Harry Potter: Don't Touch the Badger's Plants

Chapter 296: Undercurrents, Harvest, and Black-backed Ring Flies

The golden lemon pie emitted an enticing sweet fragrance. This was Aunt Petunia's specialty dish. It should have been the centerpiece of this banquet, but not in the way the Dursleys hoped!

Watching helplessly as the lemon pie fell toward Ciel's head, Aunt Petunia screamed. Uncle Vernon's face turned deathly pale, as if what was falling wasn't a lemon pie, but his business deal and his job.

Outside the house, Dobby peered through the window at this scene, large eyes flickering with anticipation. Soon, this banquet will be completely ruined. Harry Potter will be confined, never able to return to Hogwarts. Dobby can help Harry Potter!

But the next second, Ciel calmly moved. His arm lifted, steadily catching the plate's bottom as easily as plucking a falling feather from the air. Then the silver dining knife in his other hand transformed into a blur of light and shadow.

Everyone's vision blurred. That huge lemon pie was already divided into evenly sized pieces, falling perfectly onto everyone's plates. Throughout the entire process, Ciel's movements flowed like water, like a waltz. His face even showed perfectly-timed surprise and intense interest, his gaze sweeping beneath the dining table as if searching for some ingenious mechanism.

"Does this table have springs inside? An automatic serving device? Speaking of which, did I mention I've studied acrobatics and swordsmanship? Did you arrange such a performance for me, Mr. Dursley? Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating!"

Ciel's words made the Dursleys, tense to the extreme, deflate as if their bones had dissolved. Vernon let out a long, trembling sigh, grabbing his napkin to frantically wipe the cold sweat pouring from his forehead, stammering, "Yes, yes! Quite a sight!"

Then he quickly applauded. "Spectacular performance! I dare say not everyone has the fortune to witness this. Elegant, precise."

Vernon's clumsy praise eased the atmosphere considerably. Harry's racing heart finally relaxed, while he prayed inwardly that Dobby, that irritating house-elf, wouldn't cause more trouble.

Simultaneously, Dobby in the outdoor shadows widened its eyes. It never imagined that the falling lemon pie would be caught just like that by the Muggle businessman invited by the Dursleys.

Dobby muttered vaguely, "But Dobby still has plenty of chances to ruin this banquet. Dobby will definitely succeed."

But Dobby had no idea that Ciel's eyes already flickered with unusual brilliance. Petrifying Eyes let him observe minute magical power in fine detail. Just now, when Dobby used the Levitation Charm to control the lemon pie, Ciel had already detected traces of magical power.

It's outside the house, but I can't determine the specific location yet. Need Dobby to take further action. But I think it won't give up.

Recalling what Dobby did in the original story to prevent Harry from going to Hogwarts, Ciel was quite certain.

Indeed, shortly after the banquet continued, Vernon stood up diligently to cover his embarrassment and change the subject. He picked up that bottle of Bordeaux red wine he'd treasured for years, specifically for entertaining distinguished guests.

"Sir Lockhart, Mr. Sprout, please do try this. This certainly can't compare to the expensive wines you regularly drink, but it has its own unique flavor."

While speaking, Uncle Vernon forcefully pulled the oak cork. But the instant the cork was pulled halfway out, the deep red wine liquid immediately erupted violently like a volcano, again surging toward Ciel.

Vernon was terrified, his hand trembling, nearly dropping the wine bottle and shattering it. But Ciel didn't even blink. He didn't even put down his dining knife. Just the hand holding the wine glass, extremely naturally, as if merely catching a dewdrop, lightly swayed forward to meet the surging red wine.

Time seemed to stretch in his hands. The surging wine liquid, as if by precise coincidence, all flowed into that small, crystal-clear glass.

Ciel raised the wine glass before his eyes, gently swirling it against the light, as if appreciating the perfect wine legs the liquid traced on the glass walls. But his eyes reflected countless traces of magical particles.

The position is clearer. Just a bit more, just a bit more to lock on.

Then Ciel sniffed the red wine in his glass, praising, "Mr. Dursley truly is a man of taste. This wine-serving method releases the red wine's aroma more fully. Pity I'm not yet of age, otherwise I'd definitely take a sip."

