Chapter 46: The Second Clash with Snape

"Consequently, because of Harry Potter's recklessness in placing his classmates in danger, Gryffindor will be docked twenty points."

The cheering on the Gryffindor side instantly ceased.

The Slytherin students cheered even louder, the girls looking exceptionally smug.

Harry stood rooted to the spot, embarrassed and guilty, completely at a loss. He knew he had caused this commotion and brought trouble upon everyone.

"Don't be so down, Harry. It was just an accident this time. Trust me, there are no Whomping Willows on the Quidditch pitch. You're going to make an exceptional Seeker because you've got superior genes." Chu Yang gently wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulder, comforting him quietly in his ear.

"Chu Yang is right!" Ron chimed in encouragingly from the side. "You're the fastest learner and flyer next to Chu Yang, and nobody else can compare to you!"

Harry scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly. Ron was clearly trying to comfort him, but why did it sound so strange?

"Ron, your words don't sound the least bit comforting!" Hermione said, frowning with mild disgust. "Next time you try to comfort someone, please try putting yourself in their shoes!"

Ron looked utterly bewildered.

"Allow me to interrupt your conversation." Professor McGonagall walked over. "I need Mr. Potter to step away with me for a moment."

"Of course, Professor McGonagall!" Harry answered nervously, then followed her away from the Great Hall.

"He hasn't even eaten yet..." Ron muttered, then clutched his stomach. "And I'm starving, too!"

After wolfing down his dinner, Chu Yang tried to head toward the Forbidden Forest under the cover of darkness to check on the mutated Whomping Willow, only to be blocked at the doorway by a hurriedly approaching Professor McGonagall.

"I recall the school having a rule that students are not permitted to wander the grounds freely after dark," Professor McGonagall's stern voice echoed in Chu Yang's ears. "Am I correct, Mr. Chu?"

Chu Yang offered an embarrassed smile. "Yes, Professor."

"Headmaster Dumbledore was right. Your head is full of mischievous ideas, and I need to keep a close eye on you at all times." Seemingly anticipating a very exhausting future, Professor McGonagall wearily rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Now—go back to your dormitory, this instant!"

"Good evening, Professor McGonagall." Chu Yang attempted to salvage his image with an innocent smile, but Professor McGonagall remained unmoved, staring at him coldly. With no other choice, Chu Yang had to skirt around her and head toward the dark, damp dungeons.

In the span of just two days, the surprises Chu Yang had delivered to Dumbledore were arguably a bit excessive, leaving the elderly headmaster with no choice but to guard against him strictly.

Upon returning to the Slytherin common room, Chu Yang found the place unusually quiet.

Looking closer, he spotted Professor Snape sitting straight in an armchair.

"Good evening, Professor Snape." Chu Yang greeted him amiably, feeling a mild flicker of surprise. Snape rarely ever visited the common room area.

"Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to arrange a double room for you. I must say, your influence carries quite some weight, Mr. Chu." Snape stood up, his tone as barbed as ever.

"Headmaster Dumbledore likely did this to ensure the Slytherin freshmen don't end up monopolizing the hospital wing," Chu Yang retorted without missing a beat. "If by the end of the term I were the only Slytherin boy left attending classes, it would reflect poorly on the House's reputation."

Snape's face darkened; Chu Yang's sharp tongue always exceeded his expectations.

Having achieved his goal of irritating the professor, Chu Yang didn't forget to offer a sweetening gesture. "Professor, I secured twenty points for Slytherin today, making up for the points that were docked earlier."

"Do I need to offer you my congratulations?" Snape sneered, though his expression softened considerably. He turned and strode quickly toward the spiral staircase. "Follow me. I'll show you to your new quarters, but let me warn you beforehand: do not start any more conflicts with your roommate!"

Chu Yang followed closely behind Snape, offering a polite and courteous smile. "I promise, as long as he doesn't provoke me, I certainly won't make the first move."

Snape acted as though he hadn't heard the promise, which was practically the same as not hearing it at all.

Double rooms in Slytherin were generally reserved for upperclassmen, located quite close to the prefects' quarters.

Much like the prefects' single rooms, the double room featured an independent washroom, eliminating the need to share facilities with others.

The room was exceptionally spacious, offering the space meant for six people split between just two occupants.

Two large beds stood on opposite sides, each occupying a position by a window.

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

"From now on, this is your new room. I hope you'll behave and stay here peacefully; I have no desire to change your room a second time within a single term." Snape narrowed his eyes. "I trust you understand my meaning, Mr. Chu."

"I've received quite enough warnings for one day, Professor Snape." Having dropped his previous agreeable demeanor, Chu Yang replied coldly. "Have a good evening!"

Snape let out a cold snort and turned on his heel. He had originally intended to ask for details about the accident during today's flying lesson, but Chu Yang's attitude made him abandon the idea.

Deep down, Snape actually appreciated Chu Yang quite a bit. First, because of the extraordinary learning ability Chu Yang displayed; second, because of his bravery and composure, which far exceeded those of his peers.

Having taught for so many years, Snape had never seen an eleven-year-old child who could stand toe-to-toe with a professor in a verbal sparring match without losing ground, remaining neither servile nor overbearing.

Yet, strangely enough, even with such appreciation, Snape found himself easily provoked by the boy. Aside from the sharp words, Snape sensed an attitude of condescension from Chu Yang—a sense of superiority that seemed to place him above wizards altogether.

As if his very existence was far more noble than that of a wizard!

Snape found this both baffling and irritating.

Snape had no way of knowing that a portion of Chu Yang's sense of superiority stemmed from the cheat abilities he possessed.

Another part of it came from his knowledge of the future of the non-magical world.

Wizard supremacy might still hold sway for now, but their glory would sooner or later become a relic of the past. Modern science was advancing at a pace wizards could scarcely comprehend.

Meanwhile, the magical world remained stagnant for years, compounded by the archaic mindsets of most wizards—everything about it reeked of decay.