Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 29: Secretly Brewing Magic Potions

Potions always take a long time to brew; some special potions, such as Felix Felicis, are said to take up to six months to brew.

Taking this factor into account, Sheen scheduled his actions for after the first Transfiguration class in the afternoon.

He prepared five sets of materials and brought his own crystal bottle.
It was an expensive container, packaged inside a small box.

Because it cost a full seven Galleons.
The store manager of Slag & Giggs thoughtfully provided each crystal bottle with a small box.

The old wizard with a long beard in the shop said: This set of crystal bottles is twice as effective at storing potions as ordinary glass bottles.

Sheen guessed he was lying.

The book says that as long as it is stored properly, the potion will not spoil even if left in the open.

Ancient wizards even stored potions in jugs, and apothecaries of that time were keen on playing the game of pouring different liquids from the same jug.

It often amazed Muggle nobles.

In fact, it was just that the potion had changed under certain conditions (such as exposure to light).

As for whether the spoiled potion will cause problems...
All we need to do is see if there are any wanted posters at the castle gate tomorrow.

In the afternoon,

A pure white owl swooped down over Sheen's head.

Sheen heard it whimpering.

Stepping out of the castle, the sun was warm and gentle, as if it wanted to tantalize every little wizard.

Sheen had never seen such a splendid summer; Hogwarts and the fields were gilded with gold.

The island is like an oil painting, dotted with golden castles.

Sheehan would be in a better mood if Snape's classroom weren't in the cellar.

In the afternoon, he was like an adventurer stealing treasure, tasked with brewing the potion treasure under Professor Snape's watchful eye.

With countless thoughts in his mind, Sheen walked along a lush green stone path and pushed open the oak door of the greenhouse.

He agreed to collect bubble pods with the professor and transplant the bouncy bulbs to Greenhouse Number One.

The air in greenhouse number one was filled with the rich scent of earth.
Fine water droplets condensed on the glass roof, forming a trickle that meandered down.

Sprout wasn't alone today; a group of young wizards had somehow gathered around her.

Neville with his round face, Ernie carefully watering the plants, and a short, chubby little boy named Sheen didn't recognize them.

Professor Sprout stood beside a wooden crate piled high with fresh manure, her greyish-brown hair pulled back into a tight little bun.
Beneath that thick, patched hat, a pair of bright eyes sharply scanned her students.

Soon, Professor Sprout dusted off his muddy gloves and walked towards Sheehan:

"Oh, at this time of year, new shoots sprout in the greenhouse; it's truly something to look forward to..."

She opened the door to greenhouse number one.
“Come on, Mr. Green, let’s take the bouncy bulbs. Those dear little rascals are probably already impatient.”

The professor's hat always swayed harmoniously as she spoke.
But not today. Sheen stared at the black part of the hat.
I suddenly thought of Professor Snape's gloomy black eyes.

I'm secretly brewing magic potions. I hope that won't violate school rules.
Sheen thought.

When he came to his senses, he was already looking into a pair of warm and calm eyes.

"My dear Mr. Green, it's quite rare to see you so stunned?"

Although he asked this question, there was not a trace of doubt in Professor Sprout's eyes.

"The timing is perfect. Come on, dear Mr. Green, something interesting awaits you." Professor Sprout warmly led Sheehan toward another domed building.
He didn't respond to Sheen's questioning gaze.

They stopped in front of the domed building with a wooden sign that read "Third Greenhouse".

Sheehan had never been inside—Michael had told him that the plants in the third greenhouse were more interesting, but also more dangerous.

Professor Sprout took a large key from his belt and opened the door.

The air was thick with the smell of damp fertilizer, and a thorny green plant was spreading its tendrils.

Beside it, some green, bean-like fruits hopped around inside the fence.

Sheen recognized it as the Jumping Bulb, but strangely, it was surrounded by poisonous tentacles.
And these territorial and amazing plants didn't attack them?
As Sheehan observed, Professor Sprout's loud and cheerful voice rang out, drowning out the rustling sounds in the greenhouse.

"Oh, Mr. Green, let me tell you a story:"
The seeds of the boll-shaped bulb need to grow in a dark, moist environment.

Coincidentally, that was precisely where the poisonous tentacles gathered.
About one-third of the bouncy bulbs in the greenhouse will be accompanied by poisonous tentacles.

The poisonous tentacles will not allow other plants to invade their territory.

But look,

The bouncy bulb is still growing vigorously…

After piquing Sheehan's curiosity, the chubby professor continued in a deep, storytelling tone:

"If you look closely, you can see the fanged geraniums standing tall beside them."

It is this mutual deterrence between the two that provides the conditions for the jumping bulb seeds to grow, break through the soil, and jump away.

Nature is always wondrous; life will always find a way.

She gently bent down,

His eyes were filled with a sincere and warm light.

“It’s always safer to stay away from these bouncing bulbs, but if you’re afraid of the poisonous tentacles and forever cower in a hot, dry corner, letting the fruit wither away, my dear, that’s not the meaning of life.”

Sheen was somewhat taken aback by the story of the bouncing bulb. He looked at the professor, and the plump witch slowly nodded to him:
"You will succeed, don't be afraid, little one."

...The professor knew what he was going to do.

When Sheen stepped out of the greenhouse, his heart was calm and at peace, and his body was covered with the scent of earth.

Although I don't know how the professor guessed it,
But since the professor tacitly approved and encouraged him, it means that what he did could not violate school rules.

Even if you violate it, it won't have serious consequences.

therefore,

After the afternoon transformation class,
As Justin looked at the bewildered warrior and Hermione, Sheen disappeared at the end of the corridor.

The environment gradually became cold and damp, and the glass jars along the walls, containing shivering, preserved animal specimens, came into view again.

Sheehan held his breath, hoping that Professor Snape wouldn't show up there.

In fact, all the professors were very busy, let alone Professor Snape, who was the head of Slytherin.

After glancing at the classroom,
Sheen breathed a long sigh of relief, then quickly arranged the materials on the table and lit the crucible.
The faster he goes, the more times he can experiment.

Sheen also put away the notebook and shorthand quill.
The data obtained is crucial; summarizing experience and continuously improving are the proper ways to learn.

A wisp of white smoke rose from the crucible, and the candlelight slowly reflected in Sheen's emerald eyes.

(End of this chapter)