Chapter 731: Extra - Snape
Chapter 731: Extra - Snape
Snape and Harry stood beside a neatly trimmed hedge, not far from a very respectable manor. Behind them were several Aurors and a dozen Enforcers. The number was fewer than expected based on intelligence, but everyone present seemed relaxed.
"I really don't want to see Draco Malfoy inside", Harry whispered.
"Maybe he's not there", Snape said.
"But I went to the hospital this morning, and his assistant said he went home", Harry said urgently. Snape gave him a cold look, "I didn't know you had developed a habit of being indecisive."
"Oh, I guess it's because of taking care of the little one", Harry said calmly. "She's so mischievous, more troublesome than the other two when they were young. Ginny and I are struggling a bit." As expected, when he finished speaking, he noticed Snape's expression became inscrutable.
"Ginny and the kids are on the island", Harry added.
"I'll go", Snape said expressionlessly, "with a gift."
As Snape walked toward the iron gates, Harry was still thinking about their relationship. Their connection should have been severed after graduation, and for the following years, they only met a few times on the Floating Island, as expected. But he couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking when he insisted on choosing a professor who had a poor relationship with him during school as the godfather for his youngest daughter—so that each of his three children would have a godfather.
But he did it, perhaps because of the encounters at the cemetery.
At that time, Harry realized that Snape had never let go, even though he had achieved great success. He remained stubbornly at the school instead of giving up his teaching position, as it held nearly all his memories, both good and bad.
Even Hagrid would leave Grawp behind every summer and disappear for a month or two, and the Headmaster of Beauxbatons was similarly unpredictable. But Snape was always alone. According to Neville, Professor Mcgonagall seemed to be trying to match him with Emmeline Vance, but history repeated itself. The two inherited the competitive spirit of Slytherin and Gryffindor, fighting fiercely for the House Cup in recent years, and thus, no sparks flew between them.
Next year, Rosie would start school. But Harry thought of Sirius Black's second child, the one who almost took the name "James." Fortunately, his and Ginny's first child was born two months earlier, and Sirius held a grudge. In the end, he insisted on being "James's" godfather.
Harry waved, and the Aurors and Enforcers took their positions.
...
At that moment, the living room of Malfoy Manor was bustling with activity.
A group of people in black robes slouched at long tables, complaining about the unfair treatment and hardships they had endured over the years. The lighting in the room was deliberately dim, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the Death Eaters' meetings. The fireplace burned brightly, and the spot next to it was empty.
Lucius Malfoy sat stiffly in the first seat on the left, watching Selwyn and two burly, short wizards chat opposite him.
"What's wrong, Lucius?" Selwyn shouted. "We need fresh blood, or we'll decay. No one here is doing it for personal gain; we're discussing the fate of all Pureblood Families. The more people, the better, right, Vincent, Gregory?"
Lucius looked at his son's former best friend, who nodded foolishly.
Selwyn gloated.
"Let the young ones see the world. Old friend, where's Draco?"
"He's busy and can't come", Lucius said. "Busy and can't come", Selwyn repeated, making sure everyone heard, then he showed a puzzled expression, "What could be so important? Let me think—oh, right, he's a big shot now, busy with his work, with countless people hoping he'll cure a couple more Muggle diseases so those non-magical scum can live as long as Wizards... while some of our friends and family rot in Azkaban..."
Crabbe and Goyle's thick faces instantly flared with hatred.
Lucius narrowed his gray eyes and said coldly, "I think you have a hand in that, Selwyn."
"Oh, don't be ridiculous", Selwyn countered immediately, clearly prepared. "Leaving aside the best-hidden Snape, how many secrets have you, Lucius, revealed? Compared to the two of you, my actions are negligible."
He stood up, leaning against the chair facing the fireplace, as if he intended to sit down. Everyone's eyes widened—had Selwyn set his sights on that seat?
The room was filled with wary, anxious glances.
But Selwyn only stood beside the chair, raising his voice, "Twelve years ago, we made a deal with Mr. Higgs, thanking him for freeing us from Voldemort's servitude", he said, bowing slightly to the chair. "These years, we've tried to keep a low profile, avoiding trouble, but what has been the result? We've been treated as outcasts by a bunch of nobodies, and I've seen that condescending look too many times... It's time to unite and use our influence! Gentlemen, the Dark Lord is not the only one, but the Pureblood Families will endure!"
Lucius sensed a dangerous signal and subtly leaned back in his chair.
Selwyn's speech struck a chord with many, stirring memories of past glories. When he pressed his hands down, the crowd fell silent. He smiled in satisfaction.
"The Pureblood Families are unattainable because we have signed countless magical contracts over the long years. Of course, most of them have now been transferred to the Ministry of Magic. I have no intention of reclaiming them; there are other ways to make money..." He mumbled, "But using this to negotiate a share with the Ministry of Magic shouldn't be a problem. I plan to talk to Kingsley Shacklebolt..."
"Also, there's one more thing—"
"I've connected with one of the Queen's stewards. Mr. Edwin revealed that the Queen has been talking a lot about the court wizards lately. Gentlemen, I don't think I need to explain what this means, do I?" Selwyn scanned the room, and even Lucius's eyes glowed with excitement, a symbol of titles, noble status, and unique standing.
