days at Hogwarts

Chapter 223 Christmas Gift

Hogwarts is equally lively on Christmas Eve.

Hermione has not yet been discharged from the hospital, and no one cares about Percy's opinion. There is no need to worry about affecting other people. The Weasley children took Harry to play Thunderbolt Explosion cards like crazy.After dinner, the explosions in the common room never stopped.

After another explosion, Harry touched his right hand, which was numb from the explosion. He felt that he could no longer bear it. He wanted to find someone to take his place. He looked around but saw no one.

He turned his head and looked at Ron, who was dealing with cards: "Where's Loren? I haven't seen anyone since dinner."

"Who knows, I'm staying with Hermione." Ron said casually. He had picked up a good hand and didn't care about anything now. He only thought about blowing up George and Fred.

Ginny stood behind Harry, looked at the cards in his hand, and sighed quietly.

Loren, who didn't know he was being talked about, was busy in the Room of Requirement.

First cut the scales of the basilisk into small pieces the size of a palm, and secondly, use the God's Shadowless Curse to engrave the grooves of the magic circle on the scales along the preset trajectory.

Finally, activate pure unicorn hair and inlay silk threads carrying pure magic into the grooves.

This is a method of depicting alchemical circles that Loren has recently optimized, and he got inspiration from Professor Snape.

When dismembering the basilisk, Snape demonstrated a unique skill in controlling the Shadowless Curse.It can guide the magic edge to cut according to its preset trajectory.

During the subsequent practice, Loren suddenly came up with the idea of ​​using this technique in alchemy.Use the Shadowless Curse of the Divine Edge to carve out the grooves of the alchemy circle, and then inlay unicorn hair to complete the carving of the circle.

This method brings not only an improvement in accuracy, but also an improvement in fault tolerance.

I usually use a wand to activate the magic of the unicorn hair, and I have to stay highly focused during the drawing process.Just like high-precision surgery, any hesitation, jitter, uneven carving speed, or even fluctuations in the magic power input into the unicorn hair will lead to the failure of carving the magic circle, and the only way to start all over again.

Loren's optimized method adds pre-processing of the Divine Edge Shadowless Curse carving pattern before stimulating the unicorn hair.Even if there is a problem with the engraving, it can be corrected in time.

It even says that it doesn't matter if the carving is wrong, as long as the unicorn hair after stimulating magic is inlaid along the correct lines.

There was still some unicorn hair left, and as for the load-bearing material, Loren naturally chose basilisk scales.

On the palm-sized basilisk scales, the base of the six-pointed star is carved out. The unicorn hair stuck to the tip of the staff is less than half used, and the remaining large section is still emitting wisps of silver light. The magic contained on it is The magic is full and abundant.

"Excellent idea,"

The virtual Flamel was floating in the air, staring at Loren's portrayal carefully. While admiring it, he hesitated to speak, "It's just..."

"Just what?" Without raising his head, Loren easily drew a set of magic words on his scales. He held the wand as if holding a brush, and the flowing unicorn hair was made of vellus hair and ink.

Flamel said: "I still believe that improving one's control over magic power and improving the proficiency and precision of carving magic circles is the correct way to practice as an alchemist."

The second set of magic words has been carved, and there is still one third of the thin silver thread on the tip of the staff. Loren holds his breath and finishes carving the third set of magic words in one go.

When the last stroke was completed, three sets of corresponding magic words shimmered slightly, announcing his success.The notches on the scales that were not filled with unicorn hair began to extend and connect into a whole.

The space of the recess began to expand, the size of a suitcase, the size of a bathroom cubicle, and finally the size of a classroom room before stopping.But the scales showed no signs of change.

Loren nodded with satisfaction. This was the first time he used only one unicorn hair to carve out the magic circle of the Seamless Stretch Spell.

"Well, you're right, but this little trick makes it a lot easier for me. For a young apprentice, this is pretty good. Isn't it?" He raised the scale into the air and showed it to Flamel. .

The almost perfect storage alchemy item, Flamel knows it without looking carefully: "You are a special case, for other people, practicing the accuracy of drawing the magic circle and practicing the control accuracy of the Shadowless Curse of the God's Edge, maybe One is more difficult."

He shook his head slightly. This was probably the trouble caused by talent.

Complacent for a while, Loren threw the palm-sized scale aside, and cut out another smaller scale...

