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Chapter 342: The Wesley Family: Seeking Joy Even in Exams
Chapter 342: The Wesley Family: Seeking Joy Even in Exams
After Neville's emotional outburst, he felt much better.
Embarrassed, he apologized to everyone, and they all nodded understandingly, assuming that Professor Snape had been particularly harsh on him.
Harry, standing by Neville's side, joined in on the criticism of Snape.
If they were in Gryffindor, he would have received a chorus of agreement. But at this moment, Neville kept his head down, saying little, while Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry.
"Potions is a precise subject. I have to admit, Professor Snape can be...well...a bit harsh, but strictness isn't necessarily a bad thing," Hermione stated frankly.
Harry argued, "So, you think it was okay for him to test the potion on Neville's Le Frogs?"
Hermione hesitated, then said cautiously, "For Professor Snape, determining whether a potion is poisonous or not is something he can surely discern with a glance..."
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, "We're friends!"
"Maybe Professor Snape was trying to push Neville to take Potions more seriously?"
Padma, leaning on her arm, tilted her head and said, "Although it was a bit much, even if it was poison, Professor Snape would have a way to save the Le Frogs."
"I don't believe Professor Snape has such a kind heart!" Harry said angrily. "He's bullying Neville! It's too much! I must tell Dumbledore!"
"The Headmaster probably won't interfere with a professor's teaching methods. Remember what happened with Professor Lockhart," Michael added.
Neville silently listened to the debate that had arisen because of him, yet it felt like it had nothing to do with him.
He knew that Harry was on his side, not because he understood the true pain Neville was going through, but because Harry, too, was a target of Snape's animosity. Neville hated Snape.
Hermione and Padma's rebuttals weren't because they had an issue with Neville; it was because they objectively viewed the situation and considered it a minor matter.
No one in the group knew about Neville's past or understood his thoughts. Neville had no intention of opening up about his wounds and sharing them with everyone—
His parents had been tortured to the point of madness and had been receiving treatment at St. Mungo's Hospital for over a decade.
Both sympathy and humiliation were equally unbearable for Neville.
However, when Vold was quietly by his side, Neville felt a long-lost sense of comfort and warmth.
Thinking of Vold, Neville realized he hadn't heard Vold's voice in a while.
He looked around and, not seeing him, asked Theo, "Where's Vold?"
"He said he had something to do and left early," Theo replied.
"Oh."
Neville quietly opened his book and prepared to work on the day's assignment.
...
The green liquid in the cauldron bubbled and frothed, and as the time approached, Vold removed it from the fire. He stirred it clockwise a few times and then let it sit to cool down.
During this process, the potion's color gradually faded, eventually becoming transparent.
Vold filled a small bottle with the potion and put it in his pocket. He stored the rest in a large crystal bottle and placed it in his storage cabinet.
Then, with the small bottle of potion, Vold left the Room of Requirement and headed downstairs.
It was nearing curfew, and the corridor was empty, with most of the paintings asleep. Only the wall-mounted torches burned quietly, casting their light.
Vold's footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, and his shadow, elongated by the torchlight, made him appear like a peculiar figure with a broad torso and slender legs.
Two shadowy figures, startled by footsteps and shadows, darted into the statue beside them, squeezing against the wall, their faces nearly flattened.
Vold suddenly noticed the names on the statues of the castle and was startled. Then, noticing the two cocoon-like figures, he felt speechless.
"Fred, George, what are you doing?" Vold asked.
His sudden voice startled the twins, and they breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing it was Vold.
"It's you, Vold. I thought it was Filch!"
Fred calmly pushed George aside, then brushed off the dirt from his clothes.
George made a drinking gesture and enthusiastically said, "We're going to have a drink at Three Broomsticks, Vold. Wanna join us?"
Vold shook his head, "I still have things to do—and aren't you in your OWLs year? You're going out for a drink? Don't you have class tomorrow morning?"
"Oh, Vold! Don't be like Hermione!"
Fred pretended to hold his head in pain, "Even if it's our OWLs year, it can't stop us from pursuing happiness!"
"Anyway, we don't want to join the Ministry of Magic, nor do we crave a few certificates. Let's study, Vold. We're going out to play!"
George said lively, and the brothers waved goodbye as they headed towards the statue of the hunchbacked witch.
Vold watched them walk away, their voices fading into the distance—
"I think next time we should bring the Marauder's Map. I was really scared just now!"
"Good idea—Filch doesn't patrol much these days. He's busy playing with crabs at night! Someone saw him trying to get the Cleaning Crabs to wipe cups..."
"No wonder our night-roaming skills have declined! It's been too long since we've been chased by Filch—George, I have a brilliant idea—"
"Coincidentally, I have an idea too—"
The two whispered as they slipped into the secret passage, their laughter echoing faintly.
Vold watched them leave, then continued downward, passing several stone steps, turning a corner, and passing the kitchen's pear painting. He saw a few Hufflepuffs knocking on wooden barrels, playing.
Before him was the office door of the Potions professor.
Vold touched the potion in his pocket, raised his hand to knock, but the wooden door suddenly opened.
Draco Malfoy, with a bitter smell, emerged from the office, nearly bumping into Vold, who instinctively took a step back.
"Don't forget to come tomorrow to deal with the Mandrakes, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said politely, but his tone still gave off a chilling vibe.
Malfoy's face darkened, and without a word, he turned and left.
Vold then remembered that Malfoy had been in detention for an entire year, helping the professor with work every night. He probably helped Professor Snape with many potion ingredients.
If Harry and Neville knew that the Leech Juice in their Shrinking Potion might have been squeezed by Malfoy, they would surely forget any sorrows.
Vold didn't close the door, standing at the entrance, knocking with his fingers, "Professor, may I come in?"
Inside the office, Professor Snape was waving his wand, returning the items on the desk to their original positions.
Hearing the voice, he turned and frowned, "Gray, if I haven't mistaken the time, it's already..."
He glanced at his watch.
"...five minutes before curfew?"
(End of Chapter)
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