Sorry, I'll Do It Again Next Time (In Tribute to Heroes, in Remembrance of Our Fellow Countrymen)

"This class doesn't require you to wave your wands around like fools, or to babble random spells."

Severus Snape strode straight up to the lectern, then turned to face the new students, his gloomy face fixed on them.

"So I imagine many of you won't know how to appreciate the profound art of potion-making."

His gaze swept across the Slytherin first-years, finally settling on Draco Malfoy.

"But for the very few who are truly talented, I can teach you how to befuddle the mind and ensnare the senses. I'll teach you how to win fame and brew glory. I can even teach you how to resist death."

As he finished speaking, Severus Snape grasped the edges of his robes and folded his arms, like a great bat folding its wings.

Below the lectern, the silence was so complete you could hear a pin drop.

"Then again, perhaps some of you arrived at Hogwarts already possessing extraordinary abilities, and are confident enough to believe you don't need to pay attention in my class."

Snape uncrossed his arms and slowly walked down from the lectern. His expression seemed even gloomier than when he'd entered.

"Mr. Potter. Our famous celebrity."

He tilted his head, his greasy hair obscuring half his face.

"Tell me, what would happen if I added powdered Asphodel Root to an Infusion of Wormwood?"

The atmosphere froze. Harry had just put down his quill and looked utterly bewildered, while the girl beside him quickly raised her hand.

But Snape ignored her.

"Don't know? Fine. Let me ask you something else."

His eyes were as still as an ancient well as Snape posed another question.

"If I needed a Bezoar, would you know where to find one?"

After thinking for a few seconds, Harry still shook his head.

"Then what is the difference between monkshood and Wolfsbane?"

Still refusing to let him off the hook, Snape asked a third question.

"I don't know, sir."

Harry's voice trembled as he lowered his head.

Many of the Slytherin first-years laughed gleefully.

"Unfortunately, it seems fame alone isn't enough."

Snape lifted his chin, a trace of mockery flashing in his black eyes.

"Hermione knows the answer. It's a shame you won't let her respond."

Even the mildest person had a breaking point. After being singled out like this, Harry's face darkened, and he couldn't help retorting.

This time, not only the Slytherins laughed; even some of the Gryffindor first-years joined in.

But Snape didn't laugh.

In fact, his gloomy expression hadn't changed at all.

Intimidated by his overwhelming presence, the classroom quickly fell back into order.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Snape walked down from the lectern and stopped beside Harry's desk. He glanced at Hermione Granger, who still had her hand raised, and gave her an impatient look.

"Put your hand down, foolish girl."

Then he pulled over an empty chair and sat opposite Harry.

"For reference, Potter, powdered Asphodel Root and Wormwood can make a powerful sleeping potion—in other words, a Draught of Living Death."

As he stared into those green eyes, the muscles in Severus Snape's face twitched slightly despite himself. But he soon regained his composure and turned to look in another direction.

"Grindelwald, you can answer the rest."

Klein had been enjoying the show. He hadn't expected Snape to call on him. He blinked, then gave the correct answers without hesitation.

"A Bezoar is a stone taken from the stomachs of animals such as cows and sheep. It can counteract most poisons. Monkshood and Wolfsbane are the same plant, collectively known as aconite."

Both questions had been covered in advanced Potions textbooks, so he naturally hadn't forgotten them.

"Correct."

Snape stood up, surprise showing on his face. After a moment's thought, he posed a new question.

"Tell me, how should Star Moon Grass be harvested to ensure it retains its medicinal properties?"

"Only with a stone hoe."

Klein answered almost instantly.

"Good."

Snape nodded and continued with another question.

"What happens when Spirit Pine Fruit and Sour Berry are crushed together?"

"These two herbs are the main ingredients in Soul Leaving Liquid. Taking it can briefly separate the soul from the body, but the effect lasts only half a minute."

Klein knew where his weaknesses lay, so he'd already crammed a mountain of books on Potions. He might have trouble with the practical work, but his theoretical knowledge was certainly extensive.

"Very good."

Snape's voice rose slightly, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"One last question, Grindelwald. If I wanted to kill someone without anyone noticing, what would you give me?"

"Professor, are you sure you want to ask that in class?"

Klein looked at Snape with some amusement and sat up straight, his expression still relaxed.

"Yes."

Snape nodded and folded his arms again.

"The simplest method would be to give you a silenced pistol. It's a weapon Muggles are proud of. But since you're a Potions master, I'm sure you won't like that answer. So..."

Klein thought for a few seconds.

"How about Forget Worry Water?"

"Forget Worry Water?"

Snape considered the answer carefully, and an appreciative look appeared in his eyes.

"Grindelwald, I have to admit you have excellent taste. But..."

Suddenly, his expression darkened.

"Because you've shown disrespect to a professor, you'll still serve detention in my office for a week, starting tonight."

"Hey, that's not fair!"

At this, Pansy immediately jumped up to defend Klein, her fair face full of indignation.

"Miss Parkinson, mind your manners. You wouldn't want to serve detention with Grindelwald, would you?"

Snape turned his hollow gaze toward Pansy, who looked like a furious little Lion Dog, and spoke coldly.

"All right, Pansy. It's nothing."

Seeing the situation threaten to spiral out of control, Klein quickly stood up to calm Pansy, giving her a gentle smile.

Why did so many people think serving detention in the office was a bad thing? How many people would kill for a chance at private tutoring like this?

"But..."

Pansy still looked dissatisfied, as if she wanted to say more.

"I'm sure I upset our fair and just Head of House by walking into the classroom with my left foot first today. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so angry."

Klein pressed down on Pansy's shoulder, guiding her back into her seat as he made a self-deprecating joke.

"Pfft."

His unique sense of humor swept through the whole classroom. Many people wanted to laugh but didn't dare, so they could only hold it in until their faces turned red.

"In fact, it's because you left the top button of your shirt undone. It put me in a very bad mood."

Snape stared down at Klein. The commotion around them didn't change his expression in the slightest.

Klein bowed slightly.

"Head of House, I'm sorry."

Then he suddenly changed tack.

"But I still won't fasten it next time."