Chapter 330: Professor, Do You Know the Half-Blood Prince?
Chapter 330: Professor, Do You Know the Half-Blood Prince?
After the attack was resolved, the Quidditch matches, which had been suspended for a long time, resumed.
However, with less than a month left before the end of the term, the remaining matches were scheduled back-to-back, with at least three matches every weekend to make up for lost time.
Overall, the spectators enjoyed the intense matches, but the players were exhausted.
Especially Kyle.
The closer it got to the end of the term, the more he regretted choosing twelve subjects, even though it wasn't entirely his decision. Still, this argument failed to convince Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore.
Kyle still had to study for the exams, memorizing lengthy sections of the textbooks, including arithmetic divination formulas and their meanings, as well as various common sense aspects of Muggle life... especially the latter, which Kyle spent most of his time on.
To put it simply, it wasn't until Kyle delved deeper that he realized the Muggle lifestyle, as perceived by wizards, was slightly different from what he remembered.
For example, the purpose of having a yard. Kyle had thought of playing, having afternoon tea, resting, and chatting... but none of these were correct.
It wasn't until he flipped through the textbook that he discovered the correct answer was actually for mowing the lawn.
Wow, building a yard just to mow the lawn... that's a lot of free time.
And for the most popular group activity, Kyle couldn't have guessed that the answer was watching television...
Not just Kyle, but Michael as well. He even suspected that he had been a fake Muggle for eleven years.
For the first time, Kyle wished the Mandrake would mature later, preferably after the exams.
Unfortunately, a few days later, Caretaker Caradoc Bagshot was discharged from the hospital wing.
Even though she had been hospitalized for several months and had barely attended any classes, the school still had no intention of canceling the exam.
Professor Bagshot had a full two weeks to prepare the exam papers.
Michael was so worried that he couldn't eat for several days. He had chosen this subject to improve his transcript, but now, instead of aiming for a high score, getting an A (pass) would be considered a success.
If the questions were more challenging, he might even receive his first P (fail) of his Hogwarts career.
However, aside from these concerns, the remaining days of the summer term were quite enjoyable.
Soon, on a sunny morning, exam week arrived.
For three whole days, Kyle shuttled between various exam halls...
In the Transfiguration exam, as soon as Kyle entered the hall, Professor McGonagall immediately moved the teapot on the desk to the side... the students were supposed 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 of no less than five feet in length on the topic of multiple transfigurations."
Kyle was taken aback, as he had expected Professor McGonagall to assign him a more challenging transfiguration task.
But writing a paper... Kyle didn't understand how this could be considered an exam.
A written exam? But they had already taken one yesterday.
"Is it for the 'Today's Transfiguration' magazine?"
Professor McGonagall quickly explained, "I've been friends with the editor of this magazine for many years, and we correspond by letter every month. She's very interested in the ideas you presented at the Transfiguration Club.
So, I want you to aim for the 'Today's Transfiguration' Most Promising Newcomer Award.
Almost all contemporary masters proficient in Transfiguration subscribe to this magazine, and having your name featured in it will greatly benefit your future."
"When do I write it? Now?" Kyle's eyes lit up.
"Of course not. You need more time to write an excellent paper..."
"Two months should be enough," Professor McGonagall smiled. "When the next term starts, I'll send your paper to them. As for the current exam..."
She casually circled a mark on the transcript, "Full marks!"
Aside from Transfiguration, Kyle also achieved full marks in Charms, with Professor Flitwick continuing his efficiency from last year and not wasting any time on him.
The same went for the subsequent Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, and Defense Against the Dark Arts exams, which Kyle passed with ease.
However, he did encounter challenges in Muggle Studies and Potions.
Muggle Studies, in particular, tested both imagination and memory, and Kyle wrote until the very last second of the exam before putting down his quill.
However, the Potions exam was a different story. Professor Snape didn't even allow Kyle to enter the classroom; instead, he stopped him right outside.
"Professor, the exam is about to start..." Kyle said.
He had reason to suspect that Professor Snape was trying to prevent him from taking the exam and then use his absence as an excuse to give him a zero.
This wasn't an impossible scenario.
But Professor Snape didn't seem to care about any of this. He stared coldly and asked, "Tell me, what was that charm about?"
"What charm?"
"Don't play dumb." Professor Snape spoke slowly and deliberately, "The pillar in the Chamber of Secrets that was almost cut in half, it wasn't Riddle who did that, was it?"
"Oh... you mean the Shadowless Blade Charm." Kyle realized, "A senior student taught it to me."
"Tell me the truth!"
Professor Snape's face darkened as he took out a small bottle and held it in his hand.
"Don't try to fool me again, or I won't hesitate to use other means..." He paused, "You should know what this is."
"Veritaserum."
"That's right, Veritaserum..." Professor Snape gave a cold laugh, "Just two drops, and you'll spill all your secrets."
"But Professor, using Veritaserum privately is illegal." Kyle tried to persuade him, "You mustn't let your curiosity lead you down the path of crime. The Dementors..."
"Bang!"
Professor Snape narrowed his eyes and opened the bottle.
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"Okay, I'll tell you."
Kyle sighed, "It was indeed taught to me by a senior student... Don't get excited, Professor, just listen to what I have to say."
He blocked Professor Snape's outstretched arm and said, "It was a sixth-year student... or at least a sixth-year student. I found his Advanced Potion Making book."
Professor Snape's face stiffened.
Kyle continued, "I only know his name is 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... he should be a handsome boy. Of course, he might also be very ugly... so he gave himself this name to comfort himself."
Professor Snape's face turned purple, and the muscles in his cheeks twitched.
"Shut up..."
Kyle acted as if he hadn't heard and continued, "If you're interested in the Half-Blood Prince, Professor, I can help you find out more.
You know, I have a good reputation in school, and I also know many senior students. They might know who calls himself the Half-Blood Prince..."
"I said, shut up!" Professor Snape growled.
The students in the classroom heard the commotion and turned their heads to see what was happening.
"Turn your heads back! Anyone who keeps looking will fail the exam, zero points!"
Professor Snape shouted at the classroom and then turned to glare at Kyle. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Where is that book?"
"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..."
Professor Snape's face changed again, and after a moment of hesitation, he said sternly, "Tell me, what ingredients are needed to brew the Broad-Spectrum Antidote?"
"Bezoar, Bicorn Horn, Unicorn Horn." Kyle blurted out.
"That's right, Bezoar..." Professor Snape clenched his teeth, "Now, go and find that damn book for me!"
"Okay."
Kyle left the underground classroom at a quick pace, circled outside, and then returned.
After all, he had always carried the Advanced Potion Making book with him and had never placed it in the dormitory or classroom.
"Professor, you guessed it, I..."
Before Kyle could finish his sentence, Professor Snape reached out and snatched the book from him.
It was a swift move, even faster than Peeves. Kyle felt like he was feeding the long-haired tree monkey at Newt's place, only to have the food disappear in the blink of an eye.
Professor Snape looked at the Advanced Potion Making book in his hand with a complex expression and said without lifting his head, "You can go."
"Professor, you know the Half-Blood Prince..."
"Get out!"
...
(End of Chapter)
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