Improved Potion

Potions were equivalent to spells—this was Vaughn's core philosophy. He had organized it into an Essay when he was ten and published it in the Extraordinary Potions Masters Association's journal, Extraordinary Potions. It was also the reason he had always been so controversial.

Potions were a relatively independent discipline. In the eyes of many potioneers, only the fragrance rising from a Cauldron could represent Magic's mysterious and all-powerful side.

As long as they carried enough potions, they could easily accomplish all kinds of things without "idiotically waving Wands" or casting a heap of "flashy spells."

Not to mention that many illnesses and spell-inflicted injuries could only be treated with potions.

That made them look down arrogantly on other disciplines.

Vaughn's claims had clearly violated their taboo. Not all of those people necessarily disagreed with his views, but more of them simply did not want to see change.

Some were old-fashioned fools intoxicated by glory, some were vested interests—the more mysterious potions were, the easier they were to monopolize—and some were idiots!

That final assessment had come from Professor Snape in the newspaper at the time.

The idea advocated in Vaughn's Essay was simple—allow Magic Power to participate more in the brewing process, just as it did when casting spells.

Like right now.

As he sprinkled Viper Fang powder into the Cauldron, Vaughn drew his Wand and lightly tapped the Cauldron. A thread of faint Magic Power seeped into the potion.

Hermione's eyes widened beside him, but Magic Power could not be seen with the naked eye. All she could see was the Viper Fang powder falling into the potion.

"Viper Fang is the main ingredient. Its role in the Recipe is to absorb toxins, but remember, it does not possess that function itself. We only need its Traits."

As Vaughn spoke softly, several points of fluorescent light separated from the Viper Fang powder, while the powder that had been floating sank to the bottom of the pot.

"Now that the toxin absorption is handled, the next step is detoxification and treatment. For a simple ailment like scabies, Horned Slug and Dried Nettle are enough. Horned Slug is usually used to heal wounds, while Dried Nettle neutralizes the toxins after they have been absorbed."

His Wand continued to tap lightly against the Cauldron. As more ingredients were added, more dark currents with a faint glow appeared in the potion, tinged with pale pink.

Hermione hugged her book, her mouth slightly open as she watched everything intently.

She asked softly, "These...?"

"Yes, the Traits of the ingredients, Hermione." Vaughn nodded and explained, "I extracted them with Magic Power and let you see them. In the traditional Recipe for scabies potion, the final step uses Porcupine Quill to extract the Traits. It does not participate in the treatment itself, so my Magic Power saves that step!"

As he spoke, Vaughn put out the fire beneath the Cauldron and stirred it clockwise five times. "Five times. No more, no less. This is another key point I mentioned before: ritual! Numbers possess Magic Power in this Recipe's ritual. Look—"

Hermione focused her gaze.

Inside the Cauldron, the potion, which had originally been distinctly layered and mottled with colors, spun with those five stirs and Vaughn's waving Wand.

It spun and spun, then suddenly turned into a pot of clear, bright blue potion, crisp and pure without a trace of any other color.

It looked even better than the finished product in the textbook illustration!

Before she could even express her surprise, Snape glided over like a bat.

He leaned over to inspect the potion in the Cauldron, and a flicker of surprise appeared in his lifeless eyes.

Unable to resist, he dipped a finger into it, brought it beneath his nose for a sniff, and looked at Vaughn. "No pungent Porcupine Quill smell... Have you improved it?"

Vaughn nodded. "Yes, Professor."

"Using the Magic Extraction Method you mentioned Last Year?"

Vaughn smiled. "Yes, but for now, it can only be used on simple potions like this. The more advanced the potion, the more numerous and complex its requirements for ingredient Traits become. It takes a great deal of time to understand them, explore them, and find the knack."

"But I think it is meaningful. Traditional Recipes usually use one or even several extra ingredients in the final step to extract Traits. They inevitably affect the potion's effects, and some are even poisonous... Though side effects and toxicity can be tolerated for the sake of successfully brewing the potion, wouldn't it be better without them?"

Snape fell silent and said nothing more.

It was only as he turned to leave that everyone heard him say, "Ten points to Slytherin. Vaughn Weasley, Granger, go help our Longbottom and Finnigan. I suspect they are Trolls in disguise... Ron Weasley, what are you staring into space for? Why don't you learn more from your brother?"

Harry heard Ron mutter beside him, "I don't want to learn from him!"

Harry said nothing. After a moment, he quietly said, "Next Potions Class, I want to partner with Vaughn."

Ron's eyes widened. "Traitor!"

Meanwhile, following dear Professor Snape's orders, Vaughn and Hermione went over to Neville and Seamus's desk.

Neville was sniffling and crying. Snape had berated him so badly throughout the entire class that he was questioning his life, and he had even lost five points.

That made him feel terribly guilty.

"Sorry, Vaughn. I'm too stupid. I can never remember."

"It's all right, Neville. Follow the textbook. Don't panic."

Perhaps because Vaughn had helped him before, Neville had always trusted him, even though he was a Slytherin.

This honest, kind-hearted chubby boy was, aside from his poor memory and tendency to cry, actually very obedient and well-behaved.

At least when facing Vaughn, whom he trusted, he listened to everything he said and followed it exactly, step by step.

Seamus, on the other hand, was much more mischievous. Or perhaps he really did have some hidden talent. Even with Hermione watching him, at the final step, when it was time to add the Porcupine Quills, he nearly caused an accident—

Without putting out the fire, he tossed a handful of Porcupine Quills into the Cauldron.

Fortunately, Vaughn had been keeping an eye on him and quickly cast the Levitation Charm, stopping the Porcupine Quills in midair. Otherwise, the classroom would likely have faced a huge disaster!

Under high temperatures, Porcupine Quills would turn the potion into a highly corrosive liquid and cause an explosion.

This made Professor Snape dislike Gryffindor even more, and he took the opportunity to deduct another batch of points.

When class ended, on the way back to Gryffindor, Seamus was still explaining to Hermione, "...I was just too nervous. Snape kept circling around me. I was under a lot of pressure!"

Hermione's face was stern as she demanded in a clear, sharp voice, "Then why couldn't you have paid more attention? The professor didn't force you not to put out the fire!"

Feeling embarrassed, Seamus grew angry and stopped talking to her.

Ron, who had been enjoying the spectacle, turned to Harry and said, "She takes things too seriously. She's always making people look bad."

When Harry saw Hermione walking over, he quickly changed the subject.

"Tomorrow's the weekend. How about we go visit Hagrid?"

Hagrid had sent him a letter today, inviting him to sit in his hut for a while.

But Ron clearly did not catch his meaning. "Sure, but we'd better not bring her. I don't want someone constantly nagging in my ear about how I did this wrong and that wrong..."

Hermione pressed her lips together, and Harry was instantly reminded of Professor McGonagall. She abruptly turned on her heel and stormed past them, even knocking Ron off balance.

Watching the girl's retreating figure, Harry sighed.

"Ron, you shouldn't have said that to her."

Ron knew he was in the wrong and merely grunted twice.