11 Detention
Matthew started the brewing process after his owl-ordered Potion ingredients arrived from Slug and Jiggers Apothecary. The new Potions were not overly complicated but still more complex than anything a first-year or second-year student ever brewed. Although he is highly knowledgeable in Potion theory, his practical experience is limited, since he only brewed in class.
Inside the Room of Requirement Matthew wished for a potion lab with two working stations so he could save time and brew them together. With the Assistance of the AI, he had no problems with following the correct steps for each Potion. It still cost him his whole weekend to complete his first cauldrons of the cosmetic potions before he finally filled them into crystal vials.
~ Scene Break ~
On Tuesday after Potions Matthew send his roommates off to dinner and approached Professor Snapes Office, after knocking and entering, "Shut the door behind you, Mr.Mason." Ordered Snape's cold voice. "Well Mr.Mason, why are you here?".
"Sir, this week I finished two potions I developed by myself. I am here to ask you if you could review my work as one of the prime Potion Masters in Britain." Answered Matthew.
"You want me to believe that a first-year student-developed not one but two Potion Recipes by himself? A task that Is only required by Apprentices during their Potion Mastery?" exclaimed while Snape stared with his dark eyes at Matthew.
[Beep! Foreign Surface thought scan registered. Auto-response plan A activated. Fake Potion research memories loaded into Subconscious. Diversion Succesfully established.]
'Good I came prepared.', thought Matthew while replying, "Yes Sir, It took me a lot of time and work. I can now present to you my first two successful products. Both of them are cosmetic products that are cheaper and more effective than already existing recipes. I am here for you to verify their effects and register the patents of the recipes at the Ministry."
"I hope you speak the truth, Mr.Mason. You will regret it if you are here to waste my time. Show them to me!", demanded Snape.
After taking a few vials with the Potions out of his Backpack, Matthew handed them to Snape who started to examine them, "Hmm… Interesting, these are no potions I recognize. What is their purpose?"
"The light-blue colored one has a similar effect like Sleekeazy's Hair Potion but double the duration. As for the pale-pink-colored one, it's a Skin Care Potion, Sir." He answered.
"Color me impressed. Unlike the usual dunderheads inside my classroom you've got a real talent for the fine art of Potion making, Mr. Mason." Said Snape while walking to a cabinet and taking two pieces of parchment out of it, "Fill these forms out, while I test these potions."
Matthew started to fill in the forms for registering his first potion patents, while Snape entered his personal Potion Lab in the backroom of his Office. The next half hour was spent filling in his credentials, the potion effects, and recipe; until Professor Snape returned.
"Impressive work, Mr. Mason. I really wished you would be a Slytherin so I could teach you personally. But the current political situation puts me in a tight spot to develop your talents. 20 points for Ravenclaw. You earned them, unfortunately, I can't do more. I will complete these forms for you and send them in. Expect a Ministry owl in the next few days." Explained Snape with a neutral voice.
"While you are already here, Mr. Mason. I've heard rumors inside my house that you attacked members of Slytherin repeatedly in the last few months. Especially Mr. Warrington."
Accused Snape.
Shocked by the turn of events Matthew replied, "But Sir, I've just defended myself. They attacked me repeatedly because of my Muggle heritage and Success in class Sir!"
"I don't need any excuses. Mr. Mason. In the end, you raised your Wand against fellow Students while you came out unharmed. You will spend every Friday afternoon in Detention with me for the rest of the year! Good day, Mr. Mason." decided Snape with a strange glint inside his eyes.
"Yes Sir." He accepted without choice while leaving the Office
~ Scene Break ~
At the end of the Week, a Ministry-Owl with the Patent certificates arrived. Matthew sent Morgana with a business proposition and a few example potions to Slug and Jiggers Apothecary.
On Friday Afternoon he arrived in Snapes Office for his first detention, "Follow me, Mr.Mason. You will assist me inside my Lab every Friday. As Potion Master of Hogwarts, it's my task to restock the Potion Supplies of the Castle. You will assist me during the brewing process. But be warned if your work isn't to my satisfaction you will spend your Fridays cleaning out every Cauldron in the Castle." Explained Snape.
"Okay, Sir" Matthew replied while following Snape to the Potion Lab.
For the rest of the year, Matthew assisted Snape with brewing different kinds of Potions. While the gloomy Professor also shared his personal experiences with him. The Detention was through Snapes strict and precise requirements tiring, but Matthews brewing experience and preparation skills grew by leaps and bounds.
The rest of the Students especially Warrington believed he spent his Fridays cleaning Cauldrons and Potion cupboards, while In reality he got taught by one of the best potion masters in Britain. Only his roommates knew the truth.
After a few days a reply from Slug and Jiggers Apothecary arrived:
Dear Mr.Mason,
We were very impressed by your products and your talent in the Art of potioneering. Our Business would like to sell your potions in our Shop in Diagon Alley.
We would appreciate it if you would visit our shop to sign an exclusive deal. Since you are a Hogwarts Student. Would it be possible for you to visit our shop on July, 6th at 10 am to discuss the details of your proposal?
Sincerely
Horace Slughorn,
Potion Master and Co-Owner of Slug and Jiggers Apothecary
'Slughorn? Isn't that the previous Potion Professor of Hogwarts? The collector of talents for his Slug Club. So he is one of the Owners of Slug and Jiggers Apothecary! Although he has a slimy personality this should be a great opportunity to network in the Magical World. His Club is well connected and spread.' He thought while sending a reply to confirm the date.
The Rest of the year passed without trouble and the exam period approached. Matthew spent his days focusing on practical magic training since he wasn't sure he could practice magic wandlessly at home. Although the trace got applied to his wand, in Harry's second year Dobby's magic got registered as underaged magic and got a Warning from the Improper Use of Magic Office. To prevent problems in the future he would have to experiment with the situation at home.
Books he could read at home, but practicing magic only in Hogwarts. So he spent as much time as possible inside the Room. He didn't need to study theory for the exams, there was no one in his or one of the upper years who could even come close to the AI Chip's ability to totally recall everything he read. Maybe a practicer of Occlumency could come close. He was confident that before his OWLs he would be more knowledgeable than Dumbledore in magic. Maybe Dumbledore would know more obscure topics because he found some rare books during his long life, but in general theory, nobody could beat Matthew.
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