Teaching the Magic Extraction Method

For the rest of that day, Snape and Vaughan remained in the office.

They experimented with Vaughan's Magic Extraction Method.

Vaughan generously told Snape every technique he had worked out so far. Such candor was necessary during the development of a new technique—if one hoped to exchange insights with others, keeping things hidden was obviously foolish.

"The idea for the Magic Extraction Method came from my thoughts on the nature of potions when I had just begun studying Potions."

"What exactly are potions? Why can combinations of these ingredients grant them all kinds of miraculous effects? Or rather, which part of the ingredients gives them those effects?"

"I began with the simplest Blood-Replenishing Potion and set up many control groups. By adjusting the ratios of the ingredients, I tested the active components and structures of Blood-Replenishing Potions of varying quality, then used the final comparisons to make a basic classification of their components—effective, harmful, and useless waste."

Vaughan made it sound simple, but the process had actually been rather bloody.

Following the pharmaceutical testing methods from his previous life, he had prepared many white mice.

He inflicted wounds on them. Some were even dissected to observe how the Blood-Replenishing Potion took effect in the test subjects, as well as the impact of different qualities.

Snape, who was concentrating on pointing his wand at the cauldron while listening to Vaughan's train of thought, naturally made the connection as well.

But he saw no problem with it.

At heart, he was still the Death Eater who had once knelt at Voldemort's feet. What little kindness he had left would not be wasted on white mice!

"After separating the active components, I went back to the ingredients themselves and began trying to strip away their properties bit by bit. The learning methods of Transfiguration helped me greatly in this regard."

Snape carefully sensed the magic flowing through his wand and into the cauldron, as vague outlines reflected within his mind.

This method truly resembled the learning process of Transfiguration!

It was simply far more difficult, requiring many techniques to keep the magical input stable.

He had to avoid interfering with the movement paths of the ingredients inside the cauldron as much as possible.

And within the limited time available, he also had to quickly sort out the structure of the ingredients reflected in his mind.

Before he knew it, sweat had begun to bead on Snape's forehead.

But decades of potion-brewing experience had given him an exceptional understanding of basic ingredients.

Even though his talent for Transfiguration was only average, Snape still managed to separate the properties of several ingredients in the cauldron before the temperature rose too high.

This was already his sixth attempt. Having finally succeeded, he let out a breath and withdrew his wand. He watched the distinctly layered potion in the cauldron turn a vivid blue after Vaughan took over, stirred it five times, and waved his wand.

He fell into thought.

Only after a long while did he suddenly speak. "It is too difficult. It requires considerable talent—not only talent for Potions, but talent for Transfiguration as well."

After saying that, he added, "As well as experience with the properties of ingredients!"

"Exactly!" Vaughan sighed. "I once corresponded with a potion-maker who supported me. I taught him the method, but he could never learn it. That was when I realized that the Magic Extraction Method was still far too immature!"

"But it has great value," Snape said.

Vaughan smiled.

Both of them were geniuses in Potions, so they naturally understood that no technique was universally applicable the moment it was created. From development to maturity to widespread adoption was a path every technique had to travel.

The only thing that could affect its development was whether it had the value to justify further research.

Clearly, the Magic Extraction Method possessed that value!

Snape's expression returned to its usual blankness. His deep-set eyes fixed on the cauldron of Cure for Boils as he asked, "Do you have a specific development plan?"

Vaughan had long since considered the matter. "I do, but it will be difficult."

"Speak."

"I need access to more ingredients and advanced potions, so I can familiarize myself with their components and properties. There is a spell that would help me greatly, and I hope you can teach it to me, Professor."

Snape did not need to think to know what he wanted. "Scarpin's Revelaspell?"

"Yes, Professor."

Snape's pitch-black eyes stared at Vaughan. "You should know that the Ministry of Magic does not permit the spread of that spell. It would damage the interests of potion-makers too greatly."

Vaughan nodded with a smile. "Yes, I understand. But everything is for the sake of research!"

After a brief silence, Snape's dry, drifting voice sounded again. "What else do you need?"

"I also want to study advanced spells. As you said, the Magic Extraction Method is currently too difficult to learn. I hope to summarize patterns across all ingredients and establish a universal model. I intend to develop that model in the form of a spell, and that requires advanced knowledge of spells."

Vaughan finally revealed his greatest purpose.

This was also why, two years earlier, he had been willing to spend so much time organizing the Magic Extraction Method.

From that time onward, he had set his sights on Snape.

Vaughan, who understood Snape, knew that the man would not refuse him.

Sure enough, Snape maintained his poker face and remained silent for a long time before answering:

"Come to my office next Saturday. For now, go back."

"Thank you, Professor." Vaughan bowed in thanks, but when he reached the door, he stopped again and asked curiously, "I wonder how you plan to convince Headmaster Dumbledore? I heard he has never liked Slytherin much. He may not permit you to teach me advanced spells."

Snape stood with his back to the fireplace, the only source of light in the entire dungeon, leaving Vaughan unable to see his expression.

He could only hear Snape's slow, drawling reply. "He will agree, Vaughan Weasley."

"As far as I know, Dumbledore is very... appreciative of your habit of wandering all over the different houses!"

"Ah... is that so?"

Vaughn shrugged and turned to leave.

Dumbledore really was wary of him.

Just listen to what Snape meant—every move Vaughn made at Hogwarts was being watched by that old man!

"Tsk tsk, the great White Lord. Tom probably scared him out of his wits!"

Vaughn did not take this matter too seriously. Ever since he had decided to enter Slytherin, he had been prepared for it.

He would not abandon his goals just because he was wary of Dumbledore.

Nor would he blame heaven and earth just because Dumbledore feared and guarded against him.

What he had not expected, though, was that his habit of loitering around the various houses would actually win Old Dumbledore's favor.

Even after returning to the Slytherin common room, Vaughn was still pondering the question.

Hmm, did Old Dumbledore think there was love in his heart, that he was a good person?

"Damn it, I just like going to Ravenclaw to freeload food and drinks. Why are you slandering me?"

Feeling that the evil side of his heart had been called into question, Vaughn once again graced Ravenclaw with his presence that night.

Only after laughing and chatting with the young ladies until late into the night did he reluctantly leave with Fruit Tea.