Hogwarts : Max Level Unforgivable Curse

"Huh?"

Ron's expression turned vivid when he heard that they would be attending Potions class with Slytherin.

He made a face at the others and said, "I've heard that Slytherin's head of house is even stricter than Professor McGonagall!"

Neville whispered, "And it's only toward students from other houses. He seems to treat his own students quite well."

Dylan raised an eyebrow.

That wasn't entirely wrong.

When class began, Professor Snape started calling roll.

When he reached Harry's name, his voice paused.

"Ah, let's see. The famous Harry Potter!"

Snape's gaze was cold and empty, carrying a hint of hostility as it met Harry's.

"Dylan Hawkwood."

"Here, Professor!"

Dylan's voice was bold, and Snape's eyes immediately shifted toward him.

However, when he looked over, he saw Dylan staring at him with eyes that seemed to sparkle.

It felt like…

A dog that hadn't eaten in three days had just spotted a meat bun.

Snape's brow furrowed slightly.

He continued calling the next name.

When he finished, he placed the list on the lectern.

His eyes swept across the room.

"Greetings, you bunch of dunderheaded little wizards."

Professor Snape's voice was low, cold, and carried a hint of disdain, yet it was piercing.

"Potions is not magic. It is a precise and rigorous art, not some fool's game of waving wands around."

"I don't expect all of you to appreciate the subtle beauty of a simmering cauldron, its fumes wafting with delicate aromas."

Snape glanced at Malfoy.

"I only hope that a select few of you might grasp the intoxicating power of liquids that course through veins, bewitching the mind and ensnaring the senses…"

"I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."

Professor Snape's tone shifted.

"But only if you are among the select few."

"The rest of you dunderheads will never understand the intricacies of potion-making."

Since this was the first Potions class for most of the young wizards present, none of them had ever heard that magic could stop death.

Their eyes widened in astonishment.

Dylan's gaze also grew eager.

Potions was indeed a profound and intricate subject.

Like Charms, it was something worth dedicating a lifetime to studying.

What Professor Snape said wasn't nonsense or idle boasting.

The Elixir of Life could absolutely be brewed through potion-making.

While waiting for the term to start, Dylan had read many books on potions.

Having some knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine in his past life, he couldn't help but compare it to potion-making.

In his view, the two were quite similar.

Both involved combining herbs to balance, amplify, or reduce certain properties.

But as he delved deeper into the theory of potions, he realized that while there were similarities between medicine and potions, there were also key differences.

If the herbs in his past life had possessed magical properties, traditional medicine might have been able to brew an Elixir of Life.

This was where the distinction lay.

The herbs used in medicine lacked magical effects, while the ingredients in potions could produce magical results.

This led him to think of something else.

Chemistry!

In ancient times, who could have imagined that chemistry could create explosions?

Both potions and chemistry involve the mixing and transformation of substances.

Think about it—powdered unicorn horn, mandrake root, salamander eyes…

They're not so different from acids and bases, or the fascinating reactions of oxidation and reduction.

Both require precision.

Slices, pieces, drops…

Controlling quantities and variables…

In fact, chemical pharmaceuticals are more similar to potions than traditional medicine.

The essence of brewing potions could be understood as crafting a physical form of a spell.

The mystical elements within the potion ingredients are released through careful brewing and stirring.

It also depends on how many times you stir and the method of stirring.

In potion-making, numbers are like incantations.

The resulting potion is like storing a spell, achieving the same magical effect.

Dylan was already eager to dive into this profound subject.

As for Professor Snape…

Just a "grumpy softie" at heart.

What was there to fear?

"Our little celebrity, your arrival has caused quite a stir at Hogwarts."

Professor Snape's sharp gaze fixed on Harry.

"Tell me, what would happen if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Dylan knew the answer.

But since he was sitting in the front row, and Harry had chosen to sit in the back with Ron, Harry was completely unprepared for Snape's sudden question.

When Harry didn't answer, Professor Snape fired off two more questions.

Harry couldn't answer any of them.

The look in Snape's eyes grew increasingly disdainful.

"One point from Gryffindor!"

Dylan wasn't bothered by this.

He was too busy meticulously noting every instruction Professor Snape gave during the class.

Sure, the man had a sharp tongue, but he was undeniably knowledgeable.

Dylan was determined to learn everything this proud, sarcastic professor had to offer!

By the time Professor Snape walked past Harry in the back row, Gryffindor had already lost five points.

When Snape passed Dylan, he was about to criticize the odd little wizard.

But then he noticed that every step of Dylan's potion-brewing was executed with precise attention to the key points he had emphasized.

Professor Snape paused, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

However, he didn't return the points he had taken from Gryffindor. Instead, he prepared to walk past Dylan.

Unexpectedly, Dylan stopped him.

"Professor Snape, before you go, I have a few questions."

Professor Snape halted mid-step, his billowing robes coming to an abrupt stop.

He turned and glared at Dylan.

"Talking while brewing potions? One point from Gryffindor!"

Dylan: "Understood. So, my question is, if I were to add…"

Dylan asked several questions in a row.

Professor Snape answered each one.

The more he answered, the more he realized that this Dylan Hawkwood was different from the other dunderheads.

He had a genuine talent for potions!

This slightly improved Snape's impression of Dylan.

Dylan: Well, what do you think my achievement rewards are for?

(End of Chapter)