"You should understand that this is not a problem a first-year student should be meddling with," Snape said, frowning. He paused for a moment, but then continued, "Since you can ask this question, you must be very clear on the principle of the anti-magic reaction. You only need to stir in the reverse direction at the precise moment to interrupt the reaction and add the subsequent ingredients. There's no need to force the original solution to maintain its magical state. Next question."
Over the next few minutes, Marcel asked several more questions he had encountered. He keenly noticed that Snape did not show the impatience he had expected. Instead, he answered each question thoroughly.
"...No more questions? Then get out."
After Marcel had finished, Snape's impatient expression returned, and he waved Marcel out of his office.
"Phew." Standing in the corridor corner outside the office, Marcel couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
To be honest, he really didn't want to get too close to Snape. For him, facing someone he couldn't see through was more terrifying than anything else.
Speaking of which, the person he was most afraid of getting close to was undoubtedly Dumbledore.
After briefly reviewing his words and actions in Snape's office and finding nothing amiss, Marcel quickly left.
With the practical difficulties resolved, the next steps were much simpler. He just needed to gather the missing tools, find a quiet, deserted place, and he could begin his brewing attempts.
"Hagrid's hut? A good choice!" Marcel muttered to himself, turning and heading for the main doors. "I happen to have no class this afternoon. It's a good time to go see Hagrid."
…
It was a beautiful day, though the wind was stronger than it had been in the past few days. The sky was a clear, washed blue, which brightened one's mood. The air outside the castle was exceptionally fresh, a wonderful contrast to Snape's dim office.
Marcel took a deep breath of the fresh air, a gift of nature that sustains all human life, wizard and Muggle alike.
Hagrid's hut was built not far from the Forbidden Forest. A quick walk across the grounds would get you there.
"Hey, Hagrid! Good afternoon!" Marcel spotted Hagrid's towering figure from a distance.
"Oh, Marcel! Yes, good afternoon!" Hagrid turned his head upon hearing him and smiled happily upon seeing Marcel.
But he quickly dropped his smile and said with a serious expression, "Yes, I'm glad you came to see me, and you're very welcome to visit my hut. But, it should be time for class soon. You shouldn't be here."
"Yes, technically class has already started," Marcel shrugged. "But I don't have class today."
"So that's how it is," Hagrid nodded in realization. "I should have thought of that. Last time I invited Harry and the others over, I made sure to pick a time when they didn't have class."
"Come, come, come on in. I'll make you a cup of tea," he said, putting an arm around Marcel's shoulder and leading him toward the hut. "Oh, the door's a bit small. You go first."
"Woof! Woof woof!" Hagrid's black boarhound barked fiercely at Marcel, the iron buckle on its collar rattling.
"That's Fang. He's a bit of a coward, but he's friendly with people. A good dog," Hagrid said, holding Fang back firmly and gesturing for Marcel to sit on the sofa.
While Hagrid went to make tea, Marcel looked around the interior of the hut. Besides a fireplace, two sofas, and a small round table, there was basically nothing else. Well, with Hagrid living in here, there really wasn't much room for more furniture.
"Want a rock cake? Harry and Ron seem to like them," Hagrid asked, turning his head.
"No, thank you. They're a bit hard, and my teeth aren't doing too well lately," Marcel quickly declined. "You know, it's time for them to be replaced."
"Oh, right. A pity," Hagrid nodded. "But if you want to get rid of your loose teeth quickly, rock cakes are actually not a bad choice."
"If it's about to fall out, maybe I'll come find you again, Hagrid," Marcel said with a wry smile.
For the rest of the afternoon, Marcel chatted idly with Hagrid. They talked about all sorts of magical creatures, then Dumbledore, and even his brother, Aberforth. He learned a lot of miscellaneous information.
Overall, under Marcel's skillful guidance, the two of them talked a lot about topics that interested Hagrid, and the conversation was very pleasant.
It wasn't until Marcel was about to leave that he stood at the door and casually brought up his request.
