On Monday morning, the sunlight shone through the window into the dormitory, waking Kyle up instead of the alarm clock.

Mikel and Ryan were still sleeping soundly, breathing slowly and evenly. Kyle did not wake them up, but quietly changed his clothes and left the dormitory.

On the way to the Great Hall, he also met Filch.

After what happened last year, the castle guard seemed like a different person. He no longer had that rude attitude that he had before, which showed him wanting to arrest all those who violated school rules and hang them up in the dungeon. Instead, he became timid and cautious.

After meeting the person, his first reaction was not his duty, but he subconsciously hid behind a suit of armor. He did not come out until he saw Kyle's appearance clearly.

It seemed that he must have been quite frightened before being knocked unconscious by Barty Crouch Jr.

But this also has its advantages. At least the students of Hogwarts no longer have to worry about being scolded for speaking loudly.

The first class in the morning is Defense Against the Dark Arts.

After Kyle finished breakfast, he went to the classroom with Connor.

At first, Connor was a little worried that Kyle would continue to confront Umbridge like in the last class.

Although she also disliked this person, Umbridge was a professor after all, and it would be a disadvantage for a student to go against her.

But unexpectedly, Kyle was very quiet throughout the entire class, and even Professor Umbridge seemed to have completely forgotten what happened a few days ago.

This undoubtedly made Connor feel relieved.

But correspondingly, some students who wanted to watch the fun were extremely disappointed.

The Slytherins were taking classes with Hufflepuff this time. Ever since they heard about Kyle slamming the door and leaving, they had been looking forward to this day, wanting to see the excitement up close.

The new Defense Against the Dark Arts is so boring. Every time I read, take notes, I always have to find some fun.

As a result, this class was so normal. What was even more unbelievable was that when the get out of class was about to end, Professor Umbridge gave Hufflepuff five extra points because Kyle answered a question.

This made some people wonder whether the so-called "slamming the door and leaving" was a rumor deliberately spread by Hufflepuff and Gryffindor in order to trick them.

They felt that this class was no different from the one before it, it was all so boring. The only difference was probably that Umbridge had a little habit. They didn't know if it was because she was injured or for some other reason, but she would rub the back of her hand from time to time.

…

After Defense Against the Dark Arts comes the advanced class of Potions.

There were more people this time than in the Transfiguration class, a total of sixteen people, but half of them were Slytherin students.

Kyle didn't think that their OWL results all met the requirements. After all, he knew Slytherin and other former big clients more or less.

The potion skills of a large number of these people are very average. It cannot be said to be bad, but it is definitely not excellent.

But they're here anyway, so it's clear that Snape is as consistent as ever in his biased stance.

The underground classroom was still as cold and gloomy as ever.

Snape's expression was equally gloomy. His complexion looked worse than usual, a little pale, with sunken eye sockets, and he looked like he hadn't slept for a long time.

Just as the two Ravenclaw students walked to a table and were about to sit down, Snape suddenly spoke.

"Sit separately." He said coldly, "You don't think you have to complete a potion together in the advanced class, do you? If you can't even complete a potion on your own, you'd better leave here now."

One of the Ravenclaw students immediately took two steps forward and came to another table.

The others did not gather together and each found a table.

Although there is limited space in the underground classroom and the number of crucibles is not large, due to the small number of people, even one crucible for each person is enough.

"Advanced class." Snape said in his emotionless voice: "You are all the best students I have selected..."

When he said this, Snape suddenly paused and glanced at Kyle in the corner intentionally or unintentionally.

"But..." Snape quickly retracted his gaze and continued, "I hope you can show matching abilities.

"I will be very strict. I hope you won't make any stupid mistakes in my class, otherwise I will be...very angry."

His eyes scanned the surroundings.

Hearing Snape's words, the Slaters immediately straightened their backs and held their heads high, as if they were eager to prove their excellence.

But Snape was not looking at them.

“Today, we are going to prepare the simplest potion in Advanced Potion Making, the Water of Life and Death.

Almost everyone raised their hands.

As expected, Snape chose Connor.

"The Water of Life and Death is also known as the Potion of Living Hell. It is a powerful hypnotic potion that can put the user into a deep sleep within one minute."

"Half a minute, to be exact," said Snape, "but that's a very good answer. Five points for Hufflepuff."

Everyone else was no longer surprised that Snape gave Connor extra points.

"Although it is the simplest potion in Advanced Potion Making, it is more complicated than anything you have made before."

Snape tapped the blackboard with his wand, and the materials needed and the brewing process immediately appeared on it.

Kyle was no stranger to the water of life and death. He was able to brew it a few years ago, also in the Potions class.

But this time the steps on the blackboard seemed a little different from what Kyle knew.

In Snape's old book, the two ingredients of grass roots and lionfish bone powder were retained, but here they were crossed out and replaced with dried belladonna flowers.

It is undoubtedly simpler to turn the two materials into one, and belladonna flowers are also easier to handle. Just grind them slightly and throw them into the crucible. There are no special requirements.

Kyle found the materials and followed the instructions on the blackboard step by step. After half a class, the potion in the crucible was successfully transformed into the standard "well-mixed brown liquid".

Kanna also completed this step.

Apart from the two of them, the color of everyone else's potions was either too dark or uneven, and none of them met the standard standards.

"The valerian root cuts are uneven in size..."

"Who told you to throw the whole nightshade flower in there..."

"I didn't stir it half a turn..."

Snape walked around the classroom, pointing out everyone's mistakes bluntly.

But he never passed by Kyle once, as if he didn't exist at all.

Snape stopped next to another Gryffindor student. He looked at the potion in the crucible and frowned. Just as he was about to say something, the door of the dungeon was pushed open.

Before Kyle could turn around to see who it was, a coquettish voice told him the answer.

"Professor Snape, I hope I didn't disturb you." Umbridge said outside the door.

Snape's eyes moved. He pushed the door open during class. Was it necessary to ask if he was disturbing me? But after hesitating for a moment, Snape still didn't say anything harsh: "Professor Umbridge, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Umbridge glanced at the students in the classroom and said, "How about we talk outside?"

Snape nodded and walked out.

When he came back, his face looked even uglier, as if he had lost money, and he was muttering something like, "Why don't you go to the school hospital... I'm not a therapist."

So in the second half of the class, everyone was very careful, fearing that they would make a mistake and make Snape angry...

Another half hour passed like this.

"Time's up," Snape said loudly, "everyone put down the spell and stop stirring."

He began to move between the tables, examining each cauldron.

Kyle looked around and followed the steps Snape gave on the blackboard. After stirring, everyone's potion turned into a light pink potion.

Although the color is not very uniform and still varies in depth, these are minor problems and do not affect the normal use of the medicine.

Snape walked along, pointing out everyone's mistakes without any hesitation. He didn't seem to think that being able to successfully brew a complicated water of life and death in the first class was anything to be proud of. Instead, he thought it was natural.

If these people still can't succeed by following the steps he gave, then there's no need for him to stay here any longer.

Soon, Snape walked in front of Kyle.

Just like last time, Kyle's potion was still perfect.

"Not bad." Snape's voice seemed to be squeezed out from his throat. "One point for Hufflepuff."

(End of this chapter)