16 Chapter 16: Invited

Next, everyone was divided into two groups by Professor Snape. In order to prevent Hermione from helping Harry, Professor Snape puts Hermione in the same group as Arthur.

Arthur's desk mate, Michael Corner, also a Ravenclaw student, was assigned to work with Hermione's desk mate, Lavender Brown.

Arthur looked at the girl in front of him. Her messy hair couldn't hide her pretty face, and her front teeth were slightly distracted by her beauty.

But it also made the girl look more pretty.

'Yes, she's a cute girl.'

Arthur nodded friendly at Hermione and started to concentrate on the ingredients in front of him, er, medicinal ingredients.

Hermione, on the other hand, seemed a little hesitant to speak. But finally she spoke.

"Arthur Gaunt, did you go to the Garden Primary School when you were in elementary school?"

Arthur looked up in surprise and looked at Hermione.

"Yes, I graduated from Garden Primary School. How did you know?"

Hermione breathed a long sigh of relief, and her answer was finally confirmed.

"I heard your name during the sorting ceremony, and I guessed it was you," she quickly replied.

Then she extended her hand boldly. "Nice to meet you. I'm Hermione Granger, your elementary school classmate. But I was in Class 4. I heard about your story back then. You barely came to school, but you got full marks in every subject every time you showed up."

Arthur suddenly realized that Hermione was his former classmate in elementary school. He had not recognized her because he had been busy making money and had hardly attended school.

Arthur also reached out his hand and shook Hermione's hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Granger," Arthur said.

"Just call me Hermione. And by the way, you used to beat me in primary school, but now that we're both here at Hogwarts, I won't give up until I'm better than you," Hermione said with determination in her eyes.

(She meant their grades)

Arthur smiled and didn't take her words too seriously. He found the girl in front of him quite cute.

"Mr. Gaunt, if I were you, instead of flirting with your classmate, I'd be putting the powdered snake's fang into the cauldron right now," Professor Snape interrupted.

Professor Snape's cold voice came from the side, making Hermione blush.

But Arthur had thick skin and calmly mixed the powdered snake fangs into the cauldron.

Professor Snape gave up his attack on Arthur when he saw that he was not affected. He then glances over to Harry like a bat, keeping a close eye on his every move, ready to swoop at any moment.

And so, an hour later, the group of young wizards walked out of the potions classroom with unhappy faces.

Especially Harry, who had been targeted by Snape and was now stunned and confused. He had a look on his face like he had been played.

Just a moment ago, Professor Snape had deducted 5 points from Gryffindor because of Harry's wrong handling of the ingredients.

Meanwhile, Arthur stayed behind to have a chat with Professor Snape after seeing Harry's state. He didn't want to be watched by him, not that he was afraid, but it was still a pain in the ass.

"Mr. Gaunt, I think it's time for you to leave my classroom now. Are you trying to get me to give you detention by staying here?"

He began again, Professor Snape started up again with too much hostility.

Arthur wasn't going to back down either, getting straight to the point.

"Professor, I think we should talk."

Professor Snape didn't speak but stared at the young man with his coldly eyes.

Arthur continued speaking. "I'm sorry about what happened at the Sorting Ceremony, but as you saw, the Sorting Hat's decision was very quick. Although I come from the Gaunt family, I'm a half-blood. From what I understand, Slytherin isn't very welcoming to students like me."

"For me, Ravenclaw is a better choice, both for myself and for the other students in Slytherin."

Having said all that, Arthur looked at Professor Snape, waiting for his response.

Professor Snape's expression didn't change in the slightest. He just stood there, silently looking at Arthur.

The whole classroom fell silent for a moment, and Arthur could even hear Snape's breathing.

It was uncertain how long it took, but Professor Snape finally spoke up.

"Mr. Gaunt, there are some things I can let go, but the behavior of certain students is not something I can control, even as their head of the house."

Arthur let out a sigh of relief as the matter was finally resolved. He still wanted to build a good relationship with Professor Snape and learn more about potions.

"Of course, Professor. I only care about your attitude toward me. As for others, they don't matter. I'll take my leave now." Arthur said, bowing slightly before leaving the classroom.

Professor Snape watched as Arthur walked away, silent for a long time. His deep gaze fixed on the distance.

'If...if I could have been like him back then, Lily, would our ending be different?' Professor Snape muttered to himself, his eyes welling up with tears.

...

Professor Snape continued to think, but Arthur was unaware of his thoughts as he was blocked by Fred and George.

"Ah, good afternoon, Master Gaunt," Fred and George said with high tones and silly gestures as they greeted Arthur.

Arthur rolled his eyes and said, "What's up?"

Fred put his arm around Arthur's shoulder and said, "We sincerely invite you to join our little party. It's on Saturday night at twelve o'clock, on the right side of the fourth-floor hall. Don't miss it."

Arthur was a little curious about what the twins were up to, but he didn't have anything else to do, so he agreed to go with them.

When Fred and George saw how quickly Arthur replied, they walked away together.

After saying goodbye to the two pranksters, Arthur rushed to the Great Hall, ate a few bites of lunch, and went to his History of Magic class.

His Professor, Professor Binns, was a ghost who talked boringly, causing everyone to nap. Arthur couldn't bear it and fell asleep after just ten minutes.

He was soon encountered by Hermione's disapproving glare.

Meanwhile, on the eighth floor in the Headmaster's office, Professor Snape and Headmaster Dumbledore were sitting facing each other, about to discuss Arthur.

...

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