Reaching an Agreement with Snape

A piece of good news suddenly spread throughout Hogwarts.

It was news that was beneficial to almost every student in the entire school.

The grim reaper of their Potions class, Professor Severus Snape, had mercifully decided to reduce the burden and stress for all his students.

The origin of this change, as the story goes, was that during the first Potions class for the Slytherin first-years, Ezio—hailed as the new King of Slytherin—had refuted Snape's outdated and backward methods right in the classroom.

That revolutionary remark, "Do you intend to teach me this kind of trash from now on?", was like a whip cracking against the backs of the Slytherin underclassmen, lashing Snape until he was dazed and forced to embrace the progress of the modern era.

However, aside from the eyewitnesses, most people treated such talk as a joke. They knew Ezio was formidable, and there was indeed a trend of Slytherin gravitating toward him as their leader. In the two months since the start of the term, the students of Hogwarts had witnessed many ambushes and duels against him, but without exception, whether it was a sneak attack or a head-on duel, no one could last more than three seconds.

Those who challenged him to a duel simply had their wands knocked away and were left rolling on the ground in pain, while those who attempted ambushes were often found hanging in some forgotten corner, becoming Peeves' new toys, tortured by the poltergeist for hours on end.

Ezio and Peeves were secret friends who had never officially met, yet the rapport between the boy and the ghost was so excellent that the rest of Slytherin benefited as well. They were rarely bothered by Peeves because Ezio would occasionally offer "sacrifices" for the ghost to enjoy, and a happy Peeves absolutely adored the toys delivered to his doorstep.

Regardless of the cause, the changes Snape had brought to the Potions class were enough to make many young wizards breathe a sigh of relief.

Over the past two months, Snape had worked with Harry to conquer the "precise science" that Potions had previously lacked. He established a new set of standards for his own potions, analyzed the medicinal components of hundreds of potion ingredients, and identified the primary materials and essential substances required for basic potion formulas, effectively forming two new systems of Potions.

The first potion system was suitable for any beginner. By precisely quantifying the amount of ingredients, he formulated a dosage range for various materials during the brewing process. As long as one followed the steps and completed the most basic and essential step of magical harmonization, the brewer could produce a qualified potion that, while perhaps not the best, was guaranteed to be effective.

The second potion system was only suitable for advanced users with significant talent in Potions. Snape separated the various components within the magical ingredients, fundamentally changing the composition of potions. As long as the main ingredients required for the potion were met and these medicinal substances were fused together, one could concoct a potion with specific effects. This greatly increased the scalability of potions, allowing wizards to customize them without changing the core effect.

Even without conflicting effects, a potioneer could create a composite potion with two or more effects. For example, a stimulant potion used to restore physical strength and spirit, combined with Essence of Dittany used to quickly heal physical wounds—since there was no conflict between their medicinal effects, the resulting composite potion was equivalent to a "full-restore potion." One gulp, and even someone on the verge of death could jump up and dance on their own grave.

If nothing went wrong, Snape's reputation would spread far and wide across the world. He had broken the traditions of Potions, lowering the barrier to entry while simultaneously raising the ceiling. The birth of the second potion system would trigger an explosive boom in the field, leading to the rapid creation of various new types of potions.

Snape, feeling quite satisfied with himself, was in a very good mood after emerging from his research. His disgust toward Ezio had even diminished slightly. On one hand, Harry acted as a mediator, and on the other, Harry coming to Slytherin was truly thanks to this detestable little brat. Snape was a petty man, but he could recognize reality; although his awkward personality wouldn't allow him to say "thank you" to Ezio, his perception had changed.

"Our interests are aligned"—this had indeed allowed Snape to obtain his share of the benefits. He gained fame and prestige, as well as Harry's favor, something Snape had not anticipated before.

"This is what you wanted."

Snape's voice remained somewhat cold, but the expression on his face was no longer the disgust of before; it was merely indifferent. He didn't crave honor desperately anymore, but he wouldn't refuse it either.

He placed two small bags on the table: one contained formulas for high-level potions and notes on advanced Potions content not found on the market, and the other contained finished, top-tier potions that would take Ezio many years of study to even attempt to brew—items that were extremely expensive and rare.

"Thank you for your generosity, Professor Snape. It seems our cooperation this time has been pleasant."

Ezio nodded with a smile. "I am very grateful for everything you have done for Hogwarts and for us. I also congratulate you on finally being able to escape the suffocating operations of those fools. At the very least, in class, you can free your eyes and see less of those utterly terrible, clumsy works."

"Silver-tongued," Snape scoffed with a cold snort. "You overestimate the abilities of those fools. A mess is still a mess."

"Indeed, the lower limits of some people are truly a bit too low. But such fools should be rare in the future of Slytherin. The atmosphere of the house is changing. Perhaps by next year, those useless idiots will be out of our sight."

"Are you referring to making those idiots' heads have an intimate encounter with a toilet?" Snape certainly knew what Ezio had been doing in Slytherin.

"Letting cold toilet water soak their shriveled brains—I believe it helps improve their level of thinking. Their walnut-sized brains need a good soak, don't they?"

Ezio spoke nonchalantly, then waved his hand. "Those guys shouldn't be something we need to worry about. Slytherin doesn't need them. If you think this will make things difficult for you, then push all the responsibility onto me. I don't care about their so-called revenge, I only hope they can withstand my dissatisfaction."

Ezio had the intention of testing his current level of strength; using some blind fools to see if his blade was sharp was not a bad idea.

Having established a temporary relationship of mutual interest with Dumbledore, he had more capital to settle in than when he first arrived in the wizarding world. Before taking down Voldemort, Dumbledore needed him because he could provide help that Dumbledore himself couldn't imagine. Before Voldemort was dealt with, he could count on Dumbledore's protection.

"Your arrogance makes me laugh," Snape sneered. "Do you think you can withstand the retaliation of those wizarding families?"

"Magic is naturally mysterious and magical, possessing power that leaves me in awe."

Before turning to leave, Ezio smiled at Snape. "But people are not necessarily the same. Magic, after all, requires people to use it. Magic is not omnipotent; it cannot make fools and idiots smart, just as some fools and idiots cannot learn how to brew potions, even if you simplify them."

"However, I guarantee that even if things take the worst possible turn, I will absolutely not be dragged into it."

Watching Ezio's back as he pushed the door open and left, Snape's gaze darkened slightly. He had a premonition that those fools were about to be wiped out. He knew that this boy possessed a coldness that even made him shudder—a coldness toward life. Subconsciously, Snape touched his neck; the moment that Broken Spear had been held against his throat was the closest he had ever come to death.

"Letting him come to Hogwarts was the most foolish thing you've ever done, Dumbledore."

Snape narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself in a low voice.

"But what does that have to do with me?" A cold, mocking smirk curled his lips. Snape was no meddlesome do-gooder; the life or death of those people had nothing to do with him. Let them die if they wanted to; it would be best if both sides wiped each other out.