That evening, the group followed Loren to Snape's office. The dungeon was dim and gloomy at night.
"Madam Pomfrey definitely didn't examine my injuries carefully enough. I should go back and have another look," Ron said, growing more nervous the closer they got to the office.
Harry added, "When you saw Madam Pomfrey this afternoon, you should've gotten me some antidote. Then we wouldn't have to make an extra trip later."
Hermione did not want to listen to the two of them ramble. She caught up with Loren, hoping to get some advice from him. "What did Snape usually have you do?"
"Help process some potion ingredients and learn how to brew potions," Loren said truthfully without so much as a blush...
That was indeed the case. It was just that the ingredients he processed were a little different.
The office door was open. Loren knocked, then led the others inside.
Rather than sitting behind his desk grading assignments as usual, Snape stood in front of it, watching them file into the office.
His gaze swept back and forth over each of them, lingering longest on Harry.
The three who had never been to Snape's office before did not dare look around, but glimpses of snakes soaking in glass jars, giant toads, and even things that looked like babies made their faces go pale.
"Heh, the champions who defeated the troll."
Snape sneered. "If the timing were different, I would certainly make you understand just how ridiculous and self-righteous you are."
All four lowered their heads, none of them wanting to provoke him.
Snape looked at Loren and Hermione. "I thought you two were a little smarter, but you turned out to be just as reckless and ignorant as the other Gryffindors. What is the difference between your brains and