As the wizard in the portrait reported the latest news, the Headmaster's Office once again fell into deathly silence.
The portraits all turned to look at Snape. They could not help sympathizing with the new headmaster, while also wondering how he would handle this matter.
They had not forgotten that Snape had once promised Dumbledore he would do everything in his power to keep Hogwarts students safe.
Now was the time for him to fulfill that promise.
Snape paid no attention to the strange looks from the portraits. Turning his head, he stared at the sleeping old man in the portrait hanging behind the desk.
"Things often turn out unexpectedly."
Dumbledore seemed to sense Snape's piercing gaze. He opened his eyes and woke from his feigned sleep.
"It is indeed unexpected," Snape said darkly. "I imagine it will not be long before they turn Hogwarts upside down."
"The situation is not as bad as you think," Dumbledore reassured him.
"No, it is very bad." The muscles in Snape's face twitched violently twice. "If they really form that so-called Dumbledore's Army, given those children's ability to keep secrets, the whole of Hogwarts will know about it before long. When that happens, do not expect this to end smoothly."
"Neither Carro nor Parkinson is someone to be trifled with. Carro in particular has hated Anderson and his Defence Association ever since Amycus Carrow was killed by Anderson through Scrimgeour. How do you think she will deal with it once she learns those students have formed Dumbledore's Army?"
It was no wonder Snape was so furious. They were all a bunch of troublemakers.
Whether it was that brutish, stupid giant Rubeus Hagrid or the brainless students led by Longbottom, every last one of them was doing foolish things they believed were right, and