#409 - Chapter 409: The Exam in Memory

"Enter!"

As Snape's voice faded, the door burst open with a bang, and Karkaroff strode in.

"Severus, I... Oh, excuse me, are you tutoring a student? Isn't this the champion, Harry Potter?"

Seeing Harry with Snape, Karkaroff's eyes lit up for a moment, but he quickly concealed it, leaving only a hint of well-placed surprise on his face.

Harry couldn't help but frown. Although the other party's expression showed no obvious hostility, that look made him feel very uncomfortable. There was something in the other party's eyes that he couldn't decipher, as if the fact that he was studying with Professor Snape was something novel.

At that moment, Harry had a strong urge to use Legilimency to see what the other party was thinking, but he forcibly restrained himself. Karkaroff was, after all, the headmaster of a school, and if he were caught in the act, he would be disgracing Hogwarts.

Snape seemed to notice some subtle changes in Karkaroff's eyes as well. He sat in his chair, his hands gently clasped, his tone cold and with a hint of barely concealed impatience.

"Potter is my assistant. I am giving him some work-related instructions, Karkaroff. If you have something to say, please get to the point and don't waste time on unnecessary pleasantries."

Karkaroff glanced at Snape, then turned his gaze to Harry, hesitating, "Er... this matter..."

"Potter," Snape pointed to the bedroom door, "go to the room and wait for a moment. I'll receive Headmaster Karkaroff first."

Harry nodded, didn't ask any further, stood up and walked towards Snape's bedroom.

After confirming that the door was completely closed, Snape raised his wand and cast a Muffliato towards the bedroom door, then he looked at Karkaroff, signaling him to begin speaking.

"Severus, your relationship with this savior is somewhat unusual..."

"Get to the point," Snape said coldly, "My time is precious."

"It's like this," Karkaroff restrained some of his smile, cleared his throat, "I wanted to ask, have you mentioned to Dumbledore the matter I asked you about yesterday?"

Heh—

Here he comes, acting again.

He's treating me like a pushover.

Does he really think I'm that easy to fool?

Snape's lips curled up, inviting the other party to sit down, preparing to play along.

Meanwhile, Harry looked around Snape's bedroom, wanting to find a chair to sit on.

Although the room wasn't large, it was well-organized, exuding a delicate sense of austerity. The stone walls were as black as ink, and the magical lamp on the ceiling emitted a soft light, enveloping the room in an understated yet steady atmosphere.

Along one side of the wall was a black desk produced by Swan Alchemists, the texture of the tabletop gleaming delicately under the light, obviously well-maintained. Several thick potion books and a small ink bottle were neatly arranged on the desk, and in the very center of the desk was a strange artifact he had never seen before.

It was a shallow basin, the walls of which were covered in ancient runes, flowing with a faint silver light. The silver substance in the basin rotated continuously, the ripples flowing like tiny starlight, occasionally rippling with faint spots of light, as if some unspeakable power was surging within.

What is this?

Harry's heart was filled with curiosity, as this was the first time he had seen such a peculiar alchemical item.

He took two steps forward, came to the table, and used his wand to sense it with his magic.

Hmm, it's not a dark magic item, and there's no dangerous feeling. It seems this is just an ordinary alchemical item.

He gently poked the substance in the basin with the tip of his wand, and instantly, the silver substance began to spin rapidly, until it became transparent.

This scene looks a bit familiar.

Harry leaned over and examined it carefully, confirming that it was looking at the Great Hall from a bird's-eye view.

Interesting, is this an alchemical item used by professors to catch students wandering around at night? Like the Marauder's Map from the twins?

Can only see the Great Hall?

Can it see other places?

How does it work?

Harry couldn't help but reach out and gently touched the Great Hall in the basin.

Then, he felt himself spinning and falling rapidly in the darkness until he stood firmly in the center of the Great Hall.

The four house tables were gone, replaced by over a hundred small tables arranged neatly, each with a student sitting in front of it.

They bowed their heads over their desks, quills moving quickly across the parchment, creating a soft rustling sound. Occasionally someone would turn a piece of parchment or adjust their posture, those subtle movements seemed to be amplified infinitely, clearly audible in the silent hall.

The tall windows filled the entire hall with sunlight, the light penetrating the dust in the air, projecting onto the top of each bowed head.

Huh? This is indeed the Great Hall, but it's not the current Great Hall. It's night now, there wouldn't be this kind of sunlight.

This scene seems like an exam, and the feeling here is like watching a movie at the Hogsmeade cinema.

Harry's mind suddenly recalled a sentence the ticket seller used to introduce different movies: "Traverse between various characters, personally experience all the details of the movie, just like using a Pensieve."

So... this is a Pensieve?

In other words, this is Professor Snape's memory, he's taking his O.W.L.s!

Then where is Professor Snape?

Harry looked around and found that the boy on his right looked strangely familiar.

This is... the young Professor Snape!!!

Harry rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't mistaken.

The professor in front of him was wearing a school uniform, about fifteen or sixteen years old, about the same age as himself, his physique looked very sturdy, and his face was a little pale.

However, his hair wasn't long and hanging down his shoulders like it is now, but rather much shorter, looking about the same length as Ron's and Malfoy's hair, and he had a very trendy hairstyle.

In short, he looked so different from now that Harry couldn't believe it was the same person for a moment.

He looks much more handsome like this than he does now. Why did the professor change his hairstyle?

Harry was extremely excited, feeling like he had discovered a new continent.

Since Professor Snape is here, then Professor Swan, Aunt Mia, and my mom and dad must also be here, after all, they were all in the same grade.

Sure enough, in the position to Snape's left front, Harry found the young Sebastian. He didn't look very different from now, except that he was much more youthful overall. His test paper was densely written, and he was currently doing a final check.

Continuing forward, Harry recognized the young Aunt Mia, his mother, and a boy with messy black hair.