To Jane Yu's surprise, she was hauled into the Headmaster's office before even attending her first class.
Perhaps being sent to the Headmaster's office on the first day of school was an unbreakable tradition.
But she couldn't figure out what she'd done wrong this time.
As she wandered into the office, she found Harry and Snape already there.
Harry had his head down, his gaze fixed on the floor, looking weak, pitiful, and helpless—
It was clear he'd already endured a venomous verbal shower before she arrived.
Without Sirius as his steadfast support, he was utterly defenseless—
So when Jane entered, Harry's gaze was so moved it was as if Saint Mary herself had descended with a halo.
Sure enough, her arrival shifted the tense and oppressive atmosphere in the office.
"Ahem." Dumbledore cleared his throat and handed Jane a cup of lemon tea, smiling warmly. "Yu, I imagine you already know that Professor Snape has applied for your exemption from Potions class—"
At this, Harry suddenly made a choking sound, as if he'd swallowed his food the wrong way, drawing the attention of all three people in the room.
Unbeknownst to them, Harry's emotions were in turmoil.
Ever since learning that the new term would involve forming groups across the four houses, he'd quickly set his Potions class goal.
If he could team up with Jane, he might finally enjoy some peace and escape Snape's torment!
But it seemed his friends shared the same brilliant idea.
To this end, he'd spent hours persuading Hermione and Ron, even resorting to bribery with Galleons—
From dinner to the moment he was summoned to the Headmaster's office, he'd used every ounce of logic and emotion to sway them, finally achieving a slight shift in their attitudes.
But he hadn't expected Snape to pull a move that completely undermined his plan!
Harry bowed his head in despair, but Snape immediately saw through his thoughts and began to unleash his full verbal arsenal:
"I believe Mr. Potter assumes that by partnering with an outstanding student, he can coast through Potions class."
"Of course, someone else's hard work is always preferable to one's own, isn't it? Unfortunately, his calculations were so loud that the professors heard them loud and clear."
Even Dumbledore cast a disapproving glance at him.
Not even Sirius or James... surely they didn't have this penchant for clinging to others... did they?
"In any case, Yu," Dumbledore continued, "I agreed to Professor Snape's application, but this year you'll need to complete a thesis... You can consult during Potions class time or outside of class..."
Jane was dumbfounded.
Was Hogwarts offering a combined Potions bachelor's and master's degree?
Would she also need to publish a few SCI papers?
Snape fully confirmed her suspicions, his tone rising with a hint of pride:
"Headmaster, I don't think you need to worry. During the summer, we've already discussed several thesis topics—"
"Of course, Severus, I'm naturally reassured," Dumbledore said with a smile, wholeheartedly acknowledging Snape's mentoring abilities. "I imagine she didn't waste her summer under your guidance—"
"Just doing my duty," Snape replied, raising his eyebrows and accepting the praise with ease, while slipping in a jab. "If not for a dog and his pup playing thieves, we'd likely have already published a paper by now—"
Harry's face turned bright red with anger, but he managed to restrain himself by recalling the joy of scraping the bottom of Snape's cauldron.
But he didn't expect to fall into Snape's hands so soon.
"Harry," Dumbledore smoothly shifted the topic to him, "I hope you'll learn Occlumency this term."
"Learn what?" he asked, bewildered.
"Occlumency, Potter," Snape's sneer grew even more pronounced. "I trust your ears haven't been stuffed with Gillyweed."
"To prevent your mind from being invaded," Dumbledore explained. "Sirius informed me over the summer that you've had some dreams—"
Harry understood, but a different kind of unease began to brew within him.
"I understand, but sir... may I ask who will be teaching me?"
He asked hesitantly, as if he'd aged ten years in an instant.
The Snape before him let out a cold snort, his sneer magnified countless times:
"Yours truly."
Harry's throat emitted another choking sound, which successfully amused Snape. He continued his sarcastic remarks:
"Your aim to hitch a ride and coast through has succeeded, Potter."
"Your target, Miss Yu, will be learning Occlumency alongside you."
"Unfortunately, this isn't a group project, so you won't be able to benefit from her brain's efforts—"
Harry hung his head in despair, while Jane was utterly baffled.
How did this involve her?
Wasn't her mind immune to being read?
But Dumbledore quickly clarified for her:
"You need to learn a more advanced form, Yu. Manipulating memories, thoughts, and emotions to convey entirely false information to a Legilimens."
He believed that mastering this magic would greatly enhance her self-defense capabilities.
After all, if Snape could teach one student, teaching two wouldn't be much different—
Having Jane present might even help ease the tension between teacher and student.
It was all about creating a harmonious environment!
Jane thought she understood.
Dumbledore was agreeing to let her master the skill of fabricating memories, so she could load some "creative content" into the locket.
It turned out her guardian was a man of character, understanding the principle of settling scores when wronged!
Seeing her accept this readily, Dumbledore was delighted. He then handed her a timetable packed with 9+3 subjects covering the entire week and expressed his hope that she would achieve outstanding grades in 12 O.W.L. exams next year.
Jane stormed off ahead, while Dumbledore chased after her desperately.
The two dashed from the eighth floor of the castle to the first-floor dungeon.
Along the way, they drew astonished reactions from numerous students, professors, and even a series of portraits, who marveled at Dumbledore's sprightly vigor and praised the beauty of twilight years.
Finally, at Snape's dungeon door, after Jane shouted, "I'm switching guardians to Aberforth,"—
They reached an agreement and successfully signed the latest contract.
The terms included clauses such as reduced homework, exemption from certain group projects, and extended one-on-one tutoring sessions.
Jane was satisfied with the new schedule.
Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief and once again thanked Mrs. Weasley for sending him One Hundred Tips for Getting Along with Teenage Wizards.
Perhaps this was just the rebellious phase; he'd almost thought the child was about to run away from home again!
Meanwhile, the only person left emotionally scarred was Harry.
Not only had he lost his lifeline, but he'd also gained Snape's 1v2 private tutoring.
Even the joyful memories of scraping cauldron bottoms with Sirius couldn't save his mood.
What he didn't know was—
In the next day's Potions class, he would face yet another series of blows.
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