Chapter 59: Chapter 59: The Freezing Charm
Chapter 59: The Freezing Charm
"It seems Miss Hermione is truly suited for Gryffindor."
George couldn't help but tease.
Hermione and Professor McGonagall were cut from the same cloth—outwardly rule-abiding and by-the-book, but inwardly more adventurous than anyone.
Eighty percent of Harry and Ron's rule-breaking escapades were instigated by Hermione.
George suspected that the reason Hermione had been so angry with Harry and Ron at the start of term wasn't because they'd caused trouble, but because they'd left her out of it.
Hermione blushed slightly but didn't argue. Instead, she asked:
"Unfortunately, I've searched the entire library and couldn't find the book Snape mentioned in class—*Moste Potente Potions*. Without the recipe for Polyjuice Potion, we can't make it.
George, have you seen this book in the library?"
"Moste Potente Potions? I think I remember seeing it in the Restricted Section."
George pondered for a moment before replying.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise.
"The Restricted Section? You can access the Restricted Section?"
"Thanks to Professor Lockhart. If you compliment his books and come up with a plausible reason, he'll give you a pass to browse the Restricted Section.
Next time I go, I'll look for Moste Potente Potions for you."
George winked at Hermione.
Since his first trip to the Restricted Section to borrow books on Tracking Charms, he'd returned several times. However, aware of Dumbledore's surveillance, he'd avoided any books on dark magic.
Instead, he'd borrowed advanced spellbooks.
While he couldn't yet master those spells, memorizing them was a good start.
His offer to help the trio was also a signal to Dumbledore.
By positioning himself as Harry's friend who could assist him in the Restricted Section, George hoped Dumbledore would turn a blind eye.
Otherwise, Dumbledore might eventually close this loophole, especially since, as headmaster, he had the authority to revoke George's access.
This was part of the reason George had befriended the trio in the first place.
"See, I told you Lockhart's an idiot."
Ron wasn't surprised. After the Cornish Pixie incident, he'd seen through Lockhart's facade.
Hermione, however, disagreed vehemently:
"He's not an idiot! I checked, and everything in his books is true!"
"Sure, and I bet it's because he called you the best second-year student."
"Alright, I'll help, but there's a condition."
George cut off their argument:
"I heard you used the Freezing Charm to easily immobilize a group of Cornish Pixies in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I've been studying the Freezing Charm too. Maybe we could exchange tips?"
The Freezing Charm, a binding spell effective against small creatures, was useless against larger beings like humans, who could easily break free.
But George wasn't interested in its binding capabilities. What intrigued him was its secondary effect—it could disrupt modern technology.
Devices like burglar alarms and surveillance cameras would malfunction when hit by the Freezing Charm, making it a favorite among wizards in the Muggle world.
If he used this spell against Iron Man, the Arc Reactor in his suit might fail, rendering the armor useless.
"Of course! I'll teach you everything I know about the Freezing Charm."
Hermione, thrilled that the star of Slytherin was seeking her advice, lifted her chin proudly. She loved being the teacher.
Especially since George was so polite, unlike Ron, who always mocked her when she tried to help.
"Freaks."
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, sharing the same thought.
The Freezing Charm was one of the most difficult second-year spells, taught only in the second term. Hermione mastering it early was impressive enough, but George, a first-year, was already studying it.
Truly, the world of overachievers was beyond their comprehension.
The next day, George used Lockhart's pass to enter the Restricted Section and retrieve *Moste Potente Potions*, which he handed over to Hermione.
However, before giving it to her, he'd already copied all the potion recipes from the book onto his computer in the Marvel world for future use.
Even Dumbledore wouldn't suspect that in the few hours between borrowing the book and handing it to Hermione, George had replicated every recipe.
With the Polyjuice Potion recipe in hand, the trio began gathering the rare ingredients needed, with Hermione taking charge of brewing.
Polyjuice Potion was a highly advanced potion, requiring about a month to brew.
George didn't involve himself further, instead focusing entirely on his magical studies.
By the end of November, it was time for the event all Hogwarts students eagerly anticipated—the annual inter-house Quidditch matches. Each victory would significantly boost the winning house's points.
On Saturday, the first match began: Slytherin versus Gryffindor.
At breakfast, the Gryffindor table was tense. They knew this would be a tough match. Aside from Harry's Nimbus 2000, all their brooms were far slower than Slytherin's Nimbus 2001s.
In contrast, the Slytherin table buzzed with excitement. They were confident of victory, largely due to George's performance during practice.
"George, are we really doing this?"
Slytherin team captain Marcus Flint looked uneasy.
George sipped his pumpkin juice and replied:
"I've already discussed this with the head of house, and he agreed. If we're certain of victory, we shouldn't give anyone a reason to criticize Slytherin.
We need to show them that Slytherin wins through sheer skill. That's the Slytherin way!"
"Fine, we'll do it your way. But if we lose, it's on you."
Flint gritted his teeth and nodded.
While he thought George's approach was unnecessary—winning by any means, even fouls, was acceptable—he couldn't argue since the head of house had approved.
"Are you doubting my abilities?"
George glanced at Flint, who immediately stiffened and forced a smile:
"Of course not. I'd never doubt you."
George was the head of house's favorite student, and Slytherin's chances of winning the Quidditch Cup depended on him. Flint couldn't afford to offend him.
(End of Chapter)