Chapter 35: Redemption and Cage [Second update]
Hogwarts.
With its majestic appearance, intricate internal structure and ubiquitous magical atmosphere, this castle has become a dream institution for countless wizards and witches.
The outer walls of the castle are made of huge gray stones, which have withstood wind, frost, rain and snow but remain strong and indestructible, as if every stone has witnessed the rise and growth of countless wizards.
The spacious halls, winding corridors, well-stocked library... and the unique principal's office are childhood memories that many wizards will never forget even throughout their lives.
Every year when school starts.
People will gather here.
"Fox, you like to run out these days. Is there anything new outside that attracts you?" Dumbledore looked at the fiery red figure flying in from the window with curiosity.
Because school has not started yet.
The atmosphere in the castle is slightly deserted.
All students are on vacation, and even professors actually have their own homes... Probably only people like Snape and Dumbledore will still stay in school.
They are not homeless.
They just... can no longer feel the presence of home.
“Qiang Qiang~”
The high-pitched and loud cry showed that Phoenix was in a good mood.
"School is about to start. You can't run around in the school, you will scare the little wizards." Dumbledore took care of the slightly messy feathers of his phoenix.
This is one of his few recreational activities.
For Snape.
There is no difference between staying at school and staying at home.
As for Dumbledore.
He didn't have enough courage to face Godric's Hollow again.
Yes.
Courage.
Many people only see the brilliance and power of Albus Dumbledore. Few people can understand how lonely the headmaster of Hogwarts is behind all the dazzling aura.
When a Gryffindor loses his courage.
It was enough to prove that he had actually fallen into the abyss and was completely lost.
"If you really want to find something to do, maybe you can help me find the location of the secret room." Dumbledore actually did not understand the language of the Phoenixes.
However.
This does not mean that Phoenix cannot understand human speech.
“Clang! Clang! Clang!”
Phoenix agreed.
Dumbledore could sense this emotionally.
"Excuse me."
He took out a snack.
However.
The fiery red phoenix stopped on Dumbledore's arm and ignored the snacks Dumbledore fed him. It just let out a crisp cry outside the school.
"Sif."
Dumbledore looked up.
I saw Snape walking into the school from outside with a worried look on his face. Judging from the direction he returned, Dumbledore probably guessed where Snape had gone.
"Have you finally gone to visit that poor child?"
Dumbledore's figure disappeared in front of the office window, and the next moment, it appeared in the castle passage that Snape entered - this was the apparation of Phoenix Fawkes.
Although the rules of Hogwarts Castle may not be able to restrict wizards like Dumbledore, he rarely breaks the rules of Hogwarts that have been passed down for thousands of years.
"That damn brat is not pitiful at all."
Snape seemed to be frightened by Dumbledore, but after hearing Dumbledore's words, he Still couldn't help but twitch his face, recalling the horrific scene he just saw.
Even black magic is played.
Can it be called pitiful?
"Don't always restrain your emotions, that child needs your care."
Dumbledore's voice always seemed to have a peaceful magic.
He patiently advised Snape.
Many people thought that Dumbledore was just using Snape, or pitying Snape... However, the fact is that Dumbledore saw his own past in Snape.
Maybe something happened differently.
But Dumbledore is probably the person who can sympathize with Snape the most.
Both of them had extreme pursuits. It was also because of the sudden drastic changes that they suddenly woke up.
Just.
Different from him.
Snape now still has a chance for redemption.
"I admit that what I said before was a bit extreme. He only has you as his only relative. If you still want to reject him, he will have no one to rely on in this world."
Deng Bledo really wanted to see something in Snape that he couldn't hope for.
“……”
Snape's eyes flickered slightly.
A rare lack of rebuttal.
"Ian is a loving child, don't let him lose love, okay?" Compared with before, Dumbledore obviously used a different method to persuade Snape not to close his own heart.
Of course.
I am definitely thinking about Ian, the orphan. With a wizard like Snape to rely on, no matter what, the future of a young wizard will be much easier.
"He is living a good life in Hogsmeade. I think he is very adaptable to...life in the wizarding world." Snape's expression was slightly unnatural when he spoke.
Dumbledore didn't care.
"He can take good care of a group of children, and of course he also knows how to take care of himself." After all, Dumbledore did the background check on Ian himself.
He knows a lot about Ian.
"Ha! What a courageous brat! He just takes good care of himself!" Snape gritted his teeth, feeling his blood pressure rise just thinking about what he saw.
"Isn't this a good thing?"
Dumbledore chuckled softly.
The full picture is obviously unknown.
"..."
Snape just gave Dumbledore a strange look and didn't say anything else. He just shook his head, bypassed Dumbledore and planned to return. own office.
He also has a pot of potion brewing.
"Maybe you should bring him to the castle to live with you."
Dumbledore made a suggestion to Snape's back.
"I don't want to be pissed off yet."
Snape's voice was cold.
He dragged his robe like a rag and continued walking.
Suddenly.
It seemed like he remembered something.
He stopped again.
Look back.
Dumbledore still stood there holding the phoenix in his hand.
"Albus."
Snape said hesitantly.
"In what grade did you learn compound magic, and how long did it take?" The Potions Professor of Hogwarts stared directly at his principal.
This made Dumbledore slightly confused.
"Although the outside world has praised my magical talent a lot, in fact, my talent is only slightly better." Dumbledore first humbled himself before answering.
"If my old brain remembers correctly, it should be the afternoon of the second grade. That was not the magic I should have been exposed to at that time, and it took a full afternoon."
For For most wizards.
This is definitely Dumbledore's Versailles time.
However.
"Damn it, it seems that your reputation is somewhat undeserved..." Snape was not mocking, but sighing, and his expression was much more worried when he turned around and left.
"???"
Dumbledore was stunned for a while.
Soon.
He seemed to realize something.
The eyes behind the mirror frame flashed a hint of...horror.
(End of this chapter)