The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 35: Redemption and Prison [Second Update]

Hogwarts.

With its magnificent appearance, intricate internal structure, and pervasive magical atmosphere, this castle has become a dream school for countless wizards and witches.

The castle’s outer walls are made of huge gray stones, which have withstood wind and rain yet remain sturdy and indestructible, as if each stone has witnessed the rise and growth of countless wizards.

Spacious halls, winding corridors, well-stocked libraries... and unique headmaster's offices—these are childhood memories that many wizards will never forget, even if they spend their entire lives with them.

Every year at the start of the school year.

People will gather here.

"Fox, you've been going out a lot these past few days. Is there something new and exciting happening outside that's attracting you?" Dumbledore asked, looking at the fiery red figure that flew in through the window with a hint of curiosity.

Because school hasn't started yet.

The atmosphere inside the castle was somewhat deserted.

All the students were on holiday, and even the professors had their own homes... except for people like Snape and Dumbledore who would still stay at the school.

They are not homeless.

They simply... could no longer feel the presence of home.

"Clang clang~"

The phoenix's loud and clear cry revealed that it was in a good mood.

"School's about to start, so you can't run around in the school. You'll scare the little wizards." Dumbledore tidied his phoenix's slightly messy feathers.

This was one of his few forms of entertainment.

For Snape

There's no difference between staying at school and staying at home.

As for Dumbledore...

He simply didn't have the courage to face Godric's Valley again.

Yes.

courage.

Many people only see Albus Dumbledore's glory and power, but few can see how lonely this headmaster of Hogwarts is behind his many dazzling halos.

When a Gryffindor loses courage.

That alone is enough to prove that he has actually fallen into the abyss and is completely lost.

"If you really want something to do, perhaps you could help me find the location of the Chamber of Secrets again." Dumbledore didn't actually understand the language of the phoenixes.

but.

This does not mean that the phoenix cannot understand human speech.

"Clang! Clang! Clang clang!"

Phoenix agreed.

Dumbledore could sense this emotionally.

"Thank you for your help."

He took out some snacks.

however.

The fiery red phoenix perched on Dumbledore's arm, ignoring the small treats he offered, and instead let out a clear cry towards the outside of the school.

"Severus".

Dumbledore looked up.

Then he saw Snape, looking preoccupied, walk into the school from outside. Judging from the direction he came from, Dumbledore could roughly guess where Snape had gone.

"So you finally went to visit that poor child?"

Dumbledore's figure disappeared from the office window, and the next moment, he appeared in the castle passage that Snape had entered—this was Fawkes the Phoenix's Apparition.

Although the rules of Hogwarts Castle may not be able to restrain a wizard like Dumbledore, he rarely breaks the rules that have been passed down for thousands of years at Hogwarts.

"That damn brat is not pitiful at all."

Snape seemed startled by Dumbledore, but upon hearing Dumbledore's words, he couldn't help but twitch as he recalled the horrifying scene he had just witnessed.

They've even started using black magic.

Can you call that pitiful?

"Don't always suppress your emotions; that child needs your care."

Dumbledore's voice always seems to possess a peaceful magic.

He patiently persuaded Snape.

Many people have thought that Dumbledore was just using Snape, or that he pitied Snape... However, the truth is that Dumbledore saw his own past in Snape.

Perhaps things would have been different.

However, Dumbledore was probably the one who could empathize with Snape the most.

Both of them had pursued their goals in an extreme way.

They all realized this because of the sudden and dramatic changes.

just.

Unlike him.

Snape still has a chance to be redeemed.

"I admit that what I said before was a bit extreme. You are his only family. If even you want to reject him, then he has no one left to rely on in this world."

Dumbledore really hoped to see something in Snape that he could never hope for.

"..."

Snape's eyes flickered slightly.

There was no rebuttal, which was rare.

"Ian is a loving child, don't let him lose love, okay?" Compared to before, Dumbledore was clearly using a different approach to persuade Snape not to close himself off.

of course.

It was definitely for Ian's sake, the orphan. With a wizard like Snape to rely on, no matter what, the future path of a young wizard would be much easier.

"He's doing very well in Hogsmeade. He seems to be adapting well... to life in the wizarding world." Snape's expression was slightly unnatural as he spoke.

Dumbledore didn't care.

"He can take good care of a group of children, and of course he knows how to take care of himself." After all, Dumbledore had personally conducted a background check on Ian.

He knew a lot about Ian.

"Ha! What an audacious brat! He's just too good at taking care of himself!" Snape gritted his teeth, feeling his blood pressure rise just thinking about what he had seen.

"Isn't this a good thing?"

Dumbledore chuckled softly.

The full picture is clearly unknown.

"..."

Snape gave Dumbledore a strange look, said nothing more, shook his head, and walked around Dumbledore to return to his office.

He also has a potion brewing.

"Perhaps you should bring him to live with you in the castle."

Dumbledore made a suggestion to Snape's retreating figure.

"I don't want to be so angry that I die."

Snape's voice was cold.

He continued walking forward, dragging his long robe, which looked like a rag.

suddenly.

It was as if she had remembered something.

He stopped again.

Turn around.

Dumbledore remained standing in the same spot, still holding the phoenix in his hand.

Albus.

Snape hesitated before speaking.

"In what year did you learn complex magic, and how long did it take you?" The Potions professor at Hogwarts stared intently at his headmaster.

This puzzled Dumbledore slightly.

"Although the outside world has praised my magical talent, in fact I am only slightly better at it," Dumbledore said modestly before answering.

"If my old brain remembers correctly, it was an afternoon in my second year of high school. It wasn't the kind of magic I was supposed to be exposed to at that time, and it took up a whole afternoon."

For most wizards.

This is definitely Dumbledore's Versailles time.

however.

"Damn it, it seems your reputation is somewhat undeserved..." Snape wasn't being sarcastic, but rather sighing, and his expression became even more worried as he turned to leave.

"????"

Dumbledore was stunned for a long time.

immediately.

He seemed to realize something.

A flicker of... horror crossed the eyes behind the glasses.