Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts.

Chapter 10 Villains of the Magic World

Severus, of course, wasn't paying attention to what Harry was thinking at that moment.

While internally complaining to Ghost Snape about how universally disliked he was in the wizarding world, he picked up on a conversation with Old Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron.

"I'm really happy with my new hairstyle. Let's get a room with two beds first; we'll stay here for the night. As for drinks..."

"Two glasses of apple juice, two double-load ham sandwiches, two servings of cream of clam chowder, and Dudley, would you like some dessert?"

As Harry boarded the train to London, he had already been briefed by Severus and was now officially known as Dudley Dursley. It took him a second to realize that the question was directed at him.

But before he could even nervously organize his thoughts to reply, Severus made the choice for him without asking any questions.

"Let's choose two blueberry cakes for dessert, and remember to get small pieces, since we don't have that big an appetite yet."

As Old Tom noted down Severus's request, he looked up in surprise at Professor Snape, whose attire was different from his usual habits, yet who was still instantly recognizable as the Headmaster of Slytherin at Hogwarts.

Severus Snape rarely left Hogwarts Castle, but he wasn't some reclusive savage.

On the contrary, because he needed to buy materials to brew potions, he actually frequented Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron, and sometimes he would sit alone in a corner and have a few drinks.

He has never stayed overnight here, nor has he ever said that he would rather drink apple juice than alcohol!

In particular, his tone and attitude today seemed a little too kind.

Old Tom glanced at Harry beside him instinctively. He had never seen this boy named Dudley before, and it was clear that the boy was not old enough to attend Hogwarts.

However, he only glanced at Harry out of the corner of his eye for two seconds, without stopping his work at all.

He quickly pulled a key from behind the bar and handed it to Severus.

"Go to the third room from the back on the right side of the second floor. Would you like me to bring the food and drinks to the room?"

"Thank you then."

Severus tossed the key lightly into the air, caught it steadily, and turned to walk towards the second floor.

Harry didn't dare fall behind, so he nervously followed Severus up the stairs to the second floor.

After the two of them left, the Leaky Cauldron bar was quiet for a moment, then became even more lively than before they arrived!

"My God! Is that still Severus Snape? When did he realize he needed to take care of his hair?"

"Is that the point? The point is, didn't you hear what he just told Old Tom he wanted? Apple juice and blueberry cake! Can you even imagine Snape with those two things?!"

"Could it be someone impersonating me? Hmm, did they use some kind of potion? I was really bad at potions class in school."

"Polyhydral formula, but absolutely not. Who would dare impersonate Snape? Wouldn't he be afraid that one day he'd drink some kind of potion that turns him into a toad for the rest of his life?"

"Who is that boy with Snape? Hogwarts doesn't have students that young, does it? He looks to be at most nine years old?"

"I don't recognize him, and I can't tell whose child he is."

Even the most talkative drunkards only dare to speculate about Snape behind his back; they wouldn't dare spread any rumors about him.

This is a truly ruthless person, far more than just the headmaster of Slytherin.

Many people know that Severus Snape was once a staunch supporter of that man, and even one of the top Death Eaters.

After the Mystic lost power, he not only escaped being purged, but was even recruited by Dumbledore and appointed as a professor and dean.

It's no exaggeration to say that he has connections in both the legitimate and criminal worlds.

People live upstairs right now, so spreading rumors here is like touching a tiger's tail.

At the same time, on the second floor of the Leaky Cauldron bar.

Severus is still arguing with Ghost Snape.

"Look, look, how bad are your reputation in the magic world? Those tables on the right treat you like you're a plague god, they're practically ready to throw up the wine they just drank."

Ghost Snape merely sneered in disdain.

"Those idiots with troll brains? They're wizards from Northern Europe. Six months ago, they wanted to buy some rare potions from me at a high price, but the Galleons they paid were mixed with goblin coins. If this had happened ten years ago, I would have killed them with my own hands."

Upon hearing this, Severus raised an eyebrow.

"And now? You're letting them go?"

"The Ghost Snape said casually."

