"It's been six years, Severus. When Neville told me you were still alive, I could hardly believe it."
No one answered her.
"How many people know you're here?" McGonagall continued.
"I know Charlotte does."
"Can she be trusted?"
"I-I think so," Neville said cautiously.
"Go ask her whether the patients can be moved. It isn't safe for the two of them to stay here."
"All right."
Neville was already a Herbology professor. How was he still as obedient as he had been in school?
"I need your help, Severus," Professor McGonagall said. "Werewolves have surrounded Hogwarts. They're threatening not to let Hogwarts reopen unless their leader is released from Azkaban. They may even force us to shut down the school permanently."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"You owe me a favor for stopping you from doing something foolish before," Professor McGonagall said sternly. "What were you thinking just now?"
She heard heavy breathing from a corner of the room, like the growl of some beast.
"Someone said they saw a woman who looked very much like Bellatrix on Privet Drive. I remember your old house was nearby. Would you mind if I borrowed it?"
"Whatever. You can burn it down for all I care."
Bella, Bella again. That woman truly would not go away.
"You know the souls of those who commit suicide go to hell. After Bloody Baron killed Helena, he killed himself. He was afraid of going to hell, so he didn't dare move on. In the end, he became Slytherin's ghost. That castle already has enough people who refuse to rest. I don't want to see you there too."
"How do you know I'll become a ghost?" His voice was filled with bone-deep hatred. "Whether I go to heaven or hell, I'll find that