Chapter 30: Successful Brewing
Sometimes, potion brewing looked so ordinary that many believed even Muggles could brew potions as long as they followed the steps. But the reality was quite the opposite. Even if Muggles had all the ingredients and strictly followed instructions, they still couldn't make potions, because brewing potions always required some magic for guidance and sometimes required using a wand.
For the Cure for Boils, the magical part appeared at the end. At this point, the wizard needed to make a special gesture and silently recite a special incantation. The general meaning was: "Grant this potion the ability to cure boils." As for the previous steps, Shawn was in the process of doing them.
In the dungeons, sparse light cast spots on the stone walls. The cauldron simmering over low heat emitted white smoke and wafted out bursts of fragrance. The empty underground room was left with only gurgling, bubbling sounds and the soft rustling of Shawn flipping through Magical Drafts and Potions.
Professor Snape had made the key points of potion brewing very clear in the first class—precision and strictness. Shawn turned Magical Drafts and Potions to the needed section. Although he had already memorized it, he still placed it beside him for emergencies.
"First step, weigh materials, boil horned slugs..." While the cauldron hadn't reached the specified preheating time, Shawn quickly measured four portions of materials to precise standards, then immediately boiled the horned slugs. During the boiling, he used the tools on the desk to crush venomous snake fangs according to the steps and chop the pre-soaked dried nettles.
The techniques he learned in the greenhouse came in handy here. He processed and selected materials to the required standards with ease, with plenty of time to spare. Rather than idle, he quickly recorded the current quantities and conditions of materials. He even noted the approximate state of the flames. Although the dungeon cauldrons ignited automatically, he would eventually need to learn to control flames with his wand, right? Shawn was always one to plan ahead.
"Second step, remove the slugs, add dried nettles and venomous snake fangs..." With enough time, Shawn read through Magical Drafts and Potions again, ensuring he wouldn't forget any details due to nervousness. This brown-black book with an image of a cauldron and steam on the cover was placed beside him, revealing the first page's content: [Basic Brewing Methods—This Book Is Sufficient]
"Third step, stir twice counterclockwise, then three times clockwise. Force must be moderate..." Shawn used the force that broke up bubbles, stirring the brewing potion in a fixed posture. In fact, he was somewhat nervous. Professor Snape could appear at any time, and his practice might not succeed. People always feared the unknown somewhat. Shawn was no exception. So he was especially careful and meticulous.
"Almost there. Add the slugs, then remove the cauldron and add porcupine quills." The potion brewing had obviously reached the most critical moment. As soon as the slugs were added to the cauldron, they melted. The potion presented a light blue appearance. Shawn silently counted in his mind: "Twenty-five, twenty-four, twenty-three..."
During this interval, Shawn didn't just stand there. He meticulously recorded details of subsequent steps, including time, material state, heat, and so on. Next came the most exciting moment. Shawn stirred the cauldron and waved his arm, reciting the incantation. After the cauldron gurgled and bubbled for a while, it became... blue-green jelly-like liquid.
Huh? Why blue-green? The panel also didn't send a notification. Shawn clearly knew he had failed. But looking at the potion's final effect, he hadn't failed by much. He frowned tightly. If material processing had no problems, then the problem could only be errors in the brewing process. So stirring, heat, or the final spell-casting—which step had problems? Or did all of them have problems?
Shawn inexplicably recalled a passage from Magical Theory: to truly unleash its maximum power, you still need sufficient mental strength. Shawn recalled the wording here—"a magic." Did potions also fall within this category? Was it the same?
Shawn knew his Potions talent was limited. Just like Charms, it might require a hundred or so practices to master the technique. But he didn't have much time or many materials. Therefore, he had to take shortcuts. He carefully took out Advanced Potion-Making from his bag and skimmed through those obscure contents. Soon, he discovered a description that made his eyes light up.
because its effects are greatly influenced by the brewer's emotional fluctuations and require strict supervision.
He didn't completely know what emotion was needed for brewing potions, but nervousness and mechanical movements definitely wouldn't work. When the cauldron was lit and emitted steam again, Shawn's tense body had slowly relaxed. He told himself that if Professor Snape were to discover him, then whether practice succeeded or failed, he would be done for. So would it be successful doom or failed doom? The difference was huge.
His green eyes became deep and calm again. Even his posture stirring the potion carried a peculiar rhythm. Shawn was always good at controlling his emotions. Children who couldn't do this would live poorly at Holly Orphanage.
Nettles melted in the cauldron like rock candy. Fangs sizzled as they dissolved into the potion. Shawn used exactly the same heat as last time. Only this time, he really felt like he was completing an art form. The art of potions.
The cauldron floated up hazy white vapor. Time quietly passed amid silence and the small tinkling sound of the ladle hitting the inner wall. When Shawn added porcupine quills again, the extinguished cauldron swallowed the final material as if integrating it. Shawn focused on completing the ritual and reciting the incantation. This time the cauldron no longer changed slowly. It seemed to follow Shawn's will, rapidly churning.
In a short while, the liquid became jelly-like, and the color became infinitely close to dark green.
[You completely brewed one cauldron of Cure for Boils at Apprentice standard, Proficiency +1]
Shawn's eyes were incredibly bright. He gazed at this pot of dark green, jelly-like liquid, his lips unconsciously curving upward. Then he didn't waste a second, writing all the steps meticulously in his notebook. The most important part he especially capitalized:
[Potions are precise crafts. A wizard's focus and calm are key points.
Just as he was immersed in reflection and summarization, on the stairs leading to the dungeon, torches suddenly flickered. Above the cold steps, black robe corners suddenly billowed.