Wounded Privileges, Snape's Personal Grudge

"Is Draco alright?" Pansy Parkinson blocked Aaron's way in the Entrance Hall and asked, while the others waited anxiously for an answer.

"He should be fine after some rest. Madam Pomfrey is bandaging him now. You can visit him later."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Gryffindor was even more relieved than Slytherin, because the extent of Draco's injury determined the severity of Hagrid's punishment.

"That's good," Pansy complained. "He really should be fired."

"It's all Malfoy's fault," Dean Thomas said bluntly.

"That's definitely a big part of the reason," Aaron didn't refute. "If Draco hadn't insulted Buckbeak, he wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Hagrid had gone too far; his first lesson was certainly unique, but Hippogriff third-year students was still quite dangerous.

"Won't he get expelled?" Harry asked worriedly. Hagrid might not be able to handle the blow of being expelled after just the first class.

"No." Aaron shook his head. "Draco said he wouldn't cause trouble for Hagrid, but Buckbeak might. Whatever the reason, it really hurt Draco Malfoy, and everyone saw it with their own eyes."

Harry, Harry, and his two companions looked at each other, feeling particularly indignant about the outcome.

Buckbeak was even more innocent Hagrid; it was all Malfoy's own fault, but the blame was placed on him.

However, there was nothing they could do about it; they could only hope that the punishment wouldn't be too severe.

Draco finally appeared in Potions Class a few days later.

His arm was wrapped in bandages and slinged in place, making it look quite serious, but in reality, it was almost completely healed.

Professor Snape asked everyone to make Shrinking Solution, a Potions that could make the drinker smaller or younger.

Draco made full use of his injured status to ask Professor Snape for help in class. Snape was also very cooperative and directly arranged for Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, whom he disliked the most, to assist him.

Ron chopped daisy roots for him, and Harry peeled figs for him. Draco felt incredibly pleased as he watched his two arch-enemies look frustrated yet helpless.

Aaron finished preparing a bottle of green potion, looked at the scene, and shook his head speechlessly, "Does it have to be this boring?"

Draco raised his arm dramatically and said smugly, "I'm injured, you can't expect me to cut these materials with one hand!"

"Crabbe and Goyle would be happy to help you."

"They're no match for Potter and Weasley," Draco said with a mocking smile. "Besides, this was Professor Snape's arrangement."

"It's only because of you that I'm doing this; otherwise, I would have definitely had Granger slice the caterpillar for me."

"Orange!" Professor Snape suddenly roared, before him stood the trembling Neville Longbottom, and it was obvious that his Shrinking Solution had failed.

"Gaius, tell this blockhead what he did wrong?"

"Uh... it must have been an overdose of rat spleen and leech juice."

What are the consequences?

"If you want to commit suicide, you can try drinking it."

"I heard you," Professor Snape said sternly. "I asked you to concoct Shrinking Solution, not poison."

Before this lesson ends, we're going to give your Toad a few drops of this medicine; that might motivate you to brew the medicine properly.

Neville shuddered, tears welling up in his eyes.

After Snape walked away, he finally came to his senses from the panic and choked back tears as he asked Hermione for help.

Aaron sighed, turned around and swapped his potion with Neville's. "Be more careful next time."

"Oh, thank you, but..."

"No buts, if you don't switch to your Leef, you'll probably be poisoned to death."

Hearing this, Neville was moved to tears and accepted a Shrinking Solution.

"Actually, I could have helped him change it," Hermione said, somewhat unconvinced.

"Yes, yes, I don't doubt your ability, but... aren't you tired?" Aaron asked meaningfully, "Don't you have any idea how many classes you have to teach today?"

Hermione opened her mouth, then lowered her head helplessly.

The Time-Turner is indeed quite useful, but it can't relieve fatigue. Her workload is much greater than others, so it's impossible for her not to be tired.

"If I were you, I would take a nap whenever I had a spare moment. It would be a miracle if you could keep going like this for half a semester."

"Let's forget about it, this is Potions Class!"

"I recommend you try it in Transfiguration Class; Professor McGonagall might understand you."

"That won't do either," Hermione said with a wry smile. "I can't let her down."

"She won't be disappointed; she'll just think it's understandable."

Hearing this, Hermione glanced at him.

She can still manage now, but she will feel powerless over time.

"Wait, how come you don't get tired?" Hermione asked in confusion. She could watch Aaron even when she was taking two classes at the same time, but he looked radiant and showed no signs of fatigue.

"Uh... you'll find out later."

"Fine, don't tell me then."

At that moment, Simon Finnigan took out a copy of the Daily Prophet and quietly placed it in front of Harry Potter, saying, "Someone has spotted Sirius Black Black."

"Where?" Harry and Ron asked immediately. They both felt that Professor Trelawney's mention of 'ominous' was closely related to Sirius Black Black, so they were particularly interested in news about him.