You know, palm size is not his limit in the book of fantasy.

……

Christmas dawn has arrived, the weather is cold, and thick layers of snow are piled outside the castle, creating a white scene.

The weather is very good today. Bright light shines into the bedroom from the window and slowly shines on the three lazy boys on the four pillars.Although their actions were different, the three of them tried to stay in bed at the same time.

Ron pulled the quilt over his head to block the light, and Harry turned over lazily, changing his side to sleep.Loren raised his arms to shield his eyes from the sun.

It wasn't until Hedwig quickly flew into the room, landed next to Harry's bed, and bit his ear in a very affectionate way that Harry slowly opened his eyes.

"Hello there!"

Anyone who sees the cute Hedwig for the first time and sees the Christmas package in her mouth will be in a happy mood.

Harry rubbed his eyes, then rubbed Hedwig's head with his hands stained with mucus: "Are you going to talk to me again?"

Hedwig took a few steps back in disgust, put the package in her mouth on his pillow, and flew to the bedside table to peck at an unsealed bag of Bibi's multi-flavor beans.

Harry suddenly woke up, sat up, and threw a pillow on each of Loren and Ron's beds: "Hey, Merry Christmas! Get up and open the presents!"

Loren was still a little dazed after being hit by the soft pillow, and his memory still stopped at the moment when he was carving the magic circle last night.In order to reduce the size of the magic circle to the size of a grain of rice, his eyes were almost dazzled.As soon as I closed my eyes, my eyes were filled with wisps of magical silver light.

Loren sat up in her pajamas, and fumbled with her feet for a while, unable to reach her slippers. She didn't know where they were kicked when she was unconscious last night.

No matter, there is a carpet in the bedroom anyway, and Loren got out of bed with bare feet.

There are a large number of packages and gift boxes of various shapes, large and small, piled at the end of the bed. There is no detailed list. At first glance, there are dozens of them.

This year’s frozen pears and other frozen fruits were sent by some Hufflepuff classmates.Like last year, Mrs. Weasley sent a brand new hand-knit sweater, along with a large piece of raisin cake.Clothes and books from Monica and Wendell.

For various reasons, Loren didn't prepare Christmas gifts for them.

Ron still gave him a special gift box from Honeydukes Candy Shop, and Harry gave him a book on the principles of transfiguration called "From Disappearance to Summoning".

What Loren gave to Harry and Ron were palm-sized storage scales that he had made last night.When the two first got this gift, they were still a little confused.But after Loren showed them how to use it, both Harry and Ron's eyes shone.

Ron caressed the storage scales lovingly, and rubbed his face against the scales so fondly: "Oh, I mean, I have never received such a precious gift in my life."

"Don't worry Loren, if the Ministry of Magic investigates, I won't harm you even if I eat it..." Harry looked at Loren with emotion.

Loren: "..."

Don't be so moved, this is just something he made while practicing, and it's not even a good batch.

For the next quarter of an hour, both of them played with the scales happily, indulging in the game of putting items in and taking them out.

Seamus sent a book of Muggle adventure stories, which mainly tells about middle school students and their friends embarking on a walk-and-go adventure, strayed into the magical fairy tale kingdom, and obtained the sword after going through many difficulties, from the giant Rescue the imprisoned princess from the heart of the dragon.

Interestingly, Harry and Ron received two other volumes of the book, making the three volumes a complete adventure.

"The flashlight dispelled the darkness of the cave and scared away the strange bears living in the cave." Ron pointed at one of the illustrations and shouted, "I know this, the lighting spell of your Muggle world."

Loren took the storybook given by Simo and once again felt Simo's obsession with the title of warrior and his obsession with great adventures.

It was probably his collection of Living Hell Potion in large quantities that left a deep impression on Snape.Snape gave him a few liters of living hell potion brewed by himself, which was contained in a small beer barrel, produced by a potion master. Just the smell from the barrel made people dizzy dizzy.

"Hiss, this can make all the teachers and students in the school comatose for hundreds of years." Loren clicked his tongue.

The gift he gave Snape was a finger-sized storage scale. The storage was only an incidental function, mainly to demonstrate his use of the Shadowless Curse.

