As Voldemort's words fell, the chill brought by winter seemed to deepen by several degrees.
Even Herpo, sprawled on the floor nearby, could feel a bone-piercing cold creeping silently up his spine.
Snape's voice remained steady. "My Lord, the reason I understand Wizet is not admiration, nor is it any teacher-student affection. It is vigilance, and... because it is something I must do."
"Is that so?" Voldemort gave a short, cold laugh. "You must do it? Why?"
"It was Dumbledore's order," Snape said. "He was wary of individuals with dangerous tendencies, but he did not have enough time and energy, so he forced me to monitor Wizet in his stead."
"I can guess that Dumbledore at the time must have realized something, which was why he made so many arrangements."
"That was why I threatened Quirinus Quirrell, hoping to find your whereabouts before Dumbledore did, my Lord."
"I simply did not expect... that your wisdom would surpass everyone's imagination. Rather than assigning Quirinus Quirrell to infiltrate Hogwarts, you entered Hogwarts alongside him."
"I remember these things, Severus..." Voldemort nodded slightly. "Without those crucial potion ingredients you provided, I fear I would have found it difficult to endure that hard period."
"My Lord, it was merely my duty." No emotion could be heard in Snape's voice. "Later, it was also through Wizet that I learned further news of you."
"After confirming that you remained powerful—that you could infiltrate Hogwarts with ease and then escape Dumbledore just as easily—I decided to reduce my activities, avoid exposure, and continue carrying out the task you left behind."
"Severus, everything you have said is reasonable. There truly is no fault to find in it. Except..." Voldemort abruptly changed tack. "For what purpose did you give Wizet private lessons?"
Snape answered, "My Lord, I merely felt