Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 72: The Conflict in the Corridor
In the cellar,
Professor Snape's gloomy gaze gradually shifted to a corner that Sheehan couldn't see.

The truth is so simple, yet so... ironic.

There was no conspiracy, no greed, just the clumsy efforts of a skinny little wizard trying to learn.

Verifying this is quite simple, so simple that Professor Snape remained silent for a long time.

Sheen looked thoughtfully at the open notebook and instantly understood what was going on.

Well, Quidditch is definitely a sensitive topic for Professor Snape; I hadn't even noticed it.
Sheen quickly reflected on his recent slightly erratic behavior and realized that it all started on that warm afternoon—

Professor McGonagall listened to him talk for a long time with a smile.

I'll have to bring a new laptop next time.
Sheen thought.

At this point, the swelling medication had reached its final stage.

Without hesitation, Sheen used the modified ritual, immersing himself completely in the viscous potion.

He felt the subtle magic within the crucible become clearer again, and he carefully guided it to merge.

then--

[You have successfully brewed a potion of anti-swelling medicine to the highest standards of a skilled brewer. Proficiency +10]

Sheen's face turned pale instantly, but instead of resting, he transferred the potion to a crystal bottle and extinguished the flame.

Before leaving the cellar, Sheen had ten Galleons in his hand.

He paused for a moment, then carefully counted seven Galleons and placed them in Professor Snape's hand.

“You’ve given me too much, Professor. There’s no better quality anti-inflammatory medicine on the market than Galon.”

After finishing speaking, Sheen began packing his small bag.

The small black bag has faded slightly, like an old garment that has been sun-dried and turned white, with grayish-white edges, as if covered with a thin layer of dust.

The surface of the bag should have been smooth, but now it was fuzzy, and in some places it was even slightly cracked, revealing the light-colored fibers underneath.

This bag was given to her by that old lady from Milan, and Sheen has been using it ever since.

……

in the corridor.

Sheen silently organized his plans. He had already mastered the Clear Water Spell and the Summoning Spell, and next up was the Liver Floating Spell.

According to the plan, it must be completed within this week.

After all, there's only a little over a week left in a month.

Although time was tight, it was still under control. He could cast more than a dozen [Expert] level levitation spells at a time, and with Professor Snape's recovery potion, he could grind no less than 600 proficiency points a day.

The skill level required for the proficiency level is 900, and Sheen guesses that the expert level will not exceed 3,000.

If he were to immerse himself in spells and potions all day, Sheen estimated that he would earn no less than nine hundred a day.

The quill pen flew across the paper, recording Sheen's thoughts.

What he didn't notice was that in the shadows not far behind him,

There was always a somber-faced wizard.

It was simply a matter of verifying the truthfulness of what that guy said...

Snape disappeared into the shadows once more.

Meanwhile, at the end of the corridor on the other side.

Hermione hurried past the somewhat tranquil portrait, a letter clutched in her hand, as she rushed toward the great knight's armor.

As if to make up for the fright of that night, Harry earnestly explained his speculation about the three-headed dog and said that they could talk if Hermione was willing.

"If that package is related to Headmaster Dumbledore, then those two guys should know that it is extremely dangerous!"

They might even sabotage Headmaster Dumbledore's plans!

She muttered to herself as she walked even faster.

A strange noise suddenly came from the corridor. Hermione turned around and saw Theodore and his group. Seeing them, she immediately recalled what had happened in Charms class that morning.

As always, Professor Flitwick raised a difficult question.

She and Theodore raised their hands together, and the professor naturally chose her, adding a point to Gryffindor's score.

Unexpectedly, this guy gave her a resentful look and kept competing with her to raise her hand. Hermione didn't care, but she put her hand down when faced with a difficult question.

As a result, he was unable to answer the difficult questions posed by Professor Flitwick, and when the professor pulled him away, he stood there awkwardly.

"Oh, look who this is, the haughty Miss Granger, just out of the library, ready to answer the next question no one's asking you?"

Theodore Nott's voice trailed off with a forced laugh, while the two Slytherins behind him let out a rough, jerk of laughter.

“If you had spent your time reviewing Standard Charms: Beginner’s instead of loitering in the hallways looking for trouble, Nott, you probably wouldn’t have been standing there like a slug with its nose punctured this afternoon.”

Hermione crossed her arms, trying to keep her voice calm, but her rapid speech betrayed her frustration.

Theodore Nott's face instantly darkened, and he took a step forward:
"What did you say? You think you're so great, don't you?"
It's because Flitwick prefers bookworms like you, especially someone like you..."

He looked her up and down, searching for an insulting word.

"If you dare say the rest, I guarantee my fist will be in your face."

Just then, Justin came from around the corner of the corridor, standing alone in front of Hermione, his gaze cold as he faced the three Slytherins.

"Let me see, oh, another one..."

Theodore was momentarily intimidated by his imposing manner, but upon seeing that he was alone, he resumed his mocking and disdainful demeanor.

"Mud-ba-seed..."

The word froze the air; Hermione's cheeks flushed with anger, while Justin...

Before Theodore could finish speaking, a fist landed squarely on Theodore's face, contorting his features.

Theodore stumbled and fell to the ground, blood gushing from his nose.

"How dare you—"

His shout could be heard throughout the entire corridor.

"My mother told me that for trash like you who has neither courage nor morality, force can bring equality."

My father happened to tell me, "I could take down three of you rotten bugs."

Before the remaining two could react, Justin's fist landed on Theodore's face again, leaving him dazed.

Then the two Slytherins raised their wands, but unexpectedly—

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

As the two wands flew into the air, Justin exclaimed in delight:

"Sheen!"

“Oh, Sheen,”

He quickly moved closer, then suddenly became uneasy.

"It seems we've broken the school rules."

Sheehan glanced at the three Slytherins.

"fine."

He said this, then pulled the furious Hermione away; she was raising her wand, watching the remaining two warily.

"Hurry up and go."

He urged.

Because a man dressed in a black robe and cloak had emerged from the shadows.

His gaze was murderous.

(End of this chapter)