Daphne's happiness was gone.
So was Snape's iconic trash-talking latecomer moment.
Ian's spirits visibly drooped.
"What's wrong?" Aurora showed concern for her companion beside her. Ian let out a heavy sigh and watched Snape stride toward the podium, his eyes slightly dim.
"I've lost all my happiness for today."
He had specifically brought a gift for Daphne Greengrass. Who knew she was still stuck on the first stage and hadn't recovered? Or perhaps the clever pure-blood witch had predicted his prediction?
"Oh, I get it. You got kissed by a Dementor." Aurora calmly arranged her textbooks. Her brand-new book was surprisingly filled with notes and details.
Ian noticed it when he turned his head.
"So you got the deluxe edition!"
He spotted annotations that had clearly come from the Potions Master among the Acolytes and whispered in amazement.
"Geminio!"
Aurora cast the spell at her textbook. In the next moment, an identical copy appeared, and her delicate hand pushed it toward Ian.
"It should last us one class. For the next Potions Class, I'll continue sharing with you." Aurora's cool voice carried the crisp clatter of abacus beads.
"I'm not jealous at all."
Ian eagerly opened the textbook and began reading the annotations. By tomorrow night, he would be able to enter the Misty Illusion again. He wondered how Teacher Mara's research into modern potion-making was going.
"Very good. It seems that all of you present understand the importance of punctuality, which is particularly crucial during potion brewing." Snape had begun the lesson from the podium.
"Potion-making is a precise and demanding craft. Perhaps some of you believe it is not magic. In truth, few can appreciate the wonder of a cauldron simmering gently over low heat, white smoke rising from it and carrying a true fragrance. Fewer still can