HP North Star's Radiance

Praris tossed her an apple, asking in surprise, "Scared? Still so nervous after the 'exam'?"

“Uh…no.” Astoria shook her head slightly and said softly, “I think you’re a little different.”

Astoria took the apple, used magic to release a fine stream of water to wash it, and then began to eat it.

"What's different?" Praris said lazily. "You made an appointment with Draco? He said something similar."

However, Draco said, "It's not like something you would do."

“I can’t explain it,” Astoria said softly. “Maybe it’s just my imagination… Praris, what did it feel like when you used the Cruciatus Curse on Longbottom?”

As a Slytherin, Astoria couldn't possibly be completely ignorant of dark magic.

But Mr. Greengrass was a typical father who only enjoyed "family bliss" and did nothing productive. His paternal responsibilities only occasionally surfaced, and he would soon peacefully "sleep" again.

Mrs. Greengrass was a mother who favored her youngest daughter.

When it came to her first child, Mrs. Greengrass was a complete novice when it came to Daphne, and she was riding a motorcycle, resulting in a complete car crash.

When it came to the second child, Mrs. Greengrass finally had experience! With experience, the overall experience of raising the child improved. In addition, little Leah was frail and sickly, never cried or fussed, and was well-behaved and obedient, so she needed her mother's attention even more—otherwise, she would have died silently.

In this virtuous cycle, Mrs. Greengrass became more concerned and affectionate towards Astoria.

When Astoria made a friend in Grace, everything turned upside down. Leah became the troublemaker, while Duffy became the well-behaved and trouble-free one. But Mrs. Greengrass still cared more about Leah, because she was busy getting her youngest daughter back to "normal."

For this reason, she once spent a fortune on a bottle of unregistered potion. The merchant claimed it could cure all the rebellious tendencies of pure-blood children, and demanded an exorbitant price of five hundred Galleons—that's about the market price for Felix Felicis.

Before the merchants could even begin to work, Mrs. Greengrass convinced herself – good things are always expensive, and a potion with such miraculous effects would be anything but cheap!

Mrs. Greengrass gritted her teeth and bought it!

—Successfully got Astoria drunk into San Mungo.

This unreliable couple only played a subtle, environmental role in family education. They didn't teach a single child anything, not even black magic or curses.

Prareas blinked and said in a casual tone, "A sense of control, I guess."

"A sense of control?" Astoria didn't understand.

"The feeling of being able to decide a person's life or death," Praris said calmly.

Strangely, Astoria seemed to be at a loss.

Astoria hesitated for a moment, then said seriously, "I thought you would prefer to protect people who are important to you. Just like I want to become stronger so that I can protect Kiki."

This was the rhetoric Praris used to persuade Astoria at the beginning.

“What’s the difference?” Praris didn’t understand. “I have the power to decide a person’s life or death, so who can hurt the people I care about?”

Praris possesses an exceptional memory and analytical ability, immense magical power, a vast reserve of spells, and a talent for potions and divination… How come she hadn't noticed this before? Why did she always have to compromise for her family and loved ones? Why couldn't she just destroy all the "roadblocks"?

Astoria's eyes widened, and she realized with a look of sudden understanding—that's true!

“Praris Praris!” Astoria looked at her expectantly. “Professor Carlo hasn’t taught us how to use the Crucifix Charm yet. Can you teach me?”

“What are you learning, you little kid—” Praris’s words came to an abrupt halt.

No, something's not right.

Was it just a habit? Her subconscious reaction was to prevent Leah, this "little kid," from learning the Cruciatus Curse.

"Ahem." Praris covered up the awkwardness caused by his subconscious reaction. "Lia, you're not old enough yet. You should learn the spells I'm teaching you first!"

Astoria didn't understand: "But Professor Carlo teaches us the same thing in class..."

"Do you trust me?" Praris bluntly asked.

“I believe you,” Astoria answered without hesitation.

Praris patted Astoria's head and said, "Let's not learn this yet, okay?"

Astoria suddenly felt that Praris had reverted to her old self. But Praris was Praris! How could the same person change in such a short time?

Regardless, she chose to trust Praris's decision without hesitation: "Okay!"

Chapter 231 Accusation

The corridor on the eighth floor of Hogwarts Castle.

A middle-aged witch, dressed in a dark green robe, with her hair styled in a high black bun and a serious expression, hurried to the stone statue in front of the headmaster's office.

