Many spell masters and scholars have met their end by making a single mistake while developing magic.
Combining runes is only the beginning. Next comes the process of translating those runes into incantations according to the pronunciation rules of Ancient Runes, and complex magic often requires precise gestures as well. Then comes experimental casting, which is where the real danger lies. It is like drawing a bridge on paper; whether that bridge can actually support weight must be tested in reality. Quirrell was currently at this volatile stage. The combination of various runes, the magic power ratios, the syllables of the incantations, and the fluidity of the gestures all required constant adjustment. Not a single detail could be overlooked.
Alan noticed that the incantation and gestures Quirrell used this time were slightly different from the last session. Professor Flitwick offered several suggestions for refinement. This type of practical spell was not particularly complex or lethal, but its development was incredibly tedious. Compared to inventing entirely new magic, developing application techniques for existing spells was far more likely to yield results, much like Vanessa's work with the Extraction Charm.
While these heights were still distant for Alan, they provided immense inspiration. He even managed to pick up a useful, if unrefined, half-finished spell from the demonstration.
In the early stages of development, many spells involve extremely lengthy gestures and incantations that are nearly impossible for an average person to learn. Usually, only the creator can successfully cast them. Quirrell's current incantation was already several syllables longer than before. Alan estimated that by the time the spell was finalized, it would likely be a full, complex sentence.
This was why many masters of spell development were proficient in wandless magic. Once they constructed the rune model in their minds, they could cast the magic directly. Only after the casting experiment proved successful would they work backward to develop the simplified vocal and physical anchors. This also explained why many ancient spells existed in theory but their incantations had been lost to time upon the creator's death.
After the gathering, Alan returned to his dormitory, his mind racing. He recorded every gain from the day before eagerly diving back into Lily's research materials.
Lily's notes covered a vast range of defensive theory, including methods for neutralizing curses, the application of stress runes to alchemical items, and conjectures regarding emotional defensive magic. Alan found an optimized defensive rune that he suspected was the foundation for the protection on the amulet Lily had given him. However, there was no recorded incantation. He wondered if it simply hadn't been written down, or if Lily had intended it solely for alchemy.
Lily's notes suggested that many defensive spells could be significantly strengthened by infusing them with specific emotions. She noted that positive emotions were the key; the stronger the caster's belief and the more intense the feeling, the more resilient the shield. There was no doubt that Lily had applied this very principle to the amulet.
"This rune... it looks remarkably like the Protego formula," Alan muttered, opening Theory of Magical Defense to compare. The similarities were striking. He guessed it was an improved variation of the Shield Charm, though he wasn't sure of the exact power difference. Was the only distinction that it projected a doe when activated?
Alan reluctantly closed the book and tucked the manuscript away, letting out a heavy sigh. "More content involving Ancient Runes. There is still so much I don't know."
But Alan understood the necessity of gradual progress. He hadn't finished his basic spell curriculum yet, and it was no time to be greedy. He needed to master the essentials first.
In the following days, Alan reverted to a total hermit. He was never seen outside of classes or the Great Hall. Meanwhile, the friction between Gryffindor and Slytherin had reached a boiling point. Skirmishes were common in the corridors, with students being hit by hexes or dungbombs. McGonagall and Slughorn were kept busy trying to maintain order, but since the conflict mostly involved third-years and above, the younger students remained relatively safe.
Alan didn't bother with these childish skirmishes. In his eyes, a fight without the risk of blood was just a game. He remained focused on the escalating war and the Death Eater threat outside the castle walls. To survive what was coming, he needed genuine strength.
Over the weekend, Alan headed back to Hagrid's for another meal. This time they had a barbecue, and Alan brought along his pot of green onions to plant in Hagrid's garden, as they were struggling for sunlight in the dungeons. He planned to pick up more vegetable seedlings and spices from London's Chinatown during the Christmas holidays, as they were burning through his current supply quickly.
Alan sat by the hut, enjoying a grilled pork chop and a baked potato while the cool breeze rolled off the forest. He was content. The large wok he had asked Hagrid to order wasn't ready yet, but Hagrid did have a new companion: a young Crup.
Hagrid named the pup Rhine, hoping he would grow to be as mighty as a lion, though Alan thought the name Swallow would be more fitting given the breed's forked tail. He had heard that if a wizard wanted to keep a Crup in the Muggle world, the Ministry required one tail to be surgically removed to help it pass as a normal dog. Hagrid had been horrified by the idea, hugging Rhine tightly and promising that no one would touch his tails. Looking at the poor pup squeezed in Hagrid's massive grip, Alan couldn't help but feel a little sorry for it.
During the visit, Hagrid handed over the list of medicinal herb and potion prices he had collected. Alan finally had the data he needed to move forward with his business plan.
He scrutinized the market rates. The most expensive was Felix Felicis, but Alan dismissed it immediately; the ingredients and the six-month brewing time were far too demanding. Next were various healing drafts, antidotes, and blood-replenishing potions. However, Alan doubted there was a safe market for those within the school, as students could get them for free at the hospital wing. Selling them elsewhere risked attracting the attention of Death Eaters or dark wizards, something he desperately wanted to avoid.
Instead, he looked at potions with high general demand or high margins: the Draught of Euphoria, Baruffio's Brain Elixir, Veritaserum, and the Draught of Living Death. Euphoria and Living Death were always in demand, while the Brain Elixir and Veritaserum commanded impressive prices.