Draco rose to his feet and said confidently, "Professor, a Calming Draught is a potion that soothes one's emotions. It can effectively ease irritation and anxiety."
"Slytherin, five points." Snape walked over to Draco's desk. "But that is all from the textbook... Is there anything you would like to add?"
Draco instinctively looked at his copy of Magical Tuning: Beginner Potions, his eyes flickering.
Snape opened his hand and pressed it over Draco's copy of Magical Tuning: Beginner Potions. "For those whose minds are slow..."
"All they can do is recite the textbook yet again, memorizing an answer and repeating it back to me, utterly incapable of independent thought."
"But intelligent people can draw something of their own from it. Mr. Malfoy, say whatever comes to mind."
"I think..." Draco's voice was much quieter than before. "I think... um... one's emotional state is important when brewing a Calming Draught..."
"You must maintain a relatively stable state of mind... Wizet told me that in the book... Potions require 'precision,' but they cannot be rigid."
"Potion-making is also full of flexibility and creativity... So, when brewing a potion like a Calming Draught, you need... um..."
He took a deep breath, returning to his confident tone. "Only by maintaining stable emotions can you ensure the quality of the Calming Draught—or even make it better!"
"Not a bad understanding!" Snape said flatly, deliberately glancing at Harry and Ron. "Can you add anything else?"
Draco frowned and thought hard, but eventually shook his head helplessly. "Professor, I have nothing else to add."
"Slytherin, ten points." Snape patted Draco on the shoulder, signaling for him to sit down.
At last, he turned his gaze toward Hermione. After all, her hand had been raised the entire time. "Miss Granger, do you have something to say?"
Hermione sprang