The trio—Harry, Ron, and Ryze—gradually shifted their suspicion of Professor Snape from something openly expressed to something more cautious and concealed. At the same time, they became noticeably more disciplined in their behavior, careful not to draw unnecessary attention.
The previous evening had been unusually pleasant. They had gathered at Hagrid's hut and enjoyed a warm barbecue together, a welcome break from the tension that usually lingered around Hogwarts. During the gathering, Ryze had once again demonstrated his remarkable "Juicer" technique. Using fruits available in Hagrid's hut and combining them with subtle applications of household magic, he produced a large cup of mixed fruit juice.
The result was astonishing.
Not only did the juice taste exceptional—far better than anything Harry or Ron had ever experienced—but it also provided a temporary boost to their abilities, specifically enhancing what Ryze referred to as "Ability Haste." Though the term itself sounded strange in the wizarding world, the effect was undeniable. Both Harry and Ron enthusiastically praised it, declaring it the best juice they had ever tasted.
However, that brief moment of comfort quickly faded.
The next morning arrived cold and unwelcoming. Ryze once again found himself descending into the dim, damp dungeons, where Professor Snape's Potions class was held. As usual, Snape stood at the front of the classroom, his expression sour and intimidating.
Percy Weasley had already arrived early, just as he had the previous week. His posture was stiff, and his expression carried a sense of determination. It was clear that after reflecting on his previous failure, he had steeled himself for another attempt.
Today's lesson focused on brewing the Elixir of Euphoria.
This potion bore some resemblance to a Love Potion, though the differences between the two were significant. Both could manipulate emotions, but a Love Potion forced the drinker into an obsessive and often irrational attachment toward a specific target. Once the effects wore off, the emotional backlash was severe, leaving the victim in pain and confusion.
The Elixir of Euphoria, on the other hand, was far more controlled in its influence.
Rather than overwhelming the drinker, it induced a gentle yet noticeable sense of happiness. This artificial joy did not compel individuals to act against their will. Instead, it enhanced their mood, making it a popular choice for social gatherings and celebrations. Additionally, it served a practical purpose in alleviating the lingering despair caused by encounters with Dementors.
That said, the potion was not without its drawbacks.
Common side effects included an uncontrollable urge to sing and an increased likelihood of nosebleeds while under its influence.
Snape's voice cut through the classroom as he began his lecture.
"In terms of brewing difficulty," he said coldly, "the Elixir of Euphoria is comparable to a Love Potion. However, I expect far more from you today. Simply passing will not be sufficient—especially for those who wish to participate in the upcoming Potions Tournament."
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across the thirteen students present. Many of them instinctively lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact. After all, nearly half the class had only barely managed to produce acceptable potions the previous week.
"For the next month," Snape continued, his tone rising slightly, "your task is not only to brew an excellent Elixir of Euphoria, but also to improve it. Specifically, you are to find a way to reduce its side effects."
A murmur of unease spread through the room.
"But," Snape added sharply, "if I see anyone wasting ingredients carelessly, I will have you removed from my classroom immediately."
His gaze lingered briefly on Ryze, who stood beside Penelope. There was something deliberate in that look.
"And one more thing," Snape said, his voice lowering. "Do not present me with work that is merely a replication of someone else's efforts. I expect originality. I expect understanding."
With that, he turned to the blackboard and wrote out the standard ingredients and brewing procedure for the Elixir of Euphoria. Unlike some previous lessons, he offered no demonstration. Once finished, he stepped back and instructed the class to begin.
Percy Weasley wasted no time. His expression remained tense, but his approach had clearly changed. Instead of attempting anything experimental or risky, he focused entirely on following the established method as precisely as possible. His goal was simple: produce a reliable, high-quality potion on his first attempt.
Nearby, Penelope gave Ryze a slightly helpless look.
"It seems Professor Snape is warning us not to help you directly," she said quietly. "For now, you should follow standard methods. Once you've mastered the basics, you can start experimenting."
Ryze nodded.
Despite Snape's warning, he continued to observe Penelope and Gemma Farley as they worked. However, unlike before, they refrained from offering him guidance or explanations during the process.