"Oh, by the way, Hagrid," Marcel said, as if he had just remembered something. "I was wondering if I could come here in my spare time to practice some potion-making? At school, Professor Snape is always staring at me with that gloomy face. I can't concentrate on my practice."
"Mmm, Severus. Yes, he always looks like someone owes him money," Hagrid nodded with a smile. "Of course, you can. You're welcome anytime. I'm usually around here."
"Okay, thank you," Marcel said his thanks, then closed the door behind him and left.
Of course, it would have been great if he could have found the Room of Requirement, but unfortunately, Marcel had forgotten where it was.
"I'll look for it later. It would be for the best if I can find it."
He pondered this as he walked back toward the castle. It would be dinner time soon.
…
Dinnertime at Hogwarts was always the liveliest part of the day. At this time, everyone would discuss the day's gossip and thoughts while tackling the food on their plates.
Today, Marcel was finally not in a hurry, because he planned to take a break. He had been spending so much time in the library recently that even if he didn't feel mentally exhausted, his body was already fatigued.
"...Is that her?"
Marcel casually glanced over at the Slytherin table and suddenly saw the mysterious girl he had met in the library.
She was sitting at the very edge of the Slytherin table, eating her pudding in small bites. Her house robe, far too big for her, drooped and dragged on the floor, but she paid it no mind. The students around her were all talking to each other, creating a lively atmosphere. She alone was detached from this cheerful mood, and no one paid her any attention.
Logically, sitting there all by herself should have created a sense of discord. But Marcel found that she seemed to blend into the environment. It was less that she was low-key and more that she had no presence at all.
In the pleasant atmosphere, dinner gradually came to an end.
Just as Marcel was watching the mysterious girl finish her meal and silently leave, he happened to see Malfoy walk over to the Gryffindor table.
"Eating your last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?"
"You're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you," Harry said coolly.
Marcel had walked over by this point. He looked at Crabbe and Goyle. It was hard to call their tall and bulky frames "little."
The two of them seemed wary of the teachers at the head table and didn't dare to make a move. They just scowled, cracking their knuckles ominously.
"I'd take you on anytime on my own," said Malfoy. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only, no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"
"Of course he has," said Ron, wheeling around. "I'm his second, who's yours?"
Malfoy looked Crabbe and Goyle up and down, sizing them up.
"Crabbe," he said. "Midnight, all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room; it's always unlocked."
After Malfoy left, Harry and Ron couldn't help but exchange a look.
"What's a wizard's duel?" Harry asked. "And what did you mean, you're my second?"
"Well, a second's there to take over if you die," said Ron casually, finally starting on his now-cold pie.
He caught the look on Harry's face and quickly added, "But people only die in proper duels, you know, with real wizards. The most you and Malfoy'll be able to do is send sparks at each other. Neither of you knows enough magic to do any real damage. I bet he expected you to refuse, anyway."
"And what if I wave my wand and nothing happens?"
"Throw it away and punch him on the nose," Ron suggested with a shrug and a sly grin.
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt," Hermione suddenly spoke up from across the table.
"Can't a person eat in peace in this place?" said Ron.
Hermione ignored him and spoke to Harry. "I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying..."
"Bet you could," Ron muttered.
"You must not go wandering around the school at night. Think of the points you'll lose Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be. It's really selfish of you."
"And it's really none of your business," said Harry.
"Good-bye," said Ron.
Hermione stamped her foot in frustration as she watched them leave. Suddenly, she noticed Marcel sitting not far away.
"Hey, you heard that, didn't you? You should stop them too."
Ever since their chat in Herbology, Hermione would occasionally run into Marcel in the library. She would usually sit down and discuss some academic problems with him.
Over time, the two had become somewhat acquainted.
"You saw how they were. It's no use trying to stop them," Marcel said, walking over with a helpless shrug. "Don't be fooled by how easy-going Harry seems. He's very stubborn deep down. Once he's set his mind on something, it's hard for anyone to change it."
Hermione pursed her lips and walked wordlessly toward the door. As she was leaving, she suddenly turned back and shot Marcel an indignant glare.