[Please Vote Stones]
When you hear the phrase "a large pot simmering over a low flame, emitting bursts of fragrance," what do you think of first? Hotpot or a rich broth? However, these words were spoken by Professor Snape in Potions class. Despite his serious expression and earnest words, Tom couldn't help but associate them with various dishes.
"If I could set up a copper pot in the middle of winter, light a charcoal fire, thinly slice fresh lamb, boil it briefly in boiling water, and serve it with sesame sauce, it would be fit for an emperor..." Tom's thoughts drifted to a restaurant he knew.
"...I can teach you how to improve your reputation, brew glory, and even prevent death – but there's one condition: you can't be the kind of idiots I encounter frequently."
His opening statement was concise, but it left the entire class in stunned silence. The young wizards and witches exchanged glances, and Hermione, in particular, nearly perched on the edge of her seat. She felt that this professor had extremely high standards, and she wanted to prove that she wasn't a fool.
Severus Snape observed the students' reactions and was very satisfied with his opening, except for one thing –
"Tom Riddle!" Snape suddenly called out Tom's name. "What would happen if I added powdered Acacia petals to a potion brewed with unicorn hair infusion?"
While Snape wasn't a master Legilimens like Dumbledore, he could still read people to some extent. He had noticed that Tom's attention wasn't on Potions class. Snape had a gut feeling that this student might be confusing Potions with mundane cooking.
So, he decided to give this shallow-minded person a lesson.
"Tom... Riddle, it's a good name," Snape sneered.
Hermione, searching her memory for an answer, finally had one and enthusiastically raised her arm. In her mind, this was the best way to get closer to the teacher. She had been praised by her primary school teachers for actively answering questions, and she believed it would be the same here.
However, Snape was different.
Hermione attempted to convey goodwill in her own way, but did Professor Snape acknowledge it? Absolutely not. In fact, it backfired, and Snape found Hermione's raised hand quite annoying. Was she trying to show off her cleverness? He deliberately ignored Hermione's raised hand.
"Professor, powdered Acacia petals can be used along with unicorn hair infusion to create a potion called the Elixir of Joy, which brings happiness to the person who consumes it, but it shouldn't be taken in excess –"
"That's enough. There's no need to state the obvious in front of me," Snape interrupted Tom. "Let's try this again. Tom Riddle, tell me, what are the seven methods of brewing potions?"
This question was much more basic, and Hermione tried to raise her arm higher, but Snape found it even more bothersome.
"Simmering, infusion, soaking, ointment, poultice, elixir, and tincture."
These seven potion-making methods formed the foundation of potion-making and had strong traces of Muggle chemistry. However, they were far less refined.
Snape nodded. "It seems you've done some reading during your holiday, Mr. Riddle. Miss Granger, I was questioning Mr. Riddle. It had nothing to do with you. To remind you not to interrupt when I'm questioning someone else, five points will be deducted from Ravenclaw."
Hermione was thunderstruck. She couldn't believe that her good intentions had led to such a result.
Seeing that a single sentence had resolved Hermione's issue, Snape felt somewhat satisfied.
"Riddle, what should you do if you have someone poisoned in front of you, but you can't identify the type of poison? What can be used as a universal antidote?"
"You can place a bezoar in the patient's throat, or use Moly."
"Bezoar is more suitable than Moly." Snape nodded again, while the other students stared in astonishment. They hadn't even heard of the materials used in these questions!
"Do you all hear that?" Snape said to the students in the classroom. "Why haven't you written these down? You knew the answers?"
The classroom was filled with the rustling sounds of students hastily reaching for parchment and quills, followed by the sounds of writing.
[Achievement Unlocked: Snape's Three Questions Completed, Reward: Magic Stones x90]
[Achievement Unlocked: Snape's Approval, Part One, Reward: Magic Stones x30]
Clearly, Tom had passed this test. Snape then divided the students into pairs and instructed them to prepare a simple potion, which could be used to treat scabies, according to the steps on the blackboard. While students weighed out the nettles and crushed snake fangs, Snape patrolled the classroom and pointed out errors in their work. Almost everyone received a few reprimands, including Tom.
It wasn't that Snape was nitpicking, but rather that these were eleven- and twelve-year-old children, and how
could they be expected to understand potion-making? Most of them hadn't even entered a kitchen more than a few times in their lives, so in Snape's eyes, their work was truly painful to watch.
Fortunately, nothing major went wrong, and the class ended without incident. After two long hours, they hurriedly left the classroom and headed for the Great Hall.
"Cheer up, Hermione. Snape is just that way – unreasonably harsh," Tom consoled her when he noticed Hermione's low spirits. "Gryffindor has it much worse, believe me!"
[You have excellently completed Professor Snape's assigned task, diligently preparing the potion. Your proficiency in Potion-making has improved.]
After finishing his meal, Tom followed the system's instructions to a deserted broom closet in a corner of the castle. Inside, he found an almost-rotten wooden box and, inside it, a quill. The quill didn't appear too old, and it had a rustic charm to it. Tom found it quite appealing and decided to keep it. A quill that didn't require dipping in ink was quite handy.
Quills came in two types: those without ink sacs, which required frequent dipping in inkwells, and those with ink sacs, essentially fountain pens with a feathered exterior. Most wizards used the former, and it was a source of frustration due to the constant need to dip and re-dip. So, wizards had devised various inventions: self-writing quills, self-dipping quills, and even ink made from blood...
Tom's quill was somewhat special. It seemed to transfer ink directly from the inkwell to the nib, maintaining just the right amount of ink. It was extremely convenient to use, more akin to a ballpoint pen.
(End of Chapter)