Dumbledore gave him a copy of "The Tale of Beedle the Bard: The Wizard's Hairy Heart: Collector's Edition". The story tells the story of a young wizard who neglected his feelings and became addicted to black magic, which ultimately reaped the consequences.

It was obvious that Principal Dumbledore really cared about his mental health.

<divclass="contentadv">Loren's gift to Dumbledore was a lady's cashmere hat with long bunny ears, which was so cute.There were also several pairs of long woolen socks stuffed into the hat, which, needless to say, the old headmaster absolutely loved.

Finally, Hermione's Christmas present.

It was square and hard, and seemed to be a book... Loren quickly tore open the kraft paper package and looked at the name on the cover of the book, and couldn't help but twitch the corners of his eyes - "Three Hundred Common Senses About Pet Cats".

"Merlin's beard!" Ron's exclamation suddenly sounded next to him, "Nimbus 2001!"

Ron didn't know when he had finished opening the gifts, so he came next to Harry and helped him open the gifts.Both of them put on the new sweaters sent by Mrs. Weasley, and a piece of raisin cake in Ron's mouth fell to the carpet in surprise.

Although he liked this brand new broomstick, Harry was not very happy. Instead, he sighed softly and complained: "Sirius just sent a broomstick, not even a letter... It's been a long time since we No contact."

When Ron heard this, he almost rolled his eyes to the sky: "Oh, if I had such a godfather, even if he never wrote letters in his life, I would not have any complaints."

Loren's eyes moved when he heard Sirius' name.

……

Each floor has a Christmas tree covered with silver frost and gold stars. The ceiling is decorated with ribbons. Magic snowflakes fall continuously from the ribbons and disappear without a trace when they fall to the ground.

There was also a small Christmas tree placed in the school nurse's office. When Loren arrived, Hermione was sitting under the tree opening presents.

After Madam Pomfrey's treatment, the cat hair on the little witch's face and body has almost faded, and her curled fingers have returned to their original shape and can stretch and contract freely.Only the triangular ears on the top of the head, the slender tail hidden under the robe, and the round eyes still show the characteristics of a cat.

From a distance, she looks more like a little cat girl.

"Merry Christmas!" Loren walked over and ravaged the two fluffy cat ears, his tone full of regret: "It looks like he will be fully recovered soon, ugh..."

The cartilage on the ear was pressed a little, and Hermione mercilessly opened the man's hand with an elbow, and said angrily, "You look like you really don't want me to recover."

"How is it possible?" Loren swore, and answered loudly, but the heavy and regretful expression on his face showed that he didn't think so at all.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione didn't want to continue arguing with him about this topic. She spread her hands and showed two green rice grains: "What are these? They are too small. I almost ignored them in the gift box."

"The upgraded storage equipment, despite its small size, the interior space is as big as a classroom... These are the scales of the basilisk, which are hard enough and will not be easily damaged."

“And it’s small enough to be easily attached to other items, making it more portable and concealable than suitcases and storage bags.”

Loren demonstrated, putting a book at hand into the rice-sized scales, and then taking it out.

"Inlay..." Hermione's ears twitched twice, and suddenly she remembered something, and her eyes sparkled.

She pulled out a whale pendant from the collar of her clothes, waved her wand to make two holes for the whale's eyes, and inserted storage scales the size of rice grains into them.

Hermione happily showed it to Loren: "Isn't it suitable?"

Before Loren could answer, she answered herself in her heart.The girl's mind is particularly sensitive in some aspects. Thinking of the Christmas gift she gave her, Hermione said with some frustration: "The Christmas gift I gave you was too mediocre, incomparable to this..."

The more she spoke, the lower she became, and the little witch's last voice was already a little crying: "I should be more careful... But, but... Trapped in the school infirmary, even the book about pet cats is for me. Hanhan sent a letter to dad and asked him to buy it for me."

"How could it be? I like that book very much..." Loren comforted softly. When she took out the pendant she was wearing, his heart was already filled with something indescribable.

-

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard - The Warlock's Hairy Heart

Once upon a time, there was a handsome, wealthy, and intelligent young wizard. He found that once his friends fell in love and liked to play and dress up, they all became stupid and lost their taste and dignity.The young wizard made up his mind that he would never fall victim to such weakness and used dark magic to strengthen his immunity.

The wizard's family didn't know his secret, and they all made fun of him when they saw him being so aloof and cold.

