Hate

Actually, when Cyberlina went after the Gaunt family back then, her initial intention was to be discreet and keep it from Ominis. Otherwise, she wouldn't have chosen a night when she had classes the next day to sneak out of Hogwarts to do it.

But unfortunately, she really couldn't control her temper, and the commotion was too big, making it known to everyone.

Even the student who was busy starting a business in Europe at the time sent her a letter, expressing regret that he hadn't been there to witness the spectacular flames, hear the beautiful screams, or see the teacher's heroic stance—the seemingly polite words were filled with schadenfreude, implying "You've gone too far, haven't you?"

So, Cyberlina sent him the current Daily Prophet, which detailed his recent exploits and short-term future plans—the clues provided by an anonymous professor of magical theory—and stated that Dumbledore would be subscribing to the Daily Prophet.

Then she received no reply, but she heard that a newly emerging force in Europe experienced some internal shifts around that time due to suspicion of a traitor.

And another student, who had just become a colleague, didn't seem to comment much on her actions—but that was precisely the problem—Cyberlina noticed subtle changes in his emotions when facing her.

It's just that she didn't have the headspace to think about the reasons for this student's change at the time, because for days her mind was filled with how to explain this matter to Ominis over the weekend—after all, just a few days before that night, she had completely freed Ominis from the Gaunt family, and the timing was... too coincidental, making it feel as if she had done it deliberately.

But she hadn't considered what to say to the Ministry of Magic, nor how to explain herself in the interrogation room—because she never intended to go there in the first place.

She didn't admit to doing it.

Anyway, the Gaunt Manor, which had been burned for a month, showed no traces. Marvolo Gaunt, who had narrowly escaped with his wife and children, was a troublemaker who was prone to causing trouble. The Ministry of Magic had too many records, and his testimony was simply not credible.

The Minister of Magic at the time was Venetia Quickley, a formidable witch with whom Cyberlina had a good relationship. She was fair, no doubt, but also very adept at handling situations. Seeing that some members of the Wizengamot were unwilling to make an enemy of Cyberlina, she seized the opportunity to do her a favor and, citing insufficient evidence, withdrew the interrogation of Cyberlina.

This turned the Gaunt Manor arson case into a cold case where everyone knew who the culprit was.

—So, the only person she had ever explained the burning of Gaunt Manor to was Ominis.

But now, perhaps a younger Slytherin needed to be added to that list.

However, the focus of the explanation would certainly be different.

When facing Ominis back then, Cyberlina focused on describing the events leading up to the conflict, playing the victim and crying, vividly and clearly conveying how she was pushed to the brink by those cruel and cold-blooded members of the Gaunt family before retaliating.

But now, facing this young Slytherin who had also lost someone dear—

"Severus, I'm not sure how much you know about the Gaunt family, but from what I understand, they are a truly despicable and utterly cold-blooded family. My Omi... suffered a great deal there. So—I hate them, I hate them immensely, even more than Omi does.

To be honest, that night was my first time at Gaunt Manor, and I didn't intend to burn it down, but unfortunately... I discovered some things, and found out—"

Cyberlina tilted her head slightly, a distinct smile playing on her lips.

"—Omi, even though he never went back, was still being hurt and affected by what they had done. And they still... spoke ill of him. So, I got angry."

Listening to Cyberlina's chillingly sinister tone, laced with laughter, Snape instinctively avoided her gaze, which seemed to pierce through his very soul.

Cyberlina didn't state it explicitly, but Snape understood—Mr. Ominis's subsequent decline in health was related to his childhood experiences.

Although his death was not directly related to the Gaunt family, to her, those Gaunts were no different from murderers.

Snape tightened his grip on his wand.

He didn't think Cyberlina would say anything about forgiveness, especially since she was still preparing to systematically destroy Voldemort because of the Gaunt blood.

What did she want to say?

"My dislike for them turned into loathing, into hatred—I believe this is something that can never change—ever," Cyberlina chuckled softly. "Do you want to know what I did that night?"

No, I don't.

Snape answered immediately in his mind, but said nothing aloud. It was as if he was ready to turn and leave at any moment, but hadn't moved—he was very resistant to Cyberlina right now, knowing his thoughts might be swayed again, yet he desperately wanted to know what she was going to say.

Cyberlina saw his state, her eyes full of amusement.

In reality, she still couldn't accurately describe her feelings that night when she discovered that Ominis's soul might have been damaged since childhood.

