After bidding farewell to Howl, Harry's mind was still replaying their conversation, and his expression gradually firmed.
Arriving at the ground floor hall, he ate a quick breakfast before heading to the Potion Class classroom in the basement.
There was still about half an hour before class started, so he decided to read for a while.
He had gradually adapted to life at Hogwarts. Aside from Flying Class, which he wouldn't have until next week, he currently didn't feel there was anything else to pass the time.
It was better to read and feel more fulfilled.
Or rather, he had grown accustomed to this lifestyle.
And he had learned to derive satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment from studying.
He hoped to quickly solidify his foundations and then build his own Runes system, so he could quickly learn a few tricks from Uncle Howl.
Moreover, he wasn't just reading. If one looked closely, although his hand appeared to be holding the book, there was a significant gap between the book and his palm, with an ethereal blue glow flowing within the gap.
Even when turning pages, he tried his best not to make physical contact.
After about ten minutes, the first person finally arrived in the classroom. Only then did he stop practicing Wizards Hand, put away his book, and take out his Potion Class textbook and loose-leaf notebook.
Yes, the notebook had to be loose-leaf; that's what gave it the feel of a master's manuscript!
It wasn't until just before class that Hermione rushed in, sat next to Harry, quickly opened her book, and complained breathlessly, "Oh my goodness, the section of stairs I usually take suddenly changed position today, and I didn't even have time to do my pre-reading!"
"Luckily, my common room is right next door," Harry said with a smile.
As they were speaking, heavy, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor behind them.
Turning around, Professor Snape, clad in black, walked into the classroom as if carried by the wind, his cloak billowing behind him.
He possessed the same stern aura as Professor McGonagall, and seemed even more irritable. The moment his first foot entered the classroom, all the Little Wizards dared not make a sound.
He walked to the podium, picked up the roll call book, and in a low, drawn-out tone, fixed his gaze on Harry.
"Yes, Harry Potter," he said slowly, "the famous Savior has come to Hogwarts!"
Draco and many Slytherin students chuckled undisguisedly.
Snape shifted his gaze from Harry, then looked around at everyone: "Potions. My demands are not high. I don't expect you to appreciate the subtle beauty that emanates from a slowly simmering cauldron. I just need you not to be the kind of imbeciles who only wave their wands foolishly!!"
Hermione scooted her chair forward, clearly eager.
"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry hadn't expected Snape's question to suddenly turn to him. But he quickly reacted and blurted out, "The Draught of Living Death. It's a very powerful sleeping Potion."
Snape raised an eyebrow, a little surprised, but his tone became even more unkind: "There's no need to over-explain to show off knowledge you should already possess."
Knowledge I should already possess?!
Why does it feel like this Dean... doesn't have much goodwill towards him?!
"If I asked you to find me a bezoar, where would you look?" he asked again.
"A goat's stomach or an apothecary," Harry again answered almost instantly.
Then he noticed Snape staring intently into his eyes, his pupils flickering, as if he was thinking something.
"And tell me the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"The names are different, but they are actually the same thing, collectively known as aconite."
Harry's every answer followed immediately after Snape's question.
"Very good..." Snape said, "Fifteen points to Slytherin! Potter, I will ask you again. If this was luck, remember to say your prayers before the next class."
"I don't pray, I only believe in myself," Harry said.
Snape slammed his hand on the desk: "I didn't give you permission to speak! One point from Slytherin!!"
"What the... *cough cough cough*..."
Everyone's gaze turned towards the source of the sound. It was a red-haired, freckled boy. Harry didn't remember him, so he must have been from Gryffindor.
"Ah! Another Weasley. Is something wrong with you?" Snape said sinisterly.
"No, Professor, I just accidentally choked," the boy quickly waved his hands and shook his head.
Snape evidently found no opportunity to deduct points and had to look away.
Seeing this, the coughing boy turned and whispered, "Fifteen points added, one point deducted?! Are you kidding me?"
"Five points from Gryffindor! Weasley, I am speaking, what are you whispering about?"
Harry saw the boy's face turn crimson, and he dared not speak again.
After half a class of theory, Snape began to divide them into pairs for the practical part of Potion making.
He almost completely separated Gryffindor and Slytherin. However, when he came to Harry and Hermione... Harry couldn't tell what Snape was thinking. Although he had been studying facial observation for a long time and had achieved some success, it was clearly useless against Snape.
His eyes were dark and hollow. Harry could only see a very superficial layer, and overall, it was—complex!
Extremely complex emotions!
He then walked past the two of them, assigning the remaining students to groups.
After the groups were formed, Snape began to walk around the classroom, instructing them on brewing Potions. Harry and Hermione's pairing was flawless. Yet, Snape still gave him a lot of trouble.
However, no points were deducted.
On the contrary, Gryffindor had many points deducted. Seamus, for some unknown operation, suddenly caused his cauldron to explode with fireworks.
Then his teammate, a somewhat chubby Gryffindor boy, was startled and knocked over the cauldrons of Weasley and a girl.
Subsequently, the liquid spilled out onto their prepared ingredients, immediately causing a violent reaction. The Potion sputtered and splashed like oil mixed with water.
The entire classroom instantly descended into chaos!
"Idiots!!" Snape roared, shaking his sleeve and flicking out his wand.
However, someone was even faster than him!!
"Scourgify—"
Immediately, the splashing Potion was swept away and vanished.
Snape looked at the source of the spell in surprise, then a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.
It was Harry!
Noticing the surrounding gazes, Harry retracted his wand, feeling a little smug.
Heh, this is my most proficient spell.
"Arrogant fellow," Snape thought, making a judgment.
However, although he felt somewhat displeased, he wasn't going to miss an opportunity to award points: "Very good, five points to Slytherin."
"Send him to the hospital wing!" He then turned to Weasley and Seamus, whose face was blackened by the fireworks, and said.
About an hour after the chaos, the morning's Potion Class concluded. Harry felt very strange about this class. For some reason, Snape harbored undisguised malice towards him.
Fortunately, he managed to answer all of the Professor's questions.
And even earned quite a few points.