Chapter 16: The First Test

The following day began with the familiar routine of breakfast in the Great Hall. The atmosphere was lively as students discussed their classes and shared their thoughts on the professors. Alaric noted that the Gryffindors seemed particularly disgruntled, their conversations punctuated by complaints about the difficulty of the coursework.

As they finished their meal, the Slytherins made their way to the Potions classroom for their second lesson with Professor Snape. The dungeon was just as dark and foreboding as before, the air thick with the scent of brewing potions.

Snape began the lesson with a brief review of the Cure for Boils potion they had brewed the previous day. He was quick to point out the mistakes made by the Gryffindors, his tone dripping with disdain. Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as Snape praised the Slytherins for their superior work.

"Today, we will be brewing a Forgetfulness Potion," Snape announced, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "This potion requires precision and attention to detail. Any mistakes will result in catastrophic failure."

Alaric paired up with Draco once again, and the two of them set to work. The ingredients for the Forgetfulness Potion were more complex than those for the Cure for Boils, and the instructions were more detailed. Alaric read through the steps carefully, making sure he understood each one before proceeding.

The potion required a base of Valerian root, which had to be chopped finely and added to the cauldron at just the right temperature. Next came the addition of Lethe River water, a substance that was notoriously difficult to handle. Alaric and Draco worked in near silence, their focus entirely on the task at hand.

As the potion simmered, Alaric added the final ingredient—a single drop of Mistletoe berry juice. The potion turned a pale, misty blue, the color of a clear sky just before dawn. Alaric felt a surge of satisfaction; it was the exact shade described in the textbook.

Snape made his rounds, inspecting each group's progress with a critical eye. When he reached Alaric and Draco's cauldron, he gave a small nod of approval.

"Acceptable," Snape said, his tone as neutral as ever. "Bottle it and label it. You may go."

As they bottled the potion and cleaned up their workstations, Alaric felt a sense of accomplishment. The potion had been difficult, but they had succeeded. It was another step forward in their journey to mastering the magical arts.

When the lesson ended, Snape assigned them a reading on the properties of Valerian root and its various uses in potion-making. The assignment was challenging, but Alaric welcomed the opportunity to deepen his understanding of the subject.

As they left the dungeon, Draco turned to Alaric with a satisfied grin. "We're really getting the hang of this, aren't we?"

"We are," Alaric agreed, his voice calm but pleased. "But we can't afford to get complacent. The coursework is only going to get harder from here."

Draco nodded, his expression serious. "You're right. But with Snape on our side, we've got a definite advantage."

As they made their way to the Transfiguration classroom for their next lesson, Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He knew that the challenges ahead would test his abilities to their limits, but he was confident that he was ready.

The Transfiguration lesson was just as demanding as the previous one. Professor McGonagall introduced a new concept—Switching Spells, which allowed the caster to switch the properties of two objects. It was a complex spell that required precise visualization and control, and McGonagall warned them that it was easy to make mistakes.

Alaric practiced the spell diligently, his mind focused on the intricate patterns of magic required to perform the switch. He found that the key was to fully understand the essence of both objects before attempting to alter them. By the end of the lesson, he had successfully switched a quill and an inkpot, much to McGonagall's approval.

As the day drew to a close, Alaric felt a sense of satisfaction. The lessons had been challenging, but he had risen to the occasion. He knew that his skills were growing stronger with each passing day, and that his understanding of magic was deepening.

But he also knew that this was only the beginning. The road ahead was long, and there would be many more tests to come. But Alaric was ready for whatever challenges lay in his path. He was determined to succeed, not just for himself, but for the legacy of his family.