Chapter 62: Brewing Improvement

The Potions classroom was filled with the familiar sounds of clinking glass and the earthy scent of herbs as Professor Snape's voice cut through the murmuring students.

"Today, you will be brewing the Wiggenweld Potion," Snape drawled, writing the standard recipe on the blackboard with sharp, deliberate strokes. "A basic healing potion used to mend wounds and broken bones. Follow the instructions exactly. I don't want test subjects for this potion, so don't perform like a troll."

Harry, seated at his usual station near the front, glanced once at the board before turning his attention to his prepared ingredients. His mind, however, wasn't on the original formula.

He had already read every Potions book up to fifth year, and more importantly, he had cross-referenced them with the vast, ancient knowledge stored in his Library. The traditional Wiggenweld formula was full of inefficiencies—its taste was bitter, it caused nausea in some patients, the brewing time was unnecessarily long, and mending bones often came with sharp, lingering pain.

Harry moved smoothly, his hands practiced. Instead of using standard Dittany, he swapped it with a rare herb suggested by the Library that promoted painless tissue regeneration. He added a carefully measured painkiller essence to the base, modified the stir pattern to clockwise-only to speed molecular binding, and squeezed the Fire Seeds rather than chopping them—a method that released their juices more purely without introducing bitterness.

He was halfway through the improved potion when a shadow fell across his cauldron.

"Potter," Snape's voice was low and dangerous. "What exactly do you think you are doing?"

Harry looked up calmly. "I'm brewing the Wiggenweld Potion, sir. But I noticed some flaws in the standard formula. I thought it would be worth experimenting with some improvements."

The classroom went silent. Several students turned to watch, clearly expecting an explosion.

Snape's eyes narrowed to slits. "Flaws, Potter? Do enlighten us."

Harry remained composed. "The original version has side effects like nausea, slow healing, and significant pain during bone mending. I've adjusted the formula to address those."

There was a tense pause before Snape began firing questions like curses.

"Why substitute Heartleaf instead of Dittany?"

"Heartleaf speeds cellular regrowth and is gentler on internal systems," Harry answered easily.

"And squeezing the Fire Seeds?"

"Extracts purer sap, avoiding the release of bitter-tasting secondary compounds."

"Clockwise stirring instead of alternating?"

"Promotes faster binding of regenerative agents and stabilizes the potion's temperature."

Snape's lips thinned. He glared at Harry for several more seconds, then with a sharp twist of his robes, he moved away, leaving Harry to his work.

Harry suppressed a smile and focused on completing his brew. Within thirty minutes, his cauldron held a bright, shimmering green potion that radiated a soft healing aura. The smell was surprisingly pleasant, carrying a hint of mint and fresh herbs.

Snape, who had been observing from the corner of his eye, stalked back to Harry's station.

"Finished already, Potter?" he sneered. "Then test it."

Snape summoned a wounded Niffler with a slight limp and a gash on its foreleg from a cage at the side of the room. Harry carefully applied a few drops of the potion onto the wound. Instantly, the cut sealed smoothly, the fur regrew without even a scar, and the Niffler squeaked happily, bouncing around without any sign of pain.

A murmur ran through the class.

Snape's expression was unreadable. After a long moment, he snapped, "Five points from Gryffindor for not following instructions and performing unauthorized experimentation."

Harry only shook his head helplessly and smiled slightly. Snape's shamelessness was nearly legendary by now. But even as points were taken, Harry noticed the fleeting gleam of curiosity—and reluctant approval—in Snape's black eyes.

Harry cleaned up his station neatly, satisfied. Results spoke louder than points.