The tense and exciting Potion Class finally ended.
After class, the little Wizards scurried out of the classroom in a flash.
Hermione packed her things, glanced at Nios, who was still sitting beside her, and then at Professor Snape, who looked a bit tired: "Aren't you leaving?"
"You go first," Nios said, toying with a small knife used for cutting Potion, "I have a small matter I'd like to ask Professor Snape for help with."
Hermione looked worriedly towards the podium again, but finally nodded: "I'll wait for you in the library."
With that, she quickly joined the departing crowd.
Draco was pacing back and forth by the door.
The things Neville had told him about "demons" during Potion Class were too absurd, and he felt he had to ask Nios himself.
As for Harry and the others?
As soon as the bell rang, Harry and Ron had already dragged Neville and rushed towards Gryffindor Tower to retrieve the Nimbus 2000.
Seeing Hermione come out alone, Draco subconsciously peered behind her: "Where's Nios?"
Hermione shrugged helplessly: "He seems to have something to discuss with Professor Snape privately."
Draco's gaze passed through the still open wooden door, falling on Professor Snape at the podium.
Professor Snape was rubbing his temples, his face darker than the bottom of a cauldron.
"Let's go first, they're probably discussing something... very important."
Nios had been summoned directly by the Principal last time, and this time it might be a similar situation.
"I'm going to the library, how about you?" Hermione asked.
"I need to go back to the common room! See you tonight!" With that, Draco quickly walked towards the Slytherin direction.
Hermione looked at his retreating figure, sighed softly, and turned to walk towards the library.
Only Nios and Professor Snape remained in the empty classroom.
The only sounds in the classroom were the rustling of Professor Snape organizing his lesson plans and the occasional cold glint of the small knife in Nios's hand.
On the wall next to the podium, several empty specimen jars were particularly glaring.
Apparently, even Professor Snape found it difficult to replenish the materials Azazel had consumed last time in a short period.
Finally, Professor Snape neatly gathered the last of his lesson plans.
He looked up at Nios below: "Is there something, Mr. Chaos?"
Nios stopped toying with the knife, looking up to meet his sharp gaze: "I have a small matter, and I'd like to ask Professor Snape for a favor."
Professor Snape's lips curved into a slight arc: "Hmph! The brilliant and omnipotent Mr. Chaos, needing 'help' from others? How... unexpected." He deliberately emphasized the word "help."
Nios seemed not to hear Professor Snape's sarcasm and continued on his own: "It's like this, Professor. Recently, I found a very interesting book in the library."
Professor Snape let out a scornful snort: "How truly unexpected. Mr. Chaos is actually interested in 'books'? I thought all your 'knowledge' came from... more 'direct' sources."
Nios ignored his taunt: "That book is about the language of various flowers. I'm very interested in the interpretations within, so I wanted to discuss it with you, a Potion Master, to hear your insights."
Watching Professor Snape's already gloomy face turn even uglier, Nios began his "interpretation" with satisfaction:
"For example... those questions you asked Harry in the first class."
"Powdered asphodel root... Hmm, I remember that seems to be a type of Lily? The name seems to be... Lily?"
"Its flower language is: 'My regrets follow you to the grave,' truly... beautiful and desperate, isn't it?"
Professor Snape's hand beneath the table clenched suddenly, his knuckles turning white, and the veins on the back of his hand twitched like earthworms.
"Then there's wormwood..."
Nios continued in a flat tone, as if he hadn't noticed the other's reaction, "representing pain and deep regret..."
"Finally, monkshood and wolfsbane." Nios paused before continuing, "The book says they are the same plant, with no difference in Potion properties. But interestingly, their flower languages are vastly different."
"Monkshood symbolizes chivalry and fearless protection..."
Nios's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"While wolfsbane... represents world-weariness, hatred, and disillusionment."
"Things from the same root and origin, yet pointing to diametrically opposite paths."
"Like two parallel lines that never intersect... Don't you think... it's quite wondrous?"
He deliberately paused, watching the anger in Professor Snape's eyes almost erupt before slowly uttering the last sentence: "Oh, by the way, there's one more question I haven't figured out. What flower language does bezoar represent? Professor, you are so knowledgeable, could you... answer this curious student's question?"
This naked humiliation finally ignited the powder keg!
"Bang!" Professor Snape suddenly stood up, the chair legs scraping a harsh noise on the floor.
