Professor Flitwick also mentioned the importance of pronunciation when teaching spells.
However, due to the large number of students in the class, it was impossible to provide the same level of detailed instruction as Quirrell.
Tone and linking, how to change mouth shape, the distinction between voiced and voiceless consonants, the intensity and rhythm of pronunciation...
This was the first time Vizette had ever known that there were so many things to consider when chanting incantations.
He used two whole pages just to record these invaluable insights.
"Professor McGonagall should have told you that concentration and caution are essential elements of Transfiguration magic." Quirrell took a sip of water to moisten his throat. "The same goes for chanting spells."
"Only concentration can make the incantation as clear as possible, and only caution can keep you alert. Especially with black magic, you must be careful with every syllable."
"Is it because of 'Wand Backfire'?" Vizette asked curiously.
During this period, he studied quite a few things, one of which was Ollivander's Wand Notebook.
"That's right! Your knowledge in certain areas probably surpasses that of many graduates." Quirrell's expression suddenly turned grim. "Do they… sometimes target you?"
"No." Vizette shook his head slightly. "I get along well with them. We often do our homework together, and they even come to watch me train."
"That's good." Quirrell breathed a sigh of relief. "Let's continue..."
As a curse, the Sickly Curse requires attention to many details, especially to avoid being harmed by the magic backlash.
Vizette was very grateful for everything Quirrell had done. He never hid his problems when they arose, and only by clarifying all the issues could he feel that he had not let down such selfless teaching.
"The final step is casting the spell," Quirrell's voice was like a snapping harp string, "Use your imagination…"
"Imagine this snake has contracted a plague, all its scales have fallen off, the skin underneath is ulcerated and oozing pus, and it is about to die..."
Vizette half-opened his eyes, gradually constructing the corresponding image in his mind.
He felt a chill run down his spine, but without any hesitation, he chanted the incantation in a low, snake-like voice: "Deathly Torment!"
A dark gray light burst from the tip of the wand, swiftly piercing the snake's body like an arrow.
The Runespoor began to fester silently, turning into a pool of green, snot-like mucus in less than half a second, and the stench instantly filled the entire room.
"Disappeared!" Quirrell gagged, drew his wand, and waved it, eliminating the mixture of slime and stench.
Vizette instinctively clutched his chest, feeling the restlessness within the core of the Obscurus, which beat twice like a heartbeat.
In that instant, countless evil thoughts surged like a tide, but most of them vanished in an instant, leaving only a few tremors in his heart.
Quirrell sensed something was wrong and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Vizette exhaled a breath of stale air. "I felt my heart skip a beat... Maybe it's because it's my first time casting dark magic?"
"Silently…" Quirrell said in a low voice, "So that's how it is!"
Vizette asked in confusion, "What? So that's how it is?"
"You need to control yourself, Vizette." Quirrell's expression was very serious. "Obscurus is your gift, but also a curse."
"It will amplify the power of your dark magic, just like the Runespoor that turned into pus. It will also stir up dark thoughts in your mind... You must be even more careful when casting dark magic!"
Through these two learning experiences, he realized that Quirrell had a solid theoretical foundation. "Professor Quirrell, do you think there is any way to eliminate this influence?"
"My suggestion is…" Quirrell pondered for a moment and said, "You just need to focus on the incantation and the technique, and don't need to imagine the specific scene. That should help."
He summoned another Runespoor. "Also, you could try Occlumency. If you can master Occlumency... this magic is extremely profound, and I certainly cannot teach you."
"Thank you, Professor Quirrell!" Vizette said sincerely. "I'll try the first method first! The Torment of Death!"
Quirrell's judgment was extremely accurate; if one did not imagine the specific scene, the power of the Sickly Curse would be greatly reduced.
The snake had lost half its scales and was oozing pus, looking half-dead.
However, Quirrell was amazed by such power, exclaiming, "The silent effect brings you an astonishing boost! Even without visual imagery, the power of this magic is still considerable!"
Perhaps it was his stuttering during regular classes that made Quirrell cherish his one-on-one lessons even more.
Despite the pain in his throat, he went on to explain more about compound magic and recommended several related books.
...
At 1:50 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Vizette stood at the door of Snape's office.
"Come in!" Snape's voice suddenly rang out. "Good sense of time."
Compared to Quirrell's theoretical and practical teaching, Snape's teaching was more concise.
A magical energy field was set up in the office, and many materials were piled up inside.
Both magical plants and animal materials could be found there.
These materials were unprocessed; the animal specimens were not only covered in blood but could even twitch slightly, indicating their freshness.
Snape asked, "What materials can you handle?"
Vizette stepped forward and glanced at them. "White saffron, wrinkled figs, jumping umbrella mushrooms, Gurdyroot, and Dirigible plums are all fine. I've prepared them at home before."
Luna's daily routine consisted of tending to the garden and taking him along to process magical plants, which they then sold in Diagon Alley to supplement their income.
"Very well," Snape replied coldly. "Go and deal with those dragon entrails."
Having spent some time at Hogwarts, Vizette wasn't at all surprised that Snape would say something like that.
Vizette rolled up his sleeves, stepped into the magical energy field, and immediately shivered.
Snape's voice remained cold. "How are you feeling?"
"It's a bit cold." Vizette spread out his palms to feel the cold, then took a deep breath.
"The temperature should be close to zero degrees Celsius, the humidity should be just right, and it shouldn't feel stuffy, making it ideal for preserving these materials."
Snape said, "I will teach you this magic. Go back and practice it on your own. Next time, you will be in charge of maintaining the magical energy field."
"Can I use it normally? Or is it a technique for handling materials...?" Vizette asked.
"Use it if you want, just don't embarrass me!" Snape's tone softened slightly. "Do you know the Cutting Charm?"
Vizette nodded and replied, "Yes! I've practiced several times recently."
"Then let's get started! Use the Cutting Charm to cut open the membrane on the surface of the dragon liver…" Snape said, taking out his wand.
"Your technique is too crude! Do you think dragon liver and pig liver are equally cheap? Congratulations, even the pigs agree with you..."
"Pierce it into the depression of the dragon's kidney! The green lump contains deadly poison. Either remove it completely with a cutting spell, or lick it clean. Not a single drop should be left..."
"What are you doing? How could you pick up the dragon's heart like that? It contains dragon's blood, an absolutely precious ingredient! Are you planning to sell yourself to Hogwarts to pay off your debts...?"
Vizette now understood why the students in those houses always unconsciously showed expressions of fear when they talked about Snape.
Such a style of language was indeed not something that most people could tolerate.