Neville Seeks a Master

"Is this why you came to see me?" Professor Snape stared with dead fish eyes at the... sunny, cheerful young man in front of him?

"Mr. Longbottom, who gave you the courage to come to me, your teacher who mocks and even insults you every Tenten?"

"Nobody's here, Professor Snape. I think you might have some knowledge or magic that I desperately need to learn right now. Professor Graves is Su Yu's teacher, and Professor Moody is close to Harry, so it's not really appropriate for me to go to them. Professor McGonagall ... her magic might not be very helpful for someone like me who desperately needs to improve right now. So, sir, I came to you. I know I was clumsy before, always forgetting this and that, but I won't be like that anymore. I sincerely beg you, I don't want to be a burden to the team. Please teach me, okay?" Neville looked calmly into Professor Snape's eyes and spoke slowly.

"Hmph, don't dream. What makes you think I'd impart all my knowledge to a Gryffindor student like you?" Professor Snape glanced at Neville with disdain.

Neville didn't say anything, just stared at him for a while, until Professor Snape couldn't take it anymore.

"Enough! Mr. Longbottom! You've Gryffindor for disrespecting the professor!"

"Furthermore, you're being punished with a year of solitary confinement!" Professor Snape stood up angrily, turned and left the office. Before leaving, he added, "Today's confinement includes tidying up everything here, especially this book I have here. Also, you have to finish it by tomorrow!"

"Thank you, Professor Snape!" Neville happily began tidying up the mess in front of him, until he opened the journal that Professor Snape had just been holding. It clearly recorded the entire, detailed process of making the Draught of Living Death.

"Snort!"

"I was wrong, I promise I'll never forget you next time."

"Hmph! I don't believe you for a second! You shameless bastard who forgets his principles for the sake of a pretty face!"

On Tuesday evening, in the lobby, Su Yu finally realized while eating that something seemed to be missing from his side. Daphne blushed and pinched Su Yu.

"It's not my leg!"

"Hehe, I'm used to it. I always feel like something's missing, but what is it..." Su Yu awkwardly withdrew his hand, then suddenly realized, "Oh my god! Kurama! I forgot to bring her back!"

When Su Yu rushed to the Gryffindor Common Room, the scene at the beginning unfolded: Kurama nestled in Hermione's arms, not even lifting his head. "You big liar! You promised I'd only stay one night! But it's been two nights already!"

Actually, Kurama had also lost track of time while playing, but she wouldn't say that now! She needed something in return! Hermione looked at the two children, one big and one small, and shook her head helplessly. She didn't know what to say either.

"It's my fault, it's my fault. I'll treat you to Nanjing roast duck, and lots of other delicious food, all very famous, as compensation, okay?"

Su Yu was still trying to appease the fox who was ignoring him.

"I want to eat too, Su Yu!" Ginny, who was standing next to him, was also tempted to eat after hearing Su Yu list the dishes.

"No way! This is compensation from Su Yu!" Kurama was unwilling to let his food end up in someone else's stomach!

"But haven't I given you lots of snacks these past two days?" Ginny blinked at Kurama.

"Alright then, you can only try one bite of each dish!" Kurama felt his heart was bleeding.

And so, Su Yu successfully redeemed Kurama, the only price being a lavish meal.

"Yesterday, Harry told me that he and Ron had another falling out." Hermione chatted casually with Su Yu, who was holding Kurama, at the entrance of the Gryffindor Common Room.

"I reckon Ron is just a little jealous. That kid at home is... how should I put it, not the most outstanding one. His older brothers and Ginny are all very talented, and he's Tenten playing with Harry, the Chosen One. This time, he probably just couldn't take it anymore."

"Is this the damage caused by his family of origin? It's just that his pathetic pride is too strong. His brothers are all very talented, but he doesn't work hard. Who can he blame?" Hermione didn't want to be so blunt, but Su Yu didn't care. The current Malfoy is a hundred times better than Ron!

At least Malfoy trains Tenten, constantly striving to become stronger and develop his brain. Ron, on the other hand, is already a fourth-grader. What does he even know how to do?

"Oh, right, I've also noticed that Neville has been acting strangely lately. He always comes back very late, and he and Harry are being ostracized by Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, but Neville doesn't seem to care at all. He seems to be improving very quickly lately. I hope this isn't just my imagination." Hermione tilted her head, somewhat wistfully.

"I really don't understand you Britain. You're always isolating them... It's just that they're suspected of cheating, and then Gryffindor selected four of them, while they only had two. They weren't even there when they registered, and now you're starting to isolate them. You must have too much free time."

Night fell over the Hogwarts courtyard, and the evening breeze carried the cool scent of grass and trees. Su Yu walked slowly on the stone path, holding the curled-up Kurama in his arms. The fox fur gleamed faintly in the moonlight.

After saying goodbye to Hermione and Ginny, Su Yu didn't return to the Slytherin common room. Instead, he strolled leisurely down the corridor with Kurama in his arms, enjoying this moment of peace.

Kurama wisely refrained from disturbing him, quietly nestled in Su Yu, its tail gently stroking his arm.

"Good evening, Su Yu!" A young girl approached, her fair feet stepping lightly on the cool bluestone slabs, her movements as graceful as a forest sprite. Her long, pale golden hair fell loosely, and her eyes, clear yet with an ethereal quality that others couldn't decipher, seemed to be watching a strange little flying insect flitting by the roadside. "Are you here to listen to the stars talk too?"

"What are they all talking about, silly girl?" Su Yu walked to Luna's side, gently picked her up, and placed her on a stone bench nearby.

"I'm not stupid! They're talking about Celtic Elves elves!" Luna giggled as Su Yu picked her up, resting her arms on her legs and supporting her face, blinking her eyes at Su Yu.

"You're not Celtic Elves, she encountered a barefoot fairy, you..." Su Yu suddenly looked up and pinched Luna's nose, "Oh, I just realized, you were praising yourself for being as beautiful as a fairy!"