(It seems Chapter 18 crashed for some readers (⊙-⊙).
It looks normal on my end, but just to be safe, today’s update is being posted early to see if everything works.)
Professor Snape swept into the classroom wearing his billowing black robes.
His stride was swift and silent, making him resemble an enormous bat gliding across the floor.
A cold, imposing aura radiated from him.
“You are here,” he began, “to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making.”
His voice was only slightly louder than a whisper, yet every student heard each word with perfect clarity.
“As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic.”
“I don’t expect you to truly appreciate the delicate beauty of a cauldron simmering over a gentle flame, releasing curling white steam and fragrant aromas.”
“You will not understand the wondrous power contained within liquids that flow through the veins, bewitch the senses, and enchant the mind.”
“I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death…”
“…provided that you are not as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.”
The classroom fell into complete silence.
Hermione Granger had practically slid to the edge of her seat, leaning forward eagerly, clearly determined to prove she wasn’t one of the “dunderheads.”
Adrian actually agreed with Snape’s reverence for Potions.
Although potions appeared unrelated to spellcasting, they provided two of the most important foundations for a wizard’s growth:
Intellect.
And wealth.
A true Potions Master would never die poor.
Even Adrian’s own fortune had been built in no small part through potion-making.
After all, learning magic required money.
Advanced experiments, rare materials, and higher-level research didn’t simply appear out of thin air.
Still…
Adrian nearly burst out laughing at Snape’s opening speech.
After all these years, his teaching style still hasn’t improved.
How does he expect to produce outstanding students like this?
It was honestly a waste of his status as a Potions Master.
Because he couldn’t even make students enjoy Potions, Snape had always longed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts instead.
The result?
Potions became everyone’s nightmare…
And Defense Against the Dark Arts remained forever out of his reach.
“This year’s class…”
Snape continued,
“…is somewhat different.”
“Among you are students who achieved remarkable fame before even entering Hogwarts.”
“Some are already renowned throughout the wizarding world.”
“But whether that reputation is truly deserved…”
“…remains to be tested.”
As he spoke, Snape walked closer to the front row.
He did everything he could not to look directly at Adrian.
That handsome face was practically shouting:
Yes, I’m that outstanding.
Go ahead, Professor.
Test me!
Damn it.
Why is this kid so infuriating?
Such a handsome face…
wasted.
Stay calm, Severus.
Don’t give yourself a heart attack.
Still…
A first-day show of authority was essential.
Very well.
“Mr.
Potter!”
Snape barked suddenly.
Harry, who had been wondering why this professor seemed so strange, jumped.
“Y-Yes!”
Without giving him time to think, Snape fired off his question.
“What would you get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?”
Harry froze.
His head filled with question marks.
What kind of teacher asks questions like this on the first day?
Then, perhaps thanks to Adrian’s magical “Happy Water”—
No.
The Energy Potion—
Harry’s exhausted brain suddenly began working at remarkable speed.
I think…
I saw this…
around page fifty-something last night…
Maybe I should just guess…
“Professor…”
“I think it produces a powerful sleeping potion called the Draught of Living Death.”
“…”
Snape, already preparing his next question, completely stalled.
The classroom fell into another awkward silence.
Watching Snape’s expression of utter disbelief, Adrian was laughing so hard on the inside he almost lost control.
Didn’t expect that, did you?
Harry actually studied.
And thanks to my Energy Potion, he even remembered it.
Impossible.
Snape refused to believe it.
Fine.
Let’s try another one.
“If I asked you to fetch me a bezoar…”
“Where would you look?”
Hmph.
That’s from well over a hundred pages in.
Let’s see you answer this.
Harry adjusted his glasses.
For the first time, genuine intelligence seemed to shine in his eyes.
“You’d find one in the stomach of a cow.”
“Its purpose?”
“It has extremely powerful antidote properties.”
“It’s a universal cure for most poisons.”
Harry’s thoughts flowed more and more smoothly.
Every page he’d painstakingly read the previous night now appeared vividly in his memory.
Looking at the strange expression in Snape’s eyes—and the professor’s face growing darker than his robes—Harry couldn’t help thinking,
So…
this is what it feels like to be the smart kid.
Meanwhile, Snape felt utterly exhausted.
Fine.
He inherited Lily’s talent.
That has to be it.
As he desperately comforted himself, another question came to mind.
One that was downright vicious.
“Very good, Mr.
Potter.”
“It appears you’ve prepared your lessons well.”
“I must admit…”
“…I’m slightly surprised.”
His face remained expressionless.
“Now then.”
“If I wished to shorten the brewing time of Wolfsbane Potion…”
“…what herb should I use as a catalyst?”
Harry blinked.
“…?”
What in the world is Wolfsbane Potion?
Catalyst?
He had absolutely no idea.
Nor was he the only one.
Even Hermione, who had been itching to answer every previous question, looked completely lost.
Snape thought smugly,
If first-years can answer material from the third-year curriculum…
I’ll never make things difficult for you again.
Unfortunately…
Seeing Harry’s utterly bewildered expression, Adrian gave a small cough.
“Professor Snape…”
“Isn’t that…
a bit beyond what first-years are expected to know?”
Snape shot him a glare.
“Did I ask you to speak?”
Adrian answered honestly,
“No.”
“But as a refined and noble Slytherin…”
“I simply couldn’t bring myself to pretend otherwise.”
“…”
Snape fell silent for a moment.
Finally, he said,
“Very well.”
“Then perhaps Mr.
Adrian would care to answer the question.”
“Gladly.”
Adrian smiled.
“If you wish to accelerate the brewing of Wolfsbane Potion, simply add Moonlight Sand during the brewing process.”
“However, the amount must never exceed one-tenth of the quantity of Wolfsbane.”
“Otherwise, the potion loses its intended properties.”
“That’s all, Professor.”
Snape forced an ugly smile.
“As expected of an Ambrosius.”
“It seems your Order of Merlin wasn’t awarded for nothing.”
Adrian returned an even brighter smile.
“Oh, not at all.”
“Compared with your Second Class Order of Merlin, Professor…”
“…my achievements are hardly worth mentioning.”