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

Chapter 175 has resolved it.

Sarafina went to the Ministry of Magic with Dumbledore and Emeric. She was responsible for capturing Umbridge, while the other two went through the formalities.

Suddenly, Emeric felt a burning sensation in his arm. He quickly took out a bottle of painkillers and drank them, knowing it was best to be careful in crowded places.

A male official paused as he passed by, giving Salafina a slight nod. He was one of Gellert's men, her colleague. Seeing this, Emeric relaxed, knowing his men could continue hiding; the official would handle everything.

Dumbledore came out of his office to find them, looking relaxed. "The basic procedures are set. Now sentence her to prison. We'll be called in later, when there are seats available in the courtroom."

"Hopefully we'll see her again next time we come," Emeric said with a cold sneer. At their pace, the trial might not even be over by then. "Let's go, let's head back early, we can still make it for supper."

He glanced at Salafina and told her to hand Umbridge over to the official, lest someone tamper with it. The three returned to Hogwarts, and Emeric handed each of them a box of sweets. The sweets the elves made weren't very good anyway; they might as well eat from his stash.

Whether Severus wasn't called out by roll call tonight or had taken his painkillers in time, Emeric stood in front of the large cauldron stirring the medicine. Two bowls of beef and egg congee sat on the dining table in the living room, which he had just cooked in the kitchen. Judging from the time Severus left today, he wouldn't be back until at least 10 pm.

Soon, a large pot of potion was ready, and the orders on the table remained the same length as before he left. The man had obediently refrained from overexertion. He decided to reward him, changing tomorrow's lunch to boiled sliced ​​meat that Severus had been craving for a long time.

"Bang."

"I'm back."

Severus hung his coat on the hanger, turned to look at the sofa, and was taken aback when he found no one there. Emeric was usually waiting for him here at this time. Then he remembered he hadn't finished today's orders, so he changed into slippers, walked to the studio door, and looked inside. Sure enough, Emeric was there.

"I'm back." He pushed open the door again, opening his arms and waiting for Emeric to rush up and hug him. Emeric didn't disappoint him, pulling him into a tight embrace and checking him for any injuries.

"Alright, you're not hurt. Hurry up and pack the medicine and come have dinner with me." Severus patted Emeric's hand. He had been hiding to the side today and hadn't been noticed, so it was even less likely that he would have gotten hurt.

The two sat facing each other, and they didn't follow the rule that you can't talk while eating. They ate and chatted about their experiences that day.

Upon hearing that he had stood in front of Harry, Severus put down his spoon, his eyes blazing with anger. "Didn't you say you were going to tell on him? How did it turn into you arguing with Umbridge? Now you're even lying to me, huh?"

Emeric hurriedly explained, "I'm not lying to you. That's what I thought at first, but then I felt that Harry was still young and was being targeted by Tom, so I felt a little sorry for him..." His voice grew softer and softer, and he became more and more guilty. In the end, he simply lowered his head and drank his porridge, not daring to look at Severus's dark face.

Severus laughed in exasperation, poking Emeric's head viciously to see what was inside. "Get this straight, you talked to me, not someone my age. He's two years younger than you."

"Quickly promise that you won't do it again next time."

"I promise I will protect myself."

"That's more like it."

Severus pinched Emeric's cheek in frustration; he now understood how the little rascal felt every time he saw him taking risks.

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"Professor Snape, I'm here." Harry's heart skipped a beat when he pushed open the cellar door. Although Dumbledore had called him to a private lesson, Severus didn't care who called him when he was cursing.

"You're a minute late, Mr. Potter." Severus looked at Harry with a malicious grin. "Five points deducted from Gryffindor for your tardiness."

"Feel sorry..."

"What are you standing there for? Do you want me to invite you in?"

Harry hurried inside, sensing for some reason that Severus's hostility towards him had intensified. He looked at Emeric, hoping for an answer, only to receive a helpless look in return.

Emeric waved the letter of apology in his hand at Harry. He was in dire straits himself, let alone able to save anyone else. He thought the matter was over after the cheek-pinching incident yesterday, but he didn't expect Severus to make trouble today. Just now, when he was setting the plate, a drop of water splashed on the table, and the man used that drop of water as a pretext to punish him with a thousand-word apology.

However, he glanced at Severus's lips; ten minutes later, they were still a little red and swollen. Noticing his gaze, the man glared at him, then looked at Emeric's letter of apology and told him to hurry up and write it.

"How long are you two going to stare at each other?" Severus's sinister voice rang in Harry's ears. He quickly went over, afraid of another point deduction. "Sorry, Professor, I'm coming right away..."

"Old Bee wants you to learn Occlumency as soon as possible, but I think that's asking too much of you. Even I might not be able to teach a troll." Severus had a malicious smile on his lips.

He rolled up his sleeves and pointed his wand at Harry. "So, I figured it would be faster to let you experience Legilimency firsthand."

"This...this isn't quite right, Professor," Harry protested weakly, hoping Severus would reconsider his decision. He turned to Emerick, hoping he would save him, but unfortunately, Emerick was busy writing a self-criticism and had no time to help.

"Enough nonsense," the man stopped in front of him, drawing out his words slowly, "Leech-for-Mind-." He watched as Harry's face gradually filled with terror.

It was a terrible feeling to have one's memories read and examined. Harry felt like he was about to throw up, especially since Severus was making comments as he went through the pages, making him feel like he had no secrets at all.

"Hmm... Mr. Potter was daydreaming in class, deduct five points."

"How can points be deducted from previous points?"

"Ha, you're flattering Draco and talking bad about me? Gryffindor, deduct ten points."

"Professor, I didn't... Xiaolong insulted me afterwards, could you please not deduct those ten points...?"

"Huh? Eating snacks in class? Five points deducted."

"...Professor, look carefully, this was given to me by my brother Ellie, so we're going to deduct it all together!!!"

......

When the experience ended, Gryffindor's gems were reduced by half. Harry couldn't imagine how devastated McGonagall would be at breakfast the next day. He suspected that Dumbledore had sent Severus to learn Occlumency just to make him happier.

"Continue tomorrow," Severus tossed a notebook to Harry. "Memorize the theory tonight." He put his wand back in his sleeve pocket.

"Okay, Professor..." Harry left dejectedly.