Interestingly, when the Daily Prophet first received the news, it was not optimistic about the new course and even published an article in the newspaper saying that Hogwarts' decision to change the course was a wrong one.

Their reason was very simple. Alchemy was not common in the UK, but was very popular in France. If graduates wanted to make achievements in this area, they could only go to France.

So some people think that Hogwarts is trying to train talents for France, and suggest that Minerva McGonagall, the new headmaster, is a bit too hasty.

From the previous war against the Death Eaters to the Snape hearings that shocked the whole of Britain due to a Horcrux... Hogwarts has always been at the center of public opinion, so these articles did indeed spark a wave of discussion after they were published.

It wasn't until Hogwarts announced the name of the new professor that the article in the Daily Prophet suddenly took a big turn.

Rita Skeeter picked up her pen in anger, angrily denouncing a few of her colleagues as short-sighted and a group of old fools with rigid thinking.

She also strongly recommended the alchemy class in the article, believing that it was the most correct decision Hogwarts had made in a century, and that Minerva McGonagall had a longer-term vision than Dumbledore.

Strangely enough, the article does not mention any details or data about alchemy, but is full of praise.

But it was this article... which was considered to be completely meaningless by professionals, that changed people's views on alchemy in one fell swoop, and instantly changed the reputation of Hogwarts, including Minerva McGonagall.

"Why do you think this is happening?" In the headmaster's office, Minerva McGonagall looked at the newspapers on the table, her face full of confusion and bewilderment.

She was already prepared to be compared and criticized, but after one article, everything was fine?

"That's probably what professionalism is all about." Kyle, who was sitting opposite her, shrugged. "Rita Skeeter is the best at this kind of thing. She can always find out what people are most interested in."

"Of course I know that." Minerva McGonagall rubbed her forehead, "It's just that I always feel that she doesn't know how to compliment others."

Most of Rita Skeeter's articles reveal the unknown secrets of famous wizards, as well as some explosive gossip.

She never thought that one day she would receive praise from Rita Skeeter.

It felt like seeing a mandrake singing a lullaby, which was incredible.

And before this, she had only seen Rita Skeeter say good things about one person... and that person was right here.

She couldn't help but look up and glanced at Kyle across from her. After hesitating for a moment, she asked:

"Did you do something?"

"No." Kyle shook his head and said firmly, "I have been preparing for the first class these days and have done nothing. I haven't even sent any letters out."

Kyle did not lie about this. He really had never looked for Rita Skeeter, and he had just seen this article.

"That's strange. Why would Rita Skeeter help us..."

"She might just want to attract attention." Kyle thought for a moment and said, "Everyone is pessimistic about the alchemy class. If a different voice appears at this time, it will attract more people's attention."

"What I'm worried about is whether this article will mislead others." McGonagall turned her head to look out the window and said softly, "I don't deny that I once thought about rejecting Dumbledore's proposal... Don't be surprised. Even if he sent the letter as a school director, the headmaster still has the right to refuse."

“But I agreed anyway, I think it’s a bold attempt, but we also need to face the shortcomings of this course.

“Perhaps some people chose this course on impulse because they read Rita Skeeter’s article.

"But what if he later finds out that this course is different from what he imagined..."

"Then he can take other classes." Kyle blinked and said as a matter of course.

"Hogwarts is not Azkaban, and Alchemy is just an elective course. If you don't like it, you can always change to another one."

Principal McGonagall was stunned for a moment, and she suddenly realized that what Kyle said made sense.

"Just like Divination, Numerology, and Care of Magical Creatures, it's just an elective course."

Kyle continued, "It's like mastering one more ability. Learning divination doesn't mean you have to be a prophet, and taking alchemy classes doesn't mean you have to be an alchemist."

in addition……

Kyle flipped through the newspapers and found that all the articles were the same, all with "I think", "I feel", "I feel"...

