"Has Malfoy gone mad?"
Hidden under the Invisibility Cloak and watching Malfoy head toward the side staircase, the shock in Ron's eyes was about to overflow.
"I remember that staircase only leads to the library, right?"
"Why is he going to the library instead of messing around with his two cronies after class?"
Although he thoroughly detested Malfoy, Ron had always thought that after knowing him for nearly half a year, he should have understood him quite well.
But Malfoy's actions today were completely beyond his expectations!
"Never mind him, we have a more important mission."
Stopping Ron's quiet muttering, Hermione kept her eyes fixed on Harry and Snape, waiting for the right moment.
Harry had appeared a little too early, so Snape hadn't opened the door.
This was trouble.
Harry had evidently realized this problem as well and seemed to be trying to find a solution.
Adjusting his position relative to Snape, Harry memorized what Snape was explaining while inching toward the door, placing a hand on the handle, and giving it a gentle twist.
It didn't turn.
"If it's a custom-ordered potion, you can adjust the salamander according to the client's request."
"What are you doing?" Harry's movement seemed to have caught Snape's attention.
"N-nothing, Professor. My hand was just a bit itchy."
"Hmph, you'd best keep your little movements to a minimum."
With that, Snape pondered for two seconds and then pushed open his office door.
Lecturing at the doorway was indeed less comfortable than doing it in his office.
Sitting down in his chair, Snape looked at Harry, who was standing at the entrance holding the door, and said impatiently.
"What are you standing there for? Close the door!"
After saying this, Snape leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and continued with what he hadn't finished explaining.
But just as Harry also wanted to find a chair to sit down, a cold voice came from over there.
"Who said you could sit?"
"Asking about such simple things. Stand and listen."
"...Yes."
His heart trembling, the extremely nervous Harry couldn't even afford to be angry. He quickly dropped his hands and stood up straight.
After giving a deep look at the suffering Harry, Ron and Hermione, who had followed him in, turned their heads and began carefully searching the office for useful clues.
The atmosphere of the Potions office was similar to that of the dungeon classroom. Countless jars and bottles of various sizes were piled up on half a wall. Hermione couldn't even recognize all the ingredients inside; some even glowed faintly, clearly not simple items.
A tall bookshelf stood against the wall, filled with all sorts of books. Most were related to potions, but there were also many strange books emitting a dark aura.
Carefully avoiding the books that seemed to be about dark magic, Hermione and Ron searched for their target.
Nearly ten minutes later, Hermione's eyes suddenly lit up. She carefully pulled a gold-rimmed book from the shelf and poked Ron.
Is it this one? The one with the gold-rimmed cover?
I think so! It looks very similar to the one Harry and I saw that day!
Giving an "OK" gesture, Hermione looked at the title, then tucked the book into her robes, preparing to wait by the door with Ron for a chance to get out.
Rare, Mysterious, and Unknown Dark Creatures
But just then, Snape suddenly stood up from his chair and walked over to the bookshelf, blocking their path. They could only move inch by inch, trying not to make a sound.
On the other side, Harry also stood up, looking as if he were about to leave.
"Hmph, a rare sight. Mr. Potter of Gryffindor actually putting effort into Potions."
"Take this book. It has some tips on potion ingredient processing. But if you abandon the standard procedures because of these tips..."
As he spoke, the coldness in Snape's eyes deepened, like a gust of cold wind in deep winter, sending a chill down Harry's spine.
"Yes, Professor."
Saying this, he backed away to the door and opened it.
It was just a Swelling Solution; asking for ten minutes was already the limit. If he asked any longer, Snape would definitely get impatient.
But he still wasn't sure if Ron and Hermione had found the book.
But even if they hadn't, it was time to leave...
"What are you standing at the door for?"
"No... nothing, I'm leaving now."
Saying this, Harry slowly backed out of the classroom and closed the door even more slowly.
Click.
Under the Invisibility Cloak, Ron and Hermione stood just a few steps from the exit. They exchanged a look, their eyes filled with terror.
Harry had left. What were they supposed to do?
Carefully moving to the door, Ron and Hermione thought about how to open it without alerting Snape.
But suddenly, Snape, who was sitting at his desk looking at a manuscript, slammed the table, scaring them.
Then, they saw Snape throw the manuscript on the table, put on a gloomy expression, and start talking to himself.
"...likes adventure... Quirrell, got everyone all..."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts has no professor... still won't let me..."
"Give him a share, hmph, if not for that manuscript of his being somewhat useful..."
"Sooner or later... find out everything about him..."
"Really want to kill him quickly..."
Hearing Snape's somewhat muffled muttering, Hermione's heart grew cold.
She suddenly remembered an older student once saying that Snape had always wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
But Professor Dumbledore had never agreed, so it never came to be.
A theory slowly formed in her mind.
To become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Snape had cruelly murdered Quirrell and hidden him away.
But even with Quirrell missing, the Headmaster still wouldn't let him take over, choosing someone else instead.
And that person had a very important manuscript and many secrets.
This time... Snape wanted to investigate everything before killing again?
Looking at Snape's muttering figure, a trace of fear rose in Hermione's heart.
Was killing such a simple matter for him? Like drinking water?
But she still had no evidence.
Why was Snape so cautious? Was he truly the shadow looming over the school?
But just as Hermione was thinking, the muttering Snape suddenly stopped talking. He sniffed the air.
He stood up, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
Then, he began to wander around the room. As he walked, he seemed to lock onto a certain location, his steps drawing ever closer.
Ron and Hermione were gradually cornered. They didn't dare to breathe; their hearts were in their throats.
The Invisibility Cloak couldn't block sound or smell. Snape must have sensed something!
It was over. Thinking of the vast web Professor Kahn had described, Ron and Hermione's faces were filled with despair.
They heard that in ancient times, there was a potion made from children, and a wizard's child was even more effective.
Would they be...
Just as Hermione's imagination was running wild, a series of somewhat urgent knocks sounded at the door.
"Professor, I still have some questions about..."
Snape, who had been searching the room, withdrew his gaze, opened the door, and looked impatiently at Harry standing outside.
"What is it now?"
"It's like this, Professor..."
Harry seemingly took two casual steps forward, getting close to Snape and leaving a small space by the door.
At that moment, in Ron and Hermione's eyes, Harry was covered in a dazzling glow, like an angel fallen to earth.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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