Chapter 36

Rain fell softly over Scotland, and the echoes of dripping water resonated everywhere in Hogwarts Castle.

Raindrops on the stained-glass windows slowly gathered, then trickled down into soil that had been fertile since the tenth century.

Madam Pince did not allow Xie to take more books than permitted, despite his excellent return record.

unless he returned all books like *Modern Magical History* and signed the crumpled log sheet.

So Xie had no choice but to read two volumes by the potion master Libatius Borage in the library.

Even without borrowing them, he still found a note clipped by Madam Pince on the first page:

【Warning: If you tear, rip, fold, soil, damage, throw, drop, or otherwise harm, abuse, or desecrate this book,

I will impose upon you the most terrible consequences within my power.

Librarian of Hogwarts,

Irma Pince】

Xie had no doubt of this irritable librarian’s resolve—he had seen her pounce on young wizards countless times.

as if she possessed a special gift for instantly identifying and severely punishing students who damaged books.

In the study area,

The librarian, always wearing an angry expression, passed by Xie; her stern gaze softened slightly.

then she gave a light nod and left the area.

【Miranda Goshawk, that old thing (struck through), wrote in *The Book of Spells*:

A wizard’s need gives rise to a spell; if none exists, it is merely because the spell has not yet been discovered.

But now I assert: a wizard’s need gives rise to a potion; if none exists, it is merely because the recipe has not yet been discovered.】

Xie had just read this quote in *Celebrate a Festival in a Bottle!*

and immediately sensed its extraordinary weight and grandeur,

as he pondered it deeply, lost in thought, a sticky note suddenly fell—

Xie was caught off guard, then silently pulled out his notebook and quill, writing down the words.

【Good. You see this, which proves not all wizards are fools.

I must tell you something, or people will only remember my achievements in recipes and techniques,

and forget my greatest, most misunderstood breakthrough in the profound field of potions.】

The greatest, most misunderstood breakthrough?

Like automatic flame control for cauldrons?

Wonderful. Master Libatius Borage still had more in store.

Xie read on curiously.

【After the saying “Only meticulously crafted potions yield proper effects” appeared,

I saw all potion researchers forget to examine its true meaning.

What kind of researchers are they? They are nothing but Miranda’s sticky, stinking apple pie!

I am certain that spells and potions are connected by a single primordial thread.

If *Magical Theory* claims that advanced spells require the wizard’s inner strength, why do they forget potions?

It can only be because they are all￥*&% (illegible script).】

Xie skipped over a long string of unkind remarks; what followed made him breathe faster.

【I have completed certain necessary tasks—

The improved spells and rituals now place greater emphasis on the wizard’s inner strength, and demand more mental energy,

yet for any potion-maker who has reached the pinnacle of technique and craftsmanship, this will open a vast new path.

I must warn you: you must possess sufficient willpower and use it carefully; though it yields astonishing results, it has become far more unstable,

it can still be refined, but my time is running out.

I have seen the great truth, and mournfully spread it in secret,

perfect it.

And allow me to revise the foolish inscription carved on my tombstone, to reveal the true version—

Libatius Borage died in 1961; most of his life was devoted to this great work.

Now, it is your turn to study the deepest magic of potions.】

Me?

My white talent?

Xie silently hummed, suddenly feeling a faint sense of responsibility.

He stuffed every word into his mind.

He had never expected to encounter such knowledge—

Master Libatius Borage had dared to tamper with ancient spells and rituals in the field of potions.

Xie had read in *Magical History* that most potion spells and rituals had been passed down for over three hundred years.

as reliable and fixed as spell incantations.

This was a tremendous surprise; Xie felt like a kneazle who had found ancient gold coins.

He quickly copied all the improvements into his notebook—they were few, only a handful,

But whether by coincidence or not, the boils potion was among them.

This made Xie’s smile harder to suppress.

The magical crystal lamps illuminated Xie’s focused face.

and soon he rose from the oak table,

the bells of Hogwarts rang out simultaneously with the hoots of owls,

lunchtime had arrived,

Having feasted on intellectual nourishment, Xie now needed to care for his body.

He swiftly returned the books to Madam Pince; the corridors were already filled with young wizards heading from the library to the Great Hall.

Passing the warm fireplace,

Xie noticed the Gryffindors were unusually quiet today.

“He must hate me…”

a black-haired boy said, confused,

“Narcissus powder, wormwood… why didn’t he ask Hermione?!”

“Harry, don’t be angry,”

the red-haired boy beside him whispered,

“I heard Snape has always been like this—completely unreasonable.”

Xie watched silently as Harry and Ron sat down not far from him.

He remembered this issue vaguely; in his past life, some believed

Professor Snape, this pure-love warrior, might have deeper meaning behind his actions, just as his behavior did.

The narcissus flower’s meaning: regret carried to the grave,

wormwood’s meaning: bitter sorrow,

so the hidden meaning of the question was: I mourn endlessly for your mother’s death.

Just as Xie was about to dip his bread in beans, Jia Jia Siting sat down beside him, blushing.

followed by Hermione, her gaze dimmed.

“Even Professor Snape shouldn’t act so unreasonable!”

Jia Jia Siting was furious; his eyes filled with sorrow as he looked at his companions,

“If raising your hand to answer is wrong, then the professor who asks such a question is a fool!”

Xie looked up, stunned.

They had just finished Potions class,

and they were… insulting Snape?

Even Harry had never insulted Professor Snape like this, had he?

“Xie, oh, I wanted to tell you earlier…”

When Jia Jia Siting turned to Xie, his anger vanished; he spoke sadly, recounting the scene—

Professor Snape, when questioning Harry, ignored Hermione’s repeated hand-raising and shouted at her:

“Sit down!”

“No one thought it was unfair! Those Gryffindors are cowards!”

Jia Jia Siting’s face flushed again; his voice trembled with guilt,

he nearly growled,

“I saw it from behind the door, but couldn’t help… as a friend, I’m a failure.”