Hogwarts: I will never become the Dark Lord

Hagrid examined Tom over and over again, then shook his head and said, "Jerry, I'm sorry, I don't know what kind of bird this is. Its body is like a crow, but its eyes aren't. And even if it were a crow with magical animal blood, it would never be as smart as Tom."

Chapter 21 Potions Class

Hearing Hagrid's words, Jerry was also somewhat surprised. He had thought that Tom was just a relatively rare bird species, but now it seemed that Tom's origin and species were both questionable.

Sigh, Jerry is used to it, after all, there are just too many mysteries surrounding him.

“Jerry, if you don’t mind, I can write a letter to Professor Newt Scamander, and he will definitely know!”

Hermione, upon hearing Hagrid's words, exclaimed excitedly, "My God, Hagrid, is that Professor Newt Scamander, the magical creature conservationist?"

Harry, Ron, and the others nearby were a little puzzled as to why Hermione was so excited. Ron asked, "Is he famous?"

Hermione glared at him and then explained, "Can't you go back and look at your first-year textbooks? If you had, you wouldn't be asking such a stupid question. Professor Newt Scamander wrote 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'."

Harry, Ron, Neville: "..."

Jerry: "Thank you so much, Hagrid. Should I take Tom to have a picture taken and send it to Professor Newt Scamander along with the letter?"

Hagrid waved his hand and said, "No need for that, Jerry. I'll just tell Scamander about Tom's characteristics in the letter, and he'll definitely know. Trust me, Jerry. Maybe Scamander will even come to Hogwarts to find you."

"Caw!" Tom broke free from Hagrid's grasp, pecked him a few times, spread his wings and flapped them twice before landing on Jerry's shoulder.

Jerry tapped Tom on the head and yelled, "Damn Tom, you've gotten so fat! My shoulders can barely support your weight anymore."

As evening approached, the group said goodbye to Hagrid and returned to Hogwarts. This time, Jerry didn't leave Tom with Hermione because he decided to give Tom a weight loss program and took him back to his dormitory. It was Tom's first time there, but judging from how it flew around, it should be able to adapt.

……

It's Friday of the week, and today is a "dangerous" day for both Jerry and Harry because Potions class is in the morning.

Bad news: Snape is the Potions professor. Good news: Harry Potter is there too.

After getting up and washing up early, Jerry took Tom to the dining hall, where they received breakfast from Hermione and began to eat.

Hermione glanced at the time and urged Jerry, "Jerry, hurry up! Snape has class this morning, don't be late!"

After hearing Hermione's words, Jerry nodded, then looked at the oatmeal in his bowl. He really didn't have much of an appetite, so he ate a couple of bites and then dragged Hermione to the classroom.

Potions class was held in an underground classroom. The walls of the classroom were covered with various animal specimens that were soaking in solutions. Next to it stood a huge storage cabinet, which contained various raw materials that students might use in the potion-making process.

In front of each desk in the classroom is a blackboard with the materials and detailed steps for students to prepare potions written on it.

However, this classroom was not as warm and comfortable as the main castle building. It exuded a slightly chilly atmosphere, making it feel even colder than the castle above. Especially in winter, this cold was biting, and one's breath could even condense into puffs of white mist.

After the two jogged to the classroom, Jerry looked around. Snape hadn't arrived yet, but Harry, Ron, and Neville were already in their seats. Jerry glanced at them, nodded, and thought the seats were good—right under Snape's nose.

Jerry didn't go to Harry. Instead, he pulled Hermione to a small corner and sat down, trying to make his presence as inconspicuous as possible.

Hermione was a little confused. Last time you told us that Snape wouldn't hurt students, and you even said a bunch of nonsense. How come you're like this in his class now?

Why is Jerry sitting in this spot? Aren't there two empty seats next to Harry?

"Hermione, trust me, you'll find out after class."

Although Hermione had some doubts, she still believed Jerry and sat down, because in her mind, Jerry was always right, no matter what.

Jerry and Hermione didn't chat for long before Snape strode into the classroom, his black wizard robes billowing as he walked.

After standing on the podium, Snape's sharp, keen, and intimidating gaze, which seemed to see right through people, swept around the room, and the classroom instantly fell silent.

