"Alright, that's all for today's class. Don't forget to do your homework." After Professor Brod announced the end of get out of class, the students began to pack up their things and leave the classroom.
"Professor Brod?" Albert deliberately stayed behind.
"Is there something you need, Mr. Anderson?" Professor Broad looked up at Albert and asked.
"Well, I have a question," Albert said immediately. "In the back of 'Dark Powers: A Guide to Self-Defense,' I saw something about Grindelwald, which reminded me of a plant you mentioned in the first lesson called the Guardian Tree."
Professor Brod looked at his gifted student with great interest and asked with a smile, "You want to know if the Guardian Tree can protect people from Grindelwald's attacks?"
"Yes," Albert nodded.
"Theoretically speaking… it should be possible." Professor Brod pointed outside, telling Albert that someone was waiting for him outside.
"Theoretically?" Albert turned around in confusion, waving to Fred and the other two, who indicated that they didn't need to wait for him.
"Yes, theoretically, I'm glad you realized that," Professor Brod said cheerfully. "The Guardian Tree is a magical mountain pear tree that protects anyone who touches its trunk from attacks by dark creatures. Of course, this is what is recorded in the literature. The fact that it is recorded in the 'Thousands of Magical Herbs and Mushrooms' means that the Guardian Tree is indeed effective, but… this is only in theory."
Albert remained silent, listening quietly as the other person continued.
Professor Brod gazed out the window, lost in his memories: "When I was young, a friend gave me a talisman that claimed to protect me from werewolves, Dementors, and Infernals."
"Does it really work?" Albert asked curiously.
"Yes, it works." Professor Brod nodded. "Of course, the effect isn't as exaggerated as he described, but the amulet does repel some dark creatures. It can indeed protect you from some unnecessary disturbances while you travel."
"The amulet is made of pear wood?" Albert had already figured out what Professor Brod meant by those words.
"Yes, the amulet's effects gradually weakened over time," Professor Brod nodded.
Albert fell silent, pondering the truth of Professor Brod's words: were amulets made of pear wood really that effective?
"After the amulet stopped working, I asked him for another one, but he refused. He told me that if I soaked the amulet in crushed garlic, vampires would stay away." Professor Brod shook his head, looking at the dumbfounded Albert. "I followed his advice and soaked the amulet in crushed garlic for a day. After that, the amulet smelled strongly of garlic."
"Are vampires really afraid of garlic and crosses?" Albert couldn't help but ask.
"Fear, or perhaps more accurately, disgust, is more appropriate. Vampires hate the smell of garlic," Professor Brod continued. "It's a stimulant for vampires, like someone chasing you with something you hate."
"And what about the cross?" Albert asked again.
"Back then, Muggles used branches from the Guardian Tree to make crosses, and it did have some effect, but it was minimal," Professor Brod shook his head. "Of course, the more important aspect of the cross is that it gives people courage in terms of faith."
"So, vampires aren't afraid of crosses?"
"Yes, they weren't afraid." Professor Brod brought the topic back. "Later, I saw amulets for sale in the market and bought one for two Galleons. It was also made of the wood of the Guardian Tree."
"No effect?" Albert felt he might have guessed the possibility.
"No, it's not that it had no effect, but rather…" Professor Brod grinned, "it had virtually no effect."
"Why?"
"Good question. Why?" Professor Brod countered. "Why do you think it is?"
"I don't know," Albert shook his head. "Is the amulet made from the wood of the Guardian Tree?"
"Do you know alchemy?" Professor Brod suddenly changed the subject.
"I know," Albert replied without hesitation. "An ancient prototype of chemistry?"
"Chemistry? I'm sorry, child, I didn't understand what you were saying." Professor Brod was also taken aback. He really didn't understand why Albert would utter the word "chemistry." In the wizarding worldview, there was no such thing as chemistry.
"I mean the Muggle worldview. You know, I come from a Muggle family, and according to Muggle books, alchemy is the rudimentary form of ancient chemistry," Albert explained casually.
"I see. However, alchemy in the magical world is actually a kind of magic." Professor Brod continued, "It is a profound subject. Alchemy includes many things. Unfortunately, it is not popular in Britain. Only in Africa and Egypt are there some courses offered."
"You believe the amulet is an alchemical item." Albert immediately connected the two things.
"Yes." Professor Brod was pleased that Albert understood this, and he continued, "Only amulets made by alchemists can be considered true amulets, as they best preserve the effects of the Guardian Tree. At least, when you wear an amulet across a swamp or lake, Grindylow won't attack you."
"However, I need to warn you, never buy any amulets on the market. Those are all made by scammers. Although the Guardian Tree is not very common, I think an amulet made from its wood is not worth two Galleons."
"Because it hasn't been processed by an alchemist?" Albert countered.
"That's right," Professor Broad said, looking at Albert. "I guess you want to use the Guardian Tree as a talisman?"
"Yes, I want to make a talisman for my sister; her birthday is coming up soon." Albert didn't hide anything, but he avoided Professor Broad's gaze. He felt that the old man might be able to manipulate minds, and although he didn't feel like he was being seen through, he should still be on his guard.
As he spoke, Albert pulled a cross he had made a while ago from his pocket.
It's really simple; it's just wood interwoven into a cross, the ordinary kind. It's a product he obtained from practicing the cutting spell.
"This is indeed an amulet made from the wood of the Guardian Tree." Professor Brod took the cross, looked it over, and joked, "However, it's of very poor quality. I dare say it won't sell for 2 Galleons."
Albert knew that Professor Brod was just making a simple joke and didn't take it seriously at all.
"If you want to make a talisman, I suggest you look at books on alchemy," Professor Brod suddenly suggested. "If it were someone else, I might not recommend them to study it, since it's at least a third-year elective. But it shouldn't be too difficult for you."
"Any recommendations?" Albert asked.
"Simple Alchemy, this is an introductory book, I prefer to call it Foolproof Alchemy." Professor Brod took out his pocket watch, glanced at the time, and said, "Alright, I have another class later. If you want to talk more about Defense Against the Dark Arts, I suggest you come to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office to see me this weekend."