Chapter 841: Chapter 716: Snape’s Double Standards
Because they had wasted some time talking, Kael and Conna walked quickly and managed to reach the classroom just before the class started.
At this point, Snape had already arrived early and was standing at the front of the classroom, scrutinizing the two who had just entered with a critical gaze.
To be honest, ever since he learned a few days ago that Conna had sneaked back from France, Snape hadn’t been in a good mood.
But what could he do? When he first found out someone had sent Conna back, he stormed into the Headmaster’s Office to see who was meddling in such affairs.
But upon seeing Nicolas Flamel, with his head full of white hair and walking unsteadily, Snape’s anger dissipated. Not only did he refrain from saying any harsh words, but he also thanked Nicolas repeatedly as he escorted him out of the school.
There was nothing he could do; regardless of reputation, the man’s age was not something Snape could contend with—over six hundred years old! He looked as if a gust of wind could easily blow him over.
What if he frightened him into some sort of ailment just by raising his voice?
So Snape held back and respectfully saw Nicolas Flamel out of the school.
But that didn’t mean the matter was over.
Snape was well aware that a significant reason why Conna returned from France was Kael. Now that the two had met, he naturally wasn’t going to be friendly.
"What are you standing there for?" Snape said coldly, as if he were looking at potion materials that had jumped out of their jar, "If you’re late, find a seat quickly. Do I have to invite you to sit?"
"Understood, Professor." Kael quickly pulled Conna to a seat in the last row.
This made Snape’s face look even more displeased.
But Kael was not afraid; instead, he provocatively raised an eyebrow.
At that moment, Snape wished for the first time that he was purely a Death Eater with no ties to Dumbledore... so he could unabashedly use Sectumsempra to give Kael a haircut.
Of course, that was just Snape’s perspective.
The fact was, Kael was merely looking around the classroom; he hadn’t expected Snape to imprint his characteristics on the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom so quickly.
All the windows were covered, and with thick curtains no less, leaving the room dimly lit by candlelight.
There were new pictures on the wall, depicting people suffering from Dark Magic, as well as gruesome wounds and bizarrely twisted body parts.
These images corresponded to the various potion materials floating in jars in the underground classroom, with an emphasis on horror.
"Before we begin, I have something to tell you, and I hope you’ll concentrate and remember what I say."
Snape no longer looked at Kael, as if choosing to ignore him. He turned his head aside and said, "So far, you’ve already had six teachers for this class. Or maybe it’s seven."
Snape was referring to Tonks, who had been substituting since Umbridge left the school, although she refused to acknowledge her status as a teacher.
"Needless to say, each teacher had their own teaching methods and focus," Snape said languidly as he stepped down from the platform, "but as far as I know, none of them taught you what to do when you really face Dark Magic."
"Professor Moody taught us." A voice emerged from the crowd.
"So, Mr. Drake has encountered real Dark Magic, is that it?" Snape sharply turned his head, "Or do you think you can easily defeat the Death Eaters and don’t need to waste time in my class?"
Mikel immediately bowed his head and said nothing.
"Five points from Hufflepuff," Snape said coolly, "Remember, in my class, raise your hand before answering questions."
"Alastor Moody, as a professor, was indeed competent and did apply to the Headmaster, believing it necessary for you to face Dark Magic firsthand."
Snape continued, "But as far as I know, the Headmaster rejected his request because you were not of age and were not suited to such early exposure to Dark Magic."
The classroom buzzed with whispers; some recalled that Professor Moody had also mentioned Dumbledore disagreeing with him demonstrating Dark Magic in class.
"But now it’s different. You are seventh-year students, and the situation has changed drastically..." Snape raised his voice slightly, "Whether you like it or not, you must face the threat of Dark Magic.
"You must learn how to resist the Imperio Curse or the Dementor that could give you a ’kiss’ at any moment."
"Professor!" a female student raised her hand, "But haven’t the Dementors disappeared?"
"No, they haven’t," Snape replied, "The Ministry of Magic’s efforts have indeed curbed the Dementors’ excesses, but they haven’t eradicated them. There are far more of these creatures than you might think."
He walked around to the other side of the classroom, heading toward the lectern, and as he turned, he glanced pointedly in Kael’s direction.
"Perhaps I should give you a taste of the real Unforgivable Curses, so you can gain a clearer understanding of the Death Eaters.
"Oh, and as seventh-year students, I suppose there’s no need for me to help you recall what the Unforgivable Curses are, is there? Does anyone still not know?"
No one spoke.
"Very good, it seems you’re not entirely hopeless idiots," Snape nodded.
"Then let’s choose the Crucio Curse. To let you observe the effect of this curse more directly..." Snape paused, then continued in a voice more gentle than ever before, "Kael, would you mind helping me out?"
