Dumbledore had asked Vaughn to return to Hogwarts as soon as possible because Harry had successfully mastered Occlumency.
That had been two days ago, on a night like any other, when the sky over the Scottish Highlands was shrouded in dark clouds and drizzle.
As usual, Harry dawdled and hesitated until late at night before reluctantly making his way to the Potions office—Professor Snape believed that the study-cum-lounge in the Room of Requirement was far too comfortable and utterly unsuitable for practicing Occlumency.
Even after several days, Harry still remembered the malice dripping from Snape's drawling voice when he suggested to Dumbledore that they change the practice location:
"A lazy, comfort-indulging fool needs a harsher environment to remind him that what he is learning now may very well save his miserable life!"
Harry strongly suspected that Snape had moved their practice sessions to the basement because it was secluded, cold, and damp. Unless they had classes there, even Slytherin students were reluctant to go near it.
It was practically the ideal place to murder someone and dispose of the body.
That day, Harry angrily told Ron and Hermione about it.
He wanted his two best friends to stay by his side lately, just in case Snape silently murdered him one day.
As for the concern he displayed, Hermione thought there was nothing to worry about. "Professor Snape can't possibly kill you, because there's no need. He only needs to break into your mind and plant all sorts of terrifying self-destructive thoughts there. Then you'll jump off the Astronomy Tower yourself!"
Harry's face turned livid, and his lips went white.
Fortunately, his good brother Ron could always make him laugh again.
"Ha! Snape knows the basement has terrible conditions too? I thought he liked that sort of bat cave!"
Ron burst