With a harsh creak, the tightly shut doors of the Great Hall had somehow been pushed open a crack. Dawlish followed Filch through the half-open doors and immediately sensed the strange atmosphere at the start-of-term feast.
Snape frowned at the newcomer from the staff table, unable to understand why an Auror had appeared at Hogwarts.
Still, amid the students' whispers, Snape rose to his feet and led Dawlish toward a small room beside the Great Hall.
Dawlish hurried after him. The strange looks cast his way by the students in the hall made him feel deeply uncomfortable.
"The Daily Prophet intends to interview Hogwarts students?"
Snape stared expressionlessly at the Auror before him and repeated what he had just said.
"Since when did an interview with the Daily Prophet require permission from the Ministry of Magic?" Professor McGonagall, who had entered the room with them, sneered sharply.
She was in a terrible mood.
Hagrid had told her that when the train arrived at the station, a girl had been forcibly taken away by Death Eaters.
She truly could not understand why that foolish girl had refused to leave with "Harry Potter," insisting on coming to Hogwarts only to be captured by the Death Eaters again. "Understood. I'll arrange for several students to be interviewed by Daily Prophet reporters." Snape had guessed what they wanted and agreed without hesitation.
"I'll handle the arrangements." Professor McGonagall stepped forward to take on the task. Such minor matters were usually handled by the Deputy Headmaster anyway.
"No need. Alecto can handle it."
Snape gave Professor McGonagall no chance to respond. He returned directly to the Great Hall to continue the unfinished feast, leaving behind a rather irritated Professor McGonagall.
After the start-of-term feast ended, Snape had barely returned to the Headmaster's Office when he