A Deal Struck with Snape

Good news suddenly spread through Hogwarts.

It was good news that benefited nearly every student in the school.

The Shinigami of Potions Class, Professor Severus Snape, had magnanimously eased the workload and pressure on all his students.

The story went that it had started during the first Potions Class for Slytherin's first-years, when Ezio, hailed as the new king of Slytherin, had openly challenged Snape's old-fashioned, backward methods.

His revolutionary declaration—"Are you planning to teach me this kind of rubbish from now on?"—had been like a whip lashing the Slytherin rabble, leaving Snape furious and wide-eyed, then forcing him to embrace progress.

But to everyone except the eyewitnesses, the story was mostly treated as a joke. They knew Ezio was formidable, and that Slytherin really did seem to be rallying around him. In the two months since the school year began, Hogwarts students had witnessed plenty of attempts to ambush or duel him. Without exception, no one lasted three seconds, whether they attacked by surprise or faced him head-on.

Those who challenged him to a duel had their wands knocked away and were sent crashing to the floor, where they rolled around in pain. The ones who tried to ambush him usually ended up hanging in some forgotten corner, becoming Peeves's new toys and suffering his torment for hours.

Ezio and Peeves were close friends who had never even met. Their rapport was uncanny, and the rest of Slytherin benefited, too: Peeves rarely bothered them, because Ezio would occasionally send him "offerings" to enjoy. The delighted Mr. Peeves adored the toys delivered right to his door.

Whatever the truth, though, the changes Snape had brought to Potions Class had let many young wizards breathe a sigh of relief.

Over the past two months, Snape and Harry had conquered the "precise science" that Potions had previously lacked. Snape had established a new set of standards of his own, analyzed the medicinal components of hundreds of potion ingredients, and identified the essential substances and primary ingredients required in basic potion recipes. This had given rise to two new systems for the study of Potions.

The first system was suitable for any beginner learning Potions. By precisely quantifying the amounts of each ingredient, Snape had established a range for how much of each one to use when brewing a potion. As long as brewers followed the steps and could perform the most basic—and essential—magic-mixing process, they could produce a potion that might not be optimal but would certainly work.

The second system was intended only for advanced practitioners with considerable talent for Potions. Snape had separated out the various components in magical ingredients, fundamentally changing how potions were made. As long as the main ingredients provided the substances a potion required, combining those active components could produce a potion with a particular effect. This had greatly expanded the possibilities of potion-making: wizards could customize their potions without altering their core effects.

And if the effects did not conflict, potion-makers could even create compound potions with two or more effects. For example, an Invigoration Draught, which restored stamina and mental energy, and Essence of Dittany, which quickly healed bodily injuries, had no conflicting effects. A compound potion with both would be the equivalent of a "full-recovery mega potion." One gulp, and even someone gravely wounded and on the verge of death could leap up and dance on their own grave.

If nothing went wrong, Snape's name would soon spread far and wide across the world. He had broken with the traditions of Potions, lowering the barrier to learning while raising the field's upper limit. The advent of the second system would trigger an explosive surge in the study of Potions, and all kinds of new potions would quickly be developed as a result.

After emerging from seclusion, Snape was in high spirits, thoroughly pleased with himself. He even disliked Ezio a little less. Harry had helped smooth things over, of course, and Harry's arrival in Slytherin had also been thanks to the detestable little brat. Snape was petty, but at least he could recognize reality. His prickly nature meant he would never tell Ezio, "Thank you," but his opinion of him had improved all the same.

"Our interests are aligned" had indeed earned Snape his share of the benefits. He had gained fame and prestige, and Harry's goodwill as well—something he had never expected.

"Here's what you asked for."

Snape's voice was still somewhat cold, but the disgust on his face had faded into indifference. He was not especially eager for honors these days, but he did not reject them, either.

He placed two small bundles on the table. One held recipes for advanced potions and notes on advanced Potions that could not be found on the market. The other contained several finished potions of the highest order—expensive and rare, and so challenging that Ezio would need years of study before he could even attempt to brew them.

"Thank you for your generosity, Professor Snape. It seems our collaboration has gone well."

Ezio smiled and nodded. "I'm grateful for everything you've done for Hogwarts and for us. And congratulations on finally being able to escape the suffocating work of those idiots and fools. At least in class, you can spare your eyes the sight of their appalling attempts."

"Flatterer." Snape gave a cold snort. "You overestimate those fools. Their work will still be a complete mess."

"True. Some people's standards really are abysmally low. But there shouldn't be many fools like that in Slytherin's future. The atmosphere in the House is changing. Perhaps by next year, those useless idiots will be out of our sight."

"Do you mean making those idiots' heads get acquainted with a toilet?" Snape knew perfectly well what Ezio had been doing in Slytherin.

"Dunking their shriveled brains in cold toilet water might help them think better. A walnut swells when you soak it, doesn't it?"

Ezio sounded unconcerned, then waved a hand. "Those people aren't worth our attention. Slytherin doesn't need them. If you think this will put you in a difficult position, just pin all the blame on me. I don't care about their so-called retaliation. I only hope they can handle my displeasure, too."

Ezio did want to test how strong he was now. There was nothing wrong with trying out his blade on a few idiots to see if it was still sharp.

Having established a temporary alliance of interests with Dumbledore, he had more security than when he had first arrived in the Wizarding World. Until Voldemort was dealt with, Dumbledore needed him: he could provide help that even Dumbledore would never have thought of. Until Voldemort was taken care of, Dumbledore's protection was his to count on.

"Your arrogance is laughable," Snape sneered. "You think you can withstand the retaliation of those wizarding families?"

"Magic is mysterious and wondrous, and its power is enough to leave me in awe."

Ezio smiled at Snape before turning to leave. "But people are another matter. Magic still needs people to use it, and it isn't omnipotent. It can't make idiots clever, just as certain idiots can't learn to brew potions, even when you simplify the process for them."

"But I promise that even if things take the worst possible turn, I won't get dragged into it."

Watching Ezio leave through the door, Snape's gaze darkened slightly. He had a feeling those fools were going to have their entire families wiped out. He knew that Ezio possessed a chilling indifference, even to him—a coldness toward life. Without thinking, Snape touched his neck. When Broken Spear had been held against his throat, he had been closer to death than at any other time.

"Bringing him to Hogwarts was the stupidest thing you've ever done, Dumbledore."

Snape narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath.

"But what does it have to do with me?" A cool, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Snape was no bleeding heart who loved meddling in other people's affairs. What happened to those people had nothing to do with him. Let them die, or better yet, let both sides die.