"Now, let's take attendance." Like other professors, Snape took out the list and began taking attendance as soon as class started.

When Snape called on Harry, he stopped and said sarcastically, "Harry Potts, everyone says you defeated the Man of Darkness. You're quite famous at Hogwarts now, but I wonder if your strength matches your fame!"

Upon hearing Snape's words, the Slytherin students all covered their mouths and chuckled.

Harry looked at the Slytherin students next to him and regretted sitting so close to the front. Now he understood why Jerry and Hermione were sitting in inconspicuous spots at the back.

Snape ignored the jeers and continued calling out names.

"Jerry Green! Where is he?"

“Professor, I’m here.” Jerry was certain that Snape was doing it on purpose; in such a tiny place, there was no way he could have been in the classroom for so long without seeing him.

Snape continued sarcastically, "Isn't this the infamous Jerry Green of Slytherin? What's he doing sitting in a corner?"

"Professor, I think this place is quite nice."

"Really? So Jerry Green only dares to hide in the corner!"

The Slytherin students around wanted to laugh as loudly as before, but they were intimidated by Jerry's imposing presence and dared not make a sound, after all, Jerry was different from Harry.

They didn't want to offend Jerry and then end up naked and badly injured in the common room the next day—that would be too embarrassing.

Snape looked at the Slytherin students who dared not make a sound, feeling somewhat annoyed, and cursed inwardly, "These useless fools."

Hermione was a little angry when she heard Snape's words. She felt that how could a professor talk about his student like that? She wanted to argue for Jerry and was about to raise her hand to stand up when Jerry pulled her back.

"Hermione, no need for that. Snape is just a bit sarcastic. Just ignore him for saying something like that."

"I...I understand, can you let go of me first?" Jerry hugged Hermione almost completely to stop her.

Upon noticing their posture, Jerry quickly released Hermione, creating an awkward atmosphere.

"Sorry, Hermione, I was a little hasty just now. Are you alright?" Jerry asked somewhat apologetically.

Hermione blushed and lowered her head to flip through her book, avoiding Jerry's gaze.

……

Chapter 22 The Sharp-Tongued Snape

"Hermione, Snape's finished rambling and class is starting!" Jerry reminded Hermione, who was still a little dazed.

Hearing Jerry's words, Hermione shook her head, stopping her wild thoughts, and looked up to see Snape already writing down the potion ingredients on the blackboard at the front.

"Hmm!" Without looking at Jerry, Hermione simply responded quietly before picking up her pen and taking notes.

……

"Jerry Green, do you know the answers to the questions I just asked Mr. Pott?" A voice came from behind Jerry and Hermione. Snape had appeared behind them at some point and grabbed Jerry's shoulder to ask.

"Excuse me, Professor, I was distracted just now. Could you please ask me again?" Jerry's mind was completely on Hermione, and he hadn't heard what Snape was saying.

"It seems Mr. Jerry Green doesn't really like this class. The other professors say you're excellent and perform very well in class. Why did you have a problem in this class? If you don't know, just say you don't know like Mr. Pott. It's not shameful."

"Professor Snape, I..."

Before Jerry could finish speaking, Snape interrupted him, saying, "Alright, alright, I'll give you one more chance. If you grind narcissus roots into powder and then add it to wormwood infusion, what kind of potion can you get? Do you know?"

"I can obtain the Water of Life and Death, which is a powerful sleeping pill. Am I right?"

Seeing Jerry's confident look, Snape was annoyed and continued to ask, "Where can I find a piece of dung stone to tell you the difference between Aconitum carmichaelii and Aconitum davidii?"

"Dung stones have a very strong detoxifying effect and can be obtained from the stomach of goats. *Aconitum carmichaelii* and *Aconitum davidii* are the same plant, collectively known as aconite. Professor Snape, am I correct?"

"Sit down. It's nothing special, just rote memorization from the textbook. Slytherin gets a point, and you, Mr. Poot, lose a point from Gryffindor for talking back to the professor."

Upon hearing Snape's words, the Slytherin students cheered.

"Do you all know the answer to the question we just discussed? What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and take notes." Snape's words instantly silenced the somewhat noisy classroom.