But then Lucius recalled the conversation from breakfast, and his heart felt as if it had been doused with cold water, instantly cooling him down. Selwyn continued his speech, but Lucius's mind was elsewhere. He seemed to hear faint footsteps, his gaze turned to the heavy wooden door, and he rubbed his eyes. The bronze handle appeared to be slowly turning.
"Click."
A gust of wind rushed in, and Selwyn, who was in the middle of his speech, looked up in surprise. A figure stood at the door, the hem of their black robes fluttering with the wind. The person remained still, seemingly adjusting to the dim light inside, but everyone in the living room recognized the face, and murmurs broke out.
"It's Snape!"
"Wasn't he teaching at the school, and also researching potions..."
"I heard he sided with Potter."
Snape strode in, glanced around, and then looked at Selwyn. Selwyn managed to hide his surprise and put on a smile. "Severus! It's been a long time since I've seen you. I heard you became someone's godfather, ha ha!"
Snape's face remained expressionless, devoid of any smile. The others in the living room didn't laugh either. Their gazes shifted between the two men, then focused on Lucius Malfoy, who seemed equally surprised by Snape's arrival. But it wasn't just surprise; his face, illuminated by the fireplace, appeared pale.
Snape stood in front of Selwyn. More precisely, he stood in front of the chair that leaned against the fireplace. He pulled the chair out and sat down. The living room fell silent, some people were so frightened that their mouths gaped open, emitting unconscious hisses.
Snape sat upright, taking in everyone's expressions, and then spoke, "I have a message."
"What is it?" Selwyn asked reflexively.
Snape's eyelids drooped. "It's not for you."
"How can it not be for me?" Selwyn shouted, then he saw something in Malfoy's pale face. Fear began to seep through his body, like a drowning person sinking deeper and deeper. Finally, he couldn't control his leaden legs and stumbled back into the chair beside him.
"Are the Aurors outside, or—"
Snape didn't respond.
Selwyn's eyes widened, his lips trembling. He suddenly jumped up, knocking the chair over. Then he turned and ran for the door, a few others following him in a panic, fleeing from the long table.
"If I were you, I wouldn't choose to run", Snape said in a low voice. Selwyn didn't hear this, as he was the first to bolt out of the living room. He didn't use the fireplace, as it might be monitored by the Ministry of Magic. He ran out of the living room toward the back of the estate, where there was a fountain, a place suitable for Apparition.
One of those who followed Selwyn stopped. It was a short, fat man, a few steps from the door, his face showing a mix of emotions. His mind was in turmoil, uncertain whether to heed Snape's words. Given his actions, he would likely be imprisoned for at least ten years.
Then the air in the living room seemed to freeze, including the short, fat man at the door, whose sweat beads froze on his face. A circle of silver light passed through everyone, like a silver veil, and they immediately felt a splitting headache.
" Resist", Snape's voice commanded.
Lucius was the first to stop resisting. Whoever had come, whether it was the Aurors or the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, he had no desire to fight. That wasn't his strength. Besides, he had Narcissa, Draco, and young Scorpius to think about. He felt like a drowning man surfacing for air, collapsing into a chair, gasping for breath, and only then realizing his clothes were drenched in cold sweat.
The silver ripples spread like a tide, and a strange courage welled up in Lucius's heart. But this courage wasn't for fighting; it was to follow the master of the silver light in a battle against evil... a peculiar feeling, one the Malfoy family didn't need.
When the fourteenth wave of silver light swept through the living room, the door was violently pushed open from the outside. Three Aurors, their magic barriers shimmering with a faint glow, led the man at the door away without a word.
"Is it... Potter out there?" someone asked timidly.
Before Snape could respond, the door was pushed open again. Everyone drew a breath as they recognized the face. It was Harry Potter, leading the team himself. A silver corporeal Patronus hovered behind him, and they could hear the faint clopping of hooves.
Not seeing Draco, Harry felt a slight relief. He spoke calmly, "By order of the Minister of Magic, Selwyn, Parkinson, Nott, and Royle are suspected of serious violations and are to be taken back to the Ministry for questioning."
Everyone bowed their heads in reverence.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the door shut with a bang, and everyone's faces showed a look of survivors.
Snape's tone was calm. "Slytherin's snakes should not crawl in the gutters but fly in the sky. To prevent any misunderstandings—" He paused, pulling out a few parchments from his black robes.
"I have prepared some materials."
He began to read from the parchment in a dry, monotonous voice, as if reciting a lengthy report. Although his mind was elsewhere, Snape found a familiar feeling in the moment. Years ago, he had read similar tedious reports, but then it was in the meeting room of the Black Family Manor.
No one interrupted him. The fire in the fireplace behind him burned brighter, the logs occasionally crackling and sending sparks flying, illuminating the room behind him. Everyone sat upright, straining to glean useful information from the report, delivered without a hint of emotion.
For some of them, this scene was all too familiar.
(End of Chapter)
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