Snape

The remaining time in Transfiguration class went smoothly. After Professor McGonagall demonstrated, Harry, by some stroke of luck, performed exceptionally well, becoming one of the three who successfully transformed a match into a needle. One of only three in the entire year!

The other two were Hermione and Hinata.

Even Li Mu failed. His incantation pronunciation was strange, turning the Transfiguration Charm "transfarge" into "transfigure," causing his match to burst into flames, turning into a beautiful display of fireworks (transfigure also means to beautify).

But even so, Harry couldn't muster any enthusiasm. Because of Ron's "let's stew all the cats into soup" remark, he was also targeted by Professor McGonagall with a wave of her wand, growing a pair of soft cat ears, looking like a cat demon who had failed to transform properly.

Li Mu was naturally even more depressed. He had been waiting to see a good show, but ended up getting hit by a stray bullet. Three long whiskers sprouted on his nose.

But the worst was undoubtedly Ron, who had to endure the entire class covered in fiery red cat fur.

Seeing their appearance, Hinata giggled throughout the entire class, keeping her head lowered. And Hermione simply said coldly to the quartet, "Serves you right!"

Fortunately, Professor McGonagall didn't deduct any house points from them.

After Transfiguration class ended, it was lunchtime. Li Mu didn't have the habit of taking a nap, so after eating, he made plans with Harry to attend class together in the afternoon and went out of the castle for a stroll. He planned to properly admire the long-awaited ancient English castle and soothe his depressed mood.

Then, when he saw Harry, Ron, and Neville in the Great Hall as agreed, he couldn't help but shudder. Especially Ron's deep gloom, which almost froze the surroundings.

Li Mu asked a few questions with concern and learned that in the Gryffindor common room, the three of them had thoroughly reviewed the just-passed, unbearable time—

"Since you have so much energy to stew cat soup..." Fred strained his voice, trying to imitate Professor McGonagall's stern voice, and put on a generous, compassionate, and kind expression.

Then George Weasley jumped out with a dark face, also straining his voice, taking over Fred's words: "The Trophy Room will be handed over to you to clean this week. I will notify Mr. Filch and let him demand that you work hard!"

The common room burst into laughter, especially the freshmen who had personally experienced the incident...

"George, Fred, they will regret it!" Ron waved his fist in front of Li Mu, his face as red as his hair. Now that he thought about it, he was still angry and helpless. There was no way to deal with such a pair of older brothers who liked to tease people.

"Haha, there's an old saying in the Celestial Dynasty, good deeds don't go out, bad deeds travel thousands of miles." Li Mu could only smile and comfort him, "More than ten years ago, I often helped old ladies cross the road, but I didn't see anyone publicizing it. Didn't I still endure it?"

"..." This kind of comfort made others not know how to respond.

After a moment of silence, Neville asked, "What class is in the afternoon?"

"Potions."

A crisp voice suddenly rang out behind them, scaring Neville so much that he almost jumped up.

"Oh... Hermione? When did you appear!"

*********

Li Mu and the others soon discovered—if Transfiguration class was just their misfortune, then Potions class was simply their disaster... no, mainly Gryffindor's disaster.

Potions class was held in a dungeon, which was cold and dimly lit, making it seem gloomy and terrifying. Countless glass bottles were placed along the walls of the dungeon, most of which contained strange medicinal materials, including some pickled animal corpses, which looked somewhat nauseating and frightening. Nearly a hundred people squeezed into this dark underground space, making the narrowness and gloom inside even more obvious.

And... it was also difficult to find. Fortunately, Li Mu and the others set off more than ten minutes early and happened to meet the Slytherins who were attending the class together on the way, so they wouldn't be late again.

Standing at the entrance of the dungeon, Ron maliciously suspected, "Will people who stay here for a long time become psychologically abnormal?"

In fact, Li Mu knew that he had probably guessed correctly.

The Potions professor, Severus Snape, had a head of shiny, greasy hair and a frightening hooked nose. He imitated Professor Flitwick's method and started the class with a roll call.

And also, he paused when he called out Harry Potter's name, and a hideous smile suddenly appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Oh, Harry Potter, this is our school's new... famous person!"

His tone was strange, and anyone could hear that it was not sincere praise, but more like ridicule. Malfoy and his two short, fat bodyguards immediately snickered.

Many from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also focused their gazes on Harry Potter. Having experienced the morning's two classes—especially the turmoil in Transfiguration—they had become somewhat familiar with Harry, their gazes filled more with amusement than curiosity.

"Potter!" His smile vanished, Snape suddenly shouted sternly, his face gloomy, startling even Li Mu. "What would be the consequence of adding powdered asphodel root to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry looked blank, stealing glances at others, finding most just as bewildered as he was.

Only Hermione in the back row had her hand raised high.

But Hermione was clearly being ignored. Snape proceeded to ask Harry two more questions, neither of which Harry could answer.

Hermione kept her hand raised, her arm and face trembling slightly, wishing she could stand up and answer for him. Snape completely ignored her.

"It seems fame means little, Potter. Do you never prepare before class?" Snape sneered, and Harry could only remain silent. "Very well, then. Gryffindor will lose one point, thanks to you."

Snape savored the look of indignation and helplessness on Harry's face.

"Professor, I can answer those questions." Hermione finally stood up, looking anxious. "I can..."

"Silence! Granger! I didn't ask you! Gryffindor loses another point!" Snape's gloomy roar was her only reply.

Hermione froze, the air seeming to solidify, the gloomy underground classroom growing even colder. Students from all four houses watched the suddenly enraged professor, unable to say a word.

Hermione sat down, fuming, her eyes red, with a glimmer of tears welling up.

Watching her, Li Mu frowned. He took a deep breath... and then raised his hand.

Snape raised an eyebrow, his sinister gaze immediately turning in his direction.

"Professor Snape..." Before Snape could speak, words involuntarily spilled from Li Mu's mouth, "I don't think you have any reason to deduct points from Hermione and Harry. There's no rule that says we have to preview unlectured content before class, and there's no rule that forbids us from actively answering questions in class!"

(End of this chapter)