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

Chapter 2: Hua Hua Likes Good People

Aldrickson Estate, England

Ambrose hosted a banquet. After Emeric and his father met everyone, Emeric slipped upstairs to study the book Grindelwald had given him. He only needed to reappear before the banquet ended, as he had already met some of the people he needed to see when the invitations were sent.

He gets along very well with the little dumpling from Malfoy Manor, who is 11 years old and will be going to Hogwarts with him this year.

Hopefully, no one will disturb his peaceful school life. Emeric was silent for a long time after seeing the first page of the "Introduction to Hogwarts," a pink sheet introducing Dumbledore, with the first ten pages filled with his photographs.

This must be a Grindelwald special edition. As for Grindelwald's love-struck mind, Emeric expressed his respect and blessings, and casually flipped to the Potions Professor's introduction.

Emeric raised an eyebrow. Durmstrang's Potions class wasn't very useful; perhaps he could learn something at Hogwarts. This professor didn't seem very helpful or fond of students.

"Eri, your professor is here. Don't hide here reading." Calvin patted Emeric on the head and called him down.

As Emeric reached the stairwell, he saw a man in all black standing in the doorway. The man had long, flowing hair and a pale face. Upon closer inspection, he was very thin and had a bitter, herbal scent about him, suggesting that he didn't have a good appetite.

Emeric recalled the description of Snape in that special edition: Death Eater, the youngest Potions genius, fierce in class, who had made students cry... Unbeknownst to Snape, his life story had already appeared on Emeric's desk.

He's definitely not a bad person. Emeric sensed that the sunflowers on the windowsill really liked him. What kind of bad person could little flowers like? As for making students cry, what professor doesn't go crazy? Emeric, who had almost been beaten up by classmates before, thought it was perfectly normal.

Snape looked at the little child approaching him, with purple eyes, flaxen hair, and wearing a gray suit with silver trim, like a doll he had once had and then lost when he was a child.

While Snape was distracted, Emeric walked up to him, looked up, and said, "Professor Snape, hello. I am Emeric Thaddeus. You may call me Allie."

Snape nodded. "Mr. Thaddeus, I'll take you to Diagon Alley to buy what you need for school. Please bring your money and a shopping list."

Emeric followed behind Snape, tugging at his sleeve. "Professor, we can use the Floo Network. The manor's fireplace and Diagon Alley are connected."

Snape was always lenient with children who hadn't yet caused the cauldron to explode. He glanced down at Emeric and said, "Then please lead the way, Mr. Thaddeus."

Emeric compared the list with what he had at home and realized that all he needed to buy were textbooks. He went straight to the bookstore, took a book out of his gold ring, and handed it to Snape.

"Professor, please rest for a moment. I'll be right back. I have everything else at home, only the textbooks are different from Durmstrang's."

Snape had no problem with this, ordered a coffee, and looked at the potions journal that Americ had just given him. He returned after reading only a few pages. "Mr. Thaddeus, here is your ticket. Please proceed to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at the correct date and time."

Emeric took the ticket and smiled at Snape. "Yes, Professor." He then stuffed the potions journal that Snape had returned back into his hands. "Thank you for taking me shopping today, Professor. This book is a copy. I would appreciate it if you could tutor me in Potions class after the start of the semester. The Durmstrang Potions class is only slightly better than nothing. I might fall behind when I start my third year."

Upon hearing Emeric's words, Snape silently put back the potion he had taken out to exchange. "Alright, I hope Mr. Thaddeus will be at the cellar door every night at eight o'clock sharp after the start of the school year."

After sending Emerick back, Snape wandered aimlessly for a while before finally returning to Spider's Corner.

He slumped onto the sofa, remembering the doll. Back then, Tobia still had a job and bought him the little wizard doll he liked; it was the last toy he ever received.

Later, Tobia became an alcoholic, and his family grew increasingly poor. He and Erin were starving. Erin sold off their valuables little by little, until she was left with only this doll. That day, he lost his last toy, and that day, he ate a full meal with tears in his eyes.

Snape tucked his hands into his hair and smiled bitterly. He thought he wouldn't be sad anymore, but his love would bring misfortune, and everyone around him suffered because of his love.