Kapitel 87: ch 87 When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do!
April 7, 1992, 9:24 am Tuesday, Transfiguration class #1, 1st floor Hogwarts Castle
-Marshall's POV-
Holding a small rock, I carefully estimate its weight , "Hmmm… Around 40 grams…. Like a cookie…"
"We just had breakfast. Why are you thinking of food again?" asked Susan who also had a rock in front of her.
After the commotion I did last Saturday, school life still continues normally.
And since we're nearing the end of the school year, our lessons for most classes started to increase in difficulty. An example of which is today's Transfiguration lesson.
Everyone in class have a rock in front to practice the Avifor spell, the jinx that turns objects into birds.
"Oh?! It's for determining what bird to transform this rock into." I explained.
Prof. McGonagall heard me and nodded, "It seems Mr. Witcherly has some insight with the Avifor spell. Care to share with the class?"
Being asked to share some 'tips' regarding the spells became a normal thing. Even the Slytherins got dependent on my tips, as it was better to listen to me and complete the task, than failing to cast the spell and be left behind by the group.
After gathering my thoughts, I said, "The weight of the object is a deciding factor that will limit how big the bird can be and also whether the resulting bird can even fly. Ideally, there is a 10% allowable margin of difference regarding the weight of the resulting bird from the original object."
The professor asked a follow-up question, "What happens when there are errors in casting the spell?"
I quickly answered, "Well … It varies. Usually you'll just reshape the rock into a statue of your desired bird. Another possibility is transforming the rock into an egg. Some might cause the rock to crack or explode…"
"... But those are much preferred than the worst possible outcome."
"Oh? And what would that be?" The professor asked with a playful smile as she knows the answer.
With a sigh, I said, "You successfully transformed the object into an animated bird… with no feathers. If you ever saw a featherless chicken frolicking in the field, it can be a very disturbing sight."
Wayne asked, "What kind of bird do you suggest then, mate?"
"The common kind. Preferably, one you are familiar with. For me, my rock weighs just around 40 grams. The bird that comes to mind is… " I waved my wand toward the stone in front of me and said, "Avifor!"
My rock started to change shape and transformed into a common house sparrow. The sparrow looked around and stared at me, then flew toward my head.
With a slight flick of my wand, the sparrow flew into the air and circled my head.
"Eh? A sparrow? I've seen those in our house…" Justin said.
"Yes. Well done, Mr.Witcherly. 5 pts to Hufflepuff." said the professor.
Ever since the news of me being related to Merlin, I never got more than 5 pts for each time I answered or cast a spell correctly. I'm guessing that it's the faculty's way of evening the playing field for the points reward.
Well... I don't mind.
The rest of the class started to try casting the spell. As expected, some rocks transformed into statues, into eggs and cracked. Thankfully, none exploded or turned into a featherless bird.
The Avifor spell is actually an advanced Transfiguration spell. It is normally used to create a distraction or hidden projectiles.
Since we're first years, the lesson only consists of turning one object into one bird. And with the tip I gave, the rest of the class didn't try to fantasize any other bird and just focused on my example, a common house sparrow.
Before the class ended, twenty house sparrows were flying in the room.
Professor McGonagall gave us an assignment to level up the spell by turning the stone into a more elaborate species or turning multiple stones into a flock of birds.
Before we separated, Daphne asked me, "Which is easier, the more elaborate bird or creating a flock?"
Everyone was listening in on our conversation and waiting for my answer.
It took me a second to say, "Hmmm… If we go with the flock, you might need to prepare several rocks or objects with similar weight. I suggest trying making two birds first before aiming for a flock…."
"... For a more elaborate bird, you need a clear picture. I suggest looking outside to do some bird watching or looking at illustrations of birds in the library…"
Susan looked at the rest of the Puffs and said, "I think borrowing a book from the library is easier."
I suggested, "Well, why not try both and see for yourself which is better. Borrow the book later and let's meet at the new greenhouse after lunch. There are a lot of landscaping rocks and gravel that came in. They all have a uniform shape and weight."
Tracy quickly asked, "You're not trying to trick us into doing free labor again are you?"
"Of course not!" I quickly denied, but everyone was skeptical with my answer.
We quickly separated from the Slytherins and walked toward the dungeon for Potion class.
While we were walking, I sensed that the faint soul signature in Hagrid's hut starting to become active. I thought, 'Oh? So it's starting to hatch!'
