Chapter 7
Herbology and Potion class
The next morning, Herbology class promised to be a challenge. The first-year students, including Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, Jiang Cheng, and Qing Yi, were gathered in the greenhouse under the watchful eye of Professor Neville Longbottom. Today’s lesson was particularly difficult: handling and harvesting materials from the notorious Fanged Geraniums—a plant known for its sharp, biting teeth and temperamental nature.
Qing Yi, however, was in his element. The Koeh family, from which he hailed, was renowned for their deep connection to nature, particularly in the art of herbology and potion-making. His mother, Yu Yan, owned a potion store and managed an expansive herbology forest, where she grew rare and powerful plants. Qing Yi had spent countless hours helping her in the family’s greenhouses, learning the intricacies of plants and how to coax even the most stubborn species into cooperation. Herbology and Potions were his strong suits, and he found comfort in the familiar scent of earth and greenery.
"Today, we'll be working with Fanged Geraniums," Professor Longbottom announced, his voice both stern and encouraging. "These plants are essential for your upcoming Potions class, but they require delicate handling. If you’re not careful, they’ll snap at you faster than a Hungarian Horntail."
Wei Wuxian’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he eyed the snarling plants. "Oh, this looks like fun!" he whispered to Jiang Cheng, who looked far less enthusiastic.
Lan Wangji, however, appeared as stoic as ever, though there was a slight tension in his posture. Qing Yi noticed this and couldn’t help but feel a surge of confidence. This was where his Koeh heritage shone—herbs and plants were his forte.
Professor Longbottom demonstrated the proper technique to handle the Fanged Geraniums, using a combination of gentle coaxing and firm control. But when it was time for the students to try, chaos quickly ensued.
Wei Wuxian, predictably, dove in with too much enthusiasm, nearly getting his fingers bitten off in the process. "Whoa! Watch it!" he yelped, laughing even as the plant snapped at him.
Jiang Cheng grumbled under his breath as he struggled to keep his own plant under control. "This is ridiculous. Why do these plants have teeth?"
Lan Wangji remained calm but was clearly having difficulty as the Fanged Geranium in front of him seemed to sense his hesitation and snapped even more aggressively.
Qing Yi, observing the chaos around him, took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Here, let me show you,” he offered, moving to stand beside Lan Wangji. “You have to be firm, but not too rough. They can sense fear.”
With practiced ease, Qing Yi approached the snarling plant, his hands moving with a confidence that surprised even himself. He spoke softly to the plant, as if calming a frightened animal, and to everyone’s astonishment, the Fanged Geranium stopped snapping and allowed him to handle it.
“See? You just need to assert yourself without being aggressive,” Qing Yi explained, gently prying open the plant’s jaws to reveal the valuable leaves inside. He handed a few to Lan Wangji, who accepted them with a nod of thanks.
Wei Wuxian, who had been watching with wide eyes, leaned over to Jiang Cheng and whispered, "Wow, Qing Yi’s really good at this. Maybe I should let him handle mine too."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. "You should’ve thought of that before you almost lost a finger."
Once the plants were subdued, ProfessorLongbottom instructed the class to pair up for the extraction process. Qing Yi turned to Lan Wangji, “Do you want to partner up again?”
Lan Wangji nodded, his expression unchanged but his actions speaking for him. They gathered their materials and moved to a nearby table to begin the extraction.
As they worked, Wei Wuxian kept glancing over at them, his curiosity getting the better of him. He sidled up to Qing Yi, a mischievous grin on his face. “So, Qing Yi, you’re pretty interested in Lan Zhan, huh?”
Qing Yi blinked, genuinely confused by the question. “Well, yeah. He’s very smart, knowledgeable, and patient. I really admire that.”
Wei Wuxian’s grin faltered, and a subtle hint of jealousy flickered in his eyes. “Oh, really? Is that why you keep wanting to partner up with him?”
Qing Yi, completely unaware of Wei Wuxian’s growing annoyance, nodded earnestly. “Of course! Who wouldn’t want to learn from someone like him? He’s so skilled, and I want to improve by working with him.”
Wei Wuxian’s eyes narrowed slightly, his playful tone taking on an edge. “Is that so? You seem to... like Lan Zhan quite a bit, don’t you?”
