Chapter 432: Conflict
Chapter 432: Conflict (Request for Subscriptions, Collections, and Votes)
In the following days, Liam and Hermione shared their plan with everyone in the Study Group. Everyone was very interested and provided a lot of help in setting up the sample issue.
For example, Luna volunteered to draw the comic strips, while Celia shared many humorous stories about her Wizard mother and Muggle father.
On the more serious side, Neville and Hannah, being Pureblood Wizards, raised many questions about the Muggle world from a Wizard's perspective. Liam selected the most representative ones to answer.
"We disagree with this point", the Weasley Twins whispered to Liam in the Common Room. "How can you say that Muggle food is as diverse as the Wizarding World? We once went to Muggle streets from Diagon Alley and found their food to be incredibly monotonous."
"Oh, that's my lack of detail", Liam said, adding a qualifier to the text, which now read: "Except in Britain, Muggle food in most countries is as diverse as the Wizarding World."
"You need to understand that Britain is just a special case", Liam explained while revising the manuscript. "In the outside world, the Industrial Revolution completely destroyed Britain's traditional cuisine, making modern British food convenient and quick but incredibly monotonous. However, the Wizarding World has preserved the rich and traditional British cuisine."
Liam watched the Weasley Twins leave with a look of puzzled awe, realizing that both the Industrial Revolution and British traditions were difficult for Wizards to grasp. It was clear that spreading Muggle knowledge was a long and arduous task.
Finally, after a week of hard work, the magazine titled "Look, This is Muggle" was successfully published. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes added it to their range of unique products.
Perhaps because the magazine wasn't very serious, it unexpectedly sold well in the Joke Shop, attracting a lot of Wizards' interest. Although most people saw it as an entertainment magazine, it still exceeded Liam and Hermione's best expectations.
"Your book is really interesting", the Weasley Twins said to Liam one afternoon during tea. Liam and Hermione were sharing their favorite Wizarding snack: Chocolate Frogs.
"Our mother thinks the section on foreign Muggle cuisine is fantastic, like the one in this issue—", he said, trying to recall the dish's name but failing.
"General Tso's Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork", George added. "Mom thinks these dishes taste great, and she's trying to improve her magical cooking of them."
"Your mother is really talented. If she invents a more convenient magical cooking method, please share it in the magazine."
"I think our mother will be very happy to do that", the Weasley Twins exchanged a glance and smiled. "She's eager to share her household tips with everyone."
After dinner, Liam and Hermione continued to the Library to study together. As they were about to climb the stairs, they saw Harry and Ginny embracing in the entrance hall.
"What's going on with them?" Liam asked curiously. "It looks like Harry is about to face the gallows."
"You're right", Hermione shrugged. "Harry is going to Snape for Occlumency lessons. For Harry, having an enemy probe his mind is no different from facing execution."
If Harry could hear Hermione's words at that moment, he would wholeheartedly agree. He genuinely felt that going to Snape was as bad as facing execution, especially when Snape viewed his memories of kissing Ginny.
Worse still, recent events and a busy school schedule had left him with no time to practice Occlumency. He knew that if he arrived at Snape’s office still in this state of mind, it would be easier for Snape to read his thoughts. Yet, he couldn’t control his own thoughts. This was why he looked so dejected: even though he had tried his best to clear his mind, it was still a chaotic mess by the time he reached Snape’s office door.
“You’re late, Potter,” Snape said coldly as Harry closed the door behind him. “Do I need to remind you that you’re a bit tardy? Of course, the busy Chosen One might have many important things to do.”
“No, you don’t,” Harry said bitterly, but before he could say more, Snape launched his attack. After a few rounds, Harry, who hadn’t practiced much recently, fell to the ground in defeat.
“Look what we have here,” Snape sneered, looking down at Harry. “Besides your usual dating and homework, this time I see a memory of you barely escaping a dangerous situation thanks to your friends. I’m curious what a brain that can’t even brew a decent O.W.L. Potions potion can actually accomplish.” Snape drawled slowly, each word dripping with disdain.
“You shouldn’t be looking at those. It’s my personal privacy,” Harry shouted, pushing himself up with his hands.
“Do you think I want to pay attention to this?” Snape leaned closer to Harry. “I have countless things to do and no time to care about what a naive child like you is thinking. But the problem is, if you don’t shield your mind, the Dark Lord will see these things too. And when that happens, more than just you will suffer.”
“As everyone knows, a powerful and manipulative Dark Wizard like the Dark Lord can easily use your memories as weapons against you and everyone you care about. If he wishes, he can invade your mind in a second,” Snape’s voice was cold, each word hammering into Harry’s heart.
Seeing Harry only clench his lips and stare at him, Snape pushed further, “You’re just like your father—arrogant, stupid, and always missing the point.”
“Don’t you dare talk about my father that way,” Harry, who had been sitting on the floor due to dizziness, suddenly found the strength to stand up.
“Then prove yourself. Control your mind and don’t let your mental defenses be as porous as a sieve,” Snape said, then used Legilimency again, watching as Harry crumpled to the ground. “Such a fragile soul, just like your father. Beneath the polished exterior lies a soul that is truly abhorrent.”
“Don’t—don’t—talk about my father that way,” Harry shouted. As Snape stepped forward to use Legilimency again, Harry, fueled by anger, used it first.
Perhaps this time, Snape’s defenses were not as impenetrable as usual, recalling some unpleasant memories from his youth. Harry’s attack succeeded, and he saw his father and the young Snape from his school days.
Harry saw how his father and his gang had bullied Snape in school, something he had never fully understood why Snape had always despised him. Now he knew the reason, especially when he saw that his mother, Lily Evans, had been very close to Snape, even more than just friends.
Harry witnessed his mother repeatedly scolding his father for his bullying, even drawing her wand against him. After one particularly violent incident, Snape, in a moment of unthinking, had spat out the word "Mudblood."
He had to admit that at that time, his father was no different from Malfoy. As he watched his father about to strip the pants off the suspended Snape, a hand clamped down on his neck, as if in a vise.
Clearly, physical discomfort affected one’s thoughts, and Harry instantly withdrew from Snape’s memories.
“Do you think your father is so honorable, huh?” Snape grabbed Harry by the collar and pulled him closer, but after staring into Harry’s eyes for a moment, he abruptly let go, causing Harry to stumble and nearly fall again.
“Get out,” Snape’s voice carried a faint undertone of sorrow. “Your lesson is over, and I never want to see you in this office again!”
“I—” Harry tried to say something, but Snape waved his wand, sending Harry flying out of the office, and the door slammed shut behind him.
(End of Chapter)
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