Chapter 134: The Life Potion Causes a Stir (Patreon)

Voldemort knew how crucial the Horcruxes were to him, so no matter how Quirrell tortured him, he refused to reveal what they were, how many there were, or where they were hidden.

Even after Quirrell soaked him in the toilet for seven days and seven nights, he didn't utter a single word.

Faced with such a tough nut to crack, Quirrell was at his wit's end and could only report the situation truthfully to Elavin.

Elavin fell silent after hearing the report, silently sparing Voldemort three minutes of sympathy.

Even he, who considered himself ruthless, shameless, and wilful, couldn't bring himself to do something like that.

Still, he could understand Quirrell's mindset.

Anyone who had been treated like a slave for over half a year, had their life drained every single day, had been soaked in garlic, and lived in constant fear of being discovered would want to take revenge once they were finally free.

So Elavin didn't judge Quirrell harshly. Instead, he affirmed his actions, saying that Voldemort was the one who had turned him into a monster, and that he shouldn't blame himself too much, just keep up the interrogation.

Quirrell felt relieved. After shedding his last layer of guilt, he treated Voldemort even more harshly.

For a while afterwards, Elavin's daily life at Hogwarts remained uneventful.

It couldn't be helped. The plot of the first book, Philosopher's Stone, was only so long, and he had already cleared all of it in advance. The remaining days were just classes and potion-making.

Mid-March.

After making thorough preparations, Elavin put the Life Potion up for sale in the Hogwarts-affiliated shop as planned, with an initial release of 1,000 vials.

Outside the Hogwarts-owned potion shop in Hogsmeade village.

Distinguished guests filled the area as waves of people poured in.

Thanks to the various Potent Potions that had been sold before and had received rave reviews among wizards, the shop had built up quite a reputation.

So when wizards heard that a new potion was being released, they flocked to the store.

Among them were not only ordinary wizards but also agents of pure-blood families, physicians from St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, officials from the Ministry of Magic, and reporters from the Daily Prophet and other newspapers.

Representatives from every major faction had gathered in one place.

But when everyone finally saw the new potion and its description, they were all dumbfounded.

The newly released Life Potion came in a glass bottle holding about 250 milliliters.

Since the bottle was transparent, everyone could clearly see the potion, a clear crimson liquid with a slight pink tint.

Although no one had tried it yet, just from its colour and clarity, they could tell it was no ordinary potion.

"A Life Potion? Can this thing really restore vitality?"

Looking at this newly released Life Potion, the wizards present hesitated.

It wasn't surprising. The ability to restore vitality was unheard of.

"If it's that expensive, there must be a reason!"

"Exactly. This is a shop under Hogwarts' name, backed by the 'youngest Potions Master of the century,' Severus Snape. There's no way it could be fake!"

"Look at those Potent Potions next to it. They've been selling for months. Has anyone ever come forward to expose them as fakes?"

A few sentences completely dispelled everyone's doubts.

That's right.

How could a potion sold in a Hogwarts-affiliated shop possibly be fake?

"By the way, vitality is quite an abstract concept. Is there any obvious way to tell what it does?"

"I don't know. I guess it'll make you feel younger, more energetic, and stronger."

"Why keep guessing? Just buy one and try it! You can also test the new potion's effects for everyone."

"I'd love to, but I'm short on cash! 888 Galleons for a single vial... that's enough to cover my living expenses for two or three years!"

"Is there any wealthy wizard willing to buy one and let everyone have a look?"

A middle-aged wizard stepped forward from the crowd.

"Yep! I've got you covered, brothers!"

Everyone froze.

He's really that loaded?!

Buying an 888-Galleon potion without even blinking?

Who exactly was this rich wizard?

A wizard in the crowd lowered his voice and said,

"I know him. He's from the Goyle family!"

"Who?" someone beside him asked.

"One of the Malfoy family's lackeys!"

"I see... No wonder he's so rich."

The wizards present might not have recognised the surname "Goyle," but when it came to the Sacred Twenty-Eight's Malfoy family, everyone knew who they were.

"Sir, you said you've tried this Life Potion?"

"That's right!"

"So how were the effects?"

"Well..."

The Goyle family wizard hesitated for a moment before loudly announcing,

"Personally, I don't think it's as effective as the description claims. You'd all be better off not buying it, or you'll just get ripped off!"

Hearing that, one wizard immediately put on an expression of I knew it and sneered.

"I knew this Life Potion wasn't anything special..."

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he realised everyone around him was looking at him as though he were an idiot.

His face instantly turned red. His whole body stiffened, and his butt clenched involuntarily.

"W-Why are you all looking at me like that?"

The person beside him shot him a sidelong glance.

"Are you an idiot? That guy was obviously lying! Only someone as gullible as you would believe him."

The man blinked in confusion.

"Lying? How could you tell?"

The other wizard replied,

"I know him."

"He's from the Goyle family. Normally, only about three out of every ten things he says are true. Years ago, he practically ruined himself through excessive indulgence. His body was nearly wrecked, and he even went bald."

"But look at him now."

"He has a rosy complexion, thick jet-black hair, a perfectly straight back, is brimming with energy, walks with a spring in his step, and even that shout just now was full of vigour."

"Does that look like someone saying the potion isn't effective?!"

"The effects are obviously too good! He's just afraid everyone else will buy up all the Life Potions, leaving none for him, so he deliberately lied!"

Realisation instantly dawned on the crowd.

Those Goyle family bastards are absolutely shameless!

Using such a devious trick to fool everyone. They almost fell for it!

Soon, a second wealthy wizard stepped forward, willing to test the potion.

Right before everyone's eyes, he bought a vial of the Life Potion from the shop and drank it on the spot.

A few seconds later, he suddenly began shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Wooo... Whoa!! The effects are incredible!!!"

"I can feel a warm current surging through my body, nourishing every one of my internal organs... My back doesn't ache anymore, my legs aren't weak anymore, and my whole body is overflowing with strength!"

"Merlin's beard!"

"I feel like this potion has cured my years of kidney deficiency!"

The moment those words left his mouth, the assembled wizards collectively sucked in a sharp breath, their eyes filling with envy.

"It can cure baldness and kidney deficiency?!"

"With something this good, even if I have to go bankrupt, borrow, steal, or rob, I have to get my hands on a vial!"