Chapter 31: Outrage

Severus Snape’s mood today was far from good.

That weak, cowardly creature he had to keep a close eye on,

had grown increasingly erratic in his movements lately.

“Whatever you plan to do, pray you don’t get caught by me…”

He muttered coldly, turning down the staircase.

At that moment, faint gurgling sounds caught his attention.

No one in Hogwarts knew that sound better than he did.

It was the sound of a potion bubbling and simmering beautifully in its cauldron.

But he wasn’t in the dungeons—this meant,

the dungeons had been breached!

He strode up the stone steps like a churning cloud carrying thunder and storm.

“What are you doing!”

He appeared before Xiang Xiang Xien, his voice brimming with barely contained fury.

“Audacious to the point of folly! Utterly ignorant!”

He looked at the cauldron spewing white smoke, the scattered ingredients, the liquid in the crystal vial…

Could he not understand what had happened?!

Since he began teaching, he had never seen such an audacious little wizard!

Brewing potions without permission?!

Did he think this was some idiotic class like Astronomy or History of Magic?!

Potions are a precise science and a dangerous craft!

Without sufficient skill or supervision, even a minor mistake could kill a young wizard,

before they even had time to react, let alone save themselves!

Xiang Xiang Xien’s smile froze on his face; he swallowed down every rising emotion.

He knew he had triggered a bad ending—Professor Snape had returned,

just as he had finished brewing the potion, before he could clean up or leave,

catching him red-handed.

“Heh…

Let me guess—Mr. Green of Ravenclaw believes he possesses exceptional talent in Potions,

so much so that he needs no instruction, convinced he can brew a perfect potion all on his own…”

Professor Snape’s voice slithered like a snake’s hiss, cold and suppressed.

Xiang Xiang Xien kept his head down, neither panicked nor offering excuses—he knew Snape: explanations equaled suicide, no exaggeration…

“Ah—then let us see his accomplishments. Let us see what glorious results he achieved after that utterly foolish brewing, giving him the nerve of a brainless giant to challenge the authority of Potions alone…”

He glared fiercely at Xiang Xiang Xien.

Xiang Xiang Xien raised his head slightly, then quickly lowered it again.

“Hmph!”

Snape sneered, but felt a flicker of relief—

at least this fool hadn’t blown up the cauldron like those brainless Gryffindor giants.

His attention snapped to the potion—he had to ensure it wouldn’t explode.

As for Xiang Xiang Xien’s results?

Did he think Potions was some magical discipline where progress came quickly?

Given his last disastrous attempt, it was already Merlin’s mercy that no accident occurred this time.

But when he looked, he froze:

A qualified potion—far from excellent, yet showing astonishing progress.

“Is this your masterpiece?”

Snape glared coldly at Xiang Xiang Xien.

Xiang Xiang Xien nodded silently.

“I suppose your stirring arc was far too wide, your heat control absurdly poor,

and only barely correct ingredient handling let you still stand here speaking to me—

yet what’s terrifying is you’ve grasped none of this…”

Professor Snape’s gaze passed over Xiang Xiang Xien with contempt,

but he quickly noted the techniques in his own words—even his mockery slowed slightly,

then his face darkened further as he roared:

“Get out of the dungeons! Now! Immediately!”

Xiang Xiang Xien didn’t hesitate—he swiftly gathered the crystal vial, books, and ingredients,

walked quietly out of the dungeons,

without protest, without fear, anger, or any emotion—

only calm:

“Sorry, Professor Snape.”

The black-haired wizard’s grim expression flickered slightly; he watched the light in Xiang Xiang Xien’s emerald eyes dim, then vanish at the end of the corridor.

As the surroundings brightened, warmth returned to Xiang Xiang Xien,

yet his mood didn’t improve—it grew worse than ever.

He had successfully brewed the potion; now, with consistent practice, he could master the craft,

strengthen his talent in Potions,

and even the interface seemed to have granted him luck:

【Scabior Potion: Unlocked (1/30)】

【One apprentice-level potion brewing unlocks the apprentice title in Potions】

The proficiency requirement for Scabior Potion was 30, and just one apprentice-level brewing would unlock the Potions title—

everything was improving,

yet he had ruined it at the most critical moment.

No one could predict Professor Snape’s movements; the only known fact was that he taught Potions to the students on Mondays and Fridays.

Thus, Xiang Xiang Xien had no way to prepare.

He fell silent, thinking:

Without practice, he couldn’t improve—so practice was essential.

He would practice using correct methods until his talent improved,

and he confirmed he wouldn’t make reckless mistakes that risked danger.

His practice was safe and effective, but communication with Professor Snape was bound to fail.

On his way to the Great Hall, Xiang Xiang Xien suddenly recalled something:

Professor Snape hadn’t forbidden him from returning, nor had he deducted house points.

Why?

Xiang Xiang Xien didn’t know if he was overthinking, but faintly, he sensed a sliver of opportunity.

In the dungeons.

Snape let out a cold snort, waved his wand, and the cauldron floated gently before him.

The ink-green liquid lay still, as quiet as the young wizard who had just left.

Because of those unnervingly bright green eyes, he held back further mockery.

He examined the Scabior Potion closely; just from its final state, he could deduce the young wizard’s efforts.

In three days,

he had not only brought his ingredient preparation up to standard, but sharply adjusted his stirring force,

even achieving the most crucial step—

absolute focus.

Without it, given his giant-like heat control and mistimed ingredient additions,

he could never have brewed a qualified potion.

All this progress took him only three days.

Snape could almost picture the sleepless nights, the painstaking study of herbs.

“Hmph. What a pity—the beauty of Potions does not welcome wizards lacking sufficient talent…”

…

In the Great Hall.

Xiang Xiang Xien pulled out his personal notebook, carefully recalling every step and detail, ensuring they were etched into his mind.

Would he give up Potions practice because of Professor Snape’s mockery?

The odds were as low as Snape giving Gryffindor a hundred points.

Professor Snape must be away sometimes…

Wizard Sean thought,

The cauldron doesn’t care who uses it.