The Great Hall was unusually quiet now.
Even the clinking of cutlery had faded.
Lucien looked at Harry again, calm but firm.
"But Snape is different."
Harry blinked.
"How?" he asked honestly.
Lucien tilted his head slightly.
"Harry… do you know about the Extraordinary Pharmist Association?"
Harry shook his head.
Lucien smiled faintly.
"Brother," he asked gently,
"what did you do after coming to Hogwarts?"
Harry flushed, suddenly embarrassed.
Before he could answer, Akeno spoke, her voice smooth and clear.
"The Extraordinary Pharmist Association," she explained,
"is an organization for genius Potions professors."
A few students leaned closer.
"They are researchers," Akeno continued,
"creators of groundbreaking potions."
"There are only fifty to sixty members in the entire wizarding world."
Harry swallowed and nodded.
"Okay… but what does that have to do with Professor Snape?"
Lucien answered this time.
"Let me tell you about Severus Snape's achievements."
Harry listened carefully.
"Snape is the youngest Potions professor in Hogwarts history."
Gasps.
"The youngest Head of Slytherin House."
More murmurs.
"And finally," Lucien said evenly,
"the youngest member ever admitted to the Extraordinary Pharmist Association."
The Hall went still.
Lucien continued, voice steady.
"If Snape leaves Hogwarts," he said,
"there will be a line outside his door."
"Potion companies would offer him thirty to forty percent profit shares just to work under their banner."
"Other schools could offer him Vice-Headmaster or even Headmaster positions."
Harry's eyes widened.
"If Hogwarts fired him," Lucien concluded,
"it wouldn't be Snape who suffers."
"It would be Hogwarts."
"No Potions professor of his level would join."
"And even top-tier potion masters visiting Hogwarts to teach?"
Lucien shook his head.
"Close to impossible."
Around the hall, students sat stunned.
They had never thought about it like that.
At the staff table, Snape's expression didn't change—
but the faintest lift at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.
He was… pleased.
Lucien looked back at Harry.
"Now, brother," he asked calmly,
"do you still think Snape and Quirrell are the same?"
Harry shook his head immediately.
"No."
Lucien nodded once.
"Then you understand why Gryffindor lost points."
Harry nodded too.
Understanding, at last.
Around them, many students looked thoughtful.
And a few—very quietly—reconsidered everything they thought they knew about Hogwarts.