Alexander took one look around the Potions classroom and sighed. Low ceiling. Greenish light. Rows of cauldrons that looked like they hadn't been cleaned since the Middle Ages.
"Ah, yes," he muttered under his breath. "The vibes are immaculate."
Unfortunately, Professor Snape heard everything.
"Five points from Ravenclaw," Snape said silkily without turning around, writing on the board.
"For speaking without permission."
Alexander blinked.
"…I didn't even finish my sentence."
"Ten points from Ravenclaw," Professor Snape continued calmly.
"For thinking out loud."
Cho Chang, seated two rows away, slowly lowered her head onto her book.
Snape turned at last, black robes billowing like a storm cloud with a grudge.
"Today," he began, voice dripping with disdain, "you will be brewing a Cure for Boils. A potion so simple that even some of you may manage not to poison yourselves."
His eyes flicked directly to Alexander.
Alexander raised a hand.
Snape ignored it.
He wrote the ingredients on the board in sharp, precise strokes.
No explanations. No instructions spoken aloud.
"Begin," Snape said.
The room erupted into clanking cauldrons and frantic page-flipping.
Alexander leaned back in his seat instead of rushing forward.
Snape noticed immediately.
"Mr. Chen," he said softly, dangerously. "Is there a reason you are not working?"
"Yes, Professor," Alexander replied politely. "I already memorized the steps."
Snape's lip twitched.
"Then perhaps you would like to explain them to the class."
Alexander shrugged. "Sure. Heat to medium, add nettles clockwise, remove from fire before porcupine quills, stir counterclockwise, then add quills last or—"
"Enough!"
Snape's voice cracked like a whip.
"Five points from Ravenclaw," he snapped.
"For showing off."
Alexander frowned. "Isn't answering questions encouraged?"
"Not when I decide it isn't."
Alexander opened his mouth again.
"Another five points," Snape said immediately.
"For considering it."
Cho silently mouthed stop at him.
Alexander turned to his cauldron, finally getting to work. His movements were efficient, calm, and precise. No wasted steps. No panic.
His potion shifted smoothly into a clear blue—exactly as the textbook described.
Snape noticed.
He stalked over, peering into the cauldron with narrowed eyes.
"Well," Snape drawled, "it seems even a broken clock can be correct twice a day."
Alexander looked up. "Thank you, Professor."
Snape's eye twitched again.
"Do not thank me."
Alexander nodded. "Then I won't."
Silence.
Snape straightened slowly.
"Ten points from Ravenclaw," he said coldly.
"For insolence."
Alexander stared. "That didn't even make sense."
Snape leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper only Alexander could hear.
"Mr. Chen… you are not nearly as clever as you believe."
Alexander whispered back, equally calm.
"Neither are you if you think I'm trying to be."
That did it.
"DETENTION."
"Ten more points from Ravenclaw."
Cho gasped.
Alexander blinked. "Professor, that's forty-five points total."
Snape smiled thinly.
"I can count."
Around them, cauldrons began bubbling violently. A Slytherin yelped as boils erupted on his arm.
Snape spun on that student instantly.
"Idiot," he snarled. "Hospital wing. Five points from Slytherin."
Alexander tilted his head. "That nearly exploded, and they only lost five, but I talk and lose forty-five?"
Snape turned slowly.
If looks could kill, Ravenclaw would be down a student.
"Another word," Snape said softly, "and I will make it fifty."
Alexander closed his mouth.
The rest of the class passed in tense silence. No more comments. No more points lost—mostly because Alexander was busy mentally drafting at least twelve different revenge plans.
The bell rang.
"Class dismissed," Snape said. "Mr. Chen—stay."
The room emptied fast.
Snape loomed over him.
"You will find," Snape said quietly, "that Potions is not the place for theatrics."
Alexander stood, meeting his gaze without flinching.
"Then you'll be happy to know," he replied, "I haven't even started yet."
Snape's eyes darkened.
Alexander turned and walked out forty-five points down, detention earned, and a brand-new enemy acquired.
Worth it.