Rivalry

"Have Potter and the others been up to anything shady lately? For example, brewing Polyjuice Potion to impersonate someone?"

Only after everyone had left did Snape ask the question.

Eli froze for a moment. Shady business? That guy had been running around looking for a dance partner. What shady business could he possibly be up to? And Polyjuice Potion... could it be...

Could one of Harry and Ron be planning to...

The moment Eli pictured either Harry or Ron wearing a dress, he shuddered.

"What? Is it hard to say?" Snape noticed Eli's strange expression.

"No, no. Other than attending classes, he hasn't done anything lately."

Snape's gaze was difficult to withstand as he stared fixedly into Eli's eyes.

"Is that so?" He seemed to want to take every word apart before reading it.

Eli nodded repeatedly. "Definitely. Aside from class, the only thing he and I talk about is the second task."

Snape seemed to have genuinely believed him. "In that case, you may leave."

Eli obediently bowed and prepared to leave.

"You could try putting the Golden Egg in water."

Just as Eli was about to leave the classroom, Snape's voice suddenly came from behind him.

Eli turned back to look at him in surprise.

"Just a suggestion," Snape added flatly.

"I'll try it, Professor."

Eli left the classroom and walked down the corridor, replaying Snape's words over and over in his mind.

Polyjuice Potion? Why had Snape suddenly asked about that? And why had he specifically made him stay behind and brought up Harry?

Even if Snape bore Harry a little ill will, he would not suspect him for no reason.

Given Polyjuice Potion's special effects, there was probably only one person who would still have a use for it at a time like this, aside from...