Hogwarts: I am Snape

Chapter 42 Word Puzzle
“Us?” Slughorn hesitated, his eyes darting between Dumbledore and Snape. “Severus wants to see it too?”

“I don’t think it matters, Horace,” Dumbledore nodded slightly. “After all, we’re here because of him. What do you think?”

“Oh, well… indeed…” Slughorn muttered softly, “This whole thing started because of him, and I hope he can learn something from it…”

He very slowly reached into his pocket, pulled out his wand, pressed the tip of the wand to his temple, and then removed it.

A long, silvery thread of memory trailed from the tip of the staff. It stretched longer and longer until it finally snapped, its silvery light shimmering and swirling at the tip like gas…

They didn't know how much time had passed, but once again they were pulled off the ground by an unseen force, flying higher and higher in the darkness as if weightless, passing through a void together, and finally landing steadily on the carpet in front of Dumbledore's desk, where the Pensieve gleamed.

It was still dark outside the window.

“I think you saw it just now, Severus.” Slughorn steadied himself and slowly turned his gaze to Snape. “Don’t think I’m being long-winded. I told you before that Tom disappeared not long after he graduated, and nobody knows what happened to him after that.”

"I don't want you to end up like that. You have a bright future ahead of you."

“You must understand that the soul should remain whole and intact. To split it is a rebellion, an act against nature. Therefore, you must stay far away from that thing; it is too evil and too dangerous…”

“Thank you, sir.” Snape took a step forward and bowed deeply to Slughorn. “I will remember your warning.”

Although he was already very familiar with this memory, Snape still greatly admired Slughorn's willingness to let him witness his past disgraceful deeds as a warning.

Beneath Old Snot's somewhat worldly and slick exterior lies his own conscience, courage, and nobility.

“Albus…” Slughorn’s voice was full of weariness, “I’m really getting old… Let Severus take you to see that Horcrux in the castle.”

"If it's convenient, could you please give me that resignation letter again..."

“Sir, you’d better not leave Hogwarts.” Snape hurried forward, picked up the mead on the table, and poured Slughorn a small glass. “You’re safer here.”

“Why…” Slughorn took the glass, barely able to speak loudly, “What use is an old man like me… I can leave this country…”

Snape thought for a moment, then slowly pulled his wand from his pocket.

With a slight flick of his wrist, he drew a few lines in the air, writing three gleaming names:
Tom Marvolo Riddle

Then he waved his wand again, and the letters automatically switched positions, becoming:
I am Lord Voldemort.

“It’s for your own good, sir,” Snape said quietly.

Slughorn's face grew even paler, and his forehead was covered in beads of sweat.

He didn't speak, but his expression was filled with fear.

At this moment, he finally connected Voldemort with the smart and handsome male student council president who had once studied at Hogwarts.

Slughorn raised his fat hand and pressed his trembling fingers to his lips, making him look for a moment like a huge, helpless baby.

“I—I—” Slughorn shuddered violently, but seemed unable to tear his terrified gaze away from those few words.

“I—I gave you his secret…” Slughorn murmured softly through his fingers, the fear on his face lingering. “What should I do…” “You need rest, Horace,” Dumbledore said gently. “You are too tired. A good night’s sleep will make you feel much better.”

"Besides, you don't need to worry, everyone here will keep the secret. Isn't that right, Severus?"

Snape looked into Slughorn's eyes and nodded seriously: "If you are not at ease, I can make an unbreakable oath, and Professor Dumbledore can be our witness."

“No, no need,” Slughorn waved his hand weakly, then sighed heavily, “It’s not necessary, alas, I just—I just shouldn’t have to bear so much…”

“I’ll take you back, Horace.” Dumbledore put on his robe and turned to Snape. “Wait here for me a moment, Severus. I’ll be right back.”

After saying that, he raised his wand again, and the wine bottle and three glasses on the table disappeared instantly.

The two walked away from Snape and closed the door.

A minute later, Snape heard the sound of the stone monster jumping away and then jumping back.

Bored, he began to look around.

Although the old headmasters were all snoring softly in their respective photo frames, Snape believed that some of them were definitely pretending to be asleep.

“Hello, Fawkes.” Snape looked up and greeted the phoenix perched on the golden branch by the door.

Professor Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, was staring at Snape with its two bright, black eyes.

“If I’m in danger in the castle and call out Dumbledore’s name, will you come to my rescue, Fawkes?” Snape asked, pointing to the tattered, crumpled wizard’s hat on the shelf. “You’d better take that with you.”

In a glass case next to the Sorting Hat, there was a gleaming silver sword with a large ruby ​​set in its hilt.

Looking at the Sorting Hat, Snape had no intention of trying it on. Who knew if this ancient hat might actually read something it shouldn't? If so, he'd probably have to destroy it.

But thinking about it, this might not be a bad thing. Who knows, from now on, Hogwarts might achieve a great unity among the schools.

As Snape pondered this, he walked around the table and reached for the Sorting Hat on the shelf.

He stared at the Gryffindor sword in the box, reached into his hat and rummaged around, hoping to find a hilt. But after searching for a while, he found nothing.

What the hell? He couldn't help but complain to himself, "Am I not brave enough? This old-fashioned person is so prejudiced."

“Hey, give me some face, will you?” Snape held up the Sorting Hat. “Even if you were once Godric Gryffindor, you can’t be biased.”

"What are you doing, Severus?"

Just then, Dumbledore's voice suddenly came from behind Snape.

　Thank you to Red Maple Leaf White for the monthly pass.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)