Professor McGonagall gazed longingly at the door she had opened countless times. She closed her eyes, knowing full well that the scene behind it was no longer the same, then opened them again and walked in with a resolute look.

She came here to find her former student, longtime colleague, and now headmaster of Hogwarts—Severus Snape.

After all, as the Head of Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall couldn't possibly be unaware of what her students were going through, much less remain inactive!

“Professor McGonagall.” Upon seeing the visitor, Snape stood up and said calmly, “It seems you need to see me?”

“Of course, Headmaster Snape.” Professor McGonagall stood ramrod straight, her expression indifferent. “After all, I haven’t forgotten my duties as a Dean.”

Clearly, Professor McGonagall was mocking Snape's actions.

Minerva McGonagall's feelings for Snape were complicated.

On one hand, Harry explicitly stated that he witnessed Snape kill Dumbledore. That same night, Snape knocked Flitwick unconscious and fled with the Death Eaters after the battle. Finally, he was appointed by the Ministry of Magic to replace Dumbledore as Headmaster.

On the other hand, having been colleagues for many years, she believed that there was some affection between Snape and Dumbledore. Dumbledore had given Snape valuable opportunities and sometimes even teased him. Although Snape was unwilling, he would still accept it with a cold face.

Minerva vaguely remembered that a few years ago, everyone gathered together for Christmas. Before lunch, Dumbledore insisted that Snape set off firecrackers, and even hid a witch's hat inside one to amuse him. Although Snape was reluctant and had anticipated Dumbledore's prank, he still accepted the firecracker.

At that time, Minerva looked serious, but she was actually overjoyed inside.

No one expected that Sybil's prophecy would come true again; Prarese's decision back then hadn't changed anything. Sigh, Prarese… Minerva came today, in a way, for the sake of this child.

After Snape became headmaster, Minerva's feelings became even more complicated. She consoled herself that at least the headmaster was chosen from among the Hogwarts professors.

Moreover, after Ginny and her friends failed to steal the Gryffindor sword, Snape simply handed them over to Hagrid for punishment—what difference is there between that and no punishment at all?

Snape's actions rekindled a glimmer of hope in Minerva. She would rather accept that Dumbledore's death was the work of any other Death Eater than that of Severus—Dumbledore had trusted him so much!

But what about now? The Carlo siblings openly allowed one student to use the Unforgivable Curse on another student in school! The last glimmer of hope that Minerva had managed to ignite flickered in the wind, almost vanishing.

“Snape—Headmaster,” Professor McGonagall said, her anger barely contained, her gaze sharp. “I must lodge a strong protest with you regarding the actions of the two Professors Carlow!”

“Is that so?” Snape said calmly. “Tell me about it.”

Professor McGonagall launched her accusation clearly and methodically: "Students have repeatedly told me that Amicus Caro not only coerced students—including underage wizards—into practicing the Cruciatus Curse in class."

“Even more appalling is that the brother and sister used the Crucifixion as a form of punishment on students who disobeyed them, especially during detention and after-school service!”

“This violates both public order and good morals, and it violates the law.” She took a deep breath and said angrily, “This behavior is an outright atrocity! In my nearly forty years of teaching, I have never heard of such a thing! In this Dumbledore—”

When "Dumbledore" was mentioned, Professor McGonagall paused briefly, her body trembling slightly with overwhelming sorrow.

But she quickly regained her composure and said firmly, "In this school that Dumbledore once led, tolerating professors to torture students is unthinkable!"

"As the Vice-Headmaster, Head of Gryffindor House, and a professor with a moral conscience and a responsibility and obligation to protect students, I absolutely cannot tolerate this kind of behavior continuing to occur at Hogwarts!"

“Severus Snape, as headmaster, you must exercise your authority to stop this brutality. The Carol siblings must be ordered to immediately cease this atrocity and stop their erroneous practice of forcing students to learn dark magic!”

"If even the walls of Hogwarts cannot protect our students from harm, then what is the point of this school's existence!"

Professor McGonagall's accusation was long, very formal, complete, severe, and just. During those few minutes, Snape did not interrupt her, but listened silently to Professor McGonagall's heartfelt words.

He slowly sat down, raised his eyes, and his dark eyes were cold and devoid of warmth: "Professor McGonagall."

