Thursday was the day when Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had their Potions class together, and Wang Yong was looking forward to it.
For Wang Yong, who had been forged in the crucible of a harsh domestic environment, Hogwarts' academics were almost laughable. In fact, it felt like there was an abundance of free time. But for Susan, it was another story.
Susan was still struggling to adapt to school life. She was constantly overwhelmed, but thankfully, she had her best friend, Hannah, to lean on. Yet, she still felt that the time spent with Wang Yong was far too little. Potions was one of the few classes they had together.
The Potions class took place in a cold, dimly lit classroom deep underground. It was far colder here than in the main castle above. Along the walls, glass jars were filled with preserved animal specimens that could make anyone shiver in fear.
"You are here to learn the precise science and rigorous craft of potion brewing," Professor Snape began, his voice barely above a whisper, yet everyone could hear his words clearly.
Like Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape had an uncanny ability to maintain order in the classroom without so much as lifting a finger.
"Since there is no mindless waving of wands here, many of you may not believe this is magic. I don't expect you to fully appreciate the subtlety of a simmering cauldron, emitting white smoke and filling the air with fragrance. Nor will you understand the magic of the liquid flowing through human veins, stirring the heart and clouding the mind. I can teach you how to gain prestige, brew glory, and even prevent death—provided one condition is met: You must not be the fools I often encounter."
Susan couldn't help but glance at Wang Yong, feeling a little embarrassed. The recent lessons in magic made her feel like a fool. Wang Yong gave her a comforting look. Her magical talent was, at best, mediocre—average for Hogwarts. Under Wang Yong's guidance, she might one day reach the level of Ron Weasley, but if left to her own devices, she'd be on par with Dean Thomas or Seamus Finnigan from Gryffindor.
If he ever had the chance, Wang Yong intended to improve their magical skills in the future.
This small interaction didn't go unnoticed by Snape.
"Wang!" Snape suddenly called. "What would happen if I added daffodil root powder to mugwort infusion?"
"It would create a potent sleeping draught," Wang Yong answered.
"Where would you go to find bezoar?" Snape continued.
"The stomach of a goat."
"And what's the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?"
"They are the same plant, both commonly known as Aconite," Wang Yong replied.
"Very good." Snape's cold face remained unchanged. "Sit down."
Wang Yong returned to his seat calmly. He and Snape had no personal grudges, and there was no reason for Snape to make things difficult for him. However, Snape didn't award any points to Ravenclaw.
Snape paired students in twos to prepare a simple remedy for scabies. Naturally, Wang Yong was paired with Susan.
Snape glided across the room in his long black cloak, watching as they measured nettles, crushed snake fangs, and mixed their potions. When he reached Wang Yong's table, he glanced at Wang Yong's efficient technique and the potion that was almost finished. He pretended not to notice and moved on.
Wang Yong couldn't help but feel a little disappointed by Snape's indifference toward students from other houses. It seemed unlikely that he could rely on Snape for future potion discussions, so he'd have to find other ways. Luckily, as long as he didn't enter the advanced courses in the fifth year or beyond, the textbooks were reliable, and the library had plenty of resources. It was possible he could still reach the level of a Potion Master like Snape.
Under Wang Yong's guidance, Susan finally managed to brew the potion successfully, and they became the fastest pair to complete the task.
The rest of the lessons that day were uneventful, and nothing significant happened at Hogwarts. Hermione Granger, once known as the know-it-all, had lost some of her former shine, overshadowed by Wang Yong. Now, she was just another average Hogwarts student.
Of course, she couldn't accept this change and glared at Wang Yong whenever she saw him. As for Wang Yong, he simply ignored her.
For some reason, this strained relationship with Hermione seemed to delight Susan.
The school remained calm, aside from the fact that Harry Potter had become the Seeker for Gryffindor's Quidditch team earlier than expected.
On the eve of Halloween, the corridors were filled with the sweet, tempting scent of roasted pumpkins. Wang Yong had gone through his classes as usual. He and Susan arrived at the Hogwarts Great Hall, where a thousand bats flew about the walls and ceiling, while another thousand hovered above the dining tables, swirling like dark clouds and flickering the candle flames inside pumpkin-shaped lanterns. Delicious food appeared on golden plates, just like at the feast on the first day of term.
Wang Yong shamelessly sat at the Hufflepuff table, right next to Susan. Between bites of pumpkin and potatoes, they fed each other, openly displaying their affection in a way that even upperclassmen couldn't help but notice.
But the two of them were blissfully absorbed in each other's company, not caring at all what others thought.
As Wang Yong watched Susan's silly smile, suddenly Professor Quirrell rushed into the hall, his scarf askew, his face filled with panic.
Everyone stared at him as he staggered to Professor Dumbledore's chair, leaning heavily against the table, gasping for breath. "Troll… in the dungeons… thought you should know…"
Before he could finish, he collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
The hall immediately erupted into chaos. Professor Dumbledore had to use his wand to create several sharp, ear-splitting crackles of magic before the room finally quieted.
"Head of House," he said in a low voice, "take your students back to the dormitories immediately!"
Wang Yong smiled faintly. He patted Susan's hand and whispered in her ear, "Go back to the dorm with Hannah. I've got something to take care of."
Susan gave him a worried look before following Hannah and the Hufflepuff prefect back.
Predictably, Hermione was probably fuming in the girls' bathroom. Would the butterfly effect still play out as usual?
Wang Yong slipped through the empty side corridor, hurrying toward the girls' bathroom.
When he reached the third floor, a foul stench hit his nose—a mixture of sweaty socks and an unsanitary public restroom.
Then, he heard it—low murmurs and the sound of large feet dragging across the floor.
At the end of a passage on the left, a massive creature was slowly making its way toward him. He quickly ducked into the shadows, watching it move into the moonlight.
The sight was terrifying. The creature was twelve feet tall, its skin dull and gray like granite, with a massive, clumsy body that resembled a heap of boulders, crowned by a small head that looked like a cocoa pod.
Its legs were short and thick, like tree stumps, with wide, calloused feet. A foul stench emanated from its body. It held a large wooden club, which dragged along the floor due to its long arms.
The creature paused by a door, peering inside. It twitched its long ears and made a decision with its small head before lowering it and slowly crawling into the room.