Voldemort's words fell, and the chill brought by winter seemed to deepen a little more.
Even Herpo, slumped to one side, could feel a bone-piercing cold quietly crawl up his spine.
Snape's voice remained steady. "Master, the reason I understand Vizet isn't admiration, or any affection between teacher and student, but vigilance, and... because it is something I must do."
"Is that so?" Voldemort gave a short, cold laugh. "You must do it? Why?"
"It was Dumbledore's order," Snape said. "He was wary of individuals with dangerous tendencies, but he didn't have that much energy, so he forced me to monitor Vizet in his place."
"I can guess that Dumbledore back then must have realized something, which was why he made so many arrangements."
"That was why I threatened Quirinus Quirrell, hoping to find traces of you, Master, before Dumbledore did."
"I simply hadn't expected... your wisdom to surpass everyone's imagination. You actually hadn't assigned Quirinus Quirrell to infiltrate the place, but had entered Hogwarts together with him."
"I remember these things, Severus..." Voldemort nodded slightly. "Without those crucial Potion Ingredients you provided, I fear it would have been very difficult for me to get through that hard time."
"Master, these were all things I should have done." There was no emotion in Snape's voice. "Later, it was also from Vizet that I learned further news about you."
"After confirming that you were still powerful, Master, that you could easily infiltrate Hogwarts and easily shake off Dumbledore, I decided to reduce my actions, avoid exposure, and continue carrying out the task you left behind."
"Severus, these words of yours are reasonable. Truly, there's nothing to criticize. Except..." Voldemort changed tack. "For what purpose did you give Vizet private lessons?"
Snape answered, "Master, I simply felt that... among a pile of