Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts.

Chapter 240 A Brand New Future

Bagno was clearly shocked to see Lupin, Peter, and Sirius in the room.

"What's going on? Who is this? Peter Pettigrew? Wasn't he already dead?!"

Her mind worked quickly, and she easily recalled the things that had been circulating in the newspapers these past few days.

"Did you spread those messages? Are you trying to exonerate Blake?"

McGonagall did not leave after bringing the people in; it was clear that Dumbledore had entrusted her with handling matters concerning Black and Peter before leaving.

In front of McGonagall and Bagno, Lupin stepped forward and began to tell the Minister of Magic the truth about what happened back then in detail.

At the same time, on another continent separated from Britain by the Atlantic Ocean.

Merritt Island, east coast of Florida, United States.

NASA’s most important spacecraft launch center is located on this island.

For this reason, most areas of Merritt Island are not open to the public, with only a small portion serving as a visitor center and another part used as a national wildlife sanctuary.

This morning, three people, spanning ages from young to old, who clearly did not belong to any department of the launch center, were seen strolling around the island as if no one else was there.

"Teacher, why did we come here?" Harry, who had been holding it in the whole way, finally couldn't help but ask after arriving at their destination.

Severus watched with interest as the busy Americans around him worked. Beside the massive rocket launch pad, the Space Shuttle Atlantis had completed all preparations and was ready for takeoff at any moment.

He answered Harry's question softly.

"Of course, I brought you here to say goodbye to an old acquaintance."

"An old acquaintance?" Harry asked, puzzled.

Instead of wearing a robe, Dumbledore, dressed as an elderly Muggle, smiled at Harry in a suit that wizards would never normally wear.

"Don't be too nervous, Harry. You can treat this as a special event. Today we're going to visit this big guy flying in the sky."

Harry was a little confused. He looked at Dumbledore and then at Severus, unable to understand what they meant by bringing him here.

But it's clear that Dumbledore and Severus have already agreed that this matter cannot be told to Harry yet.

Soon, Dumbledore waved to the busy crowd, and a middle-aged white man, dressed in a suit and collar, looking like an official, walked over, unlike the researchers around him.

He looked at Dumbledore, his eyes momentarily dazed, then his expression changed, as if he were seeing an old friend, and he affectionately put his arm around Dumbledore's shoulder.

"It's been a long time, Smith! Aren't you preparing for the next presidential election? What brings you here?"

“You’re undertaking a project of unprecedented scale in the history of the Federation, aren’t you? I think I should come and take a look.”

“Aha! You really do have more ideas than your competitors! This is a great publicity stunt!” The man in the suit leaned closer to Dumbledore and whispered, “To be honest, I’m more optimistic about you. Although you lost to George Bush in this election, your approval rating is just as high!”

At this point, his expression suddenly became hesitant, and his eyes began to show a thoughtful look, as if he had forgotten something.

"What was your approval rating again? How could I forget something so important?"

Dumbledore simply smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"I think that's not important at all, my friend. What's really important now is that you give us a proper tour of what's about to be sent into space, isn't it?"

Guided by Dumbledore's words, the man in the suit immediately regained his enthusiasm.

"You're right! Then hurry up and come over. They're doing a final check. You should understand, these kinds of big projects require constant, repeated checks to find any potential problems."

"Fortunately, after so many years, we are finally going to launch it today."

Led by the man in the suit, Severus and his two companions quickly entered the launch silo at the launch center.

They changed into professional dustproof suits, then passed through three security checks before finally arriving inside the Atlantis rocket.

"This is it! The most cutting-edge satellite technology in all of humanity! The world's first technological instrument used to explore Jupiter! Galileo!"

Harry was currently awestruck by the dense array of impressive scientific equipment.

Severus and Dumbledore also looked at the amazing crystallization of wisdom with admiration.

"Alright, my friends, you need to rest for a bit. It won't be long, just five minutes."

Dumbledore took out his wand, spoke softly, and then waved it at the man in the suit in front of him and the other researchers around him.

The next second, their gazes became blank. Harry's eyes widened when he saw Dumbledore's action, then he turned to look at Severus.

Severus simply shrugged at him, indicating that it was nothing to be surprised about.

Then, he took out the teacup from his pocket, which had been modified by Nico and whose lid now fit perfectly. Severus took out his wand and tapped the teacup.

The alchemical matrix on the cup then came into play, making it light, weightless, and transparent.

Finally, through Dumbledore's magic, the teacup was sent to the deepest part of the Galileo and completely hidden away.

After doing all this, Dumbledore restored the consciousness of the Muggles around him and used the Oblivion Charm to alter their memories. Then the three of them left the launch center together.

Harry was completely baffled by everything Severus and Dumbledore had done, but putting everything else aside, today's experience certainly broadened his horizons.

After leaving Merritt Island, the three did not leave Florida immediately. Instead, they stayed on the coast, mingling with a large group of astronomy enthusiasts, bought three hot dogs, and ate them while waiting for the spacecraft to launch.

Harry watched as the people around him eagerly discussed the significance of the spaceship's launch for space exploration, and he couldn't help but ask Severus in a low voice with a curious expression.

Will wizards be able to fly in the sky in the future?

Severus, who was eating a hot dog, was taken aback by the question, and then he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Forget about the future, today, Harry, today will see the first wizard in history to fly into space, even traversing a large part of the solar system, and reach Jupiter!"

Harry was completely bewildered. He looked at Severus and then at Dumbledore, utterly unable to understand what they were talking about.

Dumbledore looked at the distant spaceship and said softly.

"If you're really interested in the universe, you can study magic in that direction in the future, Harry."

"But if you do succeed one day, you'd better not go to space by yourself. Find someone to partner with you, Draco or Ron would be good," Severus added.

At this moment, Harry had already imagined Draco and Ron as astronauts in his mind, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips, clearly thinking of something happy.

As they were having lunch and chatting, the crowd around them suddenly became excited.

At 12:52 PM Eastern Time, there were less than 10 seconds left before the spacecraft lifted off.

Severus, Harry, and Dumbledore looked at the spaceship next to the launch silo. Ten seconds later, it shot out flames on time and, with a roar, began to fly into the sky!

Cheers erupted all around, and Severus, squinting at the rocket that had already completely ascended and disappeared into the distance, shouted loudly.

"Let's say goodbye, Harry!"

Caught up in the emotions of those around him, Harry, his face flushed with excitement, shouted out.

"what?"

"Saying goodbye!"

"For whom? This rocket?"

"I'll give you your original future!"

Harry couldn't understand, but he still waved his hand and shouted at the departing spaceship.

"goodbye!"

Some people heard his farewell and thought it was a special welcome, so more and more people around began to wave to the spaceship that was gradually disappearing into the sky, just like him.

"goodbye!!"

Dumbledore gazed calmly at the sky, and finally, he turned to look at Severus.

"If we've said goodbye to our original future, then I think we should have a chance to have a proper talk later, right?"

Severus shrugged.

"You wouldn't discard me after I've served my purpose, would you?"

Dumbledore laughed.

"Now that you've said goodbye to your original future, how about we talk about your past and your brand new future?"

(End of text)

(End of this chapter)