"...We've already discussed dragon blood, and I believe I've made its uses quite clear. Now, aside from dragon blood, other parts of a dragon are also essential potion ingredients. So—"
On Friday morning, Professor Snape spoke in his usual icy tone, pausing to let his gaze sweep across the classroom. "Who can tell me which potions use dragon liver as a primary ingredient?"
Predictably, Miss Granger had her hand thrust high into the air.
Professor Snape's eyes, however, didn't linger for even a heartbeat. He chose to ignore her completely.
Hermione (silently): If you keep this up, I'll tell Qin!
Snape (internally): As if I'd be intimidated by that brat?
Meanwhile, Malfoy stretched his hand even higher, nearly rising out of his seat, desperate not to be overlooked.
He was one step away from shouting, "Pick me! Pick me!"
Professor Snape did glance at him a few times, noting that Lucius's son had been unusually eager lately. He wondered if it had anything to do with that troublemaker, Qin Yu.
Qin Yu (mentally): Busy. Don't @ me, thanks!
Snape: If I'm wrongfully accusing you, then I'll—
Qin Yu: No need. You're not wrong.
Snape: Don't leave after class! (brandishes wand)
A screech of chairs scraping the floor sounded nearby. The aloof Potions Master turned to see the boy he tried so hard not to care about—who looked so much like the man he'd always despised—Harry Potter.
Watching Harry raise his hand, and noticing how he kept glancing at Malfoy, Snape could easily guess what was on his mind.
Just like his father. Always desperate for attention.
With a faint narrowing of his eyes, Professor Snape decided to give him another lesson.
"It seems you've all mastered this topic," he said, pausing for effect. Under Harry's hopeful gaze, he turned away and continued, "Malfoy, you may answer."
Malfoy straightened up at once and practically shouted, "Doxycide! Dragon liver can be used as the main ingredient in Doxyicide! It's a potion that exterminates doxies!"
Snape gave a barely perceptible nod. In his usual detached tone, he said, "One point to Slytherin."
Hearing Slytherin gain a point, Harry couldn't help but mutter to Ron, "I knew that one! You said your mum uses it all the time. It's all because—"
Ron shot him a warning look, silently begging him not to finish that sentence with "Snape is biased" or anything of the sort.
Even unspoken, the meaning was clear. But saying it aloud would only get them caught—and Snape would have no qualms about deducting five or even ten points from Gryffindor for "disrespecting a teacher."
Sure enough, when Harry and Ron risked a glance, they saw Professor Snape shooting them a distinctly unfriendly look. They immediately sat up straight and fell silent.
Snape's gaze swept over the students, noting every reaction. Then, after a brief pause, he addressed Hermione, who wore a look of disappointment. "Since you all seem so enthusiastic about this question, Miss Granger, why don't you tell us the other ingredients in Doxyicide?"
The moment the question left his lips, Harry, who had been so eager just seconds earlier, instantly wilted. He hadn't studied that far ahead—after all, they were only first-years. Remembering that Doxyicide used dragon liver was impressive enough; as for the full list of ingredients and brewing method, that was another matter entirely.
Malfoy looked just as relieved—he'd only recently got his hands on those notes and hadn't even finished the basics, let alone any advanced reading. He was grateful he'd answered the easy question and not been called on for the full recipe.
Don't ever say I don't give you chances, Snape thought to himself.
Not that most students wanted this particular "opportunity"—most of them had never even heard of the potion.
While some students looked on with sympathy, others with schadenfreude, and most with indifference, Hermione calmly folded her hands on the desk and replied in a clear, confident voice, "Besides dragon liver, there's Streeler shells, bundimun secretion, hemlock essence, cowbane essence, and tormentil tincture!"
A hush fell over the classroom. The young witches and wizards were stunned—not quite sure if she was right, but unable to doubt her confidence.
Professor Snape's eyebrows twitched upwards before he could stop himself.
She really does know everything. No wonder she's that brat Qin's little sister.
Even the frosty Potions Master couldn't help but feel a grudging respect.
As the class stared in awe, Snape announced his verdict and reward: "Two points to Gryffindor."
Hermione beamed, clenching her small fists in excitement.
One more point than Slytherin—clearly a nod to the question's difficulty.
Even the Slytherins, Malfoy included, though envious, had to admit she'd earned it.
