"In your view, what is the essence of potions?" Snape asked, his gaze steady as he looked at Vera, Ian, and Remy.
Wanda, who had never studied potions, felt puzzled by the question. For Ian, Vera, and Remy, even though they had attended Snape's potions classes, their experience with the subject was still limited, so they paused, mulling over the question carefully.
They were wary of offering an uninformed answer. After all, their mentor Lockhart's first lesson had instilled in them a sense of rigor—better to think deeply than to speak without purpose.
Snape observed their silent reflection with a faint hint of satisfaction. Lockhart's students displayed a quality that set them apart from others; they neither responded recklessly nor remained frozen in fear, and their discipline reminded him of those who had faced the trials of the real world.
Breaking the silence, Ian finally offered his thoughts. "Professor Snape, under your guidance, I've managed to refine a few preliminary potions, such as the Joy Potion. I'd say the essence of potions lies in the interaction between materials, where each magical ingredient reacts to create unique transformations, producing various effects."
Snape listened to Ian's response without reaction, then turned his attention to Vera, whose talent and demeanor reminded him of an old friend. Naturally, she held a special place in his regard.
Vera, noticing the professor's focus on her, began thoughtfully, "Professor, I agree with Ian's perspective to a degree—the transformation of materials is essential in potion-making. But I believe that will and emotion are equally vital."
She continued, citing an example: "Take the Joy Potion, for instance. If I approach its creation with calmness or neutrality, I find it more likely to fail or yield low-quality results. When I refine it while consciously feeling joy, it turns out more potent. On the other hand, attempting it with sadness or anger often leads to side effects or outright failure. I think that while ingredients serve as a base, our emotions and intent activate their full potential."
At her answer, Snape's eyes gleamed with approval. This was why he saw Vera as a gifted student; without prompting, she was already testing theories on her own. Though her understanding was still developing, her methods were on the right path.
Snape then turned his gaze to Remy, who immediately felt as if a heavy weight had settled on his shoulders. Under Snape's scrutinizing look, Remy's words stumbled out awkwardly, "Uh…me too!"
Snape's expression darkened slightly, prompting Remy to add hastily, "Professor, I share Vera's perspective. Emotion is crucial in potion-making…yes, that's what I think."
Snape gave an unimpressed snort, seeing echoes of the less studious students he'd taught in the past. He turned away from Remy and looked at Wanda, saying, "Wanda, though you haven't studied potions yet, I'd still like to hear your thoughts."
Wanda hesitated, but she had noticed Snape's reaction to Remy's vague answer and wanted to avoid disappointing him. "Professor Snape, just now, when you had my brother drink the potion, it felt…like magic. So I think potions are like another form of magic."
As soon as she finished speaking, Wanda saw Snape's sharp eyes fixed on her, and she braced for a reprimand. But, to her surprise, his gaze softened, and she felt herself relax.
"I'm quite pleased with your answers," Snape said, pointedly excluding Remy, whose response he had already dismissed.
He moved on to address each student individually, his tone a rare mixture of encouragement and authority.
"Ian, while your talent for potions may not be exceptional, it is nonetheless strong. Should the opportunity arise, delve deeper into the subject—it will serve you well."
Ian's face brightened at the praise. He quickly composed himself and replied calmly, "Understood, Professor."
Turning to Vera, Snape's tone warmed. "Vera, your talent in potions is promising. Don't squander it. Should you have questions in the future, come to me directly."
Vera's eyes sparkled with joy, a smile spreading wide as she absorbed the praise. Remy, on the other hand, stood slightly apart, casting his gaze downwards in embarrassment.
Snape shifted his gaze to Wanda, his demeanor contemplative. After a pause, he spoke. "Wanda, I know Lockhart has high hopes for you. I expect you to live up to his expectations. You've yet to study potions, but I liked your answer very much."
He hesitated briefly, then added, "As you begin to learn, consult the library, and if you encounter difficulties, feel free to come to me."
Wanda blinked in surprise at the unexpected offer, nodding gratefully.
Snape addressed the group with a reflective look in his eyes. "In the wizarding world, there's a notable case involving potions, though few know of it. Everyone knows Dumbledore for his power; he defeated two Dark Lords. But many overlook his mastery of potions. He's renowned for discovering twelve uses of dragon's blood."
While Wanda listened with interest, Ian and the others grew visibly attentive, their expressions serious.
Before they could ask questions, Snape continued, "As for the first Dark Lord, Grindelwald, his prowess in potions rivaled his dark reputation. Voldemort, the second Dark Lord, was similarly skilled in potions, particularly in dark and complex brews."
Ian and the others looked contemplative as they absorbed this new perspective.
