Snape's summons did not affect Tom's mood. After lunch, he went back to the dormitory to take a nap before going to the greenhouse for the Herbology class.
Professor Sprout, who is in charge of the Herbology class, is a kind middle-aged witch. She is slightly plump, always has a smile on her face, and has a good temper.
She told the little wizards to line up and not touch the herbs around them casually. After everyone was present, she led everyone into Greenhouse No. 1.
The freshmen were not able to access herbs with strong magical powers, and most of the plants in Greenhouse No. 1 were docile mushrooms and other herbs.
Their task throughout the year is to remember the properties and effects of these herbs and learn how to cultivate and maintain them.
Tom earned another five points for Slytherin by answering several questions correctly in a row.
The three headmasters of Hogwarts are actually very nice people. They have transcended the shackles of the college and hope that their own college will excel without suppressing other colleges. They truly treat everyone equally.
But then Snape showed up, an old... cough cough.
After all, he was the dean of his college, so Tom still gave him some face.
After class, Tom and Daphne said goodbye in the basement.
Before leaving, Daphne warned, "Tom, don't talk back to Professor Snape. I've asked senior students, and he's very tolerant of students in this academy as long as you sincerely admit your mistakes."
"I see, Daphne, thank you."
Tom might not swallow his anger as Daphne said, but he was not a person without emotional intelligence. He would not go to waste the little witch's kindness by saying something inappropriate.
...
Boom boom boom——!
"Come in!"
Tom pushed the door open and entered Snape's office.
The room was dimly lit, with only the fireplace and green candlelight illuminating the surrounding area, and it was filled with a strong scent of herbs and pungent potions.
The office was filled with cabinets, and inside the cabinets were not books, but a pile of bottles and jars, glassware, in which were soaked many scary animal organs and strange-shaped herbs.
Snape sat behind his desk, looking down at a magazine in his hands, as if he hadn't been the one to let Tom in.
Tom looked around, turned an empty bottle on the ground into a single sofa, and placed it opposite Snape. He sat on it comfortably, without urging him, but leaned back on the soft cushion and closed his eyes to rest.
Snape's hand paused as he was turning the pages of the book, and a vein on his forehead popped out.
Bang——!
The magazine was closed, and Snape looked coldly at Tom, who was complacent. "Riddle, did I ask you to sit down?"
Tom then opened his eyes and pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Professor, is it illegal for me to sit and talk to you?"
"Sharp-tongued!"
Snape snorted coldly: "This is my office. You used magic without my permission. Are you so impatient to show off your pitiful talent?"
Snape didn't look that good to begin with, and now with his stern face he looked even scarier. Any other little wizard would have been trembling with fear, but that definitely didn't include Tom.
In terms of strength...well, he definitely couldn't beat Snape right now.
But this is Hogwarts, Dumbledore is still alive, and the White Lord is still a demon. How could he allow anyone to break the rules he set?
So even though Snape was extremely angry, he did not dare to do anything excessive and could only deal with the students within the rules.
"Professor, you are so interesting."
Tom sneered. "Of course I know this is your office, but I also know that you must have been reading an important article. Otherwise, how could the dean of the college who attaches the most importance to bloodline and etiquette not know how to entertain guests?"
"For the sake of Slytherin's reputation, I can only act on my own initiative. Professor, I think you can understand?"
This kid...
Snape's hands clenched in his sleeves.
In all these years as the dean, no student has ever dared to ridicule him.
But he didn't know what to say. He just wanted to teach Tom a lesson, but he didn't expect to be caught.
Although Tom was not a guest, Snape knew that if he continued to pester him, the other party would definitely have a reason to wait for him. He could only make a note of Tom and take a deep breath.
"You should know why I called you here."
"I don't understand, Professor, please speak frankly."
"You beat up Zabini, Rosier, and Nott yesterday." Snape leaned forward and said slowly, "Riddle, you dared to beat up your roommate on the first day of school. Do you still have me, the dean, in your eyes?"
"Professor, I was forced to do this."
Tom sighed and told the whole story.
"A few purebloods can't stand me as an orphan, a Muggle-born orphan at that, and they want me to be their slave. I even heard them muttering about mudbloods this morning."
"I didn't know what this word meant at first, but I found out after asking Greengrass-san."
Tom suddenly raised his head and looked at Snape with a sincere look: "Professor, put yourself in his shoes. If you called someone a mudblood, I think it would be normal for him to not only beat you up but also hate you for the rest of his life, right?"
Snape's eyes widened, his blood rushed to his forehead, his face turned red, and a mouthful of hot blood even rushed to his throat, but he suppressed it back.
He stretched out his trembling hand and pointed at Tom.
"You…you…"
Caught off guard, the dean of the Snake Institute had his most secret scar torn off, causing him so much pain that he almost fainted.
Tom looked surprised: "Really? Do you feel the same way?"
"Anyone who calls someone a mudblood should be cut into pieces. Such a person doesn't deserve friends or lovers. He should be left alone until he dies. I only beat them up, which is already considered mercy."
"It's my roommate after all, I don't want to make things awkward."
"Riddle!" Snape's eyes were bloodshot, and he roared, "Shut up!
Tom raised his hands innocently and made a zipper motion around his mouth before he calmed down.
Snape's chest heaved violently and he gasped for breath. It took him a long time to calm down, but there was still a knife in his eyes when he looked at Tom.
"I don't know where you get all these twisted theories from, but hitting someone is against school rules, I'm going to deduct your fine..."
Snape couldn't continue.
This damn troublemaker is from their academy!
If points are deducted, is it punishing Tom or punishing himself?
broken!
This guy can't be chosen!