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In a back room of the underground classroom at Hogwarts, figures bustled about in the private workshop of the Potions professor.
The lights were dim, and the air was filled with the unique aroma of various herbs and magical ingredients blended together.
"Devereux,"
Snape's voice was low and commanding.
"Ensure that every ingredient you add has been precisely measured. We cannot allow this potion to become the cause of your next failed experiment."
"Yes, Professor. I'll be very careful," Devereux replied, pursing his lips slightly, determined not to let Professor Snape's words rattle him.
Cautiously, he sprinkled a pinch of purple powder into the bubbling cauldron.
It had been a month and a half since they had last brewed a potion together.
In the meantime, Devereux had performed well in class numerous times.
In fact, the recipe for this particular potion had even been invented by him!
And yet, Snape still treated him like a mere child.
Well, to be fair, Devereux was still a child.
"I hope so," Snape continued in his signature sarcastic tone.
"After all, if you can't even master the most basic ingredient ratios, then I truly don't understand how you've managed to remain my apprentice for this long."
For the sake of his mental health, Devereux had long ago built up strong mental defenses.
He completely ignored Snape's biting comments.
When they worked together, Snape would occasionally offer guidance, but far more often, he unleashed sharp, sarcastic jabs.
Devereux had built up a tolerance to Snape's verbal assaults on par with Harry's in his later years at Hogwarts.
After all, Devereux had successfully brewed a substandard version of the Polyjuice Potion independently, and he had conducted numerous experiments in his private lab hidden in the Room of Requirement.
Devereux was now thoroughly familiar with the process.
With all the ingredients added, it was time to stir.
Three circles clockwise.
Two circles counterclockwise.
Repeat three times.
Every step was crucial to ensuring that the ingredients blended perfectly.
Naturally, this task fell to the apprentice.
At first, Snape had intended to demonstrate, but seeing Devereux pick up the stirring rod with practiced ease, he simply raised an eyebrow and stepped aside.
As the potion gradually took shape, Devereux observed the liquid's changes intently.
Tonight, they were brewing the first stage of the Polyjuice Potion, planning to create a sample for the Extraordinary Potion Makers Association.
Because of the Polyjuice Potion's particular properties, it had to be brewed around the time of the full moon.
No matter how efficient the brewing process became, this timing remained essential.
Although Devereux's new recipe could technically shorten the brewing time, it didn't fundamentally alter the need to align with the lunar cycle.
During a short pause in the stirring process, Devereux looked up through the small, high window of the underground classroom.
Sure enough, the full moon shone brightly outside.
Devereux tilted his head slightly.
He caught a glimpse of Snape also glancing at the full moon.
The corner of Devereux's mouth curled up slightly — lucky he hadn't been caught being distracted!
Quickly refocusing on the potion, Devereux noticed the color darkening and the bubbling subsiding — signs that the potion was nearing completion.
He nodded slightly in satisfaction.
If the potion hadn't reacted this way, it would have meant that the proportions were off.
"Alright, let it cool down slowly," Snape ordered, suddenly stepping closer to the cauldron.
He picked up the heavy iron lid and covered the pot, sealing it with a flick of his wand.
"Colloportus!"
A beam of silver light shot from his wand tip, binding the lid tightly to the cauldron.
Devereux thought that even Hagrid would have trouble prying it open now.
Satisfied, Devereux set the stirring rod into the adjacent sink and began to clean up.
Glug, glug—
The trickling sound of water echoed in the otherwise silent underground room.
Focused on his task, the entire space seemed unusually quiet.
But amid this quietness, Devereux suddenly felt a subtle unease creeping over him.
He had a strong sense of being watched.
Was it just his imagination?
He didn't dare turn around to check.
Behind him, Professor Snape stood motionless, his face unusually complicated.
His brow was furrowed, and there was a painful, almost conflicted struggle in his eyes.
It wasn't just something in front of him causing this emotion — it was something deeper, rooted inside.
After a while, Devereux finished washing the tools and dried his hands with a towel.
The potion workshop once again looked clean and orderly.
At some point, Snape's oppressive gaze had vanished.
Devereux turned around —
Only to find the classroom completely empty.
Snape had already disappeared.
Devereux's face twisted into an expression of frustration.
"Seriously?! Leaving work early? What a black-hearted boss!" he grumbled.
He tossed down the towel and checked his watch.
It was already half past nine, nearly ten o'clock.
"Time to go back and get some rest," he said, stretching lazily.
Packing up his things, Devereux stepped outside into the cool night.
The silver-white moonlight spilled across the castle's front lawn like a river.
There, standing silently in the glow, was Professor Snape — waiting for him.
Devereux sighed heavily, bringing his hand to his forehead.
He knew Snape wouldn't let him off that easily.
"Professor, any other instructions?" he asked, hoping to wrap things up quickly.
Snape didn't answer directly.
Instead, he stepped forward and shoved something slender into Devereux's hand.
Devereux looked down —
It was his wand!
Wait — wasn't it supposed to be at Professor McGonagall's office?
How had Snape gotten it?
"You've heard about the school opening a Dueling Club, haven't you?" Snape asked coldly.
"Uh... yes, Professor. I've heard about it," Devereux replied, a little confused.
"Hmph. That kind of training is a mere drop in the bucket for you. If you don't want to meet a miserable end when facing real dark wizards in the future, then be prepared to accept my guidance — real knowledge and real skills for life-and-death duels."
A sneer curled on Snape's lips, sending a chill down Devereux's spine.
"Starting tonight, in addition to potion brewing, you'll undergo special dueling training every evening. Follow me."
Without waiting for a reply, Snape turned and strode into the shadows of the castle.
Devereux clutched his wand tightly, still trying to process everything.
Grumbling internally, he hurried after Snape's retreating figure.
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