"Everything will change," they predicted, "when a girl captures his heart!"

However, the young wizard's heart remained untouched.Although many girls were attracted by his haughty demeanor and tried all kinds of subtle techniques to please him, none of them were able to impress him.The wizard was proud of his indifference, and the wisdom behind it.

The first stages of youth are over, and the wizard's peers are getting married and having children.

"Their hearts must have become empty shells," he sneered secretly when he saw the antics of the young parents around him. "They are so confused by these crying babies!"

Once again he was grateful for the wise decisions he had made early in his life.

Later, the wizard's elderly parents died.The wizard was not grieved by this.Instead, he credits their deaths with bringing him good luck.Now he was in charge of their castle alone.He transferred his most important wealth to the deepest dungeons and allowed himself to live a life of wealth and ease. Many of his servants made his comfort their only goal.

The wizard thought that anyone who saw his luxurious and carefree solitary life would be very envious.Therefore, when he overheard two male servants talking about their master one day, he could not contain his anger and irritation.

The first male servant expressed his sympathy for the wizard. Although he had wealth and power, no one loved him.

But another manservant laughed and asked: Why can't a man find a wife when he has so much gold and a castle like a palace?

When the wizard heard this, his pride was hit hard.

He immediately decided to find a wife, and she must be better than other people's wives.She was to be so stunningly beautiful that the sight of her would arouse admiration and desire in every man's heart.She was to come from a magical family so that their children would inherit outstanding magical talents.She also needs to have at least as much wealth as him, so that even if there are more people in the family, his comfortable life can be guaranteed.

It may take the wizard 50 years to find such a woman, but by coincidence, the day after he decided to look for a wife, a woman who fully meets his requirements came to a neighbor's house to visit a relative's house.

She was a skilled witch with a lot of wealth.Her beauty is so stunning that men's hearts will flutter when they see her.Of course, with one exception, the wizard's heart still felt nothing.However, since she was the trophy he was looking for, he proposed to her anyway.

People noticed the change in the wizard's attitude and were surprised. They told the girl that what a hundred women had failed to succeed with had actually succeeded with her.

Faced with the wizard's attentiveness, the young girl found it novel and disgusting.She felt the coldness behind his warm sweet words. She had never encountered such a strange and aloof man before.But her relatives thought they were a match made in heaven and were eager to promote good things, so she accepted the wizard's invitation to attend the grand banquet held by the wizard for her.

The most exquisite silver and gold tableware was placed on the table, and the richest food was contained inside.Artists strummed lutes wrapped with ribbons and sang about a love their master had never felt.The girl sat on the throne next to the wizard, who whispered love words that he had stolen from the poet, without understanding their true meaning.

The girl listened, very confused, and at last she answered: "You speak well, wizard, and if I thought you had a heart, I should be glad of your solicitude!"

The wizard smiled and told her there was nothing to worry about.He told her to follow him from the feast and down the stairs to the locked dungeon where his most important treasure was hidden.

In an enchanted crystal box lies the beating heart of a wizard.

This heart has been isolated from eyes, ears and fingers for a long time. It has never been captured by beauty, musical voice or satin skin.The girl was terrified when she saw what she saw in front of her, because the heart had shriveled up and was covered with long black hairs.

"Oh, what have you done?" she said mournfully. "Put it back where it came from, I implore you!"

Seeing that this was the only way to make her happy, the wizard took out his wand, unlocked the crystal box, cut open his own chest, and reinserted the hairy heart into the hole where it had been.

"Now that I'm cured, I know what true love is!" the girl said loudly and hugged him.

The touch of her white, soft skin, her breath in his ears, the fragrance of her thick golden hair: all these struck like a spear into his newly awakened heart.But in the long exile, in the darkness of captivity, this heart has become strange, reckless and savage, its desires fierce and perverse.

The guests at the banquet noticed the host and the girl leaving the table.At first they were not disturbed, but after a long time they became anxious, and then began to search the castle.

Finally they discovered the dungeon, and what awaited them was a very horrifying scene.

The girl lay dead on the floor, her chest cut open, and the mad wizard crouched beside her,

In his other hand, he held his wand,

As the guests watched in horror, the wizard threw his wand aside and grabbed a silver dagger.

The wizard fell to his knees in triumph, holding a heart in each hand.Then he fell on the girl's body and died.