She could only be sure that the energy she had stored within her for years, unused, erupted at that moment.

Endless power surged through her body in an instant, her thoughts seemed to stop—but she quickly regained her composure—upon touching her wand.

"I used the Imperius Curse, making them use the Cruciatus Curse on each other.

I saw them let a few youngsters escape, but I only let Marvolo go, because no one would believe him.

Their resistance was weak and feeble, so of course I couldn't use any overly powerful spells.

I wouldn't kill them directly, but I would slowly extract their souls, and then—throw them into the fire.

Snape's back grew colder as he listened. For the first time, he directly felt the similarity between Cyberlina and Voldemort—a similarity different from what Dumbledore had mentioned.

"...But, none of that was useful," Cyberlina let out a rare sneer. "I did feel a sense of satisfaction back then, but those hatreds never died."

Cyberlina's voice grew softer, and Snape looked up—he realized then that Cyberlina had lowered her eyes at some point, her hands clasped behind her back, her body straight, her feet slightly apart, in a defensive stance, ready to cast a spell at any moment.

After a moment of silence, Cyberlina spoke again: "Later, Omi's health gradually declined, and my hatred for those people increased... But, Omi, after all, was not as cold-blooded as the blood flowing within him. He did despise the Gaunt family, but he didn't hate all of his family members. I couldn't do anything he wouldn't want under his condition."

—Ominis had been periodically falling into a deep sleep.

Snape, having read Professor Sharp's notes, understood Ominis's condition all too well, and also understood the years of research that had yielded no results.

But the latter half of the notes contained only Professor Sharp's handwriting, without Cyberlina's thoughts. Snape guessed that she must have been researching souls at that time, and the notes Voldemort had obtained were part of that research.

"I believe my hatred for them can never change—ever."

Cyberlina repeated this sentence once more.

"But they cannot exist forever."

"They will die.

I will eventually go kill Marvolo, cripple his son, before I die.

But, until my death, I never felt my hatred lessen. I truly hated so much..."

"So, that's why you were so shocked when Dumbledore told you the Gaunt family still had descendants," Snape interjected, recalling the chilling aura in the office that day.

"Yes, that's right. It was indeed my oversight. I didn't expect his missing Squib daughter would have a standard, cold-blooded Gaunt with a Muggle."

Cyberlina raised her eyes, still smiling, but her smile made Snape's heart pound. He noticed his palms, clutching his wand, were starting to feel clammy.

"So, actually, right now, the one we hate is just one person, Severus."

Snape's mind went blank with a "boom." Cold sweat instantly covered his back, his limbs went numb, and his fingers holding the wand instinctively curled twice. He blurted out, "Sekerei—how do you know I'm because of—"

He didn't believe Dumbledore would tell anyone what he had promised to keep secret. Thus, he had assumed Dumbledore's reminders meant Sekerei knew he was being controlled by emotional matters. But he hadn't expected her to know so accurately!

"—it's today." Snape gritted his teeth. He was sure he hadn't looked directly at Sekerei unguarded today, so it could only be—"It was that rat!"

"No, Severus," Cyberlina shook her head, giving Snape a somewhat apologetic expression. "It was during the start-of-term feast. Because of the complex magic on Harry, I spoke with Albus about Harry's mother, that exceptionally talented child."

Snape's breath hitched. The events of that day flashed through his mind at lightning speed—it seemed that had indeed happened, but he had also activated Occlumency in an instant. Fine, Cyberlina had her own unique way of discerning emotions and feelings.

Recalling Dumbledore's mention of Cyberlina's incredible ability not long ago, Snape gritted his teeth and glared at her.

"So, you went to such lengths to have Harry interact with me more because of—this?" Snape found it laughable, a strange anger rising within him.

"No, Severus, I would never ask you and Harry to reconcile because of this," Cyberlina looked at Snape seriously. "I simply felt he should know you were protecting him. Otherwise, it's too unfair to you. That's all."

Snape confirmed Cyberlina wasn't lying.

"Then what exactly did you want to tell me tonight?"

"I want to tell you with my own feelings that hatred can never be erased. Especially for us—Slytherins." Cyberlina gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Does it sound too arrogant and generalizing for me to say this? But I believe it's true. I've never met a magnanimous Slytherin—including my kind Omi."

Snape felt he had guessed what Cyberlina wanted to say.

"...So?"

