Investigation into the Heir (VII)

Before class ended, Severus Snape walked over to his desk, picked up the little glass bottle, and held it up to the firelight for a look.

The mucus was the standard grayish-green, adequately transparent, and moderately viscous.

Severus Snape set the bottle back on the desk without saying anything.

No praise, no criticism, not even an expression.

He merely put the bottle down, then turned and left.

But Harry noticed that, in the instant Severus Snape turned away, his gaze lingered on Harry's face for less than half a second.

That look... Harry could not make sense of it.

It was not suspicion, not scrutiny, not mockery.

It was more like—confirmation.

As though he had been confirming the answer to a question he had long wanted answered.

Harry lowered his head and began cleaning the Flobberworm mucus from the desk.

The rag was cold, the water icy, and the mucus slick. He scrubbed the tabletop hard, wiping away the grayish-green, sticky smears bit by bit. His movements were slow and forceful, as though he were venting something through them.

The students gradually left the classroom.

As Ron left, he patted Harry on the shoulder without saying anything, but the meaning of the gesture was clear—I'll wait outside.

Neville hesitated before leaving, seeming as though he wanted to say something. In the end, though, he only murmured, "Hang in there, Harry," then hurried out carrying his suspiciously colored, still-bubbling potion.

Seamus and Dean did not look at him when they left.

They kept their heads down and hurried past him as though they had seen nothing.

At last, Harry was the only one left in the classroom.

He crouched on the floor, using the rag to wipe mucus splashed onto the table legs. The dungeon was quiet, filled only by the