#67 - Getting Snape's attention

Snape limped up the spiral staircase.

From his pained expression, Moon could tell he wasn't very pleased with the layout of the Headmaster's office.

"Headmaster, we need to talk."

Snape's tone was very serious as he spoke to Dumbledore, then looked at Moon standing to the side.

Seeing Snape's serious expression, Dumbledore smiled at Moon.

"Very well, Mr. Scarlett, your request is tentatively settled. You should receive the reward tomorrow. Now, hurry to the dinner, or the good food will get cold."

"Okay, Headmaster, goodbye."

Moon nodded slightly to the two professors and quickly walked down the stairs.

However, he hadn't even left the door when he heard Snape's voice.

"All the defenses were good, except that the troll got out. It's too suspicious!"

By the time Moon stepped outside, the conversation inside was barely audible.

"Defenses? Suspicious?"

These two words flashed in Moon's mind. Although he found it suspicious, he didn't dwell on it.

After all, school matters were the responsibility of the Headmaster and professors. With that thought, Moon ran quickly towards the Great Hall.

......

"I told you a long time ago that Quirrell was not trustworthy, but you insisted on bringing that guy in."

Snape's voice was stern and full of doubt, completely unlike the tone a professor should use with the Headmaster.

"Alright, Severus, I will consider Quirinus's matter. As for you, is your leg alright? Should you go see Madam Pomfrey?"

Dumbledore didn't mind Snape's tone. He was only concerned about Snape's bleeding right leg.

"I don't need your concern. I'll brew some potions myself."

"Oh, very well. Did you deal with the troll?"

"Of course. I cast multiple binding spells on it and dosed it with a sleeping draught. It won't wake up for three days."

"You always handle things so reassuringly."

Dumbledore smiled as he spoke, but Snape didn't seem to appreciate it.

"Headmaster, you should pay more attention to that strange Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!"

"Quirinus, ah. He fainted in the Great Hall just now and should be lying in the Hospital Wing. I'll go see him later."

"I'm not talking about visiting him. I'm saying he's likely up to no good. The defenses you've put in place are no longer reliable."

After Snape finished speaking impolitely, Dumbledore pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke again.

"Alright, I'll notify the other professors to strengthen the defenses. As for Quirinus, now that the troll has escaped, send it back where it came from."

Seeing that Dumbledore had finally made up his mind, Snape simply grunted heavily, without further objection.

"Are you sure you don't need to have your leg looked at again, Severus?"

"There's no need. The wound caused by that three-headed dog isn't easy to heal. The potions in the Hospital Wing won't have any effect, as for spell recovery... ha, I'd rather do it myself."

Hearing Snape's arrogant tone, looking down on the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore rarely didn't retort, but smiled knowingly.

"It seems that hiring you to be the Potions professor was a wise move."

Snape only snorted coldly at Dumbledore's self-praise, glancing sideways at him.

Everyone at Hogwarts now knew that he wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but Dumbledore, as Headmaster, had never allowed it, which made him very resentful.

"Alright, Headmaster, if there's nothing else, I'm going back to brew potions."

Without waiting for Dumbledore to speak, Snape had already stood up and walked towards the staircase.

"Oh, you might have to endure it for a little while longer, Severus."

Hearing that Dumbledore still had something to say, Snape stopped in his tracks and turned around with a livid face.

"I've already consulted Minerva and Pomona, and now I'd like to consult your opinion."

Hearing that Dumbledore had consulted the two Heads of House, Snape's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He guessed it must be something important.

"Please speak, Headmaster."

"Oh, don't be so serious. I just think that as Mr. Scarlett's Potions professor, you should know something about him."

"Scarlett? That Moon Scarlett who just walked out."

Snape had thought Dumbledore would have something important to say, but he hadn't expected it to be about a first-year wizard.

This made him feel absurd for some reason.

Sensing the change in Snape's tone, Dumbledore smiled and continued to explain.

"That's right. Tonight, while you were inspecting the defenses, Mr. Scarlett single-handedly subdued the troll."

"That's impossible!"

Snape's tone was very certain.

A first-year, little Gryffindor subduing a troll?

In Snape's opinion, he'd rather believe that Quirrell wasn't suspicious at all.

"But that's the truth, Severus. Even Filius testified for him, five or more 'Locking Spells'."

Hearing Dumbledore mention Professor Flitwick's name, Snape pondered for a moment.

He remembered the two professors' chat in the staff dining hall yesterday.

At that time, Flitwick was vigorously proving this little Gryffindor's spell talent.

Thinking of this, Snape calmed down and slowly walked back to the chair and sat down.

"Five or more 'Locking Spells'? If that's the case, it could indeed penetrate the troll's thick skin."

"That's right. Although the troll's skin is also very tough, it's far less magically resistant than dragon hide, so I'd like to ask, is it possible for this Mr. Scarlett to do it?"

Before Dumbledore could even ask, Snape was already recalling all of Moon's performance in Potions class over the past two months.

Solid knowledge, but only capable of rote memorization!

High potion success rate, but nothing outstanding!

Respectful of professors, but always wanting to help others!

......

Snape's evaluation of a person carried a serious 'House bias,' but regarding Moon's performance in Potions class, he was very accurate.

"If Professor Flitwick said he cast five spells in a row, I think it's possible."

"Why do you say that?"

"That little Gryff..."

Looking up and seeing Dumbledore still smiling, Snape pursed his lips and continued.

"This little wizard's technique is very steady when brewing potions. His partner is a clumsy student, but he can always remedy the situation in time."

Snape emphasized the words "clumsy."

"Although he handles the ingredients rigidly according to the book, the potions he brews can only be ordinary."

"But he doesn't make a single mistake in every step, especially his technique is too clean and efficient, without any procrastination."

......

Snape's evaluation of a person carried a serious 'House discrimination,' but regarding Moon's performance in Potions class, he was very accurate.

"Then it seems there's really nothing to suspect ~"

After Snape finished speaking, Dumbledore stared intently out the window, then blurted out a sentence.

Snape was also a little puzzled at this time. He had been teaching Moon for a long time.

Besides discovering that this little Gryffindor had the qualities of a good person, he really hadn't found anything suspicious.

But he knew that Dumbledore never did anything meaningless.

Since he said so, then Moon must have some problem.