Chapter 31: Fury

Severus Snape was not in a particularly good mood today.

That cowardly, timid fellow he needed to keep a close eye on had become increasingly elusive in recent days.

"Whatever it is you are planning, you had best pray you do not get caught by me..."

He whispered coldly to himself before turning the corner of the stairs. Just then, a few faint bubbling sounds caught his attention. No one in Hogwarts was more familiar with that sound than he was; it was the sound of a wonderful potion swirling and simmering in a cauldron.

But he was not in the dungeons, which meant one thing: the dungeons had been intruded upon!

He strode down the stone steps like a surging dark cloud, carrying thunder and storm with him.

"What are you doing!"

He loomed over Sheen, his voice thick with irrepressible fury.

"Audacious! Utterly ignorant!"

Looking at the cauldron emitting white steam, the scattered ingredients, and the liquid in the crystal vial... did the boy not understand what had happened?!

Since he had begun teaching, he had never seen such an audacious young wizard! Brewing potions privately?! Did he think this was some idiotic course like Astronomy or History of Magic?!

Potions was a precise science, a dangerous craft! Without sufficient skill or supervision, a single minor mistake was enough to cost a young wizard their life; they wouldn't even have time to react, let alone save themselves!

The smile froze on Sheen's face, and he quickly swallowed his surging emotions. He understood—he had triggered a bad ending. Professor Snape had returned. Just as he had finished brewing the potion and had not had time to clean up and evacuate, he had been caught red-handed.

"Heh... Let me guess. Mr. Green of Ravenclaw believes he possesses such extraordinary talent in Potions that he requires no guidance, believing himself capable of brewing a perfect potion all on his own..."

Professor Snape's voice was like a snake's hiss—cold and oppressive.

Sheen kept his head down, neither panicking nor explaining. He knew Snape; explaining was equivalent to suicide, and that was no exaggeration...

"Ah—then let us see his achievements. Let us see what brilliant results he achieved after that utterly foolish brewing last time, making him dare to challenge the authority of the Potions field alone, like a brainless troll..."

He shot Sheen a fierce glare. Sheen looked up briefly before quickly lowering his head again.

"Hmph!"

Snape gave a mocking laugh, though he felt a slight sense of relief. At least the boy hadn't caused the cauldron to explode like those brainless Gryffindor trolls.

His attention shifted rapidly to the potion; he had to ensure this concoction truly would not explode. As for Sheen's results? Did the boy think Potions was a branch of magic where one could make rapid progress? Given the disastrous attempt last time, it was a miracle from Merlin that no accident had occurred this time.

But as he looked, he froze: it was a passing potion. Though it could not be called excellent, it showed an inconceivable level of progress.

"This is your masterpiece?"

Snape shot Sheen a menacing look. Sheen nodded in response.

"I suspect your stirring arc must have been far too wide, and your heat control must have been ridiculously poor. It is only through barely correct ingredient handling that you are still standing here talking to me. What is terrifying is that you haven't realized this at all..."

Professor Snape watched as Sheen bypassed the mockery, quickly noting the techniques within his words; even the sarcasm seemed to lag a beat behind. Then, his expression darkened further, and he roared

"Get out of the dungeons! Now! Immediately!"

Without hesitation, Sheen quickly gathered his crystal vial, books, and ingredients. He walked out of the dungeons quietly. There was no rebuttal, no fear, no anger, or any other emotion—only a calm

"I am sorry, Professor Snape."

The dark-haired wizard's grim face stiffened slightly. He watched the light in Sheen's emerald eyes dim until it vanished at the end of the corridor.

As the environment grew brighter, a sense of warmth enveloped Sheen again, but his mood had not improved; instead, it was terrible.

He had successfully brewed the potion. From here on, he only needed to practice continuously to firmly master potion-making techniques and strengthen his natural talent. Even his status panel seemed to have granted him luck

【Scabies Potion: Unlocked (1/30)】 【An apprentice-level potion brewing can unlock the Apprentice title in the field of Potions】

The proficiency for the Scabies Potion was 30, and he only needed one apprentice-level brewing to unlock the title. Everything was getting better, yet he had messed up at the most critical moment.

No one could predict Professor Snape's movements; the only known fact was that he taught Potions to the students on Mondays and Fridays. Therefore, Sheen had no way to cope.

He remained silent, thinking. If he couldn't practice, he couldn't progress; therefore, practice was essential. He would practice using the correct methods until his talent improved. He was certain he would not make any ridiculous mistakes that would lead to danger. His practice was safe and effective, but interacting with Professor Snape was destined to be ineffective.

On the way to the Great Hall, Sheen suddenly remembered something. Professor Snape had not told him not to come again next time, nor had he deducted any house points. Why?

Sheen didn't know if he was overthinking it, but vaguely, it felt as though he might have a small opportunity again.

***

In the dungeons.

Snape gave a cold snort and waved his wand. The cauldron floated slowly before his eyes. The dark green liquid lay still, as tranquil as the young wizard who had just departed. Because of those exceptionally bright green eyes, he offered no further mockery.

He examined the Scabies Potion carefully. Simply by looking at the final state of the potion, he could deduce the effort the young wizard had put in.

In three days, he had not only brought his ingredient handling above the passing grade but had also keenly adjusted his stirring intensity, even achieving the most crucial step—absolute focus.

If not for that, given his troll-like heat control and timing of ingredient addition, it would have been impossible to brew a passing potion. And he had achieved all this progress in only three days. Snape could almost imagine the sleepless nights of thought and the painstaking study of herbs.

"Hmph, what a pity. The beauty of Potions does not welcome wizards without sufficient talent..."

***

In the Great Hall.

Sheen took out his personal notebook, carefully recalling every step of the process and every detail, ensuring they were etched into his mind.

Was he going to give up potion practice just because of Professor Snape's mockery? The probability of that was as low as Snape giving Gryffindor a hundred points.

Professor Snape won't always be around... Sheen thought.

The cauldron wouldn't care who was using it.

(End of Chapter)