"Madam Pomfrey, how are Ormod and the others doing?"
"Not optimistic. All I can say is it's fortunate the house-elves found them first. Otherwise, you should be more worried about their psychological trauma than their physical injuries."
Facing Professor McGonagall's concerned inquiry, Madam Pomfrey, responsible for the hospital wing, answered conscientiously.
"They need at least a week or even longer to recuperate. I suggest they sit out the Quidditch match in November."
"...I understand. Thank you for your advice."
Disappointment was visibly etched on Professor McGonagall's face.
As a seasoned Quidditch enthusiast, she paid close attention to every match. Learning that Gryffindor's first game of the year faced the risk of forfeiting was a heavy blow to her.
"Horace, you really ought to discipline your students properly! Slytherin should not be a haven where villains do as they please!"
Professor Slughorn smiled bitterly and nodded.
Since that shocking bullying incident, he couldn't help but feel guilty every time he encountered Professor McGonagall.
"You can't say that entirely. At least there was a Slytherin student who stood up when witnessing the atrocity. That is a precious courage many Gryffindors don't possess!
Even more praiseworthy is that he has a calm mind and matching formidable strength!"
Professor Flitwick piped up sharply.
His two dark mustache tufts twitched like caterpillars as he chewed, and his words softened McGonagall's expression considerably.
"Hmm... All right. I indeed shouldn't label all Slytherins as villains; that is a prejudice an educator should not have.
But I still won't retract the first part. Failing to manage Slytherin well is your dereliction of duty!"
She glared fiercely at Professor Slughorn, who had just puffed out his chest.
The latter immediately deflated like a popped balloon, shrinking his neck and looking crestfallen.
Sitting at the head of the table, Dumbledore watched the scene with a smile, no one knowing what he was thinking.
Professor Flitwick obviously had a deeper impression of the footage he saw from the recording ball and couldn't help sighing with emotion.
"Mr. Snape has always performed exceptionally well in my class. He is always the first to learn all the spells, followed by Miss Evans, who is quite close to him.
But I really didn't expect that when Mr. Snape truly got serious, he could achieve such an outstanding record!"
"It's just a pity he's a Slytherin. Maybe he can still uphold justice now, but how long can he persist in such a terrible environment?"
Professor Babbling, who taught Ancient Runes, worried.
Hearing her words, Professor Slughorn immediately patted his chest and guaranteed:
"Don't worry, I will give him extra support outside of class. I can feel that he will definitely achieve great things in the future!"
"I hope so. Snape is the student best at taking care of magical plants among all first-years. Even many sixth and seventh years can't compare to him. If I weren't about to retire, I would definitely ask him to join my club."
Professor Beery, the Herbology professor, also had an impressively high evaluation of Eric.
This made the other professors involuntarily look at him a few more times, subconsciously doubting if they had heard correctly.
If not for years of working together, knowing Professor Beery's strict and almost impersonal evaluation standards, they would definitely think someone had secretly bribed him!
The professors exchanged novel glances.
It was not uncommon to have outstanding grades in one subject; every few years, one or two exceptionally talented students would appear.
But it was quite rare for someone like Snape to receive endless praise from almost every professor in every subject.
Whenever such a situation occurred—
It could almost be concluded that as long as the student didn't fall midway, they would inevitably become a household name in the wizarding world after graduation, or even be printed on Chocolate Frog cards in the future!
Only Professor Merrythought, responsible for Defense Against the Dark Arts, coughed weakly a few times, her face pale as she warned:
"If there's one thing I've learned from dealing with the Dark Arts all these years, it's that a leopard can't change its spots!
I remember the student you mentioned.
In every class, he is always the quietest one, sitting in the corner, staring at me calmly.
But I can feel that every word I utter becomes nourishment for his growth, allowing him to comprehend the dangerous mysteries hidden deep within the Dark Arts at a speed different from ordinary people!"
She grinned an ugly smile.
Piercing light flickered in Merrythought's clouded eyes, vaguely showing the elegance of her past as a top Auror.
"But he can't fool me. That is a hungry tiger, everyone! Only fools would think he is a partner of justice. His true purpose is absolutely not some damn act of bravery; this is just an insignificant part of his plan. You have all been played by him!!"
"...Professor Merrythought, are you okay?"
Slughorn spoke carefully, afraid this old woman, who looked like she could be blown over by a gust of wind, was getting too agitated.
"Dumbledore told us what that student did back then. He is an out-and-out dangerous figure now. I think the curse from his hand isn't so easy to ignore."
"You think I'm insane, talking nonsense, huh? Because of this mere laughable curse?!"
Professor Merrythought gripped her fork tightly.
For a moment, Slughorn even suspected she would pull out her wand to duel him!
But in the end, filled with rage and trembling all over, Professor Merrythought gritted her teeth and said fiercely:
"I made a mistake once, trusting someone I shouldn't have. It is the regret of my life.
Countless people will pay a painful price in the future because of my negligence, and I have sworn never to let such a thing happen a second time!
That brat is another scourge.
If you don't want a second organization named 'Death Eaters' to appear in the future, then you'd better keep an eye on him for me!"
She left the table in anger.
Professor Merrythought's words instantly made the atmosphere among the professors much heavier.
Only Professor Slughorn muttered dissatisfiedly, accusing the neurotic Merrythought of slandering his student.
"Dumbledore, do you think that student is trustworthy?"
Professor McGonagall leaned over, speaking worriedly in a voice only two people could hear.
Dumbledore just raised his eyebrows, his long white beard trembling slightly as his mouth opened and closed.
"I think we will find out the answer in the next few years... After all, how does that saying go?"
A gleam of wisdom flashed in his blue eyes.
Clearly taking in the sight of a certain Slytherin student enjoying his meal unaware, and the red-haired girl staring at him with resentment!
"Let's wait and see."
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