[Harry Black didn't have to wait long before the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students began arriving, gradually filling the room.
As he flipped through a book borrowed from the library, a loud sound echoed when the door suddenly swung open.
Snape with a cold face entered and walked directly to the front of the class. Upon seeing him, Harry Black had only one thought.
"Nice cape."
"This professor's name seemed to be Severus Snape... wait, Snape?!"
As if remembering something, Harry Black couldn't help but observe Snape closely, trying to confirm his appearance.
After a few seconds, a smile formed on his face. Hermione, noticing his sudden expression, asked what was so funny. However, Harry Black simply shook his head and told her to focus on class.
After roll call and a brief introduction to the art of Potions, as if it were destiny, Snape fixed his eyes on Harry Black, who was watching him attentively, and asked a sudden question:
"Mr. Potter! What would I get if I added powdered asphodel root to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry Black was surprised to be called so suddenly, but he quickly composed himself and answered calmly:
"Asphodel and wormwood make a powerful sleeping potion, also known as the Potion of the Living Dead."
Snape seemed slightly surprised for a moment, but his face soon returned to its usual expression. Then, he asked another question:
"If I asked you, where would you find a bezoar, Mr. Potter?"
"In a goat's stomach."
"What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"None, professor. They are plants of the same botanical genus."
The students from both houses watched, confused, as the exchange of questions between Harry Black and Snape continued.
Is today really the first day of class?
Why do I feel like I missed something?
Only Hermione and a few Ravenclaw students kept their expressions unchanged, though a slight sweat was visible on their foreheads. It seemed they hadn't expected to be tested right in the first lesson.
Snape asked no further questions, but his normally stern face seemed a little more... soft?
Noticing the students who were still standing still, Snape's voice suddenly became even colder:
"Why aren't you all taking notes?"
The class continued without major incidents.
During the practical session, where students had to brew a potion to cure boils, Harry Black paired up with Hermione. To the surprise of many, they were the only pair where Snape couldn't point out a single mistake.
Hermione was the only one who would know why.
"Harry, why don't you follow the instructions in the book step by step?"
While stirring the cauldron, Harry Black replied calmly:
"The recipe for this potion in the book is just a guide. It was probably developed centuries ago, perhaps in the Middle Ages. The alchemy of potions has advanced considerably since then. If you have a solid foundation, you can improve the recipe in various ways."
"Don't look at me like that. I wouldn't be surprised if Professor Snape could create a version of the potion ten times more effective than the original... Done."
Harry Black poured the emerald-green liquid into a vial and handed it to Snape, who was approaching to inspect his work.
Snape observed the potion for a few moments before murmuring:
"Not bad... Suitable for consumption. One point to Ravenclaw."
"Thank you, professor."
The two thanked him as Snape moved on to reprimand other students. Harry Black and Hermione circled the room, helping classmates who were about to make mistakes.
Snape noticed this but didn't stop them, he just decided to ignore.
The lesson ended quickly, and as soon as they were dismissed, the students practically ran out of the room. Hermione also wanted to leave but noticed that Harry Black didn't seem to be in a hurry.
"Aren't you coming?"
"I need to talk to Professor Snape. You can go ahead."
Hermione hesitated, but faced with Harry Black's insistence, she was ultimately persuaded to leave.
Snape noticed that Harry Black was the only one remaining in the room, and his eyebrows couldn't help but rise questioningly.
"What do you want, Potter? Do I need to remind you that I'm not obliged to answer your questions after class… though you don't seem to have any."
Harry Black ignored the question and continued staring at Snape. When Snape was about to lose his temper, he finally spoke and his words shocked him.
"Asphodel, a lily. Its meaning in the Victorian Flower Encyclopedia is "my regrets will follow you to the grave." Meanwhile, wormwood represents "absence" and symbolizes sorrow and loneliness. If I had to imagine something, it would be like… I deeply regret Lily's death."
Snape was momentarily stunned, but he quickly regained his composure and forced himself to remain calm as he looked at Harry Black.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I think you've made a mistake, Mr. Potter."
Harry Black merely smiled at Snape's denial before giving him an ultimatum.
