Chapter 844: Chapter 717: Conna’s Shining Moment
When Kael and Conna came out of the Room of Requirement, it was almost time for the afternoon classes, so they didn’t return to the common room but headed directly to the underground classroom.
The afternoon was back-to-back with Potion Class, and it was also their first time attending Professor Slughorn’s class.
By the time they reached the corridor outside the underground classroom, quite a few people were already inside, including Cho, who was seated at the table closest to the podium with a few Ravenclaw students.
Kael and Conna walked into the classroom.
Slughorn’s personality was completely different from Snape’s. Before this year, no sunlight could ever be seen here, with illumination relying entirely on the torches that burned year-round in the classroom.
Additionally, the surrounding decorations were filled with an eerie vibe, with the innards of frogs and rats, or things like leech mucus being seen everywhere, making it hardly resemble a classroom. Instead, it looked more like a shop in Knockturn Alley selling Dark Arts Items and illegal Magic Potions.
But Slughorn was different; he didn’t like those dark settings.
The torches on the walls were thoroughly dismantled, and various bottles and jars were put away (perhaps taken by Snape). In their place were cauldrons emitting white smoke and steam.
The curtains were pulled open for the first time, and Slughorn seemed to have cast a spell on the window, making it resemble the ceiling of the Auditorium. Kael saw the bright sunlight outside for the first time in the underground classroom.
The feeling was quite refreshing.
"Look, that’s the Rejuicing Potion." At this moment, Conna whispered beside him.
The Rejuicing Potion was the Magic Potion she invented for the assessment of The Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. Its effects were similar to the Awakening Potion, both meant to keep a person spirited, though different in other ways.
If the Awakening Potion was considered a stimulant, then the Rejuicing Potion was akin to coffee; it doesn’t suppress fatigue but keeps the mind clear all day. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.
What Conna didn’t expect was that her potion hadn’t been formally announced but had already appeared in the potion classroom.
"Looks like Professor Slughorn indeed has some connections," Kael whispered.
The two took the opportunity to sit by the cauldron holding the Rejuicing Potion. As they approached, Kael caught a faint mint scent, like a refreshing breeze gently brushing his cheeks, very pleasant.
"Alright, students." Slughorn stood on the podium, his chubby figure faintly visible amidst the steam.
"Before class begins, I’ve prepared several special Magic Potions for you to broaden your horizons. But please don’t misunderstand; this is definitely not to make things difficult, merely a personal preference...I believe these magical potions might spark your interest in this subject."
"Then, let’s start with this one." He pointed to the nearest cauldron, "Does anyone know what this is?"
Inside the cauldron was a faint blue potion, but it emitted white smoke.
"I know, it’s Bafe Awakening Potion!" Cho was the first to raise her hand.
"Very good," Slughorn said happily, "That’s right, the Bafe Awakening Potion, one of the graduates’ favorite potions. But I must say, using it during exams is illegal, and it will void your grades.
"But if it’s usual study time, drinking a little bit is fine."
"And what about this one?" He pointed in another direction.
This time, the potion inside the cauldron wasn’t as attractive as the previous Bafe Awakening Potion; it was gray-white, sticky, and resembled cement.
No one in the classroom raised their hand.
Professor Slughorn looked a bit disappointed, but just as he was about to give the answer.
"It’s the Invisibility Potion." Conna raised her hand and said.
"Absolutely correct." Slughorn seemed surprised, and a bit delighted.
"Yes, the Invisibility Potion, just apply it on your skin and you can vanish into thin air...But to be honest, I might never use this."
"Why?" a Hufflepuff boy asked in puzzlement, leaning over to closely examine the sticky concoction.
"Does anyone know?" Slughorn asked with a smile, but his gaze was fixed on Conna.
"I guess, it’s due to the characteristics of the Invisibility Potion. It must cling tightly to the skin, and once it comes off, it loses its effect. And troll snot is the best adhesive."
Troll snot?
Ugh!
The Hufflepuff boy quickly took two steps back, then covered his mouth and retched.
Others around him also stepped back one by one.
"Don’t get too excited; it’s just a type of potion material," Slughorn said, "You must understand, during wartime, such potions were invaluable; they could even save your life."
Despite saying this, no one had any intention of approaching, especially those seated next to the cauldron. Once they considered the scent around them might include troll snot, they were desperately eager to move further away.
But since it was class time, Slughorn was surely not going to allow it.
Apart from these, the classroom also held Stimulant Potion, which could increase one’s strength, and Dandelion Potion, which allowed one to fly after drinking.
And both of these potions were recognized, one of which was by Conna, the other by a Ravenclaw boy.
"Well, I confess I underestimated you all a bit. Seventh-year students indeed have a richer understanding of potions."
