Side Story — Snape 1
On Friday morning, Snape sat at the teachers' table eating as usual. As usual, he glanced toward the two Potter cubs.
Very good.
That big cub was finally not late today and had arrived in the Great Hall at a normal time.
As for the little cub…
The little cub was secretly looking at his big brother with bright eyes.
This…
It really was worthy of that little cub's character.
He was like a fool who had completely forgotten about Harry Potter's dislike of him on the first day of school.
Snape snorted coldly and stabbed at the steak on his plate with his dinner knife.
It wasn't until Quirrell nervously reminded him that he had already butchered the steak into pieces that Snape finally returned his attention to his plate.
He mocked himself inwardly.
The Potter family's big and little cubs—what did they have to do with him, Severus Snape?
He only needed to be responsible for their safety.
Snape lowered his head and continued eating. He was just about to hurry up and finish breakfast when he suddenly heard a burst of exclamations.
What now?
Couldn't they even eat in peace?
Snape irritably looked over.
As a result, he saw Harry Potter standing beside the little cub.
What?
Had he ignored the little cub for a few days and now decided to come over and teach him a lesson?
Gryffindor.
Hmph!
Snape calmly drew his wand.
He planned to cast a Disarming Charm as soon as Harry Potter made a move, then give him a month's worth of detention.
Heh.
There was something indescribably satisfying about having James Potter's son brew potions for him in the Potions office.
But then…
They weren't arguing?
Had Harry invited that little cub to Gryffindor?
Snape's expression darkened slightly.
It would be better if they argued!
Did Harry Potter have any idea what it meant to invite that cub to Gryffindor at a time like this?
It meant that the cub would be ostracized by the other Slytherins and punished by all of them.
Yes.
According to Slytherin's rules, leaving the house when everyone was acting together was considered an act of betrayal.
Especially if he left to go to their hostile house—
Gryffindor!
When the cub returned to the common room that evening, the Slytherin students would punish him one after another.
Unless every Slytherin student gave up the opportunity to punish the little cub, he would definitely be dealt with.
As Head of Slytherin House, Snape could have stopped them.
But if he did, it would mean Darren Potter would be expelled from Slytherin.
Yes.
Expelled from Slytherin House.
This was a Slytherin rule. Even the Headmaster and Head of House couldn't simply change it.
In other words, he had to let Darren be punished.
Snape's expression became extremely ugly. He even wanted to walk over and directly interrupt Darren before he could answer.
However, seeing Quirrell eavesdropping nearby, he merely said coldly, "It seems I'll need to prepare a punishment for Potter."
"Well, that's not necessary… You don't have to be so… cruel…"
Quirrell stammered.
Snape sneered inwardly.
Not necessary?
What was he pretending for?
Ever since the man had entered Hogwarts, Snape had vaguely suspected that he had returned.
The man was even hiding at the back of Quirrell's wrapped-up head.
If Snape showed mercy to Potter, who knew whether it would attract that man's attention?
And this person couldn't be trusted with a single word.
What did he mean by saying there was no need to be so cruel to Potter?
Ridiculous.
Wasn't that person famous for his cruelty?
He had already been killed once by that little cub's brother, Harry Potter. Why would he suddenly treat that little cub differently?
This could very well be that man's test.
He wanted to see whether Snape was still loyal?
Hmph!
Snape coldly pushed Quirrell's head aside, then turned and left the teachers' table.
He summoned the worried female Slytherin prefect.
"I need you to use the Cruciatus Curse on Darren Potter."
Snape spoke to the Greengrass girl.
Then he saw the shock in the girl's eyes.
"This… Professor, I can't… That's Dark magic… I can't use that sort of magic at school!"
The girl vehemently refused.
But Snape saw the anger in her eyes.
There was even a hint of murderous intent.
Immature.
Showing murderous intent in front of a Slytherin Head of House?
If there had been an enemy standing in front of her, she would already be dead.
"Hmph. Don't play your little tricks. I allow you to use this magic."
Snape paused, then sneered.
"No, no, no. If no one spreads the word, then it isn't against the rules, is it?"
Snape laughed sarcastically.
He didn't listen to Miss Greengrass's further protests. He simply turned and left, deliberately dropping a finger sleeve behind him before he went.
After seeing Miss Greengrass pick it up and show an expression of sudden excitement, Snape quietly returned to his office.
Inside his office, he saw Dumbledore, who should have been sitting at the teachers' table in the Great Hall.
"If I'm not mistaken, the current Headmaster should be eating at the teachers' table."
Snape narrowed his eyes, his wand already in his hand.
Although he didn't think anyone could possibly obtain the Headmaster's hair and use it to disguise themselves as him, he wasn't taking any chances.
"A little magic, good morning, Severus."
Dumbledore looked somewhat sleepy.
But his blue eyes remained as sharp and wise as ever.
He stood in the middle of Snape's office. Seeing that Snape was still on guard, he shrugged and took out his old wand.
"Well, it really is you."
Snape lowered his wand slightly.
"So, Dumbledore, what did you come to me for?"
Snape snorted and finally put away his wand.
Unless Dumbledore was dead, the Elder Wand couldn't possibly have passed into someone else's hands.
"Severus, forgive an old man for his selfishness. I need to enter Slytherin with you and watch Darren be punished!"
"Boom!"
Snape angrily slammed his fist onto the desk.
He immediately drew his wand and pointed it at Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore, what are you planning to do? Are you actually going to stand by and watch that little cub be tortured to death by the Cruciatus Curse?"
"No, no, Severus. You're thinking too much…"
Dumbledore helplessly shook his head and motioned for Snape to lower his wand.
Snape was silent for a moment.
Then he lowered his wand, his eyes looking somewhat vacant.
He said bitterly, "Dumbledore, you've always been like this. How am I supposed to trust you?"