Chapter 52: Daredevil - Gryffindor

"Well, how do we stop an adult giant creature? We can't beat it. It's too dangerous to confront a giant creature head-on! (It's easy to lose appetite from the stench, and he hasn't had dinner yet.) Plus, with the stench of the giant creature, you can smell it from miles away. Even if someone accidentally encounters it, they'll avoid it in advance, so there won't be any danger. We'd better go find the professors to deal with it," Bell suggested.

Hermione thought for a moment. It was indeed very difficult to deal with a giant creature. Even with Bell's help, they couldn't possibly be a match for the creature. The safest way was indeed to go find the professors.

"Then let's go quickly, Bell."

With that, Hermione grabbed Bell's hand and ran off. They encountered Professor Snape at the next corner.

Hermione didn't like Professor Snape because he always found ways to deduct points from Gryffindor house.

On the other hand, Bell didn't have any bias against Professor Snape. After all, he wasn't from Gryffindor house. They also attended Potions class together with Hufflepuff house. Professor Snape's anger usually didn't rise without seeing Harry Potter's face, so although he was often sarcastic, he was generally approachable.

Moreover, Professor Snape, apart from anything else, earned his title as a master of potions, and following him did indeed provide valuable knowledge.

Regarding the giant creature, even though Hermione didn't like Professor Snape, when it came to serious matters, she didn't hesitate. She was about to tell Professor Snape about the creature when Snape didn't intend to give her the chance.

"Mr. Minashel, and Miss Granger, why are you here?" Snape asked in his characteristic gloomy tone.

"These things are not important now, Professor," Hermione said anxiously. "Just now, a giant creature went that way. Please go catch it!"

Snape glanced in the direction Hermione pointed, then turned back indifferent.

"On the contrary, Miss Granger, I think these things are important!"

"But..."

"No buts! Gryffindor loses 10 points! Now, answer my question!"

Snape glared at them. Of course, he knew a giant creature was roaming nearby, and he also knew why. But with his authority undermined and his power overshadowed, he could only watch helplessly and do nothing.

"Hahaha!"

Bell suddenly burst into laughter, covering his mouth and bending over, trying hard to suppress his laughter.

"Ravenclaw loses 10 points! Mr. Minashel, tell me, what's so funny about what I just said?" Snape snapped.

It was the first time a student had dared to laugh so openly in front of him. Could it be that he had been too lenient lately? Snape felt the need to reinforce his authority, otherwise, how could he control these unruly brats in the future?

"Cough, sorry, Professor, nothing."

Bell took a few deep breaths and finally straightened up. Well, what happened just now was really hilarious. Bell couldn't help but laugh.

"Hmph!"

Snape stared suspiciously at Bell for a while.

"So, now, answer my question. Why are you two here? Professor Dumbledore must have instructed you to return to your common room!"

"Well, in fact, we didn't know what Professor Dumbledore said, Professor," Bell said, shrugging. "Because I don't like noisy environments, and Hermione couldn't bear to see me alone, so she came to accompany me. So, we haven't been to the Great Hall for dinner. As you know, on Halloween, many people like to dress up strangely and suddenly jump out to scare people. I'm afraid I'll reflexively cast a curse and blow the other person away. If it's just severe burns or fractures and such minor injuries, it's okay, but if I accidentally kill a few people, that would be too unpleasant. And even if I don't kill anyone, blowing up flowers and grass is not good either."

Professor Snape and Hermione looked at Bell strangely. What did he mean by "just severe burns or fractures"? Those were not minor injuries! And why did he have to use a blasting curse? There were so many control curses like stupefy or petrificus totalus, why couldn't he just pick one? Was he some kind of terrorist?

"Enough! Stop with the flowery words!" Snape said. "Now, you two immediately return to your own common room!"

"But Professor, the giant creature..."

"I will handle the giant creature! Now! Immediately! Go back! Don't let me say it a third time!"

Bell, pulling a disgruntled Hermione, walked towards the Gryffindor common room. Turning back to look in Snape's direction, Bell showed a smile.

"Unbelievable! That's a giant creature! A giant creature roaming around Hogwarts, and Professor Snape isn't nervous at all when he knows about it? I bet he's hoping that some Gryffindor student encounters the creature and gets killed. He'd be very happy then!"

Hermione complained to Bell as she was being pulled along. It seemed that the young witch had accumulated a lot of resentment towards Snape. But it was understandable, considering she was from Gryffindor house and happened to be in the same year as Harry.

"How can that be? Professor Snape, as a Hogwarts professor, is quite competent, although unpleasant in character."

Bell tried to salvage some dignity for Snape. After all, he did answer some of their questions about potions.

"And how could Professor Snape ensure that it would be a Gryffindor student who encounters the giant creature? What if it's encountered by a Slytherin student? From what I know, Professor Snape does care for his own house students."

"Hmph!"

Hermione's face was full of displeasure.

"It would violate Professor Dumbledore's instructions to sneak out of the common room to seek excitement by finding a giant creature. How could it not be a Gryffindor student?" 

'...' 

It seemed that the young witch had gained a certain understanding of the personalities of her fellow house members. It was unknown what experiences she had gone through so far, but seeing Hermione's weary expression, it was clearly not something fun.

As a student from another house, Bell didn't want to take this further, otherwise, if something happened, he would be in trouble. So, Bell wisely remained silent and hastened his pace towards the Gryffindor common room.

After safely sending Hermione back, he returned to the Ravenclaw common room.