Snape deliberately ignored the fact that Professor McGonagall used the identity of the vice-principal when she filed her complaint.

"These activities you mentioned are not actually the personal preferences of the two professors. They are requirements of a brand-new curriculum tailored for Hogwarts, in accordance with the Ministry of Magic's new policy."

Professor McGonagall frowned immediately upon hearing the word "event".

With a single word, Snape overturned Professor McGonagall's definition of "atrocity" or "torture," replacing it with the neutral term "activity." The Ministry of Magic's endorsement further dispelled Professor McGonagall's doubts about the legality of their actions.

"In this new era, the weak education and outdated ideas of the past need to be completely discarded. Professors Caro and his colleagues have been entrusted by the Ministry of Magic with the important task of ensuring that our students acquire the necessary practical skills and develop good discipline."

Professor McGonagall could hardly believe that Snape defined the Carrow siblings' requirement for students to learn the Cruciatus Curse as a "practical skill" and their use of torture against students as "cultivating good discipline."

“As for those you received—” Snape drawled, his tone mocking, “student reports, ha!”

“Professor McGonagall, I personally suggest that you be careful about what students say. I have a lot of experience with this; some students always lie and take pleasure in defying school rules.”

"As far as I know, Professors Caro and his ilk are only educating students who openly defy school rules and are keen to spread dangerous rhetoric because they are 'influenced by bad ideas.' As for the punishments they receive... they are merely more effective educational means necessary to correct deeper errors."

According to Snape, the victimized students were actually lying. The Carol siblings' use of the Cruciatus Curse on the students was, in effect, correcting their mistakes.

It's unclear who he was referring to when he said he was "influenced by bad ideas."

“As headmaster, my duty is to maintain the teaching order at Hogwarts and to implement the educational directives issued by the Ministry of Magic. The two Professors Carroll are faithfully fulfilling their duty to educate students. Therefore, your so-called 'accusation' is completely unfounded, and even rather—inappropriate.”

“Professor McGonagall, I sincerely suggest that you pay more attention to your teaching responsibilities, and—” Snape paused for a few seconds, his expression becoming inscrutable, “you’d better carefully consider your position and words.”

"If you continue to interfere unnecessarily with the teaching order of other professors as you do today, it may have negative consequences for you and some students you seem to care about particularly."

What Ministry of Magic? The Ministry of Magic is now completely controlled by the Death Eaters, becoming a machine for Voldemort to carry out his tyranny! All these "Ministries of Magic" are just Voldemort in different names!

Professor McGonagall was very disappointed. She had anticipated that the trip would not go smoothly, but she did not expect Snape to distort the truth and even threaten her!

"That's enough!" Snape said coldly, dismissing Professor McGonagall with an unquestionable tone, not even giving her a chance to continue arguing. "I've said my piece, you can leave now."

“Is that so, Headmaster Snape?” Professor McGonagall did not leave as he “ordered,” but said with disgust, “I think you’ve probably forgotten that Prader is among these students being educated!”

After saying that, Professor McGonagall turned and left without looking back, as if she were afraid of being tainted by something dirty.

Snape sat behind his desk, ignoring Professor McGonagall's words, and continued his unfinished work.

Half an hour later, he put down his quill and his gaze fell on the mug on the table. Two English words were written on the mug: "Potion Master".

The person who gave the cup was sitting in front of Milison's mirror, scrutinizing the person in the mirror with an inquisitive gaze.

Praris looked at "Praris" and silently asked, "When have you experienced the most significant mood swings lately?"

According to the principle of psychological projection, Prarese's perception of others reflects her true inner thoughts.

When a person is alone with nothing to do, it's difficult for them to experience any emotional fluctuations. It's precisely through interaction with others that emotions arise. Once emotions are generated, one can glimpse their true underlying problems.

Praris replied to Praris: "When attacking Na'vi."

It's understandable that she would experience emotional fluctuations when using the Cruciatus Curse on Neville. If she hadn't managed her emotions and maintained her original rational and restrained state, she wouldn't have been able to use the Cruciatus Curse effectively.

"Plares" added, "While chatting with Draco."

At that time, after Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Praris's mood had dropped, and she seemed somewhat down. Draco noticed her unusual behavior and took her to the Black Lake.

On the shores of Black Lake, Praris opened up about her true feelings and discovered that Draco had actually considered becoming family with her.