Brave Heart? Gryffindor gets one more point!

"Such a simple task, it doesn't even deserve to be called potion-making. How many points are you looking to add? Mr. Alexander, when did your judgment regarding potions become so abysmal?!"

Snape was like a wolf encroaching upon its territory.

His pitch-black eyes were fixed intently on Devero.

"Professor, that is not what I meant."

Devero, however, was completely unfazed by Snape's aura.

Or rather.

He had become essentially immune to it.

After all, they had been living together for over a year.

Situations involving this kind of huffing and puffing were not exactly rare.

"I mean, you forgot to award points to Neville."

Devero rested his hand on the shoulder of the sturdy lad beside him.

He felt a tremor run through him.

Snape cast a sidelong glance.

He saw that Neville's face was beet red.

His body was even trembling uncontrollably.

He looked as if he wished he could crawl directly under the table.

The surrounding students all turned to look at Neville as well.

"Neville helped me organize the herbs. He is very fast at processing them, and it was only with his help that I was able to finish the brewing so quickly."

Devero argued his case reasonably.

What he said was, in fact, the truth.

Back when Neville had tried to put a porcupine quill into the cauldron prematurely.

Devero had stopped him from touching the pot.

And reality proved that this was an excellent decision.

Once he no longer had to deal with the cauldron, which was (in Neville's view) highly unstable.

Neville's mindset had become much more composed.

He was able to methodically sort and categorize the herbs that needed to be added to the pot.

He served as a capable assistant to Devero.

That rigorous demeanor even made Devero look at him with newfound respect.

For the first time, he took a serious look at Neville's panel.

[Name: Neville Longbottom]

[Age: 11]

[Spell Library: None]

[Traits: Herbology Talent (Purple), Brave Heart (Purple), Magic Ability (Blue)]

[Herbology Talent (Purple): Highly gifted in Herbology, possessing a natural and powerful ability to identify and perceive various magical plants; likely to achieve significant accomplishments in Herbology.]

[Brave Heart (Purple): Bravery is the foundation of your character. When someone touches your bottom line, your courage will erupt, making you a leader among the crowd!]

[Magic Ability (Blue): Possesses the potential to become a wizard.]

Hmm!

That is indeed an excellent trait configuration!

Neville actually has two purple traits!?

Devero had never considered this possibility before.

Mainly because when he first met him on the train.

His tearful appearance.

Had given Devero a rather poor first impression.

And so, he had completely overlooked this future Sword Saint of Gryffindor!

Furthermore, the [Brave Heart] trait seemed like one that was extremely well-suited for Gryffindor.

If he ever wanted to get his hands on the Sword of Gryffindor in the future.

This trait was certainly something worth considering.

He added the entry to his shopping cart.

He began to ponder.

How to borrow the Sorting Hat from Dumbledore.

"Neville provided me with considerable help. I believe it's reasonable to award him points."

Professor Snape stared intently at Neville's face.

Neville could feel Snape's gaze, like that of a viper.

He lowered his head so much it was almost buried in his desk.

At this moment, it wasn't just the Slytherin students who felt admiration for Devero.

Many Gryffindors also felt a sense of respect for Devero.

One had to understand.

Their two houses were like fire and water!

Devero had actually challenged Professor Snape, the head of his own house, in front of everyone, for the sake of a Gryffindor student.

What immense courage that required!

(Actually, Devero was already used to it.)

They suddenly felt.

Devero was the true Gryffindor!

He was so brave!

Harry and Ron looked at him with admiration.

Devero even saw Ron give him a thumbs-up out of the corner of his eye.

Snape's gaze shifted to Devero's face.

"Mr. Alexander, is that truly so?"

Devero puffed out his chest and raised his head.

He looked directly into Snape's eyes.

"Professor, it is absolutely true!"

Snape's expression grew even more somber.

Devero could barely see any movement from his lips.

He could only hear an almost imperceptible sound emerge from between Snape's teeth.

"Gryffindor gains one point."

Almost instantly.

All the Gryffindor students acted as if they had achieved a great victory.

Every face was beaming with excited smiles.

They had just earned points from Professor Snape!

This was something that Gryffindors from other years hadn't managed to achieve in the entire first week of school!

Suddenly.

Devero's status in their hearts rose even higher!

He had become the diplomatic ambassador between Slytherin and Gryffindor!

Facilitating an unprecedented reconciliation between the two houses after decades!

Devero happily patted Neville's shoulder.

"Neville, you've earned a point for the house!"

Neville looked up.

His face was still flushed red.

He was also very happy at this moment.

He even laughed, somewhat forgetting how terrifying Professor Snape was.

During his week at school.

He had never earned a single point for his house.

Today's experience made him extremely happy.

But seeing how happy the Gryffindors were, Snape was bound to retaliate.

Snape walked to the table with a dark expression.

He saw the leftover ingredients used by Devero and the other boy.

Immediately, he spoke in a low, deep voice.

"Longbottom! What are you keeping these ingredients for? Do you intend to stuff them in your pockets and take them back to the dormitory?"

Neville was so frightened by this interrogation.

His face turned pale instantly.

Devero was just about to stand up and explain.

"For your wasteful behavior, three points from Gryffindor! And you, Alexander, sit down!"

Having said that.

Snape whipped around to look at Harry.

"Potter! Weasley! What kind of gestures were you making just now?"

One could barely see the robes on Snape flutter.

Snape moved in a way that was almost like gliding.

He arrived in front of Harry and Ron.

"Or do you think that class is just a game of house? For your insolent behavior, another point from Gryffindor!"

After speaking.

His sharp gaze swept across the room.

"What are you looking at! Have you all finished your brewing?"

Everyone immediately lowered their heads in a hurry.

They scrambled to continue making their potions.

Devero did not stand up to refute Snape this time.

It was clear that the man was already on edge.

He did not want to provoke Snape's wrath at a time like this.

He could only pat Neville on the back.

To comfort him.

Poor kid.

He had just received the first point of his student career.

Only to have it taken back.

And even docked two more.

Devero could only offer his deepest sympathy.

However, Neville was not as fragile as Devero had imagined.

He turned back and gave Devero a forced smile.

Although there were tears in his eyes.

He held them back, refusing to let them fall.

Just then.

A cloud of acidic green smoke suddenly erupted in the dungeon.

A loud hissing sound followed.

"Ah!!!"

Everyone whipped their heads around.

They saw Malfoy drenched in potion.

It had left red, swollen boils all over his arms and legs.

He was howling in pain.