Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts

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.

Felius Flitwick, the headmaster of Ravenclaw and professor of Charms, led a chubby old man with a walrus-like beard into the common 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 his 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.

I've already gotten up, which means the update is over too. I apologize to everyone.

Chapter 102 The Legacy Wand: Granting All Wishes and the Former Snape

Two weeks later, he returned to Hogwarts.

Severus did not immediately take Harry and Lupin to see Dumbledore.

Old Deng's letter only said that he was coming to have dinner with him, without mentioning anything else. Since he didn't take the initiative to speak, Severus naturally wouldn't go out of his way to approach him.

Lupin went to the Gryffindor tower to reminisce about the past.

Severus then took Harry back to his office, where he still had some things to pack.

Although Slughorn will most likely not use his original basement office when he returns, he still needs to maintain the proper decorum.

Compared to the slick old man inside him, Severus was quite adept at dealing with people.

Harry sat in his office chair, watching Severus wave his wand, causing all sorts of brewed potions and strange potion ingredients on the surrounding shelves to fly into his suitcase, which he had prepared beforehand and secretly cast with a Stretch-Without-Trace Charm.

"Why did you secretly use that spell on that box, teacher? And why won't you let me tell anyone?"

Harry asked curiously.

Severus was checking the potion inventory in his office to make sure nothing was missing.

"Because the Unseen Stretching Charm is prohibited from being used privately by the Ministry of Magic, only a few categories, such as school suitcases and family tents, are permitted to use it."

"Will I be locked up in Azkaban if I'm found out?" Harry shrank back; he already knew Azkaban was a terrible place.

"That's where serious criminals are imprisoned. Ordinary people who go in almost never come out alive. How could the magical world only have one prison? Moreover, the Ministry of Magic doesn't really supervise these control spells. As long as there's no trouble, most Aurors will turn a blind eye, and many people use them secretly in private."

As he spoke, Severus finally finished tidying up all his belongings in the office.

He nodded in satisfaction, then turned and saw Harry's envious look at the spells he was reciting, and a thought struck him.

"Speaking of those lax regulations, one of them seems to be prohibiting the private granting of wands to wizards under the age of 11 and teaching them magic, because most wizards are not actually professional and it is easy to cause trouble when teaching children who are too young."

Severus looked at Harry and pulled out the birchwood wand that he had temporarily put aside from his sleeve.

Harry heard what Severus said and saw what he was doing. He was stunned for a moment, then his face flushed with excitement as if he had guessed something.

"Originally, I didn't plan to start teaching you magic so soon, but what I've experienced these past two days has reminded me that I can't always be by your side when something unexpected happens, even with a locator. The best way is to give you some ability to protect yourself."

Severus said seriously.

Harry had already stood up from his chair, holding his breath and straightening his back, wanting to prove to Severus that he was ready.

"This wand has been with me for almost 18 years, accompanying me through seven years at Hogwarts and through a ridiculous and disgraceful period. It has extraordinary significance for me. I can lend it to you temporarily until you get a wand that satisfies you in the future."

As he spoke, Severus handed Harry the birchwood wand he was holding.

This scene evoked complex emotions in Ghost Snape.

The 18 years of wand experiences that Severus mentioned were all his own, so strictly speaking, the wand was something he had used for a long time and that he had left behind.

And now, it is about to be handed over to Harry Potter by Severus himself.

Should Ghost Snape be happy?

He should indeed be happy, because this is Lily's son, and Lily's son has inherited his legacy.

Should we also feel hatred?

He certainly had reason to hate, because this was also James's son, the descendant of his enemy, who had taken what was his.

Regardless of his emotions, Harry solemnly accepted the birch wand with both hands.

"I promise I will take good care of it, teacher!"

After completing a simple handover ceremony, Severus rummaged through his office and found a small satchel. He used the Unmarked Stretch Charm on the satchel, easily expanding the space inside by half a cubic meter, and then gave the satchel to Harry.

“Take this too. It’s too conspicuous for someone your age to carry a wand. You should keep your wand in your bag. Besides, it can also hold some small odds and ends.”

Harry happily slung the satchel over his shoulder and then stuffed his wand inside.

After finishing his business in his office, Severus told Harry to wander around the castle on his own and be at the Great Hall by 11:20 sharp for dinner.

He then temporarily placed his suitcase in the now-empty office.

A person walked out of the basement and went straight up the stairs with a clear goal in mind.

Before returning to Hogwarts Castle, Severus had made some plans.

The next time he returns to this place will most likely be when Harry starts school, so in the meantime, he needs to take care of some things that need to be done in advance.

What are you looking for?

Ghost Snape sensed Severus's intention and asked aloud.

"To be precise, it's not about going to find, but about taking."

Severus did not deny Snape's speculation; there was nothing between them to hide.

"You know this castle better than I do?" Ghost Snape clearly noticed the problem; he could see the route Severus was heading, a route that, in his memory, contained nothing worth visiting.

"I'm not as familiar with the specific details as you are, but I do know quite a bit about some of the more important key points."