"As everyone knows, the Wizengamot recently held a public trial for the highly-anticipated case of Peter Pettigrew.
The cunning criminal was brought to justice, the defamed hero returned triumphantly, and the truth buried for twelve years reemerged.
But behind this seemingly happy ending lies a hidden story unknown to all.
Dear readers, when you saw this touching photograph, did you also feel puzzled?
The cold-as-a-snake Slytherin House Head and Potions Professor at Hogwarts, Severus Snape, actually displayed unknown fervent emotions toward the boy he's despised since enrollment! (See image above)
This newspaper's special correspondent, Rita Skeeter, will reveal the inside story of Hogwarts's love-hate triangle."
Ron stopped reading at this point.
Not deliberately—mainly because this content was truly absurd beyond belief. Ridiculous to the extreme.
He unconsciously looked at his other companions in the compartment.
Sure enough, except for Sherlock, who had actively asked him to read this section, and Luna, whose vacant eyes were gazing out the window as if she hadn't been listening at all, all the other companions looked shocked and incredulous after hearing this.
"Ron, please continue."
Just then, Sherlock spoke up as a reminder, indicating Ron should continue reading.
"Okay, okay—"
Ron came to his senses, steadied himself, and continued reading with a strange expression.
"At the execution site where the despicable criminal Peter Pettigrew received the Dementor's Kiss, this reporter, representing the Daily Prophet, braved the risk of curse attacks to finally capture with a camera the most elusive emotional entanglement unique to Hogwarts, hidden behind this truth!
When Potter showed signs of weakness from the Dementor's impact, Professor Snape seemed to have anticipated it, producing Honeydukes' finest chocolate that he'd been carrying!
(Note 1: As everyone knows, most people have adverse reactions when facing Dementors, but some people's reactions are particularly strong. The Boy Who Defeated the Dark Lord, Harry Potter, is one such person.
Whether this is related to his special infant experience is unknown, but his reaction to Dementors seems much stronger than others.
He once fell directly from his flying broomstick mid-air during a Quidditch match when facing a Dementor.)
(Note 2: Honeydukes' finest chocolate is valued at 1 Galleon per piece.)
As everyone knows, Professor Severus Snape has always been famous for despising sweets.
Evidence includes, (from student sources) his multiple public occasions criticizing Hogwarts's current Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, for his fondness for sweets.
Snape said that if Dumbledore continued this way, his tooth-strengthening potions would lose their effect.
Yet now, when other professors were completely unprepared, he specially prepared such expensive comfort for Potter—is this coincidence too deliberate?
This newspaper exclusively interviewed a senior Ministry official (anonymous) who exposed even more shocking inside information:
This Potions Master had many conflicts with the now-triumphant hero Black during their youth, and the two were bitter enemies.
Later, hero Black suffered false accusation and entered Azkaban for twelve years, unable to properly exercise his godfather duties to Potter.
Snape, meanwhile, repeatedly distinguished himself in the latter period of the wizarding war, shed his Death Eater identity, successfully entered Hogwarts as Potions Professor, and several years after joining became Hogwarts's youngest-ever House Head.
It's reported that since Potter's enrollment, Snape has given him all kinds of special treatment.
He has more than once publicly made things difficult for Potter and arbitrarily deducted points from Potter's Gryffindor House.
"He was deliberately targeting Harry."
Seventh-year Hogwarts student Oliver Wood said. He is an averagely-built strong man.
"When Harry was in first year, Professor Snape volunteered to referee our Quidditch match against Hufflepuff. During the match, his rulings repeatedly targeted Gryffindor.
Yes, I believe he did it deliberately."
Multiple other faculty members and students have testified that Professor Snape despises Potter and points out he has no talent in Potions.
But is this really the truth?
"He always uses the most caustic language to disguise his trembling fingers. Actually, he's the person in this school who least wants anything to happen to Harry."
A Hogwarts professor who wished to remain anonymous said, "When someone once carelessly disparaged Potter's eyes, he didn't hesitate to target that student for several weeks."
According to in-depth understanding, Professor Snape seems not to be good at expressing his feelings.
After Black was wrongly imprisoned, when Potter enrolled three years ago, Snape had planned to use his position as Potions teacher to approach Potter.