"Now, let's continue with Potions class. Today, your task is to prepare a potion to treat boils. This potion is very simple to prepare; you only need to..."

Although Snape was a bit sharp-tongued, there was no denying that he was an absolute master in potions. Jerry watched him explain and demonstrate, his movements and operations were smooth and fluid.

"Now put down your quills, work in pairs, and start configuring according to my steps. I will check before get out of class ends."

Jerry and Hermione teamed up. The two didn't talk much; Hermione dried nettles, while Jerry crushed the snake's fangs. With a clear division of labor, they quickly prepared all the ingredients and began mixing the potion in the crucible.

"Simon, put down your wand, and you bunch of idiots who don't listen to the lesson, put down your textbooks and follow the steps on the blackboard. And Harry, did a troll eat your brain? You forgot one potion."

“Mr. Weasley, even a troll would shake his head pitifully at your brain. Use your eyes to see what I’ve written on the blackboard!”

All the students in the Potions room sprang into action, and Snape also stepped down from the podium, wandering between the students' desks, criticizing wherever he went, especially Harry, who received special attention. Snape walked over to Harry's cauldron, made a few sarcastic remarks, and left, only to return shortly afterward.

Of course, Jerry's cauldron was also frequently inspected by Snape. Sometimes Snape would even pick it up and look at it, and then Snape would leave a simple comment about potions and never come back.

It seems that Jerry's talent in potions is not good enough for Snape, but judging from Snape's attitude, he should be good enough to take his classes.

Just as Jerry was feeling somewhat relieved that Snape hadn't gone on to cause him any more trouble, he heard a "bang," and then a plume of acidic green smoke appeared in the Potions classroom.

Neville accidentally boiled Seamus's cauldron into a twisted and deformed object, spilling all the potion inside onto the stone floor, leaving a scorched mark and a pungent smell throughout the classroom.

The potion not only left irreparable holes in the students' shoes, but also soaked Neville's entire body in it.

With a few hissing sounds, the classroom was filled with gasps of surprise, and all the students quickly jumped onto their stools. The instant the cauldron tipped over, red and swollen boils began to appear all over Neville's body, causing him to cry out in pain.

"Idiot!" Snape cursed, then waved his wand to clean up the spilled potion.

Looking at Neville, whose body was covered in red, swollen boils, Snape asked, "Did you put the porcupine quills in the cauldron while it was still heating up?"

Ignoring Neville's reply, Snape sternly ordered Seamus beside him, "Get him to the school infirmary right now!"

Then Snape said to Harry Ron, who was standing not far away, "Potter, I remember you two weren't friends, why didn't you stop him? Don't you know it's dangerous?"

Harry tried to defend himself, but Snape didn't give him a chance and told him directly that Gryffindor would lose another point because of his behavior.

Harry was a little angry, but luckily Ron pulled him back. Otherwise, the Gryffindor students would have found out tonight that their house points had been reset to zero, something Snape was definitely capable of doing.

An hour later, near the end of get out of class, Snape glanced at the potion prepared by Jerry and Hermione, and expressionlessly added one point to each of the Slytherin and Gryffindor classes.

After class, a dejected Harry and Ron came over to Jerry and the others. Seeing that Hermione also seemed a bit absent-minded, Harry asked curiously, "Hermione, what's wrong? Didn't you already add a point to Gryffindor's score?"

Ron chimed in, "You used to be the most eager to raise your hand in class, but you weren't so active this time. You didn't even react when Snape asked you a question. Are you afraid of Snape too?"

Hermione didn't say anything, glared at Ron, then left with a few books in her arms, her face flushed.

"Hey, did I say anything? Jerry, did you guys have a fight?" Ron asked Jerry, puzzled.

Jerry didn't say much to the two of them. After saying goodbye, he caught up with Hermione.

"Harry, what's wrong with them today?"

"I do not know either."

"get out of class is over, what are you two still doing here? Do you want to stay and clean the classroom?" Snape's voice suddenly appeared behind Harry and Ron, startling them so much that they grabbed their books and ran away.

Snape ignored them and instead watched Jerry and Hermione's figures, his expression thoughtful. The sharpness and coldness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep tenderness.