Sean originally thought brewing Potions would not be too difficult, as it had strict steps.
But things were far from as simple as he imagined.
He knew to throw dried nettles and ground snake fangs into the cauldron to stew together, then add porcupine quills after turning off the heat.
But this was only a brief description; once it came to practice, problems arose constantly.
To what extent should the ground snake fangs be ground? How long after turning off the heat could the porcupine quills be added?
How much force should be used for stirring? What was the arc of stirring? When should it be stirred?
Regarding these questions, the book had no record, and Professor Snape did not explain even a little.
Sean felt that these were likely things Wizards did not need to be taught.
Perhaps there was an instinct, just like when he first practiced the Levitation Charm, there would be a peculiar feeling to guide the Wizard.
The result was that because these were things everyone knew, or would quickly experience even if they didn't, no one taught them.
And Professor Snape probably hadn't even paid attention to these issues.
Otherwise, as a Potions Master, there was only a small chance he hadn't discovered these problems.
"But I seem to be a poor student, so these problems became my difficulties."
Sean could only sigh in his heart.
His conjecture was confirmed the next second when he strictly followed the steps in the book and the possible instinct to brew the Potion.
The cauldron, under his "just as expected" and Justin's puzzled gaze, turned into a blue Potion.
"I remember, Murtlap Essence doesn't seem to be this color."
Justin scratched his head, somewhat disbelieving this result.
The cauldron gurgled with bubbles, and the blue Potion slowly became viscous.
Along with the Potion, Snape's complexion also worsened.
"Idiot!"
He strode over, the hem of his robe cutting a sharp arc.
"I think, besides stirring and heat, your material handling also likely had problems…"
Professor Snape waved his wand, and a stool appeared in front of him. He sat down gracefully.
His gaze remained fixed on the pot of blue Potion. He only observed for a few seconds before sneering.
"Foolish choice of porcupine quills, Troll-like choice of nettles, and disastrous selection of snake fangs.
You chose non-venomous snake fangs?! Two imbeciles worthy of being hung on a mural!"
He roared mercilessly, waving his wand to clear the Potion from the cauldron.
"You should be grateful the steps were not wrong, otherwise you would know the lesson a fool learns in Potion-making!"
His voice, like the cold wind of the Dungeon, sent shivers down one's spine.
"One point deducted—each."
Justin felt something was amiss when he saw Snape arrive, but such intense mockery still made his face flush.
Sean's large eyes also lost their luster. Just like when he practiced Spells before, he had no instinctive perception for Potion brewing whatsoever.
He could probably guess his Potion talent... Even after class, the Young Wizards dared not speak loudly. The shadow of Potion Class still loomed over everyone's heads.
"Sean, don't worry, we'll earn back the lost points."
Justin's voice sounded in Sean's ear, seemingly also cheering himself on.
"Hmm."
Sean appeared somewhat lost in thought, but in reality, the ripples in his heart had settled.
If he were to stop because of difficulties, obstacles, or others' mockery,
he wouldn't even be able to learn the Levitation Charm by now.
The reason he was lost in thought was that he was chewing on Professor Snape's words.
Failed heat, unreasonable stirring, and problems with material selection... these were the basics of Potion brewing, and also the problems Sean faced.
Now there were two paths before him.
One was to brew Potions mindlessly, like learning Spells, and summarize experience by relying on luck.
This path was rejected by Sean as soon as it appeared.
Potions and Spells were not the same.
This was not a safe branch of magic.
The handling and brewing of Potions were dangerous and unpleasant; a slight oversight could turn them into toxic mist or similar things.
Trying things by chance like this was tantamount to gambling with Potions.
Then only the other path remained.
Understand the branch of Potion magic as quickly as possible, solve all potential problems,
then gain proficiency by practicing Potion brewing, and finally obtain the title and enhance his talent.
This path was more complex and difficult than the previous one, but it was clearly viable.
And as long as there was one correct practice, the speed would be much faster afterward.
"Solve one problem at a time, but quickly. Hogwarts has more than just this one subject."
Sean's voice was only audible to himself.
The Great Hall's long tables were laden with delicacies: roast turkey, small sausages, buttered peas, gravy, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding, turkey sandwiches, baked flatbreads... a dazzling array.
His poor talent and Professor Snape's sharp tongue did not affect Sean's enthusiasm for eating.
merlin's beard... it's delicious.
Sean fought quickly and elegantly.
For half a year, he had never eaten a full meal. Even at yesterday's start-of-term feast, he only ate until he was seventy percent full.
The orphanage couldn't find sources of income, so it often chose to cut expenses.
As for how to cut expenses, Caregiver Anna once proposed the theory that a child only needed one meal a day.
Gastric acid reflux in the middle of the night was not pleasant.
When he was most hungry, Sean often regarded the stray dogs at the orphanage gate as emergency rations.
"Hermione! Over here!"
Justin was calling Hermione, who was looking for a corner to sit in.
She quickly trotted over, her face slightly flushed.
"You're too loud!"
Hermione glared at Justin.
"Sorry, I was afraid you wouldn't hear me."
Justin's dimples deepened.
"Our first class this afternoon is Herbology Class. I found it's the most frequent class on the timetable... I guess it won't be simple, so I memorized the book again, hoping it helps.
By the way, I heard you had Potion Class…"
Hermione lifted her face, speaking a lot of words like a machine gun.
"Herbology Class, that sounds great. Will you get to know those magical plants? Like... As for Potion Class, I have to say…"
Justin listened carefully, and the two quickly began to discuss.
Their voices slowly faded in Sean's mind. Sean thoughtfully took out his timetable.
[Wednesday Morning: Herbology Class, Wednesday Afternoon: Herbology Class, Friday Afternoon: Herbology Class]
It was indeed the most frequent of all classes.
Hogwarts' curriculum arrangement must have a deeper meaning, and so many Herbology Classes must be due to necessity.
So why is that?
"…disastrous material selection… your material selection likely had problems…"
Sean sorted out Professor Snape's words and understood the reason a few seconds later.
Herbology Class would teach Wizards material handling, and material handling was the first step in Potion making.
Therefore, it was not difficult to conclude that to learn Potions, one must first learn Herbology.