Harry Potter: Shadow Eminence

Chapter 20

"Good evening, Professor Snape," Brian greeted with perfect manners.

"What have you been up to?" Snape regarded him with his cold, empty eyes, which softened slightly.

"Ah, I visited Professor Quirrell's office," Brian replied honestly. "You know, Professor Quirrell's lectures always leave me a bit perplexed."

Snape nodded, making it difficult to discern his true thoughts. In a smooth voice laced with sarcasm, he remarked, "If his lecture confuses you, I doubt Quirrell can clarify anything for you at his level. Instead, you can come and ask me."

"Okay, thank you, Professor Snape." Brian displayed the most suitable smile.

As he watched Snape glide away like a large black bat, Brian mused, "So he's worried about me, wanting me to steer clear of the dangerous Quirrell?"

"How awkward; someone unaware might think he's still obsessed with the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, wanting to indulge himself."

However, this was good news for him; at least Snape's expertise in Defense Against the Dark Arts was undoubtedly exceptional, and he could learn a great deal.

Brian spent a day organizing all the Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions knowledge he wanted to clarify, adding some questions that Hermione had mentioned in her letter. On the afternoon of the third day, after Potions class, Brian knocked on the door of Snape's office.

The office was a dimly lit space, with the light casting a somewhat greenish tint. Shelves were filled with colorful potion bottles, peculiar plant and animal specimens, and various ingredients.

Brian felt somewhat relieved that he didn't find any specimens of silver-scaled snakes inside.

Snape was seated behind his desk, examining a scroll of parchment. In a low, smooth voice, he said, "Have a seat, Brian."

"Okay, Professor." Brian sat down properly, observing Snape roll up the parchment and set it aside.

Snape directed his gaze towards him, and Brian knew he could now ask questions.

"Professor, I would like to ask you some questions about Defense Against the Dark Arts…" Brian said with wide, innocent, eager eyes.

Brian listed his questions one by one, and Snape was always able to identify the issues succinctly, leaving Brian feeling suddenly enlightened.

Compared to Snape's teaching level, Quirrell's was simply inadequate!

"Your knowledge level impresses me, Brian," Snape remarked at the end.

"Your knowledge base is even more remarkable, Professor," Brian replied warmly, "You are the best professor in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions."

Snape's expression visibly softened a bit.

"I know your father, Brian," he said. "In fact, he sends gifts every Christmas."

"Father always takes his friends seriously," Brian smiled. It seemed Snape was one of the many friends his father mentioned.

"Yes, he does seem to be that way," Snape sighed lightly.

Mr. Albert Walker always spoke to people according to their status.

Mr. Walker could make individuals feel as if they were enjoying spring breezes or make them grit their teeth in anger. There was no doubt he found the best way to interact with Professor Snape; Snape probably wasn't adept at dealing with enthusiastic friends.

Brian exited Snape's office and gently closed the door.

He took a few steps and noticed Harry and the others passing not far ahead; they turned to look at him. He nodded at them—mainly at Hermione.

"Did you see that? Walker just came out of Snape's office," Ron said in a low voice once Brian had walked away.

"He probably went to ask a question or something," Hermione said, slightly frowning.

"But I just saw Snape threatening Professor Quirrell; he must've pressured him to find out how to break the spells Quirrell set under the trapdoor," Harry said.

"Remember before? Walker intentionally led us to the trapdoor. Then he was well-prepared to take down the troll, diverting the professors' attention. That night, Snape tried to cross the trapdoor but got bitten on the leg by that dog," Harry said excitedly, "And he's been very close to Snape…"

"It's obvious; he's in cahoots with Snape; he has always wanted to help Snape obtain the Philosopher's Stone!" Harry concluded.

"That's right, Hermione, you shouldn't always defend him," Ron agreed.

Hermione furrowed her brow, feeling a bit of a headache.

She was somewhat at a loss; the two were so adamant that it made her question if it was really true.

But she decided to give this special friend a bit more trust, so that night she subtly inquired about the reason in her letter to Brian.

"You know, Hermione, Professor Quirrell always explains the knowledge in the textbook unclearly. I've been asking Professor Quirrell about the issues we've been discussing."

"But that day outside Professor Quirrell's office, Professor Snape told me to stay away from him; he said I could ask him if I had questions."

"Professor Quirrell really hasn't been looking well lately, so I didn't want to bother him. He really should take a break."

"To be honest, it might be a bit disrespectful to Professor Quirrell, but Professor Snape's teaching level is really so much better; I feel like I've been saved."

"For example, the issue we've been arguing about isn't actually that complicated; it should be..."

Seeing Brian's reply, Hermione felt better.

But she clearly couldn't change her friends' opinions. Harry pondered, "He saw Snape outside Professor Quirrell's office? It seems he's been putting a lot of pressure on Quirrell; Professor Quirrell has been looking haggard lately."

"I really hope Professor Quirrell can hold on," Ron said. "I think maybe Walker and Snape are taking turns trying to get something out of Professor Quirrell."

"You always think the worst of people. You think he's bad, so you always assume he's doing bad things," Hermione said, her tone dissatisfied. "That's too arbitrary."

"Why don't you say it's Professor Quirrell trying to get the Philosopher's Stone while the two of them are trying to stop him?" Hermione suggested. "That makes sense too, doesn't it?"

"Oh, how could that be, Hermione?" Ron shrugged. "Look at how pitiful Professor Quirrell looks."

"I was just giving an example," Hermione shot him a glare.

...

In the Slytherin common room, Brian looked at Hermione's letter and smiled faintly. It seemed the little witch still had quite a bit of trust in him.

He had no intention of hurting her feelings, but the path he chose was full of surprises, and he didn't know what the future would hold.

At least from the outcome, he was definitely on Harry Potter's side, but perhaps the process would make them dislike him.

Brian rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

Daphne came over and sat next to him, taking out her homework for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Brian, can I borrow your Defense Against the Dark Arts notes?" she asked, a bit shyly. "Pansy kept talking to me in the last class..."

"Ah, of course, here you go." Brian snapped out of his thoughts, pulled out the notes, and handed them to her.

"Thanks." Daphne smiled broadly.

"By the way, did your friend Goyle complete that ritual?" Daphne asked curiously.

"No, I dragged him over before and completed the ritual in front of him, trying to show him I was joking," Brian shrugged helplessly. "But he stubbornly believes I've done it once, so it won't work."

"What are you going to do then?" Daphne asked, trying to stifle her laughter.

"I'm trying to get Draco to do it once to help prove its authenticity," Brian continued. "But Draco thinks it's funny and refuses to help me. Plus, he thinks the ritual is silly; he doesn't want to do anything foolish."

"So I've recently given up trying to prove it's fake to Goyle and started thinking about how to compensate him."

"I think that shouldn't be too hard; just prepare some of his favorite candies," Brian rested his chin on his hand. "But I probably need to supply him with candies for a whole year."

Daphne turned her head away, laughing.