Chapter 12: Poor Scabbers
Then, watching Harry gradually become withdrawn under Snape's repeated questioning, Ivan remembered a conjecture he had seen in his previous life.
The questions Snape asked Harry have deeper meanings when analyzed separately.
The most obvious one is that asphodel, used to prepare potions, means "My regrets follow you to the grave" in the language of flowers.
Wormwood usually represents pain and regret.
It was hard for Ivan to imagine what kind of emotions Snape, with his gloomy face and deep hatred, was feeling when facing Harry.
Is it the guilt of leaking the information that led to Lily's death? Or is it the deep love of knowing that your lover has died and being willing to die together with her?
Thinking of this, Ivan's eyes gradually showed more pity.
"Ivan Hals!" Perhaps he noticed that there was something wrong with the way Ivan looked at him. After asking Harry three questions, Snape turned his wand and pointed at Ivan.
"Next, answer these three questions!"
Ivan was stunned at first, as he didn't expect Snape to ask him a question, but he quickly reacted and answered.
"If you add the powder of asphodel root to an infusion of wormwood, you will get the Draught of Living Death, which is a powerful sleeping potion... Bezoar is in the stomach of the goat, and aconite and wolfsbane refer to the same plant."
Ivan, who had read the original novel, would certainly not be stumped by these three questions. However, Ivan was a little nervous, fearing that Snape would ask other questions.
Although Ivan had read the Potions textbook several times before the class, Snape obviously didn't play by the rules. None of the three questions he asked Harry were related to what a first-year student should learn.
[Ding, you answered the difficult questions carefully prepared by the professor in class. You answered the questions three times with a 100% accuracy rate. You will be awarded 9 academic points...]
An unexpected system sound rang in Ivan's mind.
Ivan's expression instantly changed from worry to surprise and then to ecstasy, and all his original concerns were thrown aside.
Come on! Ask any questions you want. If you frown, I lose!
Ivan looked at Snape with a firm expression. A true warrior is never afraid of any challenge!
It would be better to give him eight or ten questions. Ivan doesn't believe that he can't answer any of them. Any extra GPA points would be a plus...
Ivan's unique face-changing skills left a deep impression on all the young wizards.
However, to Ivan's surprise, Snape didn't even look at him, but turned his head expressionlessly and mocked Harry.
"Did you hear that, Potter? It seems that not every new wizard is as stupid and ignorant as you..."
"Professor, I..." Harry stood up angrily and was about to refute, but unfortunately Snape interrupted Harry's words neatly.
"Potter! Because of your performance... Gryffindor loses one point!"
After saying this as if reading out a verdict, Snape turned around and continued teaching without mercy, while Harry was held tightly by Ron, his originally fair cheeks flushed red with anger.
Ivan, who had just prepared himself to face Snape's difficulties, was a little puzzled by such indifference. After looking at Harry apologetically, he had no choice but to continue listening to the class peacefully.
I look forward to the time when Snape will continue to give me questions to challenge me...
Unfortunately for Ivan, Snape seemed to have forgotten about him in the following class. Apart from occasionally taking time to scold those young wizards who got the steps wrong, he only showed a strong interest in Harry.
He was like a piece of iron attracted by a magnet, constantly wandering around Harry, carefully observing every step of Harry's potion-making with his empty eyes. If there was any mistake, he would ridicule him.
Ron, who was sitting next to Harry, also suffered the same misfortune. The rat Scabbers that he carried with him was searched out by Snape, and was publicly designated by its tail as a guinea pig for experimenting with the effects of the potion. Ron almost cried on the spot.
When Scabbers learned of his fate, his cry was so miserable...
If Neville hadn't accidentally burned through the crucible and ruined Snape's mood, Scabbers would have been forced to drink the murky yellow potion prepared by Ron, the ingredients and effects of which were unknown.
Ivan looked at Scabbers, who was slumped on the table, with a little sympathy, and lamented Peter Pettigrew's bad luck. He had only been frightened twice in just a few days at school.
The one-hour Potions class was simply torture for most young wizards, and they all rushed out of the dungeon as if escaping after class.
"Oh my God, why did Dumbledore hire Snape as a professor? He almost killed Scabbers!" After the Potions class, Ron was so angry that he wanted to smash the wall while comforting the still trembling Scabbers.
Harry nodded in agreement and stood on the same front with Ron. No one could tolerate being targeted like this on the first day of school.
Harry really couldn't understand why Snape hated him so much?
"Harry, if you could read more books before class, you wouldn't be unable to answer Professor Snape's questions." Hermione had different ideas. After she finished speaking, she looked at Ivan and continued.
"Just like Ivan, Professor Snape knew that Ivan could answer the questions, so he didn't make things difficult for him."
Hermione's praise made Ivan feel ashamed. If he didn't know the plot, he might not be able to answer Snape's question.
"Hermione, not everyone can memorize the Potions book within a few days of school starting. Besides, the questions that Snape asked Harry are not in the first-year textbook," Ivan sighed.
Hermione pursed her lips and did not refute, because she had seen what Snape did in the Potions class today. She was just used to obeying the rules and following the professor's arrangements, so she said a few words in defense when Ron started to criticize her.
Ron and Harry were very dissatisfied with Hermione's behavior of speaking for Snape. The three of them walked all the way in a quarrel. Thanks to Ivan's persuasion, they finally dispelled the grudges in their hearts before arriving at Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid, we're here to see you!"
Harry walked forward and knocked on the door, and then the four of them heard the sound of dogs barking and running coming from inside the house. Soon the door was opened and a huge figure walked out of the house.
"Harry, you're here, come in quickly..." Hagrid greeted Harry enthusiastically, while not forgetting to comfort his restless big dog Fang.
Ivan followed Harry into the cabin.
There was only one room in the house, and the layout seemed a bit messy. There were a lot of dried meat and ham hanging by the window, and a large stove in front. A pot of boiling water was boiling on the stove, and the patched bed was placed against the wall on the right.