Vernon breathed a sigh of relief again. He felt his heart was about to give out. While repeatedly agreeing with Ciel, "Right, right. This is a wine-serving method I learned from an Indian gentleman. Young Mr. Sprout is indeed an expert."

Simultaneously, he wiped his forehead with his napkin again. Vernon didn't dare make any more moves, fearing additional accidents.

In the shadows, Dobby was dumbfounded. It truly couldn't understand how a Muggle could do these things. Dobby had an even worse premonition, making it hesitate whether to continue its actions.

Just a bit more. Isn't Dobby acting? Has it detected something wrong? That's actually normal. These actions are indeed too coincidental. But if it wants to sabotage this banquet, Dobby doesn't have much time left.

Then Ciel stood up, putting down his knife and fork, his gaze turning toward the uneasy Vernon Dursley. "Mr. Dursley, tonight's hospitality was very pleasant. Whether food, wine, or your family's atmosphere, all left deep impressions on me. I think the cooperation with Grunnings Drill Company should be completely finalized. From now on, you'll liaise with me. I think these should suffice for the first batch of minerals' down payment."

Speaking, Ciel withdrew a small pouch filled with sparkling gemstones. Aunt Petunia widened her eyes, captivated by these jewels' brilliance.

On Vernon's fat face, scalding heat immediately surged, flushing purple-red. This order was enough for him to get promoted and receive a raise, earning generous compensation sufficient for a comfortable retirement!

"My dear Mr. Sprout! I'm truly grateful for your recognition. Being able to host you is such an honor!"

Vernon spoke incoherently with excitement, suddenly standing up. He circled the table, opening his arms, seemingly wanting to give Ciel a bear hug in his excitement.

But just then, Dobby, watching from the shadows, widened its lamp-like eyes in horror. No! Can't! Dobby must sabotage this banquet, must make Harry be confined, be expelled. Must stop, even if it means harming this Muggle child.

Then Dobby gritted its teeth, forcefully snapping its fingers. Much more violent magical power than before immediately burst forth.

The excited Vernon, wanting to embrace Ciel, suddenly stumbled. His obese body instantly lost balance, like a felled tree, falling toward Ciel. That was already bad enough, but when he'd excitedly stood, he'd still instinctively clutched the dining knife and fork in his hands.

Now, the knife and fork pointed straight at Ciel's face. Vernon felt his heart was about to stop, instantly falling from heaven to hell.

However, Ciel seemed to have anticipated all this. The instant Vernon's massive body was about to completely crush him, the knife tip less than an inch from his face, Ciel stood up, one hand gently pressing Vernon's shoulder. An incredibly steady force instantly canceled all of Vernon's forward momentum.

"Mr. Dursley, are you hurt? Don't get too excited. Falling would be unfortunate."

He released his hand; only then did Vernon collapse into his chair, still not recovered, lips pale and speechless.

Ciel nodded slightly to the Dursleys. "Again, thank you for your warm hospitality. Tonight was very pleasant. But it's getting late, we won't disturb you further. Mr. Dursley, I hope that batch of minerals I need can be sent to the designated location as soon as possible."

Then Ciel said no more, directly turning and walking toward the door. The door gently closed.

Several seconds later, when Ciel and Lockhart's figures disappeared outside, Vernon Dursley suddenly bounced from his chair. He staggered, face mixing post-disaster relief with an excited expression, striding to Harry.

Harry instinctively stepped back, blurting out, "It wasn't me! Those things weren't my doing!"

Vernon glared fiercely at Harry, those small eyes filled with bloodshot veins and a complex light Harry had never seen. His heavy breathing sprayed on Harry's face, his voice hoarse and low, carrying an uncontrollable disgust.

"Listen, boy! I don't like you one bit! Never have! You and your parents alike, all freaks! Troublemakers!"

Harry's heart sank, fists clenching. But Vernon's next words suddenly froze Harry. "But at least you didn't wave your broken stick, throwing us all into that cursed sea. This proves that under our guidance, you at least have the most basic sense of gratitude."