"Though you're new to potions," Snape said, looking directly at Wanda, "you hit upon something vital. The essence of potions is another form of magic."
The realization struck Ian, Vera, and Remy like a bolt of lightning. The concept seemed to contradict their understanding, but they could feel its truth. Remy's eyes sparkled with a newfound sense of possibility, and while he was less interested in potions than spells, the connection intrigued him.
"Historically, wizards didn't use wands or spells as we do now. Magic was cast through materials—ingredients that served as magical conduits. This form of casting was powerful, often unpredictable, and slow, so over time it fell out of use. But rather than disappearing, it evolved into potion-making. Both emotions and magic play crucial roles in both disciplines."
Snape's lecture was met with rapt attention, his audience growing more captivated with each insight. Wanda's eyes shone with fascination as she realized the importance of the professor's words.
"You'll notice," Snape continued, "that a top potion master is no less a wizard than any spellcaster. Dumbledore himself had deep expertise in potions."
A round of applause startled the group, and they turned to see Lockhart standing nearby, applauding with an approving smile. "Professor Snape's insight is indeed remarkable—a top potions master who's grasped the connection between magic and potions."
Lockhart's smile softened as he met Snape's gaze, his eyes shining with respect. Snape's insight had struck a chord with him, illuminating his own understanding of magic and hinting at a breakthrough in his studies.
"Snape," Lockhart said, "your perspective on potions is enlightening. Would you mind sharing your understanding of magic's essence?"
Snape met Lockhart's gaze thoughtfully, sensing the genuine interest in the question. After a brief pause, he replied with a question of his own, "Why don't you first share your perspective on magic's essence, Lockhart?"
Wanda, Ian, and the others perked up, eager to hear the insights of two powerful wizards discussing magic's fundamental nature. Their anticipation was palpable, like fans witnessing an interaction between their favorite icons.
Lockhart began without hesitation. "Snape, you know I've studied Kamar-Taj's magic system, and recently I've been delving into Chaos Magic. This journey has reshaped my view of magic's nature."
Snape's expression shifted with interest. He knew of Lockhart's considerable strength and expertise, but this was different—Lockhart was tapping into a magic system foreign to their own, an endeavor rarely undertaken by wizards in their world.
Lockhart continued, "For most, magic is simply the control of magical energy, as evidenced by Kamar-Taj's approach. It relies heavily on drawing and controlling external energy."
Snape nodded in understanding. Kamar-Taj's methods, based on external energies, differed from the wizarding world's spells but held their own merit.
"While this approach offers immense power," Lockhart explained, "there's a fundamental difference. With sufficient energy, a Kamar-Taj sorcerer could theoretically level cities, even worlds. Our magic, however, wields a strange, elusive force. Consider a simple Repair Spell—it can be performed effortlessly by a student. To achieve the same effect with Kamar-Taj magic, the energy cost would be astronomical."
Snape's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he considered the implications.
"After much contemplation and study of Chaos Magic," Lockhart continued, "I concluded that our magic doesn't merely harness energy. Instead, it taps into something deeper—a conceptual force, if you will."
To demonstrate, Lockhart drew his wand and pointed it at the ground.
With a small, controlled surge of magic, a patch of weeds began to grow rapidly, stretching upward until they were half his height. At the tops of the weeds, delicate red petals unfurled, twisting and shaping themselves
into roses with sharp, thorny stems.
Wanda gasped, her eyes wide with amazement. Ian, Vera, and Remy were similarly astonished, captivated by the transformation before them.
Snape stepped forward, examining the roses. He reached out to touch one of the thorns, pressing his finger against it until a small bead of blood appeared, staining the red petals a darker shade.
"This isn't illusion magic," Snape murmured, his mind racing as he studied the roses. "It resembles Transfiguration, yet there's something fundamentally different about it."
Lockhart nodded. "Precisely. I infused the concept of 'growth' and 'rose' into the weeds, causing them to transform. When we cast Transfiguration, we're doing something similar—imposing new concepts onto existing forms."
"Our magic is unique in that it reaches deeper, interacting with a realm of abstract concepts. This, I believe, is why wizarding magic appears more mystical than other systems."
Snape's eyes glinted with interest as he replied, "You're onto something, Lockhart. Many powerful spells require symbolic elements and rituals to succeed. Consider the Animagus transformation; it requires mandrake leaves, dew, moonlight, and lightning, all of which carry symbolic weight."
The more he spoke, the more Snape saw the potential in Lockhart's theory. His mind raced with new ideas, the realization dawning on him that their magic's essence was far richer than he'd previously understood.
"Snape," Lockhart said, "I'd like to hear your view on magic's nature. How do you see it?"
==============================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
==============================================