Qing Yi, still utterly oblivious to Wei Wuxian's growing tension, glanced over at Lan Wangji, his eyes softening with genuine admiration. “Yeah, I do,” he said warmly, his voice sincere. “He’s really cool.”
Wei Wuxian stared at Qing Yi sharply, his frustration barely concealed as he tried to make sense of his own feelings. Qing Yi’s innocent admiration was grating on him in ways he hadn’t expected. His jealousy bubbled just beneath the surface, though he struggled to keep it in check.
Seeing Wei Wuxian’s sudden change in demeanor, Qing Yi tilted his head, puzzled. “Uh... Wei Ying... you okay?”
Before Wei Wuxian could respond, Jiang Cheng appeared, looking slightly exasperated. “There you are, Wei Wuxian. Come on, I need your help to dissect this—”
Wei Wuxian interrupted with a sharp, almost defensive tone. “Sure, I’ll dissect it. Where is it? I’ll dissect whatever obstacles we encounter today!”
Qing Yi and Jiang Cheng both jumped in surprise at Wei Wuxian’s sudden outburst. Jiang Cheng stared at his friend, baffled by the intensity of his response. “What’s gotten into you?” he muttered as he led Wei Wuxian back to their plants.
Qing Yi, still confused by Wei Wuxian’s behavior, shrugged it off and returned to his table where Lan Wangji was already focusing on the plant in front of them. The task at hand involved cutting the leaves of the Fanged Geraniums plant that kept wriggling away whenever Lan Wangji’s blade came close.
Lan Wangji’s brow furrowed in concentration, his usual precision faltering slightly as the plant twisted and turned in his grip. Qing Yi watched for a moment before offering gently, “I can cut the leaves if you want, Wangji. It seems tricky.”
Lan Wangji glanced at him, his expression calm but determined. “Thank you, but I’d like to try. Could you show me the proper technique?”
Qing Yi smiled warmly at Lan Wangji’s desire to learn, appreciating his classmate’s dedication to mastering even the smallest tasks. “Sure, it’s all about finding the right angle,” he explained, taking his own blade and demonstrating the motion. “You have to follow the curve of the leaf like this, and then—quickly—cut before it can move.”
Lan Wangji nodded, closely watching Qing Yi’s demonstration. He then mimicked the motion, cutting the leaf cleanly in one swift stroke. Satisfied, he continued working, his focus sharp as ever.
As they worked in companionable silence, Qing Yi decided to ease into the questions that had been lingering in his mind. He hesitated, unsure of how to approach the topic, but eventually, he gathered the courage. “So... uh... Wangji,” he began cautiously, keeping his eyes on the plant, “are you and your brother close?”
Lan Wangji paused for a moment, his hands stilling as he looked up at Qing Yi. The question seemed to catch him off guard, and he stared at Qing Yi for a brief moment, making the him jump slightly, his heart skipping a beat in nervousness.
“Yes, we are,” Lan Wangji replied simply, his tone steady as he returned to his work, cutting another leaf with precision.
Qing Yi felt a bit flustered by the directness of Lan Wangji’s gaze and the brevity of his response. He hesitated again, trying to find the right words. “So does he... I mean... is he talking to... anybody?”
Lan Wangji continued working, but there was a subtle change in his expression, a barely noticeable hint of amusement that tugged at the corner of his mouth. He didn’t look up as he replied, “He’s talking to lots of people.”
He then looked up after his comment, observing Qing Yi's reaction closely. He noticed Qing Yi’s eyes widened with anticipation, clearly eager to learn more about Lan Xichen. However, when Lan Wangji mentioned "talking to lots of people," Qing Yi’s face fell slightly, a hint of disappointment crossing his features. The realization that Lan Xichen was actually very popular with many people seemed to dampen his spirits.
Qing Yi nodded defeatedly, his voice subdued as he responded, "Oh, lots of people... I see."
With calm composure, Lan Wangji asked, “Why do you ask?” His voice was even and steady, but there was a subtle note of curiosity, as if he was trying to understand the real reason behind Qing Yi’s inquiry.
