Hogwarts Lion Girl

Due to the increasing number of Dementor patrols around the castle, a cold atmosphere permeated Hogwarts. The latest news about Sirius Black also spread through Hogwarts, attracting the attention and discussion of many students.

"Have you heard? The fugitive Sirius Black seems to have appeared again!" a Ravenclaw boy said mysteriously.

"Really? Where is he? Is he near Hogwarts?" another Hufflepuff boy asked nervously.

"Sirius Black? Isn't that..." A Hufflepuff girl lowered her voice, as if she was afraid of being heard by something, "Isn't that the murderer who killed thirteen people?!"

"Shh! Don't talk nonsense!" The Hufflepuff boy looked around nervously, "If he really appears near Hogwarts, won't we be in danger?"

Similar conversations were taking place in every corner of Hogwarts, and feelings of fear and anxiety spread among the students like a plague.

The rumors about Sirius Black became more and more outrageous. Some said he appeared in the Forbidden Forest, some said he had sneaked into Hogsmeade village, and some even swore that they had seen him hovering over the castle on a broomstick.

Hermione was chewing her nails anxiously as she flipped through the book in her hands.

Ron kept stuffing chocolate frogs into his mouth, trying to ease his anxiety with sweets.

"Don't worry, Ron," Harry patted Ron's shoulder and said casually, "Even if Black really comes, we still have Headmaster Dumbledore!"

"I hope so..." Ron said vaguely, obviously not very satisfied with Harry's consolation.

At dinner time, the aroma of roasted chicken and pumpkin pie floating in the hall seemed to be diluted by the uneasy atmosphere. Headmaster Dumbledore stood in front of the teachers' seats with a serious face. His deep eyes slowly swept across the young faces, and finally stopped at Harry, who looked solemn.

"I believe you have heard the rumors about Sirius Black," said Headmaster Dumbledore in a deep and powerful voice. "I regret to tell you that these rumors are not groundless."

There was an uproar in the auditorium. Students were whispering to each other, with shock and fear written all over their faces.

"Quiet!" Professor McGonagall shouted harshly. The hall instantly became quiet, with only the students' heavy breathing echoing in the air.

"The Ministry of Magic has confirmed that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban," Headmaster Dumbledore continued. "In order to ensure everyone's safety," Headmaster Dumbledore's voice became more serious. "Starting today, Hogwarts will strengthen security measures. Dementors will be deployed to patrol the castle. At the same time, I hope everyone can be vigilant and pay attention to safety. If there are any abnormal situations, please report to the professors immediately."

……

The dark underground classroom was filled with the strange smell of various herbs, but this smell could not cover up the haze hanging over everyone's heart. The atmosphere of the potion class was more depressing than ever before.

Professor Snape was wearing a black robe and his face was terribly gloomy, like the sky before a storm. He paced back and forth in the classroom anxiously.

His heart was as depressed as the air in the classroom. Sirius Black's escape from prison forced him to be more vigilant, and the students' inattention made him even more annoyed.

His sharp eyes scanned the classroom, as if he could penetrate every student's heart, trying to find any trace of abnormality.

A strange green smoke was coming out of the crucible, and there was a burnt smell in the air, indicating that this class was doomed to be a disaster.

"Five points deducted from Gryffindor! Potter, if you can't even make the most basic scabies potion, I suggest you drop out of school as soon as possible to avoid wasting everyone's time!" Professor Snape's sharp voice was like a sharp blade, stabbing Harry fiercely.

Harry blushed, clenched his wand, moved his lips, but said nothing in the end. He could feel the gloating eyes from the Slytherin direction, as if they were watching a funny farce.

Ron's situation was not much better. Instead of turning the light pink color it should have, his potion turned a disgusting dark brown and smelled like stinky socks.

"Weasley, has your brain been stepped on by a troll? You can't even remember the simplest steps." Snape mocked mercilessly, his saliva almost spraying on Ron's face.

"I..." Ron blushed and wanted to retort, but Hermione secretly pulled the corner of his clothes.

"Professor, Ron is just..." Hermione tried to defend Ron, but was rudely interrupted by Snape. "Granger, shut up! It's not your turn to interrupt here!"

In this Potions class, almost every Gryffindor had points deducted for various reasons, from the wrong color of the potion to the wrong stirring direction, Snape could always find an excuse.

This made the Gryffindors even more convinced that Professor Snape had deep ill will towards them.

The bell for the end of get out of class rang like the sound of nature. The Gryffindors almost simultaneously dropped the cauldrons and potion bottles in their hands, and rushed out of the classroom one after another, smelling of burnt herbs and feeling frustrated.

"That old bat! He definitely did it on purpose!" Ron cursed angrily.

"Calm down, Ron," Hermione said as she sorted her schoolbag. "We all know that Professor Snape doesn't like us, but he seems a little abnormal this time. I think he must be worried about something."

"Worried? I think he's in menopause!" Ron said unhappily.

Harry remained silent, frowning, lost in thought. Professor Snape's abnormal behavior really confused him, especially his gloomy eyes, which always reminded him of the Dementors hiding in the dark.

"Do you think Professor Snape seems to be paying special attention to news about Black recently?" Harry suddenly said.

"You mean, he might have some connection with Black?" Ron widened his eyes with an incredible expression on his face.

"I just find it strange," Harry explained, "Every time Black is mentioned, I can feel Professor Snape's emotions fluctuate, as if... as if they knew each other in the past."

"Isn't this possible?" Ron still couldn't believe it. "How could Professor Snape be related to a dangerous fugitive?"

Hermione thought for a moment and said, "I think we can go check it out. Professor Snape and Mr. Black might really have a past."

Ron asked suspiciously, "But where do we check? How do we check?"

"Library!" Hermione said, "The student files and notes area might have what we are looking for."