Wyzett was beginning to understand what it truly meant to "help someone achieve their dreams with your own hands."
As a Potions Master, Snape was equally adept at adding copious amounts of spicy, bitter herbs or sweet ones to a brew—no matter the direction, his skill never faltered.
Once he grasped Wyzett's line of thought, Snape flicked his wand, summoning the recipe for Pepperup Potion.
"If you don't want to ruin the intended effects of the potion, yet insist on adding all these unnecessary herbs, you'll have to make fundamental changes," he said.
True to form, Snape began processing the herbs directly from the recipe, inviting Wyzett to observe each step with care.
When the preparation was complete, it was time for Wyzett's questions.
With the aid of his Oculus Magicae, Wyzett could decipher most of Snape's methods, so his questions were few and targeted.
"Professor Snape, do we really have to remove the seeds from the kava pepper fruit? If we leave them in, wouldn't the potion be even more potent?"
It was as if Snape had been waiting for this. He folded his arms and replied, his voice clipped but full of biting rhythm.
"Using kava pepper fruit unprocessed—what is this, a fruit salad? Save yourself the trouble, unless you want a bed in the hospital wing."
He paused, then explained further. "If you don't cut it open and remove the seeds, heating it with other herbs will make it toxic. So—"
That was the crucial point for Wyzett. He nodded in sudden realization. "I see! That's what the pumpkin seeds are for!"
"Their gentler effect lets them stand in for the kava pepper seeds, balancing the potion's properties!"
This back-and-forth, though seemingly tedious, felt like a hunter setting traps and waiting for prey to stumble in.
Of course, who was hunter and who was prey hardly mattered—what mattered was the reward. Some found satisfaction in emotion, others in knowledge.
Once his doubts were resolved, Wyzett organized his notes and began summarizing the previous steps.
"Beech leaves must be ground extremely fine… Only a powder that fine will fully blend in the cauldron…"
If his conclusion was correct, Snape would simply nod in silent approval.
"And the choice of leaves matters—a tender leaf works best. It provides the stimulating effect without being overly harsh…"
Snape nodded again.
"As for the Billywig stingers, they need to be pulverized, since honeysuckle and echinacea extracts are added later. That way, the brewing time can be extended without overheating the bottom of the cauldron…"
Another silent nod from Snape.
...
As the prey who was also the hunter, Wyzett snapped his notebook shut and addressed Snape respectfully. "Professor Snape, shall we move on to the next step?"
"Hmm…" Snape fixed him with a long, searching look.
As the hunter who was, perhaps, also the prey, he seemed a little unsatisfied. "Then let's move on—the proportions of each herb."
"Since the processing method has changed, the ratios must change as well. You'll solve that yourself, test the potion yourself… and take yourself to the hospital wing if needed."
Despite his words, Snape still offered pointed guidance—his tone sharp, as though the hunt were still on.
But Wyzett had grown used to this, and handled the barbs with ease.
Snape kept his arms folded across his chest.
"This is your ratio for pumpkin seeds and mint leaves? Did Merlin whisper it to you in a dream, or is this just wishful thinking?"
"One-to-one kava pepper and beech leaves? What are you, a Gryffindor? Or is it Quidditch season, and you're just bashing things together? Truly… impressively reckless."
"And this much spider lily—have you made some groundbreaking discovery about its effects on alertness? Should I send you to St. Mungo's for a check-up? I'm starting to worry about your head."
Whenever these biting remarks came, Wyzett would adjust his proportions and explain his reasoning.
Once the ratios and logic were sound, Snape would lapse into silence.
But to Wyzett, that silence was deafening.
...
Again and again, the prey who was also the hunter completed his hunt. Snape finally lowered his arms and moved on to the brewing itself.
This step was simpler, more demonstration than instruction. Wyzett watched intently, nodding and jotting down notes at a furious pace.
Once he was satisfied, Snape was willing to offer a few more words.
"The essence of potion-making isn't in the tools, but in the approach. Once your thinking is sound, the so-called 'tools' don't matter nearly as much…"
Wyzett couldn't agree more. With a sense of lingering excitement, he took his place at the cauldron and began his own brewing.
As the flames licked the cauldron's base, Wyzett cast Ancient Magic: Potion Equilibrium Transmutation, letting its power infuse the potion and enhance the effects of the Pepperup Potion.
Adding sweeteners was just the first step. He wanted to know more—to understand how to dilute a concentrated potion base while retaining its full medicinal strength.
As a Potions Master, Snape's eyes narrowed slightly. The moment Ancient Magic: Potion Equilibrium Transmutation was cast, he sensed something unusual.
But, knowing Wyzett well, he said nothing. He simply waited for the potion to finish.
To his eyes, the entire brewing process was flawless.
And yet, there was a force he couldn't quite comprehend at work in the cauldron, making the finished potion astonishingly potent.
"How many wizards have you shown this ability to?"
Wyzett looked up. "I demonstrated it at Mr. Ollivander's shop."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Ollivander? Just him?"
Wyzett nodded. "This ability is rather… unique, so I avoid showing it off."
"Better memory than most Gryffindors," Snape sneered. "Daring enough to tinker with Animagus transformation—seems you learned plenty from Ollivander."
"Mr. Ollivander really did teach me a lot!" Wyzett said, glancing at the cauldron. "Professor Snape, how should I dilute the potion?"
Snape picked up a spoon and stirred the cauldron. "Just add pure water—nothing else. You should know how many times you've concentrated it, right?"
"Just pure water?" For the first time in a private lesson, Wyzett let surprise color his tone.
Snape confirmed, "Your concentrated potion is special. Use the proper ratio of pure water, and it'll restore the intended effects."
"Ordinarily, you couldn't do this. With normal concentration and dilution, depending on the potion, you'd need to add Flobberworm mucus during concentration."
"Likewise, when diluting a concentrated potion, you'd at least need leech juice, bubotuber pus, and uncontaminated dew…"
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