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Chapter 41: Potions Class
Chapter 41: Potions Class
As the doors of the school hospital swung open once more, it signaled that Michael had finally achieved his wish to be formally discharged, albeit with unsteady steps and a persistent queasy expression.
Another thing Kyle had never imagined before today was that a person's face could be blue. Not even the most avant-garde portraits in the castle dared to use such a bold color for their complexion. Yet, Michael had managed to achieve this unique look, his entire head, including his forehead, nose, and lips, transformed into a vibrant blue, with even his hair and teeth not spared from this colorful ordeal. From a distance, he resembled a large, blue dandelion.
"Kyle..." Michael extended his hand, his voice raspy and harsh. "What are you laughing at? Help me, will you?"
"Nothing, just thinking of something pleasant." Kyle stepped forward to support Michael, turning his head away as he spoke, "I added twenty points to Hufflepuff yesterday."
"That's worth celebrating." Michael nodded, refraining from further inquiry.
He truly didn't feel like talking, and he had no idea what the nurse at the hospital had given him, but it tasted awful, and his throat burned painfully, making it uncomfortable to speak.
The two slowly made their way toward the underground classroom. It is worth mentioning that as they reached the Clock Courtyard, Michael's blue head gradually returned to a more normal hue. While it didn't revert to its previous appearance, it was at least less conspicuous, and the generally dim lighting within the castle meant that one wouldn't notice anything amiss unless they looked closely.
It seemed that Madam Pomfrey had no intention of letting him embarrass himself in public.
They made their way through the castle, but due to Michael's slow pace, they arrived at the bottom classroom later than expected, resulting in an inevitable tardiness.
Snape had just finished taking the roll call and looked up to see the two of them standing at the door.
"Tardy for the first class, are you? Are all the first-years this incompetent?" Snape drawled, "Ten points from Hufflepuff."
Michael's eyes widened as he stared at Snape, and he blurted out, "Hmm? Aren't you that... Ouch!"
Fortunately, Kyle reacted swiftly and stomped on his foot, preventing Michael from finishing that dangerous sentence. Otherwise, they might never have left the Potions classroom.
Seizing the opportunity, Kyle quickly apologized, "Sorry, Professor Snape. It won't happen again."
"Hmph, if there is a second time, the consequences will be more severe than mere point deductions." Snape gave them a cold glance. "What are you two still standing there for? Get back to your seats, and that's another five points from Hufflepuff!"
Fearing that Michael might say something else inappropriate, Kyle hastily pulled him toward the back of the classroom to an empty desk.
Snape retracted his gaze and continued in a sinister tone, "Potions is a profound and significant subject. I do not expect you to comprehend the wonders of a gently simmering cauldron emitting wisps of white vapor and exuding a delightful fragrance.
Nor do I expect you to understand the miraculous transformation of ordinary ingredients under the influence of a fierce flame.
Every single mistletoe berry and piece of bezoar in your hands will, in this place, within the cauldron, take on various forms and compositions. They are the magical world's most wondrous secrets."
Snape's voice gradually softened, "I can teach you how to enhance your reputation, brew glory, and even halt death—but there is one condition: you must not be the sort of simpletons I often encounter.
Michael, in particular, wanted to bury his head in his desk.
But even that didn't help, as what needed to happen, happened.
"Draco!" Snape suddenly said, "When making a boil cure potion, do you put in bogey beetles or porcupine quills first?"
What kind of potion?
Michael looked up blankly and cautiously replied, "Porcupine quills first, Professor."
"Tsk, porcupine quills first..." Snape said in a mocking tone, "If you had read your book before the start of term, even just a glance, you would know that to make a boil cure potion, you need to put in basilisk tooth powder first! With such a poor foundation, you dare to be late? Ten points from Hufflepuff."
"Why don't you take notes on these things!"
The sound of quills scratching against parchment filled the classroom.
"Open your books to the first page!" Snape returned to the lectern and said in a deep voice, "Today, we will be learning how to make a simple boil cure potion.
Although this potion is so simple that anyone with an IQ higher than a troll can make it, I still need to remind you to be cautious during the process... unless you want your body covered in boils."
"The potion ingredients are in the storage cabinets. Now, pair up in twos... Oh, and one more thing!"
Snape seemed to have suddenly remembered something and returned to stand before Michael.
He glanced down at the table and sneered, "Although there's no need to wave your wand foolishly here, given your current poor state and for the safety of the other young witches and wizards, I think this is unnecessary."
Snape took away the crucible on the table and, after surveying the class, said to Kyle, "You go with Connor. Don't disturb Draco here from studying."
In the crowd, Connor looked up, bewildered, unable to believe that Kyle was approaching her.
Damn, she was already cutting it close, the last one to enter the classroom, and she still couldn't avoid this?
Moreover, at this point, the other students had already formed pairs, and even if she wanted to hide, there were no empty spots left.
What if she asked someone else to swap?
Connor looked to her roommate sitting behind her, intending to suggest they swap places, but at that moment, Snape's voice rang out again from the lectern.
"Why are you still standing there? Are you waiting for me to brew the potion for you?!"
At Snape's roar, the classroom burst into activity.
Watching her roommate set up a crucible and then rush towards the storage cabinet, Connor could only sigh softly and turn to grind the basilisk tooth on the table.
For some unknown reason, when Snape had passed by earlier, he had casually placed a bag on her table.
Inside were all the ingredients needed to make the boil cure potion, and there was enough for three portions, so Connor didn't need to go to the storage cabinet like the others.
(End of Chapter)
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