Hogwarts : Max Level Unforgivable Curse

When Dylan arrived at Professor Snape's office, he gently knocked on the door twice.

"—"

The next moment, the door moved on its own, opening a crack.

Dylan immediately spotted Professor Snape sitting at his desk. The professor looked gloomy, as if he hadn't fully woken up yet.

Dylan blinked, cautiously pushed the door open all the way, and stepped inside.

"Good morning, Professor. You're up quite early."

"Come in. No need to close the door, as you'll be leaving soon anyway."

A mocking expression flashed across Professor Snape's face.

"As for waking up early… I've heard that when you seek advice from others, you chase them from morning till night as long as there are no classes. Naturally, I wouldn't dare to keep you waiting."

"…"

This little sarcastic remark was actually kind of endearing.

Dylan smiled.

"Thank you for waiting for me in your office so early in the morning, Professor."

He shifted the backpack he was carrying to the front and pulled out a notebook—his own notebook.

Just as he was about to take out a pen and walk over to the desk—

"Swish."

With a flick of his wand, Professor Snape conjured a chair.

Dylan didn't hesitate and plopped down onto it.

"Mr. Hawkwood, I hope my early rise will allow me to hear something of value rather than meaningless drivel."

In truth, Snape never stayed up late or slept in. He only said this to mock Dylan, plain and simple.

However, listening to Snape's low, gravelly voice—as if it were being squeezed from the depths of his throat—most young wizards would likely be terrified, their minds going blank.

But Dylan's smile didn't waver. He opened his notebook and flipped to the section where he had recorded his notes on potions.

"Professor Snape, while delving deeper into the study of potions, the first thing that piqued my curiosity was…"

Snape's eyebrows first twitched slightly, then slowly rose, lifting the corners of his eyes and revealing faint wrinkles.

His dark eyes swept over Dylan, cold and dismissive.

Unfazed, Dylan continued, "In fact, whenever I study any subject, I can't help but try to explore its essence."

"What exactly are you asking?" Snape's voice was slightly hoarse.

Not a rough hoarseness, but like silk that had been sanded—low yet smooth. His volume was perfectly controlled; he didn't need to raise his voice for it to echo throughout the office.

"From the fundamental principles of magic, are potions affected by external influences?"

Snape frowned. "A seemingly profound question, but utterly meaningless!"

"Of course, potions are affected by external factors. Now, Mr. Hawkwood, leave my office at once!"

Snape's impatience was unmistakable after hearing Dylan's question. And he made no effort to hide it.

However, Snape also noticed something.

This young wizard had quite the nerve!

Normally, a single glare from him would reduce most students to trembling little quails.

But with Dylan, his icy demeanor seemed like a joke!

Everyone else would feel ashamed after his sharp remarks.

But not this one!

As a professor, he couldn't exactly use magic to attack a student, could he?

"You've wasted the precious time of a Potions professor. Your house will lose points for this…"

Before Snape could finish his sentence, something even more unexpected happened.

Dylan interrupted him!

"Professor, you haven't grasped what I'm truly trying to convey."

Dylan spoke earnestly, completely ignoring Snape's increasingly sour expression. "What I mean by external influences is…"

"Are potions affected by the movement of celestial bodies and the phases of the moon?"

At this, Professor Snape was momentarily stunned.

His greasy hair partially obscured his cold, pale face. His thin lips, usually pressed into a stern line, now curved slightly.

His previously gloomy expression softened a bit, and his furrowed brows relaxed slightly. His eyes widened a fraction beneath his raised eyebrows.

"You've studied celestial movements?"

Snape raised his bony hand, flicked his wand, and the partially open door clicked shut.

*Little tsundere,* Dylan thought to himself.

But Snape's brows furrowed again.

He looked deeply at the young wizard before him.

As a skilled Legilimens, he wouldn't use Legilimency on a student.

Yet he could clearly sense the excitement radiating from Dylan.

Mistaking it for arrogance, Snape said coldly, "What, do you think you know a lot?"

Dylan blinked and quickly shook his head.

"Not at all. I haven't even finished reading all the books in the school library. How could I possibly claim to know much?"

He was being completely sincere.

Hearing this, Professor Snape's expression softened slightly, and he let out a low, cello-like hum.

"Celestial bodies and lunar phases are often believed to hold immense power in the magical world. Exploring their connection to potions…"

"Requires not only a deep understanding of the properties and brewing mechanisms of potions but also involves ancient magical knowledge and the application of mystical forces."

"It's good that you've considered this, but you're thinking too far ahead. With your current lack of knowledge, even if I gave you part of the answer, you wouldn't understand it."

Dylan smiled faintly. "Since you've given me a positive response, let me share my hypothesis."

Snape gave him a noncommittal look but refrained from further sarcasm.

"From what I understand, the specific magical wavelengths emitted by celestial movements might resonate with potion ingredients."

"This could influence the fusion of ingredients, the activation of their properties, and even the timing and duration of the potion's effects."

"As for lunar phases… I believe the energy intensity and nature reflected by them might affect the initiation of the brewing process, the reactions during brewing, and the potency and stability of the potion's effects—though I can't yet fully grasp how."

Professor Snape's facial muscles tensed almost imperceptibly, tugging at the fine lines around his eyes.

A flicker of surprise passed through his dark eyes, and his thin lips tightened, twitching downward briefly before returning to their usual sternness.

"Your mind isn't as dull as a troll's, at least."

"Huh?"

Dylan stared at Snape.

Was that… a compliment?

"Since you've genuinely dabbled in potions and celestial studies, I suppose I can share a few things with you."

(End of Chapter)