[HP] Alchemy and Love

Alchemy was very popular in ancient times. Of course, the ultimate goal of wizards is the Sorcerer's Stone. Although only Nicole Flamel has refined a piece until now, the development of all aspects of alchemy was very rapid at that time. .Since modern times, especially in the past 200 years, this discipline has gradually declined, mainly due to the development and prosperity of magic spells.If holding up a magic wand and chanting a spell can achieve the goal, who would spend more than ten years practicing the brushwork of the magic circle and studying those complicated graphics and combinations?

Today, alchemy is more understood in other fields, such as potions, charms and ancient runes, all of which have intersections with alchemy.Its development is also gradually turning: today's alchemy pays more attention to the use of materials and spells, while the application of magic circles in alchemical items is gradually fading out.

"To be honest, I also think that spells are simpler and more practical than magic circles." Lorenzia walked around the shop while explaining to Remus, who had just started his new job—even though he had studied alchemy for two years. However, the elective courses at Hogwarts only teach the basics, and to be a clerk, it is essential to be familiar with the products in the store, so in the past two days, when there are no customers, Lorenthia will be there In the store, explain various goods to Remus.She was usually shy and introverted, and she didn't seem to be very good at dealing with people. When it came to alchemy, she seemed to open up a chatterbox.

"However, magic circles are still indispensable in the application of alchemy, because the power of magic spells that are not strong enough will weaken over time - magic circles and ancient runes, of course, but their weakening process takes a long time Much more. This is like a solidified spell, or rather solidified magical power. Ultimately, the flow of magic power in the magic circle will form a self-circulating loop, which cannot be achieved by magic spells. The — oh, I'm so sorry. Am I off topic again?"

Lorencia stopped in time, her face flushed slightly, "Well, I actually want to say that replacing materials and spells to achieve magic effects has become more and more common in alchemy in recent years, so magic The characteristics of ancient alchemy such as arrays and ancient runes are gradually decreasing. However, some people still pursue those ancient things, even if they are not really convenient..."

"I understand those who pursue ancient times and bloodlines." Remus continued.

"Yes. So these kinds of elements sometimes appear on alchemy items as flashy tricks to raise prices, and their only use may be to show off to those pure-blood families." Lorencia said, pointing to the alchemy items on the shelf. Items, "This row of little pocket watches—the magic circle engraved on the cover, obviously. And that pearl-encrusted dressing table and gold brocade tapestry. Anyway, in this area, this kind of deliberately ornate Style goods are all... Well, if the price is cut in half, you can still make money. They have a lot of room for bargaining... If you meet a customer to negotiate the price, you can decide for yourself."

Remus nodded, making a note in his heart.After he officially started working, he discovered that although there were not many customers in this store, they were not as few as he had imagined: Nearly half of the store was bought with convenient and practical magical self-defense items that were not too expensive. There is no shortage of goods like double-sided mirrors.Voldemort's power has been increasing all the time, and the Death Eaters are causing more and more riots, which is a bit jittery, so there are still many people who come to patronize.As for the day when he came to apply for the job, it should be near dusk, so no one came.

It was also because they were repeatedly interrupted, their explanations were not progressing quickly, and Lorencia always digressed, they had just introduced the goods in the store almost once in two days, and now it was finally their turn to the last part of the store, It is also the innermost corner.But Lorenthia stopped hesitantly when she walked to the shelves full of goods.

"This piece... oh, I don't know what to say." She bit her lower lip and hesitated, "Here are all masterpieces of alchemical magic—not the kind of things that deliberately pursue gorgeousness, but real masterpieces. I could go on for a long time about that—for example, look at this torch."

She reached down and took down a torch, its solid black handle extending from a silver base with a moonlight cabochon in the middle. "The torch of the Holy Spirit is an alchemy item hundreds of years ago. My father bought it by accident." She said, "Its light can be dimmed at will, and it burns spiritual fire. This kind of flame will not burn people, even underwater. It will not be extinguished. The light of this flame has the ability to burn all dark creatures and make them retreat. Its light can even illuminate the traces of black magic. It is a treasure for those who travel alone through dangerous areas. It's easy to use, too, you see—"

Without warning, she pressed her free right hand on the moonlight-colored gemstone, and read: "Luminescence flashes."

