Mysterious Journey
Chapter 821: A Backstab from the Little Beaver
The answer is: absolutely not.
Because a truly effective magical potion must involve the use of a wand (or other magical medium) to cast spells in the brewing process.
Simply placing magical ingredients like dead flies, ginger, and powdered daffodil root into a cauldron on the fire, regardless of whether the number of stirs is correct or the heating time is accurate, will only result in a house full of stench or a pot of poisonous soup without the aid of magic.
The effects of some magical potions can be nearly identical to the effects of a successful spell.
Of course, there are also a small number of magical potions with very unique effects that cannot be replicated by any other means.
For example, Felix Felicis, the Elixir of Life, and the Philosopher's Stone fall into this category - although they are not so easily accessible in most cases.
In short, the general perception in the magical world is that potion-making is actually a substitute equivalent to spells.
Wizards will choose the method they find easiest or most effective to achieve their goals, whether it's potions or spells.
Since potion-making involves many extremely dangerous substances and has a considerable degree of mystery, most masters in the field of potion-making are highly regarded in the magical world.
Not all wizards are proficient in using spells to solve problems, and in this case, the existence of potions becomes particularly important.
However, for a very small number of wizards with powerful magic, the existence of potions is relatively dispensable.
Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary wizards, Slughorn is a respected potions master.
But in the eyes of many wizards who stand at the top of the magical world, such as the Minister of Magic, the Deputy Minister, the Department Head, and those reputable old wizarding families, he is just an ordinary professor teaching potions at Hogwarts.
Even among wizards who study the composition of matter, the status of potion masters is significantly lower than that of alchemists.
This is why Horace Slughorn gradually shifted his focus away from potions courses and began to socialize with young wizards at Hogwarts, forming the "Slug Club."
There is a limit to the improvement of potion-making in terms of social status. Instead of spending time researching some unknown new potions, it is better to befriend several promising students.
Facts have proved that every wizard he valued has achieved great success after graduating from school.
In any case, even Tom Riddle, who later broke contact with him, did not disappoint Slughorn's previous fondness for this student, and shocked the entire magical world - although it was somewhat terrifying, it was still a big deal.
"So alike, so alike..."
Slughorn looked at Hermione thoughtfully, muttering softly to himself.
Compared to Tom decades ago, this second-year student showed a more pleasing demeanor and intelligence.
If Riddle had only won over one Slytherin house back then, then this Ms. Hermione Granger had almost charmed the entire Hogwarts. He had vaguely heard many stories about her.
The only difference was that, unlike Tom Riddle, who was alone and came from an orphanage.
If Slughorn guessed correctly, based on Dumbledore's hints and some existing information, this Granger girl has an enviable and distinguished background...
As a descendant of Paracelsus, the heir to the Philosopher's Stone, there is no reason for her to stray down that terrifying path of the Dark Lord from any point of view.
More importantly, Albus Dumbledore trusts this child.
So many years have passed, and Slughorn no longer questions Albus Dumbledore's judgment. Since Dumbledore has not issued a warning to him, it means that everything is still under the control of the Hogwarts headmaster.
Even...
Slughorn glanced at the strange "Prefect badge" pinned on Hermione's chest.
The base colors of the four houses intertwined, with a silver letter A in the center – this was the symbol of the Hogwarts Head Student.
This morning, Dumbledore had specifically explained this new position to him.
It is between a Prefect and a Head Student, allowing free passage between the four houses. The main responsibilities are to coordinate and quell disputes between the houses, assist formal professors in conducting classes, and serve as a student representative of Hogwarts... Perhaps in terms of power, it is even inferior to a normal Prefect, but the symbolic significance behind it even exceeds that of the male and female Head Students.
Albus, are you starting to look for a successor?
Slughorn looked curiously at the small, possibly not even as tall as the podium, silver-haired little witch.
Compared to her peers who had already begun to develop, Hermione was too young, even with thick platform shoes, the girl looked like a delicate doll, as if she were a little fairy from a fairy tale.
However, in Hogwarts, appearance has never been the determining factor of whether a wizard is excellent or not.
"So now, quiet, thank you—"
Hermione stood up and walked to the podium, slowly surveying the students in the classroom, and said softly.
The girl's voice was not loud. In the somewhat noisy classroom, it could be easily missed if you didn't listen carefully. But as her voice fell, most of the young wizards in the classroom instantly stopped talking and looked up at Hermione.
After more than a year of getting along, the students of Hermione's age at Hogwarts had almost become shaped by her.
Slughorn raised his eyebrows slightly.
Even some younger professors might not be able to achieve this level of classroom control.
It seems that he somewhat underestimated the influence of this "potions teaching assistant" in the school. If she were just a potions healer for emergency assistance, the students would not be so obedient and well-behaved.
"The potion ingredients used for the Swelling Solution are divided into three types: pufferfish eyes, nettles, and bat livers."
Hermione said, "According to *Magical Drafts and Potions* and common beginner potions books, the complete preparation process does not involve changes or synthesis of substances. It mainly involves grinding, crushing, heating, and stirring - of course, magical cooperation is very important. This is also an important step in imbuing the potion with magic and removing toxicity."
As she spoke, she turned her head and looked at Slughorn standing beside her.
"At Hogwarts, the purpose of potions studies is never simply learning techniques and processes..."