He instantly drew his wand, pointing it at Nios: "If you're trying to provoke me, Chaos," his voice was low, and the veins on his forehead protruded menacingly, "then... you've succeeded!"
Nios, however, raised his hands, the cartoon eyes on his eye mask narrowing into slits: "Woah~! Calm down, Professor Snape! I'm still a child~"
"'Child'?" Professor Snape's sneer was practically squeezed through his teeth, "A 'child' who can toy with life and create monsters at twelve years old?! Don't think you and your evil 'pet' can fool my eyes!"
"From the moment you stepped through the Hogwarts gates, I could smell the nauseating stench of you and your filthy creation!"
Upon hearing this, Nios raised his arm, sniffing his armpit theatrically, then looked at Professor Snape with an innocent expression: "Professor, although your nose is quite large, you can't just accuse people randomly~ I clearly smell very good~"
This almost rogue-like response made Professor Snape almost laugh from anger: "Hmph! I don't know why Dumbledore, that old fool, would let... something like you into the school! But! Nios Chaos, you listen to me clearly!"
"You'd best pray to Merlin that I don't catch you doing anything wrong! Otherwise..."
Nios rested his chin in his hands, the eyes on his eye mask blinking, and interrupted him in an innocent tone: "Professor~ We're Wizards~ We don't cooperate with 'demons,' so... should we cooperate with the Church?"
Then he abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming low, "And, I'm even planning to custom-make the most perfect demon for dear Harry~ What do you think, will he like this gift?"
"You dare!!!"
The name "Harry," especially when associated with "demon," consumed Professor Snape's last shred of sanity with rage.
Those green eyes, identical to Lily's, flashed in his mind instantly.
Professor Snape suddenly rushed down from the podium, walked next to Nios, and directly pressed his wand against his jaw!
"Dare to touch a single hair on his head! I swear! I'll make you regret ever coming into this world!"
Nios, however, seemed oblivious to the cold threat.
He leisurely used two fingers to gently push away Professor Snape's wand, even calmly straightening his wrinkled collar.
"Professor~ Why are you so angry?"
"I'm doing all this for Harry's good~ Think about it, what does signing a contract with a powerful demon mean?"
He leaned closer to Professor Snape and lowered his voice, "As long as there are enough sacrifices... a demon can fulfill almost any wish of its master."
He deliberately emphasized "any wish" and then watched with satisfaction as Professor Snape's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Do you think..." Nios's smile bloomed again, "our 'Harry'... would refuse such an opportunity... to fulfill 'wishes'?"
These heart-piercing words struck Professor Snape's heart like a heavy hammer.
His body trembled imperceptibly, and the raging flames seemed to freeze instantly.
Professor Snape's hand, holding the wand, slowly dropped.
"Actually, the main reason I came to see you today was to visit Principal. Unfortunately, I don't know the password to his office... so, I was hoping you could introduce me."
Nios waited for a long time before realizing that Professor Snape was still frozen in place, staring blankly ahead.
Nios reached out and snapped his fingers a few times in front of Professor Snape's eyes: "Professor? Professor Snape?"
Professor Snape trembled violently, as if waking from a nightmare.
He put away his wand, and with somewhat stiff movements, turned around, his back to Nios: "You can go now... I will inform Dumbledore..."
"The password?" Nios pressed.
"Lemon Drop..."
"Okay~ Thank you, Professor!"
Nios's voice was light, as if the confrontation had never happened.
With that, he turned and walked towards the door.
"Wait!"
Just as Nios was about to touch the doorknob, Professor Snape's hoarse voice sounded again.
Nios stopped, slowly turning around: "Is there something else, Professor...?"
He deliberately spoke very slowly, but Professor Snape still had his back to him.
"They... the things you created... can they... can they resurrect... people who have died?"
Nios pretended to think.
Professor Snape had never felt that a few seconds could be so long.
"Hmm... well... I haven't actually tried that... but... theoretically... as long as there's a sufficient price... it should... be possible."
"It should... be possible..." Just as Professor Snape was about to ask for details, he heard a soft "click"!
He turned abruptly!
The classroom was already empty.
Professor Snape rushed to the door and yanked it open.
But outside the door, there was only an empty corridor and the distant sounds of students playing.
"Bang!"
Professor Snape slammed the door shut, leaning his back against the cold door panel, as if all his strength had been drained.
He braced his hands on a nearby desk, bent over, and gasped for breath.
He didn't know whether his current exhaustion was due to physical exertion or because the despair that had lasted for over a decade finally had a chance to end.