Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 849: Chapter 718: Snape’s Scar (Part 3)

”By the way, did you already know Slughorn would teach Potions class?”

”It’s nothing,” Kael said matter-of-factly. ”Slughorn is one of the few renowned Potions Masters and excels at keeping himself safe. In any case, he wouldn’t have chosen to be the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.”

”You should have told me earlier,” Harry muttered quietly. ”Had I known, I wouldn’t have chosen Defense Against the Dark Arts.”

Kael smiled without saying a word.

The two returned to the castle.

”Kael, hey, Kael!”

Kael turned his head; it was Susan Bones, running towards him with a scroll of parchment in her hand.

”For you.” She thrust the parchment into Kael’s hands, speaking breathlessly, ”Have you heard about Hannah’s situation?”

”Yes, I’ve heard,” Kael nodded.

On the third day after school started, the Death Eaters launched several attacks, and many people died, including Hannah’s family. She hasn’t been seen for many days.

”I hope she can hold on,” Susan said worriedly. ”And I don’t think going home is the right choice for her; right now, there’s no place safer than Hogwarts.”

”Yes,” Kael nodded.

After Susan left, he opened the parchment. Inside was a line of delicate, slightly slanted handwriting.

Dear Kael:

Please come to my office after lunch; I hope your start to the school year has been smooth.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

PS: The password is Sour Burst Candy.

...

”Headmaster Dumbledore contacted you?” Conna read the letter over Kael’s shoulder. ”It’s not something dangerous, is it?”

”Who knows,” Kael said, heading towards the Auditorium.

The letter mentioned after lunch, so there was no rush.

...

Meanwhile, in the Headmaster’s Office on the eighth floor. ℴ

The atmosphere here was somewhat tense; Dumbledore sat there, and Snape stood before him, his expression as dark as water.

”So that’s your goal, right?” He asked indifferently, ”Getting Harry or Kael to find out the secrets inside Slughorn’s head.”

”We must know how many Soul Artifacts Tom has made,” Dumbledore tapped the table. ”You know, Severus, there’s not much danger in this.”

”Not dangerous?” Snape’s voice inadvertently rose, ”Slughorn has hidden for years because of this secret.

As far as I know, since the Dark Lord’s resurrection, he hasn’t dared to stay in one place for more than three months, resorting to living in empty Muggle houses... Is this what you call ’not dangerous’?”

Dumbledore was silent for a moment. ”It’s surprising, Severus, that you actually care about Kael.”

”Don’t talk nonsense.” Snape glared at him, ”You know who I’m referring to.”

”Yes, I know,” Dumbledore said softly. ”This guilt has tormented you for sixteen years, ever since Lily...”

”Don’t mention that name!” Snape roared, his voice so loud it even woke Fawkes, who flapped its wings vigorously to express its displeasure.

In the portraits, Phineas Black opened his eyes slightly and then continued to feign sleep.

But Dumbledore didn’t seem to mind; he stroked the ring on his hand, asking gently:

”Do you want to see her again? Perhaps you could earn her forgiveness.”

”Are you making fun of me?” Snape looked at Dumbledore coldly, trying to suppress his anger. ”She’s dead; how could I possibly see her again... Wait...”

At this moment, he suddenly noticed the ring on Dumbledore’s hand.

”Is that...”

”Yes, it’s exactly what we found at the old Gaunt residence,” Dumbledore extended his hand to display the ring to Snape.

”But... isn’t it cursed...”

”It’s been lifted,” Dumbledore said, removing the ring and placing it on the table. ”You might not have noticed, but I was wearing it at the start-of-term banquet.”

The Resurrection Stone...

Only one thought occupied Snape’s mind.

The Resurrection Stone that brings back the souls of the dead was right before him; he could use it to see Lily again, speak to her, and... apologize...

Unconsciously, Snape took a quick step forward.

Yet, somehow, the closer he got to the Resurrection Stone, the heavier his steps became.

When he finally stood before Dumbledore, close enough to reach out and touch the Resurrection Stone, he found he couldn’t move a finger.

He was afraid.

Afraid of seeing Lily, afraid of her looking at him with disappointment... or even hatred.

What if she doesn’t forgive him?

It was his betrayal that led to the death of the Potters after he reported a half-heard prophecy from the Hog’s Head Pub to Voldemort. Lily not forgiving him would be entirely expected.

Snape had never wanted to relive this event; for years, he just wanted to figure out how to atone.

Using the Resurrection Stone would mean tearing open this wound once again.

Staring at the Resurrection Stone just within reach, Snape’s expression constantly shifted, and at last, he stumbled back two steps.

He collided with a table, knocking over several pieces of silverware.

”Take it away!” Snape shouted hysterically. ”Take it away!”

However, Dumbledore wasn’t overly surprised by this scene, or perhaps he had anticipated it all along.

”Severus...” Dumbledore picked up the ring and put it back on his hand. ”Sometimes we all need a little extra courage. Though reopening wounds is painful, it also means there’s a chance for healing.”

”Shut up, Dumbledore, shut up!” Snape gasped, unable to take in anything he said.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

”Sorry, I have something to do.” Snape headed towards the door quickly, without even glancing at the just-arrived Kael.