Though I want to see a dragon hatching… again, I have decided to stay away from the progression of the storyline as much as possible.
I'm afraid that some 'players' are still quite stirred up from my birthday debacle that they might do something drastic.
As for the baby dragon, though I'm curious, I don't have any other thoughts about it.
My hands are already full. I haven't even played with Uno, the unicorn foal, as much as I have wanted to. There's no reason to add another rambunctious one into the mix.
I'm not a hoarder.
Besides, if the story follows the original plot. Norberta would eventually be taken to Romanian Dragon Sanctuary. When I asked Newt about it last Christmas, he confirmed that it is indeed a sanctuary and not a farm.
The dragon farms, where dragon products are produced, are businesses that are co-owned by the Ministries with their local banks and some old wizard families.
I'm just not sure if the succeeding events will follow the book or the movie. Either way, it's not a bad option for Norberta to be sent to the sanctuary.
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10:51 am Potion Class, Dungeon
While checking and preparing the ingredients for our beginner strength potion, Adeline asked me, "Marshall, the recipe included an arm bone. What animal did this came from?"
She raised a long bone using a pair of tongs and looked at me with a face full of dread.
Before I could say something, Snape answered her with a creepy tone, "Human bone, Ms. Le Roux. Human bones."
I could see Adeline shivered with disgust when she found out, almost dropping the tong.
She was not the only one, almost all the class had the same reaction.
"Relax guys. Though they are human bones, they were procured through humane and legal means…" I tried to clarify the situation.
Kevin trembled, "H-Hu-humane?"
I could see Snape glaring at me for stopping his fun, but I dismissed him and continued, "During the old days, some of the bones for potion brewing indeed came from humans, alive, dead, or from graves. That was until the times when such diseases like as Bubonic plague, Leprosy, smallpox, dragonpox and many others spread."
"... By then, those wizards and witches who needed the bones and other human body parts for their rituals and potions have to think twice because the ingredients that they might harvest or dig-up could be contaminated."
"So where did these bones come from?" asked Justin pointing at the bone in front of him.
Instead of answering his question, I gesture with my hand and directed everyone to look at our Potion Professor. I simply said, "I believe it's more appropriate and reassuring for our school's Potion Master to answer that question."
Silence~
It was obvious that Snape didn't like me guiding the class, but he still answered, "St. Mungo's. They came from people who needed money,… and patients or their families that can't pay for medical treatment can exchange for some of their… body parts. The matrons ensure that the... 'source' are clean and healthy, well taken cared for, and able to recover within a day or two."
Snape added, "The process is heavily regulated, and the parts will only be used… for healing and treatment of the patients. The only exceptions are Hogwarts… for educational purposes, … and licensed potion shops for finished potion for the public consumption. Any other 'sources' are considered illegal and will be subjected to persecution… by the Ministry."
Naomi mumbled, "But still… It's a human body part… and just for a potion…"
I sighed and quickly said, "It's not 'just' a potion, Naomi. It's useful potions. Some potions that use body parts are even life-saving ones. Have you heard of a blood bank in the muggle hospitals? It follows the same principle and operates in the same manner…"
From the looks of most of their faces, they are still having a hard time accepting idea of using human body parts. In this regard, I can't force them.
They are still young and innocent. Certain ideas and beliefs needed time to change or sink in.
After the awkward discussion, we still proceeded to brew the strength potion.
Everyone was tense. Especially when we watched the arm bone dissolved into the concoction in our cauldron.
As usual, me and Adeline finished first and present our bottled potion with orange color to Snape.
"Very well… 5pts to Hufflepuff," Snape monotonously said. He tossed the vial back at me and said, "Why don't you and Ms. Le Roux try drinking the potion you brew?"
Adeline shivered when she heard Snape's suggestion. She's still uncomfortable with the idea of using a human body part, and now she was being asked to drink it.
'Ok… I'm a little pissed.' I thought.
*CRrAaCKk! *SMASH!
Few of the window's glass panels started to crack and shattered outward.
Everyone in the class flinched, including Snape. He quickly looked at me, who's eyes never left him.
Briefly glancing at the broken window, I faced Snape with a smile and sarcastically said, "Oh? What happened there, Professor?"
Though I don't like conflict, I believe Snape needs a little reminder of who he is dealing with.
I'm not like Harry who will just bottle up his dissatisfaction.
The class ended with most able to brew their strength potion.
After exiting the dungeon, Adeline said, "Thanks Marshall!"
