Hehehe

"Do you think they'll start fighting halfway there?"

Professor Flitwick asked, looking uneasy. Professor McGonagall did not turn back, though she watched their retreating figures with equal concern. "I shouldn't think so. We must trust Professor Snape, mustn't we?"

"He wouldn't do such a thing."

After saying this, she lowered her head to look at Professor Flitwick, who shrugged his shoulders, implying that perhaps she was right.

Snape walked with rapid strides, and Dewey followed him up the stairs. The original Dewey and Lupin were both very familiar with the environment of Hogwarts; especially Lupin, as their little group had created the "Marauder's Map." It was clear that they knew the secret passages and layout of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts like the back of their hands.

But Dewey did not.

He was, in truth, visiting Hogwarts for the very first time.

He was quite curious about the place.

In Hogwarts: A History, those wizards had heaped praise upon the castle, noting how perfectly it fulfilled its purpose—combat and survival. The castle itself was a work of art.

There were many places here suitable for small-scale skirmishes. The suits of armor, stone statues, carvings, and secret passages surrounding these corridors could all serve as sites for a final stand.

The school could even sustain itself through cultivation and self-sufficiency; the surrounding villages and estates were all part of Hogwarts' territory. Furthermore, the terrain of Hogwarts was easy to defend and difficult to attack, making the school a potential "bridgehead" for a final resistance.

Even the staircases here occasionally led to different places; if an enemy were to break in, they would likely become disoriented, having no idea where to go.

Dewey was the same; if he didn't want to get lost, he had to follow someone else.

Dewey followed Snape happily, trailing him through various twists and turns until they reached a place that was neither occupied nor filled with portraits.

"Peeves, get out of here."

Peeves had been hiding there, planning to startle any young couples who might wander by, and had not expected to be discovered by Snape.

He left, grumbling and cursing.

Dewey stood calmly in place, not moving. It was obvious this was not the Staff Room—what couple of young students would choose to canoodle in front of a staff room or a teacher's bedroom?

Just as Dewey was happily observing the area—don't ask him why he was happy, he just found it all very amusing—Snape suddenly spun around with extreme speed. His wand was already in his hand, and he looked menacing.

He raised his wand, pointed it at Lupin's nose, and said viciously, "Listen well, Remus Lupin. Listen well. I will only say this once. If you don't understand, then I'm sorry, I won't be reminding you again. If you make a mistake here, you can spend the rest of your life in Azkaban!"

Snape spoke quickly, his voice low. Dewey wanted to laugh; he felt as though Snape were casting a spell on him, the kind of non-verbal spell that didn't even require opening one's mouth, just the movement of lips.

However, just because he wanted to laugh didn't mean he was happy.

He was very unhappy.

It wasn't because Snape was threatening him.

Threats were nothing; Dewey had never feared a threat. What displeased him was Snape's line: "You can spend the rest of your life in Azkaban!"

Dewey did not like such threats, not even a little bit.

He did not want to go to Azkaban.

Professor Lupin might not hold a grudge against Professor Snape for saying such things, but Dewey was different.

Dewey could hold a grudge about this for a lifetime!

Snape didn't care what "Lupin's" reaction was. He said rapidly to "Lupin," "Listen, Lupin, I don't care what you promised Dumbledore, and I don't know why Dumbledore insists on believing you are a righteous, responsible person. I don't care how you've bewitched him!"

"Those are all lies. You can fool others, but you cannot fool me! Understand? No one knows the disgusting faces of your lot better than I do. You are hypocritical, arrogant, and conceited. You've been detestable since you were students!"

"And you, a werewolf, at Hogwarts!"

"Lupin, you had better pray you don't slip up while teaching. Otherwise, you will be kicked out of Hogwarts forever to go join your werewolf friends!"

After saying this with bitter hatred, he put away his wand and turned to leave.

It seemed he no longer intended to lead Lupin to his bedroom.

His cloak swirled, making him look like an angry giant bat. Dewey watched Snape's sullen expression and felt no fear at all; he even wanted to laugh.

