Chapter 86: Hogwarts Learning Panel Chapter 41

Just as he was cleaning the cauldron and regrouping his efforts,

the dungeon door was flung wide open, slamming against the stone wall with a dull, thunderous crash,

shadows flooding in ahead of any figure, followed by the hem of a bat-like black robe that churned and swallowed the faint light at the doorway,

footsteps echoing on the damp stone floor, unhurried yet carrying a rhythm like judgment.

Wizard Sean froze completely,

his large emerald eyes clouded with bewilderment as he watched Professor Snape approach him step by step.

The dim halo of light barely illuminated the sharp shadow cast by his hooked nose,

lending an even colder edge to his gloomy words:

"Wizard Sean Green..."

His voice sounded like a viper flicking its tongue,

and Wizard Sean's eyes gradually dimmed.

He made no attempt to argue, silently packing his ingredients away, cleaning the cauldron until it sparkled, and then preparing to leave the dungeon.

Wizard Sean knew his choice had been dangerous from the start,

and being discovered meant accepting the consequences.

"Sorry, Professor Snape."

Wizard Sean murmured softly,

"I'm leaving right now."

Then, slinging his small black bag over his shoulder, he turned to depart.

"Heh—of course, if I were in your position—"

Snape sneered,

"brewing potions with such stupidity, practicing an art so full of holes—I too would feel utterly ashamed and dare not linger long in this sacred place."

Hearing Professor Snape's words, Wizard Sean showed no reaction; he merely felt a silent regret that he had been so close to success.

"Running away—is that your choice?"

Professor Snape suddenly spoke again,

"If I were you, I would immediately reignite the cauldron—and during the final stirring, increase the amplitude and stir one more circle."

Wizard Sean froze at once, his steps halting as he turned to look at Professor Snape in surprise.

Professor Snape—was he actually teaching him?

Without hesitation, Wizard Sean set down his bag and was about to retrieve his ingredients when,

at that moment,

a bundle of ingredients floated over to the wooden table,

and Wizard Sean heard Professor Snape's icy voice:

"If you dare fail again—"

Professor Snape's gaze was cold and sharp, seeming to threaten.

Yet Wizard Sean felt nothing of the sort.

He had always possessed the ability to look past outward appearances, a skill born of his deep understanding.

Just like Hermione, who could indeed be somewhat high-handed at times, fond of instructing others,

yet beneath that arrogant attitude lay her sincere concern.

Just like Professor Snape, who always habitually concealed his emotions behind bitterness, favoritism, and hostility.

But no one could fault him for this, because not everyone possesses love.

Recalling Professor Snape's instructions in his mind,

Wizard Sean reignited the cauldron, which once again began to bubble.

This time, Wizard Sean brewed the potion with the same fluid ease.

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Snape's gloomy face,

unlike those troll-like, clamoring Gryffindors, and unlike those brainless, immobile Hufflepuffs,

Ravenclaws were always a bit smarter, and this young wizard before him was among the best.

He knew what he wanted, would act upon it, and was sufficiently...

extremely diligent.

When the dark green liquid appeared once more, Wizard Sean couldn't help but feel tense, until—

[You have successfully brewed a pot of Cure for Boils to the standard of a seasoned hand; Proficiency +10]

[Cure for Boils unlocked]

[A new potion domain title has been unlocked; please check]

[A wizard talent has been unlocked; please check]

The fireplace sparks burned more fiercely; Wizard Sean, still daring not to be careless, decanted the potion into a crystal vial,

and only when the cauldron's fire had completely died down did Wizard Sean gradually relax.

This earned a slight nod from Snape.

Before his eyes,

Wizard Sean felt a surge of excitement; after all, he hadn't even used the improved ritual...

"Professor Snape, thank you."

Wizard Sean offered his thanks sincerely, his clear eyes showing no emotion other than gratitude.

This caused Snape, who had been turning to leave, to pause in surprise.

For a moment, he even refrained from sarcasm, instead looking deeper into Wizard Sean's eyes.

"You should be grateful that you succeeded; otherwise—"

His sallow face shifted between storm and calm, a rare complexity appearing in his eyes,

"Wizard Sean Green, let me tell you a truth:

respecting yourself, even when you have achieved nothing in potions,

grants the power to change reality;

if you belittle yourself,

I swear,

the gates of potions will never open to you—"

Even after leaving the dungeon, these words continued to echo in Wizard Sean's mind, nearly shattering his stereotypical impression of Professor Snape.

Beneath a massive portrait, enduring Sir Cadogan's endless nagging,

Wizard Sean once again found himself recalling Professor Snape:

he was undoubtedly starved of love.

His tragedy lay in the fact that he spent his entire life craving love, yet due to the lack of love in his childhood, he lost the ability to understand and express it.

He grasped onto Lily, that single portion of love, only to destroy it with his own flaws and the tragedies of the era.

In the end, his life became a long, painful self-punishment written with loyalty and courage.

His greatness lay in his astonishing courage and perseverance, but the bedrock of his character was undoubtedly that lonely boy from the cold house on Spinner's End, never nourished by love.

And then what?

Could he define Professor Snape as a soulless shell, incapable of further growth?

Wizard Sean,

he told himself,

you are organizing your own prejudices and trying to force them onto a living, breathing person.