Chapter 8 – A Cauldron's Truth
> [Arcane Mastery System – Status Overview]
Host: Harry James Potter
Age: 11
Year: First
House: Slytherin
Arcane Core Progress: 24% Awakened
Elemental Affinity: Unknown (Locked)
Dual Affinity:
– Light Magic: +10% learning speed (emotionally aligned)
– Dark/Black Magic: Immune to side effects, enhanced compatibility
Physical Stats:
– Strength: High for age (Enhanced via potion conditioning)
– Dexterity: Above average
– Mental Endurance: Exceptional
– Charisma: Adaptive (Situational)
Traits & Titles:
– Chaotic Good: Morality defined by personal compass
– Serpent's Intent: +10% mental defense
– System-Blessed: Immune to magical corruption from aligned spells
– Snape's Apprentice – Path of the Potion Master
Known Skills:
– Potion Brewing I (Instinctive technique unlocked)
– Wand Resonance: Founder-Tier Wand (Phoenix & Basilisk core)
– Emotional Insight: Active when socially engaged
Bonded Relationships:
– Severus Snape – Mentor & Guardian (Potioncraft Guidance Tier 2)
– Draco Malfoy – Unusual Friend/Rival (Tier 2)
– Hedwig – Familiar (Magical Awareness Unlocked)
Notable Items:
– Founder Relic Wand – attuned for both Light and Dark magic
– Starlight Elixir (1) – Effect unknown
– Personal Journal – Arcane notes + emotional processing
> System Note:
— "Continue observation. Affinity breakthrough near. Maintain emotional and magical stimuli."
---
The Morning of a New Life
Waking before the others in the dim, green-hued Slytherin dorm, Harry stretched out with quiet ease. The room still carried the cool breath of the Black Lake, but Harry welcomed it. He dressed silently, mind sharp and body grounded—side effects of years of conditioning and the steady stream of potions Snape had slipped him since childhood.
He pulled out a small pouch hidden under his robes, filled with basic brewing herbs. With calm hands, he made a focused brew in a small, enchanted copper cup Snape had gifted him.
> Minor Focus Brew Created
— Duration: 3 hours
— Effect: Enhances clarity, steadies mental processes
+1 Potion Mastery XP
+1 Arcane Core Growth
He sipped the mixture and smiled faintly as it warmed his chest. Today wasn't just about fitting in. It was about laying the groundwork for control.
---
The Great Hall
By breakfast, the Hall buzzed with excitement. Students chatted nervously over steaming porridge and pumpkin juice. At the Slytherin table, Draco slumped next to Harry with a groan.
"I heard we've got Snape first thing," he muttered. "Is he really that scary?"
"He's exact," Harry said with a shrug, eyes watching the staff table.
Draco noticed. "You're not worried."
"I've known him since I was six. Just follow instructions and don't act like an idiot."
From across the room, Hermione caught Harry's eye. She was surrounded by Ravenclaws already swapping theories about magical law. She gave a small wave. Harry returned a nod—short but sincere.
Professor McGonagall approached, handing out timetables.
First Year – Monday
– 8:00 a.m. – Potions (Dungeon B)
– 10:00 a.m. – Transfiguration (Room 3C)
– 12:00 p.m. – Lunch
– 1:00 p.m. – History of Magic
– 3:00 p.m. – Free Study
– 6:00 p.m. – Dinner
> System Update:
Quest Activated – Impress Snape in Potions
Reward: House Points + System XP
---
Potions – Dungeon B
Snape stood at the front, his robes billowing slightly as students filed into the chilly stone room. Slytherins and Gryffindors shared the class—an odd pairing on the first day.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving here," he began, voice low but sharp, "and no silly incantations. This is potion-making. Subtle science. Precise art. And for those select few... a pathway to real power."
Some snorted. Seamus Finnigan whispered something to Ron, who smirked.
Snape's eyes snapped toward them. "Mr. Finnigan, perhaps you'd like to explain what lacewing flies do in a Calming Draught?"
"Er... wings?" Seamus said weakly.
Harry almost rolled his eyes. Beside him, Draco snickered.
Snape moved on, tapping the chalkboard.
Calming Draught – Level I
– Chamomile root
– Moonmint leaves
– Crushed caterpillar shell
– Lacewing extract
– Stir clockwise x5, then counter x2
– Simmer: 7 mins
"You have forty minutes. Begin."
Harry moved precisely. His hands were steady. He measured each ingredient to the gram and adjusted the heat by instinct. Around him, others were fumbling, especially the Gryffindors.
Ron dropped a pestle into his cauldron, splashing the contents.
"Oh Merlin—!" he yelped.
"Wand away, Weasley!" barked Snape.
Harry gave a sidelong look at Draco. "Why do I feel this is going to be every class?"
"You get used to it," Draco smirked.
Snape's footsteps echoed as he walked past. When he stopped beside Harry, he paused.
"Clean surface. No residue on the rim. Good color gradient."
He turned to the rest of the class. "Look at Potter's brew. Note the translucent pale blue—not green, as some of you have already managed to create."
Several turned to glare, but Harry ignored them.
> System Update
+20 House Points (Slytherin)
+2 Potion Mastery XP
New Trait Unlocked: Calm Precision
– 10% improved control in magical brewing
Snape leaned in and said softly, "You've remembered the second infusion step. Most never read that far."
Harry's lips quirked. "Wasn't that on the third shelf of your private collection?"
Snape allowed the faintest twitch of a smile. "You're paying attention."
---
Transfiguration – Professor McGonagall
Later, in Transfiguration, the strict but fair professor had the class transforming matches into needles.
"This requires balance," she explained, "between magical intention and wand control."
"Magic isn't about brute force," she continued, "it's about finesse."
Hermione raised her hand repeatedly, quoting textbooks nearly word-for-word. McGonagall praised her, but urged her to "focus less on theory and more on channeling intent."
When it was Harry's turn, he flicked his wand once.
Ping! The match turned to a fine silver pin, thin and precise.
McGonagall raised a brow. "Remarkable. Controlled and clean. Keep practicing."
Ron's match burned to ash. "Bugger…"
> Skill Gained: Transfiguration I
– Progress: 8%
– Special: High control potential
---
History of Magic & Beyond
Professor Binns floated through his lecture on goblin rebellions, and most of the class dozed off. Harry, however, kept notes—translating them later into arcane triggers the system could register.
> System Passive Unlocked
– Arcane Pattern Recognition
– Effect: Learns spell theory quicker when paired with historical context
---
Evening Reflection
Back in the Slytherin common room, Harry sat with a steaming mug of tea Hedwig had warmed for him.
His wand pulsed faintly in the holster, alive with potential.
"Tomorrow," he whispered, "we try a little spellwork."
The system pinged.
> System Alert
— Path Triggered: Elemental Affinity
Trial: Emotional Catalyst or Ritual
Status: In Progress