Perfectly Correct, Thirty Points to Gryffindor!

Harley and Hermione walked all the way into the chilly classroom located in the basement, finding seats in the front row.

Harley actually wanted to go to the very last row. After all, this professor looked unkempt, and she assumed he must smell quite unpleasant as well.

Furthermore, that strange gaze of his, which could stir Harley's spirituality, made her feel very uncomfortable.

However, Hermione insisted on sitting in the front row, as close to the professor as possible, saying it was the best way to listen to his lecture.

The bell for class rang, and Professor Snape strode into the classroom, his black robes billowing behind him.

To Harley's astonishment, she discovered that he had actually washed his hair!

Professor Snape noticed Miss Potter in the front row at a glance and caught the shock in her eyes.

Professor Snape was extremely satisfied and gave a slight nod.

At the opening feast, he had noticed that Harley's expression was off when she looked at his hair, as if she were very disgusted by it.

So, he had specifically washed his hair before class today, and it seemed the effect was quite good.

Professor Snape cleared his throat, took out the roll, and began to call names.

When he reached Harley, Professor Snape paused slightly, but quickly continued down the list.

After closing the roll, Professor Snape began his opening remarks:

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of Potion-making..."

Professor Snape began to deliver his long-winded speech.

Harley listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word.

Although she didn't think the professor would teach anything profound right off the bat, she maintained an absolutely serious attitude, lest she lose any hope of recovering her strength.

After finishing his opening remarks, Professor Snape scanned the classroom, finally looking at Harley in front of him.

He paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, and then said softly:

"Miss Harley, what would I get if I added Asphodel Root Powder to an infusion of Wormwood?"

Harley stood up quickly:

"Reporting to the professor, Asphodel Root Powder and Wormwood added together produce a sleeping potion of such power that it is known as the Draught of Living Death."

A hint of a smile appeared on Professor Snape's face:

"If I told you to go and find me a Bezoar, where would you look?"

"Reporting to the professor, I would look in the stomach of a goat."

"Miss Harley, tell me, what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?"

This time, Harley thought for a moment. After all, she remembered that the difference between these two types of aconite in the Northern Continent was quite significant, but it seemed slightly different here.

After a brief recollection, Harley answered again:

"Reporting to the professor, they are the same plant, collectively known as aconite."

Professor Snape nodded, a distinct smile forcing its way onto his face, as if he were trying to prove he was amiable. However, that smile might have been better suited for scaring people:

"Miss Harley, there is no need to say 'reporting to the professor,' no need to be so formal. Just speak to me in the tone you would use with a fathe... with a friend.

I appreciate all students who excel at Potions, especially those like you who study ahead diligently before school starts!

You clearly have a great talent for Potions, Harley!

If I were you, I would pour all my energy into Potions, because you are destined to become a Potions Master!

You are truly like...

In any case, Miss Harley, absolutely correct, thirty points to Gryffindor!

Miss Harley, please sit down!"

This class was shared by Slytherin and Gryffindor, and the classroom was filled with Slytherin students.

Now, they all had their mouths agape in shock.

Are we hallucinating? Professor Snape doesn't usually treat Gryffindors like this!

According to the upperclassmen, even if a Gryffindor student answered all of Professor Snape's questions correctly, they would still be docked points for either failing to add "reporting to the professor" or for adding it.

Why is this Harley an exception? Why? Does Professor Snape not love Slytherin anymore?

However, Professor Snape paid no mind to the others and began his lecture on his own.

Of course, rather than lecturing, Professor Snape simply read the recipe once and then demanded that the students perform the practical work.

"Potions is a subject that emphasizes practical operation!" Professor Snape said loudly in the classroom, "I must watch you operate with my own eyes to point out your mistakes! There is no other way!"

As he spoke, Professor Snape tapped the blackboard with his wand, and a detailed potion recipe appeared upon it.

The students were divided into pairs by Professor Snape and began to brew a simple potion to cure boils.

Professor Snape, meanwhile, dragged his long black cloak around the classroom, pointing out the students' mistakes as he went.

However, he seemed to frequently walk over to the group of Harley and Hermione and stop to watch.

"Miss Harley, when stewing the horned slugs, the heat must be turned up higher."

"Miss Harley, please make sure the snake fangs are ground into a fine powder; the particles you've produced are far too large."

"Miss Harley, you should add a bit more dried nettles here..."

The Slytherin students behind were all secretly snickering. As expected, this was the correct script after all.

How could Professor Snape not find trouble for Gryffindor?

Malfoy even laughed out loud without any attempt at concealment, saying to Goyle beside him:

"Look, that Potter clearly doesn't know how to brew a Potion!"

"Shut up!" Professor Snape turned around abruptly, glaring fiercely at Malfoy.

"Malfoy, do you think your technique is perfect? Have you finished brewing your Potion?"

As he spoke, Professor Snape strode over, scooped up a large spoonful of the Potion with a transparent ladle, and held it high:

"Look! The finished Potion at this stage should be a clear purple. Why is yours a filthy blue?"

"Pro, Professor," Malfoy stammered, "I haven't finished yet; I haven't added the powdered snake fangs..."

"Indeed!" Professor Snape said in a cold, icy voice, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Mr. Malfoy, you haven't finished brewing, and you haven't added the powdered snake fangs...

Yet you have the time to stand here and mock a girl, to mock Miss Harley. Her attitude is ten thousand times better than yours!

How do you have the face to mock her? Get back to brewing, or don't even think about passing this assignment!"

Malfoy looked like he was about to cry from grievance; this script was all wrong!

He glared hatefully at Harley's back: It's all because of you that Godfather scolded me!

Ron and Dean were working together on their Potion nearby. Hearing Professor Snape's words, the two covered their mouths and snickered.

Who said the professor hates Gryffindor? Look at how righteous the professor is, reprimanding Slytherin's Malfoy!

But soon, the two of them couldn't laugh anymore, because Professor Snape turned his gaze toward them:

"Mr. Weasley, Mr. Thomas, is it funny to watch me reprimand others? Do you think you've done your work perfectly?

Whispering in class, ten points from Gryffindor!"