Qing Yi jumped at the question, clearly caught off guard. His face flushed a deep red, and he quickly looked away, fumbling with the leaves in front of him. “Oh, I... no reason,” he stammered, the words tumbling out in a nervous rush. “I just... you know... I’m curious, that’s all.” He laughed awkwardly, his fingers twitching as he tried to focus on the task at hand.
Lan Wangji raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was more to Qing Yi’s interest than he was letting on. “Don’t you study with him every day?” Lan Wangji asked, his tone still gentle but with a slight edge of knowingness.
Qing Yi hesitated, his hands pausing in their work. “Yes, but... it’s a study session, and he’s really serious about it, so I can’t really ask...” He trailed off, realizing he was about to reveal more than he intended. His face turned a deeper shade of red as he quickly added, “I... I mean... yeah, we do study together. It’s... helpful.”
Lan Wangji couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. Qing Yi’s flustered demeanor was both amusing and endearing. He looked up briefly from his work and caught the earnest, almost anxious look in Qing Yi’s eyes—eyes that were clearly searching for more than just academic assistance.
Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian had been watching the interaction from his spot, his eyes narrowing as he observed the subtle exchange. His hands, however, were less subtle, and in his growing irritation, he accidentally crushed some of the delicate leaves they were supposed to be handling.
Jiang Cheng, who had been meticulously working beside him, noticed immediately and scowled. “Wei Wuxian! You’re ruining the leaves! Be more careful!”
Wei Wuxian barely registered Jiang Cheng’s reprimand, his focus still on Lan Wangji and Qing Yi. With a mix of irritation and confusion, he murmured, “So, Lan Wangji, you can talk and smile like that with someone else, huh?”
Lan Wangji felt a sudden, inexplicable shiver run down his spine. He glanced over at Wei Wuxian, whose sharp gaze was fixed on him like a hawk eyeing its prey. Although Lan Wangji couldn’t quite decipher the meaning behind Wei Wuxian’s intense stare, it sent a strange chill through him. Turning back to Qing Yi, who was nervously fiddling with the freshly cut leaves of the Fanged Geranium, Lan Wangji decided it was time to address the situation.
As they finished working on the plant, Lan Wangji, ever direct, asked with his usual calm demeanor, “Do you like my brother?”
Qing Yi’s reaction was immediate and almost cartoonish. His eyes widened to the size of saucers, and his hands fumbled with the leaves, nearly dropping them in shock. “Wh-what? L-l-like your brother?” he stammered, his voice trembling as he tried to wrap his head around the question.
Lan Wangji nodded, as if asking about romantic feelings were the most natural thing in the world. “Yes. If you do…” He paused, thinking carefully. “I’m not sure if my brother is interested in boys, but I could ask him for you if you want.”
Qing Yi looked like he’d just been hit by a Bludger. His face turned as red as the Fanged Geranium flowers, and he started to panic, words tumbling out of his mouth in a frantic rush. “No, no… please don’t ask him! I… I mean… I’m not sure if…” His voice trailed off as his brain struggled to process what was happening.
Oh no, Qing Yi thought, his heart racing. Senior Lan is a man, and I’m… another man. Is it strange that I… like him? Does that mean I like boys? Is that weird? His thoughts were a tangled mess, and he couldn’t seem to find a way out.
As his mind raced, Qing Yi started thinking about all the time he’d spent with Lan Xichen. The way his heart skipped a beat every time Lan Xichen smiled at him, how he looked forward to their study sessions, and how incredibly kind and handsome Lan Xichen was. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Oh no… I think I do like him… he realized, his face flushing even more.
Lan Wangji noticed Qing Yi had gone unusually quiet, lost in his thoughts. He tilted his head slightly, his calm voice breaking through Qing Yi’s internal chaos. “Qing Yi?”
Qing Yi jolted out of his thoughts, blinking rapidly. “Ah, yes! I’m sorry... no, it’s fine, I’m good!” He stammered, words tumbling out in a nervous rush. “I don’t like your brother after all! Haha!” His laughter was strained, clearly masking his sudden anxiety.
Lan Wangji raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but questioning. “Okay,” he replied simply, before returning to his book.
