Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts.

Chapter 101 The Hogwarts Welcoming Team

"Who would believe that the person mentioned in this news is actually Snape?"

In the Hogwarts professors' common room, Headmistress of Hufflepuff, Professor Pomona Sprout, who had just returned from the greenhouse, saw today's edition of the Daily Prophet and said incredulously.

"To be honest, although I know that sometimes I shouldn't do this, and I often teach my students not to be prejudiced, my previous impression of Snape is really hard to change."

McGonagall, who was also sitting in the common lounge, was drinking red tea with a complicated expression on her face.

She had already seen the news this morning, but even though she knew some of the inside story about Severus's current state, McGonagall was still shocked by what he had done in the past two weeks.

How many days has it been?

He has completely reversed the public's perception of him in the magical world and turned his reputation around.
Moreover, he was one of the first to know that Snape had completely changed overnight.

After witnessing the rainy day with Dumbledore and picking Harry Potter up from the Dursleys, McGonagall was actually wary and resentful of this new Severus Snape.

No matter how unlikeable Snape may have been, he was at least someone whom Hogwarts knew very well.

And having worked together for so many years, even if we don't interact much on a daily basis, there is still some colleague friendship between us.

Severus is a different person now, but what about the Snape of the past?

Then came the matter of bringing Harry away from his aunt's house.

McGonagall had no objection to bringing him out, given that Dumbledore had given his prior consent. However, she was concerned that Severus would reveal his deep-seated hatred for his parents to a child who hadn't even turned nine yet.

This greatly displeased McGonagall.

Although she is a strict professor, she has always been very concerned about her students' emotions and mental health.

However, this was just a disagreement about raising children, and it didn't cause McGonagall much resentment.

Finally, here are the things that have happened these past few days.

McGonagall was present when Dumbledore wrote the letter to Severus, asking him to invite Slughorn to Hogwarts in place of his own.

At that time, she did not understand Dumbledore's intentions, but she saw in the newspaper that this new Snape had kidnapped the victimized Muggle and escaped, and was wanted by the Ministry of Magic.

She was completely devastated!

Harry is still in his hands!
Even on the day the Ministry of Magic issued the arrest warrant, Dumbledore announced to the reporters who had rushed to the scene that Hogwarts would always trust Snape.

During that time, she would go to the headmaster's office almost every half day to urge Dumbledore to find a way to bring Harry back as soon as possible.

That child's family has already sacrificed themselves. Regardless of Harry's future achievements, he must not be harmed in any further way!

But Dumbledore simply reassured her calmly, telling her that Harry would be fine until the Quibbler's supplementary magazine was published.

Only after that did McGonagall finally figure out the truth.

The reason Dumbledore allowed New Severus to act recklessly was because he knew the truth beforehand and understood that there was no murderer or victim in this so-called Muggle poisoning case.

Therefore, Severus's choice to do that actually proved that he was indeed doing the right thing.

Even though doing the right thing would temporarily tarnish his reputation and lead to a warrant for his arrest by the Ministry of Magic, he still did it.

After that, McGonagall's feelings toward Severus changed from initial dissatisfaction to something more complicated.

Then came his speech at that court hearing.

After he publicly repented and apologized for his past mistakes to all the wizards in Britain through the wizarding radio broadcast, in front of Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic.

McGonagall's feelings became even more complicated.

She was certain that she couldn't feel any ill will towards Severus Snape as he was.

The only thing that still bothered her was that she didn't yet know what had happened to the original, sarcastic, and sharp-tongued Severus Snape.

And then there's the Crouch father and son, and the werewolf case, which was only reported today.

If Severus's confession of his past self during the trial makes McGonagall think that he didn't take all the benefits Snape had given him without taking any corresponding responsibility, and that he seemed like a decent person...

The werewolf case would allow McGonagall to truly see that he wasn't just talking the talk, nor was he just using the vampire incident to deliberately brush off Dumbledore; he genuinely wanted to sever ties with his past.

To live in this world with a clear conscience using this identity.

“It’s a good thing that Snape has changed like this.” McGonagall’s voice still carried a hint of worry. “At least for the wizarding world as a whole, it seems like a very good thing right now.”

