Chapter 30: The Wolfsbane Potion Is a Trap

After leaving Ollivander's wand shop, Leonard went to Jigger's pharmacy as agreed and collected ten portions of dittany extract and ten portions of wormwood.

The dittany extract was of little use to him, but he still took it. The reason was simple—he didn't want Jigger to know that his ability to brew such exceptionally potent Essence of Dittany came from the enhanced plant he possessed.

When it came to keeping his secrets, Leonard was always cautious.

"Ten sets of ingredients—you can only afford to waste one. I expect to see at least nine bottles of Essence of Dittany," Jigger warned as he handed over the supplies. "Anything less, and I'll deduct it from your payment."

"You're really stingy. You're going to make at least ninety Galleons off this deal, and you're quibbling over one set of ingredients?" Leonard complained as he took the package filled with bottles and jars.

"That's different. It's the rule," Jigger said seriously. "That's how it is for most potionmakers—unless your skills are so outstanding that people have no choice but to bend the rules for you."

"Fine, fair enough. By the way, about the Invigoration Draught—any advice?" Leonard asked.

"Ha! So you failed. No surprise. Compared to Essence of Dittany, Invigoration Draught is the real entry point to potion-making. Handling the Horklump juice is the key," Jigger said with a smug grin, clearly enjoying Leonard's struggle, though he still shared what tips and precautions he knew.

Leonard nodded, listening carefully. When Jigger finished, he put on a casual air and asked, "Mr. Jigger, you've been in the potion-making circle for years. You must know a lot about what goes on, right?"

"Of course. I'm connected with plenty of famous potion masters," Jigger said proudly.

"Then have you heard of any potion that treats werewolves?" Leonard raised an eyebrow.

That wasn't a hint—it was as plain as it could be. He was openly telling Jigger that his so-called big client was actually someone he knew personally.

Sure enough, Jigger caught on. After a pause, he gave a crooked smile.

"You, are you really only eleven?" he clicked his tongue in surprise. "You know Midgard?"

"Yeah. She just doesn't know the Essence of Dittany she buys from you is actually brewed by me," Leonard admitted.

"So the reason you didn't cut me out and trade with her directly was just to ask about this?" Jigger asked.

"Exactly. I don't like playing word games. Being straightforward saves a lot of trouble," Leonard replied.

"Can't argue with that. I like doing business with people like you. Looks like we'll be working together quite a bit." Jigger gave him a thumbs-up, then added, "I have heard of a potion for werewolves. If I remember right, it's called Wolfsbane Potion. It lets them keep their sanity. Judging from the name, the main ingredient is probably aconite."

He gave a professional assessment of the potion based on its name.

"Then what? Do you know the formula?" Leonard pressed.

"Of course not." Jigger rolled his eyes. "I've only heard about it. The potion was created by Damocles Belby—a strange man. I've barely dealt with him. Honestly, I don't even understand why anyone would bother making such a potion."

"That's a bit much. Some werewolves don't want to hurt people, and Mr. Belby only wanted to help them," Leonard frowned.

"I know. Midgard's one of those werewolf wizards, isn't she? And I believe in Belby's resolve to help them. But he's far too idealistic." Jigger sighed. "I first heard the name 'Wolfsbane Potion' ten years ago. And yet, even now, he hasn't found anyone willing to fund large-scale production."

"Why?" Leonard asked in confusion. "Werewolves badly need that potion. Just in Knockturn Alley alone, there are dozens of them."

"But they're broke." Jigger shrugged. "No one wants to work with werewolf wizards. They can hardly get decent jobs, and the little money they do earn usually goes straight to St. Mungo's after the full moon."

St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries—the best hospital in the European wizarding world.

"And the rich werewolves? They're mostly habitual thieves and robbers. They don't care about the destruction they cause when they transform, so naturally, they wouldn't bother buying Wolfsbane."

Jigger shook his head helplessly. "So yeah, investing in Wolfsbane is basically flushing money away."

His answer caught Leonard off guard, but he could understand it.

Investors only put money in to make more. Talking to them about ideals is pointless unless those ideals can one day turn a profit.

As for charity...

Discrimination against werewolf wizards was ingrained in society. The infectious nature of lycanthropy alone meant very few people felt sympathy for them. Charity never extended that far.

That's why the Wolfsbane Potion never became widespread. Even after Damocles Belby revealed it publicly and earned the Order of Merlin, Second Class, nothing really changed.

Aside from a handful of werewolf wizards from wealthy families, most still couldn't touch Wolfsbane—its cost was too high, and its brewing process too difficult.