The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 199 Snape's Gift

A corridor on the lower level of the castle before the Christmas holidays.

Many Slytherin students witnessed a magical scene.

The usually stern and unsmiling Dean of the House, the strict Potions professor, Severus Snape, surprisingly showed a gentle expression.

"Professor Snape!" Hermione greeted him first.

"Hmm." Snape nodded slightly, then looked around.

Without a word, all the little snakes began to scatter in all directions.

Similarly, Daphne was pulled back to the common room by several girls.

After the crowd had completely dispersed, Snape's gaze was fixed on Ron.

Logically, Harry should have been the first target in this situation, but after the Sirius Black incident, Harry learned the whole story, which made his feelings towards Snape somewhat complicated.

On one hand, she hated the other party for revealing the prophecy, and on the other hand, she felt guilty for her father. If it weren't for the conflict during their school days, if it weren't for the previous humiliation, perhaps everything would have gone in a different direction...

But from Snape's perspective, one can always see a pair of emerald green eyes, a complex gaze revealing hatred and remorse...

For this reason, starting this year, Potions class has a new scapegoat—Ron Weasley.

Ignoring the other's anxious expression, Snape stared intently at Ron. Their eyes met, and he slowly spoke:

"Ron Weasley, for attempting to incite a riot at the castle, will be confined for two days every weekend for two months after the Christmas holidays, with the Potions Department office as the punishment location."

Hermione and Harry were immediately outraged by this punishment. Although no points were deducted, a two-month solitary confinement, the maximum penalty, was truly excessive.

"Professor..." Hermione couldn't help but speak up, after all, Ron was here to help her.

However, before Hermione could finish speaking, Snape interrupted, "If I were you, I would seriously consider where those rumors came from!"

Hearing this, Ron's expression became somewhat unnatural. He turned his head and whispered, "Never mind, Hermione! I'm fine."

Hermione first glanced at Ron's expression, then, recalling Snape's earlier words, narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

"You two go back, and don't come here again unless it's absolutely necessary," Snape said in a firm tone, then glanced at Ron beside him.

"As for you, come to my office!"

……

The corridor, now empty of people, was unusually quiet.

After Ron and Snape left, Harry stood there for a moment before deciding to follow them.

Hermione followed suit.

Although Snape's guidance helped her gradually clarify some issues, there were still some things she needed to ask him directly.

Outside the Potions Department office.

Harry looked at Hermione with a conflicted expression, unsure whether he should say something. Just as he hesitated, Hermione made the decision for him.

"You don't need to say anything, I'll ask him myself in a bit!"

Hermione leaned against the corridor wall, arms crossed, one leg casually bent in a slight arc, while half-closing her eyes and looking at the door of the Potions Department office.

However, even amidst this languid movement, Harry couldn't help but secretly pray for Ron, realizing for the first time that Hermione was in danger.

About fifteen minutes have passed.

The Potions Department office door was opened.

Ron walked out looking dejected, carrying an old-looking wooden box in his arms.

"Mr. Weasley!" Hermione slowly straightened up and walked towards Ron step by step.

"I was wrong! I confess." Ron regretted it a little; he couldn't control his mouth when he started gossiping.

Hermione didn't say anything, but gestured for him to continue.

"I only wrote three versions, the rest is really none of my business," Ron said innocently.

"So which three? You'd better tell me the truth." Hermione looked at Ron with a detached expression. She never expected that the rumors that had been bothering her for so long would come from her friends.

"The secret of the garden, a kiss on a rainy night, a love affair in a train compartment..." Ron quickly rattled off the rumors he had made up.

Hearing the three familiar names, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid of hearing shameless rumors about love potions, otherwise she would lose all her friends.

She knew that the three versions Ron mentioned were just rumors, but none of them were excessive; they even had a touch of romanticism.

Seeing Hermione remain silent, Ron finally lowered his head. "I'm sorry, I won't say it again, really..."

However, Ron remained silent in response.

Harry looked at the two of them with some anxiety; this was the last thing he wanted to face.

Just when Ron thought he could not be forgiven, he heard Hermione's voice in his ear.

"I accept your apology! But from now on, you have to repeat what's going on about me to me first before you spread it."

Although she accepted the apology, Hermione was forced to do so because as long as she stayed close to Ino, such rumors would continue to circulate.

Rather than letting others make up stories, it's better to keep Ron around. At least he can come up with some romantic tales and use rumors to defeat rumors.

Both Harry and Ron breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Hermione accept the apology.

"Oh, right, Hermione! This is what Snape asked me to give you..." Ron held up the box in his hands.

"What is this?" Hermione took the box, which looked old, and opened it to find two three-inch round mirrors inside.

"The Two-Way Mirror!" Unlike Harry's silence, Ron immediately called out the name.

"This is a lost alchemical artifact that allows for long-distance communication and enables people to see each other in a mirror..."

Listening to Ron's detailed explanation, Hermione finally understood the purpose of the device; it was essentially a magical version of a mobile phone.

This one is a bit more advanced; it allows the two people to see each other during a call, which is probably why Snape didn't want her to come to the corridor anymore.

……

Just as Hermione was happy about the two-way mirror.

Ino walked toward the Forbidden Forest, a faint black mist floating in his sleeve.

After a period of domination, Boggart visibly shrank, and now he had to find new fears to feed the other.

Of course, the most legitimate way is still London amusement parks or cinemas, whether it's a haunted house or a midnight horror movie, where you can avoid too much fear.

But all of this has to wait until the Christmas holiday the day after tomorrow; for now, he can only try his luck in the Forbidden Forest.

It's the beginning of the month! Xiao Di is begging for votes! Please vote! Please vote, everyone! Please cast your vote!

Today, Xiaodi is sharing about magical creatures: Demiguise, the invisible beast.

British Magic Classification Level: xxxx

Origin and distribution: The Invisible Beast is generally distributed in the Far East.

Appearance: The Invisible Beast looks somewhat like an elegant ape, with large, dark eyes often hidden behind long fur, revealing a faint sadness. Its entire body is covered with long, fine, silky, silvery fur.

Habits: The Invisible Beast is a gentle, quiet, herbivorous magical animal.

Abilities and Effects: When threatened, the Invisible Beast can become invisible and possesses a certain ability to predict the future in the short term. Therefore, they are very difficult for ordinary people to see; only skilled wizards who are adept at capturing them can spot them. Invisible Beast pelts are highly valuable because their fur can be used to weave invisibility cloaks. However, over time, invisibility cloaks made from Invisible Beast fur will eventually lose their effectiveness and become opaque.

Related knowledge: Because the Invisible Beast has the ability to become invisible, it represents the number "0" in the Runic alphabet.

(End of this chapter)