Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 42: Notes on the History of Magic
The cellar was always cold and damp, and the stone walls were covered with dark yellow stains.

The shelves were filled with all sorts of strangely shaped glass bottles, each containing an indescribable substance; some were bubbling, while others were settling quietly.

The steam rising from the crucible filled the entire classroom, making Professor Snape's face appear even more indistinct.

"Sheen, we can do it!"

Justin quietly encouraged himself and Sheehan.

However, Sheen immediately noticed his trembling hands.

He could understand; after all, they had brewed a pot of blue potion last time.
He was severely criticized by Professor Snape.

Do you need my help with the materials?

Justin asked, sounding slightly nervous.

Sheen gently shook his head:

"I will finish it soon."

Justin didn't ask any further questions, but instead watched more intently as Sheehan processed the materials, lit the crucible, and controlled the heat...

The series of movements were standard and fluid.

Compared to the other hesitant and worried young wizards around them,

Sheen's progress is at least three times faster.

Potions is a precise and rigorous branch of magic.

A qualified pharmacist needs to possess a complex and comprehensive range of knowledge.

This is also why Professor Snape was so strict; if the young wizards didn't follow the rigorous procedures for potion making,

What happens to those magical materials in the cauldron that spews white silk is something only Merlin probably knows.

Therefore, most young wizards simply follow the steps mechanically.
Only when they become proficient will the wonders of the potion gradually reveal themselves to them.

Sheen, on the other hand, had completely immersed himself in this mysterious branch of magic.

Skilled handling of ingredients, flawless control of heat, appropriate stirring force, and strict cooking time...

The crucible was bubbling and gurgling.

Justin meticulously noted down every step and acted as Sheehan's assistant.
Hand him the materials and note the time.

While the young wizards were frantically processing the materials...
Sheen and the other man had already inserted the last porcupine quills.

Professor Snape keenly noticed this unusual progress; his somber, sharp gaze fell upon the crucible.
In just a moment, he could guess the outcome of this potion—acceptable, but not outstanding.

He snorted coldly and looked away.

"it's time."

Sheen's potion was in its final, and most crucial, stage.
What he was recalling was not the centuries-old ritual,
Rather, it was the unrecognized pioneering work of Master Ribasius Pollack.

Sheen recited the incantation, and the ritual began.
This was the first time he had actually used the modified ritual.

His focus was greater than ever; he seemed to be playing the role of an apothecary painstakingly brewing a magical potion to cure scabies.
When this emotion is expressed naturally, the potion undergoes a fundamental change.

The original blue-green liquid became viscous, and no impurities could be seen in the jelly-like medicine.

[You have successfully brewed a pot of scabies medicine to a proficient standard. Proficiency +10]

Justin's breath caught in his throat as he intently compared the potion to the example of Professor Snape in his memory—

They're not that different at all.

"Sheen, did we succeed?"

He asked in a low, nervous voice.

"Ah."

A deep fatigue washed over me, it felt like I hadn't slept for three days.

Master Libache Pollack was truly meticulous.

"That's fantastic! I knew we could do it!"

Justin breathed a sigh of relief and carefully stored the potion in the crystal bottle.
Then he stood tall and waited for Professor Snape's examination.
Completely different from the last time when he was trembling and pale-faced,
Even the tired Sheen had a smile on his face.

"You're done?"

At that moment, Sheehan saw Michael peeking around, and Terry beside him belatedly cast his gaze over as well.

"Of course, Sheen cooked a whole pot of it—"

Justin's words caught in his throat, because dark clouds were gathering.

Professor Snape's towering figure blocked out the sunlight, and his cold gaze silenced the surrounding young wizards.

"Perfect--"

Professor Snape picked up the crystal bottle, and the mocking smile that had just begun to form on his lips miraculously vanished.

He was almost stunned.

If the scabies medication we just tested was only acceptable, then this one has now reached the threshold of excellent quality.

Terrifying progress...

"Barely passable—"

Professor Snape put down the crystal bottle, his voice sounding as if squeezed from his throat.
"Add one point—for each person."

Immediately, he waved his robe and swept away.

"Did I hear that right...?"

Michael's eyes widened.

The surrounding young wizards also looked over in disbelief.

"Great, Sheen, we've made back the points we lost."

Justin seemed very excited; it appeared he had been very concerned about the points deduction.

Sheen nodded, his gaze falling on the panel:

[Scabies Treatment: Not yet unlocked (15/30)]

It's already halfway done. If I can maintain my proficient brewing skills, I can unlock the potion-making title after two more tries.

……

If Professor Snape giving Ravenclaw points was a minor matter...

So, according to Mike's propaganda,
So it turned out that Professor Snape gave Sheen two hundred Galleons and even cooked two dishes for her.

The rumors persisted into the afternoon's History of Magic class.

The History of Magic class almost turned into a gossip class with no restraint and a great deal of atmosphere.

Although the young wizards didn't only talk about Sheen, the occasional things that reached Sheen's ears still left him speechless.

"He single-handedly defeated a mountain-dwelling giant and escaped unscathed; he also defeated a werewolf with his bare hands—"

Even Michael, the rumor-monger, was stunned when he heard this.

Do you guys even know what you're saying?

Then he shifted his body to the side.
"One mountain-dwelling giant? There are three!"

He spoke with an air of importance.

Justin, standing next to Sheehan, was so embarrassed that his face turned red.

Sheen sighed and then went back to reviewing the history of magic.
He completed the framework and filled in the necessary content, but it's not quite perfect yet.

Tuesday's History of Magic program was slightly adjusted; Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw appeared together.
Therefore, Justin found it difficult to avoid looking at Sheen's notes, and the young wizard even performed a secondary split.

All the figures and historical events are arranged chronologically.

Sheen also created another more fitting table of contents.

Different events and people are categorized and assigned to different page numbers.

For example, Justin is currently watching "The Collection of Eccentrics".
It includes several eccentric characters, such as Yurik and Wendelin.

Justin read with great interest. He no longer found the history of magic boring, nor did he have to worry about being confused by the intricate events and characters.

Sometimes he could also see Sheen's other notes—both were masters of magical creatures.
What are the differences in the contributions made by Ms. Alfreda Cragg and Mr. Newt Scamander?

How did these contributions accumulate to form the new regulations of the Ministry of Magic?

Sheen did a detailed review.

Justin glanced over naturally, and before he knew it, he had read the entire history of Fantastic Beasts.
This highly efficient learning method fascinated him.

Suddenly, he snapped out of his reverie, his breathing quickening, and he whispered:

“Sheen, I think this is definitely publishable. I’ve never seen such an interesting history of magic!”

(End of this chapter)