The conflict came so suddenly.
By the time Snape rushed to the scene, he realized that among the dozen or so little snakes lying unconscious on the ground in disarray, one was the pervert he had accidentally encountered after the Quidditch match, the one who had attempted to install a Remembrall in the girls' bathroom.
The last knockout clearly hadn't taught him a lesson; instead, he wanted to retaliate with even greater intensity.
So, after gathering a group of accomplices, he confidently blocked Shirin on her way back to her dormitory.
However, they still vastly underestimated Shirin's strength, and what they got in return was another textbook classic of humiliating themselves!
Professor McGonagall's face was ashen.
She couldn't stop chattering at Professor Slughorn, who wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into, directing a group of reluctant Gryffindor students to move this bunch of little snakes to the hospital wing.
Snape saw clearly that during the transport process, almost everyone kicked these scoundrels a few extra times.
He seriously suspected that by the time these wounded were sent to the hospital wing, the severity of their injuries would probably have multiplied several times over!
Fortunately, Lucius and the others arrived in time.
The usually arrogant blond boy looked very unpleasant at this moment. It was unclear whether he was regretting the mindless actions of these troublemaking little snakes or furious that so many people couldn't beat a mere Ravenclaw girl.
But no matter what, genuine pure blood flowed in the veins of these guys, so as the nominal leader, he had to clean up the mess for this group of losers.
Without rushing to talk to the imposing Professor McGonagall—
After exchanging a few glances with Lucius, the understanding Seko instructed several upper-year Slytherins to break away from the team, stopped the little lions who were carrying the wounded, and chose to use their own house's manpower to send them to the hospital wing instead.
"Mr. Malfoy, I have spoken to you many times since we last parted, simply hoping that you would fulfill your duties as a prefect, but now it seems you haven't taken my advice to heart?"
"Pure-bloods naturally have their own set of rules. If I do something wrong, someone will naturally stand up to oppose my actions, rather than relying on a foolish Head of House who doesn't even belong to Slytherin to meddle here!"
Lucius tit-for-tat.
Immediately afterward, he turned his implicitly oppressive gaze toward Professor Slughorn at the side and spoke word by word:
"This is a despicable attack against Slytherin! I think we should severely punish the perpetrator. What do you think?"
"...Malfoy, Hogwarts is not our echo chamber. Perhaps you should occasionally listen to the opinions of other professors."
"The dignity of pure blood allows no violation. We will pursue this matter to the end, at any cost!"
Taking a deep look at Professor Slughorn, who had a bitter smile on his face, Lucius said categorically.
As the Dark Lord's favored subject—
Lucius knew that Voldemort had always regretted that the professor who once taught him Potions failed to join the great cause of the Death Eaters.
If he could make Slughorn break his principles before graduation and eventually have no choice but to join the Death Eaters, Lucius believed he would definitely gain even more trust from Voldemort!
It was just a pity that no matter how those prominent nobles contacted and lobbied him on ordinary days—
Slughorn's seemingly wavering stance would always hold firm at the last moment, not retreating a single step, which annoyed Lucius endlessly.
However, the only good news after today's incident was that he had a reason to use the mouths of the nobles to further pressure Slughorn. Sooner or later, he would make this vain Head of House kneel in submission under the majesty of pure blood!
And that Ravenclaw Veela... Is a beast that doesn't even count as human qualified to study at Hogwarts?
A fierce, cold light flickered in and out of existence.
After exchanging a few sarcastic remarks with Professor McGonagall, Lucius left in a hurry with a group of subordinates.
As always, Professor McGonagall, failing to reverse Lucius's thinking, blamed it on Slughorn's usual dereliction of duty, while the latter could only shrink his neck, feeling too guilty to say much.
"Your time is running out, Snape. But my subordinates tell me you seem to still be interacting with that Gryffindor girl recently?"
The sudden voice did not change Snape's expression.
Turning around, he calmly met the gaze of Seko, who had appeared behind him at some point, wearing a faint smile.
"This is my business. Since I said I hope to join the Black Eye Society, I will naturally complete the requirements you put forward."
"I hope so. I just hope you understand that our patience is not limitless."
Reaching out nonchalantly, he patted Snape on the shoulder.
"You wouldn't want to know the price of angering us. After all, you can't stay at Hogwarts forever, can you?"
"..."
Snape's silence was interpreted by Seko as a sign of weakness.
This news made him grin a horrifying smile. Staring closely at the boy who had been bold enough to duel him before, he said earnestly:
"I have high hopes for you, so I don't want you to do anything stupid. After all, hanging out with that bunch of Gryffindor trash has only one result, which is being discarded like a worn-out shoe by true greatness!
When you decide to break off relations with that girl, remember to come find me to record this significant scene.
That will be your first step towards true strength. As your guide and future opponent, I wouldn't want to miss that moment."
"Of course. I will notify you."
Seko's distrust was palpable.
However, Snape nodded as if he hadn't noticed.
"Before Christmas, I hope to hear the good news of a newcomer joining the Black Eye Society. Do you think that's a problem?"
"As you wish."
"...Very good."
Seko stared fixedly for a long time before suddenly flicking his wizard robes and leaving.
Standing in place, Snape's expression remained unchanged.
In reality, he sighed lightly in his heart, and a sinister look flashed across his eyes as he watched Seko's retreating figure.
It seems the good times are coming to an end...
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