Before Class

The dungeon was lined with many braziers, yet they failed to dispel the chill in the air. Harry Potter shrank his neck and couldn't help glancing at the animal specimens preserved in special potions.

"Disgusting."

He muttered under his breath, flipped open his blank notebook, and carefully wrote down a "1."

This was his first Potions class.

"Phew~ Good thing we weren't late today. I heard from Fred and them that Professor Snape is way harder to deal with than Professor McGonagall."

Waiting before class was always dreadfully boring. Harry's friend, Ron Weasley, mysteriously let slip some news about their Potions professor.

Sinister, cold, harsh, severe.

In the words of every first-year who had taken Potions, Severus Snape was a blood-sucking bat in human skin!

"No way!"

Harry couldn't believe it.

"I'm telling you, it's the truth, one hundred percent."

Patting his chest with conviction, Ron looked dead serious.

"I think... he might not like me."

For some reason, Harry recalled that icy glare from the Opening Feast, and a flicker of unease stirred in his heart.

"Ha, that doesn't matter. He doesn't like anyone who isn't in Slytherin anyway."

Hearing this, Ron laughed lightly, accidentally revealing the yellowed collar of his shirt under his robes.

"Grindelwald's here!"

As the two chatted quietly, the classroom suddenly buzzed with commotion.

Harry and Ron both turned their heads in confusion, just in time to see a handsome youth leading a group of first-year Slytherins in green-trimmed robes into the room.

"Tch, Klein Grindelwald. I swear on Merlin, I'm sick of hearing that name."

Ron was the first to look away, making an exaggerated gagging motion.

Charms, Astronomy, Transfiguration—

Almost every professor adored Klein Grindelwald. Even the sternest Professor McGonagall would smile when she mentioned his name.

"I... I actually think he's pretty decent."

Harry hesitated for a second, rarely disagreeing with his friend. The help he'd received at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters had left a deep impression on him.

"No way, Harry. Don't tell me you've fallen for that guy's act too, like Neville?"

Tugging at his messy red hair, Ron stared at Harry as if seeing him for the first time.

In the Gryffindor common room, their classmate Neville Longbottom talked about that name every single day, telling anyone who'd listen how Klein Grindelwald had helped him find his toad on the train. Ron never missed a chance to mock him for it.

"No."

Harry wanted to explain but didn't know how, so he just lowered his head gloomily.

Klein didn't know how he'd become the leader of the first-year Slytherins. By the time he realized it, about twenty boys and girls had gathered around him, treating him like an idol—even Crabbe and Goyle, who had initially looked down on him, had become his devoted fans.

"Klein, you need to be careful in today's class."

Draco Malfoy walked on Klein's left, his pale, pointed face carrying a hint of tension. No matter how well Klein performed in other classes, in Potions, Severus Snape was the absolute ruler.

"Draco, you're worrying over nothing."

Unlike Draco, Pansy Parkinson on Klein's right seemed full of confidence. She believed that even their picky Head of House would come to like Klein.

After all, he was that outstanding.

"You don't know Professor Snape's temper."

Draco's tone darkened as he turned to another companion.

"Daphne, what do you think?"

"Me?"

The blonde girl called out froze for a moment, then shook her head lightly.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Draco's voice rose involuntarily, but before he could say anything harsh, Klein cut him off with a smile.

"Hey, guys, let's drop it here."

With that, he looked at the troubled Daphne Greengrass and, like a magician, pulled a beautifully wrapped honey chocolate from his robe pocket.

"Daphne, you don't look so good. This is for you—it should make you feel better."

"No... no need."

Waving her hands repeatedly, Daphne's face flushed red.

"Have a taste—this is Headmaster Dumbledore's personal reserve."

With a wink and a smile, Klein shoved the chocolate into the other's palm without argument, then turned to his Slytherin companions.

"You all go ahead and sit. Draco, save me a spot, will you?"

With that, he walked off toward the Gryffindor side without looking back.

"No way, Klein actually has ties with Gryffindor?"

Goyle blurted out, his round little eyes full of disbelief. In his view, only Slytherins were worth associating with—Klein was practically "lowering himself"!

"Shut up!"

Draco snapped irritably, his expression souring.

He thought to himself that he ought to have a proper word with Klein when he got the chance.

"Long time no see, Neville."

Klein had no idea what those Slytherin students were thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't have cared.

Back when he'd first enrolled, the clumsy but kind-hearted chubby boy Neville had accompanied him through those early days—he hadn't forgotten that bond.

"Oh, Klein, you actually—I mean, hello."

Neville's round face flushed red as he quickly stood up from his seat.

He was clumsy, not stupid; he could pick up on the other students' mockery. Everyone thought he and "Klein" didn't belong in the same circle, and honestly, he thought so too.

Even so, he still habitually told others how great Klein was. Because from him, he'd felt a kind of respect he'd never experienced before.

"Nothing much, I just came over to say hello. It's been a while since school started—how have you been?"

Ignoring the many surprised looks, Klein's smile remained as warm and kind as ever.

"Terrible. I can't tell Daystar and Orbitstar apart at all, my performance in Charms Class is a complete mess, and I've lost Trevor again... Sorry, I shouldn't be dumping this on you."

As if meeting a long-lost relative, Neville started pouring out his troubles, but after a few sentences, he realized how inappropriate it was and quickly stopped himself.

"It's fine. I'm happy to hear about what's going on with you. Actually... I'm planning to start a Mutual Aid Society in a little while. Would you like me to invite you?"

Klein waved his hand, signaling Neville not to worry.

"Really? That would be great!"

The sincere words lit up Neville's face with genuine excitement, his dark eyes suddenly brightening.

"I'll write to you when the time comes."

Seeing the other's smile, Klein felt quite pleased himself.

After a few more casual exchanges, he waved goodbye to Neville and returned to the seat Draco had saved for him.

A few minutes later, the wooden door to the basement slammed open with a bang, and a grim-faced, long-haired wizard strode briskly into the classroom.

Potions class had begun.