Qing Yi let out a sigh of relief, thankful that Lan Wangji didn’t press the matter further. But the thought of Lan Wangji potentially mentioning this conversation to Lan Xichen sent a wave of panic through him. He leaned closer to Lan Wangji, his voice a little more urgent. “Um, Wangji… could you, uh, forget what we just talked about? Please?”
Lan Wangji looked at him for a moment, his expression as unreadable as ever. Then, with a small nod, he said, “Okay.”
Though Lan Wangji’s response was brief, Qing Yi couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease. At least he’s not going to say anything... I hope, Qing Yi thought to himself as they wrapped up their Herbology session.
The next class was Potions, another subject Qing Yi excelled in, thanks to his Koeh heritage. Lan Wangji, however, was not as fond of this class, and neither were the other students, who often struggled with the precise and meticulous nature of potion-making.
As the first-years entered the Potions classroom, they were greeted by Professor Slughorn, a portly man with a jovial demeanor and a fondness for the finer things in life. His eyes twinkled as he looked over the group. “Ah, welcome, welcome, my dear students!” he boomed, clapping his hands together. “Today, we shall be working on a very special potion: Veritaserum, the Truth Serum! A tricky little brew, but with the right touch, it can be quite powerful. The ingredients you gathered in Herbology will be essential, so I hope you handled them with care!”
The students exchanged nervous glances, clearly not feeling confident about the task ahead. Professor Slughorn waved his wand, and the instructions appeared on the board. “Pair up as you did before, and follow the steps precisely. A poorly made Truth Serum can have... unintended consequences.”
Qing Yi found himself back with Lan Wangji, while the others partnered up as before. As they gathered their ingredients, Qing Yi couldn’t help but notice the apprehensive look on Lan Wangji’s face. “Don’t worry, Wangji,” Qing Yi said with a reassuring smile. “I’ll guide us through it. Potions isn’t so bad once you get the hang of it.”
Lan Wangji nodded, though he still seemed unsure. They began following the instructions, with Qing Yi carefully measuring and mixing the ingredients while explaining each step to Lan Wangji.
Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian, who was usually full of enthusiasm, once again found his attention wandering. His eyes kept drifting over to where Lan Wangji and Qing Yi were working together, a slight frown tugging at his lips. Because of his distraction, he wasn’t paying full attention to his own potion, and it wasn’t long before things started to go awry.
“Hey, Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng muttered, nudging him. “Focus! You’re not even looking at what you’re doing!”
Wei Wuxian snapped out of his thoughts just in time to see that he had poured too much powdered beetle wings into their cauldron. The mixture began to bubble ominously, giving off a peculiar smell that was definitely not right.
Professor Slughorn, passing by their table, frowned and leaned in to inspect their potion. “Wei Ying, my boy, your Truth Serum appears to have developed a rather unpleasant odor. It’s not supposed to have any smell at all.”
Before Wei Wuxian could respond, Jiang Cheng suddenly started sneezing uncontrollably. “A-choo! A-choo! What—A-choo! What did you do, Wei Wuxian?!”
Wei Wuxian, trying to stifle his laughter, shrugged. “I followed the instructions! Mostly...”
Professor Slughorn chuckled, though his eyes held a hint of concern. “It seems you’ve managed to create a version of the serum that induces sneezing. Quite a unique outcome!”
Jiang Cheng glared at Wei Wuxian between sneezes, his face turning red with frustration. “I swear, Wei Wuxian, if you mess up one more—A-choo!”
Wei Wuxian was now laughing so hard that he nearly knocked over their cauldron. “Hey, at least it’s not poisonous!”
On the other side of the room, Jing Xiang and Nie Huaisang were deep into their potion-making, with Jing Xiang taking the lead. As a member of the Koeh tribe, she handled the ingredients with the same confidence and skill as her brother, carefully measuring out each component with precision. Nie Huaisang, on the other hand, was more nervous than ever, his hands trembling slightly as he followed her instructions.
“Huaisang,” Jing Xiang instructed, her tone patient but firm, “we’re almost done. I need you to grab a vial of Moondew Essence from the supply shelf. It’s the final ingredient, and we can’t finish the potion without it.”
