Snape stood still, gazing at Link.
His expression was a little complicated.
Because he suddenly realized that Link's gradually receding back looked somewhat unfamiliar to him.
Link was no longer that kid who only relied on a bit of cleverness.
And no longer that pitiful patient so weak it stirred people's sympathy.
Judging from Link's behavior just now, he had already become someone capable of using both strength and status to negotiate on equal footing with him, and even with Dumbledore.
He had already become a qualified heir of an ancient pure-blood family.
For the sake of family and his own benefit, Snape felt that Link was now capable of using any means necessary, schemes, plots, even embracing the darkness.
Snape didn't know if this change was good or bad. He only felt regret that the once adorable child was gone.
With a sigh, Snape finally walked in the direction of the headmaster's office.
After all, the work still had to be done.
And he also planned to have a good talk with Dumbledore, to see if he might be able to pull Link back when he was on the brink of the abyss.
Meanwhile, Link wasn't doing what Snape imagined, plotting some scheme or evil plan.
Instead, like an ordinary student, he hurried to the greenhouse outside Hogwarts Castle.
And because he had wasted too much time with Snape, he was even late.
"Sorry, Professor Sprout."
Seeing the students inside already wearing protective gear and ready for class, along with the professor, Link scratched his head in embarrassment.
Professor Sprout had never been a strict person. What's more, Link was a Hufflepuff, and just yesterday he had brought great honor to their house.
So instead of getting angry, she even looked a little worried. She held out a glass of green, bubbling vegetable juice and handed it to Link.
"Link, you must be exhausted from yesterday, right? It's fine, drink this quickly, it'll make you feel better."
Although Link knew Professor Sprout had never been much of a cook, and this foaming juice probably tasted awful, he didn't want her to nag any further. So he forced himself to gulp it down in one go and then gave her a bright, sunny smile.
"Good boy! Now go put on your protective gear and get to class!" Professor Sprout happily said, even patting Link's hair as she spoke.
That made Link feel quite relieved.
Today's lesson was still about planting and harvesting Dragon-Scale Grass.
This plant, whose leaves resembled scales, was an important potion ingredient that required large amounts of dragon dung to grow. It was also a guaranteed exam question on the OWLs.
Professor Sprout had repeated this countless times.
In fact, this whole semester she hadn't really taught anything else.
Every class she drilled the students on these "must-test topics." By now, she had already roughly taught Link and the others once; this was just review and reinforcement.
This high-intensity, high-repetition, and utterly boring style of teaching was actually quite torturous.
Hufflepuffs were usually the students most interested in and fond of Herbology.
But even the ones who loved the class most felt completely fed up with this teaching style.
There was no helping it though.
For the sake of getting them good OWL results, Professor Sprout simply ignored everyone's suggestions.
Worst of all, it wasn't just Sprout, every other professor was doing the same thing, pushing rote memorization and cramming.
The mountain of homework it produced made every student miserable.
Finally, after struggling through class, the greenhouse full of listless students only began to regain a bit of energy once the lesson ended.
Although they still had afternoon classes, at least lunchtime gave them a chance to relax.
Maybe listening to Ron retell his adventures under the Black Lake would be a nice choice.
But surprisingly, Professor Sprout, who normally never kept them after class, actually stopped everyone this time.
She slowly removed her dragon-hide gloves and gas mask, revealing an unusually serious expression.
"I have an extremely important announcement for you all."
She slowly swept her eyes over the crowd, and only after everyone quieted down did she continue.
"According to Hogwarts tradition, to help you better prepare for your OWLs, and more importantly, to give you a brighter, clearer future, we'll be holding a one-week 'Career Counseling' event in a few days."
"During that time, every fifth-year student must meet with their Head of House to discuss future career plans."
"This is a very important activity. So I hope when you go back, you'll think carefully about what you want to do in the future. That will make the meetings easier for us."
"Alright, that's all. Go eat, children."
At that, the already starving students cheered and rushed toward the Great Hall. Most of them didn't even understand why Professor Sprout had been so serious, their minds were only on food.
Professor Sprout wasn't angry. She just stood there quietly in the greenhouse, hands tucked into her sleeves, watching them leave.
"Link, what do you plan to do after graduation?"
John was clearly one of those food-obsessed ones. He wrapped an arm around Link's neck and asked in a joking tone.
At his words, Cedric and the others all shot him strange, complicated looks. Even Link himself just smiled faintly without answering, staring at John with an amused expression.
Only after a long moment did John finally realize. He smacked his own head and said, "Oh! I'm such an idiot! You're a rich heir, you don't need to find a job, you'll just inherit the family estate! Damn, I'm so jealous."
Then he "retaliated" by shaking Link's neck twice in mock anger.
Link didn't get mad. He just laughed and wriggled free of John's arm.
"And you? What do you want to do after graduation?"
"Auror or professional Quidditch player!" John declared seriously, eyes wide.
"I've thought about it. These are the only two careers I like and that actually have a future. For myself, and for Lillian, I'll put all my effort into both paths!"
Hearing this, both Link and Cedric were stunned.
