Chapter 1423: More Dangerous Than the Dark Lord
Chapter 1423: More Dangerous Than the Dark Lord
As soon as the words left his mouth, Albert's figure appeared without warning. He brandished his wand and cast the Imperius Curse on the unconscious Yaxley. With him under control, Albert turned with a smile to face Snape, who was staring at him intently.
"Let's chat," he said, and with another wave of his wand, Snape's wand flew out of his hand. A chair flew towards him, knocking him to his knees, and he slumped into it.
"You..." Snape began.
"You used the Imperius Curse?" A portrait on the wall suddenly spoke up.
"Yes, I've learned that to deal with magic, you need to use magic, and to deal with a Dark Wizard, you need to use a little Dark Magic." Albert's tone was calm, as if it were a trivial matter.
The elderly man in the portrait wore a complicated expression.
The cruel war had changed Albert. To deal with Dark Wizards, strength alone was not enough.
"What are you up to?" Snape glanced at the unconscious Yaxley and then at the wand on the ground, his eyes narrowing.
"I'm curious if you've changed your allegiance," Albert said, pointing his wand at Snape's wand and summoning it to his own hand. He smiled at Snape, revealing the main reason for his visit. "As far as I know, you've been working tirelessly for the mysterious man lately. That doesn't seem like something a spy would do."
"That's precisely why he hasn't suspected me," Snape replied, his face expressionless.
"I figured as much," Albert said, nodding as he sized up Snape. "However, your recent actions have raised my suspicions. I believe strengthening the Death Eaters is not a wise move. It's one of our few advantages, and if that advantage is erased, the brave people who stand against the mysterious man will suffer greatly in the upcoming war."
It seemed that these words were not meant for Snape alone.
Albert continued, "Also, if you get in too deep, it won't be easy to turn back later. This Wizarding War will be more devastating than the last. Even if I step forward to support you, the innocent people who have perished will not forgive you. Moreover, given what you've done, I dare not publicly proclaim that you're a spy or innocent."
"Get to the point. I know you didn't come here just to mock me," Snape said, his lips twitching as he glared at Albert.
"Initially, I had hoped that you would lead the Death Eaters astray, but now I don't need your help," Albert said, glancing at Yaxley. With this man under his control, it wouldn't be difficult to mislead the Death Eaters.
Of course, he wasn't worried about Snape exposing this either, unless Snape truly knelt before Voldemort.
Would Snape do that? Albert didn't think so.
As for why Snape was working so hard for Voldemort, he wasn't sure, which was why he had come to see him—to understand the current situation.
"The Imperius Curse is unreliable and easily detectable," Snape warned.
"It doesn't matter. I didn't expect Yaxley to be of much use anyway. If this leads to the removal of an old-time Death Eater, it's not a loss," Albert said, naturally hoping that Yaxley wouldn't be exposed. But even if the news of Yaxley being controlled got out, he didn't particularly care.
"You still haven't answered my question," Snape pressed.
"I already told you," Snape said flatly.
"It seems you're still loyal to your Dark Lord," Albert said, raising his hand to stop the portrait from interrupting. He began to cast a spell on Snape's eyes.
"I thought you'd want to kill him yourself, since he's the one who murdered Potter's mother, Lily. I recall you cared for her," Albert said, prodding at the sore spot.
"You..." Snape clenched his fists, clearly wanting to punch Albert and shut his annoying mouth.
"By the way, do you remember the prophecy I made about you?" Albert suddenly brought up an old matter. "Your death is not far off. Don't doubt it; the mysterious man does intend to get rid of you, and you may have already sensed it."
"Why?" Snape asked suddenly.
Albert had no intention of telling Snape about the Elder Wand.
"If you want to avenge Lily, it's best to cooperate with me," Albert said expressionlessly. "To be honest, I really dislike you, but if we can end this damned war quickly, I don't mind working with you."
"If you want to cooperate with me, then shut up," Snape snapped, clearly irritated by Albert's repeated jabs at his sore spots.
"Severus has always been on our side," Dumbledore finally spoke up in Snape's defense.
"I do believe in him, but the Death Eaters have done some repulsive things," Albert pointed out. "Especially the Dark Magic exchange gathering, which is hardly convincing."
"The Death Eaters aren't under your command. They don't feel inferior and don't think they need to learn Dark Magic," Snape argued. "I thought you would have guessed as much."
"I'll figure out the situation, and I hope, as you say, that your rotten idea won't cause us trouble," Albert said, having no intention of taking Snape's words at face value. This was also one of the reasons he had used the Imperius Curse on Yaxley.
"I'll be in touch. Feel free to reach out if there's anything important," Albert said as he left, leaving their wands and a communication bookmark on the armchair.
"What an annoying brat!" Snape gritted his teeth as he watched Albert's departing figure, his wand now back in his hand.
"Albert has become a bit extreme. Perhaps this is the price of growth," Dumbledore sighed. "I shouldn't have put too much pressure on him."
"No, that's just who he is. His true nature is showing," Snape said with disgust, picking up the communication bookmark Albert had left behind. After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately chose not to destroy it but instead pocketed it.
He was well aware of the consequences of destroying it at this point. In some ways, that brat was more dangerous than the Dark Lord.
"Oh well!"
The old man sighed and left the portrait, while Snape was left to clean up the mess. Although Yaxley was under the Imperius Curse, there were still some things to be done to avoid any loopholes that could bring trouble.
After planting a small fragment of memory into Yaxley, Snape woke him up. Watching Yaxley's retreating back, Snape let out a breath and then took out the communication bookmark from his pocket, his thoughts unknown.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
