Chapter 46: The Deal with Snape is Done
Good news suddenly spread through Hogwarts.
It was good news that was beneficial to almost the entire student body.
Their Potions class Grim Reaper, Professor Severus Snape, had shown great mercy and reduced the burden and stress for all students.
The cause, it was said, was that during the first Potions lesson for the Slytherin first-years, Ezio, hailed as the new king of Slytherin, had refuted Snape's old-fashioned and backward methods in class.
That revolutionary statement—"Are you going to teach me this kind of rubbish in the future?"—was like a whip lashing the Slytherin pariahs, striking Snape so hard it twisted his face and forced him to embrace modern progress.
But this story, outside of those who had witnessed it, was mostly treated as a joke. They knew Ezio was formidable, and that Slytherin was indeed showing a tendency to follow his lead. Since the start of school, the students of Hogwarts had witnessed numerous ambushes and duels against him. But without exception, whether it was an ambush or a formal duel, no one could last more than three seconds.
Those who dueled him head-on just had their wands sent flying before being slammed to the ground, writhing in pain. And those who tried to ambush him would often be found strung up in some forgotten corner, becoming Peeves's new toy to be tormented for hours.
Ezio and Peeves were good friends who had never met. The tacit understanding between the boy and the poltergeist was so excellent that the other Slytherins also benefited. They were rarely tormented by Peeves because Ezio would occasionally offer up 'sacrifices' for Peeves's enjoyment. The happy Peeves absolutely adored the toys that were delivered to his doorstep.
But regardless, the changes Snape had now brought to Potions class were a great relief to many young wizards.
In two months, Snape, with Harry's help, had conquered the 'precise science' that Potions had previously lacked. He established a new set of standards for Potions, analyzed the medicinal components in hundreds of potion ingredients, and determined the primary materials and necessary substances required in basic potion formulas, forming two new systems for Potions.
The first system was suitable for any beginner learning Potions. By precisely quantifying the amount of materials, he formulated a range for the dosage of various ingredients during the brewing process. As long as the brewer followed the steps and could complete the most basic and necessary step of magical infusion, they could produce a qualified potion that was not optimal in effect but was absolutely effective.
The second system was only suitable for advanced users with a considerable talent for Potions. Snape had isolated the various components within magical ingredients, fundamentally changing the composition of potions. As long as the main active ingredients required for a potion were met, by fusing these few effective substances, one could concoct a potion with a specific effect.
This greatly improved the expandability of Potions. A wizard could customize a potion without changing its core effect. In fact, if the effects did not conflict, a Potion Master could create a composite potion with the effects of two or more potions.
For example, the Invigoration Draught, used to restore physical and mental energy, and the Essence of Dittany, used to rapidly heal physical injuries. Their effects did not conflict, and a composite potion with both effects would be equivalent to a potion that fully restored one's status.
A single gulp, and even someone on the brink of death from severe injuries could get up and rave on their own grave.
If all goes as planned, Snape's reputation will become widely known throughout the world. He has broken the previous traditions of Potions. While lowering the barrier to learning, he has also raised the ceiling of the discipline. The birth of the second system will lead to an explosive boom in Potions, and all sorts of new potions will be rapidly created as a result.
Snape, who was justifiably proud of his achievements, was in a very good mood after emerging from his research. His dislike for Ezio had even diminished somewhat. On one hand, Harry had been mediating between them. On the other hand, it was really thanks to this detestable little bastard that Harry had come to Slytherin.
Snape was a petty man, but he could at least recognize reality. Although his awkward personality would never allow him to say 'thank you' to Ezio, his opinion had still changed.
"Our interests are aligned." Indeed, Snape had obtained his share of the benefits. He had gained fame and prestige, as well as Harry's goodwill. This was something Snape had never expected.
"Here's what you wanted." Snape's voice was still a bit cold, but the expression on his face was no longer one of disgust, but of indifference. He wasn't particularly eager for honor now, but he didn't refuse it either when it was bestowed upon him.
He placed two small packages on the table. One was a collection of advanced potion recipes and notes on higher-level Potions that couldn't be found on the market. The other was a set of finished, truly top-tier potions that would take Ezio many years of study to even attempt to brew, extremely expensive and rare.
"Thank you for your generosity, Professor Snape. It seems our collaboration this time was a pleasant one." Ezio smiled and nodded. "Thank you very much for everything you've done for Hogwarts and for us. And congratulations on finally being able to rid yourself of those dunderheads' suffocating methods. At least in the classroom, you can spare your eyes and see fewer of those terribly shoddy works."
"Silver-tongued," Snape sneered. "You overestimate the abilities of those fools. A mess is still a mess."
"Indeed, some people's lower limits are truly a bit too low. But such idiots should become rare in the future of Slytherin. The atmosphere of the house is changing. Perhaps by next year, those useless fools will be out of our sight."
"Are you referring to the intimate contact between those idiots' heads and a toilet bowl?" Snape, of course, knew what Ezio had been up to in Slytherin.
"Soaking their shriveled walnut brains in cold toilet water, I believe, helps to improve their level of thinking. The walnut has been soaked and expanded, has it not?" Ezio said nonchalantly, then waved his hand. "Those people are not something we need to care about. Slytherin doesn't need them. If you think this will make things difficult for you, then just put all the blame on me. I don't care about their so-called retaliation. I just hope they can also withstand my dissatisfaction."
Ezio did have the idea of testing his current skill level. It wouldn't hurt to test the sharpness of his blade on some clueless individuals. Having established a temporary relationship of mutual interest with Dumbledore, he had a bit more capital to stand on than when he had just arrived in the wizarding world.
Until Voldemort was dealt with, Dumbledore needed him, because he could provide help that Dumbledore himself couldn't even imagine. Until Voldemort was finished, he would have Dumbledore's protection.
"Your arrogance is laughable," Snape sneered. "Do you think you can withstand the retaliation of those wizarding families?"
"Magic is naturally mysterious and wondrous, possessing a power that leaves me in awe." Ezio smiled at Snape before turning to leave. "But people are not necessarily so. Magic, in the end, has to be used by people. And magic is not omnipotent. It cannot make idiots smart, just as some idiots can't learn how to brew potions, even after you've simplified them."
"But I promise, even if things take the worst possible turn, I will absolutely not be implicated."
Watching Ezio's back as he left through the door, Snape's gaze darkened slightly. He had a premonition that those fools were going to have their entire families wiped out. He knew that this boy possessed a coldness that made even him shudder—an indifference to life. Subconsciously, Snape touched his own neck. The moment that broken spear had been held to his throat was the closest he had ever been to death.
"Letting him come to Hogwarts was the most foolish thing you've ever done in your life, Dumbledore." Snape narrowed his eyes, muttering to himself in a low voice.
"But what does it have to do with me," he sneered, a cold, mocking smile on his lips. Snape was not some do-gooder who liked to meddle in other people's business. The lives and deaths of those people had nothing to do with him. Let them die for all he cared. It would be best if both sides wiped each other out completely.
*****
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