Chapter 412: You're Not Playing by the Book
Chapter 412: You're Not Playing by the Book
Before coming here, Kyle had always assumed that Snape's detention involved handling complex potion ingredients, after all, this was a common occurrence for detentions in Potions class.
Most of the ingredients they used in class, including various bile, caterpillar slime, and snake venom, were acquired this way.
Never did he expect that this time, he would be helping to brew a potion... and a rarely seen Wolfsbane Potion at that.
In the wizarding world, the number of people who knew how to brew this potion could be counted on one hand, and each one of them was a long-renowned master potionmaker.
Kyle looked up and quickly noticed the meaningful expression on Snape's face.
Now, he seemed to understand.
Professor Lupin...
Perhaps due to Dumbledore's request, Snape couldn't reveal Professor Lupin's werewolf identity, but that didn't mean he couldn't give others a hint.
It seemed that Snape had gone to great lengths to drive Professor Lupin out of the castle.
Kyle guessed that Snape was probably waiting for him to ask why they were brewing Wolfsbane Potion.
As long as he asked, Snape could then guide the conversation and reveal more clues about Professor Lupin's identity.
What a cunning plan...
If it were any other student, they might very well discover Professor Lupin's werewolf secret under Snape's subtle guidance.
Unfortunately...
"Oh, Professor, you're so amazing. You even know how to brew such a complex potion," Kyle flattered, and then continued to grind the powdered lionfish spine in his hand, showing no intention of inquiring further.
Snape seemed a bit taken aback, furrowing his brows as he stared at Kyle, unsure of what he was thinking.
Half an hour later, he was getting impatient. In a seemingly casual tone, he asked, "Do you know what Wolfsbane Potion does?"
"Oh yes," Kyle replied calmly, as if answering a question in class. "Director Sascia of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries once told me that Wolfsbane Potion can suppress the werewolf curse, allowing them to remain conscious during their transformation on a full moon night."
Kyle's expression was serene as he spoke, and he closed his mouth afterward, refraining from asking any further questions.
Now, Snape was truly vexed.
He couldn't understand why Kyle wasn't the least bit curious about him brewing Wolfsbane Potion; he was surprisingly calm about it.
Snape had even planned out what to say next, but Kyle's lack of cooperation prevented him from taking the first step.
However, he couldn't be too explicit, or he wouldn't be able to explain things to Professor Dumbledore later.
Looking at Kyle, who seemed completely unfazed, Snape suddenly felt a twinge of regret.
If he had known it would turn out like this, he should have just had Kyle deal with those rat spleens and armadillo bile...
Once again, silence fell in the underground classroom.
Of course, Kyle had no idea what Snape was thinking. He was currently busy processing the ingredients while sneaking glances at Snape's Wolfsbane Potion brewing process.
This was a rare opportunity to witness the brewing of Wolfsbane Potion up close, and he didn't want to miss a thing.
It must be said that this potion was incredibly complex. It was only after a full five hours that Kyle finally added the last piece of cut Wolfsbane leaf into the crucible at Snape's signal.
As the prepared leaves were placed into the crucible, the potion inside instantly started to boil, its color changing from reddish-brown to brown.
"Bang!"
At that moment, the door of the underground classroom was suddenly flung open from the outside.
Snape glared at him, his face grim.
Malfoy's abrupt entrance startled Snape, who had been engrossed in stirring his potion. He jumped in surprise, nearly dropping his wand into the cauldron.
"Teaching, Professor," Malfoy stammered, his face paler than usual. "I was in Hogsmeade... I saw Potter's head... just floating there..."
"Oh?" Snape said coldly. "You're saying Potter went to Hogsmeade?"
"Yes, it was his head..." Malfoy replied instinctively.
"You idiot!" Snape snapped. "Don't you know about invisibility cloaks?"
The next second, Malfoy's body stopped trembling as if he had realized something. His initially pale face turned bright red.
"That blasted Potter... He dared to play a trick on me!" Malfoy fumed.
"You fool!" Snape said, glancing at him again. "Come with me. I can probably guess where he might appear next."
Turning to Kyle, he continued, "As for you... Stir the cauldron counterclockwise three circles every ten minutes until it emits smoke of the same color as the potion... Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Professor," Kyle nodded.
"Good."
With that, Snape strode out, his long black cloak trailing behind him.
Malfoy hurried to catch up, jogging after him.
As soon as they left, Kyle took out a piece of parchment and a feather quill. Recalling Snape's actions, he began to write on the parchment.
Only after filling up most of the parchment did Kyle fold it carefully and put it away...
Of course, he didn't forget the task Snape had assigned him—stirring the cauldron.
It was now the third ten-minute interval, and Kyle took out his wand, gently waving it over the cauldron. The potion inside began to rotate accordingly.
After stirring it three times, the color of the potion deepened, and the smell became increasingly pungent...
Kyle wasn't sure if this was normal. After all, this potion was a recent invention, and even the restricted section's book on potent potions had no mention of it.
But it was probably fine.
Kyle sniffed carefully. The smell was almost identical to the ones they had cleaned up earlier.
"Bang!"
At that moment, a dull thud came from next door, as if someone had thrown something against the wall.
And right next to the underground classroom was Snape's office.
Then, Professor Lupin's voice could be heard from the corridor outside...
"Well, see you next time, Severus... Harry, come with me. I need to discuss that essay on vampires with you..."
Soon, silence returned.
A few minutes later, the door to the underground classroom opened once more, and Snape entered, his face twisted in displeasure as if he had just swallowed a large bottle of bitter and astringent bile.
Without wasting a moment, he looked up at Kyle and said coldly, "Out!"
"Yes, sir..."
Though Kyle didn't know what had transpired, Snape's expression made it clear that his mood had taken a turn for the worse. At this point, even a minor issue could set him off.
So, without hesitation, Kyle left the underground classroom as instructed.
...
(End of Chapter)
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