Different Reactions Caused by a Cold (6)

The students began packing up. Some washed their cauldrons, some organized their notes, and some returned unused ingredients to the cabinets. The noise in the classroom gradually rose, but it was Ravenclaw-style noise—quiet discussions, friendly debates, and the occasional laugh quickly subdued.

Severus Snape stood beside the podium, watching the students, but his mind was still on Eddie Carmichael.

That student's potion-making skills far surpassed those of his peers. But that was not what unsettled him. What bothered him was that magical fluctuation. That gloomy, profound sensation, as though something were rising from deep underground, was not something that could be cultivated through talent and hard work.

That required—some kind of ritual. Some kind of alteration.

Snape's fingers tightened slightly. But he said nothing and did nothing. He merely stood there, watching Eddie pack up alongside the other students, his movements unhurried and his expression calm, no different from any ordinary student.

Penelope walked over and handed Snape a neatly organized experimental record.

"Professor, here is today's data. The lower-year group brewed six doses, all successfully. For the upper-year group's substitute ingredient plans, the stinging nettle group had the best results, while the fly agaric group had the worst."

Snape took the record and flipped through it. "Why did the fly agaric perform poorly?"

Penelope thought for a moment. "Perhaps because the magical factors in fly agaric are too unstable. It rained when we collected them in the wild, and the mushrooms absorbed a great deal of water, which may have affected the potion's efficacy. If we used fly agaric gathered in dry conditions, the results might be different."

Snape nodded. "Try it next time."

Penelope smiled and turned back to her classmates. They left the Potions classroom together, their footsteps gradually fading down the corridor.

Snape remained in the