The changes in the Wizarding World had quietly begun to affect Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this ivory tower, before anyone noticed.
First, Dumbledore resigned as Headmaster, and Professor McGonagall was promoted to take his place.
Before the young wizards had even grown accustomed to this change, another bombshell swept through the entire school.
Professor Severus Snape had resigned as Head of Slytherin House and applied for a long leave of absence—a whole academic year.
That day, the wind was particularly boisterous.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
"If you stopped teaching Potions, it would be a real loss for the students."
Anton had come especially to see Old Snape off.
Old Snape stood on the viaduct at Hogwarts, holding his suitcase and looking back at the school, his eyes full of longing.
Hearing Anton's words, he couldn't help but laugh and scold him. "I only applied for a leave of absence. I wasn't fired!"
"Besides, Professor Fiennes and Professor Slughorn are both excellent Potions professors. The students' progress won't suffer."
Anton continued to gaze at Old Snape with a sigh.
This professor actually planned to deal with all the Witch Hunters and Barty Crouch Jr. alone, and even...
Those might only be the appetizers. Old Snape's real target was undoubtedly Voldemort.
"You're really something..."
Professor Snape gently ran his hand along the stone railing of the viaduct and shook his head. "Everything in the past was a mistake, Anton. I can't forgive those mistakes."
He lifted his head, his eyes unfocused, as though he were seeing something, and his gaze flickered.
"Anton, no one can deny it. As the Dark Lord's most trusted subordinate among the Death Eaters, I couldn't have avoided getting innocent people killed."
"Choosing to follow such a Dark Lord was the biggest mistake of my life."
"But..."