HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 186 Daily Life

For vacationers, a month flies by. The news that four professors who had been missing from the university for a long time had returned spread like wildfire among the students. Dumbledore stormed into McGonagall's office to demand she teach a class; he was nearly driven mad by the students.

"Minerva, you're finally back," Dumbledore said, taking off his glasses and wiping them gently with a handkerchief. "Now I can go on vacation without worry. Gale wants to go to the Arctic to see the aurora borealis, which will probably take about half a year. During this time, the school will be in your hands."

"Is it Mr. Grindelwald who wants to go, or you who wants to go?"

"Of course it's Gale, Minerva. You know I'm always concerned about the school, how could I possibly make such a long-term travel plan?"

"Oh."

McGonagall didn’t need to think to guess that Dumbledore didn’t want to work, and Gellert was just playing along with him. The two of them, at their age, were acting like young people trying to see the aurora.

However, she didn't say anything, only instructing, "You can't refuse to receive my letters. Reply when you see them, and don't make us worry."

"Alright, let's go tomorrow then." Afraid that McGonagall might change her mind, he immediately set a departure date, as if he could already see a wonderful vacation beckoning to him.

He was especially happy on the way back, and even when he almost got bumped into by that unlucky kid, he wasn't angry. He cheerfully told him to walk slowly. The thought of tomorrow's holiday made him feel that everyone was a good kid. Even when Severus, who was passing by, said a few sarcastic things, it couldn't spoil his good mood.

The man was startled, staring at Dumbledore's retreating figure with a complicated expression. He couldn't help but ask Emeric, "Has he finally gone mad?"

"It shouldn't be...?" Emeric hesitated for a moment before giving a reluctant answer, "Maybe... because he doesn't have to attend classes? I teach Potions, and Madam Pomfrey teaches Herbalism. He's probably going crazy teaching two classes all by himself."

Severus seized on the key point in his words, "Why are you in Potions class? I told you not to get tricked by him, don't you feel tired?" He glared at him fiercely, then continued, "Since you're so free, if you don't get 8 O's in NEWTs, you can go back and inherit the family fortune."

"walk slowly."

"One more month, good luck." The devil's whisper rang in Emeric's ear, his voice full of mockery. Then Severus strolled forward, happy to have avenged the grudge he had remembered.

Emeric looked around but didn't see anyone else. Emboldened by his evil intentions, he grabbed Severus, pressed him against the wall, put one arm around his waist, placed the other under the back of his head, and slipped his tongue inside.

"There's still a month left, how much have you studied?"

"It's just the beginning."

Hearing the sound coming from afar, Severus's misty eyes widened instantly. He pulled the hand off his lower back and threw it away, forcefully pushing away the little rascal who was pressing down on him. Without bothering to straighten the wrinkles in his clothes, he hurried away from there in a disheveled state.

His ears were bright red, his cheeks were flushed, and his lips were swollen and burning. Anyone with eyes could tell what they were doing. He couldn't understand why he was going along with their nonsense, and couldn't help splashing cold water on his face again, trying to cool it down.

By the time he composed himself and came out of the bathroom, half an hour had passed. Emeric was grading papers, and it was clear that he was feeling guilty, otherwise the parchment on the table wouldn't have been arranged so neatly.

He walked over to the table, tapped it to make Emeric look up, and told him not to pretend to be repentant and then repeat the same mistake next time.

"Mr. Emerick, given your performance today, without nine Os—" he deliberately dragged out his words, wanting to see the little rascal's nervous expression, "you can forget about ever going back to Hogwarts."

These words struck Emeric like a thunderbolt. Severus spends two-thirds of the year at school, and not letting him in means seeing him for a maximum of four months a year. What difference is there between that and taking his life?

"Severus, can't we really change the punishment?"

"No, you can't. Good luck." He pinched Emeric's cheek and pulled it slightly, saying in a vicious tone, "This is your punishment for doing bad things."

"What if I exceed the task requirements?"

"Are you sure it's over the limit?"

"I'm sure, if I get 10 O's, will you agree to go somewhere with me?"

"Sure, but in your current state, aside from potions and spells, oh, and herb cultivation, it'll be very difficult to pass the others."

The man patted his head, feeling he shouldn't discourage the child, and added, "If you get 10 O's, you can have me all day."

Emeric's eyes lit up instantly. He grabbed the hand on his head. "It's a deal, you can't go back on your word."

"Hmph, do you think I'm some old bee? When have I ever gone back on my word?"

"I misspoke, hehe." He pulled the man's other hand to his face, rubbing his palm against it in a coaxing manner, like his Animagus.

"I've finished grading these assignments, Severus, you should get some rest," Emerick said, helping him sit down in a chair before picking up his own textbooks. "I'm going to the library to study now, I'll be back around lunchtime."

With a carrot hanging in front of him, Emeric couldn't wait for the exam results to come out the day after tomorrow, so he could take Severus to his newly bought iris plantation on the third day.

He felt it was the perfect place to propose; the world of white and purple was both understated and captivating. Last month, to keep the flowers in their most beautiful condition, he spent every day at the manor while Severus was away, casting spells on each flower.

I had been wondering what excuse to use to take Severus there, but now I don't need to go through all that trouble. I just need to wait for his exam results.

He was now full of energy, and he called Garian and Lyra to go to the library together. He wanted to devour the books, afraid that if he did poorly on the exam, the man would not go with him.

"Did he get a shock?" Garian was frightened by Emeric's diligent study and nudged Lyra's arm.

"I bet there's a carrot dangling from your nose, so you'd better study hard. If you don't do well on the test—don't even think about coming home." Leila pressed down on Garian's hand, urging him to focus on his studies instead of spending all his time getting involved in other people's business.

The three of them were surrounded by books. Harry and Draco almost couldn't find them when they came over. All they could see were books, and they couldn't even find an empty chair. They had to move two chairs from the side.

"Brother Ellie, has Dad been looking for you these past few days?"

"No, why do you and Harry look like that?"

"Oh no, he hasn't contacted me or Harry this month. He's probably furious." Draco looked desperate, not daring to imagine what would happen during the holidays.

"So can anyone tell me what happened?"

"You remember? Last month, Dad found out about Harry and me, and he hasn't contacted us since."

"Uncle Lucius usually wouldn't hold back for this long; he'd just hit me when he got angry..." Harry added.

"Good luck to you." Emeric was very grateful for their joy and kindly reminded them, "Go find Gellert and invite him home. Mr. Malfoy won't be angry in front of him."