“I have to consider Hogwarts’ reputation. They even begged me not to hire Aurors, so I’ll just cut off their little and ring fingers. I’ll keep the ring fingers to use as potion ingredients, and they can keep the little fingers to reattach at St. Mungo’s.” As he spoke, Severus also recalled this incident from his own memories.

The sight of that group of people wailing and crying as they chopped off their own fingers sent chills down his spine.

The more I recall Snape's memories, the more bloody and cruel they become, especially the years he followed Voldemort, when he was a true villain who could never be redeemed!
Severus often didn't want to recall these things, but these memories also painfully told him that Hogwarts was a paradise for young wizards in the wizarding world, but that didn't mean that the wizarding world as a whole was also a paradise.

Ok.

He, Severus Snape, was one of the evils who destroyed this paradise.

Not long after, old Tom brought out lunch for the two of them, along with a copy of today's Daily Prophet.

Severus picked up the newspaper, munching on a double-filling ham sandwich, while looking at the image of the witch who had been Minister of Magic for almost ten years, smiling and winking at the camera.

Harry had been in a daze on the way here, clearly deeply affected by what Severus had said that morning.

But after seeing the newspaper with moving photos for the first time, he still felt a sense of novelty while drinking apple juice.

"Those boring reporters are interviewing Millison Bagno again. The minister's most famous line is still related to you, Harry."

Harry was a little bewildered when his name was suddenly mentioned.

"I?"

"On the night you killed that villain, wizards throughout the wizarding world were celebrating recklessly, and many of their actions violated the International Secrecy Act. As the Minister of Magic of the United Kingdom, she had no choice but to be questioned by the International Confederation of Wizards."

Severus explained to Harry.

“She performed exceptionally well during the questioning, and her statement, ‘I defend our inalienable right to celebrate,’ still elicits cheers from many people today.”

"But she has been in this ministerial position for nine years and should retire next year. During this time, the Daily Prophet has been interviewing her every day, trying to get her to predict who will succeed her in her position."

When the topic came up, Severus acted normally, but Harry couldn't help but feel a little down, clearly thinking about his parents.

Severus noticed his change in mood, casually flipped the newspaper over, and deliberately changed the subject to talk about something else.

"The magical world has been quite peaceful lately; the only things making the newspapers are the same few trivial matters."

“Gilead Lockhart, a famous bestselling author, has published a new book, which has attracted the attention of many witches.”

"A report has been received that a dozen or so werewolves are suspected of forming a society in Wales. The Ministry of Magic is appealing to wizards living in Wales to provide any information they may have."

"In Ireland, a Quidditch team accidentally sent the Golden Snitch off the pitch during practice. Muggles claimed they saw a ball with golden wings flying around, and the Ministry of Magic had to send employees from the Memory Deletion Command to resolve the matter."

"Oh, and there's one more big thing. The Ministry of Magic received a report that a wizard is suspected of using potions to poison Muggles, and the Aurors are investigating this matter in detail."

These were indeed trivial matters that weren't worth discussing, and Harry, who had been listening with little interest, suddenly hesitated before asking a question.

"Teacher Si, what are we here for?"

Severus wasn't surprised at all by Harry's question. He finished his bowl of creamy clam chowder in one gulp, glanced at the time on the clock, and casually replied.

"The back of the pub connects to Diagon Alley, the largest wizarding trade street in Britain."

"There are all kinds of goods there, and Gringotts, the wizarding bank managed by the goblins, is also there. Of course, you can't travel without money. We'll go to Gringotts to withdraw some money this evening and buy you some necessities while we're at it."

Now that Harry had recovered from what he had learned that morning, he asked cautiously.

Why don't we go after we finish eating?

Severus did not answer immediately, but looked out the window instead.

In the now-shrinking rain, a dark dot was rapidly approaching their direction.

Before long, the dramatic owl flapped its wings and landed at the window. It was as proud as Magellan after completing his great voyage, holding its head high and pecking at the glass with its sharp beak, urging Severus to open the window for his hero.

"Because we have to wait for news."

Severus went to the window, opened it, and let the owl in.

"Whose message?" Harry asked curiously.

"A message from Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts."

Having retrieved the letter from the owl's claws, Severus replied softly.

(End of this chapter)