Chapter 718: Kanna’s Glorious Moment
By the time Kyle and Kanna emerged from the Room of Requirement, it was nearly time for the afternoon lessons to begin. Rather than heading back to the common room, they made their way directly toward the Dungeon.
Their schedule had two consecutive Potions lessons, marking their first class with Professor Slughorn.
When they reached the corridor outside the Dungeon classroom, several students were already inside. Cho was seated at the table closest to the podium, surrounded by a group of Ravenclaw students.
Kyle and Kanna stepped into the classroom.
The atmosphere was a stark contrast to how it had been under Snape. In previous years, the Dungeon never saw a hint of sunlight, relying solely on torches for illumination. The furnishings had been ominous—filled with jars of preserved frogs, mouse entrails, leech slime, and other grotesque ingredients, making the classroom feel more like a Knockturn Alley shop selling dark magic items than a place of learning.
Slughorn, however, had made significant changes. The torches on the walls were gone, and the grotesque bottles and jars had either been stored away or removed entirely (possibly taken by Snape). In their place were various cauldrons, each emitting white smoke or steam. For the first time, the curtains had been opened, revealing windows enchanted to mimic the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. Sunlight streamed into the Dungeon, transforming it into a far more inviting space.
Kyle couldn't help but marvel at the bright, airy atmosphere. It felt refreshingly new.
"Look, that's the Recovery Potion," Kanna whispered, nodding toward one of the cauldrons.
The Recovery Potion was her own invention, created for the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers' examination. Its effects were akin to the Awakening Potion, as both helped maintain focus, but there was a distinct difference. While the Awakening Potion acted as a stimulant, the Recovery Potion functioned more like coffee—it didn't suppress fatigue but kept the mind clear throughout the day.
Kanna hadn't anticipated seeing her yet-to-be-announced creation displayed in the classroom.
"It seems Professor Slughorn has quite the connections," Kyle murmured.