Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 11.11: Two Choices
Sheen originally thought that brewing potions was not a difficult task, after all, it had strict procedures.

But things were far more complicated than he had imagined.

He knew to put dried hemp and ground snake teeth into a large pot and stew them together, and then add porcupine quills after turning off the heat.

But this is just a brief description; once it comes to practice, it's riddled with problems.

How finely should the snake fangs be ground? How long after the fire is turned off can the porcupine quills be added?

How much force should be used to stir? What should the stirring angle be? When should you stir?
The book makes no mention of these issues, and Professor Snape provides no explanation whatsoever.

Sheehan thought these were probably things that wizards didn't need to explain.

Perhaps there will be an instinct, like when he practiced the Levitation Charm, a peculiar feeling that guides the wizard.

The result is that, because this is something everyone knows, or even if they don't, they will quickly come to understand it.

So no one teaches.

Professor Snape likely never paid attention to these issues.

Otherwise, as a potions master, there's only a small chance he wouldn't have discovered these problems.

"But I think I'm a terrible student, so these problems have become my difficulties."

Sheen could only sigh inwardly.
His guess was confirmed the very next second when he meticulously followed the steps in the book and relied on his instincts to brew the potion.
The crucible, under his "I knew it" and Justin's questioning gaze,
—It turned into a blue potion.

"I remember that scabies medicine wasn't this color."

Justin scratched his head, somewhat incredulous at the result.

The crucible bubbled and gurgled, and the blue potion slowly thickened.

Along with the potion, Snape's complexion also worsened.

"idiot!"

He strode over, the hem of his robe drawing a sharp arc.

"I think, besides the mixing and heat control, there's also a high probability that there were problems with your material handling..."

Professor Snape waved his wand, and a stool appeared before him. He sat down gracefully.
His gaze remained fixed on the pot of blue potion. After observing it for only a few seconds, he let out a cold laugh.

"A foolish choice of porcupine quills, a troll's choice of nettles, and a disastrous choice of snake fangs."

Choosing non-venomous snake fangs?! Two idiots worthy of being hung in a mural!

He roared mercilessly, waving his wand and sweeping the potion out of the cauldron.

"You should be glad you didn't make a mistake in the steps, otherwise you would know the lesson a fool can learn from potions!"

His voice was as chilling as the cold wind in the cellar.

"Deduct one point—for each person."

Justin sensed something was wrong when he saw Snape arrive, but the relentless barrage of taunts still made him blush.

Sheen's big eyes also lost their luster. Just like when he used to practice spells, he had no instinctive perception of brewing potions whatsoever.

He could probably guess his potion-making talent.

……

Even after class, the young wizards dared not speak loudly, the shadow of Potions class still looming over everyone.

"Sheen, don't worry, we'll earn back the points we lost."

Justin's voice rang in Sheehan's ears, seemingly encouraging him as well.

"Ah."

Sheen appeared somewhat dazed, but in reality, his inner turmoil had subsided.

If you stop because of difficulties, obstacles, or the ridicule of others,

He can't even learn the Levitation spell now.

He was distracted because he was pondering Professor Snape's words.

Problems included improper heating, incorrect stirring, and incorrect ingredient selection.

These are the foundations of potion brewing, and also the problems Sheen faces.

He now has two paths before him.

One approach is to blindly brew potions, just like when learning spells, and learn through trial and error.

This path had barely appeared when Sheen rejected it. Potions and spells are not the same thing.
This is not a safe branch of magic.

The processing and brewing of potions are dangerous and unpleasant; if one is not careful, they can turn into something like poisonous mist.

Trying to gamble like this is like trying to win a potion by robbing the oracle.

That leaves only one other path.

To understand potions as quickly as possible, and to resolve all possible problems.

Then, you can gain proficiency by practicing potion brewing, and finally obtain a title to enhance your talent.

This path is more complicated and difficult than the previous one, but it is clearly feasible.

Moreover, once you practice correctly, your speed will increase significantly afterward.

"Solve the problems one by one, but quickly, because Hogwarts has more than just this one subject."

Sheen's voice was only audible to himself.

The long table in the auditorium was laden with delicious food:
Roast turkey, mini sausages, peas with butter, gravy, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding, turkey sandwiches, flatbread...

Dazzling.

Despite his poor talent and Professor Snape's sharp tongue, Sheen's enthusiasm for cooking remained undiminished.

Merlin's beard...it tastes delicious.

Sheen fought swiftly and gracefully.

For the past six months, he hasn't had a full meal. Even at yesterday's opening banquet, he only ate about 70% full.

Orphanages often choose to cut costs because they can't generate revenue.

As for how to cut costs, Anna, the caregiver, once proposed the theory that a child only needs to eat one meal a day.

Acid reflux at night is really uncomfortable.
When he was starving, Sheen often used the stray dogs outside the orphanage as his food reserves.

Hermione! Over here!

Justin was calling to Hermione, who was looking for a corner to sit down.

The other person quickly ran over, their face slightly flushed.

"You're too loud!"

Hermione glared at Justin.

"Sorry, I was afraid you didn't hear me."

Justin had deep dimples on his face.

"Our first class in the afternoon is herbal medicine, and I've noticed that it appears most frequently on the schedule..."

I guessed it wouldn't be easy, so I memorized the book again, hoping it would be helpful.

By the way, I heard you guys took Potions class…

Hermione raised her face and rattled off a string of words like a machine gun.

"Herbalism class, that sounds really good. Will you be learning about those magical plants? Like... As for Potions class, I have to say..."

Justin listened attentively, and the two quickly began to discuss it.

Their voices faded slowly from Sheen's mind, and Sheen thoughtfully took out his class schedule.

[Wednesday morning: Herbalism class; Wednesday afternoon: Herbalism class; Friday afternoon: Herbalism class]

It is indeed the most of all courses.

There must be a reason behind Hogwarts' curriculum; the large number of Herbs classes must be due to necessity.

So why is that?

"...The choice of materials for the disaster...there was most likely a problem with your choice of materials..."

Sheehan pieced together Professor Snape's words and understood the meaning within a few seconds.

Herbalism classes teach wizards how to process materials, which is the first step in potion making.

Therefore, it is not difficult to conclude that to learn potions, one must first learn herbs.

(End of this chapter)