He aimed to take Black's place and become Harry's de facto guardian.
His various actions toward Potter were actually carefully designed reverse-attraction tactics, intended to attract Potter's attention.
Details from the trial site validate this inference—when Black received the Order of Merlin, Snape's venomous gaze fixed on his hand could freeze walls.
But in the instant he turned to hand chocolate to Potter, his curled fingers betrayed the gentlest arc of his life.
This extreme contrast absolutely cannot be explained by simple dislike.
Will Snape's unique way of expressing himself gain Potter's recognition?
Will the triumphant Black duel with his nemesis to protect his godson?
What role does Headmaster Albus Dumbledore play in this situation?
Is it well-intentioned, or are there ulterior motives?
Beneath the surface of truth, undercurrents always surge. The next time you see Professor Snape's gloomy figure with his black robes billowing, remember the historic moment frozen in this photograph.
Please continue following Rita Skeeter's in-depth investigation!"
Ron finally finished reading this report.
Outside the window, rural scenery flew past rapidly.
Inside the compartment, the most fearsome thing was the sudden silence in the air.
Finally, Hermione was the first to break the silence.
She took the newspaper from Ron, carefully reading the report while frowning:
"Unknown fervent emotions?
Carefully designed reverse-attraction tactics?
How did such a report pass review?
Just because of one piece of chocolate, she can fabricate such a ridiculous plot. This reporter is really too much!
All this content is purely subjective speculation and malicious conjecture, with neither logic nor evidence chain.
Doesn't she have even a little bit of basic professionalism as a news practitioner?
She's completely thrown NTC aside!"
Cho's beautiful face was also filled with disbelief.
She took the Daily Prophet from Hermione, carefully looking at the photo that deliberately created an ambiguous atmosphere through filters and composition, then turned to Harry and gently consoled him,
"Harry, don't take it too much to heart. This whole thing is so ridiculous, I don't think anyone will take it seriously, right?
Photos can be deceiving, especially in the Daily Prophet—I've heard of Rita Skeeter. She's always liked to talk nonsense."
She looked at Harry, hesitating to speak, but finally said it,
"Professor Snape carrying such expensive chocolate with him is indeed a bit strange. Could he actually have low blood sugar?"
As she spoke, even she felt this explanation didn't hold up.
"I think it might just be a coincidence."
Hearing Cho say this, Harry was also helpless.
Whether Snape happened to be carrying chocolate or had prepared it in advance out of consideration for his mother's sake.
Such things were definitely judged by actions, not intentions. Harry sincerely appreciated what Professor Snape had done.
The key point was, how could this reporter named Rita Skeeter be so good at making things up?
Snape competing with Sirius for him?
How did she even come up with that?
"Hahahaha!"
Ginny let out a huge like laughter, though it was full of sarcasm,
"Did this woman bash her head against the Whomping Willow? She actually connected Snape with the word gentle?
What extreme contrast? I'd say the contrast between extreme disgust and extreme hatred is more like it!
His venomous gaze toward Sirius might be real, but hoping for him to be gentle with Harry is absolutely ridiculous!"
Her reaction was the strongest among the three girls.
Because she was the 'person' involved in "carelessly disparaging Harry's eyes" mentioned in this report.
Ron's expression was a mixture of shock, disgust, and a bit of humor.
"Bloody hell! I'd rather believe she wrote that Snape has a crush on Dumbledore!
At least—uh—forget it, that thought is disgusting enough!"
He shook his head vigorously, trying to expel the weird images Skeeter had created from his mind.
Just as everyone was denouncing the absurdity of this report, an ethereal voice sounded.
Luna's dreamy gaze returned from outside the window. "Um, I think Miss Skeeter's writing is quite interesting."
"Interesting?"
Everyone looked at Luna in unison.
Not you, too sis. Where did you find this interesting?
This report is about a whole Thames River away from "interesting," okay?
"You were listening?" Ron said in amazement. "I thought you were looking at the scenery the whole time."
"I was listening."
Luna pointed at the report, saying seriously,
"Look, she says Professor Snape's abnormal behavior is inversely expressing his affection for Harry.
Actually, this way of expressing isn't particularly rare. Many ancient magical creatures are like this, liking to use hostile attitudes to express their affection.
