[HP] The Tweed River flows

The late-night argument did nothing to improve my mood, and it even got worse the next day.A small cold actually procrastinated for half a month before finally recovering.Fortunately, the absence of classes did not affect my grades in the slightest.I still successfully entered the second grade with impressive results.There have been a lot more discussions and rumors about me, and now it seems that everywhere I go, some people are pointing fingers.And... I don't know why, but I always feel that the way they look at me has changed.I don't know what's weird in it, and I don't bother to speculate on those people's thoughts.After all, there are many people who are jealous of me.

Another Potions class.My favorite of all time is the potions rehearsal on Thursday afternoons.Because I can find more superiority here than in other classes combined, probably because of this, my relationship with Professor Slytherin is closer than that of other professors.To put it more bluntly, I am Professor Slytherin's "favorite student".Maybe that sounds immodest, but it's true.But recently, inexplicably, I feel that the way he looks at me is also a little gloomy.

"The shrinking potion is probably the most complicated potion you have prepared so far," Professor Slytherin said slowly, "I hope everyone can read the preparation instructions carefully and cook it strictly according to the instructions to achieve the best potion. Strong medicinal effect. Precautions are on the blackboard, start now."

I had previewed this recipe half a year ago, and I didn't even glance at the blackboard, just took out the balance and weighed the medicinal materials.As if it was true what Professor Gryffindor said, I have some kind of gift - albeit in potions.I can control the time, temperature, and heat with ease, and I can know the properties, uses, and taboos of various medicinal materials by heart.Even Sylvia, who watched her mother brew potions since she was a child, couldn't do these two points.

An hour passed, and the basement classroom was already steaming with steam of various colors.Katherine Murray frantically added ingredients to the cauldron, and chopped daisy roots scattered on the floor.The temperature was already too high, I looked at her sweating profusely, and smiled contemptuously, she was obviously not good at doing such things.While I was complacent, I caught a glimpse of Sylvia's potion again—she was adding leech juice, and with just a small drop, the potion instantly changed from yellowish grass green to clear bright green.She is concentrating on stirring the potion, and it will be done in five minutes.

The bright green inexplicably made me feel a little dazzling.I can tell from the color alone that this is absolutely the perfect potion.I clenched my fists, and my palms were rarely sweaty.There must be something else that could be done better, I murmured in my heart, flipping through the textbook irritably, frowning as I read the note on the last operating instruction. "The leech juice is used to eliminate the side effects of the shrink potion in the transformation, but it also has adverse effects..." That's right, it's here!I closed the textbook with confidence, abandoned the original formula in the textbook, and added another medicine powder according to my own understanding.The moment the powder touched the potion, the potion rolled up, and I stared nervously at the boiling liquid. After a few seconds, the grass green potion turned into a pure emerald green, slightly darker than Sylvia's A little thicker, and it is thicker. If you look closely, you will find that the liquid surface is covered with a dark golden film, which makes the liquid medicine roll more slowly.As soon as the liquid surface calmed down, the hourglass on the podium leaked the last bit of sand.I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Professor Slytherin stepped down from the podium, carefully examining each potion, with a serious expression as always.

"What did you add in the end?" He stared at my potion motionlessly, said in a deep voice, his expression was not good.

"Narcissus root powder," I said calmly.

"reason?"

"It can have the same effect as leech juice, and it can also reduce the discomfort when deforming. I think this is better than the original formula." I whispered anxiously, as if looking for an excuse for violating the operating procedures, But I think my judgment should be right.

"You think your formula is better?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what the consequences of this will be?"

"Consequences?" I raised my head blankly and repeated, "What are the consequences?"

"Narcissus root powder is slightly toxic, which reduces the discomfort during deformation but increases the risk of reduction. In addition, it will react with mouse bile after heating, and the slight toxicity will become highly toxic. Change to another A less euphemistic way of saying it is...you are not suffering from potion but □□.” He said this in one breath, and without looking at me again, he turned around with his hands behind his back, “Miss Smith’s potion is completely in line with the operation The procedures, the mastery of the heat and the control of the dosage are all perfect and impeccable, and the most important thing is that she didn't change the original potion formula with her own cleverness, so she is the undisputed winner—"Sylvia just now He had been in a trance, and suddenly he heard his name with a slightly surprised expression, as if he hadn't expected this result at all, "—Miss Ravenclaw, don't use your ingenuity in the wrong way." Finally, he whispered, Turning my head slightly, I can see the unfathomable expression on his indifferent side face, "Now, class is over."

So... embarrassing.Probably in his eyes, I was like a clown, showing off that ridiculous talent beyond my control.

Ear-piercing rubbing sounds sounded, and the students stood up to pack their things and prepare to leave.Murray's group of Slytherins let out an undisguised sneer.I bit my lip tightly, forcing the tears back into my eyes.The more people want to see me defeated, the more I can't let them succeed.

Sylvia stood there at a loss, as if she didn't know what to say.

"Miss Ravenclaw, come to my office." Professor Slytherin said calmly as he passed by me.