They truly hadn't expected this usually reckless, carefree John to already have such a firm goal.
After recovering from the surprise, Link nodded with satisfaction, feeling pleased.
To him, this meant that the story he told earlier about the woodcutter and the shepherd had actually worked.
But Cedric just sighed, his expression complicated, and said to John, "Good for you, Auror or professional Quidditch player."
"I also wanted to pursue those two paths. But unfortunately, my father thinks they're not good options. He plans for me to enter the Department of Magical Law Enforcement instead."
Hearing this, Link nodded. In his opinion, Cedric's ability would let him excel in any field.
Of course, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was one of the best options. It was basically the training ground for future Wizengamot members, not only with good benefits, but also great at shaping people.
Link vaguely remembered that Cedric's family had an ancestor who had served as Minister for Magic. Judging from the situation, Mr. Diggory clearly wanted Cedric to restore their family's former glory.
Meanwhile, John's focus was quite different. His eyes lit up and he immediately asked, "Why are Quidditch player and Auror not good options?"
"I asked my father the same thing," Cedric said with a smile.
"First, about professional Quidditch. That industry is badly structured and has extremely high entry barriers."
"Usually only players who showed superhuman talent as students ever get noticed by scouts and given a chance to go pro."
"But competition in professional Quidditch is cutthroat. There are too many geniuses. A rookie, even if he makes it in, will likely be stuck with just the lowest base salary and never have a chance to shine. If unlucky, he might even get cut."
"Being an Auror is even harder."
"As the Ministry's elite force, they recruit new blood every year from Hogwarts, but only the very best. And by 'best,' the minimum is at least 8 Outstanding NEWTs."
"Even then, you still have to undergo long, grueling training. Only those who complete all courses successfully can officially become Aurors."
"And since Aurors are a Ministry combat unit, their injury rate is extremely high. If you want proof, just look at Moody."
"Honestly, the fact that Moody managed to retire with his life, even in that state, already makes him one of the lucky ones."
Cedric's words left John dumbfounded.
He just stood there, forgetting even to think about food, staring at Cedric blankly.
Cedric chuckled at the sight.
"Well? Do you still want to go down those two paths?"
That snapped John back. His eyes darted nervously, unable to meet Cedric's gaze, and sweat soon poured down his forehead.
But after a brief hesitation, he still forced himself to raise his head and firmly said to both Cedric and Link, "I still want to try! After all, I still have time!"
"Well said!" Cedric immediately shouted.
He was genuinely happy for John, so happy he punched him in the arm.
John, staggered by the blow, burst into laughter and returned the punch.
And of course, the "battle" naturally spread to Link as well.
In an instant, the three of them were wrestling and laughing together as they followed the food-hungry crowd toward the Great Hall.
But once they actually reached the Hall, all three of them suddenly stopped. John even self-consciously straightened his wrinkled clothes.
Because sitting in a spacious corner, Emily was staring at them silently.
Even though, thanks to Link, relations between Hufflepuff and Slytherin had become unexpectedly harmonious, the psychological shadow Emily had cast on the Hufflepuffs over the past few years still hadn't faded one bit.
"Link, we'll head off first!"
Cedric managed to stay calm. After a quick goodbye, he dragged John back to the Hufflepuff table.
Link could only sigh and sit down beside Emily.
This was the Slytherin area.
Everyone was thrilled that Link had come over to eat with them. A few dolled-up Slytherin girls even drifted closer, though Emily's icy glare quickly drove them away.
"Did you send Aunt Leonie's letter?"
Turning to Link, Emily's expression softened again. She gently pushed a plate of sliced steak toward him as she asked in a tender voice.
"Of course. Mother was very happy."
Link said, spearing a piece of steak and chewing it.
It was cooked medium-rare.
His brows furrowed slightly.
To be fair, the steak was well-cooked, and the meat quality was above average.
But Link didn't like eating half-raw food, whether steak or sushi.
Still, since he wasn't overly picky, he kept eating despite his dislike.
Emily, who had noticed everything, sighed and swapped in a dish of stewed fish for him.
"Forget it, eat this instead."
Link didn't refuse and began eating.
Only after eating his fill did he finally set down his knife and fork, and say to Emily, who had already finished her meal, "Next weekend, let's go to Hogsmeade."
"Hm? Why suddenly bring that up?"
Emily lowered her head shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
She honestly didn't really want to go to Hogsmeade, especially with Link.
What had happened at the teahouse last time had been too much for her, and she was worried she wouldn't be able to control herself again.
But Link's next words instantly changed her mind.
"Because my mother is coming to see us."
"Really!?"
Emily jumped up, suddenly overjoyed. "She must think you did amazingly yesterday, and now she wants to come praise you in person, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Oh yes! That's wonderful!" Emily got even more excited. "Then I'll have to prepare carefully! What gift should I bring Aunt Leonie? What perfume should I wear? What about clothes…"
As she slipped into her fantasies, muttering nonstop, Link's smile turned a little bitter.
Because he knew very well that Mrs. Flamel was not coming to praise them, she was coming to demand answers from him.
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