Sprout didn't quite understand what she was worried about.

Only Dumbledore and McGonagall truly understand that the current Severus is probably not the same person as the original Snape.

"Aha, everyone, let's see who's here!"

A humorous and friendly voice suddenly rang out in the teachers' common room. The headmaster of Ravenclaw House, Professor Felius Flitwick, led a portly old man with a walrus-like beard into the room.

Clearly, although they had been away from Hogwarts for eight years, the professors sitting here had worked with Slughorn for much longer than they had been apart.

Sprout and McGonagall greeted him.

"Long time no see, Horace."

"I've heard your club is doing better and better."

Slughorn patted his belly and laughed.

"Thanks to my former student Elder and his vampire friend, my Slug Club has been quite popular lately. Many people who I couldn't invite before are now writing to me asking when the next club meeting will be. They all want to meet these two legendary figures."

Flitwick, who is short in stature and needs to stand on several books to reach the podium during class, also talked about recent events.

“I haven’t seen Severus since the start of summer vacation. I didn’t expect him to have done so much outside. What’s even more unexpected is that he actually invited you back.”

Upon hearing Flitwick's words, Slughorn covered up his embarrassment with laughter.

He certainly wouldn't say that the reason he agreed to come was because Severus had initially taken the blame for him.

While a group of professors and deans were chatting in the lounge, marveling at the recent events in the magical world and Severus's transformation.

Hufflepuff's resident ghost, the fat monk, floated into the common room to deliver a message to McGonagall in Dumbledore's place.

Professor Dumbledore said that Hogwarts' guests are arriving at the school gates soon and asked Professor McGonagall to go and greet them.

After all, Severus had publicly announced his resignation from his positions as headmaster and professor, Harry, who came with him, had not yet officially enrolled, and Lupin had already graduated from Hogwarts. Their visit was at Dumbledore's private invitation.

Therefore, the proper courtesy should still be shown.

Just as McGonagall was about to get up, Frivy spoke up.

"Let's go together! I can't wait to see what Severus looks like now!"

Sprout and Slughorn, of course, had no objection to this.

So the four current heads of the house left the common room together and came to the gates of Hogwarts to greet their former colleagues.

Severus and Lupin, who had just brought Harry from Hogsmeade to the gates of Hogwarts, couldn't help but exchange a glance upon seeing this scene.

That's incredibly generous of you!
All that's missing is Dumbledore himself to greet us!
Even when he was the dean, Severus was still a junior among these professors. He was still young, not even thirty years old this year.

Now, even just going back to Hogwarts for a meal feels different than before.

“Professor McGonagall, even if I’m temporarily leaving Hogwarts, there’s no need for such a fuss. I haven’t even had time to move my office yet.”

But the very first thing he said made Flitwick and Sprout realize that he was like a completely different person. The Snape of the past would never have said such a thing in such a teasing and intimate tone!
McGonagall looked at Severus, a smile appearing on her usually stern face.

"Everyone is very curious about the person who has been making headlines in the magical world these past two days."

As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously fell on Harry, who was standing to one side behind Severus, and then she turned to look at Lupin.

“You two used to be mortal enemies, but now it seems you get along quite well.”

Lupin didn't say anything about this; he just shook his head with a wry smile.

Since following Severus, he felt that his smiles were always bitter.

Flitwick, however, had already rushed to Severus's side with a gasp and patted his arm.

"Your new look is really nice! Severus! Did you secretly use that shampoo I recommended to you before? I've told you before to take better care of yourself and pay attention to your image in front of the students! You finally listened!"

Professor Flitwick is a kind-hearted person, and compared to Snape in the past, he is a very competent professor and dean.

Severus simply smiled and flicked his ponytail in response to his words.

"This is a formula I developed myself! It's much better than the one you recommended to me before. Do you want me to secretly write down the secret formula for you? It's exclusive."

Is the material precious?

“You can get them from Professor Sprout’s greenhouse; she has all the ingredients. If you find the process troublesome, you can ask Professor Slughorn for help later.”

“You’ve got us all figured out,” Sprout said mischievously.

Everyone present laughed.

Even on a summer vacation without students, this day at Hogwarts is wonderful.

(End of this chapter)