Hermione raised her voice slightly, looked at the students below, and continued slowly.
"In fact, pufferfish eyes, nettles, and bat livers are very likely to be poisonous when untreated. In the process of brewing the Swelling Solution, we are learning about cases of magical removal of toxicity. Is that right, Professor?"
"A very correct description, Miss Granger."
The old wizard nodded in approval, a satisfied look on his plump cheeks, and smiled as he gestured for Hermione to continue speaking. His eyes were becoming more and more amiable and curious.
Whether it is an event or an industry, people who truly know the connotation will be able to distinguish the authenticity in the shortest time.
As a professor who has taught potions at Hogwarts for decades, Horace Slughorn could sense the girl's uniqueness and her keen perspective in the fields of potions and education just from this opening remark.
Just as Hermione deduced, the main reason why Hogwarts arranged the Swelling Solution in the first few classes for second-year students was the unique nature of this potion in terms of potions property transformation - if it were just to allow students to master several potion recipes, there would be more practical potions available for selection and learning.
In Slughorn's view, seeing the preciousness of this point was already better than the potion potential that the girl herself had not yet shown.
Potions have never lacked talented and creative wizards.
But most of those wizards have somewhat eccentric, lonely, and cold personalities. They are exceptionally gifted but also difficult to communicate with. When wonderful potions inspirations burst forth, they rarely follow the basic logic in a well-behaved manner.
On the other hand, this is also the general impression of potions experts in the magical society - dull, arrogant, and mysterious.
For example, Severus Snape and Damocles are completely in line with this stereotype.
However, this kind of personality is obviously not entirely suitable for teaching in a school for children aged 11-18.
At least in the Hogwarts classroom, when facing those younger wizards, clear, concise, and accurate expressions, as well as interesting and vibrant teaching language art, are the highest priority potions teaching abilities.
Profound and obscure magical knowledge is not so indispensable in the lower grades of education.
Just listening to this paragraph, Slughorn could understand why she could become the first "student assistant".
Although he had not personally experienced Snape's course, based on Slughorn's understanding of this former student and now the head of potions at Hogwarts, the two might have differences in teaching methods, but their habitual thinking was consistent.
Compared with lecturing and sorting out content, Snape would obviously be more inclined to let young wizards directly start operating.
After all, neither he nor Snape actually have much patience to explain the ins and outs. This is also a common problem of most potions masters in the past. Pale words are never as powerful as a successful potion color change.
Perhaps because of their personalities, for many years, the potions teaching process has been more inclined to allow students to comprehend in practice.
Of course, it would be best to have someone take care of some extremely basic knowledge and answers.
"The stinging hairs on the stems and leaves of nettles are poisonous. They will immediately cause irritant dermatitis upon contact with the exposed skin of living organisms, producing pain similar to a bee sting. Depending on the constitution, it may cause severe redness, swelling, itching, or even ulceration—"
As Hermione explained softly, her eyes paused intentionally or unintentionally for a few seconds in the right rear of the classroom.
Pansy Parkinson, who was originally bending nettle stems and leaves with her fingers, quickly threw away the poor grass ring as if stung by something, and used her wand to push the pile of nettle grass to the side of the desk with some fear.
Hermione smiled and shook her head, shifted her gaze, and tapped the blackboard with her wand.
The next moment, a diagram of the decomposition of a nettle plant quickly appeared.
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Nettles have been used medicinally since ancient Greek and Roman times. They are one of the most popular herbal medicines in Europe, and also one of the most frequently used plant-based potion ingredients by Hogwarts students in the lower grades.
"...However, fortunately, we are using dried nettles in class. The poisonous hairs on the stems and leaves have been subjected to a simple treatment beforehand. Even if a irritant reaction really occurs, it will at most be slightly itchy - therefore, when we purchase them at the Diagon Alley apothecary, we also need to pay attention to whether we have purchased nettles that have been treated."
Hermione suddenly paused, frowned helplessly, and stopped speaking as she looked forward.
Next to the seat where she was just sitting, an arm was raised straight up, as if to poke the ceiling.
"Um... Miss Granger, do you have any questions?"
"I have a question, Miss Granger. I remember that *Beginner's Guide to Potions* mentioned that the most effective way to improve the potency of the Swelling Solution is not to use dried nettles, but to directly use fresh nettles for preparation..."
Hermione Granger stood up, conjured a book from somewhere, and said in a serious tone.
"Huh? *Beginner's Guide to Potions*?" Hermione was slightly stunned.
What's going on?
This shouldn't be on the reference list for the potions class, right?
And they didn't rehearse this part in bed and in the bathroom last night, did they?
But, come to think of it...
This little girl's eyes seem a little weird now?
"Oh, I heard it from the Hufflepuff graduate store manager when I was shopping at the apothecary in Diagon Alley during the holidays."
Before Hermione could fully react, Hermione smiled slightly and said sweetly in a familiar tone.
"Sorry, Miss Granger, I don't know much about potions. I just happened to see it, and you mentioned it again, so I just asked casually. After all, you are the potions class assistant, so you should know a lot about this... It is said that in the wizarding society, there are actually some differences between the common potion recipes supplied to the outside world and those in schools—"
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Oh no~ The last chance to postpone has been used up~~ Wuwuwu~