Snape sat silently in his chair, not uttering a word.
However, this time was different from before; he did not intend to hide his thoughts through silence, nor to oppress others.
He was carefully considering what to say.
The flames in the fireplace leaped and danced, the steam swaying their shadows like a breeze.
After a long while, Snape rolled his eyes and stared intently at Silan.
"Prewett, aren't you feeling pretty smug?"
"Yes."
Silan nodded decisively.
"Oh."
Snape gave a strange, cold laugh, and was about to speak when Silan spoke first, "Because you are the Head of Slytherin, and also my idol."
"To receive your recognition and praise is certainly something to be proud of."
Upon hearing this, Snape found himself at a loss for words.
He originally intended to say something to put Silan down and prevent him from getting too cocky.
To my surprise, Silan said that.
Snape's lips twitched. "Stop using that stupid name."
"Okay." Silan nodded obediently.
With Silan's interference, Snape, who had originally intended to give him a hard time, suddenly changed his mind.
The fire in the fireplace crackled softly, as if reminding Snape.
He then got down to business.
"Prewett, are you short of money? I noticed you were selling maps and quills back in first grade."
Silan thought to herself, "Is there anyone who doesn't need money?"
Thinking this to herself, Silan nodded, feigning an embarrassed and helpless expression.
"Professor, as you know, I came from an orphanage and have no parents, so I have to earn money on my own. That Self-Stirring Cauldron I gave you last time was money I saved up for a long time..."
Silan subtly brought up the old story again.
"In that case, then come and learn Potions from me," Snape advised confidently. "Nicolas Flamel's Alchemy is certainly excellent, but the Alchemical Materials are not cheap."
"You have some talent for Potions... making money from Potions won't be difficult. Later, you can use your accumulated wealth to buy Alchemical Materials."
That's what he said, but what Snape really thought was, "Once Prewett experiences the allure of Potions, he won't be so obsessed with Alchemy anymore."
After he grasped the wondrous aroma emanating from the cauldron, and after he learned of the Potions Master's status and wealth in the Wizarding World...
He will definitely understand.
Potions is the strongest!
Silan nodded and said earnestly, "Don't worry, Professor, I will study hard in class."
"No." Snape stood up from his chair, placed his hands on the table, and looked at Silan. "Not in class, but after class."
"I teach you personally once a week."
Is this some kind of special treatment for me?
"Ah... Professor... this..."
Silan feigned surprise and became incoherent.
Snape was clearly pleased with his reaction and slowly sat back down in his chair.
"You have good talent... Compared to those idiots whose brains are filled with slug mucus and who are even worse than Troll, you are still promising."
"And your answer?"
Silan nodded with delight, "That's wonderful, Professor."
He really has something to be happy about.
I need to visit Professor Snape's office often; it's a fixed spawn point for Potions Ingredients.
Silan was in a good mood after leaving Snape's office.
I didn't expect to have such an achievement on the first day of school.
He walked down the corridor, turned the corner, and suddenly saw Ron and Harry hiding in a corner eating.
Ron ate and drank, a sandwich in one hand and Pumpkin Juice in the other, occasionally glancing around.
"Hey, Harry, he's out." Ron had both hands occupied, so he could only point at Silan with his chin.
Harry quickly put down his sandwich and greeted Silan.
"Silan, here!"
"Snape didn't give you any trouble, did he?" Harry asked.
"No."
"What did he say to you that kept you there for so long?"
"It's nothing, he just wants me to see him once a week from now on, he wants to teach me Potions himself."
Harry and Ron looked at each other in bewilderment.
Did Snape personally teach Potions- making?
"He must have his eye on you," Harry guessed. "Otherwise, why would he torture you like this?"
Harry wasn't joking.
He genuinely felt that being personally taught Potions by Snape was not a good thing.
The thought of the weekly Potions, which was the most grueling class of the week, being extended made Harry think that even if it was a nightmare, it was far too terrible.
Ron swallowed the sandwich with some difficulty, managing to swallow it only after gulping down a large mouthful of Pumpkin Juice.
"Don't worry, Harry."
"Honestly, I wish I knew blood magic, so I could find out if Silan was Snape's son..."
"He likes Silan so much, he probably wouldn't do anything to him."
Even so, Harry still felt a little scared when he thought of Snape's vicious gaze and his sarcastic remarks about their Potions.
Silan didn't dwell on the matter, and asked somewhat curiously.
What are you two doing here?
"Of course I'm waiting for you." Ron continued eating and drinking heartily.
"We want to thank you in person," Harry said earnestly. "If it weren't for your suggestion, we might have been fired by now."
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Ron let out a satisfied burp and nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Silan."
"You're welcome," Silan said with a smile.
After they finished speaking, they went their separate ways.
The next day at breakfast, Errol the owl sent Ron a Howler.
Once the red envelope was opened, it transformed into a gaping maw with fangs that could breathe fire.
Molly's angry voice burst forth impatiently.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they fire you! Just wait and see how I deal with you then..."
Molly's voice made the plates and spoons on the long table rattle, and the echoes from the stone walls sounded like bombs.
"... I received a letter from Dumbledore last night. Your father was so ashamed he almost died! I can't believe you would do such a thing!"
"Can't you learn from Silan?"
"Even a tiny bit, just the size of a fingernail, would make your father and me so happy we'd faint!"
The red envelope burned and turned to ashes.
The roar stopped, but the sound still lingered in my ears.
Ron and Harry sat there, stunned, as if washed over by the words that had just been spat out of the envelope.
They were both a little scared afterward.
If it weren't for Silan last night, they would definitely have been fired.
In that case, they'll be facing more than just the Howler today.
The lingering fear from the Howler made them even more grateful to Silan, and their gazes towards Silan were filled with respect.
After the new school year begins.
The newly appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Lockhart, flaunts his colorful robes everywhere and frequently barges into other professors' classes to interfere.
Even the usually mild-mannered Professor Sprout was somewhat annoyed with him.
But he had many admirers among the students.
Even Hermione, after reading his book, looked forward to his classes.
Amidst much anticipation, the students finally welcomed their first Defense Against the Dark Arts of the semester.