"Miss Granger is a Potion Prodigy," Silan continued. "She only has to look at a potion like the Draught of Living Death to know how to make it."
Silan wasn't saying that just to give them confidence. Hermione really did have a talent for Potions.
In the original story, she had brewed Polyjuice Potion on her own in her second year.
That potion took an exceptionally long time to brew and involved terribly complicated steps. Yet she had succeeded on her first try.
The Clops turned to stare at Hermione.
This girl was clearly close to Mr. Prewett, and he had praised her so highly. She couldn't be an ordinary witch.
Mrs. Clop looked to her husband for his opinion, apparently wondering how much faith to put in Silan's words.
"Mr. Prewett never lies," Clop said earnestly. "If he says she can do it, she can."
"Miss Granger, please help us." Tears filled Mrs. Clop's eyes as she choked out the words. "Jinky is counting on you."
Silan translated for Hermione.
"I'll do my best." Hermione nodded solemnly.
Beneath her nerves, she felt a flicker of excitement.
Silan's words had fired her determination.
Silan took out his Advanced Potion-Making textbook and handed it to Hermione. "I'll prepare the ingredients. You read through this first."
The Clops exchanged wide-eyed looks. Both seemed worried.
She's only starting to learn it now? Can she really do this?
Snape had previously given Silan a batch of potion ingredients. As it happened, they included everything needed for one batch of Draught of Living Death.
When Hermione opened the textbook, she saw how old it was. Even its pages had yellowed.
A small line on the title page read: [This book belongs to the Half-Blood Prince]
Who is the Half-Blood Prince? Hermione glanced at Silan. *Could