After Aaron said goodbye to Hermione, he headed to the castle first.
However, as soon as Aaron stepped into the foyer, he met someone he definitely didn't want to see.
The man was wearing a flowing black robe, his eyes were also black, and his long greasy hair stuck to his forehead like a curtain.
Severus Snape.
He walked through the hall as quietly as a bat, holding a prophet's forecast in his hand, and his steps were hurried, as if he was in a hurry to confirm something.
At this time, the two met.
As soon as they met, Snape was stunned. His big aquiline nose twitched slightly, indicating that he was not calm.
Aaron touched his nose, feeling a little embarrassed. Frankly speaking, the teacher he had the most trouble with when he was in school was Snape. Compared to the constant praise from other teachers, Snape was almost an extreme outlier. His pair of deep black eyes seemed to want to pick out every moment. It's my own fault.
It's a pity that Aaron's performance in Potions class is absolutely considered a unique genius. No student can match him. The potions he prepares are always so perfect that even Snape can't find any mistakes.
So he couldn't do it in class, so Snape had to study after class. Aaron had been keenly interested in creating potion formulas since he was in school, and often secretly conducted experiments alone.
At this time, Snape's big and long nose came into use - as if he could smell the smell of potions, he could always rush to the scene to ridicule Aaron when he failed, like It’s like trying to make up for what you lost during class.
But ridicule is ridicule, and Aaron did notice several differences between Snape and other Gryffindors:
First of all, although Snape often caught Aaron brewing potions indiscriminately, he never deducted points from Aaron for this.
Secondly, after every taunt, Snape would put Aaron in confinement. The content of the confinement usually consisted of beating him while Snape was preparing potions. At this time, Snape would often spit out a lot of words like a barrage. He never taught knowledge in class, and then suddenly asked Aaron a question a few days later - Aaron always answered fluently.
As time passed, an invisible tacit understanding was even formed between the two of them——
When Aaron failed to try a new formula, Snape arrested him to help him. During the period, the two of them were at odds with each other. Snape could always inadvertently provide Aaron with inspiration for the next formula attempt. Then Aaron continued to make mistakes, Snape continued to catch him, and so on.
And now, this pair of masters and apprentices, who have extremely strange ways of getting along, meet again.
Snape's pace suddenly slowed down, and he walked slowly around Aaron, his lips opening and closing slightly, and his eyes bright. It was as if it had been too long and the part of his brain that was mocking Aaron needed some time to warm up.
A moment later - after the warm-up was completed, Snape said in his unique voice, which was only slightly higher than a whisper but clear:
"Aaron Custer...I thought Dumbledore was just joking with me, but I didn't expect that he actually recruited you. I think he is probably old. He is somewhere." It’s easy to get confused about some things.”
Aaron smiled slightly and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone:
"I don't think so. Professor Dumbledore is a respectable wise man. Since he is willing to accept me into this school, it proves that I do have some talents that Hogwarts really needs."
"Talent?"
A dry and hard laugh burst from Snape's throat:
"Believe me, Aaron, if I could make the decision, there would be no place for you in Hogwarts - there are already too many fools and egomaniacs here."
As he spoke, he raised the Daily Prophet in his hand. On the daily paper was a photo of a speeding car passing through the clouds.
"I also want to believe that if one day it is really your turn to be the professor at Hogwarts, it will definitely be more terrifying than bringing in some arrogant and reckless ghosts." Aaron seemed to have regained his ability to work in Hogwarts. The feeling in Snape's office, he retorted without hesitation.
"I don't think I taught you to contradict the teacher back then?"
"I know this skill without a teacher, so I won't bother you to teach me."
"Yes, yes, self-taught..." Snape's eyes flickered, as if he had entered combat mode, and his brain was running at high speed:
"How I wish you could learn a little humility and prudence without any teacher, instead of trying those whimsical and boring ideas day after day?"
"You are right. I'm so glad that I can still listen to your teachings after so many years of graduation." Aaron said with a smile:
"Speaking of which, I have a Slytherin half-blood friend who has quite a few problems. As the dean, would you be willing to take the time to give him some guidance?"
Judging from Snape's reaction, Aaron seemed to have ended the game.
His sallow face no longer had the relaxed and sarcastic expression it had just now, but turned into a cold seriousness. He opened his mouth several times, but unfortunately nothing came out.
"It seems that you still have something to do, Professor Snape?" Aaron turned sideways and made a gesture of giving way: "Please, I want to go to the auditorium to see if there is anything I can do to help. place.”
Snape seemed to have just woken up from a long dream. He gave Aaron a vicious look, then turned around and hurried outside, as if he couldn't wait to find something to vent his anger on.
Aaron, on the other hand, was in a happy mood after winning this short encounter, humming a tune and walked towards the Great Hall of Hogwarts.
As soon as you open the door, the first thing you see is the unique ceiling - it has been enchanted to look like the sky outside. Hundreds of candles were suspended above, lighting up the entire auditorium.
There are four long tables in the auditorium, prepared for students from the four colleges respectively - Aaron is familiar with this. He has enjoyed food at these long tables for seven years, participated in celebrations, and witnessed every session. The arrival of new life.
Now, he stepped into this auditorium again, but this time, he was no longer the person at the long table.
At the teacher's seat at the front of the auditorium, some figures were already sitting - Dumbledore's long silver beard was particularly conspicuous among them, and a very coquettish wizard wearing a sky blue cloak was also among them, politely speaking with him. Professor Flitwick beside him said something, not caring about the latter's serious face.
Aaron walked towards the teacher's chair, and Dumbledore noticed him first. He smiled and said hello:
"Nice to meet you, Castor. I think you must have prepared a surprise for us to look forward to during this holiday, right?"
As he spoke, he blinked his eyes like an old naughty boy.
McGonagall was not present. As the vice-principal, she needed to arrange the up and down matters of the banquet. She would also have to pick up the new students and arrange the sorting. Dumbledore usually didn't care about these things. In his words:
"Hogwarts and I would like to place our highest trust in Minerva."
Therefore, compared to Dumbledore, the vice principal who always cleans up the situation appears to be much more serious.
However, she was also very happy when she saw Aaron: "Professor Custer, do you need someone to help you clean up the office? I need to remind you that it has been collecting dust there for a while."
"Thank you for your kindness, Professor McGonagall. I'll go take a look myself first. If you need help, I won't be polite."
Aaron responded politely.
"Then hurry up and take your seats, the banquet is about to start." The corners of Mag's mouth turned up, obviously she was in a good mood.