She didn't hold a magic wand in her hand, but a pure white flame sprang up from the gem last time, and the white light shone in the room.Remus shrank back subconsciously, but the cold white light shone on him without any discomfort.Lorenthia turned her head, and the previously appreciative look of joy turned into confusion: "What's the matter? Don't worry, this flame will only harm dark creatures, it won't burn you."

Indeed, her own hand was leaning tightly next to the flame, and the flame licked her fingertips from time to time without leaving any traces, but Remus, being a werewolf, did not dare to make such an attempt.In fact, Lorencia's move made him feel a little vigilant in his heart: Is this a kind of test for her?Did she intend to use this torch to test it out? If he was hurt by the light, he deserved it?

Remus didn't blame her if she was thinking about it.But the bewildered look on Lorenthia's face was so real that he couldn't make up his mind.While he was hesitating, Lorenthia held the torch head woven with silver patterns again, and said, "Knox."

The flame jumped and went out suddenly.Lorenthia put the Holy Spirit torch back on the shelf, and turned to Remus completely, with a little uneasiness on her face: "What's wrong? Did I...do something inappropriate?"

"Nothing." Remus hesitated, "I was just distracted, sorry."

Lorenthia smiled wryly: "Am I too annoying? I should be sorry." She lowered her head, then raised her head again, without looking directly at Remus, but her tone was unusually firm: "But If you are going to work here, even if you don't continue to study alchemy, these things must be understood... at least what they are for, you must know."

"No, that's not what I meant, I'm sorry," Remus said.At this moment, the copper bell at the door rang, and was touched by a guest who came in.

The two ended their conversation and turned around together.Remus went forward to greet her——Lorenzia was relatively introverted and was not willing to talk to guests. After Remus noticed this, he took the initiative to greet guests most of the time. Lorencia Only chiming in when it comes to topics he doesn't know much about. "Do you need anything?"

He walked around the shelf and immediately paused on the spot: "...Mundungus?"

"Uh, oh. Hi, Remus." Mundungus greeted him uncomfortably. "Are you a clerk here?"

Remus looked at him suspiciously.He himself and Mundungus had met only a few times at Order of the Phoenix gatherings, and they didn't know each other well, but he had already heard about Mundungus' bad reputation.Lorenthia stood behind without speaking, but looked at them curiously.

"Yes, it's only been a few days since I started working. What are you here to buy?"

"Oh no, I'm here to sell things," Mundungus said. "I won some good things while drinking, you know—you need to get someone to identify it. I heard you accept alchemy items here?" He turned to Lorenzia.

"Oh! . . . yes, but not everything. Mind if I take a look, sir?"

Remus ushered Mundungus over to the counter and watched him dump a bunch of bric-a-brac onto the counter.There are all kinds of things inside: a magic music box with a broken string, a pocket watch with a scratched cover, a ring with a large gemstone, and so on.Lorenthia put on her gloves and carefully checked each item with her wand. Most of the items were pushed aside after a glance.In the end only two things remained: a very finely crafted bracelet of fine gold wire, and a heavy gold locket.Lorenthia looked at them for a long time, turned them over and over again, and she looked at the locket especially carefully, even lighting it with her wand, and murmured something in a low voice.There was a faint white glow from the locket.

"Be careful, be careful, don't break my things!" Mundungus said, but Lorenthia was clearly not listening.She studied for a long time before raising her head.

"This bracelet should be the craftsmanship of goblins around the fourteenth century - it is very exquisite, but the spell attached to it has weakened, and now a new spell needs to be cast, which will conflict with the original magic. I don't accept it here, but you You can go to a jewelry store. And this locket . . . where did it come from?"

"I said, drinking and gambling," said Mundungus, lowering his voice mysteriously. "They say it's a Slytherin locket."