Chapter 17: Brewing Success and Magical Encounters

As Ethan's days at Hogwarts unfolded, each one seemed to bring with it new opportunities for discovery and growth. He threw himself into his studies with renewed vigor, eager to unlock the secrets of the magical world that surrounded him.

In between classes, Ethan found himself wandering the corridors of Hogwarts, his mind buzzing with excitement at the prospect of what each new day might bring. He passed groups of students chatting animatedly, their laughter echoing off the stone walls as they made their way to their next lesson.

Among the throng of students, Ethan caught glimpses of familiar faces: Hermione Granger, her nose buried in a thick tome as she hurried to her next class; Ron Weasley, his face flushed with excitement as he regaled his friends with tales of his latest Quidditch match; and Harry Potter himself, his emerald eyes shining with determination as he strode purposefully down the hallway.

Ethan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the sight of the Boy Who Lived, his heart pounding with anticipation at the thought of meeting one of the most famous wizards in history. With a nervous smile, he approached Harry, Hermione, and Ron, eager to strike up a conversation.

"Hey, Harry, Hermione, Ron," Ethan greeted them with a friendly wave. "How's it going?"

Harry, Hermione, and Ron all returned the greeting, each with their own variation of a smile or nod. "Not bad," Harry replied, his voice guarded yet polite. "Just trying to keep up with all the homework."

"Yeah, same here," Ron chimed in, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "It's like we're drowning in assignments, mate."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "Indeed. But it's all worth it in the end, isn't it? The pursuit of knowledge is its own reward."

Their conversation continued for a few more minutes before they parted ways, each heading off to their respective classes. Ethan made his way to the potions classroom, his mind buzzing with excitement at the prospect of brewing his own magical concoctions.

As Professor Snape outlined the steps for brewing the Draught of Living Death, Ethan listened intently, his mind already buzzing with excitement at the prospect of mastering such an advanced potion. He meticulously measured out the ingredients, his movements precise and deliberate as he followed Snape's instructions to the letter.

As the class worked, Ethan couldn't help but notice the subtle differences in approach among his classmates. Some worked with precision and focus, while others seemed to struggle with even the most basic of tasks. Ethan, however, found himself falling into a rhythm as he worked, his movements fluid and confident.

Stirring the potion clockwise three times, as Snape had instructed, Ethan added a precisely measured dose of powdered moonstone. As the potion began to simmer in the cauldron, he watched eagerly, noting the subtle changes in color and consistency.

With each step of the brewing process, Ethan felt a sense of familiarity wash over him, as if he had done this a thousand times before. It was as if his hours spent poring over books in the Hogwarts library had somehow imbued him with a deeper understanding of potion-making, allowing him to intuitively grasp the finer points of brewing.

As Snape made his rounds to inspect the potions, Ethan couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. He watched as Snape peered into each cauldron with a critical eye, his lips pursed in disapproval or approval.

When Snape reached Ethan's workstation, he paused for a moment, his dark eyes fixed on the potion bubbling away in the cauldron. Ethan held his breath, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation.

After what felt like an eternity, Snape nodded once, a small, almost imperceptible gesture of approval. "Acceptable," he muttered, before moving on to the next student.

As Ethan breathed a sigh of relief, he couldn't help but marvel at how far he had come since arriving at Hogwarts. It was as if his constant reading in the Hogwarts library and his dedication to his studies had somehow led to his adaptation further improving his brewing skills.

With a sense of pride swelling within him, Ethan cleaned up his workstation and gathered his belongings, eager to continue his journey of discovery and growth in the magical world.