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Severus' hands grip the side of his iron cauldron tightly. He knows that his entire Hogwarts' potion career might ride on this one potion, so why can't he concentrate?
Potions has never been Severus' strongest subject, but he loves it. He just needs to bring up his grade and he'll be able to continue into NEWT level. It should be easy, in theory — Slughorn wants him to do well. He's giving Severus the chance for extra credit if he just makes this once potion.
Except Severus seems incapable of actually making the potion.
Shaking his head, Severus reads the line of instructions again. He just needs to dice up his clover roots and put them in the cauldron and stir.
Except why? It doesn't make any sense that he should dice them. The point of putting them in is so the mixture can suck them of their moisture and use it for its own needs, right?
Shaking his head once again, Severus grips his iron cauldron again.
Slicing them should work better, in theory, but that goes against the instructions. What if he tries it explodes in his face? He'll never be able to move onto NEWT level, no matter how much he enjoys the potions class.
Why does he have to love something that he's utterly awful at? Why can't he love charms like he loves potions? He's doing amazing in that.
On the other hand, what if it works? What if he slices them instead of dices them and the potion works so much better?
Slughorn will love him. He'll probably get even more extra credit and be able have a higher chance of getting into NEWT level. That'd be amazing.
Severus isn't a Gryffindor. He doesn't take chances. Severus is a Slytherin. He goes by the rules of the book.
Except Severus is a Slytherin. If he takes this chance, it could let him climb higher up. That's ambition, right?
Letting go of his cauldron, Severus grabs his knife.
He needs to take this chance.
