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

Chapter 35 Taming the Cat

Dumbledore, not daring to provoke an angry Severus, pretended to be busy squatting on the ground playing with Quirrell's ashes. He was very glad that the semester was almost over, otherwise he would have to find a teacher to teach him.

"Dumbledore, haven't you finished reading yet? It's almost 1 a.m., and I have class tomorrow. Since you're so free, how about you teach for me tomorrow? The greatest white wizard is capable of teaching potions to lower-grade students, right?" Severus was very resentful. He was already in a bad mood because his cat hadn't been affectionate these past two days, and then he had to follow the four little trolls around all night to cover for them. In the end, he found out that his cat was messing around with Potter, which made him even angrier.

"The poor Potions Professor hasn't slept well for three days. Dumbledore, if you're not planning to hire another Potions Professor, I expect you to be in the classroom at eight o'clock sharp tomorrow morning." Severus was ready to quit. He needed to rest tomorrow. He had been working non-stop for three days, one of which was brewing a Tooth Strengthening Potion for Dumbledore. He couldn't take it anymore.

After saying that, Severus picked up the cat and left without waiting for Dumbledore's reaction. He paused as he passed the four little ones and said, "If you don't show up on time tomorrow, I'll have a talk with McGonagall about your upbringing."

The menacing cloak slapped them in the face with malice, causing the four children to take a step back in unison. They looked at Dumbledore hoping he would say something kind, but Dumbledore tilted his head and shrugged, indicating that he was powerless to help.

"Alright, children, go back and rest early. You have class tomorrow. I'll be teaching your Potions class tomorrow, so I hope you'll all cooperate." Dumbledore thought, "It's just Potions class, I can teach one class."

Emeric pretended to be a plush toy, too afraid to move, fearing he would be thrown to the ground if he moved even slightly. He was carried all the way to Severus, who sat down on the sofa.

"Emerick, what deal did you make with Dumbledore, or do you have some leverage over him? Given your temperament, you're unlikely to protect Potter; you should just watch the show and leave."

As Severus spoke, he tapped his fingers on the table, and with each tap, an invisible pressure in the room grew heavier, pressing down on Emeric.

"Miya, Miya," Miya doesn't understand, so don't pull Miya's neck.

Finding that Emeric was still pretending to be stupid, Severus grabbed the cat by the neck and poured a bottle of anti-Agmanis potion into its mouth. He was now very angry and didn't want to get entangled with Emeric anymore, and one bottle of potion was very convenient.

"Think carefully before you answer me. If your answer doesn't satisfy me, nobody's going to sleep tonight."

"Severus, there's no deal without leverage. I can't just watch my junior get killed. Don't hold a grudge."

"Ha, Mr. Thaddeus, the sun rising in the west tomorrow is more believable than your good intentions. Tell the truth, or you can lie as long as I don't find out." Severus was furious. He was trying his best to pull the man out of the way and keep this dirty business out of Emeric's hands, but this guy just walked right into it.

"I owe Dumbledore a favor. He asked me to protect Harry. As for why I owe him, I'm sorry, Severus, I really can't say." Emeric didn't intend to lie to Severus, but he only told half of it and couldn't say the rest. To tell him would be a death sentence, not even a reprieve. If Severus found out what he had asked Dumbledore to keep from him, he would be truly doomed.

Severus reluctantly accepted this reason, and his gloomy expression softened slightly. But punishment was necessary; otherwise, what would happen if the cat ran off again? The thought of having to take care of someone else's cat after raising it for so long made Severus feel like he was having a heart attack.

"I think you should still remember that you have to report to the cellar every night, right? How long has it been since you came? If you haven't come for a few days, then grade the homework for those days. I won't make things difficult for you. Grade one grade's papers every day from grades 1 to 4, and spend the remaining day on the medical wing order."

Severus recited the punishments with a forced smile. He was quite pleased with Emeric's incredulous expression, which pleased him greatly. "I'm going to sleep now. You may leave."

After venting his anger, he felt completely refreshed, and drowsiness washed over him.

Emerick thought Severus had gone astray. If he found out who taught him this, he would make sure the person was dead. Before, there was only one punishment, which could be completed with a little effort. Now it was happening every day. How could he be alone? Not to mention there were four troublemakers coming to the cellar for solitary confinement.

He sat on the bed in the second bedroom, his mind filled with ways to deal with people. After reviewing the events of the day, Emerick suddenly felt that something was amiss.

Logically speaking, no matter how much Severus cares about him, their relationship should be that of the professor's favorite student. Severus shouldn't be so angry when he sees him nestled in Harry's arms, unless he has some other feelings for him.

Emeric couldn't sleep thinking about this, so he sat up against the headboard and began to ponder what kind of emotion would cause anger, which seemed more like looking at a pet than a student.

He came to an outrageous answer, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt it was the right answer. Severus's eyes were filled with a hint of jealousy and sourness, clearly the feeling of seeing his own pet and the savage run away.

The room was very quiet. Emeric had so many black lines on his head that they almost drowned him. Severus looked at others like he was raising apprentices, and at Animagus like he was raising a cat.

Emeric scratched his head in despair, his flaxen hair a tangled mess, his once smooth and silky hair now resembling a pile of straw.

Well, at least Severus treats him like one of his own. Whether he's a pet or an apprentice, at least he's entered Severus's heart. Emeric suddenly thought it wasn't so bad. He'd just settle down in Severus's heart first; after all, he'd given himself that status.

He needs to completely infiltrate Severus's life, making Severus unconsciously start to rely on him. At that point, his chances of successfully confessing his feelings should be higher.

Emeric decided to start learning to cook. It's said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. His father won over his father by his excellent cooking skills and his gentle and considerate personality.

After they got together, the father discovered that his father was incredibly jealous, just as sour as Grindelwald. If his subordinates spoke too closely, the father would brew a pot of vinegar—a particularly sour, aged vinegar.

On the other side

Severus lay in bed, somewhat dazed. He could finally get rid of Aylodes, who had been pestering him every day for half a month, asking all sorts of questions, even more noisy than Dumbledore.

Now that I have a proper laborer (specifically Emeric), I finally don't have to put up with Love Rodley anymore, and I can even refuse Flitwick's offer. That's great.

Severus fell asleep contentedly, thinking that he would not have to see Aurelio tomorrow and would instead witness Dumbledore being tortured.