"Hmmm? Thanks for what? I don't know what you're talking about." I said.
They didn't say anything and just gave a knowing smile.
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11:35 am
In front of Greenhouse #1…
"Naomi, pass me the hot sauce please." asked Parvati while holding her plate of thin crust pizza.
To alleviate our hunger a little, I prepared some thin crust pizzas so that we don't ruin our appetite for lunch.
My fellow Puffs mentioned to the Gryffindors what happened to our Potion class earlier about the human bone arm.
As expected, Hermione was quick to react. She frowned and said, "That's so wrong. Isn't that organ harvesting!? We should file a complaint to the school to stop using human body parts!"
Her suggestion garnered some agreement from the muggle born and half-bloods, but I can see the others who grew up in the wizarding side to have a troubled expression.
Susan, Ernie, and Ron looked at me, suggesting they want me to say something.
With a sigh, I put my pizza down and said, "You might want to think twice before you go on a campaign, Ms. Greta-- I mean Ms. Granger. What is actually your argument on the topic?"
Hermione was surprised to hear me question her on the matter, "You don't find it appalling that we use human body parts as ingredients?"
As calmly as possible, I argue, "Don't you think it's unfair for you to judge something base only from your perspective?"
"But it's obviously wrong!" Hermione yelled. Murmurs started to be heard from everyone.
"Ok… ok… Calm down everyone." I asked everyone listening to pause for a second then I continue, "... First, I do agree that such practices of harvesting human body parts are a bit… for lack of a better term, Dark."
".... But … The procurement process carried out at St. Mungo's and other such facilities are 'legal' according to the Law. No one was forced or hurt. And it also provides an alternative means for those who can't pay their medical bills."
After pointing out some key points, I asked her again in a calm tone, "... So Hermione, I ask you. What's wrong with their arrangement?"
I could see that she wants to burst out yelling that the same thing without thinking deeper into the issue.
So before she could say anything, I then talked to the whole group, "It might be difficult to hear what I'm about to say to some of you, especially the Muggle borns, but I'll say it anyway…"
".... Once you accepted your Hogwarts letter and entered the school, you'll realize that some muggle common sense, morals and ideals don't apply in the Magical community. The sooner you accept this fact, the better you can adapt to this new environment."
".... I want you guys to think hard about what I just said. Moreover, When you observe and discover other practices that you don't agree with, don't be quick to judge and react violently. Try to ask someone, preferably the teachers, so they can explain it to you better."
Harry asked me, "So Marshall, you've saying that we should just accept things as they are?"
With a smiled, I shake my head, "Not entirely. But at the very least find out more about the topic and keep an open mind before passing judgment and making an argument."
"... For example. About the use of human body parts. If you read the related history, the Magical community did ban using it for sacrifices, rituals, and potions with dubious nature. The practice still exists today because there is a demand for potions such as the strength potions and Skele-gro."
"... If, let's say, someone creates a new potion recipe with similar effect without using human parts, then maybe in the future, the practice will eventually be abandon."
Our heated discussion ended when Professor Sprout opened the greenhouse and called us in.
Sprout gave me a nod. I already sensed her earlier listening in on our discussion. Thankfully, she decided to make her entrance before things get more heated.
From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Hermione is glaring at me but didn't pay her anymore attention.
Today's Potion lesson definitely shocked most of my classmates. To most, it's the first time they truly felt 'culture shocked' about something in the magical side.
Still remember the time I'm practicing with Uncle Nick brewing potions for the first time, I too was shocked when I learned that some ingredients came from people.
If I have a mindset of a normal kid, I'll probably react the same way as they did.
I have to remind myself, 'When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do.'
~end chapter ~
Author's note:
Regarding Strength Potion and Skele-Gro, the recipe does include an arm bone.
In LEGO Harry Potter, the arm bone came from a complete human skeleton in the dungeon classroom.
The whole St. Mungo's involvement is my own personal take on how the human body part ingredients are obtained.
When I started writing and researching the HP-universe in depth, I stumbled on some parts like the 'arm bone' for the Strength Potion. My reaction was...'Ain't that disturbing?!'
Think about it. There are many potion shops in the Harry Potter Universe, and some recipes needed human body parts. Do they get them illegally? Or was there a system put in placed to protect the muggles?
Digging up graves might be another source, but I think it will be even more chaotic if wizards were encouraged to grave rob. People tend to go over board when doing illegal things when there are no consequences when caught.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein