Chapter 412: Why Don’t You Play by the Rules?

Before coming here, Kyle had assumed that Snape's detention assignment would involve handling the usual complex potion ingredients. This was, after all, the most common task assigned during Potions class detentions. The ingredients they used in class—vials of bile, Flobberworm mucus, viper fangs, and so on—nearly all came from these preparation sessions.

To his surprise, however, this time he was actually assisting in brewing a potion, and not just any potion—the rare and challenging Wolfsbane Potion.

In the wizarding world, only a handful of wizards had the skill to make this potion, and each was a renowned master of potion-making. Kyle looked up, catching the subtle expression on Snape's face, and suddenly, he began to understand.

Professor Lupin…

It seemed likely that Dumbledore had forbidden Snape from revealing Lupin's identity as a werewolf. But that didn't mean Snape couldn't drop hints. This whole setup seemed designed to lead Kyle into asking why Wolfsbane Potion was being brewed, allowing Snape to hint at Lupin's condition in an indirect way.

It was quite the plan. If another student had been here, they might have discovered Professor Lupin's identity under Snape's "guidance."

Unfortunately for Snape…

"Oh, Professor, you're incredible—able to brew such a complex potion," Kyle praised, all while calmly grinding the lionfish bone powder, showing no inclination to inquire further.

Snape looked taken aback, frowning as he scrutinized Kyle, perhaps trying to gauge what Kyle was thinking.

After about half an hour, unable to contain himself any longer, Snape asked casually, "Do you know the effect of Wolfsbane Potion?"

"Oh, yes," Kyle replied smoothly. "Director Sykes at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies mentioned it once. Wolfsbane Potion can suppress the werewolf curse, allowing someone to retain their human consciousness during transformations on a full moon."

Kyle answered with the same casualness as if he were in class, then fell silent again, showing no curiosity or urge to pry.

This calmness made Snape even more uncomfortable. He'd prepared exactly what he'd say next, expecting Kyle to engage, but Kyle's lack of cooperation meant Snape couldn't even take the first step. He knew he couldn't reveal the information too directly without raising questions from Dumbledore. Watching Kyle calmly continue with the ingredients, Snape couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.

If he'd known it would turn out like this, he would have assigned Kyle to something mind-numbing, like rat spleens or armadillo bile.

Silence filled the dungeon classroom once again.

Kyle, oblivious to Snape's internal struggle, focused on preparing the ingredients, occasionally sneaking glances at Snape's technique as he brewed the Wolfsbane Potion. Getting to observe this potion-making process up close was a rare opportunity, and he didn't want to miss a detail.

It had to be said, the Wolfsbane Potion was extraordinarily complex. After a full five hours, Kyle finally placed the last clipped wolfsbane leaf into the cauldron at Snape's signal. As the carefully prepared leaf touched the liquid, the potion began to boil, and its color slowly shifted from reddish-brown to a deep brown.

"Bang!"

The door to the Dungeon classroom suddenly slammed open, startling both Kyle and Snape. Snape nearly dropped his wand into the cauldron in his surprise as Malfoy stumbled into the room.

"Give me one reason!" Snape hissed, glowering at Malfoy.

"Professor," Malfoy stammered, looking even paler than usual, his eyes wide and dazed. "I was in Hogsmeade… and I saw Potter's head… just his head, floating there…"

"Oh?" Snape replied icily, narrowing his eyes. "Are you saying that Potter went to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, it was his head…" Malfoy murmured, still looking bewildered.

"Idiot!" Snape snapped. "Don't you know about the Cloak of Invisibility?"

In an instant, Malfoy's shock turned to embarrassment. His pale face flushed red as he realized what had happened.

"That damned Potter…" Malfoy muttered furiously. "How dare he mock me!"

"Fool!" Snape glared at him again. "Come with me—I think I know where he'll show up next."

Then he turned to Kyle. "Every ten minutes, stir the cauldron three times counterclockwise. Keep stirring until it emits smoke that matches the potion's color. Do you understand?"

"No problem, Professor," Kyle replied with a nod.

"Very well."

Snape swept out of the room, his long black cloak billowing behind him as he strode into the hallway, with Malfoy trotting after him.

Once they were gone, Kyle immediately took out his parchment and quill, jotting down everything he could remember about Snape's brewing process. When he'd filled most of the parchment, he folded it carefully and tucked it away for safekeeping.

He hadn't forgotten Snape's instructions either. It was already the third ten-minute interval, and Kyle waved his wand gently over the cauldron, causing the potion to swirl in response. After three counterclockwise stirs, the potion darkened, and the smell grew more intense.

Kyle couldn't be sure if this was expected. The Wolfsbane Potion was a relatively recent creation, and even Moste Potente Potions in the Restricted Section didn't contain it. Still, everything seemed to match the batches he'd cleaned up for Snape before.

Just then, a loud "Thud!" sounded from the adjacent room, as if something heavy had been thrown against the wall. Kyle recognized it as Snape's office.

From the corridor, he heard Professor Lupin's voice: "So until next time, Severus… Harry, come with me; I need to talk to you about that essay on vampires…"

The hallway fell silent once more, leaving Kyle alone in the quiet.

A few minutes later, Snape re-entered the Dungeon, his expression dark as if he'd just swallowed a vial of bitter bile. He glared at Kyle, his voice cold and clipped.

"Get out!"

"Okay…"

Though Kyle wasn't sure what had happened, he could tell from Snape's expression that he was in an irritable mood—one wrong word could set him off. Without hesitation, Kyle packed up and left the Dungeon, giving Snape the space he so clearly needed.