What was Snape thinking as he looked at those eyes?
Was he thinking of those purely bright eyes when they first met, those shocked and pained eyes when he spoke harshly to them, or those eyes that could never open again...?
No one knew, except Snape. No one would ever know. Perhaps even he himself didn't know.
Apart from the intermittent sounds of chopping, grinding, and potions bubbling, there were no voices in the classroom.
After a long while, Snape seemed to wake from a dream.
"Jobberknoll droppings mixed with Mandrake root yields Silencing Powder. Those who consume it cannot speak for a full week."
"Not knowing is not knowing—very honest. One point to Gryffindor."
"You answered two questions correctly. Not bad, but no need to be proud."
Snape held back that last sentence for several seconds, as if unaccustomed to saying such things.
Snape left this area to inspect other students' work. Once he was gone, the nearby young wizards, except for Leo alone, all looked at Harry with horrified expressions.
If not for their fear of Snape's terror, they would all have wanted to ask: You can talk to Snape like that? You can actually gain points this way? What was that last thing—encouragement?! Professor Snape actually encourages students?!
Only Leo understood what was happening. Snape was simply placing all his guilt and love for Lily onto her son Harry. Especially when looking at those emerald green eyes—Snape probably couldn't distinguish who he was looking at.
Well, maybe the old bat actually didn't want to distinguish either?
He had helped Harry avoid Snape's venomous humiliation, protecting a teenager's psychological well-being. And he'd let Snape see those eyes clearly, even though they were set in James's face.
Sometimes the world really was full of decent people after all.
He'd go ask Snape a question after class—yesterday he'd seen a type of adhesive in the Potter family's magic book that should be usable for mechanical animals...
Leo didn't notice that Ron in the front row was staring at him in shock. Because Ron had just remembered that Harry's actions were exactly what Leo had mentioned before!
Such actions actually worked! Just doing that could avoid Snape's humiliation!
Leo's words gradually echoed in Ron's mind: "Eyes are the windows to the soul—you need to communicate through eye contact, expressing to Snape: although I learn slowly, I have the determination to study seriously!"
As expected, Leo was the first to finish brewing his potion. After Snape's quick inspection, he earned another five points for Ravenclaw.
He could get points from professors every class—accumulating them might give hope for the House Cup. But what use was that thing anyway? It seemed like just an honorary reward, and usually only the lions and snakes competed most enthusiastically.
The little badgers were content to coast along, while the little eagles probably focused more on their own affairs. This kind of collective honor that sounded nice...
Just as Leo was daydreaming, an angry roar pulled him back to reality.
"Weasley! I'm asking you a question—why do you keep staring at the professor? Are you dissatisfied with me?"
"Disrespecting the professor—five points from Gryffindor!"
Looking sideways at Ron in front, he was already shaking like a leaf. Leo thought about it and guessed what had happened, feeling speechless.
Redheads really were brave!
After the class bell rang, before leaving the classroom, Snape called out: "Potter, come to my office."
Harry was suddenly at a loss—why was he suddenly being called to the office?
Just as he was thinking frantically, Leo had already packed up and came forward to pat Harry's shoulder: "Let's go together. I also have a question for the professor."
Leo's words made Harry relax: "Thank you for coming with me."
Harry's response made Leo flash with confusion. What was this kid talking about? He just wanted to ask a question—why did it sound like they were going to face execution together?
The two arrived at Snape's office. It was Harry's first time here, and he looked around at the bottles and jars with curiosity mixed with fear.
Scanning the items on those shelves, Leo indeed discovered some valuable things. Like Thunderbird wing feathers, Runespoor eggs, Kappa secretions...
Worthy of being the youngest Potions Master—he had such wide connections to obtain these rare materials.
"Grafton, what question do you have?"
Seeing Leo come with Harry, Snape's first reaction was that this talented and modest student wanted to ask about Potions.
Leo stepped forward and described his question. After thinking for a while, Snape gave his answer:
"The potion you mentioned is like an adhesive, leaning more toward the alchemy field."
Snape glanced at Leo again, not knowing why he was asking about this type of potion, but continued: "This potion's flaw should be that its effects last too briefly. You could try adding three-headed dog blood; the ratio is..."
"Three-headed dog blood isn't cheap. If it's not urgently needed, you don't need to consider it for now."
Leo nodded and thanked Snape for his explanation. Snape's expertise was really impressive—he quickly analyzed this potion's effects and flaws and provided solutions.
Well, three-headed dog blood. Wasn't there one upstairs? Why would he need to spend money buying it?
Having gotten a satisfactory answer, Leo took leave of Snape. When turning to leave and passing Harry, Leo found him looking at him with complex eyes.
Was this a mixture of shock, reluctance, unease, and confusion?
Whatever, he still had many things to do—why waste time here?
Leo only left Harry with a carefree departure, leaving him to face Snape alone.
After a long silence, Snape finally spoke: "Your potion performance today was good."
Harry nodded blankly, not knowing what Snape wanted to express.
"But there are still many shortcomings. You really should study properly with Grafton."
Snape asked this because he thought of the improved sleep-inducing incense from last time. Theoretically, only he and Leo, who had the formula, could brew it at school, but Harry had used it to knock out Malfoy last time.
So he wanted to test Harry—after all, children should be easier to get information from.
However, Harry's response directly stunned Snape.
"How do you know Leo is tutoring me?!"
Snape looked at Harry's beautiful emerald green almond eyes widening, yet still wearing that detestable face, saying such foolish words!
Snape immediately flared up, dark lines covering his forehead.
"Get out! Right now!"