"This process takes a while, which is why a more efficient solution is to use a spell to speed it up." —I point my wand, and since it's a simple spell, reciting is unnecessary. The wand responds to my thought, and the potion reaches its perfect state in less than a minute.
Finally, add a bat spleen to the cauldron, stir it 4 times counterclockwise—this is very important, otherwise you risk creating a dangerous potion that could make you grow until you explode. And last, leave it on low heat for 30 seconds and wave your wand to finish the potion.
Severus was stunned by how perfectly I had completed the potion.
"Not bad at all for someone your age," —Severus says arrogantly—. "We'll see if it's truly effective."
He steps forward and takes a quill from one of the students, placing it in the center of the table. Next, he pours a bit of the potion onto the quill. Almost immediately, the quill grows significantly in size.
"Very well, next. Mr. DION, since you know how to brew it, you must also know its consequences."
"Yes, sir. If the potion is misadministered, it can have undesirable effects.
Like when Draco Malfoy got splashed all over his face, and his nose swelled up like a balloon. Goyle's eyes grew as large as soup bowls, and other students ended up with arms the size of massive clubs or lips so swollen that it was impossible to speak.
Engorgement Potion: brewed by DION.
"You're correct. Not bad. Step forward, Patrick. I hope that just as you know how to make flashy entrances, you'll also surprise us with hidden talent," —Severus says sarcastically.
Patrick steps forward and begins brewing a Fire-Breathing Potion, which surprises many, since it's a long, complex potion. Most knew Severus would assign him a difficult one as punishment, but nobody expected this potion.
The Fire-Breathing Potion includes ingredients such as mint, valerian, fire seeds, powdered dragon horn, and lavender. It's a difficult potion: while it allows the drinker to produce powerful fire-breath, it can also cause burns on the skin, and in the worst cases, burn the drinker internally.
It's not a potion to be used recklessly—in fact, ideally, it shouldn't be used at all. There are even known cases where failed attempts left behind a fluid so corrosive it melted flesh with ease and even burned through bone.
To prevent such effects, the safest method is to add mint, as it protects the drinker from having their tongue—or any part of their body—melted away, thanks to mint's healing properties.
Patrick, more confident than expected, begins brewing the potion without hesitation. However, while gathering the ingredients, he skips over the mint—something nobody else notices except me. Realizing anyone in the room could be in danger if someone tested the potion, I signal to Phylicia to quickly create a distraction.
Severus, busy intimidating a group of whispering students, also fails to notice Patrick's mistake, which makes things much easier.
Phylicia walks toward the professor and tells him she feels unwell—dizzy and nauseous—because running to class hadn't been ideal for someone with poor athletic endurance.
Resigned and wanting to get rid of Phylicia's persistence, Severus turns to his shelves in search of a healing potion suitable for her complaints.
At that moment, I take the chance to cast a spell at Patrick, sending an image directly into his mind of what I'm trying to tell him—no words needed. It's a spell that projects an image straight to the brain.
Patrick, startled by the intrusion, quickly realizes I'm the one invading his thoughts. He nods, hurries to grab the missing ingredient, and continues preparing the potion.
After a few minutes, he successfully finishes it. All that's left is for Severus to test the potion's effectiveness.
"Due to time constraints, Phylicia won't brew a potion herself. Instead, I thought that rather than Patrick drinking his own brew, the best way to see if it works is to test it on one of the students here. So Phylicia will serve as the test subject for this potion," —Severus says.
"But professor, that's risky! If the potion wasn't done right, she could suffer serious consequences," —one of the first-years exclaims.
"Relax. If that happens, I have a potion that reverses the effects of almost any dangerous brew," —Severus replies.
Uncertain whether the potion was truly brewed correctly, Phylicia steps forward. She takes the potion in both hands—a bubbling orange liquid with reddish tones.
Patrick swallows nervously, as if watching the last drink of life being taken.
"Patrick, we've only just met, but I want you to know… if I die, I'll make sure to come back and kill you myself, idiot." —Phylicia says a second before drinking the potion down to the last drop.
The classroom falls silent. Everyone watches as Phylicia clutches her stomach, as if a sharp pain were twisting her insides. She groans from the strange effects of the potion.
"Professor, is this supposed to happen?" —a student asks.
"If the potion was brewed properly, yes. Let's wait a little longer." —Severus answers while uncorking the antidote potion in his hand, ready just in case.
Patrick tries to approach Phylicia, worried as he watches her writhe in pain and smoke pour from her nose.
"Stay back, idiot… Here it comes!" —Phylicia yells, moments before releasing a massive burp accompanied by an incredible burst of fire that shoots toward the ceiling.
Everyone stares, stunned by the sight. A person exhaling fire like a dragon. Patrick's expression shifts from fear to joy, a smile spreading across his face as his eyes light up at the realization that the potion worked.
Once the effects wear off, Phylicia collapses to the floor, shaken by what just came out of her mouth.
"Are you alright, girl?" —Severus asks.
"…That was awesome! Patrick, that was incredible!" —Phylicia exclaims, springing to her feet and leaping into Patrick's arms without hesitation.
"Very well, students, that will be all for today. We'll see each other next class. Don't forget your quills and your books," —Severus says, recorking the healing potion and putting it back on the shelf.
Realizing what she's doing, Phylicia suddenly shoves Patrick violently into me.
"What are you doing, creep? Don't touch me," —Phylicia says, her face red as she scowls, both angry and embarrassed. She grabs her books and bolts out of the classroom.
"But… you jumped on me! You're crazy!" —Patrick shouts.
"You three!" —Professor Severus roars.
Phylicia freezes in place and turns to face him.
"You did well this time—or perhaps you should simply feel lucky that your punishment wasn't worse. Don't ever be late to my class again… if you want to stay alive," —Severus says in a dark, threatening tone.