The two walked to the middle of the gloomy dungeon corridor. Right next to the Potions classroom was Professor Snape's office.
Harvey glanced around; the old bat's office was just as messy as ever.
The oak desk was piled high with open magic books, densely covered in Professor Snape's scrawled handwriting.
A few quills sat at the corner of the desk, while the inkwell next to them emitted a faint, gloomy blue glow—likely some sort of invisible ink.
The shelves in the corner of the office were packed with glass vessels of various sizes and shapes, containing potions bubbling and smoking within.
Some potions even let out faint "sizzle" sounds from time to time, clearly indicating the brewing process wasn't finished.
On the bottom shelf sat many bizarrely shaped plant and animal specimens.
For instance, a three-eyed rat, a bat with stone wings, a shrunken Acromantula, and so on.
To be honest, living year-round in such a gloomy, chilling environment, it was no wonder the old bat's personality had become so bitter and caustic.
Green flames burned in the office fireplace. After taking a seat in the chair next to the fireplace...
Harvey took a newly brewed bottle of the physique-enhancing potion out of his spatial bag.
Along with it, he handed over a handwritten recipe.
"Professor, take a look at this recipe. Are there any areas that can be perfected?"
After sitting down behind his desk, Snape took the recipe with an expressionless face.
However, when he saw the very first ingredient on the recipe, he couldn't help but look at Harvey as if he were an idiot.
"You actually used the powder of the Philosopher's Stone, such a precious artifact, as an ingredient?"
Harvey nodded and began to explain the importance of the physique-enhancing potion to himself.
"My strength has reached a bottleneck. I urgently need a potion that enhances my physique to help expand my total magic capacity..."
After hearing his explanation, Snape warned him with a deadly serious expression: "First of all, I have never heard that improving one's physique helps increase total magical capacity."
"If improving physique was useful, then why doesn't the total magical capacity of Animagi, who can transform into magical creatures, increase?"
Just as Harvey was about to argue, Professor Snape continued:
"Secondly, I know your constitution is unique, and perhaps this method is useful for increasing your strength."
"But physique-altering potions absolutely do not require Philosopher's Stone powder."
Snape pointed at the recipe and began to instruct him.
"Ingredients like Asphodel petals and Unicorn blood both have neutralizing effects. These two materials are highly versatile and are found in the majority of potion recipes."
"But Salamander blood has a violent medicinal property. If you don't add a massive amount of Dragon blood to forcefully suppress it, the resulting potion will have highly concentrated toxicity."
"I would strongly suggest replacing it with Wormwood and Dragon blood; the effects should be much better."
"As for this... Type X blood? Two milliliters of Type X bone marrow fluid? A third of a Type X heart extract?"
Seeing the three most crucial ingredients on the recipe, Snape frowned and asked, "What are these materials?"
Harvey took out the experimental samples collected from Captain America and explained:
"These are materials collected from a Muggle with a powerful physique. They are the key to the entire recipe."
"A Muggle?" Snape was highly confused.
"How strong could a Muggle's physique possibly be? Why didn't you use Phoenix or Dragon materials as the main ingredients for the potion?"
Harvey said, exasperated: "The only remaining phoenix in the world is incredibly difficult to track down; the only one I know of is Professor Dumbledore's beloved pet."
"And while Dragons have powerful physiques, their genetics are incompatible with wizards. So I could only use a Muggle with similar genetics as the main ingredient for the potion."
Looking at the samples in front of him, Snape revealed a thoughtful expression.
"Developing a new potion is not something achieved overnight. I need to figure out the properties of these samples before I can give advice on how to perfect the recipe."
Harvey understood what the old bat meant.
"These samples are all yours to study. If there is any progress, please notify me immediately."
Professor Snape estimated and said, "If the research goes smoothly, I should be able to perfect the recipe in about three to six months."
Harvey nodded and said, "Alright, I'll await your good news, Professor."
"By the way, since Headmaster Dumbledore has returned to his prime and the situation in the wizarding world has stabilized, you don't need to keep acting as an undercover agent among the Death Eaters anymore, right?"
Although Voldemort hadn't dared to show his face recently, Professor Snape slowly shook his head, a look of hesitation on his face.
"I know you're worried about the backlash from the Dark Mark, but I have holy healing relics. Even if you only have one breath left, it's enough to bring you back."
As Harvey spoke, he placed an Undetectable Extension pouch onto the oak desk.
Snape picked up the spatial bag curiously. "This wouldn't happen to be the treasure you used to heal Dumbledore, would it?"
"Yes," Harvey confirmed his assumption.
Snape was a bit surprised. "You're actually willing to part with such a precious healing treasure and give it to me?"
Harvey said earnestly, "I can understand the difficulties of being a double agent—the internal struggle and suppression, and being forced to harm innocent wizards as a show of loyalty."
"Professor, you have already made far too many contributions to the wizarding world. I believe you are worthy of using a holy healing relic."
Professor Snape's usually emotionless, stagnant face couldn't help but look deeply moved. Having been an undercover agent for so many years, he was finally able to earn someone's understanding.
"Thank you for your gift. I will carefully guard Hogwarts and work hard to perfect the new potion to repay your kindness."
Seeing that the old bat was nearly moved to tears, Harvey figured he would definitely do everything in his power to perfect the new potion.
This left Harvey feeling very satisfied inside.
These days, earning the promise of a Potions Master was incredibly difficult.
"Professor, there's no need for extra words. I only hope to see the day the new potion is perfected as soon as possible."
Snape's tone was solemn. "Rest assured, I will do my utmost to perfect the recipe."
Afterward, Harvey exchanged a few more pleasantries before taking his leave.
After leaving the old bat's office, he thought for a moment and walked along the stone stairs of the dungeon, returning to the top-floor dormitory of Ravenclaw Tower.
As soon as he got back, Harvey saw Cho Chang standing outside his room door.
"Hi, Cho. What brings you here?"
Ever since his reputation turned foul, Harvey's dormitory had become a forbidden zone loathed by everyone. Normally, let alone witches, even male wizards in his year rarely came near.
Cho Chang's skin was delicate and flawless, and today she had her hair tied up in a bun that fully displayed her youthful vibrancy.
Coupled with her black eyes and beautiful face, she gave off an overall feeling of gentle sweetness.
Furthermore, she was wearing the standard Ravenclaw student uniform: black wizard robes, a red tie, paired with the House crest on her chest.
An absolute textbook example of a gentle Oriental beauty.
"Hi, Harvey. I wanted to ask for your guidance on the trick to casting the Portal Charm. This high-level spell that won the Order of Merlin, First Class, is simply too hard to learn..."
Asking for guidance on magic? Oh, I'm very familiar with this!
Harvey enthusiastically welcomed Cho Chang into his room.