How interesting.

He waved at Snape's back and shouted.

"Professor Snape?"

Snape turned his face, eyes narrowed, expecting Lupin to say something harsh. To his surprise, "Lupin" said with a calm expression, "You haven't taken me to my bedroom yet."

Snape gripped his wand tightly, gritting his teeth as he forcibly swallowed the surge of anger in his chest. Dewey watched his complexion change like a magic trick, shifting from iron-gray to white.

Snape said nothing more and walked away as if flying.

Dewey hurried to catch up, jogging all the way to his bedroom.

"Thank you, Professor Snape."

Dewey waved at Snape's back, thanking him with utmost sincerity, straight from the heart. Upon hearing Lupin's voice, Snape felt a surge of gas churning uncontrollably in his chest. Gritting his teeth, he vanished from the spot at high speed.

He felt like vomiting.

It was a pity that Apparition was not allowed here; otherwise, he would have certainly chosen to Apparate away from "Lupin" right then and there.

Dumbledore watched all of this with some astonishment. When Snape had volunteered to escort Lupin, Dumbledore had watched closely, fearing trouble. Instead, he saw Snape threaten Lupin—Lupin didn't get angry, Snape was furious; Snape was forced to lead the way—Lupin thanked him, and Snape became even more furious.

No matter how one looked at it, it was Snape who had been hurt.

And the person he wanted to hurt didn't care in the slightest.

"Hehehe."

Dumbledore dispelled the magic and chuckled "Hehehe" in front of his desk, looking quite pleased.

After he finished laughing, he got to work.

Taking out his wand, he drew a wisp of silver divine sense from his temple, guiding it into the Pensieve before him.

He submerged his face into the Pensieve and saw scenes from many years ago.

The Pensieve shifted, the surrounding colors transforming rapidly.

He arrived at the orphanage.

In the orphanage, he met Tom for the first time.

"Oh, child, did you create this? It's incredible."

"Who are you?"

"I am Albus Dumbledore, you can call me Professor Dumbledore."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take you to school. A child like you should go to a magic school."

"Wait, you can do magic too?"

"Of course, child, like this."

The figure plummeted rapidly.

Dumbledore arrived at the school.

At the school, Dumbledore stood at the door of the staff room and overheard the conversation within.

"Professor Horace, I'd like to borrow a book from the Restricted Section. Could you give me a note?"

"Of course, Tom, no problem. What book do you want to read?"

"The Magical Life of Herpo, Professor. I've been very interested in Herpo lately."

"Oh? Herpo. Alright, alright, child, but remember, don't get too obsessed with Herpo's life. He was an ancient Greek wizard, the despicable Herpo. Do you remember? Reading the biographies of such people is a contamination."

"Of course, Professor, I remember. I'm just a little curious about Mr. Herpo's life. Some say the Head of Slytherin was the first Parselmouth wizard, and some say Mr. Herpo was one of the first Parselmouth wizards. I just want to know the truth of history. I won't mess around."

Continuing to fall.

In Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore saw Tom Riddle as an adult, his eyes red, his face like a corpse that had been soaked in water for many years.

"Professor, I want to apply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor position at Hogwarts. I believe I am capable of this role."

"No, no, Tom, you are not capable of this role. This position already has its owner."

"Really? Professor?"

"Yes, Tom, I never lie. Besides, I am not yet the Headmaster of the school. This matter should not be approved by me."

Scene after scene flashed before his eyes like smoke and mist. Dumbledore was immersed in his memories, and it took a long while before he came back to his senses.

His wand brought forth a book.

"Herpo."

Dumbledore flipped through Herpo's life, frequently encountering several terms.

"Horcrux, Parseltongue, Basilisk."

Dumbledore felt like he had grasped something. The despicable Herpo was not only a Parselmouth wizard, but he was also the inventor of Horcruxes, the creator of Basilisks, and the originator of many dark arts. When Voldemort was at school, did his pursuit of Herpo represent that he had obtained some information left behind by Herpo?