Edgar angrily poked at the book in his hand while imitating Snape's drawn-out tone.
"'Mr. Burns, is your head stuffed with Gillyweed?'—How dare he say that!"
"I hadn't even lit a fire under that cauldron. How could he be so sure I was headed for St. Mungo's?"
William adjusted his glasses, his face full of indignation. "This is slander—malicious speculation based on assumptions!"
"My Troll's Snot Slug… I hadn't even started chopping it yet."
Even Ollie, who was usually quiet, softly joined the complaint session, his tone tinged with grievance.
Lynn listened to his friends' chaotic accusations, recalling the suffocating atmosphere in Potions class and the old bat's ubiquitous venom.
His eyes rolled thoughtfully.
"Guys, don't just get angry. I have an idea…" He lowered his voice, gesturing for the three heads to lean in, and began to whisper his "brilliant" plan.
"This… will this really work? Isn't it too… obvious?" William was the first to voice his doubts after hearing it.
Lynn slapped the table—not loudly, but with determination.
"Just answer this: can you swallow this insult or not? Do you want to do it or not!"
"Do it!" Edgar was the first to respond, his face filled with the excitement of causing trouble.
Ollie nodded silently.
William looked at his three roommates, hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily. "…Do it!"
"That settles it!" Lynn clapped his hands. Plan successful!
…Noon, a short time before lunch was about to begin.
The Great Hall was still quite empty.
The four of them—Lynn and his friends—sneaked in furtively, their target clear: they headed straight for the Gryffindor table.
"I say, why do I have to be the one to place these notes?"
Edgar held a stack of cut-out small notes, looking both nervous and reluctant.
"You were the most enthusiastic one complaining about Snape just now, shouting the loudest slogans. If not you, then who?"
Lynn retorted righteously.
"And why does it have to be the Gryffindor table?"
Ollie raised another question, thinking it would be safer to place them at their own house table.
Lynn wore an expression that said you just don't get it and explained in a low voice: "Put them in Slytherin? They're on Snape's side; they'd probably hand them over directly.
Put them in Ravenclaw? They probably wouldn't be interested.
Only Gryffindor—they're both unafraid of trouble and love to stir things up. The spread rate would be absolutely top-notch!
As long as it doesn't originate from us Hufflepuffs, it's fine."
They fully understood Lynn—let Gryffindor take the heat.
Sure enough, when people are up to mischief, their patience and efficiency are at their highest. They quickly got to work.
"Stuff one inside this roast chicken!"
"Stick one under this pumpkin pie!"
"Yes, yes—mix up this vegetable salad and tuck the note right at the bottom!"
"And one more… hmm… just stuff it into this bread basket!"
---
Lunchtime finally arrived. Students filed in, and the Great Hall instantly became noisy.
Lynn's group of four pretended nothing had happened, strolling leisurely into the Great Hall and deliberately choosing seats not too far from the Gryffindor table, with an excellent view.
Ready to enjoy the show they had orchestrated.
The four of them watched the Gryffindor table nervously and expectantly.
Soon, one of the Weasley twins with fiery red hair—indistinguishable whether it was Fred or George—picked up a roast chicken and took a big bite.
"Huh?"
He made a puzzled sound, then pulled a note from his mouth, slightly greased with oil.
He unfolded the note and took just one glance. His eyes instantly widened like copper bells, and then he erupted into earth-shattering laughter, vigorously slapping the back of another redhead beside him and shoving the note over.
"Hey! Edgar," Lynn nudged his companion beside him with his elbow, asking curiously in a low voice, "What did you write on that roast chicken note? The effect is so explosive?"
A mischievous smile appeared on Edgar's face as he lowered his voice. "Hehe… I wrote, 'According to unreliable sources, Professor Snape gives Harry Potter such "special attention" because deep down he has a particular preference for boys with black hair and green eyes.…'"
Lynn gasped, surprised that Edgar, who usually seemed quite honest, could write such vicious rumors.
"What did you write?" Edgar asked Lynn in return.
Lynn chuckled. "I wrote, 'Shocking inside scoop! Professor Snape has long coveted the Headmaster's position and is secretly plotting to overthrow Dumbledore. His ultimate goal is to ascend to the throne of Minister for Magic and reform the Wizarding World!'"
"No way?" William, who also overheard, couldn't help but interject. "This… would anyone believe this? It's too outrageous!"
Lynn shrugged, wearing an indifferent expression.
"I don't care about that. It's rumor-mongering—who knows what it'll turn into in the end? That's exactly the effect we want!"
…Sure enough, the rumors exploded instantly at the Gryffindor table and spread like wildfire throughout the entire Great Hall.
That afternoon, various versions of "Snape's Secrets" began circulating in every corner of Hogwarts Castle:
"Did you know? Snape has a crush on Harry Potter! He deducts points to get Harry's attention!"
"What? Snape wants to become Minister for Magic?! Is he going to amend the Statute of Secrecy too?"
"Have you heard? Snape and Headmaster Dumbledore are going to have a duel to the death—to fight for custody of Harry Potter?!"
"Latest version! Snape and Harry are long-lost father and son! Dumbledore forcibly separated them, and Snape turned love into hatred!"
The speed of the rumors' spread far exceeded Lynn and his friends' expectations, and like a snowball, it self-perfected and escalated.
By evening, an ultimate version incorporating elements of love, power, ethics, duels, and more was already rampant:
"Professor Snape and Harry Potter are involved in an illicit affair, which Headmaster Dumbledore firmly opposes.
Snape, his love turned to hatred, decided to have a duel of the century with Dumbledore. The winner will get Harry, and Snape plans to run for Minister for Magic after winning.
He intends to forcibly amend wizarding marriage laws to allow teacher-student relationships and even more complex arrangements!"
This rumor, outrageous to the extreme, was dramatic and explosive enough that many younger students half-believed it, and even some older students joined in the teasing and spreading.
Wherever Snape went, he could feel strange gazes mixed with curiosity, fear, and a hint of… sympathy. This made his already gloomy face turn so dark it looked like it could drip ink.
Lynn, who had orchestrated and witnessed all this, felt incredibly pleased.
In his excellent mood, he decided to go fishing by the Black Lake that night to cultivate his sentiments.
Carrying his fishing rod and humming a tune, he sat by the Black Lake for two hours.
Only when the moon rose to its zenith did he return to the Castle dejectedly, still carrying an empty fish basket.
"The fish weren't hungry today o(╥﹏╥)o—that must be it."
---
Happy Reading. Be sure to leave a review. Thank you.
Read my other novel: Naruto: Multiverse Adventures.