The basement of Huoguo Wocai.
The Potions Classroom.
Every inch of space seemed to have been partitioned off. Brass cauldrons stood in neat rows, with standardized silver knives, scales, and categorized, labeled potion ingredients beside them.
A "Potions Safety Process Chart" and an "Emergency Guide to Blocking Adverse Reactions" hung on the wall.
Professor Snape's sixth-year advanced Potions Class had frighteningly high entry requirements. Only students who had earned an Outstanding in their Potions O.W.L.s qualified to enter.
There were only a dozen or so students in the classroom across all four houses.
"I can hardly believe my eyes." Draco Malfoy looked around. He had not spotted his old rival, but he had seen someone unexpected instead.
"Is the Ministry of Magic planning to trample the O.W.L.s passing standard into the sludge at the bottom of the Black Lake?"
Theodore Nott gave a short sneer.
"Perhaps the Longbottom family donated an entire Advanced Greenhouses to the examination board."
Pansy Parkinson covered her mouth in disgust.
"He actually had the nerve to sit in the front row."
"I bet he'll blow his cauldron to pieces before he gets through Professor Snape's first question."
Hermione Granger whipped her head around.
She slammed her thick copy of Advanced Potion-Making onto the desk.
"Shut your spiteful mouths."
"Neville's Outstanding in Potions was genuine."
"He didn't rely on anyone's charity, much less the protection of his bloodline."
Draco raised one pale eyebrow.
"Then the examiner who marked his paper was blind."
"Or had their cerebral cortex damaged by a mandrake."
A Ravenclaw student nearby said:
"He was practically mad in fifth year, pouring every spare moment he could find into Potions."
Neville ignored them and continued arranging the things in front of him.
Beside his textbook lay a notebook filled with notes, the fruit of