Snape stared blankly at Harry, as though he had suffered some powerful mental shock.
In a daze, he felt as if he had seen Lily from those days.
The resemblance was simply too striking.
Even that school uniform robe seemed to have taken him back to those days.
And those emerald-green eyes were practically inherited from Lily.
But Snape quickly came to his senses.
No, there were still many differences.
This was not Lily. She looked more like Lily's daughter, or even...
Snape felt that Harry, looking like this, was practically Lily and his own daughter!
The instant that thought arose, even the Occlumency Snape maintained at all times seemed to let out an overloaded hum, and the world spun before his eyes.
Snape furrowed his brow tightly, pressing his fingers hard against his temples as he barely kept himself upright.
Once the dizziness finally passed, Snape saw the concern in Harry's emerald-green eyes.
"Professor Severus, are you all right?"
Following Rhine's earlier instructions, Harry spoke cautiously.
"We didn't mean to come so late. Please don't be so angry. We'll definitely come earlier next time."
"Could you please not deduct points from Gryffindor?"
Snape took a deep breath, doing his utmost to keep his expression stiff.
"Let it go this time. The points deducted from Gryffindor will be returned."
As if possessed, Snape added another sentence.
"Although Harry Potter arrived late, his attitude in admitting his mistake is sincere. That is still commendable."
"Gryffindor gains one point!"
The moment those words rang out, the entire Potions Classroom fell silent.
Hermione, Ron, and the other Gryffindor first-years all wore expressions as though they had seen a ghost.
Snape, whom the older students constantly gossiped about behind his back, had actually awarded points to Gryffindor?
Merlin above, what on earth was going