Chapter 11 - Troll in the Dungeon (1/2)

After making a deal with Professor Snape, they immediately head out to the Potions mixing room. Neal gathered the equipment. Snape sternly said, ”I hope you will keep all the knowledge to yourself and won't spread out what I'm about to teach you”.

Neal nodded, ”I understand”. Snape continued, ”since you are new to the potion making, let's go with easy ones. let's start with an Antidote to Common poisons”.

As Neal nodded, Snape said, ”So, as you understand the name, it counteracts ordinary poisons such as creature bites and stings. Go and search for the ingredients in the containers.

Bezoar, ground unicorn horn, mistletoe berries, and the standard ingredient”. Then, he instructed the process. Neal while listening to him carefully, wrote down the process.

He picked up Bezoar and added it to the mortar. Then he crushed it into a fine powder with Pestle. Added the necessary amount of crushed Bezor and the standard ingredient to Cauldron. He later heated it for 5 seconds and waved his wand.

After 30 minutes, he added 1 pinch of Unicorn horns, then stirred and added Mistletoe berries and stirred. Waved his wand and waited for the potion completion.

Instead of the purple, it became blue. Snape commented, ”you failed”. Neal asked, ”why:? I did follow the exact procedure”. Snape looked at his notes and replied, ”you brewed the mixture for 30 min instead of 34 minutes. It isn't copper cauldron but Brass cauldron.

While adding the ingredients in the second part, you stirred clockwise for both. Okay, once again”.

This time Neal did follow the exact procedure and concocted the potion”. Snape replied, ”well, it's almost perfect.

There might be a few light mistakes with the exact flame needed and the time brewing. It's common but you did great for 2nd try. Okay, today's class is over. We'll continue next weekend”.

Neal nodded and returned to his room and slept until dinner as potion-making requires too much attention and made him tired too quickly.

During the dinner, Daphne asked, ”So, did you practice Potions till now?”. Neal nodded. Tracey then said, ”See, this is why family names are important”. Neal replied, ”being an Heir of Slytherin has its own perks, I guess”.

The next day, Neal went to the Quidditch stadium along with Daphne, Tracey, and Malfoy and sat in the stands. As the match started, Malfoy began to cheer for their team while Daphne is telling Neal about the rules.

While hearing it, he spoke, ”Oh, it's similar to Basketball with six hoops and three balls, huh”. As Daphne was confused, ”huh? What is Basketball?”. Neal shook his head, ”a sport in the muggle world”.

Daphne replied, ”Oh, I see. Ok, anyway, the important thing in the game is the golden snitch which is worth 150 points”. Neal asked, ”so, as long as there's a lead of 16 goals between the two teams, then snitch would become useless, right?”.

Daphne nodded, ”hmm, yes. You can say so. But it is very difficult to do that, you know”. Neal smiled, ”I know. I'm just saying in theory. There is one possible way though”.

Draco got his attention to their conversation and asked, ”what is it?”. Neal replied, ”it's a simple one. What else. First, take control of the bludger and knock out the keeper. Then take out the opponent team's beaters and then seeker. Remaining will easily fall after that.