While the Little Lions felt a bit cold around them, the Little Badger didn't seem to notice anything amiss.
The professor has changed, it's not like they changed to someone like Quirrell or Lockhart.
After the students were all seated, Snape, standing next to the podium, looked at the clock on the wall and muttered to himself.
"Five... four... three... two... one..."
When the school bell rang, his face suddenly darkened.
"Tap tap tap—" A series of hurried running sounds came from outside.
The classroom door opened, and Harry and Ron rushed in.
"I'm sorry, Professor Lupin, we're late—"
They were both Petrificus Totalus, maintaining their forward-rushing posture.
Snape's incredibly cold eyes swept over them. "Potter, Weasley, this lesson started 17 seconds ago."
Harry and Ron shuddered as if they had just come back to life, then stood up obediently.
"Because of your lateness, I think Gryffindor should lose 10 points."
"Professor, but we—"
"Shut up and sit down."
Harry didn't move, and Ron didn't move either.
Where is Professor Lupin?
"He can't come to class," Snape grinned maliciously. "Didn't I tell you to sit down?"
Harry seemed to want to ask something more, but then he caught sight of Vincent winking at him.
In Snape's class, being late was a capital offense, as was asking questions.
He obediently sat down with Ron.
Snape, standing beside the podium, looked slightly disappointed.
Asking a question will result in a 5-point deduction, and failing to sit down will result in a 50-point deduction.
His cold eyes glared at Vincent.
It was almost non-aggressive, and even glared back at her.
Very good, excellent.
Snape looked around the classroom at the students. "I'm very disappointed that Professor Lupin didn't leave any teaching notes."
The Little Lions were all furious, but none of them dared to utter a word in rebuttal.
"I have to doubt whether his haphazard teaching methods will actually enable you to survive when you are in mortal danger."
Yes, make it even angrier, and say something even harsher.
Snape turned the pages of his textbook, one by one, "Boggart, Red Cap, Kappa, and Grindylow."
He paused, then looked to the left and right of the Little Lions. "Next, you're going to learn Hinkypunk, right?"
Vincent's eyelids twitched wildly, as if he had guessed something.
Hermione pursed her lips tightly, as if she had guessed something.
You are all too easily satisfied. It seems Professor Lupin hasn't added any burden to you.
Snape sneered, "I think first-year students are already capable of handling Red Cap and Grindylow, and what we're going to discuss today is—"
He flipped through his textbook rapidly until he reached the last chapter, "Werewolf."
Hermione glanced instinctively at Vincent was adjusting his collar.
To kill someone and then destroy their spirit—how terrifying!
This is just mockery now; something much worse is sure to follow.
"But Professor," she clenched her small hands, "The knowledge of Werewolf is too profound, and it's not something we can handle right now."
Snape's gaze quickly locked onto her face.
It's here, it's finally here.
His voice was frighteningly calm. "Miss Granger, I seem to remember that I was the professor for this class, not you."
Hermione's lips trembled, as if she was about to lose control.
"Everyone, turn to page 394 in your textbooks."
She remained motionless. "Professor Snape, I think we should proceed gradually, rather than—"
"Shut up!" Snape snapped. "Granger, are you questioning my teaching abilities?"
"I—" Hermione glanced at Vincent was gently shaking his head at her.
I can't stand it, I really can't stand it.
Just as she was about to blurt it out, Vincent suddenly stood up.
"Professor, Hermione did not question your teaching ability."
"Ha—" Snape grinned menacingly. "Wayne, how do you know Granger didn't? Are you a tapeworm in her stomach?"
The Little Badger tightened their school robes, finally feeling the air around them grow colder.
Vincent did not back down; he stood straight.
"Professor, according to Article 27 of the newly revised Hogwarts Staff Code, no staff member of the school may doubt any student without reason."
Snape stared intently at him with his long, narrow black eyes. "Wayne, I don't recall ever telling you to stand up."
"Yes, I broke classroom rules." Vincent calmly met his eyes. "And it was I who questioned your teaching abilities."
The classroom was eerily quiet; you could barely hear a breath.
Snape grinned as he stepped down from the podium and stood in front of Vincent. "Wayne, with your excellent grades, shouldn't you have started learning how to Werewolf sooner?"
"No." Vincent tilted his head slightly, almost at eye level with him. "You just said that Professor Lupin's teaching is disorganized, but I think your leapfrog teaching should take our learning progress into account."
They're facing Werewolf that even adult wizards might struggle to handle; it would be a miracle if they could teach them.
"Heh heh—" Snape leaned his big face closer, "At your pace, you might not even have the chance to learn about Werewolf this semester."
Instead of backing down, Vincent advanced, almost touching his large nose. "Professor, I'm not in a hurry at all."
"Wayne, your naive thinking will not only kill you, but also everyone else."
"We are at school, and I believe we are safe."
Snape glanced at the scar on the neck. "Looks like you haven't learned your lesson yet."
Vincent didn't flinch, meeting his gaze openly. "No, I was just trying to distinguish right from wrong, and finally made my own decision."
Compared to Vincent's openness, a fleeting look of guilt crossed Snape's eyes.
The reason Lupin lost his temper was, frankly speaking, because there was something wrong with the Wolfsbane Potion that day.
Even though I knew the effect would be slightly worse, I still served it directly.
However, the Potions tools Snape used were "donated" by Vincent, so any problems with them...
No, I cannot escape.
Snape straightened up, turned and walked to the podium, snapping his textbook shut.
The students were all very surprised, especially Vincent, who was prepared to "talk back to the professor."
Has that shameless, treacherous Old Bat admitted defeat?
Impossible. He'd rather believe Fudge resigns tomorrow than believe Snape is admitting his mistake.
"Sit down, Wayne!"
Hmm, that's more like it.
After Vincent sat down, Snape turned the pages of his textbook again.
His speed increased, eventually stopping at the very last chapter.
"Since Wayne thinks we shouldn't learn from Werewolf, then let's learn something more urgent today."
He pulled out his wand and levitated the textbook, allowing all the students to clearly see the terrifying illustrations on it.
This is a Dementors wearing a tattered cloak, its body severely twisted and rotting.