! This time, I hope you can do everything yourself."

Neville swallowed hard and nodded vigorously.

"Good! Now, turn to page seventeen. Today, we will be brewing the Potion to Cure Cuts."

Neville participated throughout the entire process this time, but every step he took was under Moon's guidance.

"Wait, only put in one leaf of Woundwort at a time."

......

"Then, add the Healing Fern, only a small section each time."

......

"Finally, the Soothing Flower, put the whole flower in, but be careful not to grind it too much."

Neville was using a mortar and pestle to initially process the herbs, while Moon directed him and stirred the cauldron.

Simmering on the fire was pure spring water and a small pinch of powdered dragon scales.

This simmering liquid could tighten and contract the skin, helping the wound heal.

After the first lesson, Moon didn't trust Neville to touch this semi-finished product.

Because the book stated that this unformed liquid would produce a strong contraction force upon contact with the skin, and Moon didn't dare to imagine the consequences.

Add the ground herbs to the cauldron in three batches, then simmer over high heat until the liquid is about to turn transparent, immediately turn off the heat, then add a drop of Elf Tears and stir quickly.

Until the potion becomes a blue, crystal-clear paste, the Potion to Cure Cuts is considered successfully brewed.

"Hmm ~"

This was Professor Snape's highest praise for the labor of Moon and Neville in the two classes.

......

After class in the morning, Moon quickly finished his meal and took Bouncy to the edge of the Forbidden Forest again.

His small wooden sticks had all turned into ashes in the fireplace, and he needed to prepare another batch.

As for Bouncy, Moon promised it that they would go to Hagrid to ask for some dried insect snacks.

After returning from the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Moon went to the greenhouse to check the growth of the three big trees.

After no longer applying potions, the growth rate of the three big trees had noticeably slowed down.

The small cut that Moon made on the willow tree had also healed, and had even grown into a protruding bump.

Gesturing with his finger at the position of the bump, Moon discovered that the range of the willow tree's magical properties had grown by five inches this week.

"I think they're still digesting the potion residue."

Cedric appeared in the greenhouse again. He looked at the bundle of small wooden sticks at Moon's feet and visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"I think the professor is overthinking it. She even thought you were going to study those extinct plants."

Although Cedric didn't say the name, Moon knew which professor he was talking about.

During Herbology class on Monday, Moon had asked Professor Sprout some questions about the Great Willow Tree out of curiosity.

He just didn't expect the professor to be so concerned about his actions.

"Of course, I'm still making a wand, but progress is slow."

"Don't be discouraged. The wand is the brightest star of plant magic in over two thousand years. I think it would be amazing if you could make one in a year."

Moon automatically ignored the time that Cedric said.

He admitted that his wand-making speed was relatively slow, but a year was something he had never considered.

"Of course, I also didn't expect you to choose to make a wand as a ticket to enter the club."

Cedric shook his head regretfully as he spoke.

He had thought that the club would welcome its youngest member this year, which would be a glorious achievement for him as the club's secretary.

However, seeing the determined look on Moon's face, Cedric added another sentence.

"Of course, if you succeed, this will be the most powerful entry ticket since the establishment of the club."