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Morris secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
This result is acceptable.
Moreover, it's good news that the twins won't be implicated.
It's only thirty points; he should be able to make it back with a little effort.
He thought he would be punished even more severely.
It seems that Snape at least approves of his pot of life-or-death water.
The matter has now come to a perfect end.
Morris asked in a low voice, "May I go now, Professor?"
Snape raised his chin and casually waved his left hand outwards. "Let's go."
Morris immediately turned and left.
Only after his figure disappeared behind the door did Snape slowly return to his seat behind his desk.
"Maurice Black…" he murmured.
Although the surname Blake brought back some bad memories, it was just a misunderstanding.
He already had a general understanding of Maurice's background.
An orphan who grew up in an orphanage, without any family tradition or guidance.
Yet, he was able to independently brew the "Life and Death Water" in his first year of high school, and even make reasonable improvements to the recipe.
All I can say is that they look very similar.
Hogwarts once had such a student—
Born into poverty and subjected to cold stares, yet possessing exceptional talent in potion-making...
Snape paused almost imperceptibly.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the office door, interrupting his thoughts.
Morris reappeared in the doorway.
Snape looked up, his face expressionless, and said, "Is there anything else, Mr. Black?"
Morris gave a slightly embarrassed smile and pointed to the crucible on the table.
"that..."
"Can I take the Water of Life and Death with me?"
Snape's face immediately darkened.
However, Maurice acted as if he hadn't seen it and continued to look at him expectantly.
A few seconds later.
"Take it and get out of here," Snape replied, without even glancing at Maurice again.
"Thank you, Professor."
Morris happily picked up the pot of life-and-death water.
We've already put in the effort, so we can't let it go to waste.
It's just the Water of Life and Death; he believed Snape wouldn't lack such a small amount of stock.
...
Back in his dorm, Morris immediately finished dispensing the potion, which was expected to be even more effective.
As for the pot—I'll just have to take it back to Snape during the next Potions class.
Immediately afterwards, he couldn't wait to begin drawing the magic circle for the two-world gate.
This doesn't take too much time.
Half an hour later, the magic circle was successfully completed.
The materials were still ordinary red pigment mixed with his blood.
Its shape is similar to Morris's previous undead creature conversion magic circle, only larger, with enough space in the middle for an adult to lie down.
At this moment, his room, in the dim light, resembled the scene of some kind of mysterious religious ceremony.
After locking the door and hanging a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, Morris slowly walked to the center of the magic circle and took out the water of life and death that he had just divided into portions.
According to the instructions, just one drop is enough for him to fall asleep for an hour.
Without hesitation, Morris took an extremely small sip on the spot.
It has a taste that is somewhere between bitter and refreshing.
It's not that it tastes bad, but it's not exactly delicious either.
Almost immediately, a wave of weariness washed over him.
He lay down on the empty space reserved in the center of the magic circle, his consciousness sinking into darkness.
There are no dreams.
There was only a pure, peaceful void.
After an unknown amount of time, Maurice opened his eyes.
He looked around and found that he was still in the room, and the magic circle beneath him had not changed at all.
The wall clock showed that only an hour and a half had passed.
As expected, it failed. Morris sighed.
He sat up from the cold floor and rubbed his stiff neck.
In fact, he had a premonition the moment he drank the water of life and death.
The "Water of Life and Death" is, in the end, just a potent sleeping pill.
It can indeed lull a person into sleep, but it's still quite different from death.
but...
"It seems like something's missing…" Morris murmured.
He had a vague feeling about it.
The Water of Life and Death is not perfect, or rather... incomplete.
Yes, it's incomplete.
It's missing something crucial.
A decisive element that can push sleep to a deeper level, closer to death.
no way.
Morris put on his robe, pushed open the door, and walked towards the Potions classroom.
Perhaps his Potions professor can give him some clues.
Chapter 55 The Missing Component
In the darkness of night.
"Knock knock knock!"
Morris knocked on Snape's office door.
"Come in."
An impatient reply came from behind the door.
Morris immediately pushed open the door and entered without hesitation.
Snape was sitting behind his desk with a cauldron in front of him, bubbling away and filled with the aroma of herbs.
He looked up and said coldly, "It's eight o'clock in the evening, Mr. Blake. Give me a reason why you're here during curfew."
"In fact, the curfew is at nine o'clock," Morris said clearly and quickly. "Professor, I have a question. Is the Water of Life and Death an incomplete potion?"
Snape was taken aback, then laughed in exasperation. "You came all this way just to ask me one question?"
"yes."
Morris nodded seriously.
There was absolutely no joking about it.
But then he realized something and gave an apologetic smile. "Ah, I was in a bit too much of a rush. If it's inconvenient for you, I can come tomorrow morning."
Indeed, professors also need rest.
It was indeed a bit impolite of him to bother people at this time.
"No need."
Snape sighed helplessly, scrutinizing Maurice as if he were some rare magical creature. "Cripples or imperfections—that's not something a first-year should be concerned with. This formula has been tested for centuries, Mr. Black. Its effects are stable, reliable, and controllable—qualities more than sufficient for most mediocre minds..."
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