Secrets of the Beast-Blood Curse

"Luo Bin, Professor Snape is looking for you. It's not because of what happened this afternoon, is it? I can explain it to him if you need me to!"

"Hermione, you're worrying too much. New term, fresh start. I'm off to collect new toxins for my private Potions lessons!"

Hermione nodded in realization. "Private lessons... I'd like to ask Professor McGonagall to tutor me. She's a registered Animagus, and I could learn so much more about Transfiguration from her, but... she might not agree!"

"How will you know if you don't ask? Miss Hermione Granger, you're beautiful, kindhearted, and brilliantly clever. No professor could resist that eager look in your eyes!"

"Really?"

Hermione lowered her head, her earlobes faintly red. She had heard people call her kind, clever, and studious all her life, but this was the first time anyone had called her beautiful.

She knew she was far from beautiful. She was small and thin, with wild, bushy hair and freckles on her face. But that didn't stop her from... blushing!

"Of course it's true. Ask Harry if you don't believe me!"

"Him? I don't want to hear his answer!"

With that, Hermione hurried away. Harry shrugged, just as baffled by her sudden behavior, then turned toward the long dining table.

After dinner, Luo Bin went to Snape's office.

"Luo Bin, another Slytherin student has landed in the Hospital Wing. Are you satisfied?"

Standing beside the shelf of specimens, Snape flipped through a thick book as he spoke coldly.

"Professor, my classmate is in the hospital. I'm a little sad!"

Luo Bin widened his eyes, the very picture of sincerity.

Snape snapped the book shut and strode up to the black-haired, dark-eyed boy. Bending down, he said sharply, "Luo Bin, I thought you understood the bigger picture. But what