10

Chapter 10: Library

The water in the cauldron soon emitted white vapors. Wade added the powdered snake fang followed by the nettles, stirring twice clockwise and thrice counterclockwise. The crushed nettles melted swiftly, akin to ice cubes dissolving.

Suddenly, screams erupted in the classroom as green smoke hissed out. Some students writhed in pain, their skin corroded by the failed potion. Startled, Theo exclaimed, "What's happening?"

"Don't lose focus!" Wade didn't glance in the direction of the commotion, concentrating as he added the slug to the mixture.

"Theo, uncover the cauldron."

Theo, still wearing dragon leather gloves, obeyed swiftly. Wade waited a moment, then added two porcupine quills, stirring five times clockwise.

The potion underwent a visible transformation. The repulsive brown-green liquid quickly turned into a jelly-like green—a match for the textbook's successful brew description.

Surprised, Theo glanced between the potion and the book. "It worked! Wade, you nailed it!"

Across the room, Snape, dealing with the potion mishap and reprimanding students, heard the cheer. He approached, scrutinizing the potion. Finally, he reluctantly acknowledged Theo with a guarded nod. "Not bad. A point to each of you."

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"It's rare for Snape to award points to houses other than Slytherin. It'd be nice to regain those points we lost," Theo told his friend Ryan excitedly after class. "After we finish the potion, we can start preparing the cough potion for the next class. I won't be caught off guard by Snape's questions again!"

Ryan grinned in agreement. "Our potion outcomes have been questionable—there's always that odd smell. Perhaps we're brewing for too short a time..."

"Hey, Wade!" Michael caught up from behind, eager. "How did you manage to get that light green shade? I followed Snape's steps exactly, but mine turned out darker."

"If the steps were correct, it could be the material handling," Wade replied, glancing at Theo. "Theo processed the ingredients meticulously. Our final product had almost no impurities."

Michael looked at Theo in surprise.

Unaccustomed to praise, Theo blushed slightly, swiftly changing the subject. "By the way, do you all have afternoon classes? How about we study together in the library?"

Before class ended, Snape assigned a six-inch essay on the Scabies Potion.

"Why rush?" Michael grumbled. "It's not due until Friday!"

Though Theo initially invited only Wade and Ryan, Michael automatically included himself.

"I'll go to the library," Wade decided. "Six inches is manageable; I'd rather finish it early and enjoy the free time."

Ryan nodded. "Library."

Michael hesitated, tempted by classmates discussing castle explorations and walks by the Black Lake. Two girls invited him to the Quidditch pitch, but guilt gnawed at him. Eventually, he trotted over to join Wade's group.

"Aren't you coming to play?" Wade asked him.

"I'd love to, but I feel guilty enjoying myself while there's homework to be done," Michael sighed.

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Hogwarts Library, located on the west side of the castle, appeared larger inside than out—likely magically expanded. The library spanned multiple floors connected by moving staircases. Silent bookshelves crisscrossed, holding thousands of volumes, with rows of tan desks interspersed.

On this school day, few students populated the library. As four young wizards marveled at the vast collection upon entering, librarian Mrs. Pince noticed them immediately.

Hurrying over, she peered down sternly. "New students?"

Theo, at the forefront, nodded.

"No scratching, tearing, folding, staining, damaging, or throwing books. No noise or eating in the library. Understand?" Mrs. Pince admonished.

Theo nodded quickly, envisioning Professor Snape's strictness.

"You're not permitted in the restricted section. Read freely elsewhere, but no scribbling! You need my permission to check out books. Understood?"

They all nodded again.

Mrs. Pince waved her wand, and a dozen books flew from various shelves.

"These should suffice. Study well," Mrs. Pince said, a faint smile softening her stern demeanor.

Carrying their books, they found a window seat. Michael skimmed through the pages, noting they had two books each, the thinnest an inch thick—how much did they need to read?

Leafing through randomly, Michael struggled to grasp the content. Could he copy a few hundred words and find excerpts to fill the length requirement? Nearby, he heard a quill "swishing" across parchment.

"Wade?" Michael asked, surprised. "When did you become such a fast writer?"

"Huh?" Wade didn't look up. "It's not that difficult."

With a few books in front of him, he quickly penned several lines, neatly spaced.

Michael, Theo, and even Ryan, typically quiet, were amazed.

Realizing his oversight, Wade chuckled inwardly—they were eleven-year-olds, not college peers capable of writing lengthy essays. Many, if from wizarding families, lacked formal schooling. Even those who attended Muggle schools might not have written essays.

He didn't mind sharing his essay-writing tips.

"Writing an essay is simple," Wade whispered, jotting on a blank parchment. "Create a basic structure and fill it in. First, introduce the Scabies Potion briefly. Second, discuss its history—its inventor and developments. Third, detail the brewing process and precautions. Fourth, analyze why the potion fails if not brewed correctly, the resulting accidents, and remedies. Fifth, examine materials and interactions, referencing 'One Thousand Magical Herbs' and 'Magical Potion Ingredients'. Sixth, explore symptoms, causes, usage, past cases, and compare with similar potions on efficacy and cost. Finally, summarize and add personal insights. Choose a few points at random, and you'll have a solid essay."

The trio fell silent, then simultaneously began copying Wade's words—not for homework, but to preserve the insights.

"You're a genius, Wade!" Michael praised as he wrote. "This is like a secret technique of essay writing!"

Theo agreed, "Absolutely! With this, any future essay will be a breeze—not just six inches, but six feet!"

Ryan paused, then said seriously, "Six feet is too much! I couldn't handle that."

Wade and the others burst out laughing.

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