"Perhaps I would have been mistaken… if it weren't for the fact that I knew our families were former neighbors."
Snape could no longer maintain his expression and shot a sharp look at Harry Black.
"How did you find out?"
"Nothing too difficult. My aunt Petunia told me."
Snape immediately remembered the little girl who often called him "weird" and unconsciously nodded. However, Harry Black didn't give him much time to reflect before continuing.
"My aunt Petunia told me quite a lot about my mother after she discovered my magic. But I still have some questions… What were you to her, exactly? A friend, a brother… or a romantic rival to my father?"
Harry Black seemed to sense something and instinctively stepped to the side. He had plenty of time to see a beam of red light hit the table behind him, making it shift slightly.
He looked at Snape, whose right hand was still raised. The professor seemed stunned by the fact that Harry Black had dodged.
With a hint of amusement in his voice, Harry Black couldn't help but comment:
"Nice Expelliarmus, Professor Snape. But I don't think it's acceptable to use magic against a student."
Snape automatically ignored Harry Black's words and unconsciously asked:
"How did you dodge my spell?"
For a wizard of Snape's level, casting an Expelliarmus was almost instantaneous. To him, it was impossible that Harry Black had dodged it and even more easily.
However, how could Snape know that Harry Black probably had the strongest physique and senses of any human being at this time? Trying to hit him without extremely fast movements or large-scale attacks was nearly impossible.
Harry Black, naturally, would not reveal his secrets and continued to stare at Snape with his seemingly innocent eyes. Seeing those eyes that attract his most, Snape couldn't help but speak reluctantly:
"I and your mother were just childhood friends, nothing more."
"Really? I don't think my mother would invite just any friend to be the best man at her wedding."
Snape looked at Harry Black strangely and, unable to help himself, asked incredulously:
"She even told you that?"
Harry Black knew Snape was referring to Petunia and nodded.
"Yes, she told me that my father invited one of his best friends, someone named Sirius Black, to be his best man. Meanwhile, my mother invited you to be hers. That's true, isn't it?"
Snape remained silent, recalling the moment when Lily came to him and asked if he would accept being her best man.
His eyes filled with nostalgia, but upon noticing the amusement in Harry Black's gaze, his expression hardened, and an inevitable sarcasm appeared on his face.
"Hmph, I don't think your father agreed to that."
Suddenly, Harry Black became serious. His emerald eyes locked onto Snape.
"My father didn't agree... or are you just assuming that based on the relationship you had with him?"
Snape was confused.
"There's no way Petunia told you what happened at Hogwarts, right?"
Harry shrugged.
"Of course not. But the way Aunt Petunia described your sudden change in temperament after each year at Hogwarts and the break in your friendship with my mother made me think."
He paused before adding with a slight, teasing smile:
"So, I used my creativity to imagine a scene of two Romeos trying to win over a Juliet. And, of course, you're the loser... Ah, sorry, poor choice of words."
Noticing Snape's expression growing darker, Harry Black decided to end the conversation.
"Well, I just wanted to thank you for your condolences on behalf of my mother and also apologize, on behalf of my father, for any past controversies. But you know, everyone was young, and it's normal to have rivalries in youth, especially over a woman. So, goodbye."
Harry Black finished his words and turned to leave, but Snape stopped him, closing the door. As Harry Black watched him suspiciously, he saw Snape sigh almost self-deprecatingly.
The professor walked over to the Potions classroom cabinet and took out a book titled Advanced Studies in Potion-Making.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he handed the book to Harry Black, who took it with some confusion, while listening to Snape's explanation.
"Even though I didn't attend Lily's wedding, you are still right. In a way, I am still her best man... and yours too."
Snape paused briefly before continuing:
"I haven't given you a birthday present yet, so consider this the first."
Harry Black wanted to say something more, but Snape just waved impatiently, dismissing him. With no other choice, Harry simply turned to leave. However, before stepping through the door, he flashed a bright smile at Snape.
"Thank you, Uncle Snape."
Then, Harry Black went off to reunite with Hermione, unaware of the small, discreet smile that appeared on Snape's face.]