"The Sectumsempra spell is different from regular spells. It is a curse. The effects it creates can only be undone through a counter-curse. Stopping-type spells like Finite Incantatem have no effect on it," Snape said slowly.
"So you must learn the counter-curse to Sectumsempra. And let me warn you, although I have taught you Sectumsempra, you must learn moderation. If it's truly proven that you intentionally did not release the counter-curse and caused serious consequences, then don't blame me."
"I understand, Professor Snape." Link nodded solemnly.
Seeing this, Snape told Link all the key points about the counter-curse to Sectumsempra.
Then, Link found that his ominous premonition had come true. This damn counter-curse was at least twice as hard as the actual Sectumsempra curse.
No matter how much Link adjusted his incantation tone or changed the amplitude of his wand movements, the wound on the back of his hand showed no signs of healing.
Snape, however, scolded him with satisfaction.
The practice continued until evening. During this time, both Snape and Link used up two full vials of nutrient potions, yet Link still didn't receive any system notification about acquiring the counter-curse.
This made his face look like he was wearing a mask of pain.
Fortunately, Snape seemed to have tired from scolding. He glanced at the hourglass in the corner of the office, then casually waved his wand, instantly healing the wound on Link's hand.
"All right, it's getting late. Get lost. Continue tomorrow morning at seven."
"Oh… Thank you, Professor."
Hearing Snape's impatient voice, Link responded weakly.
Today had really worn him out. It wasn't due to physical or magical exhaustion, after all, he hadn't even successfully cast many spells from start to finish.
It was pure mental fatigue.
Slowly pushing open the stone door and walking out of the office, Link froze.
Because he suddenly discovered that a large group of people were gathered outside Snape's office, and the one leading them was Cedric.
"Link! Are you okay?"
Before Link could react, the crowd surged toward him, and Cedric, frowning, asked.
Cedric's expression was somewhat grim, because Link clearly looked exhausted, and his clothes were a bit messy, which led to some bad assumptions in his mind.
But in response, Link grinned and said, "I'm fine. Professor Snape just taught me a powerful spell today, so I ended up looking a bit messy."
"Really?"
Cedric said suspiciously. In his memory, Snape had never shown a kind face to any Hufflepuff.
"Really, really!" Link quickly said, then asked his own question, "Why are you all here?"
"We came specifically to wait for you. To find you, Cedric even missed the Christmas feast."
A tall Hufflepuff muttered softly, but Cedric glared fiercely at him when he heard this. Then he turned around and took a long gift box from behind and handed it to Link.
"Link, this gift is too valuable, I can't accept it." As soon as he said this, the Hufflepuff who was glared at panicked.
He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something, but after hesitating for a while, he didn't speak in the end, just stomped his foot in frustration.
Looking at the label on the gift box, Link finally understood what was going on.
Cedric wanted to return the Nimbus 2000 to him.
For that, the guy had even waited outside Snape's office all afternoon.
If it were someone else, Link's suspicious nature would have made him think the person was just pretending to be polite.
But Cedric was genuinely sincere, because he was that kind of upright person.
Shaking his head with a smile, Link pushed the gift box back toward Cedric and said, "Don't be like that, Cedric. This is a token of my appreciation."
"But…"
"No buts!" Link said more firmly. "How can Hogwarts' strongest Seeker ride a Comet 260 broom! If you really think this gift is too valuable and can't accept it, then win a championship and show it to me!"
Hearing this, Cedric's expression became a bit awkward.
Because, to be honest, even with the Nimbus 2000, he wasn't very confident he could win, after all, catching the Golden Snitch depended a lot on luck.
But the Hufflepuffs behind him wouldn't allow it. The Nimbus 2000 that Link gave could greatly boost their Quidditch team's strength.
When Cedric said he was going to return it, they were already unhappy. Now that Link himself had said so, they could no longer stay silent.
So, they surrounded Cedric and began persuading him.
Under their collective pressure, Cedric couldn't hold out much longer, and finally accepted the Nimbus 2000 under Link's firm insistence.
This brought smiles to all the Hufflepuffs' faces.
"Guys! Cedric and Link missed the Christmas feast! Why don't we go back and throw a makeup one for them!" Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted.
But the suggestion was immediately met with unanimous agreement from the Hufflepuffs.
The group cheerfully surrounded Link and Cedric and headed back to the common room.
The house-elves moved quickly. Before Link and the others had even stayed in the common room for long, they appeared in front of them carrying tray after tray of food.
This was the first time Link saw those little creatures with his own eyes.
These elves who dedicated themselves to Hogwarts didn't look very pleasant. They were under one meter tall, with ears as big as bat wings, bulging tennis ball–sized eyes, and long flat noses.
Years ago, these house-elves had become homeless due to the Goblin Rebellions and constantly faced slaughter from dark wizards. To survive, they came to Hogwarts seeking help.
Sadly, neither brave Gryffindor nor wise Ravenclaw wanted to take them in. As for noble Slytherin, he was even less to be mentioned.
In the end, it was upright Hufflepuff who stood up and accepted them against all opposition, just as she had accepted those students the other three founders didn't want.
Because of this, the house-elves at Hogwarts were especially kind to Hufflepuff students.
They always remembered the kindness of Lady Hufflepuff.
But the Hufflepuffs never tried to use this kindness for personal gain. In fact, to prevent students from constantly bothering the poor little creatures, Professor Sprout even issued a strict ban against going into the kitchens unless absolutely necessary.
But today, obviously, was an exception. When the mountain of food and large quantities of drinks appeared, the atmosphere in the Hufflepuff common room reached its peak. Everyone was cheering, shouting, celebrating the arrival of Christmas, and the arrival of the Nimbus 2000.
Under the fireplace's warmth, everyone was flushed with excitement.
Then, no one knew who started it, but everyone raised their cups and toasted toward the portrait where Lady Hufflepuff also held a golden cup in greeting.
"To Hufflepuff!"
Everyone shouted in unison, then drained their drinks in one gulp.
In the portrait, Lady Hufflepuff smiled down at her students. Under the flickering firelight, her smile seemed even warmer.
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