Nie Huaisang nodded eagerly, determined to contribute something useful to their project. He hurried over to the supply shelf and scanned the rows of vials. His eyes landed on two bottles sitting side by side, both with labels that looked almost identical: one read Moondew Essence, while the other read Moondrop Extract.
In his nervousness and haste, Nie Huaisang grabbed the vial labeled Moondrop Extract without a second thought and rushed back to the cauldron. Jing Xiang, focused on stirring their potion, didn’t notice the mistake as she handed him the stirrer.
“Perfect timing,” she said. “Now, add the Moondew Essence.”
Nie Huaisang uncorked the vial and poured the contents into the cauldron. As soon as the liquid hit the potion, the mixture began to bubble furiously, turning an ominous shade of deep blue. Nie Huaisang stared at the reaction, his brows knitting together in confusion. “Uh... Jing Xiang, is it supposed to react like that?”
Jing Xiang, now noticing the intense bubbling, glanced at the cauldron, her confusion growing. “No, it shouldn’t be doing that...”
Before she could finish her sentence, the potion erupted in a cloud of blue smoke with a loud pop, splattering both of them and turning their faces and robes a bright, vibrant blue.
Nie Huaisang blinked through the haze, staring down at his now-blue hands. “I-I think we got it wrong...” he stammered, his voice filled with guilt.
Jing Xiang wiped the blue potion from her face and gave him a deadpan look. “You don’t say.”
Still trying to figure out what had gone wrong, Jing Xiang reached for the empty vial Nie Huaisang had used and examined the label. Her eyes narrowed in realization. “Huaisang... I said Moondew Essence, ” she said, holding up the vial for him to see.
Nie Huaisang, still dazed, glanced at the vial and then at Jing Xiang. “Isn’t that what I put in?” he asked, his voice wavering with uncertainty.
Jing Xiang raised an eyebrow, holding up the bottle for him to read the label more carefully: Moondrop Extract. She shook her head with a sigh but couldn’t hide a slight smirk.
“Oh... well, my bad,” Nie Huaisang chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “But the names are practically identical!”
Jing Xiang couldn’t help but laugh softly at his mistake, the absurdity of the situation lightening the mood. “Huaisang, you really need to pay more attention.”
Jin Zixuan and Kai Ze were standing at their workstation, staring down at the instructions written on the board. Both boys looked equally bewildered, squinting at the words as if they might suddenly make sense.
“Alright,” Jin Zixuan said slowly, trying to sound confident, “next, we need to add five drops of... uh... something Extract?” He frowned, scanning the list of ingredients in front of him. “What’s... Essence of Murtlap?”
Kai Ze looked at the array of bottles, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Essence of Murtlap? Wait... which one is that?” He picked up a bottle, squinting at the label written in elegant, swirling cursive. The words seemed to dance before his eyes, making it difficult to read. “They all look the same!” he muttered, putting it down and picking up another bottle.
Jin Zixuan sighed, trying to keep his composure. “I think it’s this one,” he said, pointing to a bottle that, upon closer inspection, appeared to be labeled Essence of Gurdyroot in that same hard-to-read cursive.
“Are you sure?” Kai Ze asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he eyed the bottle with suspicion, struggling to decipher the delicate script.
Jin Zixuan hesitated for a moment, the ornate lettering giving him pause before he shrugged. “I’m not sure, but we’ll find out.” With that, he uncorked the bottle and carefully measured out five drops into the cauldron.
For a moment, nothing happened. The potion didn’t bubble, fizz, or change color. The boys exchanged relieved glances, assuming they’d done it correctly.
“Phew, I think we’re okay,” Kai Ze said, wiping a bit of sweat from his forehead. “Okay, next... it says to add both the…Veritas…folia? Veritasfolia…leaves and the Fanged Geranium leaves, and then we should be good.”
Jin Zixuan nodded, feeling a bit more confident now that they’d seemingly gotten the hang of it. He tossed the Fanged Geranium leaves into the cauldron with a small flourish, expecting the potion to simmer down and behave like it was supposed to.
Instead, the cauldron began to tremble slightly, a soft hissing sound emanating from it. The boys leaned in closer, trying to figure out what was happening.
“Uh... is it supposed to do that?” Kai Ze asked nervously.