Rita Skeeter's article does not contain detailed applications and data of alchemy, nor do the other articles. They are all written out of passion, so even if they are misleading, they are all the same.

The difference all depends on personal ability.

And in this respect, Rita Skeeter has no rival at all.

"Well... okay..." Mag originally wanted to say something else, but now she felt it was unnecessary. She suddenly realized that she seemed to be a little too nervous... Especially after officially becoming the principal, she didn't even notice what Kyle discovered after just one glance at the newspaper for two days.

Yes, it’s just adding an elective course. It’s not a big deal if you think about it carefully.

"How...are you preparing for your courses?" She took the initiative to change the subject.

“Almost,” Kyle said.

"Oh, I almost forgot." He took out a piece of parchment from his pocket and placed it on the table. "This is my application. I hope the principal will agree."

"Application." Headmaster McGonagall glanced at the parchment subconsciously, "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes is moving into Hogwarts... No!"

She rejected it outright without even reading the entire content.

"I have no objection to students buying Weasley joke toys in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Whether they can bring them into the castle depends on their ability. However, their shops must not be opened in the castle!"

"And there has never been such a precedent at Hogwarts," she said firmly.

"No, you misunderstood, Principal. I don't want them to open a store in school." Kyle explained quickly, "I mean, I want to cooperate with them on behalf of the school's alchemy class."

"cooperate?"

"That's right." Kyle nodded.

This was also the reason why he came to the principal's office today, but before he could open his mouth, he was interrupted by several newspapers.

"First, we need materials for the alchemy class."

Kyle patiently explained, "The cost of alchemy is even more than the other two or more courses combined, and expensive materials account for half of it."

"Potions class..." McGonagall suddenly said in a low voice.

Potions class is the most funded subject at Hogwarts right now. Fortunately, the school greenhouse can provide some raw materials, otherwise the few Galleons provided by the school directors every year would not be enough.

As for the Alchemy class, it was probably not much better than the Potions class. It was only because Dumbledore offered a large sum of Galleons in order to offer this course, otherwise she would never have agreed to it.

"I went to Hogsmeade yesterday. Fred and George promised to provide some basic materials for Hogwarts."

"Oh?" Mag raised her head. "So, what about the rewards? Don't tell me they are provided for free."

"Of course not," Kyle said. "They want to work with schools to buy student work at a lower price and place additional orders for senior grades."

Just like students would brew scabies potion in Potions class, Alchemy class naturally had homework, and Fred and George wanted to buy these students' homework, or semi-finished products.

The biggest difference between alchemy and potions is that it does not need to be completed in one step, but can be broken down into many different stages.

Changing it to potions is equivalent to processing the materials... For example, grinding lionfish bones into powder, preparing rat tails and leech juice, etc.

It doesn't require any complicated technical content, but it is time-consuming.

In Potions class, these things are usually assigned to students who are in detention. Sometimes, if something is needed in a class, two students will have to stay in the detention room for an entire afternoon.

After listening to Kyle's explanation, Mag frowned and did not agree, but did not refuse either.

This is not something unacceptable. Hogwarts saves money and Weasley gains convenience. It is a win-win situation.

"I have another question." She looked up and asked, "Will the content of the alchemy class be changed according to their needs?"

"Not really." Kyle blurted out, "They made the decision after reading the textbook I brought. In fact, most of the things in their store fall into the category of basic alchemy and are highly applicable."

Mag nodded.

"Also, what do you mean by extra orders for seniors?"

"It's a chance to earn some pocket money," Kyle said, "After students become proficient in alchemy, they will purchase a batch of additional finished or semi-finished products every year.

"Students can buy the materials themselves, or buy them somewhere else, and as long as they can make what they need, they will spend the money to buy it."

Not only Principal McGonagall, but even the principal on the wall was stunned.

They never thought that students at Hogwarts could earn pocket money in this way.

