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Chapter 1295: The Old Bat's Helplessness
Chapter 1295: The Old Bat's Helplessness
Snape, who had been cleared of the murder of Dumbledore without any concrete evidence and was now appointed as the Headmaster of Hogwarts by the Board of Governors, maintained an indifferent demeanor throughout the entire process as if it were all deserved.
As he returned to Hogwarts, ignoring Hagrid's murderous glare, and strode through the oak front doors of the castle towards the Headmaster's office, Snape could feel the hateful stares of his former colleagues. Although they carefully hid their anger and resentment, Snape knew that his return was not welcomed, and some even wished to kill him to avenge Dumbledore.
However, ironically, he was also just following Dumbledore's instructions.
"As you wished, I'm back, and I've become the most unwelcome person here!"
Upon entering the Headmaster's office, Snape approached the portrait of his predecessor and spoke with a hint of sarcasm.
"Hogwarts School has fallen completely into Lord Voldemort's hands," the sleeping old man opened his eyes and looked at his successor calmly, "I hope you will fulfill your old promise and do everything in your power to protect the students of Hogwarts."
"That won't be easy," Snape muttered, his lips twisting, "The Dark Lord has instructed me to expel all Muggle-born students, and you know I don't have much of a choice."
After a moment of silence, Dumbledore smiled and said, "This was to be expected, wasn't it? Just like Salazar Slytherin, they are both prejudiced against Muggle-born wizards and want them out of Hogwarts."
"The situation is even worse than you imagined."
Snape pulled out a newspaper from a few days ago from his robe pocket, "Perhaps you are not aware, but the Ministry of Magic has established a Muggle-born Registration Committee, and they are sending Muggle-born wizards to Azkaban."
"Oh, that sounds like something they would do."
Dumbledore's portrait responded lightly, which annoyed Snape immensely.
Indeed, after death, one tends to become indifferent to many things.
"As far as I know, the Dark Lord also intends to have Yaxley erase the Muggle-born registration records from 1985 onwards," Snape slammed the newspaper onto the table, his voice causing many of the pretending-to-sleep portraits to open their eyes.
"Some things are beyond my power to resolve."
Snape's indifferent tone held a hint of self-mockery. He didn't really care about the plight of Muggle-born wizards; after all, it had nothing to do with him. However, he was still willing to abide by his promise to Dumbledore and protect the students of Hogwarts as much as possible. But now, some matters had escalated beyond his control, and even if he wanted to help, he was powerless.
"You don't have to worry about those issues. Mr. Anderson has already anticipated them," Dumbledore smiled at Snape, offering reassurance, "As for the Muggle-born registration records from 1985 onwards, they have already been removed from the Ministry of Magic by Albert and Scrimgeour. Even if the Death Eaters want to harm them, it's unlikely they'll be able to find that list."
"I assume you already have a solution for the rest?" Snape arched an eyebrow at the portrait.
"Don't worry about that," Dumbledore said calmly, "Just announce that you are expelling Muggle-born students as per the Ministry's demands. As for those unfortunate children, Mr. Anderson will provide them with assistance."
"Albert Anderson?"
Upon hearing the name, Snape couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, "As far as I know, that guy is not the helping type."
"Don't be prejudiced," Dumbledore said, "Mr. Anderson has been quietly helping them, and it is because of his assistance that many situations have not escalated to worse extremes."
Dumbledore acknowledged and appreciated Albert's efforts and contributions. However, some matters did not unfold according to his will.
Now, with Albert as the backup plan, even the school's professors had chosen to assist the Muggle-born students, and their situation was much better than expected. Dumbledore was not concerned about them ending up in Azkaban.
Snape didn't bother to argue with Dumbledore. As long as Dumbledore had a way to resolve these issues, he was confident that he could steer Hogwarts through this transition smoothly and prevent it from falling under the complete control of the Death Eaters.
The door to the Headmaster's office was knocked upon, and Snape ended his conversation with Dumbledore's portrait.
Professor McGonagall, her face grim, pushed open the door and entered. She looked coldly at the murderer sitting in the Headmaster's chair and asked with trembling lips, "Headmaster, what do you want with me?"
"I assume you've seen the news in the newspapers about the Muggle-born Registration Committee that the Ministry has recently established," Snape said without looking at his former colleague. "According to the new laws enacted by the Ministry, they believe that Muggle-born wizards have stolen magic from pure-bloods..."
"That's preposterous!" Professor McGonagall interrupted with a shout.
"It is the Ministry's decree, and if you have any objections, I suggest you take them up with the Ministry," Snape said coldly. "What I want to say is that Hogwarts will no longer accept Muggle-born students starting next semester, and those who are already enrolled will be expelled."
As he spoke, he threw a letter onto the table.
"These are the Ministry's demands, and I do not want Aurors coming to Hogwarts to arrest those Muggle-born students!"
Professor McGonagall bit her lip and clenched her fists, but she knew that further argument was futile. After all, these developments were well within their expectations.
"There's one more thing," Snape said, looking at Professor McGonagall, who was almost at the point of storming out. "I've found suitable candidates for the vacant positions of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and Muggle Studies professor."
However, Professor McGonagall had already left.
Snape didn't mind her rudeness and, with a wave of his wand, closed the office door. He then turned his attention back to Dumbledore's portrait.
"I wonder what they would think if they knew I was just following your instructions," Snape said sarcastically.
"You're doing very well, and I'm counting on you to continue gaining Voldemort's trust for as long as possible," Dumbledore said.
"The Dark Lord wants the Sword of Gryffindor," Snape said suddenly.
"I expected as much," Dumbledore nodded and instructed, "Move my portrait aside."
Snape frowned but complied, moving closer to Dumbledore's portrait and pulling it to the side.
When the portrait was moved, it revealed a hidden cavity behind it, and within it was the Sword of Gryffindor.
"This..."
"That sword is a fake. You can give it to Voldemort," Dumbledore said.
"A fake?" Snape looked astonished.
"I dare say Voldemort has never seen the real Sword of Gryffindor and wouldn't be able to tell the difference, as this replica is extremely lifelike," Dumbledore explained. "In fact, apart from goblins, most wizards are unable to recognize the unique characteristics of weapons crafted by goblins. So, you need not worry that he will identify it as a counterfeit."
"Is the Sword of Gryffindor important?" Snape asked subconsciously.
"I need you to deliver the real sword to Harry at the right time," Dumbledore acknowledged the importance of the sword.
"What use is it?" Snape took the fake Sword of Gryffindor from the cavity. "Do you expect Potter to use it to kill the Dark Lord?"
"Yes."
"That's not funny at all," Snape was very dissatisfied with Dumbledore's evasion. "You never tell me anything."
"I can't put all my secrets in one basket, especially one that spends a lot of time hanging on Voldemort's arm," Dumbledore shook his head. "And sometimes, the fewer people who know, the better."
"What about Anderson? You even let him help you with Potter's will," Snape said, puzzled and annoyed. "You obviously trust him more."
"I haven't told Mr. Anderson too much. He figured out a lot of things on his own. Don't forget, he's a Seer, and his mind is sharper than most. So, I didn't have much choice but to trust him. Mr. Anderson has proven himself to be trustworthy, and sometimes we both had no other choice," Dumbledore said.
Albert was an unexpected blessing for Dumbledore.
"That guy is not the type to follow orders," Snape reminded him.
"I've never given him orders. We're just... collaborators," Dumbledore said.
"It seems that those who collaborate with Anderson don't end up well," Snape said mockingly.
"Those were our own choices, whether it was me or Scrimgeour," Dumbledore shook his head. "It has nothing to do with Mr. Anderson."
(End of Chapter)
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