The water in the cauldron quickly emitted white steam, Vid added Snake Fang Powder, then Nettle, stirred clockwise twice, counterclockwise three times, and the crushed nettle melted rapidly like ice.
At this moment, a scream suddenly sounded from the classroom, a plume of green smoke hissed out, some students had their skin corroded by a failed Magic Potion, causing them to cry out in pain. Theo was taken aback, "What happened?"
"Don't get distracted!" Vid didn't even look that way, counting silently in his heart for ten seconds, then added the slug.
"Theo, take the cauldron away."
Theo immediately complied (he was still wearing Dragon Skin Gloves), while Vid waited a moment, then added two Porcupine Quills, stirring clockwise five times.
The potion instantly underwent a visible change, the nauseating brown-green liquid quickly turning into a jelly-like bright green color—this was exactly the color described in the book when the potion was successfully brewed.
Theo looked at the potion in amazement, then at the book, exclaiming, "Success! Vid, you did it in one go!"
At the other end of the classroom, Snape, having just dealt with a potion accident and scolded several students to tears, heard the commotion and strode over. He lowered his head, carefully examining the potion, and finally, under Theo's nervous gaze, grudgingly said, "Not bad, it's up to standard. Add one point—each."
......
"——They say Professor Snape rarely gives points to houses other than Slytherin. I mean, it's great to have the points deducted given back." On the way after class, Theo excitedly said to his friend Leian, "And since we finished our potion, we can use the remaining time to preview the cough potion for the next lesson. Next time Professor Snape asks, I won't be caught unprepared!"
Leian was happy for him too and added, "Our group's potion is always slightly off—it has a strange smell, don't know if it's because the brewing time was too short..."
"Hey, Vid!" A voice came from behind, Michael quickly caught up with Vid, saying, "I wanted to ask, how did you get that light green color? I followed Professor Snape's steps exactly, but somehow, the color is a bit dark."
"If the steps weren't wrong, it might be a difference in material handling." Vid looked at his partner Theo: "Theo handled the materials perfectly, our final product was almost free of impurities."
Michael looked at the Hufflepuff in amazement.
Theo seemed unused to compliments, his face reddened slightly, quickly changing the topic: "By the way, do you have classes in the afternoon? How about going to the library to do homework together?"
Before class ended, Snape had them write an essay on Scabies Potion, at least six inches (about 15 cm).
"Isn't it too urgent?" Michael was reluctant: "It's not due tomorrow, we still have several days until Friday!"
He naturally included himself, although Theo initially asked only Vid and Leian.
"I'm going to the library." Vid said: "Only six inches, it can be done quickly. Better to get it done than keep worrying."
Leian also nodded: "Library."
Michael seemed to have a bit of procrastination, hesitating, looking longingly at classmates discussing castle adventures or a walk by the Black Lake. Two girls giggled, inviting Michael to check out the Quidditch Pitch, but after a moment's hesitation, Michael ultimately jogged to join Vid's group.
"Not going to play?" Vid asked him.
Michael sighed: "If everyone goes to play, of course I want to go too. But if someone started the homework already, I feel guilty playing."
.........
The library at Hogwarts is on the west side of the castle, its inside far bigger than it looks from outside, Vid was sure some kind of space-extension magic was used here. The library was divided into several levels, with stairs moving within, silent bookshelves crisscrossed, housing thousands of books, and rows of brown tables were laid between them.
On the first day of school, there were few students in the library. As the four Young Wizards stood at the entrance marveling at the endless array of books, Madam Pince, the librarian, immediately noticed them.
She hurried over, looking down at the four and asked, "New students?"
Theo, standing in front, nodded.
"No tearing, folding, dirtying, damaging, throwing books; no loud noises, no eating food in the library, understand?" Madam Pince said sternly.
Theo quickly nodded, like seeing an illusion of Professor Snape.
"Don't go to the restricted section, books from the normal section can be browsed but no scribbling on them! If you want to take them out, you must have my permission, do you remember?"
The group nodded again.
Madam Pince asked again, "What books are you looking for?"
"Um...Scabies Potion...books related to Magic Potions." Michael replied.
The Magic Wand in Madam Pince's hand waved in a circle, and a dozen books flew off several shelves.
"These should be enough, go study." Madam Pince smiled faintly and said.
The group held the books, found a spot by the window, and sat down. Michael flipped through them, considering there were four of them, each book had two copies, even the thinnest was an inch thick—how long would it take to finish reading?
He casually browsed a few books, felt he hadn't comprehended a single word, contemplating if he could first copy a hundred or two hundred words from the textbook, then randomly pick some sentences to make up the length, when he heard the sound of a Quill "swishing" across the parchment beside him.
"Vid?" Michael asked in surprise: "You already know how to write this fast?"
"Hmm?" Vid didn't lift his head: "It's not really difficult."
He had several books spread out in front of him, having written four or five lines in moments, without making the letters particularly large.
Not only did Michael and Theo gape, but even Leian, who wasn't usually talkative, couldn't resist peering at what Vid had written.
Vid noticed everyone's expressions and realized he had overlooked—these children were only eleven, not like his college classmates who could effortlessly churn out hundreds of words for essays. These kids, if from wizard families, might not have even undergone systematic schooling; even if they'd attended Muggle school, they might not have written many essays.
He didn't mind sharing his essay experience with them.
"Writing an essay is actually very simple." Vid drew a blank parchment, writing while quietly speaking: "Simply build a structure and fill it with appropriate content. First, briefly introduce Scabies Potion; second, the history of this Magic Potion, like who invented or improved it; third, describe the brewing process and cautions; fourth, analyze reasons for potion failure, what accidents arise from improper brewing, how to handle accidents, and so on; fifth, analyze the role and interactions of various materials, which can be found in 'Thousand Magical Herbs' and 'Common Magical Potion Materials Introduction'; sixth, write about the corresponding symptoms of Scabies Potion, causes, symptoms, potion usage, past cases, or even compare it with similar potions, like differences in materials, brewing time, cost, effectiveness, etc. Lastly, a simple summary and personal thoughts. There's so much to write, you can just choose two or three aspects, and that should be enough for a standard essay."
The three were silent for a moment, then simultaneously pulled out parchment, quickly transcribing—not doing homework, but jotting down what Vid had said.
"You're a genius! Vid!" Michael exclaimed as he copied: "This is like an essay cheat sheet!"
Theo nodded: "Absolutely! I feel like, from now on, no matter what essay—six inches is nothing, I could write six feet!"
Leian paused, thought for a while, and said earnestly: "Six feet is too much! I can't write that much."
Vid and the others couldn't help but laugh.