The Bat-Bogey Hex.
Created by Miranda Goshawk, author of *The Standard Book of Spells*, it could transform the target's boogers into large black bats that flew out of their nose.
It was a small jinx with negligible damage but extreme insult!
Under Snape's casting.
James's nostrils suddenly expanded, as if lumps big and small were constantly wriggling inside. Within just one or two seconds, palm-sized, pitch-black bats scrambled out of his nose one after another!
The shrill cries of bats echoed in the carriage, mixed with the panicked arm-waving of Sirius and James.
However, before all this fully unfolded.
Snape, the cause of it all, had already calmly closed the compartment door, raising an eyebrow under Lily's strange gaze.
"Why are you looking at me? Do you want to try it too?"
"You dare?!"
Lily's gaze suddenly became sharp.
She first stared vigilantly for a moment, but immediately the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upwards, giggling uncontrollably at the thought of the scene just now.
"That was so interesting! Why didn't you tell me this spell was so fun when you taught me?"
"Don't worry, there will be plenty of time to try this thing when you get to Hogwarts. Next time, just find someone with no eyes to try it on."
"...I thought you would protect me."
"Pinning hope on others is foolish. Only oneself is the most loyal ally."
Snape's answer was very much in the style of the Snake House.
But after a pause, seeing Lily lower her head in disappointment, Snape quickly added:
"Of course, if you really get bullied, I will help you take revenge."
"Then thank you. I'd prefer you descend from the heavens to save me from fire and water," Lily joked, while Snape shrugged noncommittally.
For a moment, they couldn't find an empty compartment.
However, neither of them was in a hurry to sit down.
Picking a corner by the window in the corridor, they gazed at the passing scenery outside, enjoying the cool breeze blowing on their faces, chatting happily in a peaceful mood just like the past two years.
"Is there really a distinction between good and bad houses at Hogwarts? I thought all four houses were about the same."
"To a certain extent, that guy wasn't actually wrong. Discrimination against wizards born in Muggle families basically comes from Slytherin."
"Why is it like this?"
"On one hand, it's because most wizards born in pure-blood families join Slytherin during their student days. As for the other hand, it's because of the Death Eaters who have been causing a stir in the wizarding world recently."
Amidst Lily's puzzled inquiries, Snape recounted the deeds of the Death Eaters and Voldemort in recent years in a calm voice.
As expected.
After learning the cause and effect, Lily's expression soon became indignant.
"That's too much! How can those guys do this!"
"The wizarding world isn't heaven. Wherever there are people, there will be conflicts."
Snape repeated the words he said when he first met Lily two years ago, staring into her eyes and speaking softly:
"But I hope you can understand that it is our choices, not our abilities and origins, that determine who we are.
Slytherin has no living heroes, and Gryffindor also has rats in the gutter."
Lily was lost in thought.
She could feel that Snape's profound words contained some extremely important information, but the shock brought to her soul by the previous sentence attracted all her attention at this moment.
When she came back to her senses, her gaze towards Snape was full of admiration!
This made Snape cough lightly, feeling a faint ache from his limited conscience for stealing Dumbledore's motto.
*Oh, it turns out I don't have a conscience.*
*Never mind then.*
During their pleasant conversation, Snape and Lily also discovered Lupin behind them, and the three spent the latter half of the journey relaxing in a compartment.
It was worth mentioning that Snape gave them a batch of the newly brewed *Focus Elixir*.
Lupin was greatly shocked after trying it for the first time and couldn't put down this magical potion that had never appeared on the market.
However, what Snape didn't say was:
If Lupin still joined the Marauders later, then to avoid exposing his relationship with Snape, Lupin probably wouldn't dare use these *Focus Elixirs* openly.
The train named the Hogwarts Express slowly stopped.
A tall and imposing figure stood at Hogsmeade Station, shouting loudly for the little wizards to get off the train in an orderly manner.
Due to his iconic size and appearance, Snape recognized at a glance that the little giant, over two meters tall, was Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts!
When getting off the train.
As expected, Snape saw James and Sirius again.
The two obviously didn't intend to let this grudge go, glaring fiercely at Snape, but then stumbled several steps under Hagrid's heavy slap on the back as he ushered them along.
The sky had darkened.
Snape and Lily sat on a wooden boat hung with an oil lamp, swaying across the surface of the Black Lake.
Distant scattered lights shone from the windows of Hogwarts Castle, but more parts of this majestic castle were still immersed in darkness, making it impossible for everyone to see its true face clearly.
An ancient and mysterious aura enveloped the hearts of every little wizard, making them all involuntarily hold their breath.
The gates opened wide.
Going all the way up the stairs, everyone had already changed into wizard robes and pointed hats.
Excited chatter was endless in their ears, with no lack of childish colors in the words, but the expectation and curiosity within were impossible to hide no matter what.
Until they turned the corner and saw the stern figure standing quietly at the entrance of the Great Hall, the noisy clamor disappeared without a trace as if a mute button had been pressed.
She wore deep green robes, and although the wrinkles on her face were not as deep and dense as in Snape's impression, she already presented an aura of dignity without anger.
Only after satisfactorily surveying the quiet little wizards did Professor McGonagall reveal an imperceptible smile, instantly diluting much of the fearful strictness about her. Her loud voice was enough for every little wizard to hear clearly.
"I am Minerva McGonagall. You may address me as Professor McGonagall.
In a moment, you will pass through these doors behind me and join your fellow students.
But before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses!"
Briefly introducing the four houses, Professor McGonagall's smile quietly disappeared, her strict gaze sweeping across the faces of all the little wizards.
"While you are at school, your house will be like your family.
Good performance will earn house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup."
Lily didn't dare take her eyes off Professor McGonagall.
Her body, however, leaned slightly towards Snape, whispering in a lowered voice:
"Thank you for taking me to Diagon Alley before."
"You're welcome."
Snape also leaned his body slightly, whispering in a voice almost too quiet to hear.
However, Professor McGonagall obviously still heard something, casting a stern glance in their direction, which immediately made them resume their upright sitting posture.
Amidst the difficult waiting filled with hidden anticipation.
The door symbolizing the magical world finally opened slowly a few minutes later. Gazes, feeling almost tangible, instantly looked over from all directions, and a tense atmosphere permeated among the little wizards!
Walking past four long tables filled with students.
Walking under the ceiling filled with stars and candles floating quietly in mid-air.
Snape seemed not to feel the pressure from the numerous gazes at all, his calm expression not without curiosity.
He looked at the various professors sitting in front one by one, matching them with the figures in his memory.
At the same time.
Amidst Professor McGonagall's solemn voice, the Sorting Ceremony finally began!
"Mulciber Avery!"