Chapter 29: 29: Secretly Brewing Potions

Brewing potions always takes a long time; some special potions, such as Felix Felicis, are said to require six months of brewing.

Taking this factor into account, Sean scheduled his activities for after the first Transfiguration class of the afternoon.

He prepared five sets of ingredients and brought along his crystal vials.

They were expensive containers, packaged in small individual boxes.

Because they had cost a full seven Galleons, the manager of Slug & Jiggers had thoughtfully provided a small box for each crystal vial.

The long-bearded old wizard in the shop had said: "This set of crystal vials is twice as effective at storing potions as ordinary glass bottles."

Sean suspected he was lying.

Books stated that as long as they were stored correctly, potions would not spoil even if left out in the open.

Ancient wizards even used kettles to store potions; back then, apothecaries were fond of a game where they poured different liquids from the same kettle.

It often left Muggle aristocrats marveling in wonder.

In reality, it was simply that the potions had spoiled under certain conditions (such as exposure to light).

As for whether a spoiled potion would cause problems, one only needed to see if a wanted poster appeared at the castle gates the next day.

In the afternoon,

A pure white owl soared over Sean's head,

And he heard its soft, cooing cries.

Stepping out of the castle, the sunlight was warm and mellow, as if it intended to soak through every young wizard.

Sean had never seen such a brilliant summer; Hogwarts and the surrounding wilds were plated in a layer of gold lacquer.

The island looked like an oil painting, punctuated by the golden castle.

If only Snape's classroom weren't in the dungeons, Sean's mood would have been even better.

This afternoon, he felt like an adventurer stealing treasure, tasked with completing the brewing of a potion treasure under Professor Snape's watchful eye.

With countless thoughts swirling in his mind, Sean walked along a lush green cobblestone path and pushed open the oak door of the greenhouse.

He had promised to collect Bubble Pods with the professor and transplant Jumping Bulbs into Greenhouse One.

Greenhouse One was filled with the scent of fertile soil,

And fine droplets of water condensed on the glass ceiling, forming trickling streams that meandered downward.

Professor Sprout was not alone today; at some point, a group of young wizards had gathered around her—

Round-faced Neville, Ernie, who was watering plants with great care, and a short, chubby little boy whom Sean did not recognize.

Professor Sprout stood beside a wooden crate piled high with fresh manure; her grayish-brown hair was pulled back into a tight, small bun.

Beneath her thick, patched hat, a pair of bright eyes scanned her students keenly.

Soon, Professor Sprout patted her soil-stained gloves and walked toward Sean

"Oh, at this time every year, the greenhouse produces so many new sprouts. It's truly something to look forward to..."

She opened the door to Greenhouse One,

"Come along, Mr. Green. We shall transplant the Jumping Bulbs; those dear little rascals are likely waiting impatiently."

When the professor spoke, her hat always bobbed in harmony,

But not today. Sean stared at the black part of the hat,

And suddenly thought of Professor Snape's gloomy black eyes.

*I'm brewing potions in secret; it shouldn't violate school rules, right?*

Sean thought.

By the time he snapped out of it, he was already meeting a pair of warm, steady eyes.

"My dear Mr. Green, how rare. You seem a bit distracted?"

Despite the question, there wasn't a hint of doubt in Professor Sprout's eyes.

"The timing is perfect. Come, dear Mr. Green, there are some interesting things waiting for you."

Professor Sprout led Sean toward another domed structure with a warm demeanor,

Without responding to his questioning gaze.

They stopped before a domed building bearing a wooden sign that read "Greenhouse Three."

Sean had never been inside—Michael had said the plants in Greenhouse Three were more interesting, and more dangerous.

Professor Sprout took a large key from her belt and unlocked the door.

A damp smell of fertilizer rushed toward him. A thorny green plant was extending its tentacles,

And beside it, some bean-like green fruits were jumping around within a trellis.

Sean recognized them as Jumping Bulbs, but it was strange—why were they surrounded by Venomous Tentacula?

And why hadn't this territorial, magical plant attacked them?

Just as Sean was observing, Professor Sprout's loud and cheerful voice rang out, drowning out the rustling sounds in the greenhouse.

"Oh, Mr. Green, let me tell you a story

The seeds of Jumping Bulbs need to grow in dark, damp environments,

Coincidentally, that is exactly where the Venomous Tentacula gather.

About a third of the Jumping Bulbs in the greenhouse live alongside the Venomous Tentacula.

The Tentacula will not allow other plants to invade its territory,

But look,

The Jumping Bulbs still grow vigorously..."

After piquing Sean's curiosity, the plump professor continued in a deep, storytelling tone

"If you observe closely, you can see the Dragon Snappers standing beside them.

It is precisely the mutual deterrence between the two that provides the Jumping Bulb seeds with the conditions to grow, break through the soil, and jump away.

Nature is always magical; life will always find a way."

She leaned down gently,

Her eyes full of sincere and warm light.

"Jumping Bulbs that stay far away from here are always safe, but if one is so afraid of the Venomous Tentacula that they hide forever in a dry, hot corner and let their fruit wither, dear, that is not the meaning of life."

Sean was somewhat shaken by the story of the Jumping Bulbs. He looked at the professor, and the plump witch gave him a slow nod

"You will succeed. Don't be afraid, little one."

...The professor knew what he was doing.

By the time Sean walked out of the greenhouse, his heart was calm and steady, and his clothes were tinged with the scent of soil.

Though he didn't know how the professor had guessed,

Since the professor had tacitly approved and encouraged him, it meant that what he was doing would not violate school rules.

Even if it did, the consequences would not be severe.

Therefore,

After his afternoon Transfiguration class,

Amidst the confused stares of Justin seeing him as a daredevil and Hermione's bewilderment, Sean disappeared at the end of the corridor.

The environment gradually became cold and dim; glass jars lined the walls, and the shivering, preserved animal specimens appeared before his eyes once more.

Sean held his breath, hoping Professor Snape would not appear.

In fact, the professors were all very busy, let alone Professor Snape, the Head of Slytherin House.

After a quick glance at the classroom,

Sean breathed a long sigh of relief, then quickly laid out his ingredients on the desk and lit the cauldron.

The faster he worked, the more times he could experiment.

Sean also set out his notebook and quick-notes quill.

The brewing data was crucial; summarizing experience and constantly improving was the mark of a qualified student.

As the cauldron sent up wisps of white smoke, Sean's emerald eyes slowly reflected the candlelight.

(End of Chapter)