Chapter 954: A Pretty Ornament
Chapter 954: A Pretty Ornament
"Patrolling the castle? Of course, no problem."
When Kyle found Nearly Headless Nick on the third-floor corridor, he readily accepted the task and dove headfirst into the ceiling above.
But he quickly floated back down.
"However, may I ask why... or what I should be looking out for during the patrol?"
Kyle thought for a moment and replied, "Just keep an eye out for any suspicious individuals. Professor McGonagall suspects that Voldemort is still in the castle, so..."
Before Kyle could finish his sentence, a sudden scream interrupted him.
"Oh, Merlin's beard! Who did you say is in the castle?"
Perhaps it was just a feeling, but Kyle sensed that Nearly Headless Nick looked even paler than before.
"Don't get worked up, Sir Bipington," Kyle quickly explained. "Of course, Voldemort isn't in the castle. Professor McGonagall is just taking precautions, like how you always double-check if the door is locked when you leave home."
"Besides, Sir Bipington, I don't understand why you're afraid. Even if Voldemort were here, he couldn't harm you."
Nearly Headless Nick paused.
Yes, why would a ghost like him be afraid?
"Well, even though I can pass through walls without needing to open doors, I think you're right."
Nearly Headless Nick, trying to recover from his earlier embarrassment, forced himself to look serious.
"I'll invite my friends to help. As you know, I have many ghost friends. We can check every corner of the castle at the fastest speed, and there's no need to worry about safety."
"Of course, everyone knows that Sir Bipington from Hogwarts has a wide social circle," Kyle said with a smile.
Ghosts always enjoy hearing some praise.
Nearly Headless Nick instantly forgot his earlier embarrassment and happily floated through the ceiling, waving goodbye.
Afterward, Kyle returned to the area near the Quidditch pitch, where Professor McGonagall was located.
Professor McGonagall seemed to be waiting for him.
Upon seeing Kyle, she didn't say a word but nodded slightly and continued walking forward naturally.
The two of them made no attempt to conceal their presence, and soon, someone from the opposite direction spotted them.
"Professor McGonagall..." Conna stood up nervously. "I..."
"You don't need to say anything, Miss Prince. I already know what happened," Professor McGonagall shook her head, indicating that she didn't need to be nervous.
She then looked up at the middle-aged wizard standing behind Conna.
"Severus..."
"...It's me," Snape said after a moment of silence.
Professor McGonagall opened her mouth as if to say something but felt it inappropriate. After a long hesitation, she finally turned to look at Snape.
"Your Transfiguration skills are really lacking, full of loopholes. I don't understand why you didn't use Polyjuice Potion."
Snape was surprised by Professor McGonagall's first words, which were a critique of his Transfiguration skills.
"But when he passed by me, I couldn't get a strand of his hair."
Kyle instinctively glanced at Snape's head.
Hmm... He had slightly more hair than Slughorn, but it would still be quite cruel to pluck one.
Kyle clenched his lips tightly to hold back his laughter.
Even Professor McGonagall's lips curled up momentarily, but the smile quickly faded.
However, the ice was finally broken, and the two skipped the usual pleasantries.
"I just watched Albus' memory," Professor McGonagall said straightforwardly. "So, there are some things you don't need to explain to me, including your role in delivering messages for Albus. I already know about it."
"I must first apologize to you. Before this, I always thought you were a traitor to Hogwarts."
"You don't need to apologize, Minerva," Snape shook his head. "Because I am indeed a traitor."
"It's not the same," Professor McGonagall said, extending her hand. "I'm glad we didn't end up as enemies in the end. Welcome back, Severus."
"Thank you."
The two shook hands, as if they had just met for the first time.
"But Severus, there's something I must tell you in advance, as a reminder from a colleague."
Professor McGonagall spoke solemnly, "First, that memory can prove your innocence, but only to a certain extent... There are still some questions that the memory doesn't answer, and we need you to provide those answers."
"I think you know what I'm referring to."
"Yes, I know," Snape nodded.
It could only be about him saving Voldemort.
Snape had already prepared an explanation for this.
"That's good," Professor McGonagall didn't say anything further.
"Before coming here, I asked Everard to use his portrait in the Ministry to inform Amelia."
"She should be waiting for us in her office by now, or perhaps in the interrogation room. Are you ready?"
As she spoke, Professor McGonagall glanced at Conna again. "We can go later if you prefer, but it's best not to keep her waiting for too long."
"No, it's not necessary," Snape said as he transformed back into his original appearance, causing a series of gasps from those around them.
They had noticed Professor McGonagall and Kyle coming here and had been watching them.
After seeing the middle-aged wizard transform into Snape, they all looked incredulous, and some even drew their wands.
This action also revealed Snape's attitude... After exposing himself to everyone, he could no longer stay here.
"Since you've made your decision... Very well," Professor McGonagall said softly.
After watching that memory, her attitude towards Snape had become quite complex.
She wanted to sympathize with Snape, as he seemed truly helpless in the memory, and the scene where he lost his soul after learning that Lily was killed by him was heart-wrenching.
