Chapter 18: Chapter 18

The Potions class was held in an underground classroom. The air here was colder than the main castle above, and there were glass jars for soaking magical creatures' samples along the walls, making it resemble the lair of a legendary dark wizard.

As soon as Albert entered the classroom, he felt Snape's intense hostility, as if Snape was silently telling him to stay out of his way. Albert knew that Snape's animosity towards him stemmed from the fact that his father, Sirius Black, had bullied Snape along with Harry Potter's father, James Potter, when they were students here.

Thus, every time Snape saw Harry and Albert, he wished he could torment them and act out the way their fathers had tormented him.

After the lesson, Snape deducted points from both Harry and Albert for the trivial reason that they were breathing too forcefully through their noses in class, a reason that puzzled everyone in the room.

Snape then divided the class into pairs and asked them to brew a simple potion for treating scabies.

Albert paired up with Ron, due to the initials of his last name.

Fortunately, Ron knew a little about potions, making the task easier, and Albert, following the instructions in the book, weighed dried nettles and crushed snake fangs with precision.

Professor Snape walked around the classroom, inspecting everyone. When he reached Albert's group, who were cooking the potion using tongs, Snape reprimanded them for insufficient heat.

Just as Albert heard Snape praising Malfoy for his perfect handling of the potion's tongs, he stretched his neck in an attempt to mimic Malfoy's technique. He saw Ron out of the corner of his eye adding porcupine quills to the cauldron.

Albert was shocked and grabbed Ron's arm. Ron looked at Albert with puzzled eyes.

Albert whispered, "Wasn't it written on the board that porcupine quills should only be added after removing the cauldron from the fire?"

Ron's mouth opened slightly in surprise; it seemed he had forgotten this detail.

Professor Snape silently approached from behind and then turned to Harry and Neville at the adjacent table. "Potter, why haven't you told him not to add the quills? Do you think he's out of control? Show me your error, will you? Gryffindor lost another point because of you." It seemed Professor Snape held an enduring grudge against James Potter.

Even though my father also bullied him, he didn't yell at me because I did well enough in the task that he couldn't find a reason to shout.

An hour later, the class ended, and everyone handed in their potions. Albert discovered that Snape had marked his potion with "Acceptable."

After leaving the classroom, Neville thanked Harry repeatedly because this was one of the rare times he managed to brew a potion correctly without blowing up the cauldron or injuring himself. Harry felt Neville's performance wasn't that bad, but Professor Snape had put a lot of pressure on everyone.

Even as an adult, walking past Professor Snape still sent a shiver down one's spine, not to mention the effect on Neville, a boy who usually lacked sufficient courage.

At this moment, Harry and Neville came up from behind. Neville stepped forward and said, "I'm sorry, but you'll lose points this time." Harry smiled but didn't speak. Ron waved his hand and said, "It's okay, it's not your fault. We've known for a long time that Snape isn't a reasonable person."

With Potions class on Fridays, the first week of school would soon be over. There were no classes in the afternoon.

After lunch, Albert gathered all his school supplies and went to the library to prepare for his weekend homework. After all, it was easier to complete homework early and enjoy leisure time than to rush it at the last minute.

When they arrived at the library, Hermione was already sitting there. Albert greeted her and began sitting at the edge to do his homework.

To be honest, Albert had been a student in his previous life. He had always been a supporter and practitioner of the theory that grades are sufficient.

This type of life reminded him of preparing for exams in middle school from his previous life, which were not pleasant memories. But every time he thought that power is supreme in the magical world and knowledge is power, Albert felt less fatigue from studying.