"You—" Sylvia seemed to want to say something.

I ignored it, threw my schoolbag on my shoulders, raised my head to maintain the final dignity, and strode away.

I clenched my fists tightly and stood stiffly in Slytherin's office. Even though I wanted to express all kinds of grievances in my heart, I still stubbornly turned my head and stared at the ground on the lower right.

"Miss Ravenclaw, do you know why I want to speak to you alone?"

"I don't know," I retorted.

The Slytherin stared into my face, dark eyes hard and deep.I stared at him unflinchingly, because I had no regrets in my heart.

"Please sit down, Miss Ravenclaw," he said suddenly after a moment, beckoning me to sit down with a relaxed wave of his hand.

"I'll just stand."

A fleeting smile flashed across his face, as if he saw something interesting. "Please--sit," he emphasized the word "please", his tone was unquestionable, but his face softened a little.

I was skeptical, but I pulled up my chair and sat down.

Professor Slytherin sat across from him, his elbows resting on the table, his slender fingers crossed casually, and he continued to examine me.

I feel confused, if he wants to teach me just because of today's class, why has he kept silent?

"Professor, what do you want to tell me?" I said neither humble nor overbearing.

"Miss Ravenclaw, do you think it would be fun to challenge my authority in class?" The tone of the question was not harsh.

"No, sir."

"Then why do you repeatedly fail to follow my instructions to brew the potion, and even change the formula of the potion without authorization?"

"I am trying to improve potions in different ways. And through these attempts, I have indeed found many better formulas."

"Oh?" he said with interest, "like?"

I took a deep breath and recited the tricks I had pondered in my spare time one by one. Those that could save time, enhance the efficacy of medicine, and reduce consumption...every one of them was the painstaking effort of my research.I was so focused on remembering that I didn't notice the change in Professor Slytherin's expression until a sigh brought me back to reality.

"Am I wrong?" I asked nervously.

"No, I also use some. It's really amazing that you can find so many..." He looked at me, not admiration but concern in his eyes, "But, do you know why I never teach these in class?"

Shaking his head.

"Because not everyone can perfectly grasp the proportions, more precisely, most people cannot grasp the heat, control the intensity, and balance the dosage so accurately every time. Your changes can indeed be faster or even It is better to make potions, but the risk of failure is far more than those that you think are bland formulas, so these skills are destined not to be widely spread."

"But if you can master it, why do you have to follow the old protocol slowly?" I blurted out, and immediately realized that I had slipped. "Sorry, professor."

"Helena," he gave me a meaningful look, "you're in too much of a hurry."

He suddenly called me by my first name, which made me feel a little out of place.I tasted the meaning of his words, and it became more and more unclear what he wanted me to do today.

"Professor, you mean..." I said tentatively.

"Everything," he replied succinctly, sitting back relaxed in his chair, arms gracefully draped over the armrests.

"Me? Eager for success?" I frowned and repeated.

"You always want to surpass others and show yourself to be different, so you try your best to find shortcuts everywhere," he stared into my eyes, paused for a moment, and continued, "But what you are after Not something you can get now. 'Shortcuts' are dangerous things that seem to help you get there faster, but can lead you astray."

"I think you've misunderstood me, sir," I said quietly, "I know what I want and how hard it is, but I won't give up because I have no choice. Thanks for the advice, but please Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"But what if it will cause harm to the people around you?" His eyes were deep, as if he could read people's hearts.

"harm?"

"Helena," he said softly, with a long breath, "I know you are her daughter. You shouldn't make your mother so sad."

I looked up in shock, couldn't believe my ears, and stammered, "You—you said—I—my mother?"

The unsmiling Professor Slytherin gave a meaningful smile, "You know who I'm talking about."

I felt cold sweat crawling down my back.How would he know?Did his mother tell him?Long-lost shame and dark memories gradually surfaced, making my cheeks burn. "I'm not quite sure... what the hell are you talking about..."

He shrugged noncommittally, and said: "Actually, I'm not sure. But at least, remember what I said. You are a very talented witch, but it is those talented young people who tend to drown in their talents. Don't Waste your energy on those meaningless things, and do something down-to-earth, so that you may surpass her." He nodded, indicating that I can leave.

Things are getting more and more inexplicable.I stood up in bewilderment, completely unable to understand what he did today, let alone the meaning of his words.The ending was completely different from what I expected.But in any case, I can be sure that he knows my identity, but will keep it secret.

I walked slowly in the direction of the Ravenclaw Tower.The sky outside the window was gloomy, as if it was going to rain.I stopped suddenly and looked at the dark sky outside the window, feeling vaguely familiar with this situation.I suddenly remembered that on a rainy day many years ago, a tall middle-aged man sent his mother home.He said he was a colleague of his mother's, and he said he taught Potions, and his name seemed to be...

Salazar Slytherin watched the office door close, shook his head with a wry smile, and muttered to himself, "Rowena, Rowena, how could you have such a daughter?"