"The movement of the stars represents a grand, orderly flow of power throughout the universe."
"You're not wrong. Different positions and configurations of the stars are generally believed to release distinct magical fluctuations."
"And the phases of the moon are closely tied to the cycle of magic. Typically, at the full moon, energy peaks; at the new moon, a new round of accumulation begins."
"Ordinary potion-brewing will not be particularly affected. Once your understanding of Potions has deepened…"
"When you attempt to brew more advanced potions, you will need to account for stellar motion and draw in the power of the cosmos to enhance your results."
Dylan grasped it at once.
As he jotted down Snape's explanations, he went on, "I've read that Mercury seems to be associated with intellect."
"So, Professor, let me use a crude example. When brewing a potion that enhances intelligence, wouldn't there be something like this situation?"
"When Mercury occupies a position favorable to the flow of intellectual energy, the odds of successfully brewing that potion would be higher, right?"
Professor Snape nodded. "You can understand it that way."
"I have one more question."
Dylan's quill did not pause for an instant.
"Since you say lunar phases are related to energy, apart from brewing, would they also affect the use of a potion?"
"For instance, if I took a healing potion at the full moon, would the full moon's stronger energy make the healing faster and more thorough?"
"Or if, during a waning moon, I drank a potion meant to lift curses, would the residual energy of that phase make it more effective at dispersing those curses?"
Dylan's questions gave Snape yet another new impression of him.
His expression finally lost some of its icy edge, though his tone remained as low as ever.
"An excellent question—and a sound understanding. That is indeed the case."
He went on to give Dylan a more detailed explanation of how the stars influenced potions.
Then he looked at him. "Anything else?"
The perpetually glacial Professor Snape was actually prompting Dylan to ask more.
"Don't misunderstand. I merely think that since you have a chance to escape having a troll's brain, I don't mind lending a hand."
Dylan almost could not help laughing.
He had not even said anything yet.
"Professor, is there any connection between spellwork and potions?"
"Or rather, could the process of a potion taking effect be compared to the casting of a spell?"
"Is it possible to convert a spell into a potion—something that stores the spell's effect, to be used at any time, even when I have no magic of my own?"
Snape shot him a glance.
"Hmph. There's a spark in your thinking, but your pitiful stock of knowledge is like a drafty old shack—no way to keep that spark alive."
He said coldly, "Spells and potions are both codified patterns and laws for using magical energy."
"Trying to directly equate the two is idiotic."
Dylan paused. "So what you mean, Professor, is that spells and potions are actually two parts of the same effect, and together they make up 'magic'?"
"Digging too deeply into essences is nothing but a waste of time."
Rather than answer directly, Snape gave him that instead.
Dylan half understood.
He thought again of Uncle Chan, sometimes hurling a dried pufferfish and shouting spells, and sometimes hunched over a cauldron chanting "Chi of the eight dragons, leave this vessel…"
"Come to think of it, if Uncle can beat demons, the level of that kind of magic probably isn't any worse than what's here."
He muttered inwardly.
Who knew if his achievement system would ever spit out other worlds' magic?
Hours slipped by.
Professor Snape noticed that Dylan still showed no sign of wrapping up his questions.
Did this boy never get hungry?
At his age, he was supposed to be constantly ravenous, needing to eat something every couple of hours.
Snape was not thinking about hurrying off to eat himself, but about this foolish child starving his body.
He stood.
"That's enough for today. Every Saturday from now on, I will set aside some time for you—usually in the afternoon."
Dylan brightened at once.
Was this… a promise from Professor Snape?
What a rare thing.
"Professor Snape, besides coming to ask questions, could I have you supervise my brewing as well?"
To avoid another scathing remark, Dylan quickly added,
"I've basically finished with the content in the textbook. What I need more now is practice."
Each time he finished reading through a subject's textbook for the first time, his system would unlock that subject's first achievement, and he would gain some boost to his talent or affinity in that field.
That was one reason he had managed to self-study nearly all the textbooks in such a short time.
"So what textbooks have you read? Brewing low-level potions would only waste my ingredients."
For a second, Dylan did not react, blinking.
What was that supposed to mean?
He did not even have to pay for potion ingredients himself?
Good grief, Voldemort almighty.
That was amazing.
Dylan was starting to adore Professor Snape.
This arrangement—he had to lock it in.
Excited, he flipped to the last page of his notebook.
There, he had listed all the books he had read.
Snape glanced down.
Densely packed.
More than one page.
Dylan flipped his quill around and counted.
"I've read… Magical Drafts and Potions, Advanced Potion-Making Techniques, Have Yourself a Bottled Little Holiday, The Relationship Between Potions and Magical Defense…"
"Enough."
Snape cut him off.
"Have you read Advanced Potion-Making?"
Dylan nodded. "Yes."
"Good. Then reread Precise Formulae for Advanced Potions and finish Safe Usage of Potions."
Snape was already walking toward the door. "Next week, I'll teach you to brew advanced potions."
"Yes, sir!"
Dylan answered at once.
"Do you expect me to invite you out?"
Snape opened the door and stood in the frame, silently watching him.
Dylan hurried to shove his notebook and quill into his bag and rushed out.
"Want to get lunch together, Professor?"
"Spare me. I've no patience for watching you stuff food in your mouth while your brain churns that miserable jumble of potion facts."
Snape shut the door and strode off.
Not toward the Great Hall.
Dylan stood where he was, shrugged, then turned and headed for the Hall himself.
He needed to grab a quick meal, then use the two weekend days to power through the two books Snape had specifically recommended.
One of the perks of Hogwarts
was that he did not have to keep buying books.
He could find almost everything he needed right in the library.
(End of Chapter)
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