There were two Potions classes scheduled for Friday.

The little snakes were particularly cautious about any class involving their Head of House and the Gryffindors.

Draco sat in an ornately carved chair in the Slytherin common room, surrounded by several friends.

"Tomorrow's Potions class is with Gryffindor. That damned Potter won't have an easy time of it!"

He let out a short, mocking laugh before continuing, "My father wrote back saying Professor Snape will take loads of points from those stupid lions. Just wait and see!"

Blaise, sitting nearby, asked with interest, "Interesting. What did your father say about that one?" He nodded subtly toward the girls' dormitory.

Draco's brow furrowed, his expression troubled. "Father said to keep watching and not act rashly. This Jane Yu might be an orphan from some Eastern magical family."

At the mention of Jane Yu's name, Theodore, who had been lost in his own thoughts, turned his head.

He was usually a loner, rarely joining their gatherings, and when he did, he often remained silent.

"What does she like?"

Draco and Blaise looked at him in surprise when he spoke. It was as rare as seeing the sun rise in the west - Theodore actively asking about a girl?

"Merlin's beard, what spell has she cast on you?" Draco stood up, staring at him incredulously.

But Blaise quickly caught on: "Ah, right. She saved you today. Even if she were a Muggle, courtesy demands you thank her."

"I see. Though I haven't settled the score about her singeing my hair yet!"

Draco sat back down with a cold snort, trying to sound mature: "My mother always says women love flowers and jewelry most."

"Every time my father gives her these, she's especially happy."

Theodore pressed his lips together and nodded seriously, thinking he understood.

......

Meanwhile, Snape was feeling extremely irritated.

The Potter brat alone had been enough to tie his insides in knots.

Now he had to deal with Jane Yu, who'd been caught prowling restricted areas!

In his eyes, having these two in his Potions classroom was like having two trolls performing the tarantella dance.

He could only hope they wouldn't act like complete idiots and blow up his classroom.

Friday's Potions class arrived right on schedule.

The little snakes and lions filed in, exchanging dirty looks.

Draco cast a contemptuous glance at Harry.

"Just you wait, Potter!"

Professor Snape strode into the classroom with a dark expression, his long black robes billowing behind him. The classroom windows closed one by one with his steps.

He reached the podium, turned sharply, and picked up the roll to begin taking attendance.

Harry's name was clearly near the beginning, and he paused, speaking in a mocking tone: "Ah yes, Harry Potter. Our new... celebrity."

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Draco's group immediately began snickering behind their hands.

"Potter's in for it now!"

A moment later, he came across Jane Yu's name and paused again, his brows furrowing enough to trap a fly: "Jane Yu — our Eastern lady. I hope you can do more than just twirl that twisted stick in your hand. It would be better if you could engage that rusty thing atop your neck. It might make things less... excruciating for you."

Millicent and Pansy burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Jane couldn't understand all these sophisticated expressions, but she made sure to remember one thing: the bespectacled boy with the scar on his forehead in Gryffindor was Harry Potter, the protagonist of this book.

Protagonist + friends = Main character group = Extremely dangerous.

Must stay away from the protagonist group to survive.

She looked at the boy sitting next to Harry Potter, with red hair and freckles; then at the girl on the other side, with bushy brown hair and large front teeth.

Committing their appearances to memory, she decided to give the trio a wide berth in the future.

Up on the platform, Professor Snape had begun his opening speech, his serpentine intimidation encompassing the entire classroom.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making..."

"I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death..."

These words had particular impact on the glory-seeking Slytherins. Jane noticed many students breathing rapidly, their eyes gleaming with desire.

"That is, if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach," he added, glancing toward the Gryffindor side. Jane noticed a round-faced blonde boy who looked close to tears.

The girl next to Harry Potter was eagerly leaning forward in her seat. Jane couldn't understand what she was doing... after all, Professor Snape didn't look like someone who would show any favor to Gryffindors.

"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Snape suddenly asked.

After receiving an "I don't know" in response, he followed up with two more questions: "Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar? What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Jane shook her head internally. The protagonist was clearly still in his early weak phase. Following typical power fantasy patterns, he wouldn't come into his strength until the middle or late story - of course he couldn't answer these questions now!

Meanwhile, the arm of Hermione Granger, the girl next to the protagonist, was practically touching the ceiling.

The Slytherin students began laughing, with Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle nearly falling out of their seats.

Professor Snape continued his sarcastic commentary: "Fame clearly isn't everything, is it? I think it's safe to say Mr. Potter hasn't opened a single book before term started, hmm?"

He then deducted one point from Gryffindor, and Jane noticed the dark professor's mood seemed to improve considerably after that.

His black eyes suddenly fixed on Jane: "Perhaps Miss Yu would like to answer these three questions."

What now?

She couldn't even understand what he'd asked earlier!

But no matter - if this could lower their impression of her and make this professor a stepping stone on her path to expulsion, all the better.

With this in mind, Jane sat up straight in her seat, looked directly into the professor's eyes and declared: "I don't know, sir."

Professor Snape's nose nearly twisted with rage!

He knew this student who'd been caught prowling restricted areas on the first night was trouble!

In his Slytherin house, students usually studied their textbooks before term began, and could at least answer one or two of these basic Potions questions... he'd even been prepared to award 2 points for getting just one answer right!

"Defying a professor - one point from Slytherin!" he announced.

The little snakes erupted in shock.

Draco could be heard saying to his cronies in disbelief: "Merlin's beard! My father said Professor Snape never takes points from Slytherin in Potions!"

Professor Snape overheard this comment and shot Draco a fierce glare. Now completely incensed, he switched to indiscriminate attack mode.

"Disrespecting a professor - another point from Slytherin!"

The classroom fell dead silent.

Draco sat pale-faced in his seat, not daring to make a sound.

This was probably the first time in history that Professor Snape had gone on a rampage against Slytherin.

The Potions class continued.

"You will work in pairs to brew a cure for boils," he commanded.

The Slytherin and Gryffindor students quickly paired up, leaving only Jane sitting alone in the last row.

Suddenly all eyes in the classroom were on her.

Some Slytherins whispered and snickered.

Harry felt Ron nudge his arm. "Bro, remember her? She's the one who didn't want to go to Slytherin during the Sorting Ceremony?"

Harry did remember her, because his experience had been different... The Sorting Hat had given him a choice during their conversation, letting him avoid Slytherin. This girl clearly hadn't been so fortunate and was now being bullied and ostracized by these snakes.

Up at the front, Snape was watching Jane. Suddenly, a malicious smile curved his lips:

"Harry Potter... our illustrious savior. You seem quite amused. No doubt it's your surplus and useless sense of compassion at work. Why don't you pair up with Miss Yu?"

What?

Harry gaped - he swore he hadn't been smiling!

Ron and Hermione watched with admiring eyes as their brave comrade gathered his things and headed to the back row.

Meanwhile, Jane's mind was being flooded with images of galloping llamas.

Her plan to avoid the protagonist group had just gone up in smoke!