Mohn and Harry stood outside the Potions professor's office.
Harry's shoulders were still tense; he was trying to catch his breath.
His heart was pounding faster and faster; he seemed even more nervous and anxious than during the last competition.
Perhaps it's because of what we're about to face.
He was the person Harry disliked the most.
This aversion stems from the repeated targeting during potions classes.
Despite his extraordinary courage and talent, Harry still felt a deep sense of dread when facing Snape.
It seems she was born disliking this black-robed man who always appeared unhappy.
Moen didn't say much.
He simply patted Harry on the shoulder quietly, then raised his hand.
On the mottled wooden door of Snape's office,
Tap gently three times.
A moment later,
A hoarse and indifferent voice came from inside the room: "Come in."
This is the professor who tormented them in countless classes and made no attempt to protect his own house—Snape.
After Moen nodded to Harry,
He then gently pushed open the office door.
The door hinges creaked as they turned, making a slightly teeth-grinding sound.
Behind that heavy wooden door,
It was as if a wild beast was lurking nearby, ready to devour anyone at any moment.
The scene inside the door was as dark as ever.
A strong herbal scent filled the air.
The table was piled high with thick textbooks and bottles of strange medicine.
Snape was sitting behind his desk.
I'm currently organizing the herbs I'll need for tomorrow's lesson.
As they entered the office, he looked up, his gaze quickly sweeping back and forth between their faces.
They focused their attention, especially on Harry's bright, clear, and lively emerald green eyes.
He tilted his head back, his voice somber and cold: "It's Mr. Potter and Mr. White! What brings you here?"
Every word he spoke was filled with power, and the oppressive atmosphere seemed to freeze, instilling an instinctive fear in people.
Harry's body jolted violently.
Under Snape's icy gaze, he couldn't help but take a small step back.
That disgust had become deeply ingrained in Harry's soul.
It was as if the mere mention of Snape's name instantly brought back memories of Snape's sarcastic remarks and the discrimination he had once suffered.
His tongue tumbled around in his mouth a few times, and he realized that under such a powerful aura...
She couldn't utter a single word, only biting her lip tightly, trying her best to suppress the urge to turn and run away.
Moen glanced at Harry, who was clearly in a state of confusion again.
He met Harry's gaze and slowly nodded, giving him an encouraging look.
This indicates that Harry can rest assured and face what is about to happen.
After receiving confirmation from Moen, Harry nodded vigorously.
As if he had made up his mind, he closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
He immediately bowed deeply to Snape in front of him.
His body was almost completely bent at a ninety-degree angle, and his head was lowered to the lowest point.
"Thank you, Professor Snape! Thank you for protecting me during the Quidditch match."
His tone was very serious and full of gratitude.
After Harry made his move, his previously uneasy heart gradually began to calm down.
He believed this was the best summary of all the previous mistakes.
This was also the best response after recognizing Snape's true nature.
He wanted to overturn his previous understanding of Snape.
I also want to choose reconciliation in a true sense from now on.
Harry's actions were beyond Snape's expectations.
His brow furrowed slightly, and the coldness he had been putting on completely crumbled under Harry's sudden, yet sincere bow.
A flicker of surprise and complexity crossed his eyes.
His body, startled, took a slight half-step back.
This was the first time a student had thanked him so formally.
And this person is Harry.
That word of thanks touched the softest spot in his heart.
Like a key, it unlocked Snape's tightly closed defenses.
He thought he saw James.
I saw Lily too!
His long-dormant memories seemed to be unlocked by this word of thanks.
Those long-forgotten thoughts came flooding back like a torrent.
It began to assault his numb heart.
He suppressed his inner turmoil and quickly adjusted his state of mind.
And reseal away the complex emotions.
With his usual stern expression, he said in a slightly hoarse voice, "How do you know it's me protecting you, and not someone else?"
His tone was calm, but there was a hint of expectation in it.
Meanwhile, a turbulent sea of complex thoughts churned within me.
The emotions that had been suppressed for many years and were almost burned out seemed to be revitalized, gradually surging into his heart.
This is precisely where Snape's contradictions lie.
This was also the source of his persistent pain, and Harry's "thank you" eased his heart considerably.
He could only hide these things to conceal his inferiority complex and desires, and to protect the secret that was hidden deep within him.
Harry looked at the calm and collected Moen beside him, his heart filled with trust in his friend.
It was also clear that all of this stemmed from Moen's earlier warning.
He believed everything Mohn had seen.
Moen glanced at Snape, who was in a state of intense emotional turmoil, and slowly said, "I saw everything that happened when I was in the stands."
"I could clearly feel it. When Harry lost control, two different magical forces struck his broom, and Hermione also saw what happened... Combining the various signs at the scene, it was determined that the person protecting Harry at that time was you."
Although his tone was calm, every word Mohn uttered pierced Snape's already wounded heart.
Especially when the words "You are the one who protects Harry" appeared, he completely lost control of his emotions, and the feelings hidden deep in his heart finally erupted!
He could clearly feel a call from the depths of his soul, a desire to hold Harry in his arms.
Snape suppressed his emotions, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips.
"So that's why you chose to thank me?" His eyes, like those of a beast, were fixed on Moen, as if trying to conceal his true intentions.
"Yes, after all, you were the one who saved Harry, weren't you?" Moen was speechless at Snape's arrogance. "We also saw who cast the spell on Harry."
"Who?" Snape's eyes sharpened again as he stared intently at Mohn.
"Professor Rocky, we saw him cast a spell, and Harry's broomstick went out of control," Mohn said without reservation.
Snape was startled; no wonder Dumbledore had specifically instructed him to keep a close eye on Rocky's every move a few days ago.