The Gryffindors, on the other hand, were jubilant, basking in the reflected glory. Harry shot Malfoy a triumphant look: Big sis finally stole your thunder—let's see you gloat now!
But before Harry's smile could fully form, Snape cut him off.
"It seems you're quite interested in this topic too, Potter?"
"Er—what?"
Snape's words struck like a curse, sending a chill through Harry's heart. He had a very bad feeling about this.
Sure enough, Snape continued, "Then why don't you tell us about the habits of doxies?"
"I..." Harry faltered, lost for words.
"What's the matter? You had your hand up so high just now—surely you can answer a simple question like this?" Snape drawled, eyes narrowed, voice cold as ever.
You know that was just a minute ago! I don't know now!
Harry's cheeks burned. He felt utterly humiliated. After a long pause, he stammered, "But, Professor, doxies are—well, we only learn about them in Care of Magical Creatures... We haven't covered that yet..."
"So you're saying you don't know?"
"I mean, I guess... but—"
"Since you admit you don't even know something so basic—one point from Gryffindor!"
When did I admit that?!
Sure, I don't know, but isn't this a bit much?
Harry's face turned even redder. He wanted to argue with Snape, who was clearly picking on him, but he bit his tongue.
He knew that if he said another word, Gryffindor would lose more than just one point. That would wipe out the two points Hermione had just earned—and maybe even put them in the negative.
So: two points gained, one lost. Gryffindor was still up by one point today!
Not losing points was progress. Gaining a point? That was a huge step forward!
That was the only way Harry could console himself as he tried to calm his racing heart.
"If you don't even understand the habits of the creatures you're trying to fight, what's the point of brewing Doxyicide?" Professor Snape raised his voice, making sure everyone heard—and remembered—his words.
It might not have been entirely fair, but in his classroom, his word was law.
Ah, Snape—the master of "logic."
...
At lunch, Harry didn't have much to say about the ever-showy Malfoy, but he had plenty of complaints about Snape.
"He's got it in for me—on purpose!" Harry declared, absolutely certain.
After finishing a slice of cheese toast, Qin Yu replied lazily, "If Hermione hadn't answered the potion formula, Professor Snape would've been picking on her instead."
That gave Harry pause.
He understood Qin's meaning—if he could answer the "tricky" question like Hermione, Professor Snape wouldn't just avoid deducting points from Gryffindor—he'd actually award them more than one.
"So, beat him at his own game, and he can't touch you," Qin Yu added, his words twisting in on themselves.
It was like dealing with a security guard: as long as you swipe your card, nobody can stop you. Try to force your way in, then complain the guard's being petty, and you're just asking for trouble.
Of course, Qin Yu knew Snape was still playing favorites, and that much was undeniable.
So, that evening, when he met with Snape, Qin Yu lodged a protest on behalf of his "little brother." Professor Snape responded with a demonstration—wand in hand—that left Qin thoroughly convinced.
"The more you know, the more you realize how much you don't know! That's the lesson you're trying to teach Harry, isn't it, Professor Snape?" Qin Yu mused, lying flat on the ground, offering Snape a "thoughtful" explanation.
"No. I just find him irritating," Snape replied flatly, tossing his longsword onto Qin's chest. "Take this with you tonight and study it."
"Heh, you didn't like me at first either—went out of your way to make things difficult. Now you're tutoring me so carefully," Qin Yu teased, a little smug.
"You're far too self-absorbed. Do you think you're the protagonist of some story?" Professor Snape sneered.
"Aren't I?" Qin Yu retorted, pushing himself up with the sword.
"Whatever makes you happy," Snape sighed, too tired to argue.
"Hmph, I am the protagonist! I've got a cheat system and everything!" Qin Yu insisted.
"Oh," said Snape.
"You don't believe me?" Qin Yu pressed.
"Fine," said Snape.
"What do you mean, 'fine'? Don't start with that useless boss-speak!" Qin Yu protested.
"Fine," said Snape.
"..."
Forget it. Enough of this pointless conversation. First, I'd better go see Madam Pomfrey for some healing potions. Tonight's one-on-one training was a little "excessive"—I'm sore all over from the beating.
So, with the longsword bundled in cloth slung over his back, Qin Yu hobbled off toward the hospital wing, every step a reminder of Professor Snape's "tutoring."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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