First-year classes at Hogwarts were quite relaxed. For instance, on Monday, Wade only had a double Potions Class in the morning.
After breakfast, a group of Ravenclaw first-years walked together towards the underground classroom. As the environment grew colder and colder, the students' faces gradually turned a bit pale.
"I heard Professor Snape, who teaches Potions, is the head of Slytherin House," Michael, walking beside Wade, said to ease the tension. "Did you notice him during the Sorting Ceremony last night? The teacher with black hair and a hooked nose."
"Of course," Padma said. "I'd say, we'd better not provoke him."
The group arrived at the Potions Classroom in silence. Along the walls, shelves held rows of glass jars filled with various animal specimens. Some timid children looked as if they were about to cry from fright, nervously sitting as far away from the specimens as possible. Wade, on the other hand, went straight for a corner seat—he wasn't afraid of dead specimens, but he was worried about some classmates making mistakes and dragging him down.
Soon, the Hufflepuff students also arrived in groups. Their reactions were similar to the Ravenclaw first-years. However, the early-arriving Ravenclaws had already claimed the advantageous spots, forcing the Hufflepuff students to spread out to the edges.
Two Hufflepuff students also ended up near Wade's previously empty corner.
"Hello, I'm Theo, Theo Mancini. This is Ryan Caro." The brown-haired Hufflepuff boy was the first to greet Wade. "Excuse me, are you—?"
"Wade Grey."
"Wade?" Theo Mancini asked curiously. "Do you know about the professor for this class—"
The blond boy named Ryan suddenly said, "Theo, stop talking." He added, "The professor's here."
No sooner had he spoken than the classroom door was pushed open with a bang, and a man in black Wizard robes strode in. His expression was cold and imposing, causing many students to instinctively shrink their necks. The classroom instantly became silent.
Snape scanned the students in the classroom, then took out his register and began calling names. Seeing that no one was late on the first day, his expression finally softened a little.
"Potions is a very precise subject—" Snape said in a low, almost whispered voice. "It requires strict procedures and precise measurements. If anyone dares to arbitrarily change a potion's formula, or casually add or remove ingredients, or foolishly wave their Wand attempting to cover up a mistake—"
His cold gaze swept over the cowering first-years, focusing particularly on the Hufflepuff students wearing yellow and black striped ties—
"I will make them deeply understand the terrible consequences a wrong potion can bring."
Theo nervously swallowed, as if Snape's words were directed at him. Wade suddenly felt a premonition—he had chosen the corner seat to avoid disruption, but it seemed there was a landmine buried right next to him.
Snape, as if he had radar on his head, immediately detected a certain young badger's trepidation. Without looking at the register, he said, "Theo Mancini!"
"Yes!" Theo stood up hastily, nearly knocking over a Cauldron. "Yes, Professor."
"How do you prepare slugs when brewing Pimple-Curing Potion?" Snape asked.
Seven or eight arms shot up simultaneously in the classroom, most of them belonging to Ravenclaw students.
Good news—Snape wasn't specifically trying to make things difficult for the students; the question he asked was from the first chapter of the textbook.
Bad news—Theo hadn't previewed the textbook.
The boy stammered, "I—I don't know, sir."
"Sit down!" Snape said icily. "No previewing the text, Hufflepuff loses one point. Wade Grey!"
He casually called on the Ravenclaw sitting next to him.
Wade immediately stood up. "Boil them for five minutes, sir."
"Correct answer." Snape nodded, but didn't award points to Ravenclaw. Instead, he immediately posed another question: "Michael Corner, the purpose of nettles?"
"They can—can treat inflammation, hair loss—and also stop bleeding," Michael stammered.
"Good." Snape nodded, motioning for him to sit down, then asked, "Hannah Abbott? When should porcupine quills be added?"
The blond girl stood up with tears in her eyes, as if another word from Snape would make her burst into sobs.
Snape shifted his gaze and called another name: "Ryan Caro?"
Ryan had quickly flipped through his book when the questions began. This particular question had been specifically highlighted in the book.
"—After removing it from the heat, Professor," Ryan said as calmly as he could.
Snape's gaze swept down, looking at his open textbook. "I hope you put knowledge into your brain beforehand, rather than cramming during class and praying for Merlin's favor!"
Ryan's lips were still tight when he sat down, and Theo patted his arm reassuringly.
In this class, Snape wasn't targeting any one person—he was targeting everyone. The storm of questions gave everyone a harsh wake-up call. By the time he officially began his explanation, Hufflepuff had lost thirteen points, and Ravenclaw had lost five.
In the ensuing silence, Snape began instructing everyone on how to brew the Pimple-Curing Potion. He divided them into pairs based on their seating, then with a flick of his Wand, the detailed steps appeared on the blackboard. Everyone busily scribbled them down. Wade noticed that the information on the blackboard had some subtle adjustments compared to the book's steps. If they followed the book exactly, they probably wouldn't produce a result satisfactory to the professor.
"Sorry," Theo, who was partnered with Wade by seating arrangement, whispered. "I didn't preview the text, but I'll try not to hold you back."
His amber eyes were very sincere, and Wade's initial irritation at being paired with a "slacker" subsided.
"It's nothing," Wade said. "Brewing Pimple-Curing Potion is simple. As long as you follow the steps, there shouldn't be much of a problem."
Theo went to the nearby shelf to retrieve the ingredients. Wade weighed them on a scale, then used a small knife to push the snake fangs towards Theo. "You handle the ingredients; I'll handle the brewing."
"Okay."
Theo responded, put on his protective Dragonhide Gloves, and then ground the snake fangs into powder in a mortar. Wade, meanwhile, distastefully picked up four slugs with tweezers and placed them in the Cauldron to boil, carefully controlling the heat with his Wand.
A few minutes later, Wade picked out the discolored slugs and set them aside, changed the water, and reheated it, reviewing the brewing steps again. Theo, beside him, had already finished processing the snake fang powder and was now chopping dried nettles.
Wade was somewhat surprised to find that although this Hufflepuff student seemed a bit clumsy, he was very meticulous. The processed powder was fine and even, without any rough particles or impurities.
Perhaps this partner isn't so bad after all. Wade thought.
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