"Huh?"
Ron's expression brightened upon hearing he'd be attending Potions class with a Slytherin.
He winked at the others, "I heard the Slytherin Head of House is even stricter than Professor McGonagall!"
Neville whispered, "And only with students from other houses. He seems to be very kind to his own."
Dylan raised an eyebrow.
That wasn't a big deal.
After class,
Professor Snape began to call the roll.
When he called Harry,
his voice paused.
"Oh! Let's see, the famous Harry Potter!"
Snape's gaze was flat and cold, and when he met Harry's gaze, it seemed quite empty, even a hint of hostility.
"Dylan Hawkwood."
"Professor, I'm here!"
Dylan's voice was loud, and Snape's gaze shifted immediately.
But when he looked over, he saw Dylan's eyes gleaming as he stared at him.
It felt like...
a starving dog seeing a meat bun.
Snape's brow furrowed slightly.
He began to call out the next name.
He placed the list on the desk.
He glanced around.
"Hello, a bunch of foolish little wizards."
Professor Snape's voice was low and cold, with a hint of contempt, yet penetrating.
"Potions isn't magic, but a delicate craft. It doesn't require you to wave your wands like fools."
"I don't expect all of you to appreciate the beauty of the fragrance hidden in the white smoke from the simmering cauldron."
Snape glanced at Malfoy.
"I only hope that a few top students can understand the fascinating, mind-bending power of the liquid flowing into people's veins..."
"I can help you increase your reputation, create glory, and even prevent death."
Professor Snape changed the subject.
"But only if you are a few top students."
"Some fools and idiots will never understand the secrets of potions."
Since the little wizards present were all taking Potions for the first time.
No one had ever heard of magic actually preventing death.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Dylan's gaze grew intense.
Potions was indeed a profound and profound subject.
Like spells, it was worthy of his lifetime's study.
Professor Snape's words weren't nonsense, nor were they just empty talk.
The Elixir of Life could definitely be concocted through magical potions.
While waiting for school to start, Dylan read numerous books on potions.
Because he had some knowledge of Chinese medicine in his previous life, he couldn't help but compare Chinese and magical potions when studying them.
After all, in his opinion, the two were essentially the same.
It was simply a matter of combining herbs to balance, or perhaps amplify some properties while diminishing others.
However, as his knowledge of potions deepened, he discovered that Chinese and magical potions did share some similarities.
Even if the herbs of his previous life had miraculous effects, it wasn't impossible for Chinese medicine practitioners to concoct an elixir of life.
This is precisely where the difference between Chinese medicine and magical potions comes in.
The herbs used in Chinese medicine don't possess mystical effects.
However, the herbs used in magical potions can make the substances in the potions produce magical effects.
So, he thought of another thing.
Chemistry! Who could have known, centuries ago, that chemistry could create explosions?
Potions and chemistry are both deeply interested in the mixing and transformation of substances.
If you think about it, unicorn horn powder, mandrake roots, salamander eyes...
the encounter between acids and bases, the wondrous reactions of redox...
bear a clear resemblance.
And they share the same rigorous requirements.
Tablets, drops, drops...
controlling quantities and variables...
Actually, if you think about it, chemical manufacturing bears more resemblance to potions than traditional Chinese medicine.
Brewing a potion can be understood as brewing a physical spell.
The mystical elements within the potion's ingredients are released through constant brewing and stirring.
This is also influenced by the number of times and the method of stirring.
In brewing a potion, numbers are like incantations.
The resulting potion is a stored spell,
enabling the potion to achieve the same magical effect as the spell itself.
Dylan was eager to delve into this profound subject.
As for Professor Snape…
just a "nice guy"—what
's so scary about him?
"Little celebrity, your arrival has caused a stir at Hogwarts,"
Professor Snape said, his narrow gaze fixed on Harry.
"Answer me, what are the consequences of adding wormwood infusion to narcissus root powder?"
Dylan knew the answer.
However, he was sitting in the front row, and Harry didn't want to sit up front, so he sat in the back with Ron.
So, faced with Professor Snape's sudden question, he was completely bewildered.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Professor Snape asked two more questions in quick succession.
Harry couldn't answer either one.
The strange look in Professor Snape's eyes grew more and more intense.
"One point deduction from Gryffindor!"
Dylan didn't mind.
During class, he carefully memorized every step Professor Snape gave him.
This little guy might have a sharp tongue, but he had the real deal! He
had to learn everything this arrogant and sarcastic professor knew!
By the time Professor Snape passed Harry, who was sitting in the back row,
Gryffindor had already been deducted five points.
Snape passed Dylan
and was about to criticize the strange young wizard.
However, he noticed that almost every step of the potion he brewed was perfectly accurate in addressing the points he had pointed out.
Professor Snape was stunned, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
However, he didn't add the points Gryffindor had deducted. Instead, he was about to pass by Dylan.
Unexpectedly, Dylan stopped him.
"Professor Snape, please don't leave yet. I have a few key points to ask you."
Professor Snape paused, his cloak, which had just begun to billow, coming to a halt.
He turned and swept towards Dylan.
"You're talking while brewing a potion. One point deducted from Gryffindor!"
Dylan: "Okay, so what I want to ask is, if I add..."
Dylan asked a series of questions.
Professor Snape responded to each one.
The more he answered, the more he felt that this little wizard named Dylan Hawkwood was different from other idiots.
He definitely had a great talent for potions!
This slightly changed Professor Snape's impression of Dylan.
Dylan: Then what is the reward for my achievement mission?
(End of this chapter)