Time stepped into October.
Hogwarts' weather gradually grew cold. The lush Forbidden Forest took on a pale yellow tint.
The damp climate from distant mountains gave many young wizards colds. The Hospital Wing was nearly packed.
However, what comforted Madam Pomfrey was that none of these students were from Slytherin. Their daily morning training had strengthened their constitution considerably.
"You should be like Slytherin House and exercise your bodies instead of relying on potions to cure illness."
"Oh no! They must be mad."
"Forgive me, Madam, but my bed's been enchanted—won't let me out before eight."
"You know, Madam, those bad guys must be studying new schemes..."
Faced with Madam Pomfrey's suggestions, the Hospital Wing filled with wails. At their playful, sleep-loving age, how could young wizards willingly rise early without someone forcing them?
Madam Pomfrey could only shake her head helplessly. Returned to the medicine room to research new cold potions. The sharp, pungent smell gradually spread...
"Rest in place!"
Hearing Tiger's shout, the little snakes gradually slowed their pace. Breathing deeply and freely.
Except for the Quidditch players still methodically conducting uphill training.
They particularly loved this moist air.
Looking at the gloomy, oppressive sky, Gemma Farley's mood was troubled. Her cool brow slightly furrowed.
Since that thunderstorm over half a month ago, Hogwarts hadn't had another one.
Watching the cold gradually rise, with fewer chances of rain, her patience with Tiger was almost reaching its breaking point.
Tiger inconspicuously glanced at the female prefect.
Lately he always felt this damn woman wanted to do something to him. The way she looked at him was like she wanted to devour him.
Could it be... she'd developed an antidote to the Love Potion?
Damn!
Tiger cursed internally.
Gemma Farley's frequent visits to the Potions office weren't a secret to him.
He hated this feeling of being affected by potion effects. Especially when facing Gemma Farley—the inexplicable warmth rising in his heart made him particularly resistant.
He had to find a way. Get that damn antidote, then twist this damn woman's head off!
Well... never mind. Just a stupid woman. A little lesson would do.
Tiger thoughtfully stroked his chin. Turned to call the Slytherin little snakes.
Just then, pattering raindrops began falling from the clouds. Wetting Tiger's hair.
The rain gradually intensified.
Accompanied by exclamations and playful shouts, the Slytherins ran into the castle. Returning to the common room to change clothes.
Only Gemma Farley stood alone in the rain. Letting the gentle rain soak her clothing.
Her cold, profound eyes gazed at the sky. Flashing with strange light. As if anticipating something...
The rain outside the castle grew heavier.
The damp, cold atmosphere completely penetrated the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Sneezes from colds rose and fell.
Including Hermione, the Gryffindor little lions all lay listlessly on their desks. Even regular performer Harry was no exception.
Professor Lockhart's passionate speech from the podium was mixed with undisguisable nasal congestion.
"At that time! I righteously told the banshee..."
"Professor Lockhart! Sorry to interrupt!" Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly rang from outside the classroom.
Gilderoy Lockhart looked stunned. Then quickly walked out, his eyes showing some flattery. Toward this former teacher, he felt somewhat guilty.
"It's like this, Madam Pomfrey..."
Professor McGonagall's words were brief. After finishing, she left to notify other professors.
Gilderoy Lockhart returned to the classroom with a delighted expression. Standing at the podium, speaking proudly:
"Gentlemen, ladies. I'm honored to announce that with my help, Madam Pomfrey has developed a new Quick-Acting Pepper-Up Potion based on the original!"
"After class, students can go to the Hospital Wing to collect it. It can quickly..."
Before he could finish, Hermione was first to walk out of the classroom. She had no good feelings toward this useless Lockhart. After taking the medicine, she could still study in the library for a while.
The little lions were stunned. Then swarmed out of the classroom.
Their hourglass points were already deducted anyway. They didn't care about Lockhart's point deductions—they just wanted to quickly solve this unbearable congestion and headache.
"Oh... well..." Gilderoy Lockhart smiled somewhat awkwardly. "They really do seem uncomfortable..."
"You may continue, Professor."
Pansy Parkinson indicated with interest.
"I'm looking forward to the next adventure. This is far more than what we see in books."
"Right, right..."
The little snakes nodded.
Gilderoy Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts class was like a brilliant comedic performance or an entertaining story session. Including Tiger, the Slytherin little snakes all loved watching.
After all, they weren't the ones performing on stage...
"Too bad Scarhead caught a cold."
Draco sighed with some regret.
For him, without Harry and Ron's performance, this class lost almost half its fun.
Tiger also lazily yawned, like Gunpowder curled in his arms.
Without Hermione playing the banshee, he felt something was missing...
Noticing the Slytherins' anticipation, Gilderoy Lockhart's eyes widened with surprise.
"Oh... for Miss Parkinson's eagerness to learn. Ten points to Slytherin!"
He stood behind the podium with renewed vigor. Gesticulating as he continued his story about him and the banshee.
However, Tiger inexplicably felt this guy was always secretly observing him. As if he had something to say but didn't dare speak...
The bell rang.
Gilderoy Lockhart left the classroom with lingering interest. The little snakes also stopped applauding with lingering interest. Their eyes showing playful glints as they looked at each other.
"This guy seems pretty easy to fool?" Pansy Parkinson meaningfully curved her lips.
In those last twenty minutes, Lockhart had given them nearly fifty points. They seemed to have found a shortcut to refill the Slytherin hourglass...
Heavy rain continued for a week.
Under Ravenclaw's incredulous gaze, Slytherin's previously empty hourglass surpassed theirs. Returning to first place.
In the Slytherin common room, the little snakes gathered in clusters. Raising glasses in celebration.
Male prefect Burstrode even rarely took the stage. His usual nobility and elegance now fully displayed.
As the band's melody began, a melodious French folk song flowed slowly. Lazy and affectionate.
Like an afternoon ray of sunlight breaking through clouds into hearts. It drew cheers.
Not just because of surpassing in points, but because the Lion Cub Extermination Plan had ended smoothly.
Gryffindor's lions seemed completely strangled by the venomous snake's tight coil around their throats. Leaving only Percy Weasley leading sixth and seventh-year students in continued resistance...
Outside the jubilant crowd, Gemma Farley sat alone in a corner. Looking up at the dome. The light from the bottom of the Black Lake gradually stabilized as the rain lessened.
Her heart was slowly sinking too. As if sinking to the lake bottom.
After waiting a week, she still hadn't heard thunder...
"Farley..."
Riley Shafiq carried desserts. Slowly walking over and sitting beside Gemma Farley.
Honestly, she didn't know how to comfort her friend. She only knew she didn't want thunderstorms to come.
Even less did she want Gemma Farley to continue. The Love Potion's effects were making her friend sink deeper...
"You should give up, Farley. This time, your energy..."
However, before she could finish, Gemma Farley raised her hand to stop her. Her noble, cold gaze seriously looking at her friend.
"Riley, I will never give up. That beast is destined to be mine!"
The moment her words fell, the clouds above Hogwarts were suddenly torn by an invisible blade.
Brilliant lightning split the sky.
Then, deafening thunder exploded. Sound waves penetrating through the Black Lake's bottom straight to the dome...
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