On Monday evening, April 25th, the setting sun gradually disappeared.
After dinner, Harry, Hermione, and Ron slowly walked along the path on the Hogwarts lawn towards Hagrid's hut.
"Harry, the Baruffio's Brain Elixir you gave me is really too effective," Ron said, his face full of excitement, "During class today, no matter what the Professors said, I remembered everything clearly."
"Really, it's completely different from before, when it went in one ear and out the other. Even Professor Binns's History of Magic was fascinating to me."
"I feel incredibly strong. I can definitely move up a few places in this year's final exams. At the very least, I can get two more O (Outstanding) grades."
"I declare that from now on, I will definitely not be the worst-performing among my brothers in our family."
"Fred and George must be dying of envy. Oh, right, they were caught by Professor Lupin during their night escapades and had a map confiscated. Now they must be even more envious of me."
Harry listened cheerfully to Ron talk about his experience with the Potion, and seeing his good friend so happy, he felt that his Potion had not been given in vain.
"Harry, I still think the Baruffio's Brain Elixir is too valuable," Ron said, "I've never received such a valuable gift since I was little."
"Do you want me to carry your backpack for you? Do you want me to walk behind you like a subordinate? If not, you can even make me call you godfather. Of course, if you want me to warm your bed, I can consider it."
"In short, you must instruct me to do something, otherwise, I won't feel at ease."
"Don't worry, Ron," Harry was amused by Ron's words, "It's just a Potion, how can it compare to our friendship?"
"This is not just a Potion," Ron exaggerated, "You could definitely sell this Potion for one or two thousand Galleons, and it's priceless."
"In short, if there's anything you need me to do, just tell me. Don't be polite."
"Ron," Hermione couldn't stand Ron's sycophantic behavior anymore, "Please be normal, you look a bit too…."
Hermione couldn't bring herself to say the rest.
She could actually understand Ron's feelings, after all, she had also drunk a Baruffio's Brain Elixir and was very clear about the effect of this Potion.
It was a feeling of the brain being developed, the whole person's thinking became much clearer, and memory also improved a lot.
Today, she took some time to read "Chadwick's Magic" that Harry had given her, and she easily memorized the contents, much more efficiently than memorizing an entire book before.
"In short, if you are truly grateful to Harry, don't let the Potion he gave you go to waste," Hermione said earnestly, "From tomorrow onwards, you will review with me. Don't drag it out until the last minute again."
"I know, I know," Ron readily agreed, "Isn't it just that I'm too happy? After all, with such a big deal, anyone would be happy."
"Even Professor Snape is different from before."
Hearing Professor Snape's name, Harry couldn't help but curl his lips.
He had no idea that a golden cauldron trophy would make the cold-tempered Professor Snape change so much.
Since returning yesterday, Professor Snape had been wandering around the school with the golden cauldron, saying he wanted to find a suitable place to display this special trophy.
It was as if the trophy display room couldn't hold it at all.
Moreover, it was unprecedented that Professor Snape actually took the initiative to pull him to accept interviews with reporters yesterday.
Thinking of Professor Snape's praise for him in front of the reporters, Harry felt a little flushed.
While Harry was recalling the reporter's interview, he heard Ron continue.
"Harry, I didn't expect you to bring a gift for Malfoy, and it's even a Duelling Club journal."
"Now he'll be even more smug. You weren't at the Duelling Club competition this year, so you don't know how arrogant Malfoy was."
Thinking of Malfoy's arrogant appearance on the stage, Ron gritted his teeth in hatred.
Hearing this, Harry became interested and quickly asked, "I don't know this year's results yet, quickly tell me."
"The result is that Malfoy got first place, there's nothing more to say."
"What about you? How did you perform this year?"
"I…" Ron's face flushed slightly, "I narrowly lost to Neville."
Hermione couldn't help but smile: "That wasn't a narrow loss. Neville was second place this year, and Ron didn't last long against Neville."
Neville is that good?!
Harry looked at Hermione in surprise, waiting for her to explain further.
Hermione didn't keep him in suspense and said with a smile: "Neville has really made great progress. He doesn't have any timidity about him now, and he's become much more cheerful and confident."
"His spellcasting has also improved very quickly, and he seems to have established his own duelling style."
"He doesn't have so many flashy moves in duels, just Stupefy and Shield Charm, but combined with his peculiar footwork, he always gives the impression of being untouchable."
Recalling Neville's performance in the duelling arena, Hermione couldn't help but show a hint of envy.
Although she knew many spells, they were really a bit unsystematic.
It wasn't obvious normally, but it became very clear in the duelling arena.
If she wanted to go further, she really had to consider establishing her own duelling style.
"Harry, Professor Swan's fast-attack style doesn't suit me. I prefer the combat styles of Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick."
Hermione requested, "After we finish Professor Swan's instructions later, can you accompany me to the Duelling Club for some practice?"
"No problem!" Harry glanced at the cage Ron was holding, "Hagrid is very good, he'll definitely solve Scabbers's problem quickly. Then we can go to the Duelling Club to practice."
Speaking of Scabbers, Ron's face was unhappy. He looked at the rat huddled in the cage and complained with some heartache.
"Professor Swan is really something, look what he's done to Scabbers."
"That big, fat rat is now almost emaciated."
"And Scabbers used to be so energetic and lively, but now he's just lying in the cage motionless, not even reacting when he sees me, his former owner."
Ron was heartbroken. This was his first exclusive pet.
Although he now had a new pet, Scabbers still held a very important place in his heart.
"Ron," Hermione whispered, "Do you want to buy Scabbers back from Professor Swan?"
"Looking at him, Professor hasn't researched anything from Scabbers, so if you want to buy him, Professor will definitely be willing to sell him to you."
Buy him back?
How much was Scabbers worth back then?
It seemed to be two hundred Galleons.
Thinking of that amount, Ron decisively shook his head.
"No need, I just feel sorry for Scabbers and want Professor to be nicer to him."
"Besides, I don't think Scabbers has any major problems. Hagrid will definitely cure him in no time."
"Let's walk faster."
Ron kicked aside a stone on the roadside and strode towards Hagrid's hut.