Fortunately, Ryze had not been idle over the past week.
Driven by intense focus and aided by his Divination abilities, he had immersed himself in advanced potion theory—material typically taught in the fifth and sixth years. From there, he worked backward, studying the foundational concepts needed to support that knowledge.
This unconventional approach had its flaws. His understanding was somewhat fragmented, like a grand structure built on an unstable foundation. Yet it also allowed him to grasp certain higher-level concepts earlier than expected.
Among these was the theoretical framework behind the Elixir of Euphoria, which he had encountered while studying Love Potions.
While his knowledge was incomplete, it was sufficient.
Today, at the very least, he could produce a standard version of the potion.
And if he were given another two or three months to solidify his foundation, Ryze believed he would be capable of meeting Snape's expectations through his own efforts.
As the lesson progressed, Gemma Farley once again demonstrated her exceptional skill. She was the first to complete her potion, and its quality was unmistakably high.
Rather than stopping there, she immediately began analyzing her work. In her notebook, she applied principles from potion theory and arithmancy, attempting to identify possible improvements.
Ryze, meanwhile, focused on his own brewing.
He prepared his ingredients carefully and followed the procedure step by step. Though his movements were steady, there was still a slight hesitation in his actions—a sign of his incomplete mastery.
By the time noon approached, he had finished.
Compared to the previous week, his result had improved. However, it still fell within the range of a basic passing grade.
Among the thirteen students, his potion ranked second from the bottom.
It was clear that the others had also made progress. Having reflected on their earlier mistakes, they performed noticeably better this time.
Only one Hufflepuff student seemed particularly unfocused. Their potion turned out poorly—far below acceptable standards.
Snape's reaction was immediate and merciless.
"What exactly are you doing?" he snapped. "This is worse than the work of a first-year student. If you hadn't labeled it, I would have assumed this was some kind of sludge extracted from crushed slugs."
The classroom fell silent.
"Do you honestly believe this level of work qualifies you for the Potions Tournament?"
The student's face flushed red with embarrassment. Unable to respond, they quietly cleaned their cauldron and left the room.
Others were not spared either.
Several students received sharp criticism for their subpar results. At one point, Ryze noticed an older female student struggling to hold back tears after being scolded. Despite her distress, she remained in the classroom, determined to endure.
In contrast, Percy Weasley appeared noticeably more confident.
His potion had reached an upper-middle level in quality—solidly within the "good" range. It was clear that his decision to abandon risky methods in favor of consistency had paid off.
Finally, Snape concluded the lesson.
"By this time next week," he said, "I expect each of you to present your ideas for improving the Elixir of Euphoria."
With that, he turned and disappeared into his office.
Only then did the students allow themselves to breathe.
The tension in the room eased slightly as they began cleaning their cauldrons. However, their expressions remained serious. Snape's assignment was no simple task.
According to Penelope, even for fifth-year students, being asked to improve a potion was highly unusual. It required not just technical skill, but also creativity and a deep understanding of underlying principles.
Aside from Gemma Farley, few felt confident in their ability to meet this challenge.
Even Penelope herself seemed uncertain.
As Percy approached and invited her to join him in the library, she hesitated briefly before agreeing. Before leaving, she turned to Ryze.
"Do your best," she said with a small smile. "If we come up with any useful ideas, I'll let you know."
Ryze nodded, grateful.
After they departed, he remained where he was, deep in thought.
His gaze shifted to the concept of his "Juicer" talent.
He knew his theoretical knowledge was still lacking. Under normal circumstances, attempting to improve a potion through conventional means would be extremely difficult for him.
But perhaps there was another way.
If he could refine his technique—if he could push his mastery of the Elixir of Euphoria to its limits—he might be able to trigger additional effects beyond the standard outcome.
And if he succeeded…
A potion with enhanced properties might be enough to surprise even Professor Snape.
A faint smile appeared on Ryze's face.
Perhaps this challenge was not as impossible as it first seemed.
For more chapters
patreon.com/Liamlivingstone