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Chapter 31: Snape's Dark History
Chapter 31: Snape's Dark History
After a brief conversation with Madam Pomfrey, Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing with Kyle.
On their way, Kyle took the opportunity to ask Dumbledore about some issues he encountered while practicing magic, and Dumbledore generously provided answers to all his questions.
...
As their destinations were different, they parted ways shortly after entering the castle.
When Dumbledore returned to the Headmaster's office, Snape was already waiting for him.
"These are the ingredients needed for the Mana Suppressant Potion," Snape casually slapped a long parchment on the table and said in a drawn-out tone, "Our Deputy Headmaster said that these ingredients are very valuable and require your signature."
"Minerva is too much of a stickler for rules. I remember telling her a long time ago that she could take charge of everything in the school," Dumbledore picked up the parchment and said nonchalantly, "Besides, it's just a Mana Suppressant Potion. How valuable could it be... Hmm?"
Dumbledore's expression changed as he read the contents of the parchment.
Mandrake Juice: 50 ounces.
Oculus Juice: 50 ounces.
Australian Protean Eye Dragon Shell: 5 pieces.
Venomous Unicorn Explosive Liquid: 10 ounces.
Auroch Horn: 5 pieces.
Wolfsbane: 100 pieces.
...
This was just a small part of the list, which included around thirty different items in total.
After reading through the entire list, Dumbledore felt his forehead throbbing.
He recalled that out of the six ingredients listed at the top, only Mandrake Juice was necessary for the Mana Suppressant Potion, while the others had absolutely no relevance to it.
And as for the Australian Protean Eye Dragon Shell... wasn't that the main ingredient for the Berserk Potion? How dare he include it here! Did he think others were completely clueless about potions?
Moreover, the quantities listed were excessive.
Fifty ounces of Mandrake Juice—if all of it were used to brew the Mana Suppressant Potion, it would be enough for the entire school to drink for a week.
Auroch Horn was typically sold in powdered form in the market, yet Snape requested five whole horns. Didn't he know how expensive they were?
It seemed like Snape was trying to get his supplies from Dumbledore.
At this point, Dumbledore understood why Snape had come to him for his signature.
With Professor McGonagall's strict personality, she would never approve such an outrageous list, or perhaps Snape hadn't even approached her and had come directly to Dumbledore.
"Severus..." Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, deciding to give Snape one more chance. He asked tentatively, "These are all the ingredients for brewing the Mana Suppressant Potion, right?"
Snape nodded calmly and replied, "Yes, Headmaster."
Dumbledore: "Then what about the Australian Protean Eye Dragon Shell?"
Snape: "That's my new formula."
"But even the quantity is excessive."
"It's a matter of margin for error, Headmaster," Snape said matter-of-factly. "I haven't brewed a Mana Suppressant Potion in a long time, and it's normal to make a few mistakes. Therefore, the ingredients must be sufficient."
"It seems I have no reason to object anymore," Dumbledore picked up a crimson quill and signed his name on the parchment with two quick strokes.
"Mr. Michael will be grateful for your generosity, Headmaster Dumbledore," Snape raised his eyebrows slightly.
After taking the parchment filled with personal requests, Snape couldn't wait to fill his private storage... or rather, to brew potions for Michael.
However, Dumbledore intentionally or unintentionally said, "Severus, what do you think of Kyle?"
Severus Snape's smug expression vanished, replaced by a mocking tone, "What plan do you have up your sleeve now, great Headmaster Dumbledore?"
"No, no, Severus, I think you've misunderstood. This is just a normal reaction when a headmaster meets an outstanding student. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
Dumbledore picked up a candy that resembled a cockroach and popped it into his mouth. He even offered one to Snape, "Want to try it? It's really good."
"No, thank you," Snape said with disgust.
He couldn't understand why Dumbledore favored such bizarre-looking candies when there were so many varieties in the Wizarding World.
This thing looked even more nauseating than the slime of a Fire Crab.
Dumbledore, seemingly oblivious to Snape's disgusted expression, continued, "Kindness, bravery, honesty, and composure in the face of danger. It's been a long time since Hogwarts had such an exceptional first-year young wizard."
Dumbledore paused, then added, "I remember his mother, Diana, was in Slytherin, and she was only one year older than you."
"Shut up!" Snape interrupted.
At this point, Snape's eyes twitched, and his face darkened, "Never mention that name in front of me, never!"
The last few words were almost roared by Snape.
The portraits of the past headmasters were displeased by this, and they all accused Snape of being disrespectful and daring to talk back to the headmaster.
Unfortunately, Snape didn't pay them any attention.
He didn't even fear the portraits of the current headmaster. He only called them 'Headmaster' out of courtesy; otherwise, they were just pieces of paper, too stiff even for cleaning cauldrons."
"I didn't expect that incident to be so long ago, and you still remember it," Dumbledore said, ignoring the portraits' complaints.
"But Severus, even now, I still believe you were wrong back then.
Diana was a very refined person. If you hadn't said that curse word to Chris, she wouldn't have confronted you in the common room every day..."
"Bang!"
Before Dumbledore could finish his sentence, a loud slamming door interrupted him.
The noise was so loud that even the phoenix Fawkes, who was sleeping nearby, was startled awake. It vigorously flapped its wings in the direction Snape had left, expressing its displeasure at being woken up.
"Pfft..."
As Snape's angry figure stormed out, a portrait of a plump male wizard suddenly burst into laughter. But upon seeing Dumbledore's playful gaze, he quickly covered his mouth and disappeared into another frame.
Dumbledore patted Fawkes, murmuring, "Really, as I get older, I find myself reminiscing about the past more and more."
"Hmph, hypocrite," a voice came from the wall.
The former headmaster, Phoenix Nigel Black, with his goat-like beard, couldn't hold back, "Don't think I don't know what you're doing. Look at your stinginess. So what if young Snape asked for a bit more potion ingredients? It's not a big deal. Back when I was headmaster...
Wait, Dumbledore, what are you doing? I won't say anything, so don't come over here!"
(End of Chapter)
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