Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 10, Section 10: Potions Class
The first messenger flew out of the owlhouse, and the first rays of orange sunlight climbed onto the spire of Hogwarts Castle.

The corridor became lively again.

A large group of young wizards were heading down the spiral staircase to the cellar.

"I heard that Professor Snape is the Potions teacher,"

Michael rubbed his sleepy eyes; he had spent half the night studying a quill pen and was still yawning.

"It's just a rumor I overheard in the Ravenclaw common room. Those upperclassmen are saying that Professor Snape is the king of all Hogwarts..."

He paused deliberately, causing Terry to crane his neck and press his ear closer.
Even the whispers of the young wizards around them subsided a bit.

"He is the professor who deducts the most points from the entire Hogwarts."

His voice trembled as he spoke, and the increasingly chilly atmosphere made the young wizards appear even paler.

In an artificially created atmosphere of tension,
They arrived at the Potions class classroom.

This is an underground classroom, several degrees colder than the castle above.
Even during the day, not much sunlight falls here.
They relied entirely on floating candles for lighting.

Glass jars filled with various animal specimens are arranged along the wall.
Sheen chose a seat not far from the specimens; he could even see the bat spleens when he turned his head.
That's an ingredient for making magical potions; it can be used to make swelling potions.

He had just sat down when a boy with dimples sat down next to him.

"Sheen, I knew you'd be here early."

Justin smiled warmly, then took his glass bottle out of his bag and placed it neatly on the table.

Michael, who was trying to sit next to Sheehan, stared wide-eyed and looked again in disbelief:
"Is it a hallucination? When did he arrive?"

He then muttered something and casually found a seat.

Soon, all the students arrived. Perhaps because of the cold and gloomy environment, or perhaps because of the terrifying legends surrounding Professor Snape, not a single young wizard attempted to shout.

In the midst of silence.

"boom--"

A loud noise came from the cellar door, and a sallow-faced man with a hooked nose strode into the classroom.

His cloak was made of a flowing material that billowed like the wings of a black bat.
He nimbly, accurately, and decisively stepped onto the podium in a few quick movements.

"listen--"

His voice was cold and low.

"This course doesn't require you to chant spells or wave your wands randomly..."

Therefore, I suspect that not many of you understand or appreciate the profound science and intricate craftsmanship involved in potion making.
However, for the very few who are truly interested...
I will teach you to confuse your mind and deceive your senses.
I will teach you how to gain fame and achieve glory...

There's only one condition! That is, you have to not be the kind of idiots and fools I usually encounter!

His deep, powerful voice quickly silenced the entire audience.

"Hannah Abbott! Tell me, what do I do about the slugs!"

His sharp gaze swept over the little witch like a storm.

Stared at like that, the little witch with braided pigtails trembled in her voice:
"Steaming, Professor."

Hannah had clearly read the textbook beforehand, even if it was only the first chapter.

So she luckily escaped unharmed.

"sit down!"

Snape's expression still hadn't improved.

“Sheen Green, tell me, what would you do with a slug with tentacles?”

He leaned slightly forward, shielding the candlelight from view.

"Steam for a longer time, about three minutes, Professor."

Sheen replied immediately. "Not bad,"

Snape was swept away in an instant.

"Wayne Hopkins! What is a dung beetle?"

He loomed over Wayne like a dark cloud, and the short-haired wizard's voice sounded forced out:
"I don't know, Professor."

"If your monstrous brain were still functioning, you would know that dungstone is a solid substance taken from the stomach of a goat and can be used as an antidote for potions."

Snape's deathly gaze remained fixed on Wayne, and the short-haired wizard began to tremble.

"Sit down! Hufflepuff loses a point because of your classmate Wayne's empty head!"

He scanned the entire room; no one dared to meet his gaze.
"Why don't the others write it down!"

In the oppressive atmosphere, the young wizards scribbled furiously, as if trying to escape the storm unleashed by Professor Snape.

The naming of Professor Snape's death continues.
"Ernie McMillan!"

……

He was like a ruthless academic grade-deducting machine. At the end of the Q&A session...
Ravenclaw has already lost six points, while Hufflepuff has lost a full twelve.

This naturally led Sheen to a guess:
Slytherin's six consecutive championships seem to be inextricably linked to Professor Snape's efforts.

In the original book, Professor Snape even wrote down the name of every student to make it easier to deduct house points.

Professor Snape, he really...

Sheehan listened intently to what Professor Snape said next.

"Listen carefully, if anyone dares to arbitrarily change the potion recipe or add or subtract steps—"

Professor Snape scanned each face with a somber expression, making sure no one dared to be distracted in the slightest.

Then they began teaching the steps for the scabies medicine, a simple solution for treating boils.

The crucible in front of him was steaming, and within a few minutes it began to bubble, turning into a pot of thick, dark green medicine.

"I don't expect any of you to succeed quickly; I just hope some idiots don't create danger—"

What are you waiting for? Now, pair up and get started!

Justin's face turned pale, but he forced himself to remain calm and began following the steps.

Sheehan wasn't much better off, not because of the oppressive atmosphere brought by Professor Snape, but because of his nervousness about his unknown potion-making talent.

"Slugs, dried hemp, ground snake fangs, porcupine quills..."

"Sheen, are these the ones I'm looking for?"

Justin watched as Sheen neatly arranged the materials, and with lingering fear, he asked Sheen a question. Seeing Sheen's calm face, he himself calmed down considerably.

"Ah."

Sheen nodded, and then began processing the materials according to the standards in the book.
"Let's follow the steps. We'll deal with the slugs first."

Justin immediately understood and began to light the crucible.

The book says that the crucible needs to be preheated.

"Use my crucible?"

Justin asked Sheehan softly,
Sheehan looked at Justin's silver crucible and then nodded.

The quality of the crucible doesn't significantly affect the quality of the potion, but Justin's silver crucible is indeed much better than the third-tier brass crucible that Sheen gritted his teeth to buy.

It can also provide some success rate, even if it's psychological.

It's not so bad to have a hidden tycoon sitting next to you.
Sheen thought.

(End of this chapter)