Chapter 11: Two Choices

Shean originally thought that brewing a potion would not be a difficult task, given its rigorous steps.

But things were far from as simple as he had imagined.

He knew he had to throw dried nettles and crushed snake fangs into the cauldron to stew them together, and then add porcupine quills after extinguishing the fire.

But this was merely a brief description; once it involved actual practice, problems cropped up everywhere.

To what extent should the snake fangs be crushed? How long after extinguishing the fire should the porcupine quills be added?

How much force should be used for stirring? What should the arc of the stirring be? When should one stir?

The book contained no record of these questions, and Professor Snape had not provided even a shred of explanation.

Shean felt that these were likely things wizards were not expected to need explained.

Perhaps there was an instinct, much like when he first practiced the Levitation Charm, where a peculiar sensation would guide the wizard.

The result was that, because these were things everyone was supposed to know—or would quickly realize even if they didn't—no one taught them.

And Professor Snape likely hadn't even bothered with these questions.

Otherwise, as a Potions Master, there would be a very slim chance that he hadn't noticed these issues.

"But I seem to be a poor student, so these questions have become my difficulties."

Shean could only sigh inwardly.

His hypothesis was confirmed the very next second. As he brewed the potion strictly according to the book's steps and his perceived instincts, the cauldron—under his "as I thought" expression and Justin's bewildered gaze—turned into a blue liquid.

"I remember, the Scabies Potion doesn't seem to be this color."

Justin scratched his head, somewhat skeptical of the result.

The cauldron bubbled away, and the blue potion slowly became viscous. Along with the potion, Snape's expression also turned sour.

"Idiot!"

He strode over, the hem of his robes sweeping in a sharp arc.

"I suspect that, aside from the stirring and the heat, your ingredient preparation most likely went wrong as well..."

With a wave of Professor Snape's wand, a stool appeared before him. He sat down elegantly, his gaze locked firmly onto the pot of blue potion. After observing for only a few seconds, he let out a cold sneer.

"A foolish choice of porcupine quills, a monstrous choice of nettles, and a disastrous selection of snake fangs—choosing non-venomous snake fangs?! Two fools worthy of being hung on a tapestry!"

He roared mercilessly, waving his wand to sweep the liquid out of the cauldron.

"You should be grateful that your steps were not incorrect, otherwise you would know the lessons a fool learns from Potions!"

His voice was as chilling as the cold wind in the dungeons.

"One point deducted—each."

Justin had felt that something was wrong the moment he saw Snape approaching, but such intense mockery still made his face flush red.

Shean's large eyes also lost their luster. Just like when he practiced spells before, he possessed not the slightest bit of instinctive sense for brewing potions.

He could probably guess his talent for Potions.

...

Even after class ended, the young wizards did not dare to speak loudly; the shadow of Potions class still loomed over everyone's heads.

"Shean, don't worry, we'll earn those lost points back."

Justin's voice sounded in Shean's ear, seemingly encouraging himself as well.

"Mm."

Shean appeared somewhat dazed, but in reality, his mind had settled.

If he were to stop moving just because of difficulties, obstacles, or the mockery of others, he wouldn't even be able to learn the Levitation Charm now.

The reason he was dazed was that he was chewing over Professor Snape's words.

Failed heat control, improper stirring, problems with ingredient selection...

These were the foundations of potion brewing, and they were exactly the problems Shean faced.

Now, two paths lay before him.

One was to brew potions brainlessly, just like when learning spells, and try to summarize experience through luck.

Shean had rejected this path the moment it appeared.

Potions were not like spells; this was not a safe branch of magic.

The processing and brewing of potions were both dangerous and unpleasant; a slight oversight could turn them into toxic mist or something similar.

Trying to rely on luck like this was no different from gambling with one's life against the potion.

That left only one other path.

Understand this branch of magic as quickly as possible, resolve all possible problems, and then gain proficiency through practice to eventually obtain titles and improve his talent.

This path was more complex and difficult than the first, but it was clearly viable.

Moreover, as long as there was one successful practice, the speed of progress would be much faster afterward.

"Solve it one problem at a time, but it must be fast. Hogwarts has more than just this one subject."

Shean's voice was audible only to himself.

The Great Hall's long tables were covered in delicacies

Roasted turkey, small sausages, peas tossed in butter, meat gravy, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding, turkey sandwiches, toasted bread...

A dazzling array.

His poor talent and Professor Snape's venomous tongue had no impact on Shean's enthusiasm for eating.

Merlin's beard... this is delicious.

Shean fought with speed and elegance.

For six months, he had never had a full meal; even at yesterday's opening feast, he had only eaten to seventy percent capacity.

Since the orphanage could not provide a steady supply, he often chose to economize.

As for how to economize, the caretaker Anna had once proposed a theory that a child only needs to eat one meal a day.

Acid reflux in the middle of the night was not pleasant.

At his hungriest, Shean often looked at the stray dogs at the orphanage gate as reserve rations.

"Hermione! Over here!"

Justin was calling out to Hermione, who wanted to find a corner to sit in.

She quickly jogged over, her face slightly flushed.

"You're too loud!"

Hermione glared at Justin.

"Sorry, I was afraid you wouldn't hear me."

The dimples on Justin's face were deep.

"Our first class this afternoon is Herbology. I noticed it's the most frequent subject on the timetable... I guessed it wouldn't be easy, so I reviewed the book again, hoping it might be useful. Oh, I heard you guys had Potions..."

Hermione lifted her face and spoke many words like a machine gun.

"Herbology, that sounds great! Will you get to know those magical plants? Like... As for Potions, I must say..."

Justin listened intently, and the two soon began to discuss.

Their voices slowly faded in Shean's mind, and he thoughtfully took out his timetable.

[Wednesday Morning: Herbology, Wednesday Afternoon: Herbology, Friday Afternoon: Herbology]

It was indeed the most frequent of all the courses.

The Hogwarts curriculum must have a profound meaning; Herbology was scheduled so often because it was necessary.

So, why was that?

"...Disastrous ingredient selection... your ingredient preparation most likely went wrong..."

Shean sorted through Professor Snape's words, and a few seconds later, he understood the logic.

Herbology would teach wizards how to process ingredients, and ingredient processing was the very first step of potion making.

Therefore, it was not hard to conclude: to learn Potions, one must first learn Herbology.

(End of Chapter)