The First Potions Class

Snape then walked up to the podium step by step. Along the way, every time he passed a window, he would flick his wrist lightly, causing the curtains to draw shut automatically, making the Potions Class classroom appear even gloomier.

Yet, this display fully demonstrated Snape's prowess; non-verbal and wandless magic were feats that even the average Auror could not achieve.

Once Snape stood at the podium, he swept his gaze across the entire classroom and spoke:

"What are you all looking at me for? Look at your desks!"

The sharp bark of his voice startled every student in the room into lowering their heads, not even the Slytherin students were an exception.

"On each of your desks, there is a stone placed at the corner. The first question: what is this stone?"

No sooner had Snape finished speaking than Wentworth noticed Cassandra, not far from him, shoot her hand up.

Snape walked slowly toward Cassandra. Just as Wentworth was still carefully examining the stone in front of him, Snape suddenly turned his head and looked at Wentworth, saying:

"Wentworth, you answer. What is this stone?"

Wentworth gave a bitter smile, thinking to himself: Snape, your retaliation is truly undisguised. Pity this body of mine doesn't possess the eyes you favor.

Nevertheless, Wentworth stood up slowly and replied:

"Professor Snape, this is a Bezoar."

Snape continued:

"And what is the use of such a stone?"

"A Bezoar is taken from the stomach of a goat and has excellent detoxifying properties!"

Hearing Wentworth's answer, Snape said noncommittally:

"Sit down!"

After Wentworth sat down, Snape walked toward the podium while saying:

"The Bezoars in front of you were prepared in advance. If any of you are foolish enough to smear poisonous substances on yourselves and then regret it, you can use it to detoxify. Rest assured, I have plenty of these Bezoars; you are welcome to experiment on yourselves to your heart's content!"

Snape then returned to the podium, tapped the table, and said loudly:

"Why are you all keeping your heads down? Look up at me!"

With a "swish," every student in the classroom raised their heads once more.

Snape then produced a vial of potion and said:

"This is the Draught of Living Death. Who knows what its function is?"

As soon as Snape finished, Cassandra, not far from Wentworth, raised her hand again. However, Wentworth noticed that Snape merely glanced at her before fixing his gaze back on him.

"Wentworth, you tell us—what is the function of the Draught of Living Death!"

Just as Wentworth had expected, Snape had called his name again.

Fortunately, thanks to Cedric's intensive review the previous night, and given that the Draught of Living Death was required material for first-years, Wentworth stood up and answered:

"The Draught of Living Death is a powerful sleeping potion, Professor Snape."

"It seems you aren't entirely stupid."

Snape said expressionlessly, then waved his hand to signal for Wentworth to sit.

Once seated, Wentworth felt a scorching gaze upon him. Following the direction of the stare, he saw Cassandra glaring at him fiercely, seemingly resentful that he had stolen her spotlight.

Wentworth could only shrug helplessly, signaling that he hadn't intended to!

But to Cassandra, Wentworth's shrug and grimace were an indescribable provocation!

"The two of you, are you flirting during my class?!"

Suddenly, Snape's voice rang out beside them both. They turned their heads to find that Snape had appeared right next to them at some point.

Wentworth cursed silently; this old bat in front of him couldn't stand any interaction between boys and girls on campus!

Sure enough, Snape said without a hint of politeness:

"Hufflepuff, Slytherin, five points from each!"

Knowing that Snape would actually deduct points from Slytherin, Wentworth realized that Snape must be absolutely furious.

Snape continued to hold the Draught of Living Death and asked:

"Who can tell me the two most important ingredients in the recipe for the Draught of Living Death?"

Wentworth kept his head down, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Cassandra seemed to want to raise her hand again, but hesitated; perhaps because she had just been scolded, she lowered her hand halfway up.

"Cassandra, you answer!"

Unexpectedly, Snape had taken the initiative to call Cassandra's name this time.

Hearing her name, Cassandra was stunned for a moment before immediately standing up to say:

"It is the Powdered Root of Asphodel and the Infusion of Wormwood, Professor Snape!"

Hearing her answer, Snape nodded, waved for her to sit, and added:

"A perfect answer. Ten points to Slytherin!"

At this, Wentworth was left completely speechless. He finally understood the feelings of Harry Potter from the original books. Even though Wentworth knew Snape wasn't a bad person—and had even been moved to tears by Snape's story in the past—he couldn't help but feel a surge of dissatisfaction toward him at this moment.

No matter how displeased Wentworth felt inside, he could only sit obediently in his seat for now, listening to Snape stand at the podium and explain the brewing method for the Draught of Living Death to everyone.

Suddenly, Wentworth noticed a pile of old books stacked not far from the Potions Class podium. Being very familiar with the original work, a plot point from the book suddenly came to mind, and his heart stirred involuntarily.

Therefore, as the class neared its end, Wentworth seized the perfect moment to quietly tear a few pages out of his own textbook.

Although the Draught of Living Death had powerful effects, it was not troublesome to brew, which was why it had become an introductory lesson for Potions Class; yet even so, as the lesson drew to a close, many first-years still had not finished brewing it.

Fortunately, having undergone intensive training from Cedric the previous night, Wentworth successfully brewed the Draught of Living Death. Seeing that Wentworth had succeeded, Snape, who had been hovering around the Hufflepuff area, walked back to the podium, sat down, and did not get up again.

Finally, amidst Snape's cold sarcasm and mockery, the Hufflepuff first-years ended the first Potions Class of their lives with dejected expressions.

Just as everyone was leaving the classroom one by one, Wentworth hugged his textbook and walked up to Snape.

"What, are you already impatient to begin the training I've prepared for you?"

Seeing Wentworth approach him of his own accord, a flash of surprise crossed Snape's eyes as he spoke offhandedly.

"Professor Snape, I don't know why, but my textbook is missing a few pages, so I wanted to ask if you have any old textbooks here."

After hearing Wentworth's reply, Snape flipped through Wentworth's textbook and sneered:

"Even a troll would know to check its weapon before heading out! Go pick one out for yourself over there!"

Snape pointed to the pile of old books not far away as he spoke.