Will had agreed with Professor McGonagall that he would have a proper talk with Hermione before the Christmas holidays. He still had to work out how to reassure her. Simply telling her he was a genius would be rather crushing.
"Using your own magic to direct a Runespoor's magic. Not bad. You've finally demonstrated a few qualities that distinguish you from a Troll." In Snape's Office, Will was processing ingredients using the method Snape had taught him.
As for Snape's sharp tongue, years of spewing venom had turned it into a reflex. Even when Will did well, he still got snapped at occasionally.
"Very good. Now you can process an even wider range of potion ingredients." Snape nodded in satisfaction.
Will's expression darkened. So he had been taught this to make him a better unpaid worker? Still, he had earned quite a few points from Snape, and these days Snape hardly ever used him for grunt work anymore.
Will checked the time. There was still a while before the lesson ended.
"Professor Snape, I have a few questions about how Natural Magic affects potions."
"You want to ask about the Animagus potion?" Will had barely raised the subject before Snape glanced at him.
"You really are remarkably knowledgeable, sir. You can deduce so much from so little."
Snape curled his lip. The last time Will had held a mandrake leaf in his mouth, he had known the boy had his sights set on becoming an Animagus.
"The instructions for brewing that potion are already perfectly clear. But I must remind you, Behrens, not to attempt the Animagus transformation lightly. Never mind the chances of failure—even if you succeed, you could find yourself in mortal danger if you turn into a fish and fail to change back in time."
"Actually,