Chapter 117 ⭃ The Greatest Potions Master

If there was one thing Dolores couldn't stand, it was being ignored.

She had climbed the ranks step by step, relishing in being the center of attention and seeing fear in others' eyes.

Now, just one more step and she would claim the Deputy Minister's position, becoming the second most powerful person in the Ministry of Magic. And yet these people had the audacity to call her "a nobody at the Ministry" — didn't they know who she was?

Dolores couldn't accept such an insult; she was trembling with rage.

"I am Dolores Umbridge!" She said in a shrill voice, "Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and member of the Wizengamot!"

"Oh, so you're a department head." Kyle looked somewhat uneasy, shifting slightly on his feet, "So you can take responsibility for what you said earlier, right?"

Dolores held her head high, "Of cour—"

"Ahem, I don't think that's what Dolores meant." Cornelius interrupted with a cough, "She's just worried about the child. After all, young wizards shouldn't try to fight werewolves — running away is the wisest choice."

"Of course, I completely agree with you, Cornelius." Dumbledore nodded seriously, "About what she said regarding expulsion..."

"That was just a joke, of course. The Ministry wouldn't expel a young hero who just saved many people." Cornelius said with a laugh, "Dolores just wanted to remind the child not to be so reckless next time, right..."

He cast a meaningful glance to the side.

Dolores immediately understood and, putting on a false smile, continued in her sweet voice, "Yes, Minister, I'm honored you understand my meaning. Young wizards these days are too full of themselves. Just because they got lucky with some good grades, they think they can handle werewolves? He needs to learn his lesson about what he should and shouldn't do — that way he'll live longer."

"I'll remember that, madam." Kyle replied with an equally fake smile, "By the way, at your age, those clothes really make you look young."

Dolores looked down at her pink cardigan, not thinking much of it. She thought this boy was complimenting her and walked away with her head held high.

Pegasus's lips twitched slightly as she watched Kyle with interest. She had noticed his subtle mockery of the Ministry official's attempt to appear younger than her age.

And he wasn't wrong.

Soon, the Aurors returned.

"Rufus, what did you find?" Cornelius asked.

"It's a werewolf." Rufus Scrimgeour said quietly, "He only checked into St. Mungo's yesterday."

"A werewolf..." Cornelius frowned, anxiously fidgeting with his hat.

He dreaded the panic that would ensue if people learned werewolves could transform during daylight. As Minister for Magic, he would face severe criticism.

This information must not reach the public.

A look of determination crossed Cornelius's face, suggesting he had formed a plan.

"Minister, I'll take this child to rest now." Pegasus interjected, gesturing toward a young Healer nearby, "The Aurors can speak with Hippocrates — he'll provide full cooperation."

Cornelius glanced between her and Dumbledore before nodding, "Very well, you may go."

"Then we'll take our leave."

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The sixth floor of St. Mungo's housed the tea room and shop.

Pegasus led Kyle and Dumbledore to a private booth and ordered tea for everyone.

Dumbledore took a sip and said with delight, "It's my favorite flavor — I thought you might have forgotten."

"Five sugar cubes — I always remember." Pegasus said calmly, "Most likely, our Minister will take that werewolf away."

Dumbledore set down his cup, "Cornelius tends to get too nervous about these things."

"Let me tell you what I know." Pegasus said, "That person came to St. Mungo's yesterday afternoon, claiming to have been scratched by a werewolf. As a precaution, the Healers put him in a special ward under supervision. Last night was the full moon, but he didn't transform, so they moved him to a regular ward."

St. Mungo's had thorough procedures — special cases like werewolves would never be housed with other patients unless they were confirmed not to be infected. That's why the werewolf was able to escape from next door.

Kyle nodded in understanding. No transformation during the full moon but transforming during the day... it was certainly bizarre. The Healers probably never expected something like this to happen.

"Is this some kind of mutation?" He asked.

"Probably not." Pegasus's expression grew serious, "When I came earlier, I detected a very distinct potion scent in the werewolf's blood."

"A potion?"

"Yes, and it seemed like Wolfsbane Potion." Pegasus furrowed her brow, thinking for a moment, "But unlike normal Wolfsbane, this one contained Screechsnaps... and some other ingredients."

Screechsnaps... Kyle knew about this.

Just as magic had its Dark Arts branch, herbology had its own — and Screechsnaps was one of them. Apart from cursed poisons, normal potions would never use it.

You could say that if Aurors detected Screechsnaps in a potion, the wizard possessing it would spend at least a year in Azkaban.

Kyle looked at her in amazement, "You can tell what potion he drank just by smelling?"

"Wolfsbane and Screechsnaps are special." Pegasus explained, "They can stain the soul, so they linger longer."

"Kyle, you probably don't know this, but Pegasus is one of the greatest Potions masters of the past two centuries." Dumbledore leaned close to Kyle and whispered, "I've always wanted her to teach Potions at Hogwarts, but she felt St. Mungo's needed her more."

Though he had lowered his voice, in the small booth it made little difference.

"Albus... why are you saying these things?" Pegasus said with resignation, "Slughorn is also one of the greatest Potions masters... and that young man Snape has talent no less than mine."

"It's different, Pegasus." Dumbledore said softly, taking a sip of tea, "One can never have too many good professors."

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