Chapter 72: Snapped
Christian checked his shoulder, and only a small portion was left to grow. However, the pain intensified. 'I only need to bear it for a few more days,' thought Christian, bandaging it and dressing up.
Friday arrived, and the pain was unbearable.
'Come on, Christian, you just need to survive this class and the weekend, and it should heal,' said Christian, trying to focus and act normally. He listened to Snape's explanation of the potion formula on the board before he started practicing.
Then, Snape's derisive comments flew left and right, turning the class into a somber atmosphere. 'Ignore him for now, ignore him for now,' thought Christian, repeatedly, trying to focus. Such thoughts were contrary to his decision to act normally, but he could not care today due to the immense amount of pain he was suffering from.
Snape said something mean to Hermione; she looked like she wanted to cry. Christian grunted under his breath and focused. Then, he glided over to Harry and began mocking him relentlessly.
Something snapped inside Christian's mind; he was already in pain, and the fact that this bastard had not learned anything and had reverted to his former self broke something in his mind.
"Harry, do you want to know why he hates you so much? Why does he keep picking on you in class?"
"Hm?" Harry was confused by this sudden question.
"Malik, what's the meaning of this?" asked Snape, almost snarling.
"It's because of your mother," continued Christian, looking deadly into Snape's eyes.
"My mother? He knew my mother?" No news would shock him as much as this one.
"Not only did he know her — they grew up together."
Harry looked at him in bewilderment.
"Stop talking now and get out of my class," Snape yelped.
"He loved her more than anything in the world," continued Christian, ignoring his words. "But she ended up with your father, someone he greatly disdained and thought of as his bully."
"I said get out," yelled Snape.
"In his small mind, he lost her because of him, but what he never understood was that he ruined things himself. You know what he once called her?"
"Malik, this is my last warning," said Snape as he floated to the Christian's desk.
"A Mudblood," uttered Christian. "The worst thing someone can call a Muggle-born Witch; he called the supposed love of his life such a vile name."
"Enough!"
Snape pointed his wand at Christian's face, but he was extremely calm.
"There it is," he continued. "The Death Eater in you. You may have fooled these people that you were reformed, but I see you for what you are — a selfish bastard who only cares about himself."
Snape's face contorting in anger: "Depu—"
"Expelliarmus."
Before Snape could finish, Christian had already woven his finger and pronounced his words. The wand flew out of his hand, followed by his body flying more than three meters, hitting the ceiling before falling down.
Christian looked at the passed-out Snape on the floor; his anger greatly abated. However, he also realized he may have gone too far because of the pain. Regardless, Christian did not regret his action: he had had enough of this class, of how Snape taught or treated him and the other students not from his house; he disdained the latter for reverting to his old self despite the headmaster's warning.
He looked at the shocked classroom, which had not processed what had happened. He glanced at Hermione and said, "Go call Professor McGonagall and explain what happened."
At the sound of his voice, Hermione woke up and ran out of the classroom. Less than five minutes later, she returned with Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey, who immediately checked on Snape.
"He's fine, only passed out. I'll take him to the hospital." She conjured a stretcher and floated away with him.
"That's good news," nodded Professor McGonagall before looking at Christian. "Follow me, Mr Malik; the headmaster wants to see you."
Christian calmly followed her, and they did not speak a word during the long journey; she only spoke the password to the headmaster's quarters.
"Have a seat, Mr. Malik," said Dumbledore in his calm voice. "Do you want something to drink or eat?"
"Some tea would be appreciated." Now that the rush was gone, the pain had returned, and he needed something to soothe his nerves; he did not want to reveal his injuries to the headmaster.
"Tea is an excellent way to calm down." With a wave of his hand, a cup of tea appeared before Christian, and he slowly sipped it.
"Firstly, I would like to apologize for Severus' behavior," said Dumbledore. "I did not expect him to act in such a manner despite my warning."
"You can't blame him for revealing his nature."
"His nature? Maybe that's a little too harsh." Christian did not comment on this.
"I have a few questions for you," the headmaster continued, looking at him through his small glasses and crooked nose. "What makes you behave in such a way?"
"I can only say I snapped," replied Christian truthfully. "My mother promised me the best magical education in the world, and honestly, this is not it. So, I lost control of my emotions."
Dumbledore looked at him, and his eyes indicated disbelief. Christian was outspoken, but he had enough restraint not to rile up a teacher, let alone attack one.
"That is understandable, given the situation," said Dumbledore, who could not see the truth because he detected the very advanced Occlemency Christian was using. He did not dare pry.
"However, I still have to condemn your actions."
"What about him?"
"Severus is also at fault, especially for pointing —"
"Attacking," corrected Christian.
"Yes, attacking a student. He will face disciplinary actions."
Christian looked Dumbledore in the eyes and decided not to comment further.
"My second question is, how do you know so much about Lily and Severus?" This was Dumbledore's greatest puzzle, as he did not even know some of these things.
"How can I explain it?" said Christian. "I'm somewhat of a Seer. I know things from the past, present, and a bit of the future that I should not know."
"An ability to see the past? I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing."
"I don't know how to explain it," said Christian. "Since I was 11, I could see visions every time I met someone, and it's often things in the past."
"You said you know things you shouldn't. Can you give me a few examples?"
"Let me think," said Christian, thinking what to say to ensure this lie was believable.
"I know about the Blood Pact you made with Grindelwald when you were young; that's something only you, Newt Scamander, and a few people should know. I know about the three-way duel between you, Grindelwald, and your brother."
Christian turned his head toward Professor McGonagall.
"I know about the love triangle between Professor McGonagall, the Scottish farmer Dougal McGregor, and her husband, Elphinstone Uquart. Those are things that I should not know but do."
Professor McGonagall turned her head to hide the small shade of crimson on her cheek before turning to her usual demeanor.
"What about the future?" asked Dumbledore.
"I mainly saw the future of the Muggle World," explained Christian. "Many of the warnings in my book come directly from the future I saw."
"So, you are indeed a Seer." His tone confirms this fact while still hinting at skepticism.
"More or less. It's not something I like to talk about since there is some information a child like me should not know, but I cannot control my gift; that's why I never tell anymore—except my mother."
"That's not a good thing," chimed in Professor McGonagall. "Since you have such a rare gift, you must learn to harness it. In your third year, you must take Divination as an elective."
"That was the plan. Professor, anything else you wanted to know?"
"That's all for now," nodded Dumbledore. "I will talk to your mother and discuss how to proceed with this situation."
"Thank you for listening to my side of the story," replied Christian before exiting the office.
"Do you believe him?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"What do you think?"
"I think he's telling the truth but also hiding a lot," she said. Christian has always been a child full of mystery and secrets.
"I'm of the same opinion," nodded Dumbledore.
"What are we going to do with Severus?"