Thursday was before dawn.
Snape, who was sleeping on the floor, received a message that there would be a meeting later.
The castle's direct contact with him was a hastily convened meeting between two School Board Member.
Without a doubt, it must have been Vienne, that little rascal, who did this.
I slowly washed my face and tried on more than a dozen clothes.
I picked out a fitted and lightweight outfit, and then straightened the slightly curled ends of my hair.
It's only a little past 8 o'clock?
No rush, I haven't put on my shoes yet.
I polished them until they were jet black and shiny, and then took apart the shoelaces and put them back on.
When Snape arrived at the West Tower, it was already 9:30.
He lightly shook his tight black robe and slowly pushed open the door.
One School Board Member was lying on the long table, while another School Board Member was flapping his little wings and flying toward the ceiling.
This is quite a show of force; it really took him by surprise.
"Oh, Severus— " Dumbledore stood up, barely peeking half his head out from Jormungandr's scales.
"I thought you were still asleep, and I was planning to wake you up in a few minutes."
"Professor Snape is here?" Vincent poked his little head next to Jormungandr's big head.
"We're an hour and a half late. I think you should give us a reasonable explanation, Professor."
"Wayne!" Snape glared at him through gritted teeth. "What are you doing here!"
"I'm the translator," Vincent, poking his little head out again after he had shrunk back in.
"School Board Member Gu Gu and Jormungandr specifically invited me to attend this meeting."
You're kidding me!
Anyone who knows that Hogwarts has a new School Board Member knows who the real School Board Member are.
He holds 7 out of 12 seats, making him the de facto chairman of the board.
"Ah, I see." Snape closed the door and walked straight towards him.
"I thought you were here to perform for the two School Board Member."
"Alright," Dumbledore, seemingly suppressing a laugh. "Severus, let's begin the meeting."
Jormungandr went down to the floor and lazily curled up in a ball.
With a "thud," Gu Gu landed on the chair on the other side.
Vincent stood up very consciously.
Snape sat opposite Dumbledore with a gloomy face.
Jormungandr raised his head, glanced at him, and moved a little further away.
To start messing with someone's mindset right after arriving is quite something.
Dumbledore solemnly took out a piece of parchment, and as soon as he unfolded it, he burst out laughing.
"Ahem—" His expression instantly turned serious.
"According to an anonymous whistleblower letter from a student, Potions Professor Severus Snape has embezzled school operating funds."
Snape glared fiercely at Vincent face looked completely innocent.
So you're not going to do it secretly, you're going to do it openly, right?
"The student has collected evidence and handed it over to two long-term school School Board Member."
Dumbledore paused, trying to make the smile on his face less obvious.
"The board of directors' responsibility is to manage and oversee the normal operation of the school, so we should take this matter seriously."
At my age, I can't help but laugh.
"Severus, is there anything you'd like to say?"
Snape wanted to say no, but seeing Vincent's timid appearance, he couldn't help himself... "I need to see the evidence first."
"No problem." Dumbledore waved the Elder Wand, placing a large pile of bottles and jars on the table.
If I remember correctly, these are all things that went missing last week.
"Wayne, where are my bed and chairs?"
Vincent blinked pitifully. "Professor, your bed is gone too?"
Snape's face darkened, his lips trembling slightly. "Hand them all over, and I can pretend nothing happened."
"Hiss—" Jormungandr lazily shifted his position.
"Professor Snape, it seems we're talking about you embezzling school operating funds right now."
Dumbledore's lips twitched.
He placed one hand on his thigh, and his deep blue eyes seemed a little moist.
"Wayne, do you think I'm an idiot?"
"No." Vincent looked down and winked at Gu Gu.
"Gu Gu— " A brown fur ball flew up and then fell down.
Snape squinted.
"The Gu Gu School Board Member just said that the board must take your matter seriously," Vincent sternly.
"It also says that Hogwarts is a historic magic school, and while faculty members may lack ability, their conduct must be impeccable. It will not tolerate professors with morally corrupt personalities ruining the school's millennia-old good reputation."
Dumbledore's eyes were filled with tears, as if he was moved by what he heard, but it also seemed that he wasn't.
The look in someone's eyes when they want to kill them cannot be hidden.
Startled Vincent quickly straightened up. "The Gu Gu School Board Member also said that he considers himself a reasonable owl who can distinguish right from wrong."
"Heh heh—" Snape's sneer was somewhat stiff.
Can such a long passage be translated from just two "gu" sounds?
This is taking advantage of the fact that he doesn't understand owl language!
The atmosphere was a bit awkward, Vincent kept giving Jormungandr eyelids were about to close, meaningful glances.
"Hiss—" It flicked its tongue, then moved its large head toward the door.
"Professor Snape, the School Board Member Jormungandr is asking if these things are yours."
Dumbledore took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
"It's mine!" Snape gritted his teeth and picked up a bottle of golden Elixir to Induce Euphoria.
"Nobody knows my recipe, it's all mine!"
Vincent gave a smug little smile.
"So, Professor, can you explain how you earn 1,500 Galleon a year to have all of this?"
Snape stared at him without saying a word.
"Ahem—" Dumbledore placed his hands on his thighs.
"Severus, if you can't explain where they came from, you won't be able to clear your name from the suspicion that you've embezzled school operating funds."
"Dumbledore, you've conspired with this little rascal?"
An elderly man over 100 years old teamed up with a kid in his teens to bully a 30-year-old honest man.
"No." Dumbledore's eyes welled up with tears again.
"Pfft—" Vincent finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
He quickly pinched his thigh and said seriously, "Two School Board Member, what are your thoughts?"
"Gu Gu— "
Hiss—
They're too lazy to even move; they must be getting impatient.
Snape finally saw through it all.
It's just using the pretext of an investigation to prevent him from attending class and deduct points.
"Gu Gu, the School Board Member, said that you keep changing the subject because you feel guilty, Professor."
Jormungandr's School Board Member also said you must accept suspension pending investigation until you are completely cleared of suspicion.
"Hahahaha—" Snape's laughter was particularly chilling.
"Dumbledore, you have a really good eye for people."
He stood up abruptly. "Wayne is ruthless; you'd better be careful not to get tricked."
Before leaving, he didn't forget to sow discord; he truly is a treacherous and despicable Old Bat.
Dumbledore's expression was particularly unnatural as his thigh was pinched until it turned purple.
Actually, we've already been outmaneuvered.
.