The Secret That Couldn't Be Told

"We need to work really hard now!" James waved his wand fiercely. "We can take care of the Animagus in three years, so dealing with Snivellus should be a piece of cake, right?"

"You've got Snivellus sorted out? So he was your target? How scary!" Padfoot deliberately took a step to the side. "Stay away from me!"

"Padfoot!" James shouted, laughing and playfully wrestling around Hagrid's massive frame.

Hagrid chuckled, "Remember to go back to class after you've been fooling around for a while. It's only the beginning of the semester, so don't get too carried away!"

This memory ended, and Wizet sorted it out.

It seems that Snape was not only knowledgeable about Potions, but also skilled in dueling, and even knew a lot about Dark Magic.

"This is an all-around wizard!" Wizet concluded in her mind. "He hasn't even enrolled yet, and he already knows so many curses and evil spells... I still have a lot to learn and need to work harder!"

He continued to piece together Hagrid's memories, and in one of them, he saw a young Snape covered in wounds and looking utterly disheveled.

Wizet enters this memory and finds Hogwarts shrouded in night, with a Whomping Willow not far away and a full moon like a disc in the distance.

The Whomping Willow Whomping Willow was probably planted in the meadow when James was in school, and it was nowhere near as thick and sturdy as it is today.

Young Snape lay in Hagrid's arms, his chest rising and falling slightly, revealing that he was seriously injured.

Not only young Snape, but James also appeared beside Hagrid.

He was in better shape than young Snape, and could even keep up with the fast-moving Hagrid.

However, the occasional drops of blood on his robes revealed that James was also injured.

James said with a somewhat strained tone, "I have to say... Padfoot went too far this time."

Young Snape struggled to his feet and looked down at James.

Unfortunately, he couldn't straighten his back and could only weakly say, "I... don't need... I don't need you to save me! I... would rather... die there!"

"You can't die there!" James retorted seriously. "That's my bottom line."

"Heh... cough cough cough..." Young Snape tried to chuckle as if he had heard a huge joke, but it seemed to touch a sore spot in his chest, and he coughed violently.

"You'd better behave yourself!" Hagrid said. "I'll take you to the Hospital Wing."

Young Snape ignored Hagrid and continued, "Potter... you're just afraid of being expelled..."

"Say whatever you want!" James crossed his arms, clearly a little angry, and his tone became more forceful. "I shouldn't have saved you in the first place!"

At that moment, Hagrid suddenly stopped, his tone filled with surprise and unease.

"Headmaster Dumbledore? What are you doing here..."

Not only was Hagrid surprised, but James and young Snape were as well;

Young Snape strained to turn his head, trying to ascertain the truth of Hagrid's words;

James hurriedly lowered his hand, first turning his head uneasily to look at the Whomping Willow, then scratching his hair even more messily, as if thinking about what to say next.

This was the first time Wizet had seen Dumbledore like this; although he looked much younger, his face was filled with weariness and sorrow.

Moreover, large patches of blood stained the emerald green robe, a glaring sight.

"St. Mungo's's been attacked, and they're short-handed. I'm thinking of sending Poppy over to help..." Dumbledore said, noticing the young Snape in Hagrid's arms.

Looking up at the full moon in the sky, he glanced at James, who looked a little awkward beside him, and his expression turned serious.

He waved his wand, releasing a vibrant green light that drifted slowly, circling around young Snape. "Thank goodness... they're all superficial wounds."

Dumbledore put away his wand and asked in a low voice, "Who did this?"

James gritted his teeth and shouted, "It was... me!"

"Not just him!" Young Snape's tone was laced with a hint of glee. "There's also Black ...and those four, you know who they are!"

"James, look up at me!" Dumbledore said, pursing his lips and scrutinizing James with his eyes.

James only stared at Dumbledore for a few seconds before dejectedly lowering his head and shuffling the grass beneath his feet.

Dumbledore sighed, his weariness and sorrow deepening. "What do you intend to do?"

Young Snape's voice was filled with pain, yet his tone was full of pleasure, "Expel them!"

"Is that so?" Dumbledore looked up at the young Snape in Hagrid's arms. "I will give you a full account of what happened tonight, including everything that did."

A hint of wariness crept into young Snape's voice. "What are you going to say?"

James also looked up, his eyes showing a hint of inquiry.

"I will keep James because he saved you," Dumbledore said. "I will expel Sirius Black because he is the one who is to blame."

"Everything I said above will be published as an announcement, and every student in every college will be able to see it. What do you think of this outcome?"

Hagrid's hesitant voice rang out, "Headmaster Dumbledore..."

"No!" Young Snape and James said in unison.

Madam Pomfrey approached, carrying a large suitcase. "Albus, we can set off now!"

"Right away, Poppy," Dumbledore replied. "The second option... what happened tonight must not be told. James and the others will be in solitary confinement for a month."

"In my opinion, ensuring the stability of Hogwarts is of utmost importance. Severus, what are your thoughts on the second option?"

"Heh, I still have a choice?" Young Snape lay back down, his voice laced with sarcasm and a hint of hidden disappointment.

Dumbledore nodded. "Then... none of you should tell anyone about tonight's events. Poppy, help Severus with his treatment, and then we'll set off!"

A short while later, Madam Pomfrey left behind a small vial of Potions and disappeared into the night with Dumbledore.

Young Snape struggled to jump out of Hagrid's arms, glaring fiercely at James. "You think you're so great!"

After saying that, he ran towards Hogwarts Castle without stopping.

Hagrid scratched his head. "James, tonight is a full moon. Could it be that Sirius Black...?"

"Stop talking," James interrupted Hagrid. "Didn't Headmaster Dumbledore say not to mention it again..."

He looked toward the castle gate and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

There, you'll find not only young Snape, but also Lily with her red hair.

Only after young Snape Lily left through the door did James let out a long sigh. "Hagrid, I still have things to do..."

Hagrid asked, "Are you still going to Whomping Willow?"

"They can't do without me!" James nodded. "By the way, don't tell anyone about tonight's events, absolutely don't tell anyone!"

"Don't worry!" Hagrid assured him repeatedly, but a look of concern crossed his eyes. "What about your wounds..."

"It's alright! Let's go!"