When the hospital wing door opened again, it marked Mickel's finally achieving his earlier wish - he was formally discharged.

It's just that his current state didn't look so good. He was unsteady on his feet and kept retching.

Besides, before today, Kyle had never thought a person's face could be blue.

Even the castle's most avant-garde and fashionable portraits didn't dare to use such bold colors to paint their faces.

But Mickel achieved it.

His entire head was blue, including his forehead, nose, and lips. Even his hair and teeth were no exception.

From a distance, it looked like a large blue dandelion.

"Kyle…"

Mickel extended his hand. His voice was hoarse, "What are you laughing at? Help me up, will you?"

"Nothing just thought of something funny." Kyle went forward to help Mickel, turning his head, trying not to look at his face:

"I earned twenty points for Hufflepuff yesterday."

"That's worth celebrating." Mickel nodded. He didn't ask anymore.

He didn't feel like talking right now. He didn’t know what potion the nurse had made him drink, but it tasted horrible and his throat was burning. Every time he opened his mouth, it was uncomfortable.

The two of them slowly walked toward the underground classroom.

It's worth mentioning that when they reached the Clock Courtyard, Mickel's blue head gradually returned to normal.

Although it hadn't changed back to its original appearance, it wasn't as eye-catching anymore. Besides, the lighting in the castle was generally dim. You wouldn't notice anything unless you looked carefully.

It seemed like Madam Pomfrey didn't intend to embarrass him in public.

The two of them walked through the castle, but because Mickel walked so slowly, they were, unsurprisingly, late to the underground classroom.

Snape had just finished calling the roll and looked up to see them standing at the door.

"Late for the first class? Are all the new students this bad this year?" Snape drawled, "Ten points from Hufflepuff."

Mickel looked at Snape, his eyes widened suddenly, and he blurted out, "Huh? You're the… Sshhh..."

Thankfully, Kyle was quick. He stepped on Mickel's foot, preventing him from finishing his sentence.

Otherwise... they might not have been able to leave this Potions classroom.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Taking this opportunity, Kyle quickly said, "Sorry, Professor Snape. We won't be late next time."

"Humph, if there's a next time, it won't be as simple as deducting ten points." Snape looked at them coldly, "What are you still standing around for? Get back to your seats. Five more points from Hufflepuff!"

Afraid that Mickel would say something else reckless, Kyle quickly pulled him to an empty table at the back of the classroom.

Snape withdrew his gaze and said in a chilling voice, "Potions are a profound and important subject. I don't expect you to truly understand the wonder of a simmering cauldron releasing white smoke and fragrant aromas.

I don't expect you to understand the magical transformation of ordinary materials as they gradually sublimate under intense heat.

Every mistletoe berry, every piece of bezoar in your hands will be condensed here, in the cauldron, into different forms and compositions. They are the most mysterious secrets of the wizarding world."

Snape’s voice gradually softened, "I can teach you how to raise your reputation, brew honor, and even prevent death — but there's one rule: you can’t be the kind of fools I usually encounter."

Snape's words instantly silenced the class. The Slytherin snakes proudly raised their heads, sitting up straight, as if this would prove that they were not fools.

In comparison, the Hufflepuff badgers were much more timid. They looked at each other, not daring to meet Snape's gaze.

Especially Mickel. When he came to his senses, he almost buried his head under the table.

However, even that wouldn't help. What had to happen, would happen.

"Drake!" Snape suddenly said, "When making a boil-cure potion, do you put in the Slug or the Porcupine Quill first?"

What potion?

Mickel raised his head in a daze and said cautiously, "The Porcupine Quill first, Professor."

"Tsk, the Porcupine Quill first…" Snape said sarcastically, "If you had flipped through the book before school started, even if you just glanced at it, you would have known that you need to put Snake Fang powder first when making a boil-cure potion!

Your basics are so bad, and you still dare to be late? Hufflepuff loses a point."

"Why don't you write all this down!"

A rustling sound of pens and parchment searching filled the classroom.

"Open your books to the first page!" Snape returned to the podium and said in a deep voice, "Today, we'll learn how to make a simple boil-cure potion.

This potion is so simple that even a troll can make it, as long as their IQ is higher than a troll's. But I must remind you to be careful when operating… if you don't want boils to cover your body."

"The ingredients for brewing potions are in the storage cupboard. Now, work in pairs of two… Oh, right!"

At this time, Snape seemed to have thought of something. He returned to Mickel.

He glanced down at the table, and mockingly said, "Although there's no need to wave your wands like a fool here. But for your current condition, and the safety of other students, I think this is unnecessary."

Snape took the cauldron off the table. He looked around and said to Kyle, "You go with Kanna. Don't disturb Drake from reading here."

Among the crowd, Kanna looked up in disbelief, staring at Kyle, who was getting closer and closer to her.

She had entered the classroom at the very last minute. How could she still not avoid him?

Besides, all the other students had already formed pairs. Even if she wanted to avoid him, there was no space left.

Should she ask someone to swap places with her?

Kanna found her roommate sitting behind her. Just as she was about to suggest they swap seats, Snape's voice came from the podium again.

"What are you all standing around for? Waiting for me to brew potions for you?"

Under Snape's roar, the classroom suddenly became busy.

Seeing her roommate set up the cauldron and then rush to the storage cupboard, Kanna could only sigh and turn back to grind the snake fangs on her table.

She didn't know why, but when Snape walked by, he casually placed a bag on her desk.

It contained exactly the ingredients needed to make the boil-cure potion, and each ingredient had three portions. So, Kanna didn't need to go to the storage cupboard like the others.