But if you think about it carefully, there is no problem. Maybe no one would dare to buy the potions brewed by students, but the semi-finished alchemical products seem to be okay.

"How much?"

"I can earn about three to five Galleons at a time." Kyle did a quick calculation. "Not much, but definitely enough to buy some snacks, candies, parchment, quills, and the like."

"Isn't that enough?" Mag's voice changed a little.

Most students at Hogwarts only have about ten Galleons of pocket money a year, and three or five Galleons is almost half of that.

And she also found out that Kyle was talking about once, not all.

She could already imagine how many students would sign up for the alchemy class next year if this application was approved.

After all, this is the only course that allows you to make money without graduating, and the money you make is quite a lot.

McGonagall knew that this was actually a good thing for students, but deep down she didn't want Hogwarts to have too much to do with Galleons, and learning shouldn't be linked to business.

Because students cannot stay in school forever.

When you are in school, you are only focused on making money. What about after graduation? Will you continue to make money? But five Galleons is not much at that time.

"Albus..." On the wall, Armando Dippet quietly slipped into the largest painting and whispered to Dumbledore.

"What do you think... is it right or wrong to let this child stay in Hogwarts?"

"Why are you asking him?" Phineas curled his lips beside him, "Don't forget, it was he who insisted on keeping that little bastard in Hogwarts."

"I think it's a good idea." Dumbledore did not directly answer Dippet's question.

"The exchange at Gringotts is actually not cost-effective. Most young wizards from Muggle families are in financial difficulties every year. This is a good opportunity for them."

"What kind of excuse is that?" Phineas couldn't help but say, "I can see that you two are in the same boat."

"You don't understand." Dumbledore did not explain.

Phineas's last name was Black, and it was difficult for him to understand this.

The headmasters on the wall were discussing, and the current headmaster, Mag, was also hesitating.

He thought about it for a long time and finally agreed to Kyle's request, but made some changes.

It is okay to issue additional tasks, but they must be for students in grade 6 or above, and the time limit can only be the first half of the school year.

We cannot be distracted in the second half of the school year because we have exams.

Kyle had no objection to this and readily agreed on behalf of Fred and George.

This was already within their expectations and there was no need to hesitate. Moreover, the current situation was already good, at least there was one more sixth grader.

They had previously thought that additional tasks could only be issued in seventh grade.

After leaving the headmaster's office, Kyle went all the way to Hogsmeade and told Fred and George the news.

But they were not as happy as they had imagined, and were even a little disappointed.

After all, the alchemy class only has third-year students now, and they are all novices. It is already very good if the materials input and the rewards can be barely equal.

Even though they are just some basic little gadgets like guardian branches, magic ink, fire lizard stones, warthog tusks, etc., but if there are too many of them, it will cost a lot.

If it weren't for their trust in Kyle, they would never agree to such a request if it was any other professor, even if it was Headmaster McGonagall.

“I hope I don’t lose too much.”

Looking at Kyle hurriedly leaving with a big bag of things, Fred said dimly.

It was also his fault for speaking too quickly yesterday and saying that if I needed any help, just ask and don't hesitate.

Who would have thought Kyle was so rude.

I don’t know if those little third graders can do it, I hope I end up with a bunch of defective products.

"Trust Kyle." George walked up and patted him on the shoulder.

"If he dares to send me a bunch of defective products, I will send him a bag of dung eggs every day!" Fred couldn't help but mutter.

At the same time, Kyle returned to Hogwarts and went to see Hagrid again.

The Potions class has materials provided by the Herbology class, and so does the Alchemy class, and that is the Care of Magical Creatures class.

The biggest advantage of Hogwarts over Beauxbatons is that it has a vast forbidden forest.

There are many magical animals in it, including the hair of unicorns, the shells of fire crabs, the feathers of hippogriffs, the mane on the necks of the thestrals...

These are all good materials that can be used for alchemy, and Hagrid just needs to collect them.

…

(End of this chapter)