Watching Harry gradually shut down under Snape's repeated questioning, Ivan recalled a theory he had read in his past life.
Each of the questions Snape asked Harry had a deeper meaning when analyzed.
The most obvious was that asphodel, used in the potion, means "My regrets follow you to the grave" in the Victorian language of flowers.
Wormwood, on the other hand, often symbolized bitterness and regret.
Ivan found it hard to imagine what kind of emotions the grim-faced, perpetually resentful Snape was feeling as he faced Harry.
Was it guilt for leaking the information that led to Lily's death? Or was it the deep affection of being willing to follow his beloved to the grave?
As he thought this, a hint of pity gradually crept into Ivan's gaze.
"Ivan Hals!" Perhaps sensing that Ivan's gaze was somewhat off, Snape, after finishing his three questions for Harry, turned his wand and pointed it at Ivan.
"You will answer these three questions now!"
Ivan was stunned for a moment, not expecting Snape to call on him, but he quickly recovered and answered.
"Adding powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood creates the Draught of Living Death, which is a powerful sleeping potion... A bezoar is found in the stomach of a goat, and monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant."
Having read the original book, Ivan was of course not stumped by these three questions. However, he was still a little nervous, afraid that Snape would ask him other questions.
Although Ivan had read the Potions textbook several times before the class, Snape clearly didn't play by the rules. None of the three questions he had asked Harry were part of the first-year curriculum.
[Ding! You have answered the professor's carefully prepared difficult questions in class. Three questions answered, 100% accuracy. Reward: 9 Academic Points...]
An unexpected system notification sounded in Ivan's mind.
Ivan's expression instantly changed from worry to surprise, and then to elation. All his previous concerns were thrown aside.
Bring it on! Keep the questions coming! I lose if I even so much as furrow my brow!
Ivan looked at Snape with a resolute expression. A true warrior never fears a challenge!
It would be best if he asked eight or ten questions. I can't possibly get them all wrong. Every academic point counts...
Ivan's rapid change of expression left a deep impression on the other young wizards.
However, to Ivan's surprise, Snape didn't even look at him again. Instead, he turned his head and mockingly addressed Harry.
"Did you hear that, Potter? It seems not every new student is as foolish and ignorant as you are..."
"Professor, I..." Harry stood up angrily, about to argue, but Snape cut him off cleanly.
"Potter! For your performance... one point from Gryffindor!"
After delivering the verdict, Snape mercilessly turned and continued the lesson, while Harry was held back by Ron, his fair cheeks flushed red with anger.
Ivan, who had been ready to face Snape's刁难 (diao nan - making things difficult), was a bit baffled by this cold shoulder. He shot an apologetic look at Harry and could only settle down to continue listening to the lesson.
He looked forward to when Snape would continue to ask him difficult questions...
To Ivan's regret, for the rest of the lesson, Snape seemed to have forgotten about him. Apart from occasionally taking the time to scold the students who got the steps wrong, he only seemed to have a keen interest in Harry.
Like a piece of iron drawn to a magnet, he constantly roamed around Harry, his hollow eyes carefully examining every step of Harry's potion-making process. The slightest mistake was met with a torrent of ridicule.
Ron, sitting next to Harry, also had bad luck. His pet rat, Scabbers, was discovered by Snape, who picked him up by the tail and publicly designated him as the test subject for the potion's effects. Ron almost burst into tears on the spot.
When he learned of his fate, Scabbers's squeals were truly miserable...
If it weren't for Neville accidentally melting his cauldron, which ruined Snape's mood, Scabbers would have been forced to drink the dung-colored potion of unknown composition and effect brewed by Ron.
Ivan cast a sympathetic glance at the limp Scabbers on the table, lamenting Peter Pettigrew's bad luck. He had only been at school for a few days and had already been frightened twice.
The one-hour Potions class was torture for most of the young wizards. After class, they all fled from the dungeon as if escaping from prison.
"Good heavens, how could Dumbledore hire Snape as a professor? He nearly killed Scabbers!" After Potions class, Ron wanted to punch a wall, fuming as he comforted the still-trembling Scabbers.
Harry nodded in agreement, standing on the same side as Ron. Being so openly targeted in the very first lesson was something no one could tolerate.
Harry really couldn't understand why Snape hated him so much.
"Harry, if you had read more before class, you wouldn't have been unable to answer Professor Snape's questions," Hermione said, having a different opinion. She glanced at Ivan and continued.
"Just like Ivan. Professor Snape knew Ivan could answer them, that's why he didn't give him a hard time."
Hermione's praise made Ivan feel a bit ashamed. If he didn't know the plot, he might not have been able to answer Snape's questions either.
"Hermione, not everyone can memorize the Potions textbook within a few days of starting school. Besides, the questions Snape asked Harry aren't in the first-year textbook," Ivan said with a sigh.
Hermione pursed her lips and didn't argue back. She had seen Snape's actions in Potions class today with her own eyes. It was just that she was used to obeying rules and following the professor's arrangements, which was why she had tried to defend him when Ron first started complaining.
Ron and Harry were very unhappy with Hermione for siding with Snape. The three of them walked in a sulk for a while. Thanks to Ivan's mediation, the resentment between them was finally dispelled before they reached Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid, we've come to see you!"
Harry stepped forward and knocked on the door. The four of them then heard a dog barking and running around inside the house. A moment later, the door opened, and a huge figure emerged from within.
"Harry, you're here! Come on in, all of you..." Hagrid greeted Harry enthusiastically while trying to calm down his restless big dog, Fang.
Ivan followed Harry into the small hut.
The entire place consisted of only one room, and the layout seemed a bit chaotic. Many dried meats and hams hung by the window, and in front of it was a large fireplace. A kettle of boiling water was on the fire, and a patched bed was placed against the wall on the right.