The Panicked Snape

Ron was foaming at the mouth, looking like he had rabies...

Harry believes that Ginny used the charm of her words to inflict 4396 damage on Ron, plus a critical hit of 443.

Ron's defense was a paltry 58.

This almost led to him kicking his legs, covering himself with a white cloth, playing the suona horn, and summoning the entire school, young and old, to come for dinner.

But that's impossible, of course. Ron was just poisoned; it had nothing to do with Ginny.

It was a colorless, odorless poison that had expired.

So here's the question: does expired poison become ineffective, or does it make the poison even more toxic?

Anyway, there's no chance to verify it. There are three Potions Master here, and we can't just watch Ron try to survive.

So Ron was lucky; although he was poisoned, any one of William, Slughorn, or Snape could have saved him.

The latter two might be caught off guard, but William wouldn't. Ever since Malfoy appeared, he knew the other party wanted to poison him.

Both sides maintained a good understanding.

Ron just didn't expect it to be that unlucky guy.

After being rescued, Ron was immediately transferred to the Hospital Wing for further examination by Madam Pomfrey.

The party ended in shock.

Many people believed that an insider present had poisoned them, intending to eliminate them all.

As expected, the enemy is at Honnō-ji!

So the question arises: who exactly is this "enemy"?

The House-elf was under Confundus Charm, but he's just a scapegoat; the real culprit is someone else.

Slughorn was unaware that the wizards he invited were all people he trusted.

But it's hard to say, because these days it's impossible to tell who's been afflicted by the Imperius Curse.

So Slughorn never dared to hold parties again; his life was at stake!

This is actually good news for William, who is fed up with the harassment.

Harry displayed his keen insight as always.

Or rather, when faced with indecision, Young Malfoy...

Draco quickly becoming the new king of blame; no matter what happens, in Harry's eyes, it's all Malfoy's fault.

Okay, he did it, but Harry has no proof.

So he temporarily abandoned his investigation into Snape and his mother Lily and began to spy on Malfoy.

Unfortunately, he never found an opportunity.

Because recently, it wasn't just Harry who was looking for Malfoy, but also Professor Snape.

Young wizards often saw Snape frequently seeking out Malfoy, ostensibly for tutoring.

As the most fertile ground for rumors, it didn't take long for the following to spread:

After Old Malfoy was imprisoned, Snape wanted to give Draco fatherly love and be his dad!

In the twilight,

Dumbledore and Snape strolled together in the deserted castle grounds.

Small hailstones began to fall from the sky, but neither of them used magic to block them, letting the hailstones hit them.

Dumbledore seemed to enjoy the feeling; he reached out and caught the hailstones, as happy as a child.

Snape, preoccupied with his own thoughts, didn't even notice that his hair had turned completely white.

From a distance, they look more like two elderly people taking a walk.

Snowflakes were falling and the north wind was howling, but neither of them was actually very cold.

The increasingly elderly Dumbledore was dressed in thick clothes, and on his feet were wool socks that Anne had knitted for him.

It's so warm.

Despite wearing only a thin black robe, which seemed like she was trying to look coquettish, Snape was actually secretly wearing Warming Badge from Akali Shop, a gift from William, inside her underwear.

Of course, he wouldn't say this to outsiders and would continue to maintain his aloof demeanor.

However, the fact that smoke was constantly rising from his head gave him away.

Dumbledore, of course, wouldn't expose this arrogant man. He whispered:

"Well, how's that child, Severus?"

"Very well, Draco is very talented in Occlumency, at least much smarter than Potter," Snape said coldly.

"But aren't you afraid that once he learns it, he'll use it against us?"

Snape was very worried that Draco was also engaging in double espionage.

On the surface, they are carrying out Voldemort's mission, but behind the scenes they pretend to submit to them, and in reality they are still working for Voldemort.

Mission: Impossible!

As a double agent, Snape was the old master of the trade, so naturally he didn't trust anyone.

"Don't worry, William will persuade the boy," Dumbledore smiled slightly.

"Draco has deep feelings for his father. He's not a bad person at heart. Just continue teaching him Occlumency."

This can be considered fulfilling your vow to Narcissa.

During the summer vacation, Narcissa found Snape and made Unbreakable Vow with him:

Snape needs to help Draco.

Snape is now teaching Draco Occlumency, which is in William's interest, but on the surface, it is also fulfilling his promise to Narcissa.

"You didn't come to me just to discuss this, did you?" Dumbledore asked.

Snape remained silent for a long time before finally speaking:

"Potter may have discovered... my relationship with Lily..."

He told Dumbledore about the party.

The old man sighed and said, "I overlooked Horace... There's nothing I can do about it."

You and Lily are friends, and with that relationship, there would inevitably be traces left behind; it's impossible that no one knew about it.

Harry will find out sooner or later.

Snape's face darkened, and he said with some annoyance, "He'll definitely go back and ask Petunia!"

Although Snape disliked Lily's sister, and the two even had a bad relationship, she definitely remembered him.

"Help me write a warning letter to Petunia, or change her memory!"

"Excuse my bluntness, Severus." Dumbledore stopped and sighed.

"You're just fooling yourself. As you said, Harry already knows about your relationship with Lily."

He only went back to confirm things; it wouldn't do any good to make Petunia forget everything!

"How could it not work!" Snape insisted. "I begged the Dark Lord to spare Lily's life."

He only knew that I wanted Lily, but he didn't know that we grew up together and had a deep bond.

If he knew these details, he would definitely have doubts about me and wouldn't trust me as much anymore.

Potter asked Petunia, "The Dark Lord can directly connect to his mind!"

"No, Voldemort is afraid of that kind of connection," Dumbledore said.

"Not long ago, William ambushed the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic, which has made him afraid of being deceived again."

Furthermore, if he were to try to enter Harry's mind, he would experience pain he had never felt before.

He won't try to get into Harry's mind, I'm sure of it.

"I don't understand!" Snape shook his head.

"Voldemort's soul was incomplete; he couldn't get close to a soul like Harry's, like a tongue stuck to frozen steel, or flesh touching flames..." Dumbledore explained.

Voldemort, having obtained Harry's blood, could indeed physically touch Harry.

But that broken soul still wouldn't do; it couldn't attach itself to Harry, much less probe his thoughts.

This is why Dumbledore trusted Harry with Horcrux even though Harry hadn't learned Occlumency.

The fear of being discovered by Voldemort was just an excuse.

Snape's real reason was that he wanted Harry to discover his relationship with Lily.

Therefore, Dumbledore's explanation failed to convince Snape, who shouted, "You promised me back then, you swore an oath..."

"Yes, I promised you, Severus." Dumbledore looked at Snape's agitated yet pained face and sighed.

"I swore I would never reveal your best side to anyone, especially not to Harry."

I kept quiet, but he found out on his own.

We can't stop what's meant to happen, nor can we control everything, can we?

Dumbledore paused briefly, gazed at the middle-aged man before him, and slowly said:

"Besides, what difference would it make if Harry found out?"

I've never believed that your past with Lily is something to be ashamed of.

"We should remember everything that has happened: the good, the bad, who is still alive... who is no longer here."

After saying this, Dumbledore didn't continue; saying anything more would be superfluous.

Snape stood silently in the snowstorm, and was soon enveloped by the heavy snow, looking like a Yeti.

(Seeking monthly votes at the beginning of the month, everyone!)