Before Jin Zixuan could answer, the potion began to froth wildly, and to their horror, it suddenly erupted with a cascade of bright pink flowers. The flowers kept growing, overflowing from the cauldron and spilling onto the table. The air filled with a sweet, overpowering fragrance that quickly spread through the room.
Kai Ze’s eyes widened in panic. “No, no, no! What the heck is happening?! Professor Slughorn!”
Jin Zixuan tried to push the flowers back into the cauldron, but they just kept blooming, faster and more profusely, like some sort of magical floral explosion.
Professor Slughorn, who had been observing another group, quickly hurried over when he heard the commotion. He took one look at the flowering cauldron and shook his head, though he couldn’t hide the amusement in his eyes. “Ah, boys, boys... it seems you’ve created a Floral Fiasco Potion instead of Veritaserum!”
With a swift flick of his wand, he muttered, “Floribus Retraho!” The containment charm took effect immediately, causing the flowers to retract back into the cauldron. The sweet fragrance faded as the blooms wilted away, leaving the cauldron empty but for a few stray petals.
Jin Zixuan and Kai Ze stared at the now calm cauldron in disbelief, their faces a mixture of embarrassment and relief.
Slughorn chuckled, patting them both on the shoulder. “Not to worry, lads. It’s a common mistake when dealing with volatile ingredients. Just remember, potion-making is as much about learning from mishaps as it is about following the recipe!”
As Slughorn moved on to the next group, Kai Ze let out a long sigh, glancing at Jin Zixuan with a sheepish grin. “Well... at least it smelled nice?”
Jin Zixuan chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, but now I’m curious what other ‘masterpieces’ we can create next time.”
Kai Ze smirked, “As long as our next creation doesn’t try to take over the classroom, I’m game.”
As the chaos of the Potions class continued, Qing Yi and Lan Wangji worked with quiet focus, their Veritaserum steadily taking shape. The potion, a delicate, clear liquid, shimmered in their cauldron, perfectly brewed without a single misstep. Qing Yi's experience with potions and Lan Wangji's meticulous nature made them an effective team, and it showed in the result of their work.
Professor Slughorn made his rounds, pausing as he reached their station. His eyes widened in pleasant surprise as he inspected their potion. "Ah, impeccable work, both of you! A perfect Veritaserum! Quite rare for first-years to get it right on the first try. Twenty points to Slytherin and Ravenclaw!"
Qing Yi and Lan Wangji exchanged a quick glance, their eyes reflecting a sense of shared accomplishment. A subtle smile tugged at Lan Wangji’s lips, while Qing Yi’s grin grew wide, unable to hide the thrill of earning those points. Both felt a surge of pride in their successful collaboration.
Slughorn then turned to Qing Yi with a smile. "I must say, young man, your mother, Yu Yan, has always provided me with the finest ingredients from her store. I can see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. And your sister, Jing Shi, is one of my favorite students—truly gifted in Potions, just like the rest of your family.”
Qing Yi beamed with pride, feeling both grateful and slightly embarrassed by the praise. “Thank you, Professor.”
Slughorn then glanced over at Jing Xiang and Nie Huaisang, who had finally finished their own potion, despite still being comically blue from their earlier mishap. He chuckled warmly. “And well done to you two as well! Though you’ve had a colorful day, your potion is quite promising. I’ll have to let your mother know how talented her twins are.Twenty points to Slytherin and Hufflepuff for your persistence in the face of challenges.”
Jing Xiang and Nie Huaisang shared a grin, the earlier embarrassment from their mishap melting away. The points felt like a rewarding acknowledgment of their perseverance, and they exchanged a light-hearted look of triumph, despite their still-blue skin.
“Now then,” Slughorn said, clapping his hands together. “Why don’t you two groups lend a hand to your classmates? Help them get back on track, hmm?”
Qing Yi and Lan Wangji shared a glance before moving to assist their fellow students. They first approached Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, whose cauldron still emitted a faint, strange odor. Wei Wuxian glared at them, clearly annoyed, though neither Qing Yi nor Lan Wangji understood why.
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji asked, his voice calm and steady, “do you need help with your potion?”
Wei Wuxian huffed and looked away, his tone dripping with annoyance. “No need. I have Jiang Cheng for that.”
