Chapter 15: Potion Class

Chapter 15: Potion Class

As soon as the bell rang, Professor Baker hurriedly turned around and left the classroom, leaving behind a group of chattering first-year students.

"Does the professor mean that he is better than Mr. Lockhart?"

"Of course! Only the weaker ones need to rack their brains to think about how to solve problems. Powerful wizards can solve all problems with just a cast of magic!"

"But that's Lockhart, the famous adventurer!"

"That doesn't mean he is the strongest. At least he is not as strong as Professor Dumbledore, right? Besides, Lockhart is only an honorary member of the Dark Arts Defense League, while the professor is a director, several levels higher than Lockhart!"

Avada thought to himself, "Tearing of fighting power is inevitable in any world and any field." He planned to expose Lockhart's lies after becoming a teacher, to bring justice to the victims.

Moreover, Professor Baker's strength was genuine. In Avada's perception, Professor Baker's vitality and mental strength were extremely strong, on par with veteran wizards like McGonagall and Flitwick, second only to Dumbledore. However, Avada sensed something unusual about Professor Baker's mental power structure, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Hey, Ken!"

Joel Stebbins, Avada's roommate, poked him and asked, "What's the next class? I forgot to bring my schedule."

Avada pulled out the class schedule and looked at it, "Potions, with Slytherin."

"Oh, how unfortunate."

Stebbins covered his forehead and said, "I heard from the seniors that the professor of Potions is the dean of Slytherin. He is not only strict and harsh but also particularly partial to his own house. It seems that since he took office, Slytherin has won the House Cup every year!"

Avada rolled his eyes. Even Hufflepuffs who didn't like to gossip behind people's backs could say this about Snape. It seemed that no matter what his personality was, he was not suited to being a teacher.

"Relax, at least we don't have to face him as Gryffindors." Avada comforted Stebbins, then put on his backpack and left the classroom, walking towards the Potions classroom.

…

The Potions classroom was located in the basement of Hogwarts, converted from a dungeon. It was dark, damp, and cold, with various specimens soaked in unknown liquids on the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"Tell me, why can such a place with almost no ventilation be used as a Potions classroom? Aren't you afraid that a student might create poisonous gas with a shake of his hand and kill everyone in the classroom?" Avada asked Baron in a low voice.

"Who knows?" Baron replied helplessly, "This place is still good. Their lounge and dormitory are even worse, built directly under the Black Lake. It's really cold, damp, and unventilated. I think I'll get rheumatism after living there for a semester!"

"Then maybe you could try the cold-repellent potion, Mr. Shafiq. If you can read through your first-year textbook before school starts, you should be able to remember it."

A low, flat voice suddenly sounded above Avada and Baron's heads. They shuddered and raised their heads, meeting Snape's gaze.

"Also, the Potions classroom has comprehensive security measures, so please don't use your unsophisticated brains to comment on things you don't understand. One point will be deducted from Hufflepuff."

Avada's eye twitched; that was lenient. If Harry dared to talk about Snape's classroom in front of him, Gryffindor would probably lose 10 points on the spot.

After Snape scolded them, the other students realized he had arrived and sat down quietly, aware of his reputation.

"Now we will start the roll call."

Snape had a piece of parchment in his hand, his brows furrowed, his expression ferocious.

"…Ken!"

He almost squeezed the name out through his teeth.

Avada's pupils trembled, remembering that his name was linked to Snape's loss.

"Here."

He agreed timidly.

Snape snorted, restraining his expression, and continued reading: "Baron Shafik!"

"Here!"

"John McNeill!"

"Present!"

…

After confirming everyone's presence, Snape put away the roster and scanned the classroom with an oppressive gaze.

"Potions,"

He spoke softly, but loudly enough for everyone to hear: "It is a precise and scientifically rigorous technique. I know that in your previous classes, each professor has spared no effort to demonstrate the charm of their respective subjects and stimulate your interest..."

"...But on my side, unfortunately, I think most of you cannot appreciate the charm of the art of potions. Some of you may not even believe that it is magic because it does not require the involvement of a wand in most cases."

"I don't expect you to truly appreciate the beauty of the simmering pot with white smoke and fragrance, nor do you truly understand the magical power of the liquid flowing into people's veins, which makes people excited and confused... But I can still teach you how to improve your reputation, brew glory, and even prevent death..."

"But there must be one condition, and that is that you are not the talentless fools I often meet."

The unprecedented opening remarks immediately silenced the entire audience.

"Ken!" Snape suddenly called Avada up: "You answer, what is the formula of the cold-relieving potion?"

It's over, it's begun.

Avada stood up in despair and answered while recalling: "Fire salamander blood, cabbage, kudzu root..."

Then he got stuck.

"And the powder of the fire crab shell!" Snape glanced at him and said.

Avada sat down, relieved that Snape didn't deduct points.

"In this class, we will learn about the scabies treatment potion. This is a very basic but classic potion recipe. The principles and techniques used in it are used in almost all potion making."

Snape began to teach seriously, taking out crucibles, scales, and other utensils from under the podium, as well as various bottles and jars.

"The ratio is... It should be noted that when crushing the venomous snake fangs, there is a possibility of... There is also the order of the three times of steaming the slugs. Once the order is reversed, it will cause... And if it is not cooled after the first boiling, it will..."

Snape wrote on the blackboard quickly and methodically, and the students below took notes nervously.

"...So, the role of the slug here is to adjust the conflict between the medicinal properties of the porcupine quills and the venomous snake fangs. According to the calculation of Beaumont's first basic law, its own properties are not enough...so it needs to be boiled three times and added..."

Snape finally finished explaining the production process and principle of the scabies treatment potion.

"Now I will demonstrate it myself."