In such a chaotic and dangerous situation, he specially prepared the most expensive Honeydukes chocolate. This itself is a signal of intense attention, isn't it?
Ordinary concern wouldn't make someone think to buy 1-Galleon-per-piece candy."
She analyzed seriously, her large eyes sparkling with wisdom.
"As for his gaze watching Sirius, strong negative emotions, especially toward someone attempting to gain guardianship—
Well, in my view, this actually confirms Miss Skeeter's theory instead.
Just like when two male Crumple-Horned Snorkacks compete for the same moonlit moss, it's the artistic process of males fighting each other.
Whenever that happens, the hostility becomes particularly intense.
So, I think she captured some hidden fragments of truth, because the magic of love is inherently very complex!"
Stunned.jpg
Originally, after Ron finished reading this report, the compartment had fallen into brief silence.
After Luna's speech, silence fell once more, and became even more bizarre.
In this situation, everyone's gaze unconsciously focused on Sherlock.
When in doubt, ask Sherlock.
Moreover, he was the one who just asked Ron to read this report.
But to everyone's surprise, as soon as Sherlock opened his mouth, he asked a question that seemed completely unrelated to the matter.
"What does NTC mean?"
"NTC?"
Everyone looked at each other.
Only Hermione paused for a moment before reacting, then said: "NTC is the three elements of news: New, Truth, and Communication."
When Hermione explained this, everyone remembered she had indeed said this earlier, but—
Sherlock's focus seemed a bit off, didn't it?
"Thank you for sharing, Hermione."
Sherlock nodded. "But I must tell you, don't be so angry.
Having expectations that meet professional standards for this reporter lady's professional ethics—that's what's unrealistic.
Authenticity, accuracy, timeliness—for her, only the last one is truly useful.
Taking things out of context, misrepresentation, creating opposition—these are the specialties of reporters like her.
Her pitiful logic and so-called evidence couldn't even reach the level of your first-year History of Magic essay."
Hearing Sherlock's seemingly casual praise, Hermione straightened her chest.
"However—"
Sherlock suddenly changed his tone: "Her imagination and boldness are worth affirming—at least one thing she didn't get wrong: Professor Snape did indeed prepare this chocolate deliberately."
"It was really intentional?" Hermione showed a surprised look. "So, you already knew she would write it this way?"
"Obviously."
Sherlock shrugged, "If you'd seen her previous report about Minister of Magic Fudge, perhaps you wouldn't be so surprised now."
Two different reports finally explained the trial proceedings both on and off stage.
Next, Harry recounted the trial process in detail, after which everyone began sharing their holiday experiences with their companions.
The Firebolt was naturally inevitably brought up.
During holiday letters, Cho had already learned about this.
However, in this compartment, only she and Luna hadn't actually seen it yet.
"Harry, quickly take it out and show everyone!"
Though he had seen this top-tier flying broomstick more than once, when this topic came up, Ron was as excited as ever.
Harry obligingly took out the Firebolt for Cho and Luna to admire, earning high praise from both.
The difference was that Cho's admiration came from a Quidditch match perspective.
Luna thought riding it would definitely reach the moon.
Both quite in character for them.
Next, seeing Sherlock and Harry both surrounded by beautiful girls, Ron wisely gave up joining the commotion, took the Firebolt, and went off to play with it by himself.
After a while, the compartment door was suddenly pulled open.
Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain who'd just appeared in Rita Skeeter's report, strode quickly inside.
"Hi, Harry, how was your Christmas?"
His eyes seemed to hold only Harry. After saying this, without waiting for Harry to answer, he sat directly across from him.
Hermione had to squeeze toward Sherlock's direction.
She was about to speak, but Wood didn't even acknowledge her, but continued to address Harry,
"I heard you attended that crucial case trial. That must have been so exciting—forget that for now."
He suddenly lowered his voice, looking at Harry mysteriously,
"During the holiday I thought it through carefully. Well, honestly, I've been thinking about this ever since the last match ended.
If Dementors come again during the next match, what will you do? I don't want to lose an excellent Seeker.
Fortunately, they've left now, but I still want to confirm—you should be fine for the next match, right?"
Harry: (⊙_⊙)
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