Lan Wangji and Qing Yi exchanged worried glances, both puzzled by Wei Wuxian’s sudden coldness. Qing Yi felt particularly uneasy, his confusion mirrored in his concerned expression. Why does it feel like Wei Wuxian doesn’t like me? Did I do something wrong?
Lan Wangji, sensing the tension, turned back to Wei Wuxian, his voice laced with quiet concern. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
Wei Wuxian, jealousy simmering just beneath the surface, replied in a low, irritated tone, “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Distracted and frustrated, Wei Wuxian grabbed a random bottle from the array of ingredients in front of them and carelessly poured a few drops into the bubbling cauldron. Almost immediately, the mixture began to ripple, the surface bubbling ominously before something started to sprout from the center.
Jiang Cheng, who had been focused on stirring, noticed the sprout growth first. His eyes widened in alarm. “Hey… something’s growing out from the cauldron, Wei Wuxian…!”
Before they could react, the sprout rapidly shot upward, unfurling into a thick vine that quickly blossomed into a mass of vibrant flowers. The fragrance filled the room, growing stronger by the second as the flowers multiplied and spread.
Qing Yi’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh no, Wei Ying! I think you created the Flora Fiasco Potion too!”
Jiang Cheng, panicking as the flowers continued to bloom uncontrollably, whipped out his wand, trying to remember the spell Professor Slughorn had used earlier.
“Flo…Floral! I mean Floribus Retraho!” he shouted, waving his wand in a frantic attempt to contain the mess.
To everyone’s surprise, the flowers began to retract back into the cauldron, the petals wilting away as the fragrance dissipated. Jiang Cheng stood there, wide-eyed and slightly breathless, as Professor Slughorn hurried over.
Professor Slughorn, having rushed over at the commotion, clapped his hands together in approval. “Well, well! Would you look at that! Jiang Cheng, you’ve managed to handle that little mishap quite brilliantly! Excellent work with the containment charm—very impressive! Ten points to Gryffindor!”
Jiang Cheng, still stunned by what he had just accomplished, slowly lowered his wand, trying to process what had happened. “Uh… thank you, Professor.”
Wei Wuxian, equally surprised, broke into a wide grin and nudged Jiang Cheng playfully. “Nice going, A-Cheng! I didn’t know you had it in you! And you’ve earned us some points too!”
Jiang Cheng, regaining his composure, shot Wei Wuxian a stern look. “You stay away from potion brewing from now on, you hear me?” he warned, though there was a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Wei Wuxian laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I promise. No more unexpected flora.”
With the crisis averted, Jiang Cheng sighed and turned back to the cauldron. “Let’s try this again. But this time, I’m doing the brewing.”
Qing Yi, noticing that Jiang Cheng was still a bit frazzled, stepped in to assist. “Here, I’ll help you out. We’ll get it right this time.”
With Qing Yi's help, Jiang Cheng managed to salvage what was left of their brewing session. Under Qing Yi’s careful guidance, the potion in their cauldron began to take on the correct appearance, a clear sign that they were finally on the right track. Wei Wuxian watched with an amused grin as Jiang Cheng meticulously measured each ingredient, clearly determined not to repeat any mistakes.
Professor Slughorn, who had been making his rounds, stopped by their table once again. He peered into the cauldron, his face breaking into a pleased smile. "Well done, boys! This is exactly what a Veritaserum should look like. A fine effort, especially after such a... colorful start to the lesson."
Jiang Cheng straightened up with a mix of pride and relief, while Wei Wuxian couldn’t resist giving his friend a playful nudge. “See? I knew you could do it, A-Cheng.”
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, though he couldn't completely hide his satisfaction. “Yeah, well, maybe next time I won’t let you anywhere near the ingredients.”
As the class began to wrap up, Slughorn addressed the students with his usual jovial tone. “Alright, everyone, excellent work today—despite a few mishaps! Remember, potion brewing requires both patience and precision. But more importantly, it’s about learning from your mistakes. You’ve all made progress, and that’s what counts.”
He dismissed the class with a wave of his hand, and the students began packing up their supplies. The atmosphere in the room was light, with many of the students sharing relieved smiles after the tension of the lesson.
()()()()()