"So, Severus, after Tom Riddle's soul is completely destroyed, what will you do?" Cyberlina asked calmly with a smile. "What will you do when you can no longer carry on your hatred?"

Snape felt his heart stop for a moment.

—He had guessed correctly.

"I know you haven't thought about what comes after."

—She was right.

"But you should start thinking about it, Severus, otherwise—" Cyberlina gazed into those dark but empty eyes, "—you won't survive."

"We'll deal with what comes after when it comes," Snape said, his voice trembling slightly without him noticing.

"It will be too late when it's over," Cyberlina's voice was soft, perhaps a little hesitant, perhaps sighing. "We don't have that kind of broad-mindedness. We live by the pillars we believe in. When the pillars fall... so do we..."

Snape opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything. He couldn't mock someone with firsthand experience by saying "you don't understand." Moreover, the sudden realization of a blank future, something he hadn't considered, also left his mind reeling—but that didn't mean he didn't have his own thoughts.

"Then we're gone."

—He heard himself say.

"You can't."

—He heard Cyberlina say.

"You can't, Severus," Cyberlina looked at Snape seriously, her tone gentle. "Both you and I have experienced the pain of losing someone important. It's not a pleasant feeling."

"Then I don't care. I'm not important." Snape knew he was once again following Cyberlina's intended direction, but he couldn't stop himself from saying things that fit her expectations—after all, it was true.

"How can that be?" Cyberlina tilted her head slightly, her eyes, whose color was indistinguishable, filled with tenderness. "Doesn't Albus think you're important?"

"Does he?" Snape sneered.

"Doesn't Minerva think you're important?"

Snape paused, then said dryly, "All students are important to her."

"What about your students?"

"What?"

"Are your students important to you?"

Snape opened his mouth, remained silent for a few seconds, then let out a dismissive scoff as if to cover up.

Cyberlina smiled. "Then do you think you are important to your students?"

Snape let out a confident scoff. "They can't wait to hate me."

"I don't think so. You're just focusing on the students you criticize often. You're so responsible, how could all students think you're a bad professor?" Cyberlina smiled at him. "You are very important, Professor Snape."

Snape fell silent, unsure how to respond. He realized his body was trembling slightly, but he didn't know why.

Cyberlina smiled and stared at Snape for a few seconds. Just as he seemed about to speak, she suddenly changed the subject. "Actually, even if Riddle is gone, you can still maintain your hatred."

Snape: "?"

Cyberlina said with a grin, "Little Black, don't you hate him? And that Lupin, don't you hate him? And Potter—why don't we make him pay for his father's sins? Go and hate Harry, shall we?"

Snape: "..."

Snape took a deep breath.

Snape gritted his teeth: "So you still saw quite a bit of that rat's memories!"

"He didn't guard his mind well enough himself," Cyberlina blinked innocently. "Or you can hate Albus, he's the biggest target. His screw-ups, though few, are high-quality."

"..." Snape looked at Cyberlina with complex eyes. "So you can talk bad about Dumbledore too."

"When someone does something wrong, they should be spoken about," Cyberlina continued to stare with innocent eyes. "Besides, he spoke ill of me to you quite a bit. I haven't settled the score with him, and I only said one thing to you, and it's the truth."

"...Yes, you are the most magnanimous."

Cyberlina smiled proudly, then stepped forward and patted Snape's shoulder: "Severus, I'm serious. Think carefully about your future—that day won't be far off."

Snape didn't speak, but he didn't show much resistance either.

"And Little Black will be out soon. If you want to choose someone to hate... you can beat them up quickly." Cyberlina seemed to be choosing his "hate target" for him again. "Actually, Lupin is easy to deal with. He's a werewolf, so you can easily send him to suffer. As for Harry... you'll have to wait a few years. As a professor, you can't abuse children. As for Albus—"

"Wait a minute!" Snape couldn't help himself, veins throbbing on his forehead as he interrupted. "Do I have to choose someone to hate?"

"You don't need to," Cyberlina answered quickly.

Snape paused, realizing he had once again said what Cyberlina wanted him to say.

"It's just that you haven't realized yet how important you are. Oh, right, I forgot to mention—" Cyberlina's hand was still on Snape's shoulder. She leaned closer, her smiling eyes full of affection, her voice gentle. "You are important to me too, child."

Unsurprisingly, Snape found this tone and address sickeningly sweet, just like before.

But unexpectedly, Snape didn't feel the same resistance he usually did.