Snape's Hint

The Headmaster's Office fell silent.

Dumbledore stroked his beard, momentarily at a loss for words at Snape's suggestion.

He was very familiar with the Slytherin Head of House's "hobby" of deducting points from other students.

Slytherin's ability to win the House Cup for six consecutive years was not only due to the group's enthusiasm for pursuing honor, but also largely thanks to Snape's tireless efforts in finding reasons to deduct points from the other three houses.

However, Dumbledore did not believe that Snape wanted to take the opportunity to dethrone Ravenclaw and let Slytherin pursue this year's House Cup.

Because Ravenclaw's current score is just too high—so high that this year's House Cup is practically a foregone conclusion.

Lucien alone earned Ravenclaw points equivalent to more than half a year's worth of points for the other three houses.

Even if points are deducted, even if it's the maximum deduction of 100 points, it won't bring it down.

Judging from Snape's expression, Dumbledore didn't think he was determined to deduct points.

It's more like they're curious because they've never deducted points from Lucien before?

After all, given Snape's style, it would be a rare thing for a student to never have points deducted from their name.

Lucien had been at Hogwarts for almost two years, and yet Snape had never caught him doing anything wrong. This probably made Snape itching to do something.

Dumbledore decided to change the subject.

He chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of probing:

"Severus, you've agreed to teach Lucien the Patronus Charm?"

Snape gave a cold snort in annoyance:

"Don't agree on my behalf, and don't agree on that kid's behalf either. Maybe Lucien will figure it out on his own and master the Patronus Charm. Why should we worry about it?"

He paused, then added, "Besides, Filius and Minerva both know this spell, so it's not my place as the Slytherin Head of House and Potions Class Professor to teach him."

Snape deliberately emphasized the phrase "Potions Class Professor".

Upon hearing this, Dumbledore's expression became slightly serious.

"The Patronus Charm is a very special spell. If you really examine it closely, it involves the soul to some extent. Moreover, Lucien's Patronus Charm clearly has more characteristics, perhaps even penetrating deeper into the soul..." He paused, his gaze shifting from behind his Half-moon Spectacles, "That realm still needs someone to protect it as it progresses..."

Dumbledore didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear: magic involving the soul, if it goes astray, can have unimaginable consequences.

Seeing that Snape remained unmoved, Dumbledore's expression changed again. He winked, his tone suddenly becoming relaxed, with a hint of cunning:

"Besides, the Patronus Charm is a type of Defense Against the Dark Arts, which falls right into the scope of your teaching, Severus?"

"Severus, you are also very knowledgeable in Legilimency and Occlumency, so you have a knack for understanding the soul..."

This isn't just flattery; aside from the Patronus Charm, Snape was indeed a master of magic involving the soul, such as Legilimency and Occlumency.

He is indeed a very suitable person to mentor Lucien.

Upon hearing the Defense Against the Dark Arts, Snape was speechless, feeling utterly helpless.

When it comes to mastery of magic related to the soul, Dumbledore himself was a first-rate Legilimency, and he even developed an advanced use for the Patronus Charm to transmit messages...

But as I said before, Dumbledore too busy!

Speaking of being busy, Snape himself was quite busy too.

With two courses on my shoulders, preparing lessons, grading assignments, patrolling at night, and handling student disputes... none of these tasks are time-consuming.

Thinking of this, Snape coughed, his tone tinged with a hint of probing:

"I feel that if I can focus on teaching one course, I'll have more energy and time. Whether it's teaching those slow learners or guiding Lucien to master the Patronus Charm or other magic."

He wanted to hint to Dumbledore that he would make him the full Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts starting next school year.

Because finding Potions Professor is easy; besides Slughorn being able to return at any time, there are Dumbledore's favor.

But the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts... well...

hehe.

Moreover, there is a readily available candidate who is willing and able to serve as the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.

What will Dumbledore choose next?

Dumbledore stroked his beard and pondered for a moment:

"Thank you for your hard work, Severus. Don't worry about the professor; I've already made progress. It's just that I've been too busy lately, and communication with them has been slow."

Hearing Dumbledore say this, Snape guessed that it was probably one of those old guys—either a member of the Extraordinary Potions Association or a recipient of the Golden Cauldron Medal; any one of them would be more than capable of teaching a group of young wizards Potions Class.

He wasn't in a hurry; he'd waited all these years, so a few more months wouldn't make a difference.

However, Snape also had his own thoughts about Dumbledore "very busy".

In previous years Dumbledore quite attentive to the affairs of the school, taking care of what needed to be done and handling what needed to be handled.

But ever since Harry Potter entered Hogwarts, Dumbledore's mind has clearly "gone astray".

Snape understood; the most important thing was Voldemort, and it had to be Voldemort!

Once the Dark Lord is defeated, the Wizarding World will be at peace, and young wizards can go to school however they want.

Snape stood up, straightened his robes, and resumed his usual indifferent expression:

"I'll handle Lucien's matter."

"Also, I'm still very busy. I'm only making time for one-on-one tutoring with a young wizard... so remember to make that kid pay, um, the tutoring fee."

After saying that, without waiting for Dumbledore's response, he turned and walked towards the spiral staircase.

The black robe billowed behind him, and the sound of footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Dumbledore looked in the direction Snape had disappeared and shook his head helplessly.

Tutoring fees—I think I learned that term from Lucien.

He knew his old colleague's temperament all too well.

Regardless of what they say, they will not shirk any of their responsibilities.

Dumbledore's gaze passed over the moonlight outside the window and landed on the silhouette of the Ravenclaw Tower in the distance.