Vernon took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, forcefully waving his hand as if dispelling something ominous. "In any case, you won't be doing those chores anymore. That stairwell cupboard, you won't be made to go in again. During vacation, on the premise of not causing trouble, you can go out. Heard me? I won't say it twice!"

Harry was completely stunned, emerald eyes wide open, looking at Uncle Vernon incredulously. Freedom? Going out? No chores? He'd never dreamed he'd hear these things from the Dursleys!

The joy and impact this brought exceeded winning a Quidditch match, even when narrowly escaping death, defeating Voldemort in the Philosopher's Stone's final challenge. Harry stood frozen, mind blank.

In the cupboard, in the stairwell, in countless long nights chased by Dudley, he'd hoped to escape such a life. Harry once thought he could only obtain these things in the magical world. Yet he'd never imagined the Dursleys would make concessions.

He even instinctively pinched his arm. Not a dream! Then Harry's mind surfaced with Ciel's face, his gratitude beyond words.

Ciel, having left the Dursleys', exhaled softly. This repaid Harry the favor of lending him the Invisibility Cloak and teaching him Parseltongue. Incidentally, it also resolved that lingering dissatisfaction from reading the original story.

But next was the real business. In Ciel's eyes, magical power traces were crystal clear. When Dobby cast spells the last time, Ciel finally locked onto this house-elf's position.

He patted a pocket on his chest. "After eating for so long, time to work, right?"

Then the Voodoo Doll poked out its head. During this time, it had continuously swallowed and digested Ciel's blood. The surrounding curse magic had become exponentially more concentrated. Even those Dark wizards proficient in curse studies would probably shudder seeing it. What madman actually uses flesh and blood to feed a Voodoo Doll?

But for Ciel, some blood loss was nothing. Obtaining the Voodoo Doll's eerie methods was worthwhile. Now was the moment to use it.

Hearing Ciel's instructions, the Voodoo Doll giggled, then, immediately carrying cold curse magic, vanished from its spot.

Dobby was still hiding in the shadows beneath trees, large ears drooping powerlessly. It began using its head to ram against the tree trunk, making the leaves rustle loudly.

"Bad Dobby! Useless Dobby! Dobby messed things up, Dobby failed, Dobby must think of other methods."

Just as Dobby self-harmed while thinking how to make Harry Potter expelled again, a hollow, eerie child's laughter suddenly sounded without warning beside Dobby's ear. "Hee hee, hee hee hee."

That laughter was very close, as if emitted right behind it against its ear, icy breath brushing its pointed ear.

An indescribable cold sensation seized Dobby instantly. That wasn't physical cold, but bone-deep, soul-freezing malice. It wanted to turn around in terror, but it was already too late.

Two pale small hands silently extended from darkness, covering Dobby's eyes. "Hee hee, caught you. Master wants to see you. You can't escape."

Dobby wanted to scream, but even its voice seemed frozen. It wanted to snap its fingers and Apparate away. However, movements that were usually easily accomplished now made even moving fingers difficult.

When Dobby lost its escape opportunity, the surrounding shadows gradually sealed the area. Ciel emerged from the shadows.

The Voodoo Doll looked at him, emitting a proud laugh as if showing off its achievements. Ciel casually broke off a finger section, tossing it to the Voodoo Doll like feeding fish. The Voodoo Doll's eyes brightened, immediately opening its mouth wide, swallowing this finger.

In silence, the bloody scent permeated. Chewing sounds rang out. Dobby was nearly scared witless.

Then again, a scraping sound entered Dobby's ears. "Good evening, little thing. Know why I came looking for you? You'd better tell me everything. Why did you betray your own master?"

Dobby suddenly knelt on the ground, its wrinkled face twisted from fear and pain, large eyes instantly filling with tears. It began frantically banging its head against the dirty ground. "Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby betrayed Master! Dobby only wanted to protect Savior Harry Potter!"

Ciel frowned. The Voodoo Doll seemed to understand Ciel's meaning. Cold, venomous magic choked Dobby's annoying, shrill voice.

Ciel emphasized again. "I'm not talking about Harry Potter. I'm talking about you leaking the time and place of Lucius Malfoy's secret transaction, attracting that band of desperados to attack, nearly killing him. Are you that eager to kill your own master?"

