Hogwarts: A little lion in the skin of the Eagle School

"That's unfair! I think Quidditch matches should be played with both players using identical brooms!"

"Exactly!"

"Harry Potter riding a Firebolt, none of our Seekers could catch him!"

"Exactly!"

When John returned to the Great Hall, he overheard Ryan and Ethan discussing something with righteous indignation, with Titus chiming in.

The discussion seems to be about today's Quidditch match.

"What are you two talking about, getting so excited?"

John walked over and sat down unhurriedly, then asked the group a question.

"Wow, John, I thought you were going to be doing all that work for Professor Snape these next few days."

Upon seeing John approach, the group paused for a moment before laughing and joking.

They all knew about the contract he had signed to sell himself into servitude.

When they first heard about this, they were the ones who laughed the loudest.

After all, John was kept behind by Professor Snape to do hard labor every class, and the rest of them were already used to it.

So I'm not as worried about him as I was at the beginning.

"Please, even slaves get breaks, right? I can't stay in his basement 48 hours a day..."

John said, somewhat speechless.

Continuing their previous conversation, the group told John about today's Quidditch match.

The biggest highlight was Harry Potter riding that Firebolt, stealing the show throughout the competition.

Their college's Seekers can't catch up with them.

So they are discussing whether players should be restricted from using the same broom.

Of course, it was just them joking around.

Another thing is that during today's Quidditch match, Malfoy and two henchmen pretended to be Dementors in the audience and tried to scare Harry Potter.

However, Harry Potter simply pulled out his wand and used a spell that emitted a white light, which startled Malfoy and the others.

Later, Malfoy and the others had 50 points deducted from their scores by Professor McGonagall.

Six hundred and sixty-six, they've even started using underhanded tactics.

John found it amusing after hearing their stories.

After discussing Quidditch, they turned their attention to what John had done that day.

I didn't see him at lunchtime either.

Of course you won't see it.

At noon, he was in Professor Snape's studio, eating bread and magic potion soup.

Yes, magic potion.

God knows what Professor Snape used to brew his potion; it was dark and unappetizing, yet surprisingly delicious.

John briefly shared his experience of the day with the group, and they all shook their heads with a hint of schadenfreude.

Poor John, he became Professor Snape's plaything.

"?"

John was speechless; these guys were all the type who loved to watch the drama unfold.

"By the way, John, given your current condition, won't you be able to come with us to the secret base next Hogsmeade Week?"

"Ah, right..."

John slapped his forehead. He had compromised too quickly yesterday and forgotten that they still had Hogsmeade Week's plan to go to the secret base.

"You guys should be able to go by yourselves then, right?"

"It's possible, but without you, it just doesn't feel right."

Ryan shrugged helplessly, and Titus and Ethan nodded in agreement.

After all, John was the one who took them there, so it wouldn't make much sense for him to leave now.

"Then you should go as planned, otherwise all the things we brought will be useless."

John waved his hand, telling them not to worry about him.

The group thought about it and agreed, since they had prepared quite a lot for this.

......

"John, I heard you were punished by Professor Snape. Was it because you were caught during curfew last time?"

After dinner, John went to the library as usual, where he met Hermione, who asked him the question as soon as she saw him.

John was slightly taken aback; he hadn't told Hermione about this.

How did you know?

"I heard it from your friend during today's Quidditch match."

No wonder...

"Is it because we went past curfew yesterday, and Professor Snape caught you on your way back?"

Hermione continued to speculate, a hint of worry in her eyes.

If that's the case, then the responsibility actually lies with her. After all, if she hadn't fallen asleep, John wouldn't have stayed up so late with her.

John paused for a moment, then scratched his head awkwardly.

"The main reason is that I was later discovered by the administrator."

"Then, while I was running away, I stumbled into Professor Snape's workshop, causing his potion to burn..."

Hermione was speechless for a moment after hearing this, but then she sighed softly.

"...Okay, but I'm partly to blame too. I'm sorry, John, I..."

John waved his hand dismissively, interrupting Hermione's apology.

"Oh, it's no big deal."

"Anyway, I'm used to dealing with Professor Snape."

"In the end, I didn't get caught by the administrator, did I?"

Hermione shook her head helplessly at John's words and could only offer one more piece of advice.

"Alright, if you run into any difficulties, remember to tell me. Professor Snape... he really enjoys making things difficult for people..."

John smiled and didn't say anything more.

The two quietly resumed reading, exchanging a few words occasionally.

Hermione noticed that John had suddenly started studying Potions.

Previously, John spent most of his time in the library studying spells or transfiguration.

John believed that only by mastering these two skills and becoming strong could he avoid being bullied.

Why is John suddenly studying Potions again? Has Snape brainwashed him?

"John, look at this Potions book. Did Professor Snape give you some kind of task?"

Hermione looked at the book in John's hand and asked curiously.

"No, it's because I want to know about it myself."

"I drank a bottle of Professor Snape's Invigorating Potion today, and all the fatigue from the day disappeared after drinking it. It was quite effective."

"So I want to learn how to make these kinds of restorative potions. After all, you can't avoid getting hurt in the world, so it's always good to have some on hand."

"And, Hermione, if you overwork yourself again, I can provide you with potions."

John flipped through the book, chuckling as he spoke.

Hermione nodded in understanding.

However, a beautiful smile immediately appeared on his lips. He rested his chin on one hand and asked with a smile.

"So, you learned it for me?"

"No, I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!"

John, upon hearing Hermione's teasing remark, instinctively denied it.

However, when he turned and met Hermione's smiling eyes, he coughed lightly, continued flipping through the book, and pretended that nothing had happened.

"Well, I just think that anyone might need this kind of thing, and you might be able to use it after learning it..."

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle softly, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes as she looked at John's slightly flustered appearance.

I didn't tease him anymore.

"Then you'll have to work hard. Potions are just as difficult as other subjects."

"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me anytime."

Hermione continued flipping through her book, smiling as she spoke.

However, the expected scene of John happily seeking her out to study did not materialize.

John just scratched his head and said seriously.

"Actually, I could just bother Professor Snape directly, there's no need to trouble you."

Hermione: "..."