Chapter 46: The Second Confrontation with Snape

"Correspondingly, because Harry Potter's recklessness put his classmates in danger, Gryffindor loses twenty points."

The cheering from the Gryffindor table ceased instantly.

The Slytherins, however, cheered even louder, the girls wearing expressions of smug triumph.

Harry stood there, embarrassed and guilty, at a complete loss for what to do. He knew he was the one who had caused this commotion and brought trouble to everyone.

"Harry, don't be so discouraged. This was just an accident. Believe me, there are no Whomping Willows on a Quidditch pitch. You'll be an excellent Seeker because you have excellent genes," Chu Yang said, gently putting an arm around Harry's shoulder and comforting him in his ear.

"Chu Yang is right!" Ron added encouragingly from the side. "Aside from Chu Yang, you're the fastest learner and the best flyer in the school. No one else can compare to you!"

Harry scratched his head and gave an awkward smile. Ron was clearly trying to comfort him, but why did it sound so strange?

"Ron, your words don't sound comforting at all!" Hermione said with a frown of disapproval. "Next time you comfort someone, please try to see things from their perspective!"

Ron looked utterly bewildered.

"If you please, allow me to interrupt your conversation." Professor McGonagall walked over. "I need Mr. Potter to come with me for a moment."

"Of course, Professor McGonagall!" Harry replied nervously, then followed her out of the Great Hall.

"He hasn't even eaten yet..." Ron muttered, before clutching his stomach. "I'm starving too!"

After wolfing down his dinner, Chu Yang took advantage of the darkness to head toward the Forbidden Forest to check on that mutated Whomping Willow, only to be intercepted at the door by a hurriedly arriving Professor McGonagall.

"I recall there is a school rule stating that students may not leave the school grounds at will after dark," Professor McGonagall's cold voice echoed in Chu Yang's ears. "Am I correct, Mr. Chu Yang?"

Chu Yang gave an awkward smile. "Yes, Professor."

"Headmaster Dumbledore was right; your head is full of schemes. I shall have to keep a constant eye on you." Professor McGonagall seemed to contemplate her future workload, rubbing her temples wearily. "Now, go back to your dormitory. Immediately!"

"Goodnight, Professor McGonagall." Chu Yang attempted to salvage his image with an innocent smile, but Professor McGonagall remained unmoved, staring at him indifferently. Left with no choice, Chu Yang bypassed her and headed toward the dark, damp dungeons.

In just two short days, Chu Yang had provided Dumbledore with a bit too many surprises; the old man had no choice but to keep him under strict supervision.

Upon returning to the Slytherin common room, Chu Yang found it exceptionally quiet.

Looking closer, he realized that Snape was sitting upright on a sofa.

"Good evening, Professor Snape," Chu Yang greeted him cordially, feeling somewhat surprised; Snape rarely visited the common room.

"Headmaster Dumbledore has arranged a double room for you. It seems you carry quite a bit of influence, Mr. Chu Yang." Snape stood up, his speech as biting as ever.

"Headmaster Dumbledore likely did this to ensure the Slytherin first-years don't occupy the entire infirmary," Chu Yang countered without backing down. "If I were the only boy from Slytherin attending class for the rest of the term, it would damage the house's reputation."

Snape's face turned ashen; Chu Yang's sharp tongue always managed to exceed his expectations.

Having achieved his goal of provoking him, Chu Yang didn't forget to offer a "sweetener." "Professor, I earned twenty points for Slytherin today, which has already made up for the points previously lost."

"Am I expected to congratulate you?" Snape snorted, his expression softening slightly. He turned and walked briskly toward the spiral staircase. "Follow me. I will take you to your new dormitory. However, I am warning you in advance: do not get into conflicts with your roommate!"

Chu Yang followed closely behind Snape, smiling politely. "I promise, as long as he doesn't provoke me, I certainly won't lift a finger."

Snape acted as if he hadn't heard the promise, treating it as if it had never been said.

Slytherin double rooms were typically reserved for upperclassmen and were located near the Prefects' rooms.

Similar to the single rooms for Prefects, the double rooms had private washrooms and did not need to be shared with others.

The double room was very spacious, equivalent to the space two people would use for six.

Two large beds were positioned to the left and right, each occupying a spot by a window.

Chu Yang smiled with satisfaction. Although sharing a room with someone felt a bit awkward, the space was large enough that he could basically ignore the other person's existence.

"This will be your new room. I hope you can live here decently; I do not wish to change your room a second time this term," Snape asked, narrowing his eyes. "I hope you understand what I mean, Mr. Chu Yang."

"I have received enough warnings for one day, Professor Snape." Chu Yang's previous polite attitude vanished, replaced by a cold expression. "Goodnight!"

Snape snorted and turned to leave. He had originally intended to ask for details regarding the accident during today's flying lesson, but Chu Yang's attitude made him abandon the thought.

Deep down, Snape actually appreciated Chu Yang—firstly, for the extraordinary learning ability he displayed, and secondly, for the courage and composure that far exceeded his peers.

In all his years of teaching, Snape had never seen an eleven-year-old able to engage in verbal sparring with a professor so without humility or arrogance, and without losing ground.

Yet, strangely, even though he appreciated Chu Yang, Snape was still easily provoked by him. Beyond his sharp words, Snape sensed an air of superiority in Chu Yang's attitude that seemed to transcend that of a wizard.

As if he himself were far more noble than the very existence of a wizard!

Snape found this both baffling and loathsome.

Snape did not know that part of Chu Yang's superiority stemmed from his "cheat" abilities.

The other part came from his knowledge of the future of the non-magical world.

While wizards currently held a high position, their glory would eventually become a thing of the past; modern science was developing at a speed wizards could not comprehend.

Meanwhile, the development of the magical world had been stagnant for many years, and combined with the outdated thoughts of most wizards, everything reeked of decay.

(End of Chapter)