Snape's Secret

From Gwenog Jones's words, everyone quickly learned a startling piece of news:

Stark acquired the long-established Quidditch club Chudley Cannons.

This is definitely not a losing proposition.

Although this club seems to be cursed, consistently finishing at the bottom of the rankings year after year, it doesn't stop it from still being profitable.

Just like the Nix, who are terrible every year, never even making the playoffs, and their players get booed by their own fans...

But that doesn't stop it from being the most valuable player in the NBA.

The reasons for this are, of course, multifaceted.

Geographical factors are one aspect, but the immense attention and exposure it receives have enabled it to outperform its previous record.

On the other hand, like Madison Square Garden Arena, the "holy land of basketball," the Chudley Cannons ' home arena is also Quidditch mecca.

You can't call yourself a Quidditch superstar unless you put on an amazing performance here.

Of course, this refers to the star players of other teams, who had a phenomenal breakout performance, like gods of war!

Chudley Cannons, even at home, seemed like an away team, always relegated to the background.

In this meme-making paradise, it doesn't matter if the home team plays terribly, or if the away team suddenly imitates the home team; it doesn't stop everyone from watching the game.

Therefore, due to a combination of factors, the Chudley Cannons, despite its poor performance, was still profitable.

And now, unexpectedly, this long-established club has changed its ownership to Stark.

It cost a considerable amount, at least several hundred thousand Galleon.

Antiques are valued in prosperous times, gold in chaotic times. Now, during wartime, gold is indeed very valuable.

The Stark are really rich to be able to spend so lavishly!

However, it won't be so easy for William to reverse the Chudley Cannons's record.

To quote Rita:

"For the Chudley Cannons to win, they need to replace the entire team and drink several crucibles of Felix Felicis."

(Rowling: Actually, it was me who said it!)

This shows that the team is truly rotten to the core.

When did it start to rot?

This club, which had won the League Cup 21 times, had not won the championship for more than a century since 1892.

Wait a minute... wasn't that the summer of 1892 when little Dumbledore entered Hogwarts?

In addition to the principal's daily blaming of the Chudley Cannons, the opening lines of his speech were usually:

"XX is a foregone conclusion, just like Chudley Cannons will finish last in this year's league."

Wow, the case is solved.

The real culprit behind the decline of the Chudley Cannons was Dumbledore.

He is the number one person to curse!

It seems that the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's curse was just a minor inconvenience; Voldemort is simply copying Dumbledore.

That said, regardless of whether William can turn the tide and restore the glory of the Chudley Cannons, everyone's gaze toward him grows increasingly fervent.

Most people would just buy an international version of a flying broomstick, that's nothing special, but this guy bought a whole club just because he liked it.

That's the difference.

And Hermione, she's been hanging around Minister Bones a lot lately.

To be appointed as a trainee assistant to a minister before even graduating—that's some serious experience; he's practically destined for ministerial status.

The two have already left their peers far behind.

Who knows, these two might even be interviewers when wizards of the same age graduate in the future.

Harry was the most excited. William had told him long ago that he would invite him to play at his club someday.

William has already bought the team. If he adds Gwenog Jones, the captain of the Holyhead Harpies, to his team, the league championship will be a sure thing.

(Gwenog Jones: Meow meow meow?)

In short, everyone has a bright future ahead of them.

Ron stood in the corner, and although he had just received Gwenog Jones ' autograph, he didn't look particularly happy.

Because he had just received news that Peeves was spreading rumors that he and Harry were having an affair.

In that short time, not a single person invited him to dance.

"Harry, why aren't you dancing?" Slughorn sauntered around and came back to Harry's side.

Harry, finding no one around, whispered, "Professor, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"What?" Slughorn loosened his collar and picked up a glass of Romanée-Conti.

Have you ever heard of the name Eileen Prince?

Harry pulled out an old newspaper and handed it over.

Slughorn looked at the photo, frowning, and said:

"I remember her. Let me think. Oh, she was one of my students more than fifty years ago. She played very well with Gobstones and was the captain of the school team."

"Ah, I remember now, she married a Muggle after graduation." Slughorn displayed his remarkable memory; he could always remember all sorts of students.

"Years later, she even wrote me a letter asking me to help take care of her son."

"Who is her son...?" Harry asked nervously.

He needed to find out who the Half-Blood Prince was.

"You know this guy too?" Slughorn laughed. "Severus, we're talking about you."

Harry was horrified to see Slughorn extend an arm, as if hooking Snape out of thin air.

"Stop sneaking around, come and talk to us, Severus!" Slughorn said with a cheerful burp. "I was just talking about your mother, Eileen Prince Snape."

Upon hearing Eileen's name, Snape's face instantly darkened.

Slughorn continued rambling on.

"You inherited your mother's talent for Potions, while Harry inherited his mother's special talent in Potions!"

Of course, you deserve credit too; you taught him for five years!

Snape was pinned to the shoulder by Slughorn's arm, unable to move. His gaze followed the hooked nose to Harry, his dark eyes narrowing.

"It's funny, I never felt like I taught Potter anything."

I'm more curious, where did you hear the name "Eileen" from, Potter?

Harry quickly avoided Snape's eyes, trying to prevent his Legilimency.

"Oh, that's genius!" Slughorn exclaimed drunkenly.

"You haven't seen his performance in class lately; throughout sixth grade, he was only slightly worse Hermione."

"Really?" Snape stared intently at Harry, his eyes like drills.

Harry was a little uneasy, fearing that Snape would investigate the source of his newfound talent in Potions.

He was even more worried that Snape would continue to investigate the name "Eileen Prince".

Just as Harry was trying to cover it up, Slughorn's next words stunned him, as if he had been hit in the face by Troll.

Severus, I remember you and Lily were good friends.

"You're mistaken!" Snape's face was even uglier Harry's.

But it wasn't ferocity; rather, it was a kind of panic, like a wounded doe discovered by a hunter.

He turned and left, his long robe fluttering like a large black bat fleeing for its life.

"Severus's still got that awful temper, I'm telling you, Harry. That's what Lily said," Slughorn said, hiccuping.

"Your mother is Muggle-born. I couldn't believe it when I found out. I always thought she was purebred, since she was so outstanding, especially in Potions Class."

"Lily told me that Severus taught her; they lived not far from each other and were best friends before she started school. He helped her a lot..."

Harry stood there, stunned, as if the light had drifted away from him.