My Hogwarts has a serious problem.

Chapter 22.022. The History of Magic and Potions

The history of magic itself is not boring.

The only thing that was boring and tedious was Professor Binns's teaching style.

He's probably too old.

It is said that when Hogwarts was first established and he was still alive, his classes were quite lively and interesting. Even Slytherin praised him for his quick thinking and clear mind.

But now he only uses that panting, drawn-out voice to recite from the textbook without any emotion, and rarely communicates with his students.

Lynn even felt that Professor Binns' voice had a magical quality. Even someone like him, who had been a good student in two lifetimes and never slept in class, felt a drowsy urge while listening to his lectures.

Professor Binns didn't give Lynn a chance to perform throughout the entire class, and Lynn didn't intend to either, because he really couldn't think of what kind of talent corresponded to the history of magic.

After the morning classes ended, Lynn had lunch in the Great Hall, then sat by the fireplace in the common room with the thick history of magic textbook he had just finished reading, and reviewed what Professor Binns had just taught.

He was somewhat distracted during class, but thankfully he took all the necessary notes in the book, and reviewing them now will help him remember them better.

"I've heard about it."

A blond, seemingly sunny older boy walked up to Lynn and said with a smile.

"You earned five points for Slytherin in Professor Flitwick's class, especially in front of a bunch of proud Ravenclaws."

The man who arrived was Raphael Williamson, the male prefect of Slytherin, and also the boyfriend of the female prefect Betty.

"It's only five points, nothing to brag about, and I was just lucky. I probably won't have another chance like this."

Lynn wasn't being modest; he was just giving a heads-up.

After learning that the talent points gained through praise and bonuses were one-time use, he lost the desire to continue performing in class.

In a place like Hogwarts, especially given the turbulent years ahead, Lynn felt it was best for him to keep a low profile.

Raphael paid no attention to Lynn's words. He seemed to be completely absorbed in his own world, rambling on about how they wanted to continue Slytherin's glory and that as long as the young wizards of all ages worked together, the House Cup would remain in Slytherin indefinitely.

However, Lynn knew that these were just his delusions. Next year, their headmaster Dumbledore would personally intervene and turn the House Cup into the shape of Gryffindor.

No one dared to be late for the afternoon potions class.

Even though they were all freshmen, the prefects had already explained to these young wizards Professor Snape's infamous reputation at Hogwarts. After already angering a good-natured professor that morning, no one was foolish enough to go and stroke Snape's beard again.

In the Potions classroom, each person has a cauldron in front of them, and the surrounding shelves are brightly decorated with various magical creature body parts or special internal organs.

Coupled with the dim environment, even the slightly timid girls were already pale with fright, their eyes only daring to stare straight at the crucible in front of them.

Professor Snape was also very pale. Not only that, but his eyes were also empty, his expression was rigid, and his hair was so greasy that it looked like reflective tinfoil, making one want to choose a bottle of shampoo as a Christmas present.

As Lynn sat down, he couldn't help but think of the nickname a shameless author had given him in a terrible novel he had read in his previous life—"No Wife Face."

"I'm glad no fool would choose to be late for my class." Professor Snape's voice was not loud, but soft enough for every young wizard to hear him clearly.

He stepped down from the podium and moved slowly but authoritatively between the desks.

"You've come here to learn the precise science and rigorous craftsmanship of potion-making. Since there are no fools waving wands here, many of you won't believe it's magic. I don't expect you to truly appreciate the wonderful aroma and fragrance emanating from the cauldron simmering slowly over a low flame; you won't truly understand the wondrous power of the liquid flowing into people's veins, the power to captivate the mind and cloud the will..."

His voice gradually softened.

"I can teach you how to increase your reputation, cultivate honor, and even prevent death—but there is one condition: you must not be the kind of fools I often encounter."

"So..."

Suddenly, his tone changed.

"Can anyone deduce what kind of potion we'll be making in this lesson based on the potion ingredients in front of you?"

Every time his gloomy gaze swept over a young wizard, the poor child would shrink back in terror.

Professor Snape's gaze then met Lynn's.

Lynn showed no fear. He smiled and looked directly into the empty, cold eyes of the woman without his wife, raised his arm, and kept encouraging himself in his mind.

He's an old bachelor who can't find a wife, he's an old bachelor who can't find a wife, he's an old bachelor who can't find a wife...

"Oh, Belloc, then please stand up and tell me your brilliant insights."

He seemed to be making unwarranted sarcastic remarks, or perhaps it was just his natural tone of voice.

Lynn didn't care about his tone of voice, but looked at the materials next to the crucible in front of him and spoke fluently.

"Dried nettles, snake fangs, horned slugs, porcupine quills... these are the third potion ingredients recorded in 'Magic Potions and Elixirs' that are specifically used to treat boils."

"This is a highly effective potion for treating pustules, measles, boils, and other symptoms of lymph node tuberculosis. Care must be taken when brewing this potion. Incorrect preparation will cause it to create boils instead of healing them. The sign of a successful brew is the appearance of pink smoke in the cauldron."

The book emphasizes that when making potions, special care must be taken: if porcupine quills are to be added, the cauldron must first be removed from the flame. Otherwise, the cauldron will melt and emit a terrible odor. The leaked potion will also cause boils to grow on any skin that comes into contact with it…

At this point, Lynn finally stopped amidst the astonished gazes of the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs. He looked at Professor Snape and said modestly.

"That's all I can remember. Please ask the professor to add anything I've missed."

Snape's expression remained unchanged, showing no particular emotion despite Lynn's brilliant answer.

"Hmph, I hope your actual operation is as good as your theoretical knowledge."

Snape walked back to the podium expressionlessly and said in a lukewarm tone.

"Slytherin gets 10 points."

Your outstanding performance in Potions class has earned you points in your House of Honour from Potions Professor Severus Snape: Potions Talent +1, Potions Effect +1.

The system notification sounded only once, but Lynn wasn't too surprised. He had already guessed that Snape would be the kind of person who would be willing to give credit to his own house but not to praise others—a typical Slytherin tsundere. So he was prepared to have a long battle with him in Potions class.

I didn't ask for votes yesterday, which caused a sharp drop in my recommendation vote income. My family is almost starving. Please have pity on this unscrupulous author (T_T)

(End of this chapter)