After lunch, they headed down toward the dungeon for Potions.
The classroom of Snape was already filled with the familiar smell of herbs, fumes, and simmering cauldrons.
Snape stood at the front of the room.
When everyone had taken their seats, he spoke in his usual cold voice.
"This year," Snape began slowly, "we will focus on more complex brewing, precision, and potion refinement."
His dark eyes swept across the classroom.
"Potions are not forgiving of sloppy work. One small mistake… can destroy hours of effort."
Several students shifted nervously.
Snape flicked his wand, and instructions appeared on the board.
Cure for Boils.
"A simple potion," Snape said.
"But simplicity often reveals incompetence."
"Begin."
Students quickly started working.
Ingredients were chopped.
Cauldrons bubbled.
Steam rose throughout the dungeon.
As everyone brewed, Snape walked through the classroom.
"You call that slicing?" he sneered at one student.
"Too much porcupine quill."
"Your stirring is incorrect."
"Pathetic."
His harsh criticism echoed through the room as he continued lecturing about precision in potion making.
"If more than half of this class fails to meet my standards," Snape said coldly, "we will continue brewing this potion until competence is achieved."
Soon, he approached Alexander and Cho.
Cho focused carefully on her brewing.
Snape glanced at Alexander.
For the brief moment—
A surprised look appeared on his face before going back to being cold.
He quickly gave two small tips about temperature balance and walked away.
Alexander lowered his head slightly.
Trying not to laugh.
Cho looked at him curiously.
"Why are you laughing?"
Alexander shook his head.
"Oh, nothing."
He smiled slightly.
"I just find Professor Snape… interesting."
Then he leaned over her cauldron.
"Come on, Cho, you've been slacking."
Cho blinked.
"I have not!"
Alexander pointed at the potion.
"You're stirring wrong."
He demonstrated the correct rhythm.
"Three clockwise… one counter."
Cho adjusted her stirring.
Alexander nodded.
"Better."
But inside his mind, he was laughing.
Stupid Snape.
I mastered Occlumency.
Your Legilimency and even Dumbledore's tricks won't work anymore.
I always suspected you two were quietly reading students' thoughts.
Now you'll never know what I'm thinking unless you expose yourselves.
Alexander continued calmly brewing as if nothing had happened.
When the bell rang, Cho had finished four potions.
She looked proud.
Alexander looked at them… then sighed.
"These still need improvement."
Cho groaned.
"You're impossible."
Alexander laughed as he gave her several tips while they walked toward dinner.
During dinner in the Great Hall, Flitwick walked over carrying several books and scrolls.
"Mr. Chen!"
He placed them on the table.
"Some dueling theory and notes for you."
Alexander's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Professor."
Flitwick smiled happily before leaving.
Alexander quickly gathered the books.
He turned to Cho.
"Hey Cho, I'll meet you for class later tonight."
She nodded.
"Okay."
She waved goodbye as Alexander ran off.
Alexander hurried through the castle.
He grabbed the diary in his room and went straight to the Room of Requirement.
For the next few hours, he practiced spells with Tom.
Spell layering.
Shield timing.
Precision casting.
Hours passed.
By the time he finished, he was exhausted.
But there was still another class.
Alexander drank another potion and dragged himself to Astronomy class.
Normally, at the start of class, he would argue with the professor or ask questions.
Tonight, he didn't even bother.
He was too tired to care.
He simply completed the required work.
Then the class ended.
Instead of sleeping—
He went right back to practicing.
Alexander didn't sleep.
He practiced spells until exhaustion.
Then he read the books Flitwick gave him.
Then practiced again.
Then read more.
Then practiced again.
Eventually, his body nearly gave out.
Alexander checked the clock.
There was still some time before breakfast.
He walked into the Ravenclaw common room and collapsed onto a chair.
Within seconds—
He fell asleep.
Cho just happened to be walking by the chair and found him sleeping.
She gently shook him.
"Alex, wake up. It's time for breakfast."
He groaned and slowly stood up.
"Breakfast…"
He went to do a quick wash-up and drank another potion.
They walked to the Great Hall together.
While eating, Cho looked at him carefully.
"Are you okay?"
Alexander nodded lazily.
"Yeah... I'll sleep more later during class."
Cho looked worried.
"…Okay."
"I'll wake you when class is over."
Alexander smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
"You're the best."
They finished breakfast and headed to class.
The moment class started—
Alexander immediately fell asleep.
He slept through the entire lecture.
Only waking up when Cho nudged him after class ended.
Alexander smiled sleepily.
Then gave her a small kiss on the lips.
Cho blushed slightly.
They walked toward their next class.
Inside the classroom, portraits of Lockhart covered the walls.
Lockhart stood proudly at the front.
Today's lecture was—
Once again—
About himself.
Alexander sighed internally.
Then raised his hand.
Lockhart noticed.
"Yes, Mr. Chen?"
Alexander spoke calmly.
"Since we're discussing your book Voyages with Vampires…"
"When negotiating with the Transylvanian clan, did you rely on magical wards or potion deterrents?"
He added casually,
"I've heard garlic doesn't work on older vampires."
Lockhart froze.
His smile stiffened.
"…Well…Yes… You are correct."
"But garlic still kind of works on older vampires."
He nodded quickly.
"Yes, yes. Garlic will always be helpful."
"When speaking with vampires, having garlic is… very useful."
He kept talking.
Adding random details.
Clearly improvising.
Alexander slowly raised his hand again.
Lockhart saw it and immediately looked away.
He continued lecturing.
Completely ignoring Alexander.
Alexander waited a few minutes.
Put his hand down and took a nap.
Cho nudged him when class ended.
"Professor Lockhart didn't say anything."
"He just let you sleep."
Alexander smiled.
"That's great."
He stretched and stood up.
"Let's go to lunch."