Chapter 5: CH 5
Kaysen looked at Professor McGonagall with a smile, but she glared back fiercely. In an instant, her authority as a teacher bore down on him, and he awkwardly shifted his gaze to the floor, muttering inwardly.
"Alright, what is this about?" Dumbledore asked, calmly changing cups and pouring two cappuccinos, which he slid across the table to them.
"We have an idea to upgrade Hogwarts' defense system," McGonagall said, recounting the story of the Iron Golem defeating the enchanted stone statue.
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.
"Of course, I have no objection, but it depends on Kaysen. Can your magic sustain such a task?"
Kaysen, sitting comfortably in his chair while sipping cappuccino, felt underestimated. If building Iron Golems was akin to his old business of crafting customized homes, then Hogwarts was just another job. He was ready to deliver.
Afternoon, Hogwarts at Dusk
Kaysen had just finished building another Iron Golem, complete with a massive steel sword. Behind him, Hagrid carried a giant bucket of enchanted, transparent paint designed to prevent rust. Even though Iron Golems didn't fear rust, they still deserved proper care.
"Kaysen, are you alright?" Hagrid asked cautiously, noticing Kaysen slowing down.
"I… I feel…" Kaysen looked up at the sunset.
"I feel like the sun looks green."
He sighed deeply. "It's this strange emptiness. Do you know what I mean? I can't explain it to you."
The truth was, Kaysen's "experience bar" was empty. He couldn't exactly tell Hagrid that. Hogwarts didn't have any golden arches to replenish his energy.
"Oh, Merlin's beard, you need a break! You've made enough Iron Golems today. If you keep this up, I'm worried you'll collapse before the first day of classes," Hagrid said firmly, setting down the paint bucket and hoisting Kaysen up.
Hagrid placed him on the weapon base of one of the Iron Golems to rest. Hagrid himself sat on the ground nearby. A moment later, a figure approached from the shadows—it was no bat, but Professor Snape.
Snape took in the scene: Kaysen, Hagrid, and the rows of Iron Golems lining the castle. Understanding their task, he reached into his robes and produced a small blue bottle.
"Potion for magical exhaustion."
"Oh! Experience bottle!" Kaysen exclaimed, automatically translating the term in his head. He drank it in one gulp, feeling a bit better, and finally exhaled in relief.
In a show of gratitude, Kaysen conjured a square crucible on the ground.
"I'm no potion master like you, but maybe this will be useful for brewing. Take a look."
Snape crouched to inspect it.
"The material is solid, but it would be difficult to heat with a normal flame. I appreciate the gesture."
"Wait, how about this?" Kaysen said, summoning a brewing stand he had crafted earlier. It featured a glowing rod in the center for constant heat, along with holders for three potion bottles.
Snape's lips twitched in what could have been amusement.
"Professor Heath, you have your own talents. Don't waste your time on potions."
"I'll take that under advisement," Kaysen said, still feeling drained.
Snape returned to his office, taking the oversized crucible with him. He remarked that it might be useful for soaking potion ingredients, as it was far too large for standard brewing.
"Shall we continue?" Kaysen asked Hagrid, after resting for a while.
"I can keep going until ten o'clock at night!" Hagrid declared proudly.
"What happens after ten?"
"After ten, it's no time for work. That's when we relax with a few glasses of wine. Come to my hut tonight; I've got some excellent bottles saved up," Hagrid offered cheerfully.
"Of course. Sounds great. I didn't know you were such a connoisseur of good times."
"Of course! You don't grow pumpkins in your yard without enjoying life. Speaking of which, Kaysen, can I make my pumpkins as big as these Golems?"
"Sorry, I can't do that."
"Alright… no need to apologize."
Late at Night
Kaysen wasn't much of a drinker, but he had no choice when faced with Hagrid's hospitality. The bottles Hagrid produced contained spirits with an alcohol content of over 60%. In the Muggle world, these were used for cocktails; Hagrid drank them straight, cup after cup.
This level of alcohol could probably power a car engine, Kaysen thought grimly. Still, he forced himself to drink.
Each time he finished a cup, Hagrid's favorability increased by +10. It seemed Hagrid had a fondness for bold drinkers.
By the end of the night, Hagrid sat next to Kaysen, his enormous hand slapping Kaysen's back as his hearty laughter echoed through the hut.
"I really… can't drink another drop."
Boom!
The Next Morning
Kaysen woke up groggily in Hagrid's hut. Despite his wild appearance, Hagrid turned out to be surprisingly hygienic. Kaysen himself was sprawled on the floor, bubbles still coming from his mouth.
Shaking off his daze, Kaysen used his wand to summon small cubes, carefully moving Hagrid to his bed. He cleaned up the empty wine bottles and tiptoed out of the hut.
Standing outside, he took a deep breath and glanced back at the small house. It still felt cramped for someone of Hagrid's size. On a whim, he used his wand to leave a blocky message on the door:
[If you ever want to expand your house, come to me. I'm a professional. — Kaysen Heath]
Satisfied, Kaysen rubbed his throbbing head and returned to his office. He vaguely remembered earning a new cube last night due to Hagrid's satisfaction.
What was it? His head still ached too much to recall.
Knock, knock, knock.
"What is it?"
Snape stepped into Kaysen's office.
"It may be overkill, but Madam Pomfrey is on holiday. I had no choice but to come to you."
Before Kaysen could respond, Snape tossed him a bottle of Hangover Cure Potion.
"Thank you."
After drinking the potion in one gulp, Kaysen's mind cleared, and he finally remembered the new cube he had gained. A dark green pixel sphere appeared in his hand before vanishing just as quickly.
"An Ender Pearl!" he murmured excitedly.
Snape cleared his throat. "I need your help with something related to potions."
"I'm not great at potions, to be honest."
"It's more about alchemy," Snape clarified. "Potion brewing requires precise temperature control. In the past, I had to simultaneously manage the flame and the brewing process—both delicate tasks. For high-level potions, this is especially difficult. I'd like you to design a magical device to maintain stable temperatures."
"You mean… a Muggle induction stove?"
"That won't work at Hogwarts, given the interference of magic."
"What about finding an apprentice to help?"
"I prefer to work alone."
Kaysen considered it. "I might have a solution… if I use redstone. Let me design something and get back to you."
[Trust from Snape +10]
"Thank you." Snape gave a rare smile. "Let me know your requirements."
"No problem."