Chapter 60 – Surprise News
On our first detention, we were accompanying Professor Slughorn into the potion's classroom as he intended to use us as his little helpers. This was the most fun of all the detentions I have ever had to attend. Even though I am not a potion aficionado like Quincy, I still enjoyed learning about the different ingredients and how to prepare them. I mostly remained silent, knowing when not to embarrass myself, and let Quincy do the talking and questioning.
"Outstanding, Miss Black!" He laughed, adding the prepared beetle wings to the potion, seeing how they were sliced up almost to the same size, prepared to perfection. "I couldn't have done it better myself! Hah... probably not even as good as you did, as my eyes are not what they used to be!"
"Thank you, Professor!" She smiled, accepting the compliment wholeheartedly, which seemingly further raised the Professor's approval of her.
"It is nice to see someone accepting the praise, ahaha! Now! What was it you wanted to say when we were coming down?" He asked, stirring the cauldron before leaving it to simmer a little.
"It was this, Professor!"
I was eagerly waiting for this moment when Quincy finally presented the recipe she translated from Slytherin's book. At first, there was nothing... then I saw the Professor's head turn white, then red, and start to sweat, letting it drip onto the paper. After finishing it and reading through it twice, he hurriedly waved his wand, locking the door and windows.
"W-w-where did you get this?!" He stammered, looking at Quincy, trying to stop his hand from shaking.
"We pieced it together, Professor, from books found in our families!" She replied, pointing at me.
"I only provided a few things; Quincy was the one translating and making out what was what!" I quickly added, not wanting to rob this achievement from her.