However, Professor McGonagall knew who was responsible for all of this. If Snape hadn't leaked the contents of the prophecy, Voldemort wouldn't have pursued Lily.
Just thinking about this made Professor McGonagall's sympathy fade. However, Snape's subsequent efforts to make amends did dissipate some of that resentment.
"Let's go," Professor McGonagall said. "I sincerely hope we can continue to be colleagues in the future, Severus."
"Me too."
"Then, do you need any help?" Kyle, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally found an opportunity to speak.
"By now, many people who have received the news should be rushing over here... To avoid being blocked by others on the way, I can ask the Phoenix to take you there directly.
"With just three herbs, you can instantly reach the Ministry of Magic. It's a good deal, and not everyone gets this opportunity."
"The Phoenix..." Professor McGonagall pondered, looking down. "That could work..."
"No!"
Snape reacted as if he had stepped on a cat's tail, almost jumping up on the spot.
"I'd rather walk from here to the Ministry than be carried by a Phoenix."
Professor McGonagall was surprised by Snape's strong reaction and looked at him with curiosity.
"Believe me, Minerva, I don't mind walking from here to the school gates."
Snape stared at her, his expression grave. "And later, unless it's absolutely necessary, never, ever let the phoenix take you Side-Along Apparition."
"Don't ask what happened either," Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to speak, but Snape beat her to it, saying, "Consider it a well-meaning advice from a colleague. Stay away from the phoenix at all costs."
Professor McGonagall was a little confused by his words, but seeing Snape's pained expression, she didn't press further.
Kyle was a bit upset.
How could he speak of the Phoenix like that? It was so impolite. If it weren't for the Phoenix bringing him to that forest, he might not have made it back.
It was a pity that Snape was so resistant; he wouldn't be able to take a new photo...
Kyle sighed and put the camera he had prepared for the Phoenix back into his leather bag.
But there was some truth to what he said.
Since Snape's appearance, the crowd around them had grown larger. It was only because Professor McGonagall was there that they didn't swarm them.
More people were hurrying towards them, including Aurors and members of the Strike Force. It wouldn't be long before they were surrounded.
"I have no choice... I'm not sure if it will work, but let's give it a try." Professor McGonagall drew her wand and muttered something under her breath.
A few seconds later, something seemed to flash.
Then Professor McGonagall grabbed Snape's arm tightly.
"Snap!"
Accompanied by a crisp sound, the two of them disappeared from their original spots.
"Side-Along Apparition, how is this possible!" someone exclaimed in surprise. "Hogwarts doesn't allow Side-Along Apparition..."
As he spoke, he tried it himself, but his face turned red from the effort, and his position didn't change at all.
"That's right, Hogwarts does prohibit Side-Along Apparition, but how did it work just now..."
"Consider it a privilege of the Headmaster," Kyle explained to Conna, who was also a little dazed. "The Headmaster of Hogwarts has the authority to lift restrictions in certain areas."
"For example, when sixth-year students learn Side-Along Apparition, they do so in designated areas where the restrictions have been lifted."
"Mhm." Conna nodded.
She looked at Kyle, "My uncle told me everything. Thank you..."
"Thank me?"
"You saved him. I know." Conna glanced in the direction where Snape had disappeared. "Although he doesn't want to talk about it, I know it was you who saved him. Thank you."
Kyle shook his head and looked at Conna's wrist.
"Strictly speaking, it was you who saved him."
The Phoenix bracelet that Snape had returned was now back on Conna's wrist, but only one of the two original phoenixes remained.
"I never thought you'd give it to him," Kyle said. "But it's a good thing you did. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to return so easily."
In that situation, only magic targeting the soul could have driven away the Voldemort that had latched onto Snape. Otherwise, he might have become another Quirrell, with a face growing out of the back of his head.
However, Kyle's knowledge of magic was limited, and the only curse he knew that targeted the soul was the Cruciatus Curse.
Burning the soul... that should count, right...
But this definitely couldn't be used on Snape.
If even the Killing Curse couldn't be used, he could only ask Quirrell to try the Cruciatus Curse.
Voldemort's soul was already fragile, and it would definitely be the first to give out. But doing so would also cause Snape to suffer, and if it went on for too long, it might even cause problems for his soul.
It was better to use the Killing Curse directly; it was convenient, straightforward, and there were no other concerns.
It was just a bit of a luxury.
"I was just trying it out; I didn't expect it to work." Conna lifted her wrist and took a look. "After all, I've tried to give it to you several times before, but I couldn't take it off."
"It's probably because of the potion. Its main ingredient is the Phoenix Potion, which was brewed by Snape."
Kyle shrugged, "It's a bit of a shame. From now on, it can only protect you from the Killing Curse once."
"It's fine..." Conna put her hand down, "Even if both chances are used up, it's okay. As you said, the Phoenix Potion was brewed by Uncle Snape, so it's like returning it to its rightful owner."
"And..."
Conna looked up at Kyle, her tone pausing for a moment. The next second, she spoke softly, "With you here, I never have to worry about any curses, right?"
"So for me, it's just a pretty accessory, nothing more."
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
