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    Chapter 18: A Snape’s Potions Class Without a Target?

    2023-09-02

    Chapter 18: A Snape’s Potions Class Without a Target?

    Ding ding ding——

    At eight o’clock the next morning, Andy’s alarm clock rang on time.

    “Mmm…”

    Andy didn’t even open his eyes, casually turning off the alarm and preparing to go back to sleep.

    Ding ding ding——

    The alarm continued to ring. Andy grabbed the alarm clock, half-squinting at it.

    “Huh? It won’t turn off?”

    Andy sat up groggily, ready to see what was going on.

    The alarm suddenly stopped.

    Andy looked around, realizing he wasn’t in his bedroom at home, but in the Ravenclaw boys’ dormitory. This alarm clock was a magical item; its on/off switch was purely decorative. Only when Andy got up would the alarm stop ringing.

    “Ha—”

    Andy yawned, reluctantly getting out of bed, putting on his slippers, and heading to the bathroom to wash up.

    After spending five minutes tidying himself up, Andy returned to the dormitory and found his three roommates still asleep.

    “Terry, Michael, Anthony! Get up, it’s already past eight, we have class at nine!”

    After waking his roommates, Andy felt he’d done his duty. He didn’t wait to see what they did next, but changed into his Hogwarts uniform, grabbed his textbooks, and left the dormitory.

    The Great Hall was on the ground floor, and the Potions classroom was in the dungeons, so it was basically on the way.

    Seeing that he still had some time, Andy decided to familiarize himself with Hogwarts’ staircases. After all, he’d be living here for seven years; he couldn’t possibly get lost every time!

    Following the staircases down, and occasionally asking ghosts for directions, Andy reached the Great Hall on the ground floor in about ten minutes.

    Arriving at the Ravenclaw table, Andy found Hermione already there, having finished breakfast. She was currently reviewing *Magical Drafts and Potions*.

    Yes! For other young witches and wizards, this was preparation, but for Hermione, this was review.

    She’s really hardworking!

    Andy smoothly sat next to Hermione, took a bite of a pumpkin pastie, and greeted her, “Morning!”

    “Morning!” Hermione replied, still reading.

    “Didn’t you already memorize the textbook?” Andy casually asked, “Why are you reading it so early?”

    “That’s right!”

    Hermione looked at Andy seriously. “Our first class is about to begin. I think we should review the textbook again.”

    Andy understood Hermione’s learning style.

    A top student!

    But this learning method wasn’t very effective in the wizarding world.

    “Okay, you go for it!” Andy continued eating.

    Hermione glanced at Andy, “Aren’t you going to review?”

    “I looked over the textbook before school.”

    After swallowing his food, Andy said, “I’m a practical learner. I’d rather try brewing a potion myself than read the textbook.”

    Hermione immediately asked curiously, “Did you succeed?”

    “Of course!” Andy said with a matter-of-fact expression.

    After finishing breakfast, Andy sat in his chair, dazed. Even though he’d been up for a while, he was still sleepy. He used to be like this at home too; after about half an hour, he’d regain his energy.

    At 8:40, Andy’s three roommates arrived at the Great Hall. They originally intended to sit with Andy, but seeing Andy and Hermione together, the three boys exchanged knowing, ambiguous smiles.

    Andy waved at them, but didn’t move.

    Those boys are nothing compared to a cute girl, right?

    Ten minutes later, Hermione closed her book and said to Andy, “Class starts in ten minutes. Are you just going to space out here?”

    The Potions classroom was located in the dungeons, significantly colder than the main castle. However, it was September, so the dungeon felt refreshingly cool.

    Entering the classroom, Andy looked around.

    The walls were dim, lined with glass jars containing unsettling animal specimens. Long wooden tables held brass scales and various ingredients; over twenty cauldrons stood between the tables. A stone basin in the corner was presumably for washing hands.

    Andy and Hermione found a seat.

    At nine o’clock sharp, Snape, clad in a large black robe, entered the classroom. He strode to the lectern, narrowed his eyes, surveyed the class, and picked up the register to take attendance.

    “You are here to learn the precise science and rigorous artistry of potion-making,”

    Snape’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet everyone heard every word.

    “Because there is no silly waving of wands here, many of you will not believe this is magic.”

    “I do not expect you to truly appreciate the subtle nuances of a simmering cauldron, its fragrant steam, the entrancing power of the liquid that flows into your veins, and the resulting enchantment. ”

    “I can teach you how to raise your prestige, brew glory, even stave off death — but only if you are not the sort of mindless dolt I usually encounter.”

    After Snape’s opening remarks, the classroom fell silent.

    “Collins!” Snape suddenly called out.

    Andy: “?”

    “If I were to ask you to find me a bezoar, where would you go?” Snape asked.

    Are you trying to get free labor?

    “Uh… if you paid me a Galleon, I could buy one in Diagon Alley.”

    Maybe I could even make a profit.

    Andy continued, “If you don’t pay me, I could get one from a goat’s stomach. But you’d have to find me a goat.”

    Snape snorted coldly, his voice icy, “Your answers require less verbiage.”

    “If, while brewing a cure for scabies, I were to add porcupine quills before extinguishing the flame, what would happen?”

    Andy had wanted to be cheeky again, but seeing Snape’s cold gaze, he answered honestly, “The potion would dissolve the cauldron, emitting acrid green smoke with a high-pitched hissing sound. The splashed potion is corrosive, causing numerous red and swollen sores upon contact with the skin.”

    Snape’s gaze swept over the others. “Why haven’t you all written this down? This is the most common mistake when brewing a cure for scabies!”

    The sound of quills scratching parchment filled the room.

    Snape said, “Today, I will teach you a simple cure for scabies.”

    Snape spoke while waving his wand; the steps for brewing the cure for scabies immediately appeared on the blackboard.

    (End of Chapter)

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