Dobby's wailing abruptly stopped. Its voice was filled with bewilderment and confusion. "Leak? Leak?"

Dobby's pointed ears violently trembled from shock. "No! Dobby didn't leak! Dobby doesn't like Master! Dobby dreams of freedom! But Dobby, besides secretly helping Harry Potter, has never done anything to harm Master! Never wanted to kill Master!"

Ciel's pupils slightly contracted, gaze falling on Dobby, not missing any trace. But the minute pheromones Dobby's body emitted, representing emotional fluctuations, showed terror, grievance, urgency, yet no lies.

It isn't lying? Could my speculation be wrong? Information leaked through more hidden methods unrelated to house-elves?

Just as Ciel's mind filled with doubts, Dobby was still chattering. "Though Dobby secretly curses Master, though Dobby desperately desires freedom, though Dobby goes to gatherings, but Dobby is a good house-elf."

Ciel raised his eyebrows slightly, keenly capturing a keyword. "Gathering? What gathering?"

Under the Voodoo Doll's invisible oppression and Ciel's cold, imposing manner, Dobby sobbed while intermittently revealing the truth.

Originally, Dobby was like other house-elves, not thinking much about freedom, only serving its master wholeheartedly. Once, it encountered a peculiar house-elf. That was the first time it heard the word "freedom."

Later, through various contacts, Dobby participated in an extremely secretive house-elf gathering. The house-elves there all hid their identities, pouring out their longing for freedom, cursing their masters, sharing secrets about their masters.

Dobby even learned there that if willing to pay some "punishment" price, it could slightly violate some house-elf contract clauses. Of course, only those insignificant clauses.

"But Dobby never said any Malfoy family secrets. At most, Dobby only cursed Mr. Malfoy, saying he was a vampire who should be hanged on lampposts. Really!"

But Ciel paid no mind to Dobby's crying. His mind surged with realization. House-elves called freaks like Dobby aren't just one? They've even formed gatherings, organizations?

What this meant, Ciel understood perfectly. Free-faction house-elves? Sharing experiences, even leaking master privacy? An intelligence network hidden deep within countless pureblood families, seizing countless secrets!

Probably no one could imagine that, unknowingly, a force had infiltrated among house-elves nobody noticed, making these creatures, the pureblood families took for granted, into optimal intelligence gatherers.

Ingenious thinking indeed. But accomplishing this probably requires more than clever ideas. Contract magic is key. First, those Dark wizards couldn't reveal any information; now, even house-elves' powerful contracts can be shaken. This mastermind's contract magic mastery is probably extraordinary.

Finding this person would be extremely difficult. But moments later, his furrowed brows also relaxed. His purpose wasn't finding the mastermind, at least not currently. Finding the source of the information leak has already achieved his goal.

"Seems it wasn't you."

No longer bothering with Dobby, who collapsed on the ground trembling, turning, Ciel's figure vanished like melting into the ink-black night.

That very late night, Ciel had already returned the purified Alihotsy to Malfoy Manor, simultaneously conveying to Snape and Lucius to be cautious of house-elves during future transactions.

Only then did he breathe easier. By eliminating these threats, Alihotsy trading should be stable for a while, providing the necessary resources for his planting.

Not until now could Ciel's mind finally inventory this period's harvest. Those fleeing Dark wizards carried some precious Dark magic items. Some items were quite good, though useless to Ciel.

He simply threw everything at that transforming Patronus Tree seed. These days, the Patronus Tree seed had already digested most of that Blood Soul Thorn branch. In the reward information above, Legendary luster's proportion already exceeded Epic luster. Once the Blood Soul Thorn branch was completely digested, the distance to transforming to the Legendary tier probably wasn't far.

These Dark magic items could also provide some assistance, better than nothing. Compared to these, Rotfly Shume's used Dark magic flies interested Ciel more.

Not because this magic was especially powerful and eerie. After all, Ciel had plenty of powerful, eerie methods. Whether the Voodoo Doll or ancient shadow magic, discussing eeriness both exceeded it.

But one thing these flies had that the Voodoo Doll and ancient shadow magic couldn't match: Flies are important media for plant flowering and pollination. Even in the magical world of herbology, many plants still need insects like flies, bees, and butterflies to pollinate.

Though magic can assist pollination —whether in speed or success rate —both fall far short of natural methods. If I can master cultivating magic flies, that means I can use artificial pollination to replace natural pollination. This also means higher efficiency, higher stability, and even the ability to precisely control hybridization experiments between two plant species or even two plant individuals.

Plus, those plants that already mutated excellent traits. Their traits need to be passed down generation after generation, and forming excellent seeds requires pollination. Precise, efficient pollination is key to obtaining stable inheritance and excellent traits!

Ciel's eyes flickered. This would benefit his herbology greatly. Therefore, Ciel summoned Rotfly Shume's shadow-eroded head through ancient shadow magic, inquiring about cultivating those magic flies.

This time was quite smooth. That head opened shadow-possessed eyes, dully answering the entire process.

Ciel pondered briefly. The Dark magic transfiguration involved didn't exceed his mastery. As for using blood to cultivate flies, it was trivial for him. Ciel didn't even need cultivation inside his body. Cutting blood in petri dishes worked.

The only troublesome thing was that this magic had requirements for the flies themselves. Must be a fly connected to Dark magic, suitable for Dark magic transfiguration, called Black-backed Ring Flies. This fly only gathers in one swamp. But approaching this swamp is quite dangerous because though individual Black-backed Ring Flies aren't lethal, once they swarm in tens of thousands, each bite carries special magic. Once accumulated excessively, it becomes very troublesome.

But moments later, Ciel's eyes brightened. These aren't problems for me. Magic-Resistant Scales are enough to ignore massive Black-backed Ring Fly bites. I can even rely on ancient shadow magic, directly entering the swamp unimpeded.

"This place isn't far either. Compared to the benefits cultivating Black-backed Ring Flies can bring, risking some trouble is worthwhile."

Meanwhile, at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley looked at Ron with surprise. "Ron? Going out again. You've been going out a lot lately."

Ron forced a smile. "I'm investigating some business opportunities. You know, Fred and George always tell me about opening shops later. I think maybe I can prepare early, looking at shop locations, learning how people do business."

Mrs. Weasley smiled, patting Ron's head. "Whatever you like. Oh, right." She withdrew a silver Sickle from her pocket, pressing it into Ron's hand. "Don't shortchange yourself. If you're thirsty, buy an ice cream."

Ron silently walked out the door, exhaling deeply. Then, clenching his fists, he asked the "Nagini" in his mind. "I'm sick of picking Alihotsy from trash cans. I've been finding less and less lately. Nagini, is that money-making method you mentioned really feasible?"

Nagini replied, "Of course. Conston Swamp is perfect for daring adventurers to earn their first fortune. Black-backed Ring Flies, essential for certain special magic, only originate from Conston Swamp. One bottle of Black-backed Ring Flies can be exchanged for several Galleons. There, these things are everywhere."

"If you can catch Black-backed Ring Fly Queens, this extremely rare material, Ron, you'd strike it rich. Not only could you buy much more Alihotsy bonding with the basilisk, you could also supplement household expenses."

Ron silently nodded, asking again, "Then why have I never heard of this place? Shouldn't many people go there to catch these flies?"

Nagini sneered. "Not many have this ability. Swarming Black-backed Ring Flies. Legend says they can drill into dragon-scale crevices and bite dragons to death. What wizard dares risk their life going to Conston Swamp to capture such insects? But don't worry. I have methods to help you resist those insect bites. Ron, with me helping you, good times are still ahead!"

Ron felt expectant, simultaneously a picture emerging in his mind. Before long, not only will I control basilisks with superior magical mastery, easily crushing Ciel in strength, even financially, I'll scatter Galleons by the handful, making Ciel's entire family not compare to my pocket money.

Thinking this way, Ron's footsteps quickened. Conston Swamp, Black-backed Ring Fly Queens. First, go to Diagon Alley to buy materials; you need to brew a potion that resists Black-backed Ring Flies. Ciel, just wait.