Snape's Intentions

Dumbledore's words were like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, the murmurs spreading out like ripples.

Going to Newmontgard for Academic Exchange... In the eyes of most students, this sentence can be rephrased as: Hogwarts is going to select a group of people to go to Newmontgard to get beaten up.

Last school year, the students of Newmontgard did not seem to have much of an advantage, but many people have realized that, compared to other students of the same age, the other side's abilities are clearly superior to those of Hogwarts.

The Hogwarts students' expressions turned somewhat unpleasant when they went to someone else's territory.

Sean's expression wasn't good either. He wasn't afraid of Academic Exchange, and it was uncertain who would bully whom in the end—the key was Grindelwald.

Sean always felt that the unruly and moody old man was going to do something strange to him.

Dumbledore students in the Great Hall discussed for a while before gesturing for everyone to be quiet. His expression became slightly more serious. "This is a great learning opportunity, and I hope that those selected will focus on their studies and progress—the selection process will be announced when the semester is halfway through."

After the disjointed school song segment, everyone got up and headed to their respective college Common Room. The Prefect were busy leading the new students, and Daisy mingled in the group, where quite a few students had already greeted her.

Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but her close relationship with Sean was also noticed by others. The socialite of Ravenclaw had quite an influence, and the somewhat shy Daisy was almost overwhelmed by the students' enthusiasm.

Sean smiled at her, indicating that she didn't need to be afraid. Although the eaglets were proud, they could become good friends once they got along well.

However, Hermione didn't wait for him this time. The girl chatted enthusiastically with Selma, whom she had just met, and the two went straight back to their dormitory together.

How did I end up all alone? Sean shook his head helplessly and slowly walked back.

The next morning, Hermione was back to her usual self, drinking Pumpkin Juice while reading the Daily Prophet that had just been delivered by an owl.

"... The Ministry of Magic has been robbed?" Hermione asked in surprise.

Sean leaned closer; Fudge's black-and-white photo was avoiding the reporters' cameras on the most prominent page of the newspaper.

"The Ministry of Magic has been robbed of a mysterious thief. The Minister said he would catch the culprit as soon as possible, but remained silent about the items missing from the Ministry." Below the bolded headline, Fudge's expression in the photo looked somewhat agitated.

"It is reported that the incident occurred in the early morning, with the intruder blending in with the Ministry of Magic staff on their way to work... The Auror quickly launched a manhunt, but the intruder was not captured..." Hermione read the report softly, then covered her mouth in surprise, "That's when we go to the station!"

Sean nodded. "Then the traffic cops Harry and his friends encountered... no, the Auror they encountered were most likely chasing criminals."

What would that intruder steal?

Sean shook his Pumpkin Juice and, finding it wasn't unusually thick, casually remarked, "Who knows? There are all sorts of mysterious things in the Ministry of Magic, aren't there?"

Hermione nodded. "But the Ministry of Magic's security measures are even worse than Hogwarts!"

"Hermione, Hogwarts is much safer than the Ministry of Magic."

After breakfast, they headed towards the underground classroom. The first class of the semester was Potions, which made Sean a little uneasy.

"Hmm?" Hermione had entered the classroom before him, asked in confusion.

"What's wrong?" Sean walked in, then also showed a strange expression.

The underground classroom was as eerie as ever, but in front of the podium, a dozen or so Cauldron were set up, and Potions were bubbling inside.

Hermione sat down in front of a Cauldron, sniffed it, and looked puzzled. "This is Nutrient Potion? It's fourth-year material. We're not at that stage yet."

Sean sat down next to her. Although Snape was always picking on Snape, he was still used to staying in the front row with Hermione. He could take the scolding, but he still needed to work hard at his studies.

"If I hadn't seen Snape still on the teacher's desk yesterday, I would have thought Professor Slughorn had returned—oh, is that Felix Felicis?" Sean saw a small Cauldron in the very center, with golden liquid inside leaping like fish.

"Yes..." Hermione's expression became even more puzzled. "Although the recipe for Felix Felicis is written in the textbook 'Advanced Potion-Making,' very few Wizarding World can successfully brew it. Snape couldn't possibly have taught us that."

Sean nodded, then a strange thought popped into his head: Could Snape be planning to use these Potions as a reward, just like Slughorn?

This is so surreal...

As they were whispering, the door to the underground classroom was suddenly pushed open, and the giant bat strode in with lightning speed.

The whispers in the classroom vanished instantly under his gloomy gaze.

Just as Snape opened the attendance list, a group of people rushed into the classroom – it was Harry and his friends.

"Mr. Potter, let's see, he's already late for the first class of the school year, isn't he?"

Harry, panting, said, "Professor, ha-ha-, three minutes left!"

"The class had already started when I walked into the Potions Classroom — Gryffindor loses five points because the three of you were late on the first day of school," Snape said coldly.

"Professor, this..."

Are you waiting for me to invite you to your seats?

Harry's lips twitched twice, but he finally sat down angrily.

Sean had a bit of a toothache. He had thought that Snape's attitude might be a little kinder after Daisy enrolled, but it seemed that he and Harry were still going to have a long way to go...

Dumbledore had announced that all future classes would be held simultaneously in all four houses. In the underground classroom, the second-year students sat upright, waiting for Snape to finish calling roll.

Only after confirming that no one was absent did Snape stand before the Cauldron.

"Our principal told me that the teaching will be more rigorous in the future. Although I don't know if everyone can bring their own brains, I have still prepared some things."

He stood in front of a Cauldron: "This might inspire your interest in Potions —of course, most of you won't be able to brew many of these Potions after graduation."

Snape chuckled, then quickly asked, "Wallerup, tell me, what is this Potions?"

Sean stood up and carefully examined the Snape Cauldron was pointing to; it contained a thick, milky-white liquid.

Hmm... I don't know him...