"So, what are we studying?" Angel asked.
Before them, Felix had placed a stack of paper before John and Angel that held part of blueprints for the Life Cup. An alchemical item that will extend someone's lifespan should they drink from it. For how it works, the longer the cup sits around the more lifespan it will give you. Hence in theory, if it sat around for a hundred years, it would grant someone drinking it another hundred years of life.
"I call it the Life Cup or the Cup of Life." Felix introduces. "Headmaster said we can make it instead of the Philosopher's Stone for now as long as I don't sell it until I improve my dueling skills to a level he finds acceptable. Also as long as we don't advertise it. "
"Ok, but why are we studying how it is made?" John asked.
"What good is the magic of the item if you don't understand how it works? Besides by breaking down how something is made, it can help you quickly improve your own understanding of magic." Felix looked at him with a smile.
"Don't you understand how it was made?" John questioned.
"John, stop nitpicking him and start working. You said you want to become an animagus right? Then focus on the transfiguration section of this while I will focus on the magic circles. Felix is right that we can improve our understanding of magic branches quickly by studying like this." Angel pointed out.
Due to being in the library, Madam Prince glared at them due to them whispering among themselves. Which makes Felix want to sigh, since how can young wizards and witches exchange ideas like they are if they can't even whisper. It is kind of dumb if they have to check out dozens of books just to chat before having to return them and repeatedly do it.
Sadly, one can't cast spells within the library, so Felix just sent his own steely gaze back at her. All school year she was like this and it began to get to him since she was basically forcing young wizards and witches to lack the thoughts of ever exchanging ideas.
Now he isn't saying one should talk or be disruptive in the library. However, the total silence rule within the library she imposes is just a bit much. So much she kicked him and his two friends out multiple times just because they asked a question on homework.
So upon seeing him glare back at her, a small hissy fit as she walked away. Since apparently she too used to getting her own way in the library and having a first year challenge it. Felix doubts he will be allowed in the library for a while after today.
"Shouldn't have done that, Felix." John whispered.
"We aren't disturbing anyone, so she has no reason to glare at us like we killed her pet or were ripping up books." Felix grumbled. "Besides, it is always me she is targeting and clicking her tongue upon seeing the books I am reading. Treating me as if I am an aspiring dark wizard."
"Most teachers treat you that way." John pointed out.
"I know." Felix complained. "If they continue treating me this way, it's like they are forcing me to become one, just so when it happens they can all stand up and point their finger 'See I always knew he would be one'. All to take the moral high ground when they shoved me down such a path in the first place."
"Then do you have any ideas of becoming a dark wizard or a dark lord?" Angel asked.
"Not really," Felix answered. "I don't feel like continuing my studies at Azkaban University."
"University?" Angel asked.
"Place to learn more advanced knowledge and earn degrees in the muggle world. The magic world doesn't really have them as far as I can tell." John answered. "Most wizards tend to only use the magic they learn in school and can live fairly comfortably. So many don't see the point of further study in magic and those that do tend to self study."
"Which is basically forcing most scholars to reinvent the wheel unless they join a small group of like minded people." Felix nodded.
Angel thought before saying, "From the sounds of it, I can't imagine how much new knowledge or advancements the magical world could have if we open the first university in the future. Maybe we will be able to solve issues that were considered impossible previously."
"That will require a lot of work and funding. Which isn't impossible, but would many even be interested in attending it?" Felix sighed. "Anyways, we are drifting off topic, we should begin to focus on the Life Cup for now and leave the future for the future. We are only in the first year after all."
--
Under Felix persistence and interest as both of them realize that their knowledge was enhancing faster compared to before. The studies of the Life Cup were getting down pretty quick as both John and Angel seemed to enjoy it. While Felix didn't end up being kicked out, probably because Dumbledore had a few words with the Librarian.
Still she glared at him like he was doing something bad. So Felix just went back to ignoring her since it was the best magic in the world. The magic of pretending the stressful people don't exist.
"There, my section is done." Angel said proudly.
Felix looked it over before making a few marks that needed to be corrected. It's not that Angel didn't do a good job, she did excellent, but her knowledge of magic circles failed her. Which he didn't blame her since, he only really taught both her and John the basics of them. So he was more impressed that she managed to get this far and quickly on the bare basics.
Due to this, it made him realize he needed to speed up his own learning on more advanced magic circles. Then he could teach Angel who seems to have a fairly high talent in this area of magic. While John, while able to learn, didn't match her talent or wasn't as invested in learning as he was for Transfiguration.
"I didn't realize it took so much effort to make such alchemy items. No wonder they tend to be expensive and rare. It's been a month since we began and we are still working on breaking down the finished blueprint." John sighed. "I have high praise for Alchemist, but I don't think I will become one."
"I find it enjoyable." Felix said. "It makes you marvel at the wonders of magic."
"While I partially agree with you, it allows us to experience magic compared to most who just study theory." Angel nodded.
While the three of them continued to scribble notes or break down different segments of their part. Which tended to be tricky since as the more they continued the more books they needed from the restricted section. For the magic they were looking at was fairly advanced or very obscured. Hence why their work efficiency wasn't very quick since many professors weren't willing to sign a slip for them.
"I figure after about another half month or so, we can begin crafting it. So if we aren't done by Easter, we should be done by the end of the year." Felix calculated their progress.
"Really?" John and Angel were happy at the thought.
"Yeah, I will ask Hagrid if he can grab us some silver bars to use. It will probably be a bit expensive, but I should have enough to cover it while saving enough for next year's school supplies." Felix said with a bit of heartbreak.
The amount of silver they needed was quite a bit and with it being expensive in both the magical and non-magical world. So Felix was half tempted to create one of the magic rocks like the Philosopher's Stone that would create silver. However, the cost for that would probably wipe his pockets out and then some.
"We are the ones who wanted to do this, so we can help cover the costs." Angel said worriedly.
"Oh, I never said I was the only one buying materials." Felix answered. "Both of you need to buy engraving tools. The Headmaster was a bit interested so he agreed to get some of the materials."
"If you are worried about the cost for this, how did you plan to fund the Philosopher's Stone previously?" John asked.
"Most of the materials can be found here at Hogwarts and what isn't is fairly cheap."