Chapter 43: Talking Back to the Professor

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Talking Back to the Professor

Chapter 43: Talking Back to the Professor

Snape’s face darkened. Clearly, he had been waiting for Harry to talk back to him like this.

"Potter certainly lives up to his reputation as the famous savior!"

Laughter broke out across the classroom.

Harry’s face was already red with anger.

"If you contradict the professor without permission, ten points from Gryffindor. If you interfere with the professor’s teaching methods, another ten points from Gryffindor!"

Snape stopped talking.

He really wanted Potter to say something else so he could strip Gryffindor of even more points!

Harry did exactly what Snape expected and was about to curse him again, but Ron quickly stepped hard on his foot.

"Shut up! Stop talking! He’s just waiting for you to get angry!"

Ron’s words made Harry restrain himself, much to Snape’s disappointment.

Snape turned his attention to Hermione.

"Hands down. I don’t need anyone answering questions in my class!"

Hermione lowered her hand in frustration.

Snape suddenly looked toward Vesey.

His eyes were filled with nostalgia and guilt.

His gaze almost seemed frozen on Vesey’s face.

In an instant, an intense grief swept through him.

"So, Miss Vesey, tell me, what do you get when you add powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

he asked in a low voice.

Harry looked nervously at Vesey, afraid that Snape would make things difficult for her.

He had completely forgotten that Vesey had been trying to give him the answer earlier.

Obviously, Snape already knew that Vesey would be able to answer, which was why he had called on her.

Vesey sighed, stood up, and said helplessly, "It makes Draught of Living Death."

Snape sighed as well.

"I told you. You are the smartest little witch at Hogwarts!"

Vesey put on an embarrassed expression to play along.

"Professor, there are plenty of witches at Hogwarts who—"

Snape interrupted her.

"I said you are, so you are. If anyone has an opinion, they’re welcome to come and talk to me about it."

His eyes swept across the entire class.

Although his words sounded encouraging, his expression made it seem as though anyone who actually dared to come forward would be rewarded with a mouthful of poison.

"Ten points to Slytherin for Miss Vesey’s erudition and humility!"

Vesey didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She looked at Snape as though she wanted to say something, but Snape seemed to think she was simply being modest.

He immediately asked her a second question.

"So, Miss Vesey, find me a bezoar. Where would you look for one?"

"In the stomach of a goat, Professor."

Snape smiled.

"Ah. It seems the Potter family isn’t entirely composed of stupid, arrogant people!"

All thanks to Lily’s influence!

"Professor!"

Vesey protested disapprovingly.

Snape had no choice but to stop mocking the Potters and move on to his third question.

"So, what’s the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"There is no difference. They’re both names for Aconitum."

Snape nodded in satisfaction.

Seeing Hermione’s somewhat dissatisfied expression, he thought for a moment before asking, "What is the main ingredient in a healing potion?"

This was covered in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.

The book was also required reading at Hogwarts.

Of course, it was mainly used as a reference book and contained material students were expected to study throughout their seven years at Hogwarts.

The answer to this question was on the very first page.

Basically, anyone who had read the book would have some impression of it.

Snape didn’t mind asking Vesey another question.

Vesey shook her head in amusement.

"Dittany, Professor!"

Snape nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good. Another question. Which oils are common ingredients in many potions?"

"Nettle oil, rose oil, and neem oil are all acceptable. Wand oil is used for maintaining one’s wand."

Snape’s expression suddenly became dazed.

It was obviously a memory he shared with Lily.

Seeing that Vesey knew so much, Snape asked her another dozen questions.

The more questions he asked, the more dazed he became.

It wasn’t until he asked her about a piece of Herbology knowledge that wasn’t normally taught until around sixth year that Vesey finally paused.

She shook her head hesitantly.

"Professor, I don’t know this one."

Snape suddenly came back to his senses.

He looked slightly guilty, then said with undisguised pride:

"Miss Vesey is truly remarkable. She has already taught herself sixth-year material. No first-year witch could possibly do this."

He gave Hermione a mocking glance, as if asking:

What are you comparing yourself to?

But after thinking about it, he decided not to say anything.

He turned back toward Vesey.

His eyes lingered nostalgically on her fiery red hair, her green eyes, and the gentle, embarrassed expression she still wore despite having become the center of attention.

This child looks so much like Lily.

They’re both kind, lovely, innocent, and humble...

"Fifty points to Slytherin for Miss Vesey’s erudition!"

Few people were willing to object.

"If anyone thinks Miss Vesey doesn’t deserve these points, then stand up and let me ask you some questions as well. Ten questions will be enough!"

This time, even Hermione didn’t dare raise her hand.

Some of Snape’s questions had covered material she hadn’t even encountered yet.

Although she was an excellent student who had worked extremely hard, she simply didn’t have the ability to teach herself sixth-year material.

She lowered her head dejectedly.

For the first time, Hermione realized that perhaps she was the one who wasn’t worthy of Vesey.

Vesey was so beautiful, so intelligent, and apparently worked incredibly hard in private.

What did Hermione have that could make Vesey fall in love with her?

For the first time, Hermione truly understood the reality behind the diary saying that Vesey could have five wives.

Vesey was genuinely amazing and so adorable.

How many people could possibly resist her charm?

It’s so frustrating!

She probably wouldn’t be able to catch up with Vesey’s progress in her entire lifetime.

She was even beginning to worry.

Could I really still become Vesey’s wife?

Judging from the current situation, she and Vesey might not even become friends.

Very good.

Other people could definitely do better if they had something like the diary.

But Hermione might actually lose her future wife before she even got the chance to have her.