Chapter 261: Still Connected Despite Being Broken Off
Bang!
The cauldron made a muffled sound, and the potion inside became foul-smelling and putrid. A wisp of black smoke slowly drifted out. Obviously, this batch of potion had failed.
Sean and Snape stood before the cauldron, both falling into silence.
The formula had been checked multiple times by both of them, yet it still failed. And this failure was inexplicably baffling.
"Sean, did you make a mistake somewhere?"
"Professor, it could also be that you..." Before finishing his words, Sean saw the disapproving look from the Slytherin Snake King and immediately changed his tune: "You're right, it's my problem!"
This wasn't cowardice, of course.
This was just respecting teachers and valuing the Way!
"I'll go back and study it more, Professor. This formula is already very suitable, but problems still appeared. I think there must be some issues I haven't discovered or have overlooked. I need to go through everything from the beginning again."
Hearing Sean's words, Snape nodded slightly: "The second phase went too smoothly, making me think the third phase would be equally smooth. Now it seems I was too optimistic after all.
However, Sean, don't be anxious. Calm your emotions and start slowly from the beginning. If necessary, you can also modify the results from the first and second phases. As long as it's not major changes, there won't be any problems."
"I understand, Professor. I'll go back and study it more now."
"Go ahead." Just as his words fell, Snape seemed to remember something and said again: "Oh right, starting tomorrow, you don't need to attend every Potions Club meeting anymore. From now on, you can go when you have time to observe and exchange ideas. If you don't have time, forget about it.
Your current level in Potions, while still lacking in some areas, is beyond what those Potions Club members can match. You can't really have meaningful exchanges with them. Just guide them when you have time, and if you don't have time, do your own things. You don't need to always rush to the Potions Club."
"Alright, thank you, Professor."
"Go ahead."
This time Snape truly had nothing more to say.
Sean took his things and left Snape's office, heading directly back to his dormitory.
Kulkan was sleeping.
Ever since Sean had agreed to accompany her to South America during the holidays, Kulkan had started sleeping more again. She only woke up in the evenings to eat something, spending most of the rest of her time sleeping.
Sean had asked Kulkan what was going on, but she hadn't explained clearly to Sean, only saying she was preparing for going home.
Regarding this, Sean didn't continue asking. If there really was something important, Kulkan would tell him anyway.
Friday, Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
Seeing his Head of House standing at the podium, Sean immediately knew that Professor Lupin might be resigning under pressure. After all, no one in this world could allow a werewolf professor to teach their children in the classroom. Even if there were such people, they would be extremely few.
Perhaps because of what happened at the Shrieking Shack before, Snape rarely refrained from troubling Harry and the Gryffindors. Of course, this might also be because Harry, due to Sirius and Professor Lupin's departure, had no mood to antagonise Snape. Anyway, both had been quite peaceful recently, as if they couldn't see each other.
Sean was happy to see this happen.
"Sean, do you know what's been wrong with the Professor lately?"
Turning to look at Blaise, who was lying on his desk, and asking him quietly, Sean shook his head: "I don't know."
"Strange, the Professor actually isn't targeting Gryffindor and the Saviour anymore. This isn't scientific." After muttering to himself, just as Blaise was about to continue saying something, Snape on the podium suddenly looked over.
"Blaise, answer my question. To deal with those Acromantulas, what should we do?"
"We can..." Blaise stood up with a righteous expression, looking at Snape, while his hand under the desk kept tugging at Sean's clothes beside him.
Sean looked up at Blaise, whose face showed righteousness but whose eyes were filled with 'save me', and sighed helplessly, saying quietly: "Attack the Acromantulas' legs."
"Professor, we can attack the Acromantulas' legs!"
Blaise answered this with full confidence, almost deafeningly loud.
Snape looked at Blaise, and only after a long time did he look away, nodding to the others: "So, do you all know that dealing with Acromantulas requires attacking their legs? If you don't know, why aren't you writing it down?
The final exams are approaching. If you don't work harder, I guarantee your Defence Against the Dark Arts grades will make your entire holiday unforgettable!"
The class bell rang, and everyone in the classroom could be seen breathing a sigh of relief.
"Sean, are you still going to Alchemy class later?"
The fact that Sean was studying Alchemy wasn't a secret among Blaise and the others.
Hearing Blaise's words, Sean nodded: "That's right. I also have a substitute teacher recently, so classes will be more frequent. But only for this semester. Next semester it'll go back to Saturday and Sunday evenings each week."
Looking at Sean, Blaise couldn't help but sigh: "Sean, sometimes I really admire you. In my view, Hogwarts life is leisurely and long, but for you, time probably isn't enough, right?"
After more than a semester, Blaise naturally knew about the Time-Turner as well.
Sean looked at Blaise and patted his shoulder: "Hogwarts life only has suitable or unsuitable, not should or shouldn't. I think you should understand what I mean."
"Alright, I'm going on a date. You go to class quickly."
"A date?" Hearing this word, Sean immediately perked up and asked urgently: "With whom?"
You should know that since Blaise broke up with his ex-girlfriend last semester, he hasn't had any new romantic relationships. Now hearing that Blaise was going on a date, he immediately became gossipy.
Seeing Sean lean over, Blaise immediately said somewhat shyly: "Who else could it be? It's actually my ex-girlfriend. We've been in contact recently, and today we agreed to go to Hogsmeade."
"Her again?" Sean was somewhat surprised. He looked at Blaise: "In that case, I really want to meet her. Someone who can make you unable to forget her. I want to see what charm she has."
"Maybe there'll be a chance. If we really get back together as boyfriend and girlfriend, I'll definitely introduce her to you."
"Then it's settled. I'll be waiting."
"Alright, but there's nothing certain yet."
"Good, then I'll go first."