Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 31: Wrath

Severus Snape wasn't in a very good mood today.
That cowardly, timid fellow he needed to keep a close eye on.

His whereabouts have become increasingly elusive lately.

"Whatever you want to do, you better pray you don't get caught by me..."

He muttered something coldly under his breath, then turned the corner of the stairs.
Then, some soft gurgling sounds caught his attention.

No one at Hogwarts knew that voice better than him.

That was the sound of wonderful magic potions churning and boiling in the cauldron.

But he wasn't in the cellar, which means,

The cellar has been broken into!

He strode across the stone steps like a churning dark cloud, carrying thunder and storm.

"What are you doing!"

He shoved the blade in front of Sheen's eyes, his voice filled with barely suppressed rage.

"Outrageous! Utterly ignorant!"

Looking at the crucible belching white smoke, at the scattered materials, and then at the liquid in the crystal bottle…

Doesn't he understand what's going on?!
He had never seen such an audacious little wizard since he began teaching!

Brewing magic potions without permission?!
Did he think this was some kind of astronomy class or magic history lesson—some kind of stupid course?!

Potions are a sophisticated science, but also a dangerous craft!

Without sufficient skill and supervision, even a small mistake could be enough to cost a young wizard their life.
They didn't even have time to react, let alone save themselves!
Sheen's smile froze on his face, and he quickly swallowed all the surging emotions.

He realized he had triggered a bad ending—Professor Snape was back.
Just as he finished brewing the potion, before he had time to clean up and leave,
They caught him red-handed in no time.

"hehe……

Let me guess, Mr. Grimm of Ravenclaw believes he has an exceptional talent for potions.
So much so that he didn't need any guidance at all, and believed he could brew a perfect potion on his own..."

Professor Snape's voice was like a viper's hiss, cold and oppressive.

Sheehan kept his head down, neither flustered nor offering an explanation. He knew Snape; to explain would be tantamount to suicide, and that was no exaggeration…

"Ah—then let's see what he's accomplished. Let's see what brilliant results he achieved after that incredibly foolish brewing last time, making him dare to challenge the authority in the field of potions like a brainless troll..."

He glared fiercely at Sheehan.
Sheen looked up and then quickly looked down again.

"Ah!"

Snape gave a mocking laugh, but seemed slightly relieved.
At least this guy didn't cause the cauldron to explode like those brainless Gryffindor trolls.

His attention quickly focused on the potion; he had to make sure it wouldn't explode.

As for Sheen's results?
Did he think potions were some branch of magic that allowed for rapid progress?

Given how disastrous the cooking process was last time, it's a miracle that nothing went wrong this time; it's a miracle Merlin was watching over us.

But upon looking at it, he was stunned:
A passable potion, though far from excellent, it shows an astonishing improvement.

"This is your masterpiece?"

Snape gave Sheehan a sinister look.
Sheen nodded in response.

"I bet you stirred it too vigorously and cooked it way too long."

It's only because the material handling was barely correct that you're still able to stand here and talk to me.
The scary thing is that you haven't grasped this point at all..."

Professor Snape glanced at Sheehan, his expression devoid of mockery.

Quickly jotting down the techniques in her words, even her sarcasm was a beat too slow.
Immediately, his face darkened further, and he roared:
"Get out of the cellar! Now! Immediately!" Without hesitation, Sheen quickly gathered up the crystal bottle, books, and materials.
Quietly, she walked out of the cellar.
There was no rebuttal, no fear, anger, or any other emotion.
Only calm:
"I'm sorry, Professor Snape."

The black-haired wizard's gloomy face froze slightly as he watched the light in Sheen's emerald eyes dim until he disappeared at the end of the corridor.

As the surroundings brightened, a warm feeling enveloped Sheen once again.
But his mood didn't improve; on the contrary, it got really bad.

He had successfully brewed the potion; all he needed to do now was practice until he had a solid grasp of the potion-making technique.
Enhance your talent in potions.
Even the panel seems to have blessed itself with good fortune:
[Scabies Treatment: Not yet unlocked (1/30)]

Brewing one apprentice-level potion unlocks the apprentice-level title in the potion-making field.

The scabies potion skill level is 30, and you only need to brew one apprentice-level potion to unlock the potion-making title.
Everything is getting better.
But at the most crucial moment, they messed it up.

No one could predict Professor Snape's whereabouts; the only known fact was that he would be teaching Potions to the young wizards on Mondays and Fridays.

Therefore, Sheen had absolutely no way to deal with it.

He remained silent, deep in thought.

Without practice, he cannot improve; therefore, practice is essential.

He will practice using the correct methods until his talent is enhanced.

Therefore, he was certain that he would not make any outrageous mistakes that could lead to danger.

His practice was safe and effective, but communicating with Professor Snape was destined to be ineffective.

On the way to the auditorium, Sheen suddenly remembered something.

Professor Snape didn't tell him not to come back, nor did he deduct any points from his house.

Why is that?
Sheen wasn't sure if he was overthinking things, but vaguely, he seemed to have a chance again.

In the cellar.

Snape scoffed, waved his wand, and the cauldron slowly floated to his eyes.
The dark green liquid lay quietly, as serene as the little wizard who had just left.

Because of those bright green eyes, he didn't offer any more mockery.

He examined the scabies potion closely, and just by looking at its final form, he could deduce the efforts the young wizard had made.

Over three days,
He not only handled the materials to a passing grade, but also skillfully adjusted the stirring intensity.

They even accomplished the most crucial step—

Absolute focus.

Otherwise, given his monstrous control over heat and the timing of adding ingredients,

He could never possibly brew a decent potion.

He made all this progress in just three days.

Snape could almost imagine those endless hours of thinking and painstaking study of herbs.

"Ah, what a pity. The wonders of potions don't welcome wizards without sufficient talent..."

……

In the auditorium.

Sheen took out his notebook and carefully recalled every step and detail, making sure they were all imprinted in his mind.

Is he going to give up potions practice because of Professor Snape's mockery?
The probability is as low as Professor Snape adding 100 points to Gryffindor.

Professor Snape will be away sometimes...

Sheen thought,
The crucible doesn't care who's using it.

(End of this chapter)