"Dufftown is not far from here."

It was Muggle who discovered him; they thought he was just an ordinary criminal, so they called the hotline.

"He's here for you, Potter," Draco said with amusement. "You could try to catch him yourself; it could be a great opportunity for revenge."

"It's a bit risky, but if I were you, I wouldn't let the Dementor deal with him."

"What did you say, Malfoy?" Harry frowned.

"You don't know, Potter?" Malfoy scoffed. "You really don't know?"

I almost forgot, you grew up in the Muggle world, so it's understandable that you don't know.

However, the Ministry of Magic didn't tell you this, your parents..."

"Cough cough!"

Aaron coughed, interrupting Draco.

"Do you know something too?" Harry asked Aaron. "What exactly is Sirius Black's relationship with my parents?"

"Don't get me wrong," Aaron said, shrugging. "I don't know anything about it."

There are countless stories in the Magic World, far beyond Sirius Black's comprehension.

"Malfoy." Just as Harry was about to ask him, Snape's voice came through.

"It's almost time. Now let's test Longbottom's potion."

Snape strode up to Neville, and both Gryffindor and Slytherin students spontaneously gathered around him.

"Everyone, watch what Longbottom's Toad will become. If his Shrinking Solution works, it will turn into a tadpole, but if it fails, his Toad will be poisoned to death."

As Snape spoke, he scooped up a spoonful of the potion, and frowned slightly as he looked at the bright, dazzling green color in the spoon.

He glanced at Aaron subtly, then poured the spoonful of medicine down the throat of the toad Leef.

The toad turned into a tadpole and twisted in Snape's hand.

The Gryffindor students cheered, for this meant that Neville's Shrinking Solution was ready.

With a dark expression, Snape took out a small bottle and dripped a few drops of liquid onto the tadpole, which then turned back into a toad.

"Class dismissed," Snape said. "Gaius, stay behind."

After everyone else had left the classroom, Snape looked at Aaron helplessly and said, "You used to dislike meddling in other people's business."

"Professor, what do you mean by this?"

"Hmph! You dare say you weren't the one helping Longbottom?"

"Maybe it wasn't me?"

"Gaius, I'm the Potions Class professor, and I know the level of each of you." Snape placed Neville's Shrinking Solution in front of Aaron. "Take a close look; you can spot the problem."

Aaron raised an eyebrow; he didn't think he would make a mistake on Potions of this difficulty.

"No problem, absolutely no issues," Aaron commented, but an embarrassed look immediately appeared on his face. "I was careless."

"Besides you and me, it seems no one else in the classroom can concoct the perfect Shrinking Solution!" Snape said meaningfully.

You cheated, fine, but you did it so openly.

Do you think teachers are idiots if you write your name along with your homework?

"Um... Professor, I just really don't want to see Longbottom crying, it's too unsightly."

"Is that so?" Snape scoffed. "Don't let it happen again."

"Thanks."

"I haven't finished speaking," Snape added. "I can let this go this time, but you have to do me a favor."

Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly, somewhat regretting helping Neville out of the predicament.

"Professor, please go ahead."

"You know we have a Defense Against the Dark Arts this afternoon?"

"Isn't that Gryffindor class?" Aaron asked, puzzled.

"Yes, it was also RJ Lupin's first lesson."

I'll take you there then. Your job is simple: just outperform all the Gryffindor in his classes, especially Harry Potter.

"That's not appropriate!" Aaron refused with an awkward laugh.

Snape meant to cause trouble, not that he couldn't do it; on the contrary, he was confident in his abilities.

But that was their first lesson, so it was a bit unfair to do that.

"There's nothing inappropriate about it. Lupin and I have known each other for a long time."

Aaron:...

"Professor, if I may ask, do you and Professor Lupin have any personal grudges?"

Snape paused for a moment and then nodded. "I've disliked him since we were in Hogwarts."

"That doesn't mean you have to drag me into this!" Aaron laughed in exasperation. He suddenly realized that this class was a conspiracy, and Professor Snape would make this request regardless of whether he helped Neville Longbottom or not.

"Don't worry, I'll back you up."

"This isn't about whether I'm supportive or not; I have my principles."

"Dumbledore," Snape suddenly said, "Headmaster Dumbledore seems to know about Professor Trelawney's Prophecy about you. He wanted to speak with you alone, but I, the Head of Slytherin, stopped him."

"Stop talking, Professor." Aaron interrupted seriously, "You are my most respected teacher. Your love is my love. I will definitely help you."

Don't push yourself!

"Not at all." Aaron said without changing his expression, but inwardly he was cursing.

Mama fuck!

Threat, this is a threat.

However, he had to admit that it was useful; he would rather offend the new professor than deal with Dumbledore, that old bastard was much more troublesome than Gandalf.