"Oh?"
"A problem related to potion-making?"
Snape looked at Logan meaningfully.
In truth, Snape wasn't particularly hostile toward genuinely talented students who sincerely loved potion-making.
As long as he judged their questions worthwhile, he didn't mind offering guidance.
Besides, the "Love's Illusion" potion still required time before progressing into its next stabilisation phase.
That gave him a brief window of free time.
Logan immediately seized the opportunity.
"Professor," he said respectfully, "recently I've been researching numerous potion books in the library."
"While studying an old manuscript, I discovered a rather strange and unfamiliar potion formula."
"I recognise most of the ingredients listed inside, but two materials completely confused me."
"Fire Ash and Witchwolf Hair."
"No matter how much I searched, I couldn't find proper records regarding their origins or functions."
"So I hoped you might be willing to advise me."
Snape listened quietly.
As Logan explained the ingredients required for Witchwolf Smoke, Snape slowly narrowed his eyes.
Interestingly enough—
Even he had never heard of this potion before.
Still, that wasn't unusual.
The world of potion-making was unimaginably vast.
Even Snape himself constantly encountered obscure or forgotten recipes.
The "Love's Illusion" potion currently brewing beside him was proof enough of that.
And unlike many self-important potion experts, Snape genuinely loved the craft itself.
So hearing about a completely unknown potion naturally captured his interest immediately.
Soon, the two began discussing the potion's possible effects and ingredient interactions.
They even analysed how different preparation techniques might influence stability and success rates.
During the discussion, Snape also explained the true nature of Fire Ash.
"Very few people actually understand this ingredient properly," Snape said coldly.
"Even among experienced potion masters."
"Fire Ash is produced from a parasitic magical plant known as Ashbear Grass."
"Once burned under precise conditions, the remaining residue becomes a viable alchemical catalyst."
"However, stable recipes requiring it are extremely rare."
Logan listened carefully.
So that strange ingredient actually originated from a plant.
Interesting.
"As for Witchwolf Hair," Snape continued, "that comes from the underbelly fur of a magical beast known as the Witchmoon Wolf."
"The species is nearly extinct."
"Which means genuine materials are extraordinarily difficult to obtain."
He paused slightly.
"Very few potion formulas utilise it at all."
Snape slowly tapped his fingers against the desk.
"This Witchwolf Smoke recipe…"
"It may actually be quite special."
Then, almost immediately afterward, Snape suddenly realised something.
The Witchmoon Wolf Hair required for his current "Love's Illusion" potion…
Was sitting right beside him.
And Fire Ash?
He had spare materials stored inside the cabinet behind him.
Snape's expression instantly darkened slightly.
This little brat had come here fully intending to freeload.
Still…
Since Logan had provided the recipe itself, using some materials for collaborative experimentation seemed reasonable enough.
After all, without the formula, what exactly would they even be researching?
Snape glanced toward the bubbling blue potion nearby.
There was still time before the next stage began.
Which meant—
They could attempt brewing Witchwolf Smoke immediately.
His interest in the unknown potion grew stronger by the second.
Without hesitation, Snape strode toward the storage cabinet and removed several potion ingredients.
"Logan."
"You'll assist me."
"Let's see exactly what this Witchwolf Smoke does."
Logan instantly became delighted.
Not only did he avoid paying for materials himself—
But Snape personally acted as the lead brewer while Logan merely assisted.
This arrangement was practically perfect.
And so, under Snape's supervision, the two officially began brewing Witchwolf Smoke together.
....
Some time later—
"Narcissus Root," Snape ordered sharply without looking away from the cauldron.
The bubbling substance inside emitted a strange silver-grey smoke.
Logan immediately handed over finely ground Narcissus powder.
Snape accepted it smoothly before giving Logan a faintly approving glance.
As expected.
Unlike those brainless students who only knew how to follow textbook instructions mechanically, Logan already understood that many non-liquid ingredients required additional processing during advanced brewing.
Reducing volume through grinding often improved magical integration significantly.
Snape stirred the cauldron carefully using a specialised silver rod while Logan silently handed over tools and ingredients whenever needed.
At one point, Logan even casually used a cloth to wipe the sweat forming along Snape's forehead.
Snape paused briefly.
Thoughtful.
Very thoughtful.
Potion-making required extreme precision.
Excess moisture falling into unstable brews could ruin everything instantly.
Countless incompetent fools ignored details like that.
Some regretted their carelessness only after explosions permanently disfigured them.
Others ended up poisoning themselves through failed concoctions.
But Logan clearly possessed unusually sharp instincts regarding brewing discipline.
The more Snape observed him, the more satisfied he became.
The boy was meticulous.
Intelligent.
Patient.
Talented.
And unexpectedly humble.
Even among older students, such qualities remained incredibly rare.
At this moment, Snape genuinely saw the outline of a future Potions Master standing before him.
Which only deepened his irritation further.
Why wasn't this child in Slytherin?
Or at the very least Ravenclaw?
How had Gryffindor stolen him?
The Sorting Hat must genuinely have suffered brain damage.
Unfortunately, potion brewing demanded concentration.
Suppressing those distracting thoughts, Snape refocused entirely on the cauldron.
Slowly, he inserted a specialised shovel-shaped iron tool into the unstable mixture.
Potion innovation possessed no shortcuts.
Only endless experimentation.
And failure.
Sure enough—
Moments later, the brewing process collapsed completely.
The cauldron emitted a foul smell before the liquid hardened into useless black sludge.
Their first attempt had failed.
Yet neither Snape nor Logan seemed discouraged.
This outcome was perfectly normal.
More importantly—
Snape still had additional ingredients.
And with Logan assisting him, the success rate already felt dramatically higher than brewing alone.
For the first time in years, Snape found himself genuinely enjoying the process of experimenting alongside another person.
.....
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