Chapter 330: Professor, Do You Know the Half-Blood Prince?
Chapter 330: Professor, Do You Know the Half-Blood Prince?
After the assault was resolved, the Quidditch matches, which had been suspended for a long time, resumed.
However, with less than a month left before the term ended, the upcoming matches were scheduled closely together to make up for lost time, and there would be at least three matches every weekend.
Overall, while the spectators enjoyed the action-packed schedule, the players were exhausted.
Especially Kyle.
The closer it got to the end-of-term exams, the more he regretted choosing twelve subjects, even though it hadn't been his intention initially. Unfortunately, this argument held no weight with Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore.
He still had to memorize lengthy sections from his textbooks for the exams, including formulas and interpretations for Arithmancy divination and general knowledge about Muggle life... It was in this latter subject that Kyle spent most of his time.
How should he put it? It was only after delving deeper that Kyle realized the wizarding world's perception of Muggle lifestyles was slightly different from what he remembered.
Take the concept of a yard, for instance. Kyle had thought of leisure activities, afternoon tea, relaxation, and conversation... but none of those were correct.
It wasn't until he flipped through his book that he discovered the actual purpose of a yard was for mowing the lawn.
Wow, creating a yard just to mow the lawn... that was incredibly leisurely.
As for the most popular group activity, Kyle would never have guessed that the answer was watching television.
Not just Kyle, but even Mick was baffled, to the point that he suspected he had been a fake Muggle for the past eleven years.
For the first time, Kyle wished the Mandrake plants would mature a little later, preferably after the exams were over.
Unfortunately, a few days later, Kerry Dibbage was discharged from the hospital.
Even though she had been hospitalized for several months and had barely attended any classes, the school had no intention of canceling the exam for this subject.
Professor Babbage had a full two weeks to prepare the exam papers.
Mick was so worried that he couldn't eat for several days. He had chosen this subject to make his transcript look better, but now, instead of aiming for a high score, he would be content just to pass with an A.
If the questions were particularly tricky, he might even receive his first P (Poor)
of his Hogwarts career.
However, putting those concerns aside, the remainder of the summer term was quite pleasant.
Soon, on a sunny morning, exam week arrived.
For three whole days, Kyle rushed from one exam room to another...
In the Transfiguration exam, as soon as Kyle entered the room, Professor McGonagall moved the teapot on her desk to the side... the students had been expected to turn it into a turtle.
"This is too easy for you," she said. "Let's change the exam content. I want you to write a paper on multi-object transfiguration, with a length of no less than five feet."
Kyle was taken aback, thinking Professor McGonagall would ask him to perform a more challenging transfiguration.
But writing a paper... Kyle didn't understand how this counted as an exam.
Was it a written exam? But they had already had their written exams the day before.
"It's for Today's Transfiguration," Professor McGonagall explained. "I've been friends with the editor of this magazine for many years, and we correspond regularly. She's very interested in the perspectives you shared at the Transfiguration Club.
So, I'd like you to submit your work for the 'Most Promising Newcomer' award for Today's Transfiguration.
Almost all the masters proficient in Transfiguration subscribe to this magazine, and having your name appear in it would be beneficial for your future."
"When do I write it? Now?" Kyle asked, intrigued.
"Of course not," Professor McGonagall said with a smile. "You'll need more time to write an outstanding paper...
Two months should be sufficient. When the next term starts, I'll help send your paper to the magazine, and as for your current exam..."
She casually drew a circle on the grade sheet, "Full marks!"
In addition to Transfiguration, Kyle also achieved full marks in Charms, as Professor Flitwick maintained his efficiency from the previous year and didn't waste any time with him.
Kyle also passed his other exams, including Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, with flying colors.
However, he did encounter some difficulties with Muggle Studies and Potions.
Muggle Studies, of course, tested both imagination and memory, and Kyle wrote until the very last second of the exam before putting down his quill.
He had reason to suspect that Snape was trying to prevent him from taking the exam and would then use his absence as an excuse to give him a zero.
This scenario wasn't impossible.
But Snape didn't care about any of that. He stared coldly and asked, "Tell me, what's the deal with that curse?"
"What curse?"
"Don't play dumb." Snape said slowly, "The pillar that was almost sliced in half in the Chamber of Secrets, that wasn't Riddle's doing, was it?"
"Oh... you mean the Sectumsempra." Kyle realized, "That was taught to me by an older student."
"Tell the truth!"
Snape's face darkened as he took out a small vial and held it in his hand.
"Don't lie to me, or I won't mind using other means... You know what this is, don't you?"
"Veritaserum."
"That's right, Veritaserum..." Snape sneered, "Just two drops, and you'll spill all your secrets."
"But Professor, the private use of Veritaserum is illegal." Kyle tried to dissuade him, "You mustn't let your curiosity lead you down a path of breaking the law. The Dementors..."
"Bang!"
Snape narrowed his eyes and opened the bottle.
"Alright, I'll talk."
Kyle sighed, "It really was taught to me by an older student... Don't get excited, Professor, let me explain."
He blocked Snape's outstretched arm, "He was a sixth-year student... or at least, he seemed to be. I found his book, 'Advanced Potion-Making'."
Snape's face stiffened.
Kyle continued, "I only know he calls himself the Half-Blood Prince, but I don't know his real name. It's not written in the book.
But I feel that the Half-Blood Prince... that must be the nickname of a handsome boy. Of course, he could also be very ugly... so he came up with such a name to comfort himself."
Snape's face turned purple, and the muscles on his cheeks twitched.
"Shut up..."
Kyle acted as if he hadn't heard and continued, "If you're interested in this Half-Blood Prince, Professor, I can help ask around.
You know, I get along well with most students, and I know quite a few older students. Maybe they know who calls himself the Half-Blood Prince..."
"I said, shut your mouth!" Snape growled.
The students in the classroom turned their heads to see what was going on.
"Turn your heads back, or you won't take the exam. Zero marks for everyone!"
Snape shouted at the students and then turned to glare at Kyle, his voice coming through gritted teeth, "That book, where is it?"
"It might be in the dormitory, or maybe somewhere else." Kyle thought for a moment, "I can't quite remember."
"Then find it and give it to me!"
"But Professor, the exam..."
Snape's face contorted with indecision, and after a moment, he said in a low voice, "Tell me, what ingredients are needed to brew the Wide-Spectrum Antidote?"
"Bezoar, Mistletoe berries, Unicorn horn." Kyle answered without hesitation.
"Very good, full marks." Snape said through clenched teeth, "Now, go and find that damned book for me!"
"Yes, sir."
Kyle jogged out of the underground classroom, took a quick turn outside, and then came back.
After all, he had been carrying 'Advanced Potion-Making' with him all this time and had never left it in the dormitory or classroom.
"Professor, guess what, I..."
"Give it to me!" Before Kyle could finish, Snape snatched the book from his hands.
He really snatched it; his action was faster than a Peeves, and Kyle suddenly felt like he was feeding a Long-Legged Screech Owl at Newt's, where food disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Snape looked at the 'Advanced Potion-Making' in his hand with a complicated expression and said without looking up, "You may leave now."
"Professor, you know the